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much pain.
Dave used his key to let himself into the apartment when he got back. He stepped
inside, feeling guilty. Somehow he just knew that Danny would be disappointed that he
wasn t moving all his stuff in.
Danny came out into the hall, still in his silk pajamas. A wide grin spread across his
smooth, beautiful face and his eyes lit up when he saw Dave. Just the sight of him like that
started Dave s body tingling. Danny had delayed going over to campus so he could present
the room to Dave.
Danny approached him and wrapped him in an embrace.  Welcome home, he said
softly.
Dave squeezed him. The whisper of silk over the hard lean muscles of Danny s back
only increased the tension in Dave s groin. If he hadn t felt so guilty, he probably would have
dropped his duffel bag and dragged Danny over to the futon.  Thanks, lover boy. It s good to
be home.
After several moments, Danny pulled away, beaming.  Your room is all ready. He took
Dave s hand, pulling him toward the hallway. Dave hadn t yet seen this room, seeing as he d
never gotten past Danny s bedroom and hadn t cared to. Danny led him to the doorway of
the second bedroom.  Here you go, he said softly,  It s all yours.
Dave stood in the doorway, staring at the small cozy room. Unlike the Japanese style of
the rest of the apartment, this room looked more like the kind of room you d find in a bed
and breakfast. It had a four-poster bed with lots of pillows in dark plaids. There were
bookshelves and a chest of drawers. All that was missing was a fireplace and a cat curled up
on the rug, or something like that. It was beautiful.
 Danny, I don t know what to say. I ... can t believe it.
Danny s hand came to rest gently on his shoulder.  Don t say anything. Just enjoy it.
He went up on his toes and kissed Dave s cheek.  Now, just give me a minute to get dressed
and I ll help you bring the rest of your things up.
Dave cleared his throat. A hollow feeling invaded his gut.  Um, I don t have anything
else, he murmured. He held up the duffel bag.  This is it.
As he d predicted, Danny s face fell.  Why? You could have brought everything.
Oh man. Dave was learning fast that he hated seeing Danny look disappointed, even for
a second. He sighed. It was probably best just to be as honest with him as he could from the
Tao of Love 1: Danny s Dragon 77
start. If Danny didn t want him around after learning the truth, better that it happened now,
before Dave got even more attached to him than he already was.
He picked up Danny s hand.  Come here, Danny. I ve got to talk to you. He drew
Danny over to the bed, put the duffel on the floor and sat down, bringing Danny to sit next
to him.
Danny was watching him with those large brown eyes that made him melt each time.
 What is it?
Dave looked down at their joined hands. It had been a long time since he d spoken
openly about John.  John ... my ... first partner and I were together for a long time. Almost
seventeen years, not counting all the years we were friends before that. He was always
hiding. His dad was like mine. He beat him, maybe even worse. Until I stepped in one day
and defended him. But John wasn t like me. He couldn t channel his feelings the same way. I
could box, lift weights, stuff like that to get my anger out. He couldn t. I don t know why.
He ... got into heavy drugs.
 I m sorry. Danny squeezed his hand.
 Thanks. Well, three years ago, he overdosed. The autopsy showed he d swallowed
over a hundred sleeping pills. Washed them down with a bottle of whiskey. He looked
down briefly, seared by the kindness in Danny s eyes.  He had the pills hidden, and I was on
the beat and didn t know he d taken them until it was too late. I got the call from the
hospital on my cell phone. Now you know why I won t carry one anymore. Dave paused
and glanced out the small window before continuing.  One of the worst nightmares I could
imagine. It got some press at the time ... a cop committing suicide. I tried to prevent the leak
to those bastards. John didn t deserve to have his grief dragged out in public, especially when
they made him look like he was some kind of insane druggie who loved using. He was
unhappy. Shit, his own father was ... you know. Anger roiled in his gut and he clenched a
hand into a fist.  But reporters have a way of finding dirty laundry, no matter where you
hide it. You may have read about it in the Globe.
Danny shook his head.  No, I didn t. I m sorry.
Dave looked at him. The sympathy in Danny s tone pulled at his heart. God, he was so
sweet.  Well, I guess it s just frightening to dive in all at once. I ve never even lived
anywhere else. I m sorry to be such a ... I don t ... a baby, like this.
Danny moved closer to him on the bed and put his arm around his shoulders.  I m
sorry I pushed you.
Dave shook his head.  You didn t. I just wanted you to know why I didn t bring
everything ... yet.
Danny smiled at him and cupped his cheek.  Do you have a picture of John? I know he
was important to you.
78 Sedonia Guillone
Dave looked at him, finding it hard to believe Danny was so kind.  I have one. I didn t
bring it. I thought it wouldn t be the right thing to do.
 You should bring it if you want. He was a big part of your life for so long. I don t mean
to replace him. Really.
 You mean that, Danny? About bringing the picture?
He nodded.  Of course I do.
Dave couldn t answer. He put his arms around Danny and pulled him close, his hands
sliding over the silk of Danny s top.  Thank you, he said finally.
Danny returned his embrace, tilting his face up. His breath was warm on Dave s lips.
 Hey, Danny, don t you have to be at school soon?
Danny s breathing grew deeper and his eyes were dusky. He slipped his hand
underneath Dave s sweater, pulling at his undershirt.  Soon, but not yet.
Dave grinned. Danny was turning out to be quite the little sex fiend. Not that he was
complaining.  Time for a quickie, then. We can christen the bed. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]