“Oh, the misconceptions parents have,” Reese teased. “I can tell you, my parents had no idea who I was datin’.”
“Mine did,” Brantley admitted. “But only because I’ve got three older sisters who could never seem to mind their own business. Still can’t.”
A young guy carrying a tray strolled up to the table, handed it over before swinging another around. This one held a variety of condiments.
Reese waved him off while Brantley snagged a couple of spicy ketchup tubs.
When the guy walked away, Reese leaned in. “I hope you know I’m not takin’ you out for a burger on our date.”
The comment had Brantley’s eyes darting upward. He probably should’ve said something pithy, but the truth was, he was too stunned to say a damn thing.
***
The look on Brantley’s face loosened something inside Reese.
He wasn’t sure why that was.
Nor was he sure why he’d spoken his thought aloud.
What he did know was that when he was around Brantley, the anxiety wasn’t there. At least when they were hanging like this. Casual, comfortable. No pressure. When they were naked, yes, he was anxious, but he suspected it was different than the strange tension that had choked him when Autumn had seen that text.
It wasn’t something he could explain because it wasn’t something he understood. But he hoped with time, as he figured out how he fit in this new puzzle that was his life, it would all make sense.
“I’m lookin’ forward to it,” Brantley said, his eyes blazing with heat.
“Me, too.”
By the time six o’clock rolled around, Reese was hungry.
After they’d eaten lunch, Brantley had driven them back to Coyote Ridge. They had met up with JJ in the barn, walked through what little they’d learned, and begun jotting down the millions of questions their conversations were producing. They were no closer to finding Lauren Tyler, but it did feel as though they were making inroads.
After deciding Brantley and Reese would reach out to Corinne Greenwood tomorrow and see if they could pick her brain, JJ had slipped out for a date with Dante, something she hadn’t told Brantley but rather disclosed to Reese. For whatever reason, Brantley had a beef with Dante, even though, according to JJ, Brantley and Dante had talked over dinner one night about the past. She’d been under the impression they had cleared the air between them. Reese wasn’t so sure.
Nor was he interested in discussing it with Brantley right now.
“What’s on your mind?” Brantley asked from where he was sitting on the couch in the barn. He had his hands folded in his lap, head tilted back, as though the position might help bring him clarity on the case.
“Just thinkin’ about what I’m gonna have for dinner.”
Brantley’s head tipped forward. The cocky grin that formed on his mouth said he could think of a few things. Brantley patted the cushion, so Reese made his way over, dropped down beside him.
When Brantley reached for his hand, Reese didn’t flinch, didn’t pull away, just watched the way their fingers twined, linking together comfortably. Reese was aware of the warmth of Brantley’s skin, the roughness. Without thinking, he pulled Brantley’s hand into his lap as he rubbed his thumb over the back of Brantley’s hand. The next thing he knew, he’d untangled their fingers and was using both of his hands to explore Brantley’s fingers, his palm.
“I like when you touch me,” Reese muttered as he continued to hold Brantley’s hand between his. “I like the feel of your skin on mine.”
He wasn’t sure if he spoke because he wanted Brantley to know what he was thinking or because he needed to hear himself say it aloud. To admit what he wanted, accepting it as he went along.
“But more than that,” he whispered, “I like touchin’ you, too.”
Brantley remained silent beside him. Every now and then, Brantley’s thumb would move, rubbing against Reese’s wrist.
“That first time I touched you,” he continued, “on the way to Mississippi, the plane… I’ll never forget that moment. I was terrified, but not because of what we were doin’. Because of what I wanted to do. I’ve never thought of two men bein’ together as taboo or wrong. My brother’s gay and he’s had plenty of boyfriends in his lifetime. For him, it’s normal. For you, too. But for me, it’s … different. I’ve never been turned on by a man before.”
Reese glanced over, saw Brantley was watching him intently, listening.
“Then you came along and everything I thought I knew about myself went right out the window.”
He brought Brantley’s hand to his lips, pressed a kiss to his knuckles, then placed Brantley’s palm against his cheek.
“When you touch me … it feels better than anything I’ve ever known before. But I can’t say it feels natural. Just … better.” He looked at Brantley again. “I’m sorry about last night. Truly sorry. I just…”
