Page 81 of Devil's Kiss

“I’m just not in a good place right now. I…Fuck.”

Jordan heard the sound of something being thrown, and winced. Whatever had happened, he would place bets it had to do with… “Is it your father?”

The silence that fell between them was a familiar sound, and it was a stark reminder of the painful presence that had first drawn them together.

“Derek?” When he got no response, Jordan pushed aside any plans he’d been making in his head and tried again. “Derek?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you need? Tell me.”

More silence met his ear as Jordan sat there in the car—waiting. Then he heard, “You.”

DEREK SATON the bottom step that led to his apartment and waited for Jordan to arrive. All day he’d been trying to shove aside memories too painful to relive. But the more he’d tried to push them aside, the more they’d come flooding back. Then Jordan had called, andHere I am, waiting for him to put me back together again.

He blinked at the night sky and wondered at what moment, what junction in his life, he’d decided that Jordan Devaney was going to be his lifeline.

When did he decree that that was fair to do to someone? Was it the same day he’d decided it was time to free Finn?

Because somewhere along the way he’d distanced himself from the boy who used to pick up his broken pieces, and handed the job off to the man now pulling up by the curbside in front of him.

Was that how you knew you loved someone? When you could show them everything you were and know they wouldn’t leave? He had to believe that was the case. Otherwise the burden he’d laid upon Jordan would all be in vain.

As Derek got to his feet, he saw Jordan push open the door and make his way over, a frown marring his forehead. When he finally reached his side, Derek took his face between his hands and lowered his head to kiss Jordan’s mouth.

A firm hand pressed over his heart, then Jordan’s lips parted for him and Derek lost himself in his taste. The sweet slide into serenity was swift, and when Derek finally resurfaced and raised his head, he whispered, “Thank you.”

Jordan traced the angle of his chin and offered a sad smile. “You need to stop that.”

“Stop what?”

“Thanking me. I told you. If you ever need me?—”

“I know. You’ll answer.” Derek rested his forehead against Jordan’s and shut his eyes.

“Always.”

His heart ached at the sincerity behind that one word, and at the same time it conveyed how much Jordan meant what he was saying.

“Sorry I ruineddate twofor us.”

“No need,” Jordan said with a wave of his hand. “I can work with this. I mean, unless you plan to take me hiking or something.”

“Not exactly hiking,” Derek said, as he eyed Jordan’s clothes with apprehension.

“What?” Jordan asked, then looked down at his gray lightweight pants and plum-colored button-up shirt.

“Yeah, about that. We might have to swing by your place before we head out. If you’re still game, that is.”

“I am…” Jordan said, as he looked over Derek’s khaki cargo shorts and navy-blue polo. Then he narrowed his eyes on the hiker’s backpack sitting on the stoop. “I think. Where exactly are we going?”

“Devil’s Bend.”

“Devil’sBend?” Jordan scrunched up his nose. “We have to hike down there.”

“Not very far. It’s less than a mile.”

“In thedark,” Jordan said, his eyes wide and his expression so full of horror that Derek forgot about his shitty day and instead focused on how adorable the man in front of him was.