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

“Hey, Sev.” Laine nudged Sev, rubbing his cheek against Sev’s before raising his head. “Open your eyes.”

Feeling ten kinds of a fool, Sev pried his eyes open, the tender expression from Laine greeting him.

“You stop feeling bad, okay? There’s no call for it.”

Sev tried to turn, tried to get a look at either of Laine’s wrists, only to have Laine’s hands frame his face and force him to meet his lover’s eyes. “I…I didn’t think, should have padded the cuffs or something, not used the damned things to be—”

Laine’s laughter cut Sev off. “Oh honey, you didn’t do anything wrong, though I’ll concede that maybe next time we should wrap my wrists first.”

Next time? Holy fuck! And honey? Sev’s mind spun with the promise of a next time and the endearment as Laine continued.

“You did everything exactly right, blew my damn mind. I can promise you, I did not feel the least bit of pain while you were fucking my brains out—or when you were doing anything else to torment me before you finally let me into your tight ass.”

Sev’s eyes nearly bugged out as he watched Laine’s mouth speaking those words. It was as if the bit of bondage had freed something inside his lover, and the words the man was speaking were sending Sev’s blood flowing back to his dick as Laine’s verbal seduction, intentional or not, stroked over Sev.

“And when you did seat yourself on my dick and ride me, I swear to God, I felt it from the tip of my cock to my toes and the top of my head, and everywhere in between. I’ve never…” Laine planted a series of kisses along Sev’s cheek. “Ever, felt anything like that before. So, there’s some marks on my wrists, and every time I see them, you know what’s gonna happen?’

“I… Maybe?”

“You do, I can tell by the way your dick is hard and pressing into me, and by the way your skin is heating, darkening on your cheeks.” Laine’s grin was doing all sorts of things to Sev, burning him in ways he couldn’t begin to describe. “So tell me.”

The press of a thick cock against inner thigh prodded Sev to answer. “You’re going to get hard.” Laine’s hips pumped and he pressed the head of his cock to Sev’s hole. “You’re going to think about fucking me, fast and hard, me riding you until you scream.”

Laine closed his eyes and groaned, his tip spreading Sev, pushing but not quite entering fully. Sev could feel the heat of Laine’s cock, wanted to feel every bulge, every vein—

“Laine.” God, Sev didn’t want to say anything, wanted to feel every bit of his lover, feel him shoot deep inside. “Laine, condom?”

“Mmm.” Laine stilled, not pushing any farther. Sev was glad Laine had the sense to stop. He wouldn’t have been able to say no if Laine had wanted to fuck him raw. “Let’s take this to the shower. You grab those.” He gestured to the nightstand where the condoms and lube were kept. “I can tell you I’m negative, and I told you earlier that I trust you.” Laine pushed himself up and crawled over Sev to the edge of the bed. He stood and smiled down at Sev. “Come on, let’s get wet.” Then he turned and headed to the guest bathroom, leaving Sev to wonder if that had been an offer or what.

While he had always practiced safe sex, and he believed Laine, Sev would never take a chance of hurting his lover again. He might be inexperienced at relationships, but even he knew he didn’t want to put the man he loved at risk. Sev grabbed a condom and the lube, wondering at how easy it was to let oneself love the right person, and padded after Laine.

Chapter Twelve

Laine slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Sev as he did so. The man was curled on his side, one hand tucked under his chin, the other clutching a pillow to his chest. He was tempted to wake him, to spend hours making love until they were both too exhausted to move but, more than he wanted to sate them both, Laine wanted Sev safe. Thinking about finding Sev’s body butchered and violated as Conner’s had been was unbearable. It might very well kill him—it would definitely crush his soul.

The strength of what he felt for Sev was awe-inspiring, and he knew it for the precious gift it was. Laine quietly gathered his clothes and boots, along with his gear and, with a last look at the man he loved, opened the door and stepped into the hallway. He dressed quickly, uncaring of the fact that Zeke or Brendon might find him, but needing to find McAlister and put the man away. Laine had just buckled his belt and was tugging on a boot when Zeke appeared in the hallway.

“You sneaking out or something?”

Laine finished putting on his boots and gestured for Zeke to follow him into the living room before he answered. “Or something. Sev doesn’t need to be worrying, and he will. Better to let him sleep.”

Zeke looked at him like he was an oar short of a pair. “Don’t you think he ought to be able to decide that for himself? Brendon would be pissed if I did what you’re doing.”

“Brendon would kick your ass, babe.” The man himself stepped into the room and pointed at Laine. “And I will help Sev kick yours, if he needs my help, when you get back.”

Laine nodded. “Okay. As long as he’s safe, and I get back, he can do whatever he wants.”

Zeke looked Brendon with astonishment. “You’re taking his side? Even though if I did it—”

Brendon shushed him with a hand gesture. “But it’s not you, and I know why Laine feels he has to do this. Why he has to keep Sev safe.” Brendon pinned Laine with his big brown eyes, and Laine