Cee Ayers doesn't let people in-he's got walls built from years of learning that trust is dangerous. Zeph Carter doesn't need an invitation-he sees through the silence, through the sarcasm, and meets Cee exactly where he is. What starts as an easy friendship shifts into something heavier, something neither of them expected. But love-real love-means letting yourself be seen, even when it's terrifying.

Sample Scene:

Cee was sprawled on Zeph's bed, noise-canceling headphones on, iPad in hand, locked into his game. He barely noticed when the mattress dipped, barely reacted when Zeph's warmth pressed against him.

Then Zeph slid on top of him.

Cee exhaled through his nose, adjusting his grip on the iPad, ignoring the weight pressing him into the mattress.

A slow, deliberate kiss landed on his neck. Then another.

Cee tapped his screen. "Move."

Zeph didn't. Instead, he bit down gently, then soothed the spot with his tongue.

Cee tensed. "Zeph."

Zeph hummed against his skin, pressing more kisses, dragging his lips up the side of Cee's throat. His hands settled on Cee's ribs, thumbs rubbing slow circles.

Cee's fingers twitched around the iPad. He tried to focus. He really did.

Then Zeph bit again, harder this time.

Cee sighed, dropping the iPad onto his chest and yanking off the headphones. "You deadass?"

Zeph grinned against his skin. "Been deadass."

Cee huffed, tilting his head to the side in surrender. "You so fuckin' annoying."

Zeph just chuckled, lips finding Cee's jaw. "Yeah, but you love me though."
All Rights Reserved