Resilience (12 page)

endlessly, well almost, by those who want to make sure you understand that. In fact, after meeting with numerous citizens, and discussing it with the council, we’d like to offer you a job.”

Todd darted a glance at Adam, who wasn’t scowling anymore, but he did look like he

was suspicious of everything he was hearing. “Yes sir?” Todd kept his eyes on Adam’s, finding strength and courage there.

“Todd, I did say Kaufman is gone, and we need a new sheriff. Someone we can trust to do the right thing. Someone strong yet compassionate.”

Todd pressed a hand to stomach, which had gone quivery inside.

“We, the majority of the citizens of Shasta, would like to have you as our sheriff, Todd.

What do you say to that?” Mayor Edmunds asked.

Say? Todd couldn’t even breathe! He gave Adam a pleading look. Adam moved around

him and whispered almost soundlessly in his ear, “Tell Mayor Edmunds thank you ,you will consider it and call him back tomorrow.”

Todd bobbed his head. “Mayor Edmunds, thank you for considering me, and…and for

the other things you said. I’d like to have a little time to think about this.” Todd looked at Adam. “I need to talk it over with Adam, see what we want to do. Can I call you with an answer tomorrow morning?”

“Of course, of course, son. You do that. And say hi to your—to Adam for me. Take

care.” Edmunds hung up and Todd did the same.

“They want me to be the sheriff,” he muttered. “I—I can’t quite believe it.”

Adam stepped in front of him and took his hands. Todd met his gaze and felt a little calmer. Adam kissed him, a chaste brush of lips. “What do you want to do, Todd?”

Todd tried to remember everything the mayor had said. “He wants us to know we’re

welcome here. And that people are sorry they didn’t step in and stop my father from abusing me. I don’t know how I feel about that. I had to try really hard not to be angry at a lot of people for a long time. People from my father’s church that knew he beat the crap out of me, knew my mother did the same. People at school who saw the bruises and didn’t do anything.

But I remember, Adam. I didn’t ask for help, either.”

Adam’s eyes snapped with anger as he growled, “You shouldn’t have fucking had to

ask.” He inhaled slowly and shook his head. “Sorry. It’s hard not to be angry, but you shouldn’t have had to ask, Todd. The adults in your life, from the people at church to those at school and anywhere else where they knew, all those people failed you. I can’t fix that now, but maybe we can get past it. Heal, you know?”

“I like that idea. I don’t want to be angry,” Todd said, realising how true it was. “I don’t want to be like my father. He was always angry. I want a better life than that, and I want it with you, in this town, if you’re willing.”

Adam’s smile could have lit up a moonless night. “I’d love to have that chance with

you, Todd.”

Todd grinned, feeling like he’d just about float, he was so happy. “Then it looks like there’s a new sheriff in town.”

Adam watched Todd pin the sheriff’s badge on. “Looks good on you.” Actually Todd

looked friggin’ edible, but Adam was trying not to be pushy. Todd had been through a lot of shit. Having the mayor inform him that Kaufman was gone, fired and possibly facing

charges of all sorts, had thrown Todd for a loop. As had discovering how right Adam had been—there’d been hardly any protests at all over Todd stepping into Kaufman’s position.

He’d been appointed sheriff in an emergency council meeting, but Adam knew, when Todd ran for the position, he’d get it. And Todd would run for it, Adam would make sure of it.

This town needed good, honest people leading it. Todd was a start. Adam was seriously considering running for mayor, although he should try for council first…

“Where’d you go on me?”

Adam blinked and shook his head. “Sorry. Mental rant. But you really do look—”

Adam swept his gaze down Todd then up again and shivered. “So sexy, babe. Turn around and let me ogle your ass.”

Todd turned a nice shade of pink but swung around eagerly enough. The dark blue

trousers hugged his ass perfectly. Adam wanted to pull the pants down and bend Todd over, but he also didn’t want the first time he fucked Todd to be like this, hurried and frantic and probably rough since Adam was so damned aroused. He settled for patting Todd’s ass.

“Perfect. I have plans for you,” he said, addressing Todd’s butt. “Very intimate plans.”

Todd cleared his throat and Adam looked up to find Todd watching him over his

shoulder. Todd’s cheek was scarlet now, and the one pupil Adam could see was huge. “M-maybe t-tonight?”

Oh God! Adam had to bite his tongue to keep from jumping Todd right there. “Okay,”

he squeaked and didn’t even care that his voice sounded like he’d sucked down some

helium. He pulled Todd around and studied him closely, looking for nervousness, regret, anything signalling Todd wasn’t ready to take their sex life a step further. “Are you sure you’re ready?” He didn’t see any doubt whatsoever, but he had to be sure.

Todd’s Adam’s apple bobbed along with his head. “Past ready. I j-just didn’t know h—

how…”

And Todd was very nervous, to be stuttering like he was. Adam’s heart pinched and he cupped Todd’s jaw. “Please don’t be nervous. I promise, you’ll love everything I do to you, because I’ll do it with love.”

Okay, now his cheeks were burning! He wasn’t used to being so…so emotionally

honest, had never been to this point with any of his exes, at least. Jameson had been the only guy who Adam hadn’t hid anything from, but they’d been best buds—and look where that had got them! Jameson had cut Adam out of his life!

“You love me.” Todd didn’t ask it, although he didn’t sound entirely sure when he said it.

Adam rolled his eyes then wanted to smack himself for being such an unromantic

fuckhead. “Of course.” And he could be so dense, it was a surprise Todd put up with him sometimes! “I wanted to tell you in some grand, romantic gesture, not…not by blurting it out like I did, but yes. I definitely love you.”

Todd’s smile nearly blinded him. “I love you too, you know. I hoped… I m-mean, why

else w-w-would you have done all this for me—?”

Adam snorted and gave Todd a hug that made them both grunt. “Well, when you put it

like that, I guess it should have been real obvious how I felt. But I—” Adam loosened his hold and leant back, seeking Todd’s eyes with his own. “I wanted to say it, because I’ve never said those words to another man, not in a manner that wasn’t joking or friendly, you know.”

Todd frowned. “What do you mean?”

Adam glanced at the clock. Todd needed to be out of the door in just a few minutes.

Adam sighed and shook his head. “I mean, I had a good friend, and we said the ‘love ya, man’ but not, I love you. It’s different to me, and, anyway, Jameson has decided to trash a lifetime friendship. You’re the only person who’ll be getting any form of love from me now, so stop frowning.” Adam brushed a quick kiss over Todd’s lips. “Go on. Go be sheriff and show the people of Shasta how a real man does the job.”

Adam smiled, and he didn’t have to fake it at all. He was damned proud of Todd.

Todd’s lips quirked but he didn’t quite grin. Instead he caressed Adam’s cheek. “I meant what I said, about being ready, but I want to talk some more tonight before…” His cheeks flamed but he didn’t avert his gaze. Adam’s heart thudded in his chest. Todd just melted him inside.

“Wasn’t planning on jumping you at the door and ravishing you as soon as you got

home, although that doesn’t sound bad, either,” Adam teased. He winked at Todd, trying not to appear smug at the way Todd’s breathing skittered. “I think someone likes that idea, though. Someone other than me, I mean.”

Todd coughed and seemed to shake himself out of a daze. “It—I—ugh!” He glared

down at his groin. Adam looked and really wished they had more time. That was an

impressive erection, but all of Todd’s were.

“Well, damn.” Adam couldn’t resist brushing his knuckles over it. “Wish we had more time.” He gave Todd a squeeze and looked up at him. “I get lunch around one today. If you can save this until then, I will be happy to suck you dry.”

Todd’s eyes bugged and he wheezed, as if something clogged his throat. But he nodded, his head bouncing up and down, reminding Adam of one of those bobble-headed dolls.

“Stop,” he snickered. “You get to work, and come by for lunch. Even if you only have a few minutes, we can at least eat something—and I mean real food—before you go back on shift. And if you have a whole hour…” Adam trailed off. He wouldn’t fuck Todd at the office—this time—but he’d sure be happy to give them both a little release. Or a big one.

“I will.” Todd took a deep breath, then, with a glint in his eye Adam hadn’t seen before, he jerked Adam to him and kissed Adam with a hunger that left Adam’s knees weak. As a matter of fact, he felt quivery all over and had to grab onto the door to keep upright when Todd let him go.

Hot damn, he did like an aggressive man, but he hadn’t expected…

“See you at one,” Todd rasped, then he turned and strode away.

“Well, well, well,” Adam murmured once he could get his tongue to function. Looked like his timid man was really turning out to be a tiger. Rawr!

Damn it, he was nervous as hell! Adam kept having little shivering fits, and he felt like a complete idiot because of it. “Stupid. Jesus!” It wasn’t like he’d never had sex before, and it wasn’t even like he’d never had sex with a virgin… It was just…Todd. Adam’s heart pattered erratically. Geez, what now? Was he going to swoon on top of shaking like a leaf?

Adam snorted and plopped down onto a kitchen chair. He eyed the table, decorated as

fancy as he dared, with two white tapered candles waiting to be lit, and a vase holding a single red rose. Nothing extravagant, really, but way more than he’d ever done for anyone else.

He was kind of embarrassed, actually. If anyone had ever told him he’d do something

like this, along with what he’d done in the bedroom and bathroom, well, he’d have laughed himself unconscious, that was for sure.

But Todd deserved so much more than he’d ever got, and Adam would swallow his

damn pride and give it to him. He just hoped Todd didn’t laugh at him. Adam didn’t think Todd would, but… A horrible thought occurred to him and Adam leapt up from the chair.

What if all this added pressure to Todd? What if he wasn’t ready, or he had a shit day?

He’d seemed fine when he swung by the clinic, eager and gorgeous and God but Adam

loved the man, but still. They’d only had a few minutes, time for some kisses and panted promises before a customer had come in screaming and panicked because her cat’s tail had been slammed in the car door.

Adam had wanted to snarl and point out there was a reason cat carriers were made, but the woman had been beyond distraught and the cat, Finkles, had been in misery.

And now, as he heard the sound of an engine in the driveway, Adam didn’t have any

time to tone down his silly, romantic gestures. All he could do was hope Todd didn’t freeze up or think Adam was a total wuss.

Todd’s stomach had felt warm and tingly all day. Nerves, sure, because he’d never

expected to be sheriff, never thought anyone in this town besides Gabe cared about whether he lived or died. That was before Adam, though, and Todd wouldjust as soon quit thinking about any time in his life before the sexy and sweet vet had moved to town.

Then at the clinic today, well, Todd had been ready to beg, to just be bold enough to unfasten his belt and pants and to do like he’d seen on his favourite Tumblr site and just…‘present’. He didn’t know if that was what it was really called when a guy bent over and spread himself for his man, or hitched up a leg and offered himself, but it seemed like an apt description to him. He envied the men in those pictures, being brave enough to do that even if it was just for show or money, whatever. All Todd wanted was to be able to offer himself in such a way to Adam but he was shy and scared and, even so, for a few seconds he’d actually thought…

Well, it hadn’t happened. Adam hadn’t pushed, and he hadn’t picked up Todd’s hints,

such as they’d been the past couple of weeks. Then this morning, Todd had understood.

Adam had been waiting for him, trying not to make Todd feel rushed or uncomfortable.

Adam wanted him, wanted him wanted him, he was just afraid Todd wasn’t ready.

But, oh my hell, Todd was beyond ready. He wanted Adam, wanted to feel Adam

inside him, branding him, marking him. Todd wanted to take Adam as well, but he wasn’t sure if Adam did that. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to ask, or at least not for a while.

Todd had spent most of the day anticipating what would happen when he got home.

It’d helped him, actually, because otherwise he’d have been too aware of how friendly everyone was to him. Like the residents as a whole were trying to make up for having tolerated Todd being abused for so many years. Maybe they were. Todd was tired of hanging on to being angry about it. He’d thought he was going to die, the last thing in his vision his father’s furious, hate-mottled face, contorted and demonic and—

“No,” Todd scolded himself as he pulled into the driveway. No more time thinking

about it. He refused to give his father any more time, any more power. The old man could rot in jail. Todd was almost looking forwards to testifying against him in court. He wanted to stare his father down, to let him know Todd wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Todd’s father had done his worst, and Todd was still here, still alive, and he was loved, God damn it, for the first time in his life. Yes, Gabe loved him, but that wasn’t the same. This love with Adam was more, and he couldn’t explain it better.

Not when he was staring at Adam, standing on the small porch and smiling shyly at

Todd. It was such an odd expression, Todd was a little stunned. He’d never thought Adam had a shy bone in his body, but, yeah, Adam was darting his eyes around nervously, and he was twitching and…