Page 21 of Cursed
Their expenses were fairly minimal, aside from ammunition and arcane supplies, and they had been able to set aside a modest but growing nest egg. That cheered him on the nights he couldn’t sleep, worried about surviving their quest.
“Hey, don’t let your tacos get cold.” Evan broke Seth out of his thoughts. The glint in Evan’s eyes made it clear he suspected the direction Seth’s musings had taken.
“Sorry. Did you try them? Any good?”
“They’re great. I really like the mango salsa,” Evan said, and Seth noticed that he had already polished off one of his three tacos.
“I’m glad. I was in the mood to cook something different.”
“You keep me well fed,” Evan replied with a sultry look that let Seth know his partner had more than food on his mind.
“Hold that thought,” Seth teased, giving him a quick peck on the lips. “Let me clean up, and then we can have dessert.” He reached over to stroke Evan’s groin and felt him respond even through the denim.
They made quick work of the kitchen and headed to the living room since it was still too early for bed. The couch was roomy enough for both of them to fit, and Seth turned on a favorite music channel. Tonight, slow mutual hand jobs brought them to the edge and back several times before they came together, gasping for breath and glistening with sweat.
Seth cleaned them up with his discarded T-shirt. “Want to go again?”
Evan chuckled. “Tempting, but not tonight. That was…really good.” He leaned in to give Seth a long, lingering kiss.
Seth clicked on a sci-fi movie they had both seen before, and they snuggled on the couch trading lazy kisses instead of paying attention.
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” Seth held Evan close in his arms.
“I’d say the same about you—and not just because you saved my life,” Evan teased.
“At this point, we’ve saved each other multiple times, so I think we’ve got that covered.”
Evan gathered the discarded clothing and dishes while Seth made a final round to check locks and wards. They tumbled into bed together, and Seth felt the fatigue from being on high alert all day.
“Try not to think about the case. Get some sleep,” he said in a low, fond voice as Evan rested his head on Seth’s shoulder.
“You gonna do the same?” Evan kissed Seth’s neck and reached over to push a lock of hair out of his eyes.
“I sure intend to try,” Seth said. “We’re no good to anyone if we’re exhausted.”
“Night. Love you.” Evan sounded like he was already almost out.
“Love you too,” Seth echoed. But despite his caution to Evan, his mind spun with loose ends and next steps until the wee hours.
The dream came after he finally fell asleep.
Seth found himself back at the side of the road where he and Jesse had gone legend tripping the night Jesse was murdered.
Jesse looked just as Seth remembered him, so young. But where Jesse’s enthusiasm was a hallmark of his personality, tonight, he looked sorrowful.
“You didn’t protect me. I trusted you, and you got me killed.” Jesse’s gaze felt like it bored right through Seth.
“I didn’t know. Had no idea back then how to save you. I’m so, so sorry. I miss you so much.”
“You’re sorry. I’m dead. It’s all your fault.”
“Jesse—”
“You’re going to get Evan killed too,” Jesse went on, as sadness morphed into anger.
“I saved him. With what I learned after…we’re getting vengeance on all of the witch-disciples. Taking revenge for what they did to you,” Seth countered, feeling gut-punched by the accusations.
“Won’t bring me back—and you got Mom and Dad killed too. It should have been you.”
