“I . . . I just . . .” John burbled. “I don’t know.”

“Sounds to me like you can’t think of a good lie.”

“I’m not lying!”

“Sh,” Zack breathed, “you’re so loud, John. Your parents are going to hear you.” Zack’s voice was a carnal hum in the darkness. “I’ll climb up there with you, and we can whisper.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” John said. His voice shook.

Zack chuckled wickedly. “Too late. What’s the matter, John? Are you afraid to be in the same bed with me?”

John made a noise that was half-panicked and half-aroused, but otherwise he didn’t respond.

“You say you’re not gay,” Zack continued, “but I can hear you trembling. It’s clear that I’m affecting you. Why won’t you just admit it?”

“There’s nothing—I’m not—”

“Oh, come on, John, did you think I wouldn’t notice the way you look at me? We share a dorm room, for Christ’s sake. Every time I change clothes, you watch me. When I turn around, you look away, like you’re worried I’ll catch you. A straight man wouldn’t act so guilty.”

“Wesley, stop it,” John said without at all sounding like he meant it.

“Stop what? Telling you what you already know? Or stop moving closer?”

“Both.”

“Then I suppose you wouldn’t like it if I touched you right now.”

“Oh God,” John moaned. “Wesley, what are you doing? We’re supposed to be friends.”

“If you really want me to stop, I will,” Zack said. “But I don’t need to see you to know you’re turned on. I can feel how hot your skin is and hear how hard you’re breathing. I don’t think you want me to stop at all. Say the word, though, and I’ll go back to my own bed.”

“Wesley, please.”

“Please what?” Zack whispered savagely. “Say it.”

John swallowed hard. “Please touch me.”

“God yes,” Zack hissed. “I push you down and crawl on top of you. Now that you’ve said yes, I can’t get enough of you. I want to touch and kiss every part of you at once, but I settle for crushing my lips to yours. It’s painful and our teeth click together and there’s far too much tongue, but it’s perfect at the same time. We’re both wearing shirts and pajama bottoms. Your body is hot and firm beneath me, all wiry limbs and muscles. When I shift my hips, I can feel your erection pressing against my thigh. I didn’t think I could possibly get more turned on, but I’m almost dizzy with it.”

“Fuck, Wesley,” John moaned, “you’re so fucking hot. I can’t believe I tried to pretend I didn’t want this.”

“Well, you can’t pretend now. I can feel how badly you want it, John.”

John moaned again, and Zack grabbed the edge of his desk with white-knuckled fingers. Arousal—molten hot and inebriating—shot down his spine and pooled in his groin. He was every bit as hard as he’d claimed, and the desire to touch himself was overwhelming.