If Anatoly had been more aware of things, he might have caught on to Roger's feelings and removed himself from the situation. Complications like that never went well, and in his mind, it was far better to escape than deal with the emotional repercussions. But foresight when it came to people was not one of his strengths, and even if it was, he'd struggled over his attraction to Lex and come to the conclusion he'd been extremely lucky that it turned out mutual. Other men finding him attractive just simply wasn't going to happen.

So here he was, enjoying the concept of spending time with a friend who wouldn't inform on him and who understood what it was to have an all-consuming passion in the bargain.

"You make it look so easy, which only tells me how much it isn't. I have to admire that."