Sixteen year old Jacob Smithson has quite a temper. He’s picked on by other kids because he likes boys, and recent fighting has kicked him out of public school. As a last resort, his parents have placed him in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School for Boys.<br><br>It’s at his first mass at St. Thomas where he sees Avery Dendritch, a senior who serves as altar boy during the service. When they meet, the attraction between them is hard to deny. The two become fast friends, and as the school year progresses, their friendship deepens into something more. For the first time, Jacob has found a place where he belongs ... and someone with whom he’s falling in love.<br><br>But the other students gossip about their growing relationship, and while Avery can ignore them, Jacob cannot. As the rumors and slurs start up again, can he curb his temper, or will his penchant for fighting get him expelled from St. Thomas, as well?

Without Sin

Jacob pockets the watch so Avery can’t see it. “Yes,” he lies. “Kiss me.”


Avery laughs. “Hey!” He reaches for the pocket but Jacob catches his hand and pushes Avery’s book aside. “That’s my watch.”


Avery likes the challenge he hears in Jacob’s voice. When he stands, Jacob backs away a little, eyeing Avery as if trying to guess which way he’s going to come around the table. Avery suspects Jacob will run the other way. But he doesn’t want to chase his boy. If they’re not going to study until seven, then he’s got a few ideas of how he wants to spend the next hour before mass. Ideas that involve Jacob in his arms and not trying to get away from him.


So he does what Jacob’s not expecting. He kicks off his shoes and raises one knee to the table. Jacob’s eyes widen as Avery climbs onto the table. He moves like a lion stalking his prey, crawling across the table, his gaze fixed on Jacob’s mouth. Rawr


Chapter 29