“Are you hungry?” Connor asked.
Max shook his head. “I couldn’t eat, but don’t let me stop you.”
“No, I’m okay.” Connor reached out, putting a hand on Max’s back.He paused for a second to make sure that was okay.
Max barely reacted, so he assumed it was. Connor moved his thumb,tracing circles into the coat Max hadn’t even taken off yet.
“I don’t understand why you’re so nice to me,” Max said.
“Yeah you do,” Connor said.
Max knew he had a crush on him. Connor had realized that a whileback.
The fact that it was fine, that Max didn’tmind, was arelief. He still wasn’t sure exactly where the line was, but at least he knewthat he could pine quietly without upsetting him.
Max swallowed. “Yeah, I do,” he agreed. “I still appreciate it.”
Connor chuckled, scooting just a little closer to Max, hummingsoftly as Max shifted to make it easier for him. “You’re a sweetheart, youdeserve people being nice to you.”
“You too,” Max said, blushing. Connor could have said things thatmade him blush all day and never gotten tired of it.
He watched Max lean forward and put his tea down on the coffeetable, and then sit back again, turning his head to look Connor in the eyes.
The look was so intense that it made Connor squirm.
“I’m grateful,” Max said, just barely above a whisper. “Foreverything you’ve done for me. For everything you’re doing.”
“You’re doing a lot for me, as well. This is a two-man job.”
“I know.” Max licked his lips. “I know, I just… want you to knowhow much it means. How much ithelps, to know someone has my back.”
Connor took a breath to respond, but before he could decide whathe wanted to say, Max started to lean toward him. His eyes widened as he realizedwhat was about to happen, his heart hammering in his chest.
Before he could react, Max’s lips made contact with his. Soft, andwarm, and very definitely pressed against Connor’s.
A surprised gasp escaped him as Max parted his lips, moved closer,reached out to touch Connor’s face. His strong, callused fingers cuppedConnor’s jaw, the touch almost painfully gentle.
It was everything Connor had wanted and more, his heart clenchingin his chest at the sweetness. He’d been dying to do this for so long.
Except that Max was upset, and he’d probably regret this later.Connor couldn’t risk Max feeling as though he’d been taken advantage of.
He pushed back against him gently, breaking the kiss with a pangof regret. “Max,” he murmured. “You’re upset.”
Max backed away a few inches, his eyes shining again. He wet hislips, pausing, and then took a deep breath.
“Please?” he asked.
That… wasn’t what Connor had been expecting to hear.
“Please,” Max repeated before Connor could respond. “I need… this.I need you. I need to feel something other than… than pain and panic andbone-deep exhaustion, just for a little while. If… if that’s okay.”
Connor swallowed. He wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but Maxclearlydidneed it. And he trusted Connor enough to come to him, toask.
Connor wasn’t going to refuse him. Not when he wanted this somuch.
“Okay,” Connor agreed, nodding. “Of course. Let me take care ofyou.”
“Thank you,” Max said, curling his hand around the back ofConnor’s neck and pulling him in for another kiss.
