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had taken advantage of the few hours they had together before falling asleep. The size of
Ethan s bed wasn t an issue with just the two of them. It also helped a great deal that Ethan
was a snuggler.
The way things were progressing, Pete wondered why he d resisted asking Ethan out
for so long. Brian, Pete reminded himself.
Here you go, Ethan said, setting down a large bowl of pasta and a glass of water.
Pete shook off thoughts of the what-should-have-beens with Brian and scooted over,
patting the space next to him.
What s wrong? Ethan asked, placing his hand on Pete s thigh.
Nothing. Pete ate a bite of his dinner before holding a forkful of the pasta to Ethan s
lips. Eat some so I don t have to worry so much about my breath.
Ethan opened his mouth and stared into Pete s eyes, closing his lips over the fork.
Mmm, Ethan moaned, swallowing the tender pasta. I was right, that is good.
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Pete leaned in and licked some of the olive oil-based sauce from Ethan s bottom lip. I
wish I could take you across the street to your apartment and eat this entire meal off your
body.
Ethan s eyes rounded. What time do you get off shift?
I m on a twelve-hour tonight, so it ll be six in the morning before I finish. We ll have to
settle for tomorrow night.
Do you think Brian will be able to get away? Ethan asked, stealing another bite of
Pete s dinner.
Who knows? Pete pushed his bowl in front of Ethan, no longer hungry.
Ethan set his fork down and pushed the half-eaten dinner towards the centre of the
table. He loves you, you know that right?
Pete chuckled. Yeah, sure. That s why I ve been relegated to the position of his dirty
little secret for ten months.
Ethan tucked himself under Pete s arm and rested his head against Pete s shoulder. I
think it s just different for him. He s a father first and a lover second. I m not saying I don t
miss spending time with him, but I guess I can understand it.
You haven t dealt with it for as long as I have, Pete cut in.
You re totally right, I haven t. Maybe I d have a different opinion if I was in your
shoes, but every time I see the two of you together, I see the pain in his eyes. Ethan kissed
Pete s neck. But I also see the love. Brian s the kind of man who feels his wants and needs
come second to Benny s, which is really commendable, but it also seems to be tearing him
apart.
So what re you saying? We should just continue to sit back and wait for him to make
time for us?
I m saying maybe it s better to cherish the hours we have with him rather than
focusing on the times he can t get away.
Pete wrapped both arms around Ethan s waist and kissed his temple. He wouldn t
argue with Ethan over Brian. As far as he was concerned, his new relationship with Ethan
was free to grow as much as possible. If Brian didn t care enough to be part of it, that was his
problem.
Shouldn t you be patrolling?
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Pete glanced up to find Roy, staring down at Pete s arms wrapped around Ethan. I m
on my dinner break. I called it in.
With his hands on his hips, Roy turned his head to study the pub. I don t think it s
appropriate for the two of you to be carrying on like this with you still in uniform.
Pete had had enough of Roy s arrogance. We re not fuckin . We re having dinner. So
unless the city wants to pay me overtime for that, I m free to spend my dinner hour any way
I want.
We ll see about that, Roy said.
Yeah, I guess we will, Pete agreed. He had no doubt Roy would run straight to Ryan.
No problem as far as Pete was concerned. At least Ryan didn t have a stick shoved up his ass.
Roy continued to glare at Pete for several moments before turning and storming out of
the pub.
Fucker, Pete mumbled.
What was that? Ethan asked. I ve never seen Roy in such a pissy mood.
Hang around me long enough and you will. The guy hates me for some reason.
Ethan bit his bottom lip. You don t think it has anything to do with me, do you?
Why would it? Pete asked.
Ethan looked towards the door before answering. He s asked me out quite a few times,
but I ve never been interested. I mean, I guess he s cute and everything, but he s never really
done it for me.
With narrowed eyes, Pete fought hard to control his jealousy. He didn t believe Roy
was being an ass over Ethan s refusal to date him, hell, Roy had asked Pete out as soon as
he d moved to town, but the idea of Ethan with Roy didn t sit well at all.
Ethan? Phone, Sean called across the pub.
Do you get many calls here? Pete asked.
Ethan shrugged. I have to turn off my phone when I clock in, so if Nate or Carol need
me for something they ll sometimes call.
Ethan started to scoot out of the booth, but Pete stopped him with a gentle tug,
puckering his lips. With a sweet grin, Ethan gave him just what he d wanted. I ll see you
tomorrow?
Count on it, Ethan answered, standing.
Pete dug into his pocket and removed a twenty, handing it to Ethan.
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Hang on, I ll get your change, Ethan said.
Don t worry about it. You can pay me back tomorrow. Pete waggled his eyebrows
and smiled as they separated. Despite his sour disposition stepping into the pub, he left in a
much better mood with fantasies of bending Ethan over the table.
* * * *
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