But something about this felt different. Itwasn’t like he’d never said he needed Will to fuck him before. Sowhat was so different here? What did Will think he wassaying? What was he saying?
“I need you…” Didn’t that go without saying?For the first time it occurred to Taylor that maybe his sexualexpertise was more of a hindrance than a help, that maybe Will —occasionally — felt performance pressure? He whispered, “Whateveryou want. Tell me. Show me how…” The idea of Will intimidated byanything was ridiculous and yet, no question Will was aroused bythis, by Taylor asking him to take complete charge.
Will’s arms locked around him, hefting himup — the image of Madonna wrapping her legs around Will flashedinto Taylor’s brain — and transporting him to the bed. They fellonto it. The bed knocked against the wall, and one of the mattresssprings went with a resounding boing. Comical, but neitherof them was laughing. In fact, they were both breathing hard,watching each other.
Will reached out to gently touch thebruising around Taylor’s right eye. Taylor lowered his lashes.Will’s fingertips feathered over his skin, a touch that seemed towhisper apology as well as tenderness.
There was a knock on the door.
Will’s hand froze.
Taylor’s eyes flew open. “No way.”
“Housekeeping?” Will suggested. “Apreemptive strike?”
“You think they have housekeepinghere?”
The knocking came again. Quiet. Almostfurtive.
Will rose from the bed, went to the window,opened the curtains a centimeter and looked out. The tension lefthis body. “You’re not going to believe this.” He glanced back atTaylor. “It’s Cousin Dennis.”
“What? He’s here?” Taylor wasoff the bed and moving toward the door. “I’m going to kill himmyself.”
Will intercepted. “Let’s hear what he has tosay.” He added, “Then I’ll kill him for you.”
Chapter Seven
“I panicked,”Dennis said. “I’m sorry. It’s not my fault. I saw that truck racingdown the hill and I thought they were coming for me.”
“Then you’re an idiot,” Taylor replied. “Itold you at the time nobody working for the mob drives a beat-uppickup.”
“Okay, look,” Will began again, and asbefore, the other two talked right over him.
“Mob? How do you know the mob is looking forme?” Dennis stared at Taylor in alarm. Not exactly what you’d calla Fulbright Scholar, Cousin Dennis.
“Come off it,” Taylor scoffed. “I sincerelydoubt you’ve got links to, or evidence pertaining to terrorism ornational security.”
Will said, “Why don’t we continue this—”
“And why the hell would you hit me?” Tayloradded.
“I didn’t realize it was you,” Dennis said,“until I’d already knocked you out.”
“The hell you didn’t. The dogs were with me,I was calling to you. You must have heard the truck driveaway.”
“I told you, I panicked.”
“Yeah, but I don’t believe you,” Taylorsaid.
Surprised, Will said to Taylor, “What do youthink was going on?”
“I don’t know.” Taylor glared at Dennis whoshifted nervously and looked at Will. “Oh, I believe he was scared.I believe he panicked, yes. He was sure the Dooleys had come forhim. But why? Why was he so sure? Nobody knows where he is.” Helooked at Dennis. “Right?”
“How do I know?” Dennis said. “I knowthey’re looking for me.”
“Maybe he’s seen too many movies,” Willsaid. “All I know is, we can’t stand around here talking about it.Let’s get back to the house. Pop needs to let his pals in theMarshals Service know that Dennis is back.”
It was disappointing though. Disappointingand frustrating. Frustrating to the point of physical pain. And ifWill found it painful, Taylor must be tied up in knots. Just whatWill did not want, could not afford. Taylor feeling neglected andunsatisfied. Which he clearly already did. One more thing to worryabout.
They left the card key on the table as theyexited the room and walked out to the parking lot. They climbedinto Will’s Land Cruiser. With perfect timing, Emmylou Harrislaunched into “Together Again.”
“I thought you got on the CC Rider.” Taylorwas clearly not going to let this go, and Will mentally braced fora very long drive.
“I snuck off again,” Dennis said, soundingpleased with himself.
“Why?”
“Because…”
“Exactly,” Taylor said dryly. Though exactlywhat, Will wasn’t clear.
Dennis leaned forward between the two frontseats. “Look, I’m not a-a secret agent. I’m not used to life on therun.”
“So far it’s been a morning on the run.”
Will threw Taylor a look, but Taylor ignoredhim.
“Did you work for the Russian mob?”
“Me?” Dennis sounded genuinelybewildered. “Of course not.”
“That’s quite a leap,” Will said toTaylor.
“The Russian mafia has taken over a lot ofthe criminal activity on the Gulf Coast.”
“Is that true?”
Taylor nodded. To Dennis, he said,“Well?”
“Well, what? I never worked for the Russianmob. I’ve never worked for any Russians. Ever.”
“Did you make any phone calls to anyone thismorning?”
“Of course not! I’m not crazy.”
“Where are you going with this?” Willasked.
“I don’t like coincidences.”
“What coincidences?”
“You run into Gretchen Hart who used to workfor a Russian mobster and less than twenty-four hours later we pickup a tail. We lose the tail but then we run into Cousin Dennis herewho just happens to be running from trouble in South Florida, andnow suddenly the tail is back.”
“Okay, slow down,” Will said. “First of all,we have no proof that anyone was or is tailing us. Secondly, thatwould be too big of a coincidence. That somehow Dennis is connectedto someone in the Russian mob who would have it in for us?Who?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like this.”
“What is it you don’t like?”
Taylor threw Dennis a cold look. “Well, onething I don’t like is getting my nose broken.”
“Your nose isn’t broken,” Will said.“Believe me, if your nose was broken, you’d know it.”
“I did not call anyone,” Dennis said. “Idon’t know anyone in the Russian mob to call.”
Taylor ignored that. “What did you hit mewith?”
Dennis looked uncomfortable. “I, uh, found abroken-off tree branch to defend myself with.”
“Nice.” Taylor stared straight
