Chapter 10
“Does DJ know when he’s coming back?” Richard Davis asked through clenched teeth.
Talking to him about what was happening to DJ had been the right decision. The sheriff was furious, and he promised he’d stop the loan shark from harassing him again.
“It could be a few days or it could be a few weeks. DJ said his visits aren’t consistent,” Seamus said tensely.
Explaining the situation in detail had reminded him how mistreated, alone, and at-risk DJ had been.
He was furious at the man who had taken advantage of his vulnerability, and he was committed to ensuring that DJ would never be in that position again.
Looking thoughtful, Richard nodded. “In that case, I’ll wait to deal with him in person. I won’t use the phone number you gave me, but I’ll look him up and see what background I can find. If he calls or texts, don’t respond to him. When he tells DJ he’s in town, call me. I’ll go meet him instead.”
“I want to come too.” Seamus squeezed his hands tightly, making his knuckles crack. “I’d like to have a few words with him.”
Richard’s expression turned considering. “What’s your relationship with DJ?”
“I’m his husband,” he snapped. “And I’m not letting this asshole or anyone else hurt him again.”
“Husband?” Richard said in surprise, his eyes widening. “Why didn’t I know you were married?”
Seamus took a deep breath and rubbed his palm over his beard. “Nobody knows.”
“Why would you keep your marriage a secret?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
“Gotcha.” Richard looked at him skeptically. “Regardless, you can’t come along with me to arrest someone. I’ll be working in my official capacity, not acting as your backup to beat someone up. Neither of us is going to break the law here.”
“How about I meet with him first and then you come?”
“Seamus, I’d like to make only one arrest that day. Don’t get involved.”
“I won’t touch him.”
He arched his eyebrows disbelievingly.
“I won’t,” he insisted. “I’m not a violent person. I just want to talk to him.”
“If someone did that shit to the man I love, I wouldn’t be able to keep myself in check, no matter my intentions. Stay away from him and let me handle it. You have my word that I will deal with him and end this.”
“Fine.”
“I mean it.” Richard looked him in the eyes. “Don’t force me to arrest you. Everyone’ll run me out of town, and I like it here.”
“You could look the other way when I talk to him.”
“Seamus.”
“I know. I’ll call you right away and let you handle it, but you need to keep me updated on every detail. If I have to keep DJ locked down for longer, I need to know.”
“Keep him locked down?” He looked amused. “I’m sure that’s not what you meant to say.”
“It’s exactly what I meant to say. I had him call off work this week.
He’s upstairs right now resting and I’m looking for any excuse to keep him that way as long as humanly possible.
” He took a deep breath and then another.
DJ ran himself ragged and that had to stop.
Seamus would figure out how to get him to slow down and enjoy his life.
The first step was eliminating the most dangerous problem.
“You need to take it easy.”
“You should see what he did to him. It can’t happen again, Richard. It can’t.”
“It won’t, but you need to think about what you’re doing.”
“What am I doing?” He furrowed his brow.
“You’re controlling your husband.”
“I’m protecting my husband.”
“You can’t lock him up.”
He blinked. Did his friend actually think he had taken someone prisoner? “He isn’t literally locked up, Rich. I just meant that I told him he needs to stay at home.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“Um, what?”
“Hey. Am I interrupting?” The sound of DJ’s voice in the closed bar stopped the weird conversation.
“Why are you out of bed?” Seamus immediately got up and rushed to him. “You’re supposed to be resting.” He gently curled his fingers over DJ’s shoulders and looked him up and down. “How’re you feeling?”
“It’s been five days.” DJ set his hand on Seamus’s forearm. “I’m fine.”
“Let me see.” He reached for his shirt hem, but DJ stopped him.
“You looked me over this morning. Nothing’s changed. And I’d rather not give local law enforcement a peep show.” He looked pointedly at the sheriff, who was walking over to them.
“Hello, DJ.” He held his hand out. “I’m sorry we’re meeting under bad circumstances.” He cringed. “Again. I owe you an apology for the other night. And I owe you for that pizza.”
“What other night? What happened?” Seamus hadn’t heard anything about the two of them meeting.
“It was just a…misunderstanding,” DJ said. “Don’t worry about it and Todd already Venmoed me for the pizza. How is he?”
“He’s fine. He’d probably enjoy spending time with you again.” Richard cleared his throat. “I’m going to get going, but Seamus, remember what I said and call me.”
“I will.”
“DJ, you can call me too if you have any trouble.”
“Thanks, but Seamus is taking the lead on this one.” He winked at Seamus. “He insisted and he isn’t taking no for an answer.”
“I see,” Richard said, frowning at him. Then he turned to DJ. “You can call me or the station or even Todd if you need to reach me. Don’t hesitate.” He raised his hand in a wave and walked out.
“Your friend’s a little weird,” DJ pointed out.
“Not usually, but yeah, he was being strange.” He walked over to the door and locked it.
“Let’s get you upstairs.” He wrapped his arm around DJ’s shoulders and steered them toward the back.
“I’ll get you settled on the couch with something to eat.
I need to come back down and take care of a few things, but Laura’s going to open so I’ll be able to take care of you after she gets here. ”
“Seamus, I’m fine. You don’t need to take care of me.”
“You can be fine while you’re lying down.”
A knock sounded on the bar door. “That’s probably Laura. Give me a sec.”
Sure enough, his bartender had arrived a little early. That’d help him get everything done faster so he could spend more time with DJ. “Hey, Laura. I’m glad to see you.” He held the door open and stepped back for her to pass through.
“I’m glad to see you too.” She ignored the wide space and brushed her body against his instead. “It’ll be nice hanging out with you today.”
“Um.” He cleared his throat and stepped back. “I’m not staying. We shouldn’t be busy so you’ll be fine on your own.”
“Oh.” She frowned.
“Can you, uh…” He pointed to the side, indicating that she needed to move so he could close the door.
She got out of the way but didn’t go far, and as soon as Seamus closed and locked the door, she was back in his personal space. “That’s too bad. I thought we’d be here together.”
“Can you, uh…” He thought of what he could say to get her away from him. “…check to make sure the well’s full?”
“Sure.” She put her palm on his chest and looked up at him.
He moved away again, feeling very uncomfortable with the situation. “Thanks.” He walked toward the back of the bar where DJ was propped against a table with his arms crossed over his chest, grinning at him.
“You do realize she has a thing for you, right?” DJ whispered when he got close.
“I didn’t for a while, but people kept pointing it out so then I figured it out, but I don’t know how to make her stop!” he hissed. “It’s so awkward.”
DJ laughed, stood up straight, and leaned into him. “You’re not interested in her, right?”
“Of course not!” he said, affronted. “I want her to cut it out but she’s not getting the message.”
“In that case, I have an idea of how to get your point across without any uncomfortable conversations.”
“What’s your idea?”
“I’ll show you, but you can’t be mad at me later, okay?” he said quietly.
“What do you mean?” Seamus whispered back.
Their torsos were already touching, but DJ tipped his head up and moved his face closer. “Just promise me.” His voice was so low, Seamus could barely hear him. “Say you promise.”
“I promise.” He didn’t know what he was agreeing to, but he couldn’t imagine being mad at DJ for any reason.
“Okay.” Crystal blue eyes gazing into his, DJ raised his suddenly trembling hands and then gently trailed his fingertips over Seamus’s beard.
Captivated, he couldn’t move; he could barely breathe. And then DJ cupped both of Seamus’s cheeks and tugged him down as he surged up. When their lips almost touched, he said, “You can close your eyes and pretend I’m someone else if you want. I’ll be quick.”
“Why would I do that?” He had no interest in being that close to anyone else and he didn’t want to stop looking at DJ’s captivating eyes, but when soft lips pressed against his own, his eyes slipped shut without his permission.
He could feel DJ’s hands on his face, smell his skin, and before he could stop himself, he parted his lips so that he could taste his husband.
DJ grunted in surprise when Seamus slid his tongue into his mouth, but thankfully, he didn’t pull away.
He tasted as good as he smelled and Seamus desperately wanted more.
He wrapped his arms around that narrow but strong body, lifted DJ onto the table behind him, and slotted himself between his knees.
“Mmm,” DJ moaned. He draped his arms over Seamus’s shoulders, locked his feet behind Seamus’s thighs, and buried his hands in Seamus’s hair.
It was as if his body had grown new pleasure receptors because no kiss or make-out session had ever affected him that way.
Heart racing, he slid his hands from DJ’s waist to his hips, enjoying the shape of him almost as much as his flavor.
Joy strummed beneath his skin and desire pierced through him.
He never wanted the feelings to end. He lowered his hands, grasped DJ’s ass, and yanked him tightly against him as he deepened the kiss.
He had never felt that good. Thrusting and pulling, he ate at DJ’s mouth, swallowing his pleasured moans. Lost to the connection, he rubbed his cock over DJ’s belly, feeling his hardness against his own, and nearly cried at the incredible sensation.