Love is Always Write Anthology Bonus Volume

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then began to laugh in soft, hopeless affection.
    "Look at you."
    Jacob colored again, but before he could back off or say anything Daniel sat up swiftly and grabbed him. He hugged Jacob tight, rubbing their cheeks together, feeling the sticky and the soft, the rasp of stubble and the warmth of skin. "God. You, Jacob. Look at you. Perfect. You're perfect."
    "I'm not." Despite his words, Jacob put his arms around Daniel and returned the hug. "I'm really not. And I didn't do half of what you did."
    "Damned good thing. You'd have about killed me." Daniel relaxed his hold enough to find Jacob's mouth and kiss it. "We'll both get better at this, I'm thinking. With practice. Lots of practice. Although right now better doesn't seem physically possible."
    Jacob was almost melting into Daniel's arms, muscles softer every minute. "It really was all right?"
    "You're wearing the proof." Daniel laughed at Jacob's renewed color. "God, Trip, we're going to have to get you over this being shy thing. We'll have a problem if you blush every time I talk to you."
    "Only when you say stuff like that." But Jacob shrugged free and swung around to sit on the edge of the bed. He turned his back to Daniel, reaching for the sheet to wipe his face. His shoulders were taut again.
    Daniel cursed his big mouth and Jacob's skittishness. "I wouldn't say that when there's anyone around. Trust me."
    "I know." Jacob wiped his hands too, and glanced over his shoulder at Daniel. "Now what?"
    Daniel lay back down, stretching ostentatiously. "Depends. Are you more hungry, or more sleepy?"
    "Not hungry."
    "Me neither." Food was always available on board, even when they spent most of their time at general quarters. But real sleep had become almost a mirage the last week. "Come on then. Lie down." Daniel rolled on his side, and held out a hand, trying to look winsome. Some girl had once told him he was irresistible when he used that little-boy smile. "Come to bed, Trip. We have hours yet. I want to hold you while I sleep."
    "If you're asleep, you won't even know I'm here," Jacob said grumpily, but he swung his legs back up on the bed and settled gingerly on his side facing Daniel.
    "I'll know," Daniel said softly. "Roll over." He reached out, moving slowly so Jacob wouldn't spook, and turned Jacob over. Daniel slid in close, until his chest pressed against Jacob's back, while a safe six inches or so separated his groin from Jacob's ass. Jacob stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed when Daniel didn't move closer. Daniel nuzzled his face in against Jacob's shoulder and wrapped an arm around his chest. "G'night, Trip."
    He was almost asleep when he heard Jacob murmur, "Good night, Daniel."
    ****
    Jacob lay still, listening to Daniel breathe in hoarse slumber against his neck. Jacob had been exhausted for the last three days, and then had the best sex of his life. Well, the only sex of his life that hadn't involved his own hand, but he couldn't imagine anything better. He should be snoring too. Instead he was wide-awake.
    He wasn't used to sharing a bed. That was probably part of it. For all the close quarters on board ship, there was generally a few inches of personal space around him. This press of another man against him was strange. This wasn't even sexual, exactly. Daniel's naked chest was plastered against his bare back but it was more like a hug. But Jacob was suddenly claustrophobic under the weight of Daniel's limp, heavy arm. And it was hot, even with the sun down. He felt moisture trickling down the small of his back. His hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat, or maybe other things.
    Carefully he moved away from Daniel, inch by inch. Daniel slept on as their bodies separated and Jacob breathed in silent relief as the cooler air touched his shoulders. He lifted Daniel's arm, slipped out from under, and lowered it to the bed. Daniel muttered something and his hand moved randomly. Then he fisted in the thin fabric covering the pillow and stilled again.

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