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* * * *
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The next evening after Percy and his crew left, Jay and Dev lounged
on the couch, watching TV. Percy had promised to get back with Dev
after they went over all the data they'd collected. It would take a few
days to go through it all, though.
When Jay took his hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it, Dev
shifted closer to nestle against him.
"Thanks for taking James in, love. I really appreciate it."
"I figured your mother would be serious about kicking him to the
curb. It's no problem."
"James has been with me for several years, and I don't think he
knows what to do with himself now." Jay didn't feel the need to explain
anything else about what had happened when James first arrived.
Nothing would come of it so he didn't think it was important enough to
bring up.
"What would you say about moving?" Turning to face him, Dev
gave him a serious look as his hand squeezed Jay's.
Surprised by the abrupt change in conversation, Jay stared at him
blankly for a moment. Since the subject had never come up, he wasn't
sure what to say. "Do you really want to?"
"I don't know, but I've been thinking about it. Maybe we should."
"What would you do with the house?"
"Not sure. Anything but live here." Dev tried for a lighter tone but
really didn't succeed.
"I think it's something you really need to consider for longer than
five minutes, and you shouldn't make too quick of a decision."
"I suppose you're right, Jay."
Leaning toward him for a kiss, Jay murmured, "I'm always right.
You know that, love."
Biting lightly at Jay's lower lip, Dev drew back with a grin. "Only
when you have me pinned down in bed."
"Hold that thought until I get back from town. Speaking of which, I
better get going before dinner is done. Anything you need from the
store?"
As Jay stood and moved to get his jacket, Dev said, "Don't forget
some Andes chocolate. Not the toffee ones but the mint ones."
"I'll add it to the list."
When Jay left, Dev stared into the flames crackling in the fireplace.
He could hear James moving around in the kitchen, fixing dinner. Lately
a depression had settled over Dev and he couldn't shake it. It was
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definitely the house. He hadn't said anything about the incident in the
attic though he wondered if he should. He didn't have the barest clue how
to fight this thing, and he disliked the helpless feeling everything gave
him.
The spirit, or whatever it was, was a malevolent force Dev could
feel growing stronger. Sighing, he stood and headed upstairs to the
bathroom. After stripping and throwing his clothes into the hamper, Dev
turned on the water the hottest he could stand it and stepped into the
shower. Evan as he washed his hair he really couldn't relax nor would his
thoughts still. Part of him wanted to tear the fucking house down, level it
to the ground. Then see how long the damn spirit hung around.
After soaping and rinsing off, he shut off the water and grabbed a
towel, wrapping it around his waist. Heading back down the hall to the
bedroom, the slight chill in the air made Dev shiver. Once he was dry, he
tossed the towel toward the door and opened the dresser to find a shirt
and a pair of pants. When he turned around he found James right in front
of him, staring at him with an intent focus. The slow sweep of James'
gaze over Dev's naked body betrayed a blatant interest. As did the bulge
in James' pants.
Before Dev could really react, James lifted his hand, resting it on
Dev's chest, then stepped forward and kissed him. Shock at the
unexpected action riveted Dev to the spot. When James pressed him back
toward the dresser, Dev's hands flew up and he shoved James away.
Blinking rapidly, James stammered out, "Oh, my god, I'm so sorry. I
don't know what came over me."
Dev had a pretty good clue, or at least thought he did and had no
problem dismissing James' action out of hand. "It's okay, James. Nothing
to worry about. Just don't let it happen again."
With a hasty bow of his head, James retreated from the room. "I'll
go finish dinner. I'm so sorry."
Dev dressed in a thoughtful mood. He knew where to place the
blame. Squarely on the damn house, trying to cause trouble. It only
angered him all the more. This was his life and no supernatural effort
from his family line would change that.
* * * *
Dinner had been somber, all three of them quiet for the most part.
James was a good cook, as he'd always been, and Jay did his best to eat.
Dev, however, poked a bit, nibbling but not really eating like he normally
did. When they were done, Dev excused himself and left the kitchen.
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James stood and began putting dishes into the sink, and Jay got up to
help.
"I didn't get to know him too well before," James said. "Is Dev
always so quiet?"
"Not terribly so." Jay set the dishes in the sink and wiped off the
table. "But I think he has a lot on his mind lately. He needs a break from
the house."
"So why don't you two go out one night?"
Jay laughed and shook his head. "Where? This town is tiny, not
much to do."
James shrugged. "I don't know. Dinner?"
Chewing at his lip, Jay nodded. "Maybe. Yeah, I think we'll do that."
"Go up to him," James said with a slight smile. "I've got the dishes."
"You sure?"
James nodded. "Absolutely."
"Thank you. We'll sit down and sort out chores tomorrow." Jay
patted James' shoulder and left the kitchen, heading for the stairs. When
he reached the bedroom, he knocked lightly, then opened the door. "Hey,
love. Want some company?"
"Sure." Dev smiled and set the television remote down, patting the
bed beside him.
Grinning, Jay closed the bedroom door and stripped down to his
underwear. After turning off the light, leaving the television as the only
light in the room, he crawled up the length of the bed, bending to place
kisses on Dev's bare thigh every few inches. By the time he reached
Dev's mouth, they were both hard, Jay groaning when Dev's lips met his.
"Need you," Dev whispered, hands holding to Jay's shoulders and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]