Alibi (Brantley Walker Off the Books #5) - Nicole Edwards Page 0,28

against the counter, a glass of scotch in his hand. When he saw Travis, he picked up another, handed it over.

Travis took it, swallowed a sip, then met Gage’s eyes. “I’m sorry about the past few days.”

Gage nodded, took a drink.

Travis knew that wasn’t forgiveness, because his actions were unforgivable. He’d left Gage alone to deal with the hard parts while he sulked here in this cold, lonely house, acting as though he was the only one affected by Kylie’s death.

Before he could offer more apologies or explain so Gage would understand his reasons, his husband finished his drink, set the glass in the sink, and walked past him.

Travis didn’t turn around, didn’t beg or plead. He deserved the cold shoulder from Gage. Hell, he deserved far worse than that.

The swinging door flapped shut upon Gage’s exit, making Travis close his eyes briefly, the sadness of it all filling him once more.

Rather than dwell on it, Travis finished his drink, washed the dirty glasses, and put them back in the cupboard. He checked the contents of the refrigerator, made a note on the grocery list, and planned out the kids’ breakfast for the morning. It was important to get them back into a routine and Travis wanted to be ready.

With nothing left to do, Travis forced himself to go to bed, flipping off the lights in the house on the way to the main-floor guest room. Aside from taking the kids to bed earlier, Travis hadn’t been upstairs, and for now, he intended to keep it that way. He knew he wasn’t strong enough to handle seeing his bedroom or to smell Kylie’s lingering perfume.

After pulling off his boots and socks, removing his jeans, he fell back in the bed wearing his boxers and T-shirt. Because he hadn’t bothered turning on the lamp, he was forced to lie in the dark room, staring up at the ceiling and the dim lines formed by the porch light shining in through the window.

Sleep didn’t come, but Travis didn’t expect it to. His brain wouldn’t shut off, his thoughts of the day at the park, the horrific scene that had ended the world as he knew it.

He had no idea how long he’d been there when he heard the light squeak of the door opening. When he lifted his head, he thought he would see Kate or maybe Kade needing him to tuck them back in. His kids weren’t standing in the doorway though.

“Everything all right?” Travis pushed himself up onto his elbows, watching Gage standing there, backlit from the light in the foyer.

“No,” he said simply, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.

Travis was frozen in place. On one hand, he was grateful Gage had come to him because he needed the comfort even if he didn’t deserve it. But at the same time, he was terrified Gage was going to finally lay the blame at Travis’s feet, where it belonged.

He held his breath, waiting to see which direction Gage was going with this.

He didn’t have to wait long when Gage moved closer, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it to the floor. The next to go were his sweatpants, and then Gage was crawling over Travis, his hard, warm body a balm to Travis’s aching soul.

“I need you,” Gage whispered softly, and Travis could hear the tears in his voice.

Travis cupped his face. “I need you, too.”

He pulled Gage down to him, their lips seeking and finding the little bit of comfort they could provide. Time became obsolete as their tongues mated, hands roaming. At some point, they managed to remove Travis’s clothes, leaving them skin to skin.

It was easy to get caught up in the moment. It was a welcome distraction, something to hang on to for a short time before the world intruded again.

Travis didn’t ask for what he wanted, nor did Gage. They’d been together long enough to know what it took to please the other.

When Gage’s cool, slick hand gripped his cock, Travis realized his husband had come prepared. With firm strokes, he lubed Travis’s cock, drawing long, ragged moans from his throat. And when Travis could take no more, he settled between Gage’s thighs and sank into the blessed heat of his body. He growled low in his throat as a sinful pleasure washed over him, a feeling he hadn’t expected to ever feel again.

At that point, time stood completely still. Travis stared down at Gage as he slid in deep,