Page 72 of The Last One to Let You Down

“You… you really thought all of that?” Tom was stunned by such an amazing compliment, and he didn’t know how to respond for several seconds. He could tell by the way Cypress was looking at him so intently that he meant every word. “I mean, you barely ever even saw me. We never talked.”

“I saw you plenty, heard you more.” Cypress snorted. “I would hear you talking about your latest cases, how proud you were but always so quick to be humble when someone tried to compliment you. I heard you arguing this one time with Gerald that, yeah, as a matter of fact, youcouldfix that shotgun suicide for a viewing, and you couldn’t believe that he agreed after he walked out.”

Tom gulped. “You really heard all of that stuff?”

“Heard it all from the garage.” Cypress grinned. “You guys really need to keep that hallway door shut, by the way.”

“Shit. Yeah.”

“There is a fierce beast in you, Tom,” Cypress went on, kissing his hand again. “Like I told you before, you’re capable of some incredible things when you’re put on the spot. Use that energy. Don’t be afraid of it. There’s nothing wrong with owning it and going after the things you want.”

“And if I wanted you?”

“Me?”

“If I wanted you, just you, without any of this stupid blackmail bullshit?”

Cypress didn’t say anything, but he seemed to be thinking.

Tom’s determination was now fueled by Cypress’s earlier encouragement. He could be a tiger. He could totally do this. “I want something real,” he insisted. “We talked about dating before, right? I mean, is that what we’re doing now? Are we dating?”

“You know I work late all the time—”

“So do I.”

“And I don’t get many days off—”

“Uh, hello, ditto.”

Cypress was only briefly hesitant, replying firmly, “I like you, Tom. I really do. But if you want to move forward with this, I need all our cards on the table.”

“Okay?” Tom frowned.

“Who was making you sell the formaldehyde?” Cypress asked, still holding Tom’s hand and stroking his palm with his thumb.

Tom’s blood froze.

Cypress seemed to have been expecting his silence and said, “When you feel like you can trust me with that, then maybe we can date. Sharing my bed, yeah, that takes some trust for both of us. But sharing my life? That’s another level.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you,” Tom said urgently, his nerves taking over and driving the tiger away with its tail between its legs. “It’s just… I…”

“You don’t know if you trust me yet either,” Cypress said, letting go of Tom’s hand with a warm smile. “It’s okay, Tom. I’m not going anywhere, you know. We can take our time. Baby steps, okay?”

“Yeah.” Tom tried to smile back. “Okay.”

Cypress returned from his closet in a pair of black sweats, throwing a pair of flannel pajama pants at Tom. “Here. Gets a little cool in here at night.”

“Thank you.” Tom knew he had some pajamas in his bag, but there was a certain thrill in wearing something of Cypress’s. He wiggled the pants up, finding them loose and comfortable. He reached into the pockets and turned them inside out before shuffling under the covers.

Cypress turned off the lights, the room now only illuminated by the streetlamps filtering in through the windows. He came to bed then, sliding in behind Tom and kissing his shoulder. “Mm, you really were incredible tonight.”

Tom smiled as Cypress’s arms curled around him. “Mm, so were you. I had a really great time. And dinner was unbelievable.”

“Thank you.”

“Is it crazy if I want to see you again tomorrow?” Tom asked, instantly regretting it. He was trying way too hard now.

“Maybe a little.” Cypress chuckled low. “I already have plans tomorrow, though.” He paused, nuzzling his beard into the crook of Tom’s shoulder. “Unless you’d be interested in coming with me.”