Sticks and Stones by Madeleine Urban ; Abigail Roux

touched this room. I don’t think she’s even vacuumed it.” Zane turned to face his partner. Ty was staring at him, his head slightly cocked. “She was afraid I’d never come back,” he said with a hint of melancholy. “Wanted it to stay like I left it.”
    Zane nodded slowly. “Mine feels the same way,” he said quietly. “They love you, though.”
    Ty raised an eyebrow and nodded. “You saying yours don’t?” he asked as he moved closer.
    Zane’s shoulders tightened. “No. Doesn’t mean I don’t wonder about my mom sometimes.” He watched Ty approach and slid his hands into his jeans pockets to mirror his stance.
    Ty stopped just inches away from him, studying him with an unreadable expression. “I’ll get Ma to bake you a pie, make you feel better,” he offered finally, his tone of voice and his expression entirely serious. The only way to know that he was teasing was the slight glint in his hazel eyes.
    Zane’s lips twitched at the ultra-dry humor. “Can’t say I’ve ever had a pie baked for me before. My mom’s more the cookie type.”
    Ty snorted in disdain and turned away, heading for the double bed. He flopped down on the end of it and bent to begin unlacing his boots. “She always has one waiting for us when we get back from a hike. Apple, usually. Good stuff, man.”
    “Sounds good,” Zane agreed. He was glad he had his hands in his pockets; his fingers were itching to touch Ty, but he had no idea what Ty would allow, especially here in his parents’ home. He toed out of his running shoes and unbuckled his belt, his gaze not wavering.
    Ty seemed to sense his eyes on him, and he looked up at him questioningly as he pulled off one boot. Zane shook his head very slightly and glanced to the door Ty had left half-open. Ty followed his eyes and then smiled as he looked back at Zane.
    “Getting a little antsy?” he teased.
    “Yes,” Zane said immediately.
    “Why?” Ty asked.
    “We’re in the bedroom you grew up in,” Zane pointed out. “I’m not sure what to expect with you here.”
    Ty began to laugh softly, and he bit his lip to keep from laughing harder as he pulled his other boot off and set it carefully beside the first at the foot of the bed. “We’re not doing anything wrong, Garrett,” he pointed out. “We’re just sleeping here,” he said with a wry twist of his lips as he stood back up.
    Zane rolled his eyes and decided some reciprocal teasing was in order. “Fine. Then you can close your eyes and ‘sleep’ while I undress,” he proposed innocently, pulling his hands out of his pockets and pulling his shirt over his head, letting it fall on the foot of the bed. He knew Ty enjoyed this part of their time together; he did too. The chemistry between them seemed to click just a little better when they got up close and personal.
    “Cocktease,” Ty accused in a low voice, and he moved closer, took Zane’s face in his hands, and kissed him.
    Smiling against his lips, Zane hummed quietly and slid his arms around Ty, settling his hands at the small of his back. Ty continued the kiss for one more breath before pulling away. He turned and went to sit down on the end of the bed again to pull off his socks and continue getting ready for bed.
    Sighing, Zane got out of his jeans and moved to sit near him on the side of the bed with the lamp. He pulled his feet up and leaned back against the headboard, propping his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers together, his dark eyes riveted on Ty. He watched the muscles of his back move beneath the thin white shirt he wore, and he mentally cursed. They’d never been in a situation where they wanted to fuck and couldn’t. The only restrictions they’d ever encountered had been each other. This was a new and disconcerting feeling. Zane didn’t like having obstacles between himself and what he wanted.
    “Stop it,” Ty warned without looking back at him, obviously knowing what he was pondering.
    Zane smiled slightly. That