Reese waited until the others left, then turned to Brantley. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to help with the case until it’s closed.”
Brantley stared at him, remained silent.
He decided to bite the bullet and said, “I’ll get a room up the road. Come back in the mornin’.”
“You can stay with me tonight,” Brantley said. “It’s the least I can do for your help today.”
Reese felt as though he’d been mule-kicked in the gut. He didn’t want Brantley’s charity, but he also didn’t want to give the man too much time to think about what had happened between them.
Feigning indifference, Reese started toward the door. “If there’s still a couch upstairs, would you mind if I—” A hard hand on his arm drew him up short, had him turning to look at Brantley.
“I don’t regret earlier,” Brantley said softly, his tone firm. “Doesn’t mean anything, though.”
Reese ignored the tightness in his chest, told himself he deserved that. “Understood.”
Before he could turn around, the hand returned to his arm. This time Brantley gripped him hard, jerked him toward him. Reese stumbled forward then found himself in Brantley’s embrace. Strong arms banded around him, his mouth hovering close to Brantley’s smooth, warm lips. He dragged in a deep breath, then fused his mouth to Brantley’s.
“Fuck, Reese,” Brantley groaned softly. “I hate that you do this to me.”
Reese wanted him to elaborate, but he wasn’t sure his heart could handle Brantley telling him this was nothing more than sex. He knew it was. Of course it was. But he wanted to pretend otherwise for a little while.
He didn’t put up a fight when Brantley manhandled him toward the wall, slamming him up against it. He gripped Brantley’s shirt, held on tight as their tongues thrashed. When Brantley pulled back and pressed his forehead to Reese’s, Reese ignored the emotion churning in his chest. It was the same feeling he’d had for the past six months whenever he thought about never getting to kiss this man again, to touch him. To love him.
“I never could resist you,” Brantley said, not sounding thrilled by the acknowledgment.
They swapped air for a moment, both of them breathing hard. Reese still gripped Brantley’s shirt, and Brantley’s hand was kneading the back of Reese’s neck. As far as Reese was concerned, they could remain just like that for the rest of his life. He would be content.
Unfortunately, the moment ended far too soon.
“You hungry?” Brantley asked, releasing him as he took a step back.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll order pizza.”
Reese chuckled. “Or I could cook.”
“I’d let you,” Brantley said with a smirk, “but it’s been a while since I’ve gone to the grocery store.”
Reese knew because he’d made sandwiches earlier. It was like the man had been living off of bread and cold cuts. The rest that was in Brantley’s refrigerator left little to be desired.
“How about the diner?” Reese suggested. “My treat.”
Brantley held his stare, and Reese could see his indecision. A second later, Brantley nodded. “The diner works.”
Reese exhaled as silently as he could, not wanting Brantley to hear his relief, but it was there all the same.
*
TWENTY MINUTES LATER,BRANTLEY STROLLED INTO THEcrowded diner. It wasn’t unusual for a Sunday night. Being that it was the only restaurant in town, those who didn’t want to venture into neighboring towns or one of the bigger cities surrounding them tended to congregate here.
On the way in, several people greeted them both like they were family. Then again, several of Brantley’s family members did appear to be out and about for dinner tonight.
“What can I get you boys?” Rachel asked when she approached.
“I’ll have the chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and fried okra,” Brantley said. “Hold the salad and add peach cobbler for dessert.”
Rachel shot him a grin. “So the usual, huh?”
