Closer: Bay City Paranormal Investigation, Book 4

Fifteen miles from town, the houses were set among the pines behind the dune line and spaced far apart. Though he and Bo could see the cedar shingle roofs of their closest neighbors through the trees, the place was private enough that even Bo felt comfortable kissing on the porch, or holding Sam’s hand as they strolled the beach at sunset.
Bay City Paranormal Investigations had been swamped with high profile cases for months. They had all been on the ragged edge of burnout when the sister of BCPI co-owner Andre Meloy had offered to let the entire group take turns vacationing at her family’s beach house. Bo had agreed right away, without argument, which went to show how exhausted he was. The cases at Oleander House, South Bay High and Sunset Lodge had made BCPI the most sought-after paranormal investigations company in the southeast, and they were all feeling the strain.
Sam and Bo sat there for several minutes, not speaking, just watching the afternoon sun sparkling on the calm blue green water. Sam rested his head against Bo’s chest and let Bo’s heartbeat lull him into a half-trance. After all he and Bo had been through in the past eight months, two weeks alone to do as they pleased was nothing short of nirvana.
Eventually, Bo levered himself off Sam’s lap. “Come on,” he said, taking Sam’s hands. “Let’s go take a shower.”
Grinning, Sam let Bo pull him to his feet. “Together?”
“Is there any other way?” Bo pressed close, tongue flicking over Sam’s lips. “I have to say, showering with you is my second favorite thing about living together.”
Sam cupped Bo’s cheek and rubbed at the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “What’s your first favorite thing?”
The teasing light died from Bo’s eyes, replaced by a solemn tenderness which made Sam’s stomach flutter. “My favorite thing of all is going to sleep with you every night, and waking up with you every morning.” His fingers traced the line of Sam’s jaw, the touch soft and reverent. “I love knowing you’re mine, and I’m yours. It sounds maudlin, I know, but it’s true.”
Sam swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “It’s not maudlin. I feel the same way.” Three and a half months after the fact, the day Bo had moved in with Sam still counted as the happiest day of his life.
With a sweet smile, Bo tilted his head to capture Sam’s mouth in a deep kiss. When they drew apart, Sam was so hard it hurt, and he could feel Bo’s erection digging into his hip.
He grabbed Bo’s ass in both hands and squeezed. “Shower now?”
“Shower now, yes.” Bo squirmed out of Sam’s grip, took his hand and dragged him toward the French doors. He arched a dark brow over his shoulder at Sam. “I want you to fuck me. Think you’re up to it?”
Laughing, Sam squeezed Bo’s fingers. “Smartass. You know I am.”
The heat in Bo’s eyes could’ve burned down the building. “I’m counting on it.”
Two hours later, clean, dressed and sated— temporarily, at least—Sam and Bo sat side by side on the rattan love seat on the upstairs porch, watching a thunderstorm roll in across the water. Over the Gulf of Mexico, the sky loomed black and ominous. The sun still shining on the inland side lent a weird green glow to the rippling water and turned the sand blinding white.
As the first scattered raindrops clinked on the blue metal roof of the house, a bolt of lightning cut a brilliant zigzag between the clouds and the water. A moment later, thunder rumbled across the sky. The sun was blotted out as the storm rushed in and the rain began in earnest.
“I love this porch,” Sam declared, not for the first time. The house had deep covered porches running all the way around both levels. The second story had proven to be the perfect spot from which to watch the brief but violent storms that buffeted the beach most afternoons. Sam had been captivated from the first by the fiercely beautiful spectacle. “I love the sound of the rain on the roof.”
“Mm-hm.” Bo laid his head on Sam’s shoulder and squeezed Sam’s thigh. “Wonder how everyone’s doing at work?”
“You’re not supposed to be thinking of work. You’re supposed to be relaxing.”
“I am relaxing. But you know how busy we’ve been lately. I’m just worried about my team, that’s all.”
Winding Bo’s braid around his hand, Sam gave a gentle tug, forcing Bo’s head back so Sam could look him in the eye. “Stop worrying. I’m sure they’re fine.”
Bo bit