[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Good. Now, tell me about this truck Shannon s father
bought. Returning to a more relaxed position in his chair, he
picked his glass up from the hearth. He brought it back up as if
defiant for a quick sip of his whiskey.
There wasn t much to see. Shannon s father was out with the
truck. A sullen expression covered Ciaran s face.
Well, then, suppose there s not much to bloody tell either.
Ciaran s father rose from his chair, grunting, and left the two
young men while he ambled in the direction of his bedroom.
He watched, along with Ciaran, in utter amazement.
Stopping for a moment, Mr. O Kelly turned back to the young
men. Goodnight. After, he proceeded into the hallway where
his bedroom waited.
Ciaran shifted his attention to him. I think my da s gone
completely daft.
He let out a soft chuckle and brought his hand to up to cover
his mouth. Maybe, but at least he s not bloody falling-down
snockered tonight.
Ciaran sat back in his chair with a huff. That s not funny,
Shannon.
Reaching out, he placed his hand on his lover s arm, above
the elbow. I m sorry, I didn t mean nothing by it.
I know. Ciaran groaned in frustration, shaking his head. He
226
A Summer Without Rain
looked directly at him as if very serious. I m just so worried.
What if he doesn t bloody stop? What if he gets worse even? I
can t handle losing him, too. As his voice faded off, his lower lip
trembled and his eyes filled with tears.
Squeezing Ciaran s arm, he leaned forward and kissed his
cheek, against his better judgment.
Oh, Shannon, stay with me tonight, please. Ciaran reached
out and placed both hands on his forearms.
Slowly shaking his head, he leaned back. No, Ciaran, you
know I can t do that. You know it will only lead to something we
can t control. What if your da sees or hears something? He may
be pissed, but he didn t seem too bad off tonight.
Ciaran s head dropped. Emotion filled his voice. Please, just
this once. I need you.
Pain ripped through his heart. How could he deny Ciaran s
pleas when he was in such obvious agony? God, Ciaran, you
know I d like to, I d really like to.
Ciaran lifted his head to glare at him. His words were sharp.
But you won t, will you.
Ciaran s behavior stung him, making him gasp. He came
forward again. Think about what you re asking. Think about the
consequences. If you need me, I m right here, but I won t let you
talk me into something so foolish. His own anger flared.
Grabbing him by the wrist, Ciaran rose up. He hauled him up
and across the room, continuing until they stood at the front
door. He tugged the door open, took him onto the front stoop
and slammed the door with a thud.
Confusion and fear took hold of him. What now?
Ciaran seized him in a tight hold and buried his head into his
shoulder, clinging to him like a frightened child.
As he held Ciaran, he ran his hand up and down his back.
I m sorry. It ll be all right, he said softly.
227
Christie Gordon
I miss you so much, miss sleeping with you. I wish it didn t
have to bloody be this way. I just wish we could be together like
we were on our trip. Why does it have to be so hard? Ciaran s
voice shook with emotion.
Because people don t understand what we have. It scares
them, I suppose. A resigned sadness laced his words.
Ciaran pulled away, keeping his hands on Shannon s hips,
and peered up into his face. Just this once, stay with me. We can
just sleep. I promise. I won t start anything.
He let out a heavy sigh and opened his mouth to speak.
We can sleep in the main room, in blankets on the floor. We
wouldn t even be in my room. That s not bloody suspicious now,
is it?
He shook his head once in denial of the request.
It s not suspicious at all. Believe me, Shannon, my da will
not suspect a thing. He ll just think I was upset, like I am, and
you stayed.
He raised his brows. And what about my ma? What will she
think when I don t come home? Jaysus, Ciaran is persistent
tonight.
Oh, so what. Who cares what she thinks. You can just tell
her you were tired after the bloody trip she made you take into
Johnstown Bridge and you fell asleep. Bitterness hung on
Ciaran s words.
Damnit& fine then. Pulling away from Ciaran, he raked his
fingers through his black bangs. He turned away for a moment
and faced him again. You better be right about this. He did
want to sleep beside him. He craved it even. Maybe it wouldn t be
so bad with his mother. Maybe his father told her about what
happened in Johnstown Bridge and her suspicions would be
quelled.
Ciaran clutched the front of his shirt and jerked him forward
228
A Summer Without Rain
for a quick kiss. Come on then. A wide grin played on his face.
He followed him into the house and helped him get blankets
and pillows from his bedroom and the linen closet in the
hallway. They set the blankets up on the floor in front of the
hearth. But away from each other, not close like they were on
that windy night when they first returned home.
He shut off the lamp on the table and returned to the
blankets. He glanced over at him, unbuttoning his shirt. He
reached out to stop him. Arousal tightened his pants and he
struggled against a sudden flush of desire. Stop, Ciaran, I don t
think we should undress, it looks too planned.
Ciaran nodded, still smiling.
He lay down on his blankets on his side, removed his boots
and tried to get comfortable.
Ciaran slid up behind him and wrapped an arm around his
waist.
He twisted his head. You think this won t look suspicious?
Just let me be close to you for a little while.
Don t you dare fall asleep, he said. Although there was no
way he would. How could he when his erection ached with him
so near?
A sensual kiss shivered on the back of his neck. He let out a
soft moan and stifled it. A lustful fire raged inside him. He
yearned to turn around and ravage him right then and there.
Ciaran s hand moved slow and deliberate down Shannon s
chest, over his belt and onto his trousers. Ciaran s fingers played
with Shannon s stiff cock through his pants.
A soft tickle from Ciaran s light touch teased his mounting
need and made him thrust forward, attempting to gain more
friction.
Ciaran pressed his hardened cock into his backside. His hand
rubbed along Shannon s shaft and stopped to squeeze and circle
229
Christie Gordon
the tip.
He let out a soft gasp. He should stop him. But he couldn t, it
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]