Closer: Bay City Paranormal Investigation, Book 4

you were okay.”
Fear flashed through Bo’s eyes before his expression closed down. “Oh, that. I felt dizzy and sick all of a sudden, so I stopped. I heard you, I just couldn’t answer. I felt like I was going to pass out.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “I didn’t mean to worry you. Sorry.”
He’s lying . To Sam’s knowledge, Bo hadn’t lied to him about anything in months. Not since the first days they’d known each other, when Bo had tried to deny his sexuality and his attraction to Sam. It was disheartening to think he would do so now, but Sam was certain that was exactly what he was doing.
“It must be the heat,” Sam said, and wondered why he wasn’t confronting Bo with his deception. Maybe he was just tired of fighting. “Let’s sit down and let you cool off for a minute. You can have the rest of my water.”
They walked over to a nearby bench half-hidden in the trees and sat. Sam handed Bo his mostly full water bottle. Bo’s fingers brushed Sam’s as he took it, sending sparks up Sam’s arm. Bo put the bottle to his lips, tilted his head back and drank. Sam watched his throat work and had to fight off the urge to gather Bo into his arms and plaster kisses to his sweat-slick skin.
Bo lowered the bottle with a sigh and leaned back against the bench. “Thanks. That helped. I guess I was setting too hard a pace for this heat.”
“It’s supposed to be a record high for today’s date.” Sam stared into the shadows beneath the oaks. A squirrel darted through the undergrowth and raced up a tree with a scrabble of claws on bark. “Want to go for a swim when we get back?”
Bo was silent for a moment. Sam clasped his hands together so hard his knuckles turned white. Please say yes.
    Don’t go back to helping review the evidence from last night. Just spend some time with me, please, please… “Okay, sure. A swim’ll be perfect today.”
Turning, Sam caught Bo’s gaze. Bo’s smile thawed some of the apprehension lodged like a ball of ice in Sam’s gut.
Sam took Bo’s hand in his and squeezed. “Thank you.”
“What for?” Bo asked, his expression puzzled.
For not brushing me off so you could work on the case. For putting us first for a change.
Sam swallowed. “For spending time with me today. It means a lot to me.”
Without even checking to see if anyone was around, Bo leaned forward and captured Sam’s mouth in a swift, hungry kiss. He nipped Sam’s lip as they drew apart, and rested his forehead against Sam’s.
“I want to spend time with you,” Bo murmured, long fingers caressing Sam’s cheek. “I love you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a prick lately. I don’t know why I’ve been acting that way.”
It was on the tip of Sam’s tongue to bring up Bo’s dreams and visions, but he kept it to himself. He didn’t want to dredge up that argument again, just when Bo seemed to be coming back to him. He didn’t have anything concrete to go on anyway, merely a vague sense of connection between Fort Medina and the strange things Bo had experienced. There was no reason to suspect that any of it had anything to do with the interdimensional gateways, or the things living on the other side. The fact that Sam believed it did probably said more about his own state of mind than anything else.
Staring into Bo’s eyes, Sam made a silent vow not to bring it up again until he had solid evidence, something Bo’s scientific mind couldn’t ignore. With any luck, there wouldn’t be any need for such evidence. Sam hoped not, because finding concrete proof would mean Bo was in danger, and Sam didn’t want to face that again.
Forcing a smile, Sam pulled back. “You feeling better now? Ready to head back?”
“Yes, on both counts.” Bo stood, one hand on Sam’s shoulder to steady himself. “Let’s keep the pace slow this time. I’m a little shaky still.”
“Sure thing. You were almost too fast for me to keep up with you before.” Sam rose, lifting Bo’s hand from his shoulder and winding their fingers together. He kissed Bo’s knuckles before letting go. “Would you rather walk?”
“No, I can handle a slow jog.” Bo gave Sam a wry grin. “I promise I’ll tell you if I need to walk.”
    Let’s hope you can keep this promise. Sam bit back the bitter words before they could emerge. “All right. You set the pace.”
    With a nod, Bo started down the path in the direction from which they’d come. He smacked Sam’s ass and arched an eyebrow at him. Sam