Chapter Two

Get in, grab your dinner, and get out. Seth's mission sounded easy, and it would've been if he'd been able to place his carryout order over the phone instead of getting a busy signal at the Feisty Bull for a solid two hours. He'd suggested his aunt Debbie upgrade their website to take online orders, but she waved him off and said they could barely keep up with the phone orders and their walk-in customers. He didn't dare suggest they expand their business and risk falling out of favor with her.

The restaurant wasn't much to look at, just a ranch-style building in the middle of nowhere. The white clapboard exterior was simple, but the Feisty Bull's top-notch culinary delights brought customers back for more, as evidenced by the packed parking lot and busy phone lines. The overflow spilled onto the grassy areas on either side of the restaurant and between the gravel lot and the road. Seth groaned and nearly kept going when he saw the crowd, but thoughts of a cheesesteak hoagie teeming with thinly sliced rib eye, smoky provolone cheese, peppers, onions, and mushrooms were the only thing that had kept him moving throughout the day. Exhaustion had come and gone, and he now teetered into the land of the living dead.

Running into Rueben and seeing him happy with someone else sure as hell hadn't boosted his energy. Seth couldn't help but notice the intimate way Rueben and Keegan interacted. He'd arrived at Lyndhurst's office in time to see Rueben's arm around Keegan's shoulders as they headed into the building. He sat in his truck for several minutes to quell the disappointment he had no right to feel. Seth convinced himself Rueben was just offering emotional support, but then he'd placed his hand on Keegan's knee at one point, and they'd held hands at another. Seth didn't have any right to feel jealous. He was the one who'd told Rueben they couldn't have a future with the trial looming over their heads. He'd foolishly believed the Carsons would accept a plea deal rather than risk trial, but they were still holding out nine months later. Lyndhurst had unfortunately made some very valid points Seth couldn't ignore. His actions could have serious consequences if anyone found out about his weekend with Rueben.

If Seth was to be mad at anyone for his predicament, he only needed to point the finger at himself. He was the one who'd invited Rueben to the old fishing cabin he inherited from his grandpa Burke, thinking that a few rounds of sex would work the charmer out of his system. All Seth had accomplished was a deeper desire to know everything about Rueben, including additional ways to make him come. His name cried from Rueben's lush lips during a pulsing climax had become Seth's favorite thing, and after nine months, he wondered if he'd imagined the chemistry they'd shared. But seeing Rueben in the waiting room unleashed a pang of longing so intense that Seth knew what he'd felt was real—past and present. He locked himself down tightly to keep from reacting, but his efforts must've been too severe because Lyndhurst had told him to save the mean mugging for the interrogation room once they were alone in his office. At least Lyndhurst wasn't privy to the lusty thoughts Seth hid behind his stony visage. Not even seeing Rueben hold hands with someone else had dimmed his desire. Regret was a barbed-wire noose around Seth's neck and total overkill. The rope would've been enough to get the job done without wrapping it in razor wire, just as his existing emotional strife stole enough of his sleep without adding more to the mix.

Seth pulled into the lot and drove around to the back to park by the dumpster. Not like the owners would have him towed. Seth wished he could drink a cold beer or two at the bar while he waited for his food, but he still wore his gun and badge. It wouldn't matter to onlookers that he was off duty, if such a thing existed for a sheriff. And he sure as hell wouldn't risk locking his badge and gun in his glove box. With his current unlucky streak, someone would break into his truck and steal them. He'd look unfit to hold the sheriff's office with five months to go in his reelection bid. The shit with Salvation Anew had left him in a precarious position with his constituents, but the dust had seemed to have settled in his favor after the joint task force apprehended Mick and Quinton Carson. Then he'd gone and jeopardized everything for three nights of mindless pleasure with Rueben. He should regret it, but damned if he could muster the energy, and he just didn't fucking want to anyway. As far as he knew, they were in the clear, and Rueben had obviously moved on with Keegan.

Seth ignored the slight pang at the thought and forced himself out of the truck, mentally placing his order as he strode toward the building. The sun was putting itself to bed when he left the sheriff's department, and long shadows stretched over the employee's parking area. His aunt and uncle hadn't dedicated as much attention to exterior lighting in the back as they did in the front, something else he should discuss with them. There were too many places someone could lie in wait. Debbie and Rick didn't have children of their own and viewed their staff as family. Keeping them safe should be at the top of their priorities. Some would blame Seth's military and law enforcement services for his jaded tendencies, but the lessons had started the summer he turned thirteen. The Burkes and Harts still navigated the aftermath of their sudden and tragic loss twenty-five years later. There were anniversaries you loved to celebrate and some that flayed you to the bone. This weekend was the latter, and Seth desperately needed a break.

The lighting situation improved when he rounded the corner of the building, and the tension eased in his shoulders. The bass from the music reached him on the sidewalk, but he couldn't tell what genre was on tap for the night. His aunt and uncle jumped around to keep things interesting and played the music just loud enough to set a fun atmosphere. No one wanted to scream across the table to their companion or have anything pull focus from the extraordinary food. The logo on the front of the door always made him smile. The bull wore an expression that was both feisty and fierce, which made him think of Rueben. Seth would not be fooled by his quick wit and laid-back persona. He'd seen the fierceness in his expression when he thought Keegan was upset, and he also witnessed his smug pride when his boyfriend stood up to Lyndhurst. The Keegan he first met would've never questioned the prosecutor's intentions, and Seth figured much of the credit went to Rueben and the rest of the Redemption Ridge crew. For the second time in mere minutes, he forced his thoughts away from Rueben.

Seth opened the door and stepped inside a building that had represented many things to him. So many memories—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly—connected him to this one place that helped shape the man he'd become. At thirty-eight, the restaurant served up the comfort food that kept him going on his most stressful days. He used to recite items on the menu when he served in Iraq and Afghanistan in his early twenties. Seth bussed tables and washed dishes during high school to earn extra money. Aunt Debbie was the first person he'd come out to back then, and she'd kept Seth's secret until he felt comfortable being open and honest with everyone in the family.

The Feisty Bull became a command center when his sixteen-year-old cousin Natalie, Kerry's older sister, disappeared. Seth had been thirteen at the time, and Kerry had been twelve. They'd been the last family members to see her when she dropped them off in Last Chance Creek to get ice cream and play video games. Their families had spread maps on the dining tables and organized volunteers into search groups when the sheriff's department refused to get involved. They'd treated her as a runaway because Seth had seen her get into a rusty blue pickup truck with a Pearl Jam bumper sticker on the rear window and a faded logo for a plumbing company on the door. Seth had insisted until he was blue in the face that Natalie had planned to come back, but the condescending sheriff hadn't listened. The search teams were successful, but it had been too late for Natalie, something he'd never forgotten and would never forgive.

Buildings didn't just have four walls and a roof; they pulsed with life and memories every bit as real as the country music thumping through the speakers when he stepped inside the restaurant. Since the Feisty Bull was the only watering hole and eatery close by, his aunt and uncle had tried to accommodate everyone's needs. A gorgeous bar acted as a divider between the two unique dining spaces. To the left was a dining room with cloth-covered tables and an enormous stone fireplace acting as the focal point. Stunning artwork painted by local artists adorned the walls, the music volume was quieter, and softer lighting invited patrons to linger and converse over a meal.

To the right was the exact opposite setting. Instead of smooth oak boards, they used repurposed barn planks that contrasted nicely with the neon signs advertising local breweries and wineries. The lighting was darker, the music louder, and all but one of the many televisions broadcast local and national sports. His aunt Debbie had insisted that at least one screen feature shows from her favorite home improvement networks and display the chosen questions on trivia night. They hadn't followed the karaoke craze at the height of its popularity, but Uncle Rick had mentioned making room for the equipment and a mock stage in one corner of the room. Seth bit back a groan at the thought. He'd need them to create an online ordering option and a drive-up carryout window if karaoke came to the Feisty Bull.

He greeted the hostess by her first name and gestured to the bar when she scanned the dining room for a spot to put him. "I won't be long."

The bar was a massive rectangular island of gleaming wood, sparkling glassware, every liquor imaginable, and ornate taps featuring the popular national brands along with the local brews. Stools lined the entire perimeter except for the small gap that allowed the bartenders to enter and exit. Kerry was behind the bar pulling beers when Seth claimed the last vacant stool. His cousin looked up and gave him a roguish smile. His black hair was longer than usual, almost brushing his shoulders, and his dark eyes sparkled with familiar mischief that always spelled trouble. Seth didn't know what had put that devilish gleam in his cousin's eyes, but he knew he didn't want any part of it.

"Hey, cousin," Kerry said.

"Don't start with me," Seth warned. "Not after the day I've had."

Kerry released the tap and held up both hands in surrender. "Gee, Sheriff. I didn't do anything."

The guy to his right chuckled and took a drink of his beer. Seth wasn't much in the mood for socializing, so he kept his attention focused on Kerry. If he had a modicum of energy left, he'd try to figure out what was making his cousin strut like a fucking rooster behind the bar.

"Isn't someone in need of rescuing tonight?" Seth's snide tone only made his cousin's grin broaden. Who did this asshole think he was? The Grinch? The Joker? Kerry was built like a freaking superhero with broad shoulders and ripped muscles, which he used to operate Hart's Creek Rescue. Natalie's tragic death propelled several family members into a life of service. Seth's sister Shawna was an EMT, and several of his cousins were firefighters. Kerry took it a step further and founded an organization that rescued the stranded, injured, and lost. Seth was beyond proud of his cousin, but that didn't stop him from busting his chops now and then.

Kerry shrugged a massive shoulder. "Just felt like this is where I needed to be right now." He found comfort in their aunt and uncle's restaurant, too, and often picked up bartending shifts whenever they were short-staffed or he needed to decompress and connect in happier ways. Since they were on the eve of his sister's disappearance and murder, it made sense Kerry would navigate there.

"What ten-year-old did you borrow that shirt from?"

Kerry greeted the dig with laughter as he returned to filling drink orders. When he caught up, he sauntered over to stand in front of Seth with an order pad. "Do you want the usual?"

"I don't have a usual." He loved everything on the menu.

A black brow shot up. "You'll have a cheesesteak with extra mushrooms and mayo and a double portion of Parmesan fries to go." He tilted his head to the side and studied Seth for a few seconds. He grimaced and sucked air through his teeth like a reverse hiss. "I can't decide if you're in the mood for plain cheesecake or a slice of chocolate pecan pie."

Seth hadn't factored dessert into his plans, but sometimes Kerry had the right idea. "Both. I'll save one for another day." When his cousin's lips curved into a cocky grin, Seth added, "And you don't know me that well."

Kerry snorted. "I know you better than you know yourself, just as you can say the same about me. The kitchen is swamped, so it might be a while before your order is ready. Want something to drink?"

Seth would give just about anything for a cold beer, but he settled for a Coke.

"Hitting it awfully hard," teased the guy on his right.

Seth forced a smile on his face and turned his head, reminding himself it was a reelection year, and it wouldn't hurt him to be cordial. "I'd prefer a cold beer, but not while it looks like I'm on duty."

The man wore his Colorado Rockies ball cap low on his forehead, covering most of his hair and putting the upper half of his face in shadow. The lower half sported a pretty severe case of razor burn as if he'd shaved his face in a hurry. The hair sticking out from beneath the hat looked platinum blond or white, but it was hard to say in the light. The televisions in the rustic dining area seemed to have the guy's full attention, so Seth tucked his smile away. The stranger had chuckled at the banter between cousins and remarked about his drink choice, but when Seth gave him the attention he craved, the guy averted his gaze. Why was that? Pinpricks of unease made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, though the man had done nothing wrong. Seth silently chastised himself for acting like a fool. He was exhausted, stretched too thin, and looking for danger lurking in shadows, even the kind cast by a simple ball cap.

The stranger pointed to the wall of televisions. "Hey. Isn't that you?"

Kerry stopped in front of Seth and set his soda on the bar in front of him. "Sorry, cuz."

Sorry? Seth's tired brain struggled to tie the conversation threads together. He was about to look at Kerry, but the stranger finally turned and met his gaze. Arctic blue eyes glowed from beneath the brim's shadow. They didn't actually glow like fictional supernatural beings, but their contrast was so great that they appeared to light from within.

"You're on television," the stranger said.

Was that why Kerry apologized? What kind of gloom-and-doom hell was about to befall him? Seth turned his head in time to catch the tail end of a "coming up on" promo for the local news affiliate. Aunt Debbie always muted the volume on the televisions to avoid clashing with the music, but the subtitles on the bottom of the screen told Seth everything he needed to know. The channel's crime reporter had interviewed several of the Harts and Burkes for the segment they produced for the twenty-fifth anniversary of Natalie's unsolved murder. The piece would play the following evening, but not without controversy.

Most people fell into two camps: those who believed Natalie's killer was still out there, making her case unsolved, and those who believed the cops had found Natalie's killer but couldn't prosecute him because he died before they could make an arrest. Publicly, Seth claimed to be in the unsolved murder camp, but privately, he was certain Ryan Ulrich had gotten away with murder. The cops had tracked the rusty blue truck back to him based on Seth's description, and Ryan admitted to picking Natalie up in town and driving her to the river where a bunch of his friends gathered to party. He even confessed that they'd gotten into an argument and had gone separate ways once there. Ryan claimed Natalie had stomped off into the woods, and he assumed she'd gotten a ride back to town with someone else when she didn't return. Everyone else at the gathering claimed to have eyes on Ryan during the entire time of the party and hadn't seen where Natalie had gone. And Seth would know since he'd memorized each statement after accessing the official file when he took office.

The original investigators had dismissed his family's concern until Natalie's body was found a few miles downstream from where she'd gone missing. The department hypothesized she'd died of an accidental drowning. They said Natalie could've been drinking or smoking weed like the others at the party. She could've been distraught and unsteady on her feet and fallen into the river or taken an ill-fated swim. The medical examiner had quickly disabused them of that notion. The blunt-force trauma to her head was too severe for a slip and fall. It showed signs of rage that turned the focus back to Ryan, who'd admitted fighting with her. The sheriff's department had performed a thorough investigation from that point, interviewing people from the party multiple times. The stories never changed. Natalie had wandered off angry, but Ryan never budged from the gathering. Seth's immediate predecessor had taken up the cold case and had attempted to solve Natalie's murder. He'd assigned one of his detectives to review the case and look for any unturned stones or punch holes in any of the witness statements. No unturned rocks. No holes. A community still divided.

The folks who believed Ryan killed Natalie had been more vocal, and the Ulrich family moved away. Ryan died of a drug overdose a few years after Natalie's death, and Seth worried they might never find justice for his cousin. Fuck, she deserved so much better.

"That young lady was your cousin?" The stranger's voice brought Seth back to the present.

He reached for his soda to quench his suddenly dry mouth. He set the glass back on the bar with a thunk and faced his curious barstool neighbor. "Yes."

"Is that why you got into law enforcement?"

Seth squinted and aimed his best Clint Eastwood glower at the man. "Are you a reporter?"

Arctic blue eyes widened, and he held up his palms. "No way, man. I've watched Forensic Files and Dateline hundreds of times, so you think murder is more common than it really is. In truth, most of us will never know someone who's been murdered. I'm really sorry for your loss and my nosy questions."

Ah, a true-crime buff. That explained the man's interest. Seth forced himself to relax. "Thank you."

"You want another beer?" Kerry nodded to the man's nearly empty mug.

"Nah. I've got a bit more driving to do before I stop for the night."

Seth was going to make nice and ask about the guy's destination when familiar laughter boomed from the casual section of the restaurant. He looked at his cousin, whose villainous grin returned. It took everything in Seth's power not to crane his neck and search out the owner of that glorious laugh. It had been nine months since it had bounced around his cabin bedroom, and he missed that almost as much as the warm skin, hot mouth, and greedy pucker he'd become addicted to in just three glorious nights. Rueben. "The ETA on the food?" Seth prodded.

Kerry casually shrugged again. "It's ready when it's ready."

"You talk to all the patrons like that?" Seth turned to the stranger and nodded toward his empty plate. "Is that what he told you when you ordered food? You'll get it when you get it?"

His stool neighbor laughed. "Nope. I got a ‘coming right up.'"

Another round of laughter burst from across the room, but Seth separated one from the rest. This time, he couldn't resist scanning the section for Rueben, and his greedy eyes found him easily enough. He and Keegan huddled over something on their table. They both held pencils and glanced at the television screen every few moments. It finally registered that they were playing a round of trivia. Kerry's chuckle pulled Seth's attention back to the annoying mountain of muscle in front of him.

"Shut up."

Seth got a reprieve from that smug asshole when a patron on the other side of the bar waved Kerry over. Don't look. Don't look. Seth searched for the grit that had sustained him during the meeting in Lyndhurst's office, but it eluded him. His gaze repeatedly veered into Rueben's direction until the intensity must've lured his gaze Seth's way. One moment, he was looking down at his card on the table, and the next, they locked eyes. Seth was too surprised to avert his gaze right away and knew he'd gotten caught. He turned his head forward fast enough to wrench his neck and found Kerry standing in front of him again.

"Let's go out back so I can wipe that cocky grin off your face," Seth said.

Kerry quirked a brow and flexed an arm to show off his bulging biceps. He'd always been taller and broader, which meant Seth had to develop other skills to triumph over Kerry. He was faster and more calculating whenever he struck. Seth usually applied the strategy to physical altercations, but matters of the heart could lay a man low quicker and harder than a fist could. And Seth had to admit, at least to himself, that his heartstrings had gotten tangled up in Rueben Sanchez. He was out of his depth, and his doofus cousin wasn't any wiser. Kerry's motto was "You Can Tie Me Up but You'll Never Tie Me Down." What insight could he possibly offer Seth? It was clear that Kerry looked forward to sharing his pearls of wisdom with him as soon as they were alone.

"You're too busy beating up yourself. Save your energy for a better use of your time." Kerry darted a glance in Rueben's direction just in case Seth didn't get his message.

Loud and clear, buddy. He let his glower do the talking for him. Besides, Seth knew Rueben had moved on, but Kerry didn't. He wasn't exactly happy that Rueben had found someone else, but he cared enough to put Rue's happiness first. Seth didn't like how things went down in the prosecutor's office and wanted to steal a moment to get some closure. People bandied the word around a lot, but the concept was utter bullshit. Still, he liked to keep things tidy and the air clean whenever he could. Seth might not have Rueben for himself, but he didn't want the guy harboring resentment toward him. Opportunity presented itself when Rueben stood up and headed to the bathroom a few minutes later.

Seth waited until a patron down the bar diverted Kerry's attention and slipped off his stool. Enough time had passed, so it wouldn't be obvious to casual observers that he was following Rueben. There was a stockroom, an employee break room, and a broom closet on the left side of the hallway, and the bathrooms were on the right. Rueben stepped into the corridor just as he reached the men's restroom, colliding with Seth's chest.

Rueben's eyes widened, and an "oomph" whooshed from his parted lips. He staggered back a step, and Seth reached for his hips to steady him. Gone went Seth's promise to keep his distance from Rueben. The only thing on his mind in that moment was just how right their bodies fit together. Rueben's soulful brown eyes came in a close second, though the longing he saw there confused him. He hadn't imagined the affectionate gestures and glances between Rueben and Keegan in Lyndhurst's office. But in the dark hallway with Rueben's warmth pressed against him, Seth struggled to remember his own name. His mouth suddenly felt dry and gritty, like he was sucking sand in the Middle East again, but the only rat-a-tat-tat-tat came from his pounding heart, not a weapon. Raucous laughter erupted in the dining room, piercing the intimate bubble they'd created in the hallway.

Seth dropped his hands and took a few steps back before someone saw them. "I'd hoped to talk to you."

Rueben smiled slightly and closed the space between them again. Seth suddenly felt like the fly caught in a spider's web. "Good. I want to talk to you too."

Seth started to guide him toward the bathroom, but Rueben shook his head. "Is someone in there?"

"No. Someone blew it up in there. I could barely hold my breath long enough to piss."

Rueben gestured to the end of the hallway, where an exit sign hung above a door. "Want to step outside for a few minutes?"

"The parking lot overflow is out there, and someone might see us."

Rueben chuckled and shook his head. "I hadn't planned to grab onto someone's bumper and present my ass to you." His words painted a vivid scene, and Seth barely held back a groan. "It's not illegal for us to talk, Seth."

"I know. It's just that what I have to say is personal, and I don't want to risk someone overhearing us."

Rueben arched a brow. "Personal? I figured we'd said all there was to say."

Not even close. Seth scanned the hallway again, and his gaze landed on the stockroom. "In here." He curled his fingers into fists to avoid doing something stupid like reaching for Rueben's hand. Seth opened the door and turned on the light. The space wasn't huge to start with, and rows of tall metal storage shelves lined both walls, leaving only a narrow aisle between them. Seth shut the door and gave in to the urge to take Rue's hand, guiding him past stacks of toilet paper, napkins, and nonperishable food items. They stopped by a section of table condiments toward the back of the room. The aisle was barely big enough for one person, let alone two, and Seth ended up crowding Rueben against the metal shelving. Body heat drew him in, or maybe Rueben gave Seth's heartstrings a little tug. Either way, it was nearly impossible not to react to the energy pulsing between them. "I want to apologize."

Rueben's gorgeous mouth curved into a wicked smile. "I can't fault your style."

Seth almost laughed and replied with a snappy comeback, but they didn't have much time. He went for a direct approach instead, though he didn't step back to put distance between them. How could he when Rueben smelled so damn delicious? Seth tried not to be too obvious when he inhaled a little deeper on his next breath. Mmmm. Sunshine and clean clothes. "And clear the air," he added.

"I'm trying to decide if your growing erection is making things clearer or if it's muddying the water," Rueben said.

Seth's exhale came out sounding more like a needy whimper than the heavy sigh he'd intended. Rueben's warm chuckle was such a small sound, but it rippled over him like a seductive caress. Seth needed to take a step back, screw his head on right, and put things in proper perspective, but he settled his hands at Rueben's hips and held on for dear life. Being together was so wrong but felt so fucking right.

"Not that I'm complaining, but I'm getting mixed signals from you today," Rueben said. "You iced me out at the prosecutor's office and wouldn't even look at me. And now, you're a few heartbeats away from rubbing one out against me." Seth hadn't moved his hips so much as an inch, but grinding against Rueben's answering hard-on was the only thing on his mind. "Use your words, Burke. I don't have enough emotional spoons left in the drawer to guess where your head is." He raised his hand and caressed Seth's jaw with two fingers. "This one, I mean. The other head's desires are pretty self-explanatory."

Despite everything going on in his life—a hotly contested reelection campaign, his cousin's remembrance celebration, and what was sure to be dubbed a historic trial for their county when it finally happened—this was the best Seth had felt in months. Nine, to be exact. Explaining that he locked down his emotions to avoid giving his feelings for Rueben away would only muddy things between them more. Rueben was with Keegan, and despite his current behavior, Seth would respect that. Rueben clearly still had feelings for him, and Seth didn't want to encourage Rueben to ruin something good for a relationship that couldn't be. "I'm sorry I was so chilly toward you. It was just how I needed to be in order to get through the meeting." Seth dropped his hands from Rueben's hips, stepped back, and immediately missed his warmth. It was Seth's turn to feel the metal shelving press against his back. "As for clearing the air, I only want the best things for you. Seeing your smile today and hearing your laughter and smart mouth—" Seth shook his head and exhaled a harsh sigh. "It makes me feel good to know you're happy and moving on."

Rueben flinched like Seth had hit him, and then he stalked forward until there was no air between them once again. "Care to say that again?" Rueben started reeling off the highlights like a sportscaster before Seth could answer. "I'm happy and I've moved on because I shared a few laughs with Keegan to ease our tension?" His eyes widened suddenly. "Oh shit. You think Keegan and I are dating."

"You're not?" Relief flooded Seth, and he had to stiffen his legs to stay upright.

Rueben's expression changed from astonishment to anger. "Do you honestly think I'd leave Keegan alone at our table and cuddle up against you in a supply closet if we were dating? Do you really think so little of me?" A dark pink blush tinged Rueben's cheeks. "And you have some nerve talking about me moving on when I overheard you making a date with that lady from Lyndhurst's office."

Seth's mouth fell open like his jaw came unhinged. "What are you talking about?"

"Cynthia, is that her name? I heard you discussing a time to meet up with her," Rueben said.

Seth snapped his mouth shut and breathed deeply through his nose as he recovered, unsure if he should laugh or cry. Tell the truth or lie? Hurt shimmered in Rueben's eyes, and Seth's heart ached from knowing he was the source. A small part of him thought the pain was necessary to make a clean break from one another. He could lie and tell Rueben that he was going on a date, and that would be it. But he couldn't—wouldn't—do that.

"I wasn't making a date with Cynthia," Seth said, then debated how to explain their relationship in the fewest words. Rueben's back had been to the TV that ran the promo for Natalie's segment, and their discussions had never run that deep during their time together. How does one transition from eating someone's ass to discussing murdered family members? "Tomorrow is the twenty-fifth anniversary of my cousin's disappearance and murder. Cynthia had been Natalie's best friend since kindergarten. They were practically inseparable, and the family considered Cynthia an honorary Hart. Family and friends are gathering to remember Natalie tomorrow night and—"

Rueben pressed firm lips against his to cut him off. He didn't deepen the kiss because the gesture was about offering comfort, not passion. Seth's hands landed on Rueben's hips again, and he dug his fingers in to hold him close instead of pushing him away. Rueben eased back and stared at him with enormous eyes swimming with unshed tears. "Baby, I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin. That must've been absolutely horrible for your family." He swallowed hard and caressed Seth's jawline again. He'd once told Seth he had the bone structure of a superhero, but leaving Rueben behind to save his career made him feel more like a supervillain until he recalled how much was on the line. Rueben met his gaze once more. "That explains so much about your need to serve and protect. You're a damn fine man, Seth Burke, and I'm going to make you mine someday."

Seth's audible swallow sounded loud in the narrow room. He wanted Rueben more than he could express, but it wasn't the right time for them. "You heard what Lyndhurst said today. It could take two or three years for the case to go to trial. I would never ask you to wait for me."

"You don't need to ask. I'm going to be yours whether it takes a month, a year, or ten years."

Though Seth appreciated the sentiment, he couldn't afford to let hope bloom in his heart. His tongue needed to be the trowel that uprooted the seeds Rueben's words had planted there before they germinated. But Seth couldn't form the response to make it happen. Maybe it was too late. Perhaps he'd already planted that kernel on the fateful night of the crash or during their stolen weekend. "Rue—"

Firm, warm lips cut him off again, and he didn't resist a second time. Seth opened his mouth, and Rueben's tongue swept in with the sweetest moan he'd ever heard. Any sense of control he'd had going into the room went up in flames as lust scorched him from head to toe, reducing him to a grunt that would make a Neanderthal proud. Rueben's hands were all over him, stroking his back and chest. Seth walked him backward, pressed Rueben against the shelf, and pinned his greedy hands over his head. The condiment bottles rattled as Seth deepened the kiss as the fiery man reeled Seth closer by his heartstrings. Nothing mattered but the slick, wet glide of their twisting tongues. Okay, Rueben's erection mattered a lot too. Those tight jeans could cause permanent damage if he—

The stockroom door swung open on squeaky hinges. Seth quickly maneuvered his body to block Rueben from view, but he knew he hadn't been fast enough when he heard Kerry's rough-and-tumble laughter. Thank fuck he was the one who'd busted them, though there would be more ball busting than Seth wanted to tolerate. He slowly turned to face their intruder with the darkest scowl he could muster.

"What?" Seth asked.

Kerry's villainous grin reappeared and looked even more diabolical. "I'm more than happy to cover for you, but maybe take this somewhere more private." Kerry lifted the carryout bag in his hands and added, "Food's ready."

Seth didn't bother asking him how he'd known where to find him. They'd been in each other's pockets for their whole lives. No one could read him like Kerry could, but Seth really wanted that honor to belong to Rueben someday. But he couldn't ask Rueben to wait for him. "Could you give us a minute, cuz?"

"Nope. Someone has to save the day, and it's my turn."

Rueben peeked around Seth's body. "Again, you mean." Kerry's crew had been the ones to climb down the hillside to rescue Seth and Rueben.

Kerry winked and earned a growl from Seth. "Wrap it up, and I don't mean the fun kind."

"Isn't that bag it up?" Rueben asked.

Kerry dialed up his smile another megawatt until it nearly hurt to look at him. "I like him."

Seth answered with another growl.

Hands up in surrender, Kerry said, "I know the score, but you better get going if you don't want others to figure it out."

Seth turned his back to Kerry and searched for the right words to set Rueben free without hurting him.

"Don't." Vehemence hardened Rueben's tone. "You wanted to apologize and clear the air, and you have. That's enough for right now." He stood up on his tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to Seth's lips before moving to his ear. "Dream of me." That was a fucking guarantee, and Rueben's smile said he knew it. "And be safe."

"You too." Seth forced himself to step away, and Rueben slid past him.

"Later, Kerry."

Unfortunately, his cousin didn't follow Rueben out the door. Seth turned and met Kerry's gaze. There wasn't an ounce of judgment in those dark eyes, only mischief.

"Find a way," Kerry said.

This coming from the person who always got Seth in trouble. He'd gotten injured and grounded more times than he could remember because of the doofus challenging him with an arched brow. But Kerry was also the one person who always had his back, and he'd patiently listened to Seth pine over pints of beer. His cousin looked as eager and hopeful as Seth felt, and he lacked the—what had Rueben called it? Emotional spoons. Seth lacked the emotional spoons to convince Kerry and himself that he didn't crave a future with Rueben. He just wanted to go home and eat his food and relive that kiss, preferably with his hand wrapped around his dick.

"And maybe go out the side door so you don't scare anyone off with that." Kerry gestured to the erection straining against Seth's jeans.

He flipped his cousin off, snatched his food, and followed Kerry's advice to exit the side door. Energy pulsed through him, adding an extra spring in his step that had been missing for some time. He no longer thought about the shadows and who might be lurking there, even though the area behind the restaurant was pitch black. Seth's mind was too busy contemplating the other part to Kerry's advice. Did he dare find a way?