Chapter 65

And then Anton stopped scowling, because Jude’s weight was heavy and hot across his belly and hips, and his T-shirt had ridden up slightly to show Anton a strip of pale, inviting skin. There was a freckle just below his ribs, and Anton touched a finger to it lightly before stroking a hand up Jude’s back. The cotton of Jude’s T-shirt was rough on the back of Anton’s hand, but the skin under his palm was smooth and inviting, the softness of a light layer of downy hair barely perceptible over the gentle rise of warmth.

Anton ignored Jude’s conversation—with his stepmum, by the sound of it—and pushed the hand higher and tugged on Jude’s shoulder, coaxing him into lying more along Anton’s chest. The angle was easier, and Anton pushed his hand right up between Jude’s shoulders and tested out the edges of bone against muscle.