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

seatbelt release and jerked Sev into his lap, grunting at the pain in his shoulder, and not giving a damn who was watching or if he made a fool of himself any more.

“Because I love you, and I’m scared. I haven’t ever felt like this, Sev, and you didn’t say anything… Ah, what you said when I was shot, well, you were emotional and— Ow!” Laine didn’t know if the second thump to the back of his head or Sev’s strong fingers pinching his thigh hurt more. “Christ, Sev!”

“I was emotional? You were the one trying to say it first!” Sev’s chin tipped up at a stubborn angle that had Laine’s cock growing hard in a heartbeat.

“Yeah, but—”

“But what? You didn’t mean it?”

Shit! “I meant it, Sev. I did, I do, but I wouldn’t hold you to it under the circumstances, that’s all I was trying to say.”

And it still wasn’t the right time, Laine thought, until Sev’s glower turned into the smile Laine loved so much.

“Now I know why Brendon calls you a dumbass, Laine. I meant it then, I mean it now. Quit doubting me—and yourself, okay?” Sev brushed the tips of his fingers over Laine’s lips. “I’d love to kiss you, strip you naked and show you just how much I love you, but—”

Laine was pushing Sev from his lap, back over into his own seat before Sev finished. “But nothing. You love me, I love you, we’re out of here. Lunch can wait.”

Sev’s laughter warmed Laine’s heart as his hand started warming other parts of Laine’s body. For the first time in days, Laine knew everything was going to be better than okay. He had the man he loved, and the freedom to be himself, and if there was the occasional spinning star or head thumping, that was fine, too. He’d take it all, and love every minute of it.

* * * *

Some years later

Getting Laine to agree to take a vacation had been akin to moving a mountain. Sev had packed their suitcases the day before while Laine had been working. He’d expected some last minute arguments from Laine about why they shouldn’t leave—perhaps some paranoia on Sev’s part, he was willing to admit to himself—but none had been forthcoming.

Instead Laine had spent hours making love with Sev then slept more soundly than ever.

Sev, however, was too excited to sleep well and already had breakfast made before Laine even woke up the morning they were going to leave for New Mexico. Sev wanted to go to lots of places, eventually, but had figured New Mexico would be close enough that Laine shouldn’t freak out too much about being away from McKinton. The flight to Albuquerque was only an hour and a half, and if there was some kind of emergency that interrupted the vacation and sent them running for home, they could drive back in under ten hours.

Maybe not ideal, but Sev had been persuasive, and Laine loved him, so they were taking the first of what Sev hoped would be many vacations together.

And some day, when Laine retired, hopefully Sev would convince him to buy a fifth-wheel so they could travel all over the US. Canada and South America too, if Sev had his way. He also wanted to see Hawaii and the islands around it—no, he wanted to see Laine there, on sandy beaches, in water so crystal clear it seemed unreal, or staring in wonder at a lava field. Every daydream Sev had included Laine.

Sev made a second pot of coffee, having fixed himself half a pot earlier. He was watching the carafe fill when he heard the sheets rustling in the bedroom.

A moment later, he felt a slight pinch to his right butt cheek. “Cut it out, Conner. Twerp.” Sev’s hair was tugged and something almost like a cool kiss was brushed over his cheek. He snorted. “Yeah, yeah. Go harass Laine. He’s not nearly excited enough for this vacation.”

A whirlwind of papers spun down the hall. Sev shook his head. His life was bizarre and wonderful, and he wouldn’t change anything about it.

Which made him feel bad as soon as he thought that. Conner was dead—what kind of person was Sev that he wouldn’t change that?

Okay I’d change that, but no way would Conner get to have Laine still. Nope. I’d match him up with someone, hmm, someone younger and sexy enough that Conner wouldn’t be able to want anyone else. It’d have to be someone here, too, because Conner has to be here. He has to be a part of our lives. I really like that goofball. Maybe even loved him in a way that was friendly and familial at the same time.

“Goddamn it!” Laine shouted. “Conner, I swear to God, if you don’t give me my toothbrush, I’m gonna find someone to exorcise you into a bottle! You’ll be like that genie on TV— Ow!”

Sev chuckled and fixed Laine a cup of coffee. He listened to Laine gripe for another minute, then Laine’s toothbrush came flying down the hall, through the kitchen, and out of the open window. “Shit.”

Laine thundered into the kitchen, wearing a pair of boxer briefs. He was so damned handsome that Sev’s mouth watered when he looked at Laine, and his heart raced with palpitations.

“What’d he do with my toothbrush?” Laine asked.

Sev aimed his thumb at the window. “It went thataway.”

Laine huffed and grumbled, but after three cups of coffee and breakfast, he was amenable to retrieving the toothbrush Sev had packed for him.

“And get dressed,” Sev said as Laine headed for the bathroom. “Our flight leaves in three hours. By the time we get to the airport, we’ll have less than two hours to get checked in and all that crap.”

“We’ll get there, honey,” Laine called back over his shoulder. “I’m not backing out because Conner decided to run off with my toothbrush.”

A small ball of tension Sev hadn’t been aware of loosened and his chest warmed with the sensation