Page 79 of Loving a Warrior

He didn’t, but he’d die before he let Matt know that. He started up the cliff face, searching out hand and footholds and jamming in cams every few feet before clipping the rope into the carabiners. Matt belayed him from below, yelling encouragement. “I got you. Lookin’ good. Lookin’ real good.”

Shane huffed a breathless laugh at the exaggerated leer in Matt’s voice, surprised at how much he started to relax the higher they went. They made a good team, working smoothly together, the trust flowing easily and naturally between them.

That made all the difference, he realized when he at last sprawled at the top of the cliff, exhilaration pumping his blood wildly through his veins. Trust.

“You lied to me.” Matt collapsed down beside him, propped on his elbow. “You weren’t scared at all.”

Not with you at the other end of the rope, Shane wanted to say. Because I knew you weren’t gonna leave me to go off chasing your high, your good time. You had my back.

“Not entirely true.” Shane smiled up at him. “I just managed it better this time. You’re really good at it, too, Soup.”

Matt shrugged, smiling back, and Shane couldn’t help but hook him around the back of the neck and pull him down into a soft kiss.

“Hi. Missed you.”

“Mmm.” Matt pulled away slightly. “Sorry I was a dick earlier,” he said, his words little puffs of air against Shane’s cheek. “Long flight, kind of peopled out, you know? Shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

“Kiss me again, and all’s forgiven.”

Matt lowered his head and Shane closed his eyes, his senses full of the smell of hot dust, the feel of Matt’s stubble, the slickness of his tongue. With a groan Matt broke the kiss, then sat up, his breathing rough.

“Ready to get out of here?” he asked huskily. “Guy said it’d be an easy hike down.”

They inventoried their gear and stuffed it in their packs before going in search of the trail they’d been told wouldn’t be far away. It wasn’t hard to find, the traverse back down to the base of the cliff made even more enjoyable by the stunning views of the canyon and the glittering Strip far off in the distance.

By the time they returned their rental gear to the climbing store, Shane was ravenous. He suggested a barbecue place he remembered seeing on the way in, so he and Matt stopped and proceeded to stuff themselves with ribs, coleslaw and banana pudding.

They got back to their suite just as darkness was falling and the Strip was really coming alive. Shane proposed a walk but Matt shook his head, saying he was dying for a long, hot shower. He grabbed his kit and disappeared into the bathroom, gently closing the door behind him.

Left to his own devices, Shane couldn’t help but stare at the bed, the covers now invitingly turned down, gourmet chocolates resting on each pillow. He puttered around, digging out his charger to plug in his phone before grabbing up the ice bucket and going in search of the machine. When he got back to the room, he poured himself a glass of water and perched on a barstool to sip it slowly, eyes glued to the bathroom door.

At last it opened and Matt emerged in a cloud of steam, a towel wrapped low around his hips, his skin freckled from the sun and glistening with water droplets.

“Your turn,” he murmured, glancing at the bed and back at Shane. “That shower is amazing.”

Shane stood, not even trying to hide his burgeoning erection, which tented out the front of his close-fitting track pants. Matt’s eyes dropped to it and he swallowed visibly, Adam’s apple bobbing.

After making quick work of his shave, Shane brushed his teeth and climbed under the hot spray, which did feel wonderful, but he didn’t linger. He padded naked back into the room, where he found all the lights turned off except for one small lamp next to the bed. Matt stood in the shadows, leaning against the huge window and looking out over the glow of the Strip.

As he approached, he could see Matt’s reflection in the glass, watching him, his dark eyes solemn.

“What’re you thinking about?” Shane asked softly, settling his hands onto Matt’s shoulders.

Matt bit his lip. “Nothing.”

“Bullshit.” Shane gave him a squeeze. “It’s never ‘nothing’ with you. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who thinks as much as you do.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Matt’s voice wasn’t defensive, just curious.

“No way. I love how you weigh all your options before you make a move. I love how not impulsive you are. It’s—”

Comforting. Reassuring. Exactly what I need.

“Jesus, you make me sound boring.”

Shane chuckled. “Nah. I think you’re pretty amazing, Matt. Really.” He paused. “Can you promise me one thing, though, before you start overthinking everything?”

Matt nodded.