“What does that mean?”
“Some people have minor flaws, and others have horrible ones. That’s why some people wind up murderers and others don’t.”
“Gramlithyn Verdanyth-Hippotigris, are you seriously comparing yourself to a murderer right now?”
“Okay, it was an extreme example, but you know what I mean.”
“No, I really don’t. You’re being way too hard on yourself.”
Gramlithyn blew out a breath, and Pyxlevir took his shot to give his other half a chance to collect his thoughts.
“Pyx, I’m pissed at myself,” Gramlithyn confided. “We were best friends, but I made enormous assumptions. Now I look back and I wonder why I didn’t have the guts to discuss my feelings with you. We talked about everything. Why didn’t I sit you down and ask you some fucking questions before I took off?”
“Because the things we didn’t tell each other were scary. Why didn’t I tell you when we were young that I wanted to have you as a mate? I didn’t understand or have sexuality, but you were the one I wanted for eternity because I loved you. I never told you that. We were young, and we weren’t perfect. But if youstay mad about everything from six years ago, how can we move on?”
“I hate that you’re right.”
“Because you want to beat yourself up. Get over yourself.”
Gramlithyn chuckled, then sank his ball into the second hole on his third shot. “Maybe you should work on being less honest with me about my personality and my flaws.”
“Nope, it’s my job to call you out. I expect you to do the same for me. If I’m going to have a permanent role in your life, a part of that is going to be as your best friend. I’m the person you can count on to tell you to pull your head out of your ass.”
“Okay, does that include me making fun of you because I’m a shot ahead of you now?” Gramlithyn asked as Pyxlevir missed the hole by nearly a foot.
“Live it up now because I’m already planning my comeback.”
“You look really cute when you’re pissed.”
Pyxlevir waited until they were at the third hole and Gramlithyn had his club in hand. He grinned. “Yeah, well, your ass looks really sexy in those jeans.”
As he’d hoped, Gramlithyn’s attempt was horrible, and the hybrid’s expression was a mixture of annoyance and admiration.
“You did that on purpose,” Gramlithyn accused.
“Guilty as charged, but I wasn’t lying.” To prove his point, Pyxlevir patted Gramlithyn’s bottom as they switched places so he could take his swing.
“As a comeback strategy, this is going to be incredibly effective.” A solid hand landed on Pyxlevir’s silk-clad butt, and Gramlithyn’s lips brushed the back of his neck where his long hair had parted as he bent over his club. Pyxlevir sucked in a shocked but delighted breath as his ball crept barely three feet forward. Considering the circumstances, it wasn’t the worstoutcome. He’d nearly missed it completely. “But Pyx, if you want to play games, I’m happy to reciprocate.”
Reaching up, Pyxlevir cupped Gramlithyn’s face in his hands and kissed him. “How dare you use my own evil tactics against me.”
“Maybe you should promise to behave if you want to have a fair round of golf from here on out.”
“Why would I want to do that?” Pyxlevir asked, releasing his hold on Gramlithyn so they could venture to the next hole.
“Interesting question. Which one of us is wearing silk pants?”
Pyxlevir cackled. “Pretty egotistical of you to suggest that my attire would be a problem if we continued to flirt and touch each other.”
“Oh, sorry, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions,” Gramlithyn said, breaking eye contact to rest his ball on the artificial turf again. “I was considering my reaction to you putting your hands on me. From what I’ve heard, mates are often attracted to each other equally. I guess I was wrong. Or maybe it’s too hard for you to imagine being intimate with me. Having your body entwined with mine as we discover passion. Don’t worry, I understand, maybe it’s something that will grow as we build our relationship.”
The images that flooded Pyxlevir’s mind were undeniably erotic, and his eyes slid shut so he could appreciate the brilliantness of his vivid imagination. His blood heated and his heartbeat quickened. A second later, his mouth dropped open, and he narrowed his gaze at Gramlithyn.
“You put naked images in my brain on purpose,” Pyxlevir exclaimed.
Gramlithyn’s smile was pure malice. “I guess being with me doesn’t gross you out.”
“If you ever thought it did, the problem lies with you, Gramlithyn. Even if you weren’t my mate, you aren’t ugly. Silly man.”
