Chapter 52

As he strums the back of Peter’s neck, though, something seems wrong. Something’s missing. He turns his face from Peter’s and lets his lover’s next kiss nuzzle under his jaw. “Petey?”

“Hmm?” his lover murmurs into him. “Less talk, more action.”

Jory lays his hand flat against Peter’s nape. Something is definitelydifferent. “Where’s your necklace? Your cross?”

It’d been a present years before, when they first started dating, a simple gold cross on a thin chain Peter wears all the time. He doesn’t even take it off to shower. When they make love, Jory likes to grasp the chain in one hand, clutching it tight as Peter enters him. The cross always settles into the hollow of Jory’s throat as Peter cuddles close to him before they fall asleep. “Peter, where—”

“I don’t know.” Peter kisses Jory’s neck, his lips cool and damp on Jory’s fevered skin. “I think it broke. It’s around here somewhere, has to be. I don’t—“