Milo leaned back enough to peer into his face. Their eyes locked and a crazed urge to kiss this man, touch this man, filled every cell of his body. So even with all the people watching, his mouth slammed over Milo’s. The other man’s lips were damp and salty and just so damn perfect. Since Milo didn’t move, Ace worried he’d misread the signs, that he’d just kissed another dude and was about to be punched. But then Milo kissed him back, digging his hand into his wet hair. Ace lapped the saltwater off of his lips and then demanded entrance into Milo’s mouth. He responded by opening the gates, and Ace explored every inch of him, even with half of him screaming, What the fuck are you doing? You’re with a guy. It was only when Milo nipped his bottom lip that he drew back, panting, well aware of all the eyes on him. But at that moment, the only eyes that mattered were Milo’s.

“Wow.” Milo put a hand on his arm, and his energy coursed through Ace. He wanted Milo to touch him everywhere, even though the thought confused him more than rocket science. “I wasn’t sure if I could get you to kiss me.”

What the hell is wrong with me? he wondered until Milo’s words sank in. Milo had wanted him to kiss him? “Wait, you wanted it?”

“What, do you think I run up to random dudes at book signings all the time?” For the first time, Milo’s face flushed, but it was gone again in seconds. “I was hoping it would turn into something.”

“I’m not gay,” Ace said, trying to convince himself as much as Milo.

“Sure, that’s okay.” Grinning, Milo ran his thumb along his lower lip, which was still damp from their kiss and the water. “The kiss was hot as hell, though.” Milo raked his hand through brown hair, making the strands go everywhere, but the just-fucked look made him hotter than ever. Damn it. “How about we take this back to my place? I won’t do anything you don’t want. I promise.”

His thoughts battled so hard like two avenging armies. The part of himself that was used to being the person everyone wanted to be was shrieking. Yet there was the side that was completely, hopelessly attracted to Milo with his sexy, messy hair, his fiery eyes, and his enthusiastic personality. And he also didn’t want to say good-bye to Milo yet. Yes, he dragged him along on his adventures, but there was something so sweet about the way he approached life. He didn’t love him or “like” like him, but he could see himself doing it.

And the only thing that scared him more than kissing him again was not kissing him again. So he said yes.