Wait Until Dawn by Bailey Bradford (book club suggestions .txt) 📕

Chris’ expression softened, his eyes turning liquid with need. Rich dipped his head down and caught Chris’ lips with his own, sucking tenderly on the plump lower one until Chris moaned and fisted his hands in Rich’s hair. Only then did Rich slip his tongue into Chris’s mouth and taste this magical man.

Sweet, literally, Chris tasted sweet and right and like something Rich could come to crave more than his next breath. He deepened the kiss, stroking his tongue over the roof of Chris’ mouth, pressing his lips more firmly to those full ones. Rich straddled Chris’ lap clumsily, unwilling to break the kiss. He smoothed his hands over Chris’ broad chest, his palms rasping over peaked nipples. Chris whimpered and thrust his chest forward in a silent plea for more. Rich gave it to him, turning the kiss from a thorough exploration to a passionate need-filled kiss as he pinched Chris’ nipples.

Chris broke the kiss, panting so hard his broad chest brushed against Rich’s with every inhalation. “Shit. Rich, honey, I can’t just walk. I’ll get a room at the motel—”

“No!” Rich didn’t realize he’d shouted the word until the cab door was flung open and a very pissed off sheriff bounded up to stand braced in the doorway. Rich forgot about his fear of seeing Laine, the guilt he carried with him for shoving the man away, and clung to Chris even as he pleaded with Laine. “He can’t stay at the motel! He can’t, Laine, tell him!”

Laine looked closer to tears than Rich ever would have thought possible. His voice when he spoke was so full of sympathy, Rich couldn’t help but think the man believed he’d gone nuts. “No, Rich, of course he can’t. Matt can’t go there either, so—”

Rich felt the name like an electric shock through his body. Laine frowned and looked confused. Chris, however, pulled Rich to him and whispered, “You’ll tell me later.”

Rich didn’t argue, because he would.

Severo appeared behind Laine, climbing up to stand beside his partner. “He can stay here. In the house or in the sleeping area these things have. And he can stay until you don’t want him to, or he can come and go.” Severo grinned. “I’m guessing Laine’s grumpy has rubbed off on me. I mean, Chris, you’re welcome to stay, and all the other stuff I said applies after that.”

Rich noticed Chris didn’t even look at Laine. Instead he watched Rich, who finally got it. “You can stay here until you have to go, and unless we find out today was a fluke, you can come back when you do go.” Please. Please.

Chris didn’t hesitate. “Of course I’ll stay. I was planning to, just a matter of where.”

Rich’s relief was tempered by the setting sun. What would he do if it happened tonight, or some other night while Chris was here? Rich pushed the thought aside. He’d deal with it when it happened. Besides, there were no guarantees Chris would hang around for long. He’d come to his senses soon enough.

“Stop it,” Chris said softly.

Rich tried, but he couldn’t see any reason anyone, especially someone like Chris, would want to put up with him. Chris could find dick anywhere, or a mouth, or—

“Stop it,” Chris hissed. “Whatever it is you’re thinking, stop!”

Rich opened his mouth to explain that he couldn’t stop because he couldn’t understand why Chris gave the littlest damn about him, but he didn’t get any further than a puff of breath before Chris kissed him so softly, his big hands gentle on Rich’s back, stroking his tense muscles and making him feel safe. Chris kissed and caressed him until Rich stopped doubting and started believing. Whether it was a temporary respite or not, Rich took it, burrowing against Chris, taking the comfort his big body, smooth hands, and soft kisses promised.

Chris placed a final kiss on his lips then tilted his head at Laine. Rich listened to the steady beat of Chris’ heart, the ebb and flow of air in his lungs, watched the repeated bob of his Adam’s apple as he tried to push words out.

“I’ll stay,” Chris finally said, and Rich felt a piece of Chris wedge deep inside him, snugging in and keeping Rich from ever feeling alone again.

* * * *

Chris wrapped his body around Rich’s as much as he could without crushing the man. They’d had a mish mash of a dinner from the remaining leftovers in the refrigerator then Rich had looked so exhausted Chris had pulled out the bed and nudged Rich under the covers. Rich had barely kicked off his shoes and jeans before falling to sleep, long-sleeved shirt and boxers as his PJs. Chris thought he looked cute, but had more sense than to say that out loud—at least to Rich.

Every now and then, though, Rich would jerk in his sleep, his limbs thrashing as if he was fighting someone off. Chris figured he was, as the sick shit who’d hurt Rich would linger in Rich’s memory for who knew how long. Probably all his life, which Chris absolutely hated. Then he noticed the peaks in Rich’s aura, the increase in white every time he seemed to be having a nightmare. Rich would start to reach for the crystals in his sleep, but his hand always hovered an inch or so above them before dropping back to the mattress. It reminded Chris he needed to call his mom, but Rich felt so good in his arms, too good to let go.

Chris was glad he hadn’t had to share Rich with Laine and Severo, at least not yet. The other two men had walked back to their house without arguing when Rich had quietly asked them to. And Chris was kind of thinking, between Laine’s aura, which was one of the best he’d ever seen, and the way Laine had looked so pained and guilty, maybe the sheriff wasn’t a bad guy. Severo was pretty