“Nothing useful,” Trey told him, his eyebrows lowering as he glanced at Magnus then back to Brantley. “Mountain lion sighting.”
Brantley knew all too well that there were mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes running rampant through these parts. Most were scavenging for food. Rarely were they a threat to humans. He didn’t know what that would mean for a wounded woman wandering around, but he told himself she wasn’t out there; otherwise, those animals wouldn’t need to hunt for a little while, so their presence was a positive sign.
“It’s gettin’ late,” Baz said, clearly sensing the tension building over the revelation. “I think it’s best to turn in for the night and start early again.”
“I agree,” Brantley said, standing. “I’ll call the sheriff, see if I can get an update, and find out what his plan is. Tomorrow, Charlie and Jay can relieve Deck and Slade, keep an eye on the senator. The rest of you need to be here early.”
There were a couple of relieved sighs, as though they hadn’t been able to shut down until they’d been given the go-ahead.
Brantley understood that feeling all too well. The desire to keep going even when exhaustion took over was something he’d been plagued with all his life.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“WHAT’RE YOU DOIN’ UP?”
Reese looked up from the computer screen, saw Brantley padding toward him, scraping a hand down his face.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he admitted. “Thought maybe if I looked at this again, I might see somethin’.”
Brantley walked around behind him, warm hands settling on his shoulders. “Any luck?”
“No. I just have this feelin’ she’s out there.”
“Out there? Meaning where we’ve been lookin’?”
“Yeah.”
“That feelin’ tell you whether she’s safe or not?”
Reese sighed when Brantley pressed his lips to the back of his neck. “Unfortunately, no.”
“Hmm.”
Reese reached back, cupping Brantley’s head as he nuzzled his neck. Goose bumps formed over his skin and his blood heated.
“Question is, do you wanna keep lookin’, or do you want me to take your mind off it for a little while?”
He knew there was no right or wrong answer. If he chose to keep looking, Brantley would put on a pot of coffee and settle in for the long haul. If he chose the latter, there was a good chance he might get a couple hours of sleep after Brantley had wrung every last drop of energy from his body and mind.
Brantley sucked on his neck, making his cock swell.
“Don’t stop doin’ that,” Reese rasped, tilting his head and welcoming those smooth, warm lips.
Brantley’s mouth fused to his skin, sucking roughly, drawing a ragged moan from Reese’s chest. His strong arms banded around Reese’s middle, his hands sliding over his thighs then venturing inward and finding his aching cock.
“As much as I want to bend you over this counter,” Brantley whispered in his ear, “I think I need to have you beneath me this time.”
Reese inhaled sharply when Brantley stroked his cock through his shorts. The exhale that followed was harsher when Brantley released him.
“This way,” Brantley said, taking his hand and pulling him to his feet.
Reese followed him to the bedroom, wasted no time discarding his shorts while Brantley did the same. And then all thought fled because he found himself beneath Brantley’s hot, hard body.
“Right where I want you,” Brantley mumbled, taking Reese’s hands and lifting them over his head as he pinned him to the mattress.
Heat brewed beneath his skin and traveled like warm honey throughout his entire body, making his skin prickle with awareness. Brantley’s touch, all that smooth skin against his own, brought his nerve endings to life, causing his breaths to deepen. He was aware of the crisp hairs on Brantley’s legs rubbing his own, the bristle of his day-old stubble abrading his chin. It was heaven and hell at the same time, so fucking amazing but not nearly enough.
They breathed together for long seconds, their lips grazing lightly as Brantley stared down at him. Despite all the times they’d made love, nothing felt as intimate as this.
