Shooting Star by Carol Lynne Page B

for saving my life.”
    “Hell, it wasn’t like I had much choice in the matter. You’ve kinda started to grow on me.”
    Brac grinned. “I do believe that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
    “Well, I’m in a good mood. Don’t let it go to your head.”
    Brac laughed and bumped Priest’s knee with his leg. “I’m going up to bed. See you in the morning.”
    “Yeah, see ya , Mr Hollywood.”
    One step at a time, Brac managed to make it up the stairs without falling. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so exhausted. He opened his bedroom door and just stood there. Sound asleep with the light on, Jessup looked like every dream Brac had ever had.
    Although they hadn’t had a chance to talk much since the shooting, when it came time for Jessup to give up the fight and lay down he’d asked Brac if he could do it in his bed. Of course Brac had wanted to jump for joy and follow Jessup upstairs immediately, but he’d been forced to endure several more hours of routine police procedure.
    Brac stepped out of his shorts on the way to the bathroom. If Priest was skulking around he’d just have to get an eyeful because Brac was too damn tired to care about modesty.
    He turned on the water and looked at his reflection while the water heated. Although he’d only been away from Malibu for three weeks, his California tan was fading fast. It was more than that though. The man Brac saw in the mirror was nothing like the man he’d been before he’d met Jessup.
    Brac turned around and climbed under the warm spray of the shower. The thought of going back to his old life held absolutely no appeal for him. Days trapped on studio lots and evenings spent at parties had been fun for the first couple of years, but even the parties had become a hated part of his job.
    Soaping up, he began to wonder whether or not he could really make a home in Cattle Valley, more importantly, a home with Jessup. They still had so many things to work out between them. Jessup’s aversion to being touched was the biggest obstacle still in their path.
    Brac did a quick rinse before turning off the water. He grabbed the closest towel and dried off before dropping it in the hamper on his way out of the bathroom.
    After shutting the bedroom door securely, Brac lifted the sheet and slid in beside Jessup. Even lying next to the man felt right.
    “You okay?” Jessup asked.
    Brac carefully thought the question through before answering. “I don’t know. I hope so.” He rolled to his side. “I keep wondering whether or not I would’ve had the balls to pull the trigger.”
    “No use thinking about it. The moment’s passed so your answer wouldn’t be accurate anyway. All that matters is what you choose at the moment. Before that or after that is all just speculation.” Jessup stretched out his arm and tapped Brac’s shoulder. “Scoot closer.”
    Inch by inch, Brac eased his way towards Jessup. “Tell me when.”
    “All the way,” Jessup said, hauling Brac against him. He turned on his good side to face Brac . “I nearly dropped to my knees when I found out how close I’d come to losing you.” He rested his palm against the side of Brac’s face, tracing the shell of Brac’s ear with his ring finger. “I don’t know if what I feel is love, but I know I’d give my life ten times over to save yours.”
    “Maybe I’m just being selfish, but I choose to believe that’s exactly what it is.” Brac moved close enough for his cock to line up with Jessup’s. “Did Priest tell you he made me list the reasons why I love you?”
    “No.” Jessup thrust his hips forward. “I won’t make you list the reasons since I probably wouldn’t believe them anyway, but you could tell me again that you love me.”
    “I love you, Al Jessup,” Brac whispered. “And I’m going to say it every day until you start to believe it.”
    “Priest told you about my mother, didn’t he?”
    “Yeah. But what I don’t understand is how you