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“Shower first, damn it. I’m all sweaty and want to wash the stink of Philip off me.”

“Shower first,” David agreed.

And he was even more sure of his decision, something he might just thank Philip for later.

CHRISTIAN

Fresh and clean, Christian bounded out of the bathroom and launched himself into the air. With a soft laugh, he landed on the folds of the bed and sprawled out. David’s shower had an overhead attachment and three built into the walls. It was large enough to fit both of them very comfortably, and Christian had taken his time with David, making sure they used up all the hot water.

David followed him at a more sedate pace. “I wasn’t aware you could fling yourself.”

Christian looked up, smirking. “I used to be in track and field back in school. Well, different schools. Geez, there were a lot of school teams I had to try out for now I think about it.”

“I never knew you were an athlete,” David admitted, toweling off his head.

Christian watched the water drip down David’s bare body. “Yeah, I did quite a bit when I could. It helped when I had to hop from school to school, sometimes two or three times a year. Different towns, different schools, different people, different lessons, but I could always count on being able to do track and field, baseball, stuff like that.”

David paused, humming appreciatively. “That’s right, you’re on the baseball team here, aren’t you?”

“Why yes, General Winter, I am on one of the teams you created,” Christian said with a laugh.

David winced. “Doesn’t say good things that I have baseball teams created, with games and space set aside for them, and I’ve never been to see a single game in years.”

Christian chuckled. “Well, everyone’s happy you did. It gives us something to do other than get into trouble. You’re a pretty busy man, most people get that.”

David stopped at the edge of the bed, running a hand over Christian’s leg. “If it means a chance to see you in baseball pants, I might just have to make time.”

Christian laughed, playfully swatting at David’s hand. “You’re a pervert, you know that? I thought older guys were supposed to lose some of their libido.”

David scowled. “Was that an age joke?”

“Only if it means I’m making fun of myself for being outdone by someone older than me,” Christian said.

David bent over him, placing a hand on the bed on each side of Christian. “I stand by blaming you for that.”

“Me? What did I do?” Christian protested.

David looked him over, taking his time. “Need I say more?”

Christian reached up, cupping David’s face and pulling him down into a sound kiss. “In the year I’ve known you, I never have imagined you to be a sweet talker.”

“I am a man of many skills,” David said.

“And boy, am I learning that,” Christian replied.

Rather than bringing himself down for the kill, as Christian expected, David flopped down next to him. Christian blinked in surprise but smiled when David curled up on his side, wrapping an arm around Christian’s chest.

“You okay?” Christian asked softly.

David closed his eyes, nodding his head. “I will be. That was...unbelievably nerve-wracking. I never thought it was Philip behind Ethan’s blackmail attempt.”

“Well, not strictly Philip,” Christian reminded him.

“True, but if it hadn’t been for Philip’s attempts to get some dirt on me, Ethan might never have realized the value of what he had.”

“And now, neither of them is a problem.”

David cracked his eyes open. “And I have you to thank.”