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

of it. He smiled and washed up the dishes then cleaned the coffee pot. By the time Laine was dressed and bringing the suitcases with him to the living room, Sev had called Zeke and Brendon to let them know everything was good to go—and nothing was impeding the trip.

“Brendon said they’d check on the house every day.” Sev took a suitcase from Laine. “We’re all set. Are you excited? I’m excited.”

Laine’s laugh was more of a rough exhalation, but the way his expression softened as he gazed at Sev did wonderful, funny things to him. Sev hadn’t known how much love could change a person inside, and he couldn’t even put into words what, in him, had changed. He was different, that was all, and it was a good thing.

* * * *

Planes weren’t Laine’s favorite thing, not at all. He might have been a little tense, and maybe he’d clung too tightly to Sev’s hand, but once they were on the ground again and could disembark, he felt like an elephant had been lifted off his chest.

“You’re getting your color back,” Sev told him as they waited for their luggage at the carousel. “The gray was kind of scary.”

“Thought I was gonna keel over?” Laine asked, smiling slightly at his lover.

Sev narrowed his eyes at Laine. “You’d damn well better not. We’re going to have decades together. Decades. Then eternity after that.”

Sev sounded so sure about the eternity part that Laine had to believe it, too. “Good thing I’m so crazy about you then, ain’t it?”

“Damn right, and even better that it’s mutual. There’s your bag!” Sev dove between two men hogging space at the conveyor belt.

When one of the men glared at the back of Sev’s head and opened his mouth, Laine tapped that guy on the shoulder.

“I wouldn’t,” Laine said, voice low, protectiveness surging to the surface.

The man scampered sideways like some freaky human-crab mix.

Sev hooted and grabbed the suitcase. “Yes! Here ya go, Laine.” He handed the bag to Laine.

The second suitcase wasn’t far behind, and in short order they had it, and their rental car. Laine drove and let Sev read the directions off to him. The cabin they’d rented was close to the Sandia Mountains, and secluded enough that they shouldn’t be disturbed. Laine was glad Sev had chosen such a place for them. He knew Sev would want to go into Albuquerque and probably Santa Fe and explore the cities. Laine kind of did, too, though he’d grumble about it just to keep up appearances. Plus, Laine suspected that it made Sev feel like he’d accomplished something if he got a grumpy Laine to agree to do what he wanted.

But Laine had done some research while he’d been at work, and he knew of a few places he wanted to take Sev. He bit back a grin when he thought of the naughty candy store in Old Town Albuquerque he’d read up on. Laine planned to buy Sev a box of chocolates he’d never forget.

He just hoped he didn’t blush like a virgin the whole time he was in the store with Sev.

Come to think of it, he could just imagine Sev holding up chocolate and rainbow candy penises, some drizzled with white icing for that authentic look. Sev wouldn’t be embarrassed at all. He’d laugh and giggle and probably suck on one of those penis pops right there in the candy store, and Laine would spring a boner in front of everyone.

Maybe I’ll order him some of those online once we’re back home.

“You’re being awfully quiet,” Sev observed.

Laine sent him a quick smile. “Just listening to you singing along with the radio.”

“You poor man,” Sev said, patting his hand.

Laine laughed. “You don’t have a bad voice, honey.”

“Right,” Sev drawled. “You’re going to take the next exit, then a right at the first dirt road. Should only be about six miles after that.”

“Should we get something to eat first? Breakfast is wearing off.” Laine’s stomach rumbled right on time to emphasize his claim.

“Supposed to be stocked with groceries,” Sev informed him. “I sent a list of what we wanted, and Anna, the lady we’re renting the place from, said she’d get everything for us. She emailed yesterday telling me she had the cabinets and fridge full for us.”

“That’s a nice service for her to provide.”

Sev shook his head. “It wasn’t free, but I figured it’d beat us having to go to the store our first day here.”

“Thoughtful of you, Sev.” Laine winked then focused on not running off the road.

The cabin itself was fancier than Laine had expected. It was adobe, with a nice porch and gorgeous landscaping. A small yard was fenced off, again with adobe, and the yard contained a pool and a hot tub, as well as a telescope.

“Anna said the stars are a sight not to be missed,” Sev said, peering over the fence. “God, it’s hot. I think we should put our clothes up, have a quick lunch, then skinny dip.”

“Skinny dip?” Laine felt his cheeks grow warm. “You think the people before us did that? You know, did—had sex in the pool?” He was pretty sure that was where Sev was going with the whole skinny dipping thing.

Sev shrugged. “That’s what pool chemicals are for.”

Laine wondered just how much chlorine was needed to clean the water.

“Stop worrying about it,” Sev said, tugging at his arm. “Seriously, Laine. We’re here to relax, and have fun, and enjoy each other. We don’t have to skinny dip if you’re going to freak out about it.”

Well, now Laine felt like an old fuddy duddy. And surely, only an old fuddy duddy would even think of that term.

“If you scowl any harder, you might hurt yourself,” Sev teased. “Come on. Let’s get out of the heat.”

“It is hot. Not Texas hot, either.” Laine was used to high temperatures and humidity. “It’s just hot as hell here.”

“Dry heat. A different kind of hell than humid heat, but still hot.”