Double Take Read Online Free PDF Page A

bigger than Teka's and better furnished. The beds looked softer, the white linen fabric trimmed with gold and the ceiling high and vaulted. It was still only one room though, and Hasani's things were intermixed with his roommates. Teka spotted a desk full of notes, as well as a music stand and some instruments.
    "What do you play?" xe asked.
    Hasani listed off a string of instruments, only a few recognizable to Teka. Hasani was full of surprises too, it seemed. "My father doesn't like me pursuing it, of course," he continued with a laugh. "He'd rather I spent my time on magical science and research."
    "I'm always worried I don't spend enough time on schoolwork." Teka sighed. "I suppose I'm paranoid about losing my scholarship."
    "Are you planning to become a graduate student?" asked Hasani, sitting down on his bed and gesturing to Teka, who sat next to him. Hasani leaned forward and lit a lantern with a flick of magic, sending a comforting glow through the room.
    "Yes, I want my full degree, so I can perform gender reassignment magic back in D'mt."
    "No chance of you staying in Kemet then?" asked Hasani.
    "Not after I have my degree," said Teka. "But that's years away."
    "True." Hasani laughed at himself. "I'm sorry if I seem forward. I hope you know that I'm very interested in you, not just for your body."
    "Of course!" said Teka, shocked that Hasani would even think that. "I'm interested in you too, Hasani. I like you a lot."
    Hasani bit his lip. He looked beautiful in the lamplight, although a little insecure.
    "What's wrong?" asked Teka.
    "Oh." Hasani shifted so that his face was more in shadow. "I'm just afraid, I suppose. I've had so many doomed relationships. My last one was—" he took a deep, shaky breath, "—heartbreaking. I thought I'd never recover, or find someone else. But then I met you."
    "And instead of talking to me, you asked Maek about me," said Teka with a laugh.
    "Oh, she told you." Hasani screwed his eyes shut in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I was just so intimidated! And of course she only made it worse."
    "I'm glad you got over it eventually," Teka teased.
    "I'm still not over it," Hasani replied. "Not completely. This feels like a dream."
    "It's real." Teka slid a hand over the white linen of the bed to intertwine with Hasani's. "You're not the only one who's intimidated, you know," xe said, staring into Hasani's eyes. It was so easy to look at him. Teka didn't feel shy or rude at all. "I didn't think anyone would like me here. Poor southern scholarship student. I'm surprised you took any interest at all."
    "Modesty doesn't suit you," said Hasani with a small smile. "I think you know exactly how amazing you are."
    "Well..." Teka smiled, warmth blossoming in xyr chest again. "I am a genius."
    "That's more like it," said Hasani, and he leaned forward to capture Teka's lips between his. Teka gave in to the kiss readily, xyr body reacting to Hasani's touch. Hasani's hands roamed over xyr body easily, and Teka liked the way he didn't hold back. Xe wanted Hasani to touch xem. Wanted it so very badly.
    Teka reached forward to tug at Hasani's collar, already loose, unwinding the fabric there as quickly as possible and pulling the robe apart. He wasn't wearing anything underneath, and Teka was treated to the sight of his bare chest, smooth and dark and lightly muscled. Xe ran xyr hand down his body, parting his robe as xe did so, and leaned forward to kiss his neck and shoulders.
    "Mm." Teka gasped as Hasani's fingers found their way down the front of xyr robe. He pulled the fabric apart and ran his hand down the front of the shirt Teka was wearing underneath. His fingers found the curve of Teka's breast and moved across it, flicking over xyr nipple. A shiver of lust shot through Teka as he did so, and xe could feel warm liquid pooling between xyr legs. "Oh, mm, Hasani... do that again."
    Hasani complied, flicking and twisting Teka's nipple until xe was writhing in Hasani's arms. Hasani kissed down xyr shoulder