He took a quick mental survey of everything he knew about John. He had a thing for class discrepancies. That much had been clear from the start. He seemed to like that Zack was a bit of a man’s man from the way he fixated on his rough hands and car. He was also a law student, which sort of played into Zack’s “he’s rich” theory. Law school wasn’t cheap even with loans, and it meant he’d signed himself up for seven years of college. If John had committed to that, he must like university life.

An idea popped into Zack’s head. He mulled it over, weighing it against a few other possibilities. The more he considered it, however, the more convinced he became that they’d both love it.

When he was satisfied, he wet his lips and said, “Your parents think we’re just roommates.”

There was a beat of silence, and then John said, “What?”

Zack let the words curl around his tongue. “We met in the dorms freshman year when we were assigned to the same room. We hit it off right away and have become close friends. Now it’s winter break, and you’ve invited me to come home with you for the holidays. We’re going to stay at your parents’ house for a week. They think that I’m sleeping on an air mattress by your bed. They’re not wrong, at first. Nothing’s happened between us yet, but it’s about to. I’m going to sleep in your bed tonight, John. I’ll wait for your parents to turn in, and then I’ll make my move. We’ll pull the covers over our heads, and I’ll press my hand hard against your mouth so your parents won’t hear you moan while I fuck slowly into you.”

There was a pregnant pause, and then John whimpered.

It was just about the most erotic sound Zack had ever heard, more arousing than all the dirty words in the world, because it was a sound of pure, unadulterated want. Zack’s skin prickled. Any doubt he’d had about whether John would like his idea vanished.

“That’s perfect,” John said in a rough voice. “I’ll start.”

He paused for a second—Zack heard him draw a breath—and then he said, “Thanks for coming to stay with me, Wesley. It’s so boring out here in the country when it’s just me and my parents. I think bringing a friend home helped convince them that I’m adjusting well to college life.”

“Shows what they know,” Zack drawled. “I’ve always been a bad influence. If they only knew the trouble I’ve gotten you into.”

John chuckled and said, “We should keep it down. They went to bed hours ago.”

“You worry too much. They’re all the way on the other side of the house.”

“True. I don’t think they’ll care if we stay up a bit longer, as long as we’re quiet.”

Zack grinned wickedly. John sounded so innocent, like he wasn’t aware of the implication behind his words at all. Zack was impressed. John had a knack for inventing characters on the spot, and he was a decent actor too.