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Chapter Three

Ethan

Ethan shifted deeper under the covers when a chill swept over him, but he found it hard toget warm.A cold snap had come in the night before and he’d gone to bed shivering.That was until he found Sebastian’s heat and pressed their backs together.

The man was a furnace.

After the warmth spread through him, he fell into a deep comfortable sleep.At some point, he must have shifted away from Sebastian, becausethe cold snuck underneath the blankets.

Ethan cracked one eye open and peeked at the clock.It was too early to get up, or at least he tried to convince himself he didn’t have class soon. As he pulled the comforter tighter around him, he edgedhis way toward the other side of the bed.

He held back a gasp as Sebastian’s warm arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him against his solid, naked chest.

Still half asleep and now warming up, he burrowed back against Sebastian, too tired to worry about giving away his feelings when he was this comfortable.

Sebastian’s scent of cedar and warm man drifted closer before Sebastian’s arm tightened around him, and Ethan knew these fleeting moments with Sebastian were all he had to look forward to. Sebastian wasn’t his, but in these early mornings, he could pretend.

For the past couple of nights, Ethan had worried he would find himself wrapped around Sebastian, unable to keep his feelings from showing if Sebastian woke up and caught him.Ethan liked to cuddle and thought he would give himself awayif he didn't hide his reaction to his friend, so he opted to stay on his side of the bed.Until his unconscious mind took over and he found himself in Sebastian’s arms when he woke.

As the morning sun rose in the sky and illuminated their bed, Ethan remembered the nervousness that poured from Sebastian when he had shown him their one bedroom.

Ethan was glad they’d gone back to their easy friendship, but Ethan was a realist.It would only be a matter of time before Sebastian broke from his self-imposed “no dating” rule.Until then, Ethan would savor the time he had with Sebastian, who buried his face against Ethan’s neck, almost drawing a moan from him.

As Ethan warmed up, and he dozed off, Sebastian’s voice brought him back to consciousness.

“Aren’t you going to make me breakfast?”

Ethan smiled into the pillow as his heart leaped at the sound of his rough, husky voice.He turned in Sebastian’s arms and noticed that his eyes were still closed.Sebastian pulled him closer and waited for Ethan’s answer.

“I’ll make you breakfast, forever, if you remember to turn the heat on before bed.”

Sebastian’s eyes shot open, and he threw his head back as he laughed, the sound echoed through their quiet room.When his laughter died down, he wiped his eyes and glanced at Ethan.“Why? I’m here to keep you warm, anyway.”

Ethan’s heart fluttered at Sebastian’s words.He grew silent as he enjoyed their shared heat, but chuckled when Sebastian’s stomach growled.

Ready forthe cold, he took a deep breath before he darted out from under the covers and searched for his sweats and a hoodie. Ethan sucked in a breath as the cold clothing surrounded him, but soon his body heat warmed them.

He turned toward Sebastian, curious about what he wanted for breakfast, and the words stuck in his throat when he caught a flash of desire in Sebastian’s hazel eyes.It soon disappeared, leaving Ethan to wonder if he’d imagined it.

Ethan cleared his throat when his words became stuck again.

Sebastian had chosen that moment to stand and stretch his arms above his head, bunching up the muscles in his back and emphasizing his tight ass encompassed in black boxer briefs.

Damn.

Although he’d seen Sebastian naked many times, this time wasdifferent.There was a spark of electricity between them, and although he wanted to deny it, an instinct told him not to ignore his hunch.

Once Sebastian dressed, Ethan led the way toward the kitchen, hoping he wouldn’t trip as his thoughts moved back to the tight black underwear Sebastian had underneath his sweats.

Ethan opened the door to the refrigerator and peered inside to check what they had on hand for breakfast.

He felt Sebastian’s body heat a split second before he pressed his chest against Ethan’s back.Instead of resting his hands on Ethan’s shoulders, Sebastian gripped his waist and Ethan locked down his muscles in order not to react to Sebastian’s touch.

“Would you like an omelet or pancakes and bacon?” Relievedwhen his voice didn’t waver.

“Pancakes. I’ll get the stuff from the pantry.”

Ethan couldn’t help it. He missed Sebastian’s touch as soon as he moved away, but he busied himself with making breakfast.