Page 121 of Cross & Crown

minutes, each of them trying to catch his breath, each of them

slowly recommencing their gentle strokes and touches as their

bodies calmed. Kelly finally managed to move, lifting himself

off Nick and then col apsing beside him in bed.

Nick didn’t move other than to rest his hand on Kelly’s

thigh and squeeze. Kelly took in his profile in the glaring

light. He placed his hand over Nick’s heart again, feeling it

slow.“I’m sorry I questioned this,” Kelly said as he tapped

Nick’s chest.

Nick opened one eye, then turned his head to meet Kelly’s

eyes. “It’s okay to question, Kels. But I promise I’ll never give you a reason to.”

Kelly kissed him gently, then rolled to his back again.

“Who gets the light and the towel?” he asked after a few

121

seconds. “I have spunk dripping out of my ass and it’s your

fault.”

“Yeah, it is,” Nick said, sounding pretty pleased with

himself.

“Pretty sure you should have to get the towel.”

“Roshambo,” Nick said, and he held his fist up, waiting.

Kelly made a fist and they counted off. Kelly threw scissors,

and Nick chuckled. He’d thrown rock. He knocked his fist

against Kelly’s fingers. “Boom.”

Kelly grunted as he rolled out of bed. “Fucker.”

122

Chapter 6

o,” Hagan drawled with a knowing look at Nick

“Sas soon as he appeared for breakfast. His hair was

mussed and he was still wearing his T-shirt and jeans from

last night.