Definitely not because he wanted more.
The rasp of Connor’s skin against his own was new, even thoughthey’d obviously both shaved this morning. It was different, but it wasn’tbad.
Just different.
The tiniest spark of heat lit up the pit of Max’s belly as Connortilted his head, their lips gliding over each other. It was almost painfullygentle, the softest kiss of Max’s life.
His ears were pounding again, but it was different this time. Thesmallest spark of heat settled in the pit of his stomach, coiling up there.
Max wasn’t used to feeling like that at all. Kissing girls madehis heart skip, but kissing Connor…
He knew exactly what the feeling was, but he wasn’t willing toname it. Not right now. It was too much to process.
Connor pulled back, his lips just a little redder than before, hiseyes a little glazed.
Max licked his lips, suspecting that he looked the same way.
At least that’d make it convincing.
“Did you get what you need?” Connor asked.
Max wasn’t sure whether or not it was his imagination, but Connorseemed just a little short of breath. His own heart was still pounding in hischest, but that… that hadn’t beennew, for Connor. He’d kissed guysbefore, presumably.
It was a first for Max, and his brain was whirring at a millionmiles an hour, firing on all cylinders to process it.
It wasn’t bad.
That was as far as he’d gotten.
“I think I got a few good shots, yeah,” Kelsey said. She looked alittle out of breath, too.
Maybe girls liked that? It stood to reason that if guys likedseeing girls kiss…
Max wasn’t sure, but it’d obviously looked real enough to her.
“So what’re you guys planning on doing with the money? Housedeposit? Starting a business?” Kelsey asked, interrupting Max’s train ofthought.
He shoved everything else aside, promising himself that he’d dealwith it later. Now wasn’t the time for an identity crisis.
“Max’s sister is sick,” Connor said, giving Max a chance to gatherhis thoughts again. “She needs it to get better, so… it’s all going to her.That’s why we entered in the first place.”
Kelsey’s whole face softened. “That’s so sweet of you. Is yoursister okay?”
“She’s, uh…” Max paused to clear his throat. “She’s a tough kid.She’s hanging in there.”
“How old is she?” Kelsey asked, frowning.
“Thirteen,” Max responded. “I just want her to have a normallife.”
He didn’t have to fake the way his voice cracked when he saidthat, at least. Hedidwant Zoe to have a normal life. That was thewhole point of this.
“Well, between you and me, I hope you guys win. Can you send methrough some details, about your sister? We can run a little donations thingbeside your feature in the next issue.”
Max blinked at her. “Really?” he asked. “That… that’d be amazing.”
He turned to look at Connor, who was grinning at him.
And still holding his hand.
