Page 46 of Something Cryptid This Way Comes
The door handle sticks. I huff and try turning it again. This isn’t part of the effects.
Huddling closer, Bram presses against my back. “I’m tense, waiting for that creepy dude’s voice.”
“Don’t worry. He’s not in here.” I wrench the handle, and it gives way. “I’ll leave a note for tomorrow’s team to make sure that’s fixedbefore we open.”
We step into the hallway, leaving the spooky world behind. Though, outside, the storm still rages.
He wraps his arms around me. “Trev, that was something. Really. Awesome, and scary. I’m so proud of you.”
I return his embrace, pressing my nose to his neck, letting his feel and scent wash over me. “You helped put everything together.”
“Yeah, but you came up with the concepts and executed them.” He kisses me. “Good job.”
“Thank you.” I’ve been doing this for years, and every year we get compliments, but hearing Bram’s adulations means more than all of them combined.
The lights flicker again. I’m happy we haven’t lost power, but don’t want to be caught here in the dark for real. I glance at the window. “Okay, let’s shut it all down and go home.”
Turning everything off doesn’t take long. We work well together and make a good team. I like having him in my life, in my house, and in my bed.
Stepping outside into the rainy night, I reach for his hand. “Ready to make a run for it?”
He links our fingers together and tightens his hold. “I want a hot drink in bed with you and the dogs.”
I want that too, and so much more.
We run down the path, our sneakers pounding the sidewalk, splashing through puddles. Sheets of rain soak through our clothes. I dig my keys from my pocket and Bram crowds my back much like he did when we were trying to escape that last room of the haunted house.
Laughing, I finally get the key in the lock. We hurry through the doorway. The dogs rush to greet us, jumping up and cuddling close.
Bram takes my keys and sets them in the bowl, then lays his phone beside it.
Stepping out of my shoes, I put my phone and wallet onthe table and scan the wet clothes plastered to Bram’s skin. “We should take a shower.”
“We didn’t get wet enough outside for you?” He smirks as he tugs off his shoes.
I shove his shoulder. “Ha ha. Warm shower then warm clothes. Now.”
Wrapping his hand around mine, he pulls me toward the stairs. “Let’s go.”
The dogs race ahead of us, darting into my bedroom. I grab the TV remote and turn on the live feed of an animal preserve to give them a distraction from the storm while we shower.
Bram guides me into the bathroom then closes the door behind us. I get the shower going, then turn, with my hands on the buttons of my flannel, to face him.
He knocks my hands away. “Let me.”
“Okay.” I lock my hands on his hips and tease my thumbs in small circles above the waistband of his jeans.
His eyes flash with heat, but he continues diligently opening my shirt. The fabric clings to the shirt I have on underneath, but he peels it down my arms, then tosses it to the floor. We both work my Henley up and over my head. It joins the flannel on the floor.
I take over, working open the buttons of Bram’s borrowed flannel. I love that he wears my shirts and that he’s taken to pulling on my sweats or pajama bottoms sometimes too. The flannel joins the pile on the floor, followed by his long sleeve tee. Goose bumps dot his skin and the edges of his lips have turned purple. “You need to get under the hot water.”
Bram steps into my space and slides his body against mine. “I’d rather get under you.”
My cock throbs at the image that pops into my mind. “That can be arranged.Afterwe’re warm again.”
Steam billows out from theshower. Since we’re undressing each other, I open the button of his jeans, then lower the zipper and slide my hand inside to stroke along his boxer-covered cock.
Groaning, Bram glides his palms up my chest then, with a hand in my hair, directs my mouth to his. As we kiss, I get my jeans open, and Bram pushes them down.
