Cut and Run 3 - Fish and Chips

squares full of letters to study his partner intently. “I told you you’re a damn good actor.”
    Ty returned his look seriously, his gaze unwavering. “I’m not really acting much anymore, Zane.”
    Zane swallowed on the nervous flutter that stirred to life in his chest. He sensed there was more to this than just the words. “And you don’t like it,” he said neutrally, not wanting to influence Ty one way or the other.
    Ty held his eyes, appearing to hold his breath too as he considered his answer. “I don’t like the way some people look at me,” he admitted with difficulty. “But fuck them,” he added with certainty. “I’m the one I look at in the mirror at night.”
    Zane huffed quietly and moved to stand behind Ty, sliding his arms around his waist to gather him close, hoping desperately that Ty didn’t push him away. “I don’t like the way some people look at you either,” he murmured against the side of Ty’s neck.
    Ty turned his head, his cheek pressing against Zane’s nose. “I don’t think we’re talking about the same people,” he said wryly. His voice grew more serious. “The ones who look at us like we offend them. Those are the ones I’d like to deck.”
    “I understand,” Zane said. The “us” in that sounded pretty damn good, and though Zane could smell a possible discussion there, he’d had enough of serious life topics for the month, much less the day. “Ignore them. They don’t know what they’re missing out on.” Ty burst out laughing, then clapped his hand over his mouth to stop himself. Zane chuckled and nipped at Ty’s neck before he said, “So they pass on ogling the best-looking ass on the ship. My gain.”
    Ty snorted, though it was obvious he was trying not to smile. His hand came to rest on Zane’s forearm, and he leaned his head back against Zane’s shoulder. “Now I think you’re just trying to get laid.”
    “I do watch you, you know,” Zane murmured, sliding one hand up and down on Ty’s chest and belly. “Did long before this case.”
    Ty jerked his head to the side and turned in place, giving Zane’s chest a half-hearted shove. “You’re not getting out of trouble this easily. We have work to do.”
    Zane started to smile and tightened his arms. “One kiss,” he bargained. He wanted to keep Ty’s mind off what others thought of him and on what Zane thought of him.
    Ty shook his head, but his arms tightened around Zane’s waist as Zane pulled him closer, and Ty was smiling. “Make it a good one,” he challenged playfully.
    Oh, Zane was more than up for the challenge. He raised one hand to grip the back of Ty’s skull and claimed his mouth in a torrid rush, literally plundering Ty in a bruising kiss. It went on and on as he expressed the possessiveness and desperation he felt, but then he slowed, appreciating Ty’s kiss like he hadn’t in a long time, and he smoothed and gentled the movement of his lips as he cajoled Ty’s tongue into play. Every touch he got back turned him on more, but since he was getting only one kiss, he wanted to make the most of it. Zane didn’t let go as he drew it out, tracing Ty’s lips with his tongue and tenderly lapping at Ty’s swollen bottom lip before finally surrendering it and pulling back.
    When he did, Ty groaned softly and took Zane’s face in both hands to keep him from moving away.
    “Damn you,” he muttered in defeat, pulling Zane closer to kiss him again.
     
     
    T Y SAT on one of the many lounge chairs set up along the wide deck, looking out over the choppy water. He held his sunglasses in his hand, the roiling clouds overhead making it too dark to need them. He’d pulled both feet up into the seat and was resting one elbow on his knee, his eyes on the water but his mind elsewhere.
    He probably would have looked like a model waiting for his picture to be taken if it hadn’t been for the garish red Santa hat he was wearing. He actually felt less self-conscious with it on because it hid the platinum blond hair.
    Zane had gone off to yet another poker game after an early dinner. He had seriously balked at the idea at first, fearing another bottle of Scotch, but when Bianchi had called, there had been hints that business might be conducted at this one. Ty had wanted to accompany him, but again, it was too risky. Plus, Zane needed to know Ty trusted him. Ty wasn’t actually sure that he did — at least when it came to the drinking — but now was as good a time as any to find