Page 30 of Loving a Warrior

At that Shane couldn’t help but laugh. “Nah, you would’ve made it either way. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so tenacious and determined in all my life.”

“I haven’t made it yet, though, so don’t fucking jinx me,” Matt said fiercely. “If surf passage keeps kicking my ass, I might not make it.”

“Hmm, you do suck at surf passage.” Shane enjoyed Matt’s sudden glare of outrage. “I have to say, I get a huge kick out of seeing you fail at something around here.”

“You’re such a dick.”

“Sorry.” Shane laughed. “Couldn’t resist. You’re way too easy to rile.” And you’re sexy as hell when you’re all spun up.

“Only you, clown. Only you.” Matt pushed his door open. “With everyone else, I’m all sweetness and light. But you—”

“Have dinner with me tonight.”

Shane’s impulsive words hung in the air between them as Matt froze in the doorway.

Did you really have to say it like that? You’re not fucking asking him out on a date, dumbass. He gulped. Are you?

Unable to do anything now but see it through, Shane waited tensely for the scorn to rain down, possibly followed by a punch to the face.

Relief made his knees go weak when all Matt said was, “What’re you thinking, pizza at the house? I guess it’d be nice to get a jump on our laundry so we have the rest of the weekend to relax.”

Grasping at the lifeline, Shane burst out, “Yes, that. That’s just what I was thinking. Yep.”

“Cool. Gimme ten.”

He disappeared into his room and Shane slumped back against the railing.

Dammit. If he wasn’t careful, he was gonna end up getting his teeth kicked in. Still, there were times he had to wonder if the attraction he was fighting was really that one-sided. Every now and then he could swear there was heat in Matt’s eyes when he looked at him. And that night he’d licked his lips clean of spaghetti sauce, Matt’s gaze had been glued to every movement of Shane’s tongue.

Wishful thinking? Or could this turn out to be a golden opportunity for them both? If only Matt would let his guard down long enough for Shane to find out.

* * *

Matt ripped a loud, obnoxious belch, not even bothering to cover it with his hand. He dropped his head to the back of Shane’s couch. “That was some good pizza. Is there any more? I have room now.” He rubbed his stomach, laughing at Shane’s disgusted look.

“Didn’t they teach you any manners on the farm?”

“Apparently not.”

Matt linked his hands over his belly and stared at the TV through slitted eyes as Shane aimlessly flipped through the channels. Their laundry was done—starched, folded and ready for Monday—and the pizza was devoured. No reason Matt couldn’t go back to his room now, except…he didn’t want to. He should leave, especially when he remembered how his pulse had leapt at Shane’s dinner invitation earlier, how for a split-second he’d wished Shane was asking him out.

“I love Fridays,” Shane murmured from where he was ensconced in an overstuffed leather recliner, his feet up, one knee raised and waving idly back and forth. He worked the remote with one hand, the other tucked behind his head so that his loose tank top fell to the side to reveal a firm brown nipple. Matt’s mouth watered. Were Shane’s nipples sensitive like his own were? Did he like them played with during sex, to have them sucked and bitten until they were swollen and throbbing?

Matt stifled a groan, grabbing for a throw pillow and putting it as casually as he could over his lap.

“You okay?”

Shane was looking over at him, and Matt was grateful as hell for the dimness that hid his face.

“Yeah,” he croaked. “Just fuckin’ full. I probably shouldn’t have eaten so much.”

With a loud yawn, Shane got more comfortable in his chair. “We burn like six thousand calories a day, dude. We can eat whatever we want.” He pulled up his shirt and contemplated his own abs. “No pizza showing. We’re good.” Without bothering to cover himself back up, Shane arched his back in a stretch, his low groan of contentment making Matt wonder what he’d sound like when he came.

“Shit.” Needing to get away from his increasingly carnal thoughts, Matt cast the pillow aside and stood. “I’m gonna go on home. Maybe go for a run on the beach.”

“Are you serious?” Shane gaped at him. “Take a night off, would ya? Let’s watch a movie, have a beer. It’s Friday night, for fuck’s sake. Alexis is at her boyfriend’s…”

Matt grabbed his duffel. “A beer? I don’t drink, dumbass.” And especially not around you. That’d be the height of stupidity and I’m already being stupid enough.