What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

not…I’m not gay, Estelle.”
Dan snorted quietly next to me. “She’s an idiot if she buys that.”
“As long as we’re clear,” Estelle said and then a door shut. Locks spun.
I lay under the bed, in the sweating darkness, royally pissed. Dan faced me, but his eyes were rolled up—he was listening while I was fuming and embarrassed.
“I think they’re both gone.”
I tried to scurry out from under the bed skirt. Dan grabbed my belt. “Wait. He may still be here.”
I nodded and eased back onto the floor. Dan’s eyes darkened, if that was possible. His frown line had reappeared. His voice turned serious. “How long were you two together?”
“Three years.”
“Man. You sure know how to pick ’em. What a dickhead.”
“It was just a stupid thing I did in college.” My joke was undermined by the depth of Shep’s betrayal. You’d think I’d have grown immune by now. At this point every one of my secrets had been laid bare to the good detective. There was nothing left to hide—which was actually kind of liberating.
We lay still, listening to the hall clock. I wanted to go home and forget this entire day. No. That was a lie. What I really wanted to do was take a hatchet to Shep’s apartment and bust that mother up. Maybe Dan would turn a blind eye?
It was close under the bed. Naturally, there wasn’t a speck of dust, only gleaming floor. It smelled of lemon and Dan’s leather jacket. I hadn’t noticed before, but his cologne was spicy—like cardamom. Sultry and tangy. His beard was filling in, a true five o’clock shadow that framed full and soft lips—the top one less plump than the bottom. A tiny scar marred the right side.
Dan stared intently back at me. He seemed as curiously interested in my mouth as I was his. Before I could catch myself, I licked my lips. His mouth lifted into a slow, hot, sexy smile. I bit my lip, waiting to see where we were going. Tension crackled between us.
He moved closer, taking up most of the space. It grew even warmer under the bed. “You know what I think? I think you’re a smart guy and you dumped him for being a pussy. He’s still pissed.”
“Probably you’re right.”
Dan’s mouth was very nice. Masculine and broad. Why hadn’t I noticed that before? I had no idea what Dan’s story was, if he was into guys or bi or yet another straight guy willing to fool around, but suddenly, I didn’t care. I was pissed. Why that turned me on, I couldn’t fathom. Dan didn’t seem to be in any hurry to move away from me. Quite the contrary. He challenged me with his nearness.
I moved and his gaze went from my mouth to my eyes. Heat curled in my groin. Dan’s eyes filled with interest, and something else. Amusement.
“Don’t say a word,” I grumbled.
“Who me?” The grinning bastard. “I won’t say a thing.”
I inched forward, scooting close enough to seal myself against him from groin to chest, letting our bodies align. Waiting to see what he’d do. His breath caressed my skin, and the moment drew out long. The clock ticked in the hall. His smug smile deepened, charming me despite how infuriatingly cocky he was. Strong thighs pressed into mine, and he waggled his brows like a fool. But he was hardening against my crotch and…that was a surprise. He found me more than amusing—he was attracted to me. Aroused by me. Or he was into the getting-caught vibe. Maybe a bit of both.
His dick nestled into mine, and his neck flushed a deep, telling red. With the space between us gone, in the sweltering darkness, I found a reason to lay my mouth on his, gently, finding those lips deliciously moist and minty. I licked them. His taste was sweet, maybe a hint of nicotine and coffee, but mostly he tasted of that gum he liked to share.
Dan laughed against my mouth. “You going to do something interesting, Romano? Or just nibble on me?” He thought he was so funny.
“If you’d shut up for half a second, I’ll show you.” I gripped him by the belt with one hand, and kissed him, my mouth sliding over his, my fingertips digging right into his pants. I tickled the head of his cock. Why not? I knew what I liked. I figured he liked it too, because he groaned in surprise. His lips parted, and his hips snuggled back. The big lug. I tongued him wantonly, feeling him give, his mouth opening wide to welcome me. A tingle ripped down my spine at this unexpected pleasure. He was delicious. Sliding my hips against his, all thought of Shep and Justin Timberlake and missing