Page 49 of Loving a Warrior

Shane found the scattered pillows, wedged them under Matt’s knees and tucked the duvet around him.

“Thanks, Mom,” Matt said drowsily, a faint smile quirking his lips.

With a roll of his eyes and an answering smirk, Shane tiptoed out and closed the door softly behind him.

Chapter Twelve

Matt woke in increments, becoming aware of two things: That the room was pitch dark and he needed to piss like a racehorse. Struggling his way out of the mound of pillows, he climbed off the bed and hobbled for the bathroom. As he washed his hands afterward, he realized his mouth tasted like someone had taken a shit in it, so he fumbled for his toothbrush.

Finally, all minty fresh, bladder empty, he headed back to bed to find the lamp on and Shane sitting up rubbing his eyes. “Everything okay?” he asked, voice hoarse from sleep.

“Yeah, sorry.” Matt lay down and shoved at the pillows, trying to get them just right. “Nature calling.”

Shane helped him get situated, saying, “Your knees look better. Not so swollen.”

“They feel better. I think I’ll try and go for a run later, see how they do. Although Bernson said PT will be light for the first few days after we go back, mostly stretching.”

“You’ll crush it as usual, Matt. No doubt in my mind.”

When Shane leaned over him to switch the lamp off, Matt touched his shoulder. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “For everything. I mean it.”

Shane looked down at him, his blue eyes warm. “You’re welcome.” A click of the switch, and the room plunged once more into darkness. The bed rocked as Shane punched at his pillow before falling back against it with a sigh.

Matt lay there, acutely aware of Shane’s body only inches away from his.

He’s not in your class anymore. You won’t be seeing him every day, not as much distraction. Matt jammed his arm over his eyes as the devil on his shoulder whispered in his ear.

“What’re you thinking about? I can hear those gears grinding from here.”

Matt jumped as Shane’s voice came at him from the darkness. After a moment he gave a rueful chuckle, deciding he had nothing to lose by being honest.

“If you wanna know the truth, I’m lying here trying to figure out how to have my cake and eat it, too.”

“Oh, really?” The bed jostled again as Shane rolled to his side, his tone husky with amusement. “I love cake.”

“I’m sure you do, Mr. Popularity. You probably have people throwing themselves at you right and left.” The thought sent a surprising frisson of jealousy through him. What’s wrong with you? You’re not gonna be staking any claim here.

Matt cleared his throat. “I don’t have it that often, myself. I think I can count the pieces I’ve had on one hand.”

“Having cake isn’t a casual thing for you, then.”

“No, it’s not. I’m pretty picky about my cake, to be honest.” Matt grunted. “Jesus, this is a ridiculous conversation. I really want to fuck you and I’m tired of pretending like I don’t.”

A brief second of shocked silence, and then Shane burst out laughing. “Your bluntness was one of the first things I noticed about you,” he wheezed. “I like it.”

Matt waited for him to catch his breath. “I don’t wanna wait for graduation but I don’t see how we can make this work.”

“Listen.” Shane leaned across him to flip the light on again, resting his hand on Matt’s chest when he was done. “I could say something like ‘We just go with it and have fun,’ ’cause that’s the kind of person I am. You’re the type of guy who weighs every possible outcome before making a decision.”

“Probably why I don’t get a lot of cake.”

Shane chuckled. “So what possible outcome are you most worried about?” As he spoke, Shane rubbed his palm in slow circles over Matt’s belly, delving his fingertips ever so slightly beneath the sheet pooled at his hips. Matt arched his back, purring at the sensual touch.

“People finding out?” Shane prompted, the circles getting a little bigger, the sheet sliding a little lower.

“No,” Matt gasped. “I’m not worried about either one of us being discreet. I guess it’s just—”

“The distraction part?”