What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

being able to forgive him, but it hurt anyway. It took every ounce of strength he possessed to keep from falling to his knees at Bo’s feet and begging him to give them just one more chance.
Sam had no idea how long they stood there like that, not looking at each other, not speaking. It felt like forever. Finally, Bo raised his head and stalked over to stand toe-to-toe with Sam. His eyes burned, and Sam could see the rapid pulse fluttering in his throat.
“I hate you for doing this to me.” Bo’s voice shook.
Sam blinked against the stinging behind his eyelids. “I’m so fucking sorry, Bo. I’d take it back if I could.”
Bo raised a hand, and for a moment Sam thought he was going to hit him. He braced himself, holding Bo’s gaze. When Bo laid his trembling palm against Sam’s cheek, thumb caressing the corner of his mouth, Sam’s knees went weak with relieved surprise.
“I thought I could live without you,” Bo whispered. “But I can’t. I can’t. And I hate you for that. For making me love you.”
A strangled sob burst from Sam’s throat. “Christ, Bo…”
They moved at the same time, mouths fusing together in a hard, desperate kiss. Sam cupped Bo’s head in one hand, using the other arm to pull their bodies together. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss, swallowing Bo’s soft little moans. Bo clutched him close, one hand fisted in his hair and the other sliding down to knead his ass.
“God, Sam,” Bo breathed. “I need you.”
Electricity surged through Sam’s veins. “Anything. Anything you want.”
“Let’s make love.”
The raw need in Bo’s voice made Sam’s chest tight. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything you don’t really want.”
Bo’s lips brushed Sam’s jaw. “I’ve wanted this for a long time, but I was afraid.” He pressed closer, the unmistakable evidence of his arousal digging into Sam’s thigh. “I’m not afraid anymore. I’m ready.”
The thought of making love to Bo was enough to bring Sam achingly erect in the space of a heartbeat. He kissed Bo again, very gently, hands stroking down Bo’s back. “I’ll make it good for you. I promise.”
“I know.” Bo groaned when Sam’s hand slipped between his legs, tracing his hardness through the worn denim. “Just…let’s go slow, okay? I’ve never… No one’s ever done that, I haven’t even…touched myself that way.”
The fact that Bo was willing to bottom for him made Sam’s head swim. As much as he wanted it, though, he wanted something else more.
“Maybe another time,” Sam whispered. “Right now, I need you inside me.”
A shudder ran through Bo’s body. “Jesus.” He leaned against Sam’s chest, his heart pounding so hard Sam could feel it. “Take me to bed, before I fall down.”
Taking Bo’s hand, Sam led the way to the bedroom. His insides churned with a mix of desire and nervousness. He’d never been this anxious to please a lover. It’s being in love for the first time, he thought as he pulled Bo into his arms again. It changes everything.
Bo’s palms slid inside Sam’s T-shirt. “Get undressed, Sam. Let me see you.”
Obediently, Sam peeled his shirt off and threw it on the floor. Taking hold of the hem of Bo’s sweater, Sam lifted it, nudging Bo’s arms up so he could take it off. Once the garment was out of the way, Sam ran his hands over Bo’s chest, thumbs catching on his hard little nipples. “God, you’re gorgeous, Bo.”
Bo groaned. His hips rolled against Sam’s. “Pants. Off.”
“Yeah.”
Sam removed his own jeans first, wanting to put Bo at ease. Bo’s gaze raked down Sam’s body, hot and wanting. Reaching down, Bo yanked off his battered running shoes then started to undo his jeans. His hands shook. Staring into Bo’s eyes, Sam saw a lifetime of unfulfilled need, overlaid with a sheen of fear. He knew that fear, had felt it himself the first time he had sex with another man. Fear of the unknown, of something he’d been taught to believe was wrong. He didn’t want to see that look in Bo’s eyes. Sam was determined Bo would never again associate sex with anything but joy and pleasure and love.
“Don’t be afraid,” Sam murmured, never looking away from Bo’s wide eyes. Gently moving Bo’s hands out of the way, Sam flipped the button of his jeans open and slid the zipper down. “I’m going to take care of you.” He pushed Bo’s pants slowly down over his hips, leaning in for a feather-light kiss. “If you