“Adam touched his face, and Nick froze. His fingers were warm, gentle, and Nick wanted to freeze time.Then Adam said, "I'm an idiot. I should have gotten you some ice."And his fingers were gone, and Nick was sitting there practically breathless with wanting him back.One touch, and he was going to pieces. He wanted to slam his forehead on this table.”

“Adam's thumb tapped against his neck. "Your heart is racing."No kidding.Nick turned his head away and took the ice bag. He set it on the table and had to look into his coffee mug again."Sorry," said Adam. "I know there's no point in pushing your buttons. You're just so adorable when you blush like that." Then he was grinning. "Or like that.”

“Gabriel. Number three?" That killed the smile. "Yeah. My twin brother. He says he doesn't care if I go away to school, but I know he does.""Identical twin?""Yeah.""Niiiiice."Nick cut him another look, and Adam smiled. "Sorry.”

“Gabriel’s going to be pissed.”It took Nick a second to answer. “Why?”“He’ll have to break his leg so people won’t be able to tell you apart.”

“So she doesn’t like the rain,” said Gabriel.Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”…Chris sighed. “No one likes the rain.”“You do,” said Nick. He flung the lighter back to his brother. Gabriel caught it. “Maybe we should put some money on it, see how long it takes Chris to get her wet.”

“Nick,” he said. “I think I’m going to need you to bite my arm.”“I think I’m going to need you to run that by me again.”

“So, Chris," he said. "You couldn't make a smaller cut?"Nick's eyes were closed, but he smiled."Chris asked me to bite him first."Gabriel gave him a disguested look."You are one sick bastard.""I was desperate." Chris smiled, too, but then he dropped it. "Desperate people do crazy things.”