“Oh. Oh.” He elongated the word. “Seriously? You went more than three months without sex?”
This time, I laughed. “You make it sound like it’s the end of the world.”
“Might just be.” He resumed his scratching. “I, uh, wasn’t celibate during that time. Well, notlike…”
I chuckled—unsure of what he meant bynot like. “I didn’t expect you to be. You didn’t even know who I was. You certainly didn’t know I’d be back or we’d wind up together again.”
“Ah. You’re forgetting what a small town Mission City is. I knew you were the new editor almost from the moment you left my bed. Spring Dixon has a big mouth—in case you’re wondering from whom I heard it.” He stilled again. “Or maybe Sarabeth at Fifties told me. Well, possibly both.”
“So word got around about the new gay guy in town.”
“Yep.” He sighed. “And I was sort of hurt and sort of mad and then we met in the bar and—” He chuckled. “Why I didn’t drag you home that night, I’ll never know.”
“Bad timing.”
“On whose part?”
“Mine? The universe’s? We just maybe weren’t ready.” I rubbed my forehead.
“Really?” Said with no small amount of sarcasm. “But you’re ready now.”
“Uh—”
“That’s what I thought. Okay, we’ve had ourbusinessdate. Ask your questions.”
I didn’t particularly like his tone—but that was my fault and not his. “You saw the article I wrote about the firehouse?”
“Yes. Very flattering. Too much about making me the hero.” He tightened his grip on me as I continued to lay my head on his chest.
I traced my fingers along his ab muscles. “I thought I accurately portrayed everyone as playing their part. Except that guy. The chief’s son? What was with him?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Said with wariness. And even a bit of weariness.
“That guy was a jackass.”
“Who? Marlon or Chief?”
“How about both?” Based on two minutes of exposure, I’d bet the answer was both. I gave him time to respond.
Another one of his sighs replete with so much meaning. Yet which actually told me nothing at all. “Marlon’s not all bad—”
“He didn’t help you on that accident scene.”
“I had it handled.”
“I meant the royalyou.”
“Ha.” His belly rippled as he chuckled. “I don’t think that’s a thing.”
“Well, if it isn’t then I’m making it a thing.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible either.” He continued to massage my scalp. “I don’t know what to say.”
“The truth is a good place to start.”
“Truth is in the eye of the beholder.”
I angled my neck so I could meet his gaze. “What’s going on, Finn? What aren’t you telling me?”
