When the Dead Speak, Bailey Bradford [new ebook reader .TXT] 📗

“Your virtue,” Laine didn’t bother biting back his sarcasm, “is not at risk.” Hell, the guy’s virtue had probably not been in danger for years, not with a body and face like that.

Mouth twisted in a wry grin, Severo stepped back and gestured Laine in. “Since you’re the sheriff, I’ll take your word for it about my virtue. For now.”

Laine pulled up short and glared at Severo. “What do you mean by that?”

The look Severo sent him was one that called Laine on his bullshit—it told him Severo knew Laine had more than liked what he saw.

“Don’t worry, Sheriff Stenley, I’m not gonna go telling everyone in town you’re gay.”

Back to that. Laine rocked back on his heels and tried to keep his expression impassive. He closed his eyes, needing an escape from Severo’s penetrating stare. He couldn’t deny it again, not after he’d visually mauled the man without a single thought to the repercussions. At this rate, he wouldn’t have to worry about Irma or anyone else outing him, he’d do it just fine on his own, at the worst possible time, no doubt. He’d be lucky if he wasn’t killed. Zeke being gay was one thing. He was born and raised here, and even so, the man had been assaulted numerous times. The townsfolk were, for the most part, decent about it now, and treated Brendon better than Laine had expected since he was Zeke’s lover. But for their sheriff to be gay?

No, that wouldn’t do at all, and it hadn’t been a problem in the past since Laine never intended to take another lover while in office, but one small—well, maybe not small, exactly—man was threatening it all.

Shame washed over him, which was stupid, in his opinion. There was no need for him to tell anyone he was gay, not when, no matter how appealing he found any man, he wasn’t going to act on it…maybe. If he could summon up enough willpower.

Laine flinched when he felt a warm hand on his forearm. He opened his eyes and looked at Severo’s hand resting there, the man’s skin only a shade or two darker than Laine’s tanned forearm.

“I won’t tell anyone.” Severo squeezed quickly then stepped away. Laine felt the loss of the man’s warmth immediately and, in his opinion, inappropriately. It was just a God damned hand!

Laine nodded and spoke before he could think about it. “If people find out, I’ll have to leave. Then I can’t watch over them.” Laine looked at Severo and told himself he was glad the man had put on a T-shirt. “I can’t protect Zeke and Brendon if I’m not the sheriff here.”

Zeke and Brendon… Those two men had wormed their way past Laine’s defenses, past his promises to keep everyone at a distance, and he was determined that no one would ever hurt them again. Zeke was the one who’d been physically injured, but Brendon had suffered along with him to the point that Laine had worried what would happen to him if Zeke didn’t pull through. It had been a harrowing and eye-opening discovery to learn that he could still care about other people so much. And if he could save either man from going through what he had…

“I understand.” Severo leaned down, rifled through his open suitcase and grabbed some clothes. “Do you mind if I brush my teeth and freshen up, for lack of a better term, before you grill me on my reasons for being here?” His cheeks darkened and Laine didn’t fight a grin. Poor guy probably had to pee so bad that his eyes were watering. God knew Laine usually had to stumble to the bathroom first thing in the morning or his bladder would burst.

“No problem. I’ll just…” Laine spotted the cheap table and chairs by the hotel window. Ugly floral drapes were pulled shut, blocking out any curious stares. “I’ll just have a seat.” He pulled the report he’d printed out on Severo yesterday from his pocket, ignoring Severo’s frown and sitting.

“That’s it?”

Laine looked at the man. “Yup.”

Severo’s frown deepened, wrinkles appearing on his forehead as his eyebrows scrunched together. “And does it tell you that I…”

“Go do what you have to do, Severo, and we’ll talk when you get out.” Laine turned back to the papers.

“But—” Severo started to protest, walking over to Laine.

“Go on. A few minutes isn’t going to make a difference, is it? This information will still be here and so will I.”

Severo exhaled a much-put-upon sounding sigh. “Fine. You haven’t laughed at me so far, or tried to run me off yet, so I don’t guess a few more minutes will change that.”

Once Severo had turned away, Laine let himself look at the man. Dark, softly curling hair came down to rest on the top of Severo’s back. Laine’s eyes drifted down to a beautifully rounded ass just before Severo slipped into the bathroom and shut the door. That quick glimpse of the man’s tight ass was enough to firm up the semi-erection that had started to fill Laine’s jeans. He groaned and slapped his palms against his forehead. What was it about Severo that went straight to his dick?

Severo had to piss so bad he was hopping in place as he brushed his teeth. The fact that he was doing what his nieces and nephews referred to as the potty dance wasn’t lost on him. It was ridiculous at his age. He would have laughed, but his bladder was cramping and his dick wasn’t softening fast enough to take care of the matter. He spat and rinsed out his mouth, then splashed cold water on his face. By the time he’d wet his hair down, he had his unruly dick under control and was finally able to relieve himself. Severo washed his hands and dried them off, then quickly got dressed, irritated with himself for anticipating the next few minutes spent with Laine…make that Sheriff Stenley. The man appealed to him in