Page 7 of Cursed
Falling in love with Evan changed everything, giving Seth a reason to want to survive their quest and plan a future. Sometimes the idea of an “after” still caught him by surprise.
We need to spend more time planning that. Something to build toward, improbable as it might seem.
As if he guessed the drift of Seth’s thoughts, Evan slipped his hand over to squeeze Seth’s leg beneath the table.
After that, Teag and Cassidy kept them entertained with stories of some of the more unusual objects that came into Trifles and Folly. Although they handled more than their share of cursed, haunted, and supernaturally-tainted objects, most of the pieces were merely old, some more valuable than others.
The evening passed quickly, and Seth’s spirits lightened from the combination of good company and great food.
Before they went their separate ways outside, Cassidy laid a hand on Seth’s arm. “Come by the shop tomorrow morning. I got a text from Rowan, and I think she’ll have her part of the information pulled together by then. I also have two people in Savannah that I want to introduce you to: Nash and Caden. They know the score, and they can be helpful with the ‘project.’”
Seth thanked her, and he and Evan said goodbye as the group broke up for the evening. Since the night was cool, Seth had uncoupled the truck from their RV instead of taking the motorcycle.
“Cat got your tongue? What are you thinking?”
Evan was quiet on the drive back, and Seth’s question pulled his attention from the passing scenery. “I had fun. It’s good to get a chance to just be with friends when we aren’t running for our lives.”
“True.” Seth wondered where Evan’s thoughts had strayed.
“And I love seeing other couples like Teag and Anthony—like us—who’ve been together for a long time and make it work.”
“Yeah, that makes me happy too.” Seth knew something was niggling at Evan, but his partner would share it in his own time.
“I don’t think guys like us, who’ve seen the kind of stuff we’ve seen, can ever go back to a completely normal life,” Evan said. “But I don’t want to hunt forever. When we’re done with the disciples, I’ll be happy for us to walk away from hunting for good. Finish the quest, slay the dragon, and live happily ever after.” He sighed. “I don’t want to push our luck.”
“I get it.” Seth’s Army training hadn’t completely prepared him for fighting a supernatural foe, but it provided a perspective and a level of experience that a civilian like Evan didn’t have or want. “I don’t want to hunt forever either.”
Their earlier conversation had stayed in Seth’s mind, and he found himself thinking about what life without the quest to stop the witch-disciples might be like. They still had several more adversaries to go, but now, Seth felt like the end was almost in sight.
“That’s all,” Evan said. “I don’t have anything figured out, but the ideas keep circling in my thoughts. What to build toward. What later looks like.”
Seth reached over for his hand in the dark. “I love that. And I want to be with you forever, no matter what we’re doing. As for the details, we’ll figure it out. But I agree, having a later in mind makes the rough parts easier.”
None of Seth’s wards or alarms around the RV had tripped, but even so, he and Evan circled it cautiously, just to be sure. Relieved, Seth unlocked the door and powered down the protections for them to enter.
Evan surprised him by pulling him close as soon as the door was locked behind them and pressing him against the wall. He slipped a hand up Seth’s cheek to draw him into a slow, deep kiss.
After a second or two, Seth caught on and kissed back with quiet passion. He loved the taste and smell of Evan, the feel of his hands, and the weight of his body. Seth had no doubt that Evan was the only one for him, and Evan had made it very clear many times that he felt equally committed.
“How about we skip the movie and popcorn tonight and take this to bed?” Evan rumbled.
“What did you have in mind?” Seth asked, already breathless.
“Anything. Everything. Nothing. I just want to be wrapped up in you,” Evan replied.
“That sounds like the best plan I’ve heard all day.” Seth let Evan lead him by the hand.
2
EVAN
Evan woke slowly,tangled in the sheets, with Seth’s arm thrown across his midsection. Their snug travel trailer home had a bed large enough for two grown men, for which he was eternally thankful.
He listened to Seth breathe, content with the warmth of the bed and having Seth near and safe. Last night’s slow, indulgent lovemaking let them say with their bodies what they sometimes struggled to put into words.
When he had been a bartender in Richmond, before he met Seth or learned about the supernatural, Evan didn’t have a clear plan for the future. He liked bartending well enough but had no intention of still slinging drinks in twenty years. Evan had been considering his options when everything got turned upside down, and Seth had rescued him and destroyed the witch-disciple that had preyed on the men in his family.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
