Time ticked by. Night edged toward dawn. Alex still hoped to share one experience with Mani before morning arrived. During the time they’d spent in this bed, Alex had explained plenty about s*x, but Mani looked doubtful. Alex didn’t blame him, and he wouldn’t push, but he also listened, asked questions, and now his gaze shone, his lips curved, and he was nodding. “I want to try.” “You don’t have to. Not yet.” Despite Alex’s longing to do this tonight, they weren’t on some kind of schedule. “We can wait until the time is right.” Mani reached for Alex’s hand, kissed his wrist. “Haven’t you learned? Don’t you know? I’m yours, and I want you inside me.” Since when had Mani grown so eloquent? Despite the loving and extremely erotic declaration, and Alex’s patience and plenty of lube, when