Page 28 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“Are you using me?”

Oh shit.Now he realized where he’d made his error. “No.”

“You’re not lying?” Stone rubbed his forehead. “If you are lying or using me for the role, then say it. I won’t be happy, but I’ll respect you for telling me the truth.”

“I’m done lying to you. I would never use you for research. Your brother told me to leave you alone and said he’d kill me if I got involved with you. I had no idea who you were when we met at the truck. Truth be told, my agent would kill me, too. She didn’t want me to get attached to anyone because I have to leave to make the movie.”

“Yet here you are in my living room, telling me you’re invested.”

He had to fix this. He’d come so close to kissing Stone again and allowing nature to take its course…and now he’d messed it all up. “When I met you, I saw a sweet guy who had good taste in food.”

Stone’s expression remained blank.

“I know how things appear. I show up and kiss up to you. I’m coming on strong, then sending strange messages while I push you away. It seems like I’m using you and I’m not. I wanted to get to know you. Once I did, I wanted to tell you the truth. I’m not out, yet I want to be with you. I’m not a small-town guy, but I’m at home with you.”

“You’re saying things you can’t follow through with,” Stone said.

“I know.” He paused. “But I mean every word. If I wanted to learn about Cedarwood, I wouldn’t have had to find you. I could observe. Be aloof or be the weird actor guy who hides in his mansion—but that’s not me. Nothing I’m learning will be the same without you around.”

“Liam.” Stone sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I’ve never felt more like myself than when I look into your eyes,” Liam said.

Stone didn’t respond. The muscle in his jaw tensed. He rubbed his forehead again. “All I want is to care for the animals and be loved.”

He couldn’t give Stone forever. Hell, he wasn’t sure if he could give him right now. But he wanted to try.

* * * *

Stone stared at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity. He hadn’t planned on having Liam over, yet he’d allowed him to come to the house. The conversation wasn’t one he’d expected they’d have. He’d found out so much about Liam and liked him more with each discovery. But Liam would leave. He had alternative motives.

Jesus.

He blinked as the room came into focus. He must’ve fallen asleep. When he glanced down at the warmth on his lap, he spotted Missy with Champ tucked against her in the vee of Stone’s legs. Both seemed to be happy together.

He noticed snoring. Couldn’t be the cats and Elmore wasn’t that loud. Was it Barney? He didn’t see the beagle in the living room. Jax? No…the hound was curled up on his dog bed. Ernie? No, he was curled up with Jax. If they were snoring, anyone within a five-mile radius would know.

He turned his attention to the sofa. Liam had moved to the couch with Elmore tucked into the curve of his legs.

“Traitor,” Stone murmured. He petted Elmore. Since he’d split from Jeff, he hadn’t let anyone spend the night at the house. If he hooked up with someone, it always ended at a hotel. Having Liam there was a strange experience. He couldn’t deny his sadness over learning the truth about Liam, but he wasn’t as upset as he might have been had Liam kept it secret.

He enjoyed Liam’s company. Hell, if Liam could come back to town after the movie, maybe they’d have a shot at being a couple. Maybe.

His phone buzzed. He checked on the cats, then offered the bottle to Champ, who snacked. Once the kitten finished eating, Stone checked the phone. Amy had left a text.

We had a good night. Kittens are A-OK. Hope Champ is okay, too.

He typed a return message.Champ holding on. Missy’s his feline nurse and has adopted him. Will be in later today.

A second message popped onto the screen. He didn’t recognize the number. He rolled his shoulders and shifted his hips to wake up his ass.Damn, I shouldn’t have slept sitting up.He retrieved the message.

No gays in Cedarwood. We know what you did.

Jesus.The text had to be from someone in the Coalition. Who else would send such garbage? He tended to get hate mail when he removed animals from bad situations, but never hate texts. Besides, he hadn’t done anything to anyone this time around.

Katie strolled into the room. “I wondered where you were.” Her eyes widened and she grinned. “Tell me you had a good night.”

“I did—with the exception of Champ. Poor guy.” He scooped the kitten into the box and placed Missy in the blanket with him. “He’s wigglier and seems stronger, but I’m still worried.”

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