“This cost you a fortune,” Ty said, aghast, as he lifted the necklace off the pad.
Zane edged up one shoulder in a tiny shrug. He hadn’t even looked at the price tag. He’d seen it and known he had to get it. And seeing the amazement on Ty’s face just now was worth every cent.
Ty just looked at him, his hazel eyes boring clear into Zane’s soul. Sometimes Zane found himself wondering what Ty saw when he looked into him like that.
“Thank you, Zane.”
“You’re welcome,” Zane said, swallowing hard as he sat up. “Want to see how it looks?” Because he did. Desperately. He’d visualized it uncounted times now.
Ty gave him a crooked grin and handed him the necklace. He sat so Zane could hook it around his neck. Zane unwound the leather cord and unfastened the clasp before moving it to settle it around Ty’s throat. It took a few seconds to get the clasp closed—Ty’s gaze on him was too distracting for Zane to get his fingers to work—and finally Zane pulled the pendant down so the necklace hung as it was supposed to.
Ty was still watching him. Zane touched the compass rose as it fell below the hollow of Ty’s throat.
“Looks great,” Zane said, starting to feel a little self-conscious under Ty’s unwavering gaze.
“Why a compass?” Ty asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Zane’s yet.
Zane smiled and ran his thumb across the pendant. “Because you gave me direction when I was lost. You showed me the way.” He looked up to meet Ty’s eyes. “You’re like my very own compass.”
“Zane.”
“I know, I know. I’m a sap.”
“Maybe. But you’re my sap,” Ty said fondly. He reached for Zane and leaned in to kiss him.
Zane laughed against Ty’s lips. “This from the man who asked me to slow dance in his living room. I think you’ve still got me beat.”
“You loved it.”
“Yeah.” Zane touched the compass rose again. “I hope you’ll wear it sometimes,” he said, reaching to trail his fingers along the leather cord.
Ty reached up and gripped Zane’s hand, meeting his eyes. Zane gazed at him; he couldn’t get over how handsome he was.
“Thank you, baby.”
Zane allowed himself a moment to soak in that smile and those sparkling eyes before pulling Ty into another consuming kiss. He didn’t want to brood about the future or be embarrassed about the past anymore. He was taking a page out of Ty’s book and concentrating on the now. And right now, the only thing he wanted was Ty.
He laughed as Ty wrapped his arms around him and pushed him back to the bed, then climbed on top of him to straddle him and hold him down. Zane gripped his hips, more than eager to see if Ty would ride him wearing nothing but that necklace.
“Now,” Ty said with a grim note in his voice. “About this beard you’ve got going.”
AFTER being convinced that the beard and mustache only lent to the image that they weren’t Feds, Ty insisted that the best place to find Zane something else to wear for the job was the Magnificent Mile. Later that afternoon, they exited the cab away from the stores in order to stroll, because they had the time and why the hell not?
Ty’s exodus had done him good, more than he’d expected when he’d gotten up that morning last week in a panic and bolted. He no longer felt heavy, no longer felt burdened by the past or the future, no longer felt the impending doom of walls closing in on his mind. It had been a good move on his part regardless of the backlash. A mental health break.
And to top off his improved mood, he and Zane were together in a city halfway across the country from anyone who knew them. Ty could feel the weight of the compass rose around his neck, and it was one burden he was happy to bear. He gave in to the impulse and reached out to slide his gloved fingers into Zane’s bare hand. Zane’s chin snapped around, and Ty could see his eyes widened in surprise, but Zane didn’t pull away. Instead, he curled their hands together and gave a gentle squeeze. Ty’s feeling of elation was borderline ridiculous.
Ty brushed his shoulder against Zane’s as they walked along Michigan Avenue. “I figure we’re tourists for a few hours. We can do whatever we feel like.”
Zane smiled and his shoulders relaxed. “That sounds great.”
“First thing is to find you some new threads. We can eat a late lunch, do the tourist thing while we have the chance.”
“How long do we have?”
Ty shrugged. “We move when Dick calls.”
They walked along the bustling avenue, passing high-end stores that included Disney, Apple, Cartier, Crate & Barrel, and Saks Fifth Avenue. After a quick meal, they went into several stores, Ty picking out clothing he claimed appropriate for the job and Zane shooting it all down as being made for a teenage hipster.
Ty was on the verge of getting frustrated when he found a pair of jeans he liked, forced Zane to try them on, and paid for them before Zane could argue or even take them off. He threw in a vintage burgundy Henley that cost a solid hundred dollars, a brown leather and suede jacket that would have bought him new tires if he had his Bronco back, and a pair of boots he thought he might end up stealing. He and Zane could share shoes and shirts as long as the shirts weren’t tailored. Zane’s height was the only thing that precluded them from sharing pants as well. It was a shame, because Zane’s casual wardrobe could use a little help.
Ty eyed the finished product with a very real desire to get Zane back to the hotel and take it all off again.
Hands on his hips, he pushed at the back of his upper teeth with his tongue as he looked Zane over. “I don’t think I’ve ever been g*yer than I am right now.”
Zane boggled at him, and Ty couldn’t help but laugh. Zane shook his head and looked down at the clothes, then up at Ty with narrowed eyes. He tipped his head to one side and pulled up the collar on the jacket, ran his hand through his hair to ruffle it, and reached out to pluck Ty’s aviators off his collar and slide them on. He ran his tongue over his lower lip and raised an impertinent eyebrow toward Ty.
“Oh God. Okay,” Ty muttered, rolling his eyes and turning to leave. “Now you’re just embarrassing yourself.” He smirked and glanced back, though, because Zane made embarrassing look pretty damn good.
Zane grinned as he followed, carrying his suit over his shoulder in a bag. “I used to dress like this a lot in Miami, you know.”
Ty hummed as he pictured all the many forms he’d seen Zane’s style take in the past. His Miami attire had probably involved mesh shirts, snakeskin pants, and Thai silk. Aside from his partner knowing what walking shorts were, he seemed to be competent about dressing himself at home. Ty had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. He reached out to take Zane’s hand again, angling them toward Navy Pier and the waterfront.