Mission: Without a Trace - Nicole Edwards Page 0,15
presented.
The door opened and shut, sealing them alone inside.
“I know you’re pissed,” he began.
“Not pissed,” Brantley countered.
“Okay, upset.”
“Not upset, either.”
“Brantley…”
Brantley’s chin tilted up, his eyes going to the ceiling, fists landing on his hips. “Now is not the time for us to have this discussion.”
“So when will be?” He suspected never.
“Why are you here?”
“I work here.”
“Thought you weren’t startin’ until next week.”
“Things changed.”
“Tell me about it.”
Reese felt not only the words but the emotion behind them like a physical blow.
Rather than slink back into a corner and let Brantley continue to get riled up over something Reese couldn’t take back, he continued forward, not stopping until he was standing directly in front of the man.
“Look,” he said softly.
Brantley didn’t look at him, so Reese helped him along, reaching up and putting his hand on his cheek, guiding him so he would meet his gaze.
“I fucked up. I’m well aware of that.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s a damn big deal,” he bit out hotly. “Look. I get it, I do. You want to send me on my way, pretend there’s nothin’ between us. And I’m almost terrified enough to let you.”
Brantley’s eyes flared, likely surprised by his admission.
Reese stepped closer, eliminating the space between them. He lowered his voice when he said, “But I’m not goin’ anywhere, Brantley. I can’t. Not when I know that whatever this is, no matter how fucking terrifying… I’ve never felt like this before. Not for anyone. I don’t know what it means, don’t know where it’s going. And I shouldn’t have panicked, but I did. I’ll probably do it again. Maybe more than once.”
Brantley exhaled heavily, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Reese. I’m not willin’ to share. You wanna date women, feel free. But leave me out if it, would you?”
“That wasn’t a date. What you saw last night. That was me havin’ a beer with Autumn. We talked about her old job, some of the pain-in-the-ass customers we’ve both dealt with. It never got personal. I swear to God, it wasn’t a date, Brantley. Yes, I ignored your call because I panicked. But I wasn’t with her in that way. I don’t want her that way.”
Brantley remained silent.
Reese reached for him then, sliding his hand behind Brantley’s neck, pulling him closer. Despite the fact he’d never touched a man like this, in such an intimate, emotionally charged way, it felt right with Brantley. “I’m sorry. I just… I need you to help me here.”
He hadn’t meant for so much emotion to escape, but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t understand any of this. How he could’ve gone his entire life without wanting a man and now feeling like this. When Brantley had told him to leave last night, the words had pierced him. A stab right in the heart. The thought of not seeing Brantley again … it was more terrifying than the realization he was falling for a man.
“I can’t make you want me, Reese.”
“Trust me, I don’t need help in that regard.” Reese leaned in, let his lips hover near Brantley’s. “I’ve got that covered. I want you more than my next fuckin’ breath. I think about you day and night. When I’m not here, I want to be here. And when I’m here, I don’t want to leave.”
He pulled back, met Brantley’s gaze. “I’m not askin’ you for anything. That’s not where I’m goin’ with this. I just need you to be patient with me.”
“I’m not sure how much more patient I can be, Reese.”
Okay, he had him there. Reese couldn’t deny the man seemed to have an endless supply where he was concerned.
Before Brantley pulled away, Reese grabbed for him. He brought his forehead to Brantley’s, keeping him close. “Please. Give me another chance.”
“Fine.”
Reese forced himself to let Brantley go. He knew the man was merely agreeing because Reese needed to hear it. But it was a start. He’d said what he had to say.
For now.
Chapter Four
When Reese stepped back, staring at him as though he’d just shot his dog, it was more than Brantley could take.
“Goddammit, Reese,” Brantley bit out, grabbing Reese’s arm and yanking him closer.
Cupping both sides of his face, he drew him in, crushed their lips together. The kiss exploded when Reese’s arms wrapped around him, holding him securely as though he didn’t want Brantley to pull away.
He absolutely detested how he felt in that moment. So fucking helpless, completely out of sorts. All thanks to Reese.
Brantley was a man who valued his control, had honed