Page 77 of Dream a Little Dream

Aaron.

Sitting by the riverbank, slumped on the damp ground, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s clutched in his hand, he hadn’t noticed him and Kenny took the time to evaluate his presence. Here. Now. And how he looked lost, eyes vacant as he took a swig from the bottle, the amber liquid catching the moonlight before disappearing into his throat. Kenny should be wary. After the report he’d delivered to the investigative team earlier that day, right now he should be concerned. Because if he were plotting those lines on a board, trailing photo to photo, evidence to evidence, it may well lead to that person sitting right there.

Kenny refused to believe it.

Because in the moonlight, Aaron was beautiful.

Kenny’s heart clenched. There was an aching fragility in the way Aaron held the bottle. The way his shoulders slumped as though the world rested on them alone. And how his sniffles echoed through the stillness as he wiped under his nose with hissleeve. Was he crying? If he was, what was it over? The urge to go to him, to scoop him up and rescue him from whatever misery he was drowning in, was overwhelming. But he knew if he did, he wouldn’t be able to draw the line again. He’d lose himself to Aaron. Lose any semblance of control.

A twig cracking beneath Kenny’s feet had Aaron’s head snapping up, eyes bloodshot and glassy, wide and startled. He didn’t move. No attempt to launch anything at him. Or run. As if whatever horror he thought might be behind him, he welcomed. Then their gazes locked, and Kenny felt the pull, the undeniable connection, stronger than ever.

Aaron twisted back to face the river, laughter rolling off his shoulders in both amusement and relief, sharp and bitter, tears trailing down his face. “What thefuckare you doing here, doc?”

Kenny edged closer, cautiously, hands deep in his pockets. “Could ask you the same thing.” He stepped up to him, trouser leg brushing Aaron’s arm.

Aaron lifted the bottle in a mock toast. “I’m in mourning.”

“For Rahul?”

“Sure.” Aaron looked up at Kenny, eyes glinting with a reckless, dark edge. “And you?”

Kenny took a step closer to the memorial. “Was at a party. Wasn’t feeling it. Took my leave and somehow ended up here.”

Aaron bowed his head. “Same.”

Kenny glanced down at him. “You shouldn’t be out here alone at night.”

Aaron laughed again, louder this time, the sound almost hysterical. “You concerned for my safety?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t be.”

“Thought you wanted me to care.” Kenny stepped closer, his silhouette enveloping Aaron, protecting and probing.

Kenny feared Aaron. Was absolutely terrified of him.

Because he was so damn fucking drawn to him, he couldn’t think straight.

Aaron snorted, taking another glug from the bottle then dumped it down between his legs. “Not in that superficial, pastoral way.”

“What other way is there?”

He peered up, meeting Kenny’s gaze, and Kenny held his breath in wait. God, he was mesmerising. Hypnotising. And the wrenching vulnerability he displayed cut right through to Kenny’s dormant soul.

Without another word, Aaron reached out, hand unsteady but determined, and Kenny took it, helping him to his feet. Aaron stumbled forward, crashing into Kenny’s chest, and Kenny gripped Aaron’s arms, keeping him upright. In the dark, with their breaths mixing in the cool air between them, Aaron let Kenny look.Reallylook. As he had done back at his house. And Kenny dug deep, attempting to peel away the layers Aaron used to protect himself. And for the first time, Aaron didn’t fight it.

Kenny parted his lips, fingers digging into Aaron’s arms, the air crackling with unspoken tension. There was a wildness in his eyes, an emotion Kenny couldn’t quite name, because he hadn’t been sure until right then Aaron possessed the ability tofeel. And it lured him in to find out more. To find out what made him tick. Aaron might not respond to words, questions, or conversation. His flippant remarks, casual barbs, were a shield, protecting himself from a lifetime of empty promises and hollow lies. Words had lost their power to Aaron.

Touch, though…

Touch was undeniable.

But Kenny shouldn’t be touching him.

“Go on,” Aaron slurred, challenging him, pushing him.

“Go on, what?”

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