Page 12 of In the Name of the Father

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss tonight before we head off to bed?”

Seth stifled a yawn with the back of his hand. “Sorry. I’m kind of a morning person, so I don’t usually stay up past ten.”

“I’ll tell you something else about myself. So am I.” Malcolm rose and barely stopped himself from reaching his hand out to help Seth to his feet. “Why don’t you grab your things to take with you to your room. I’ll also get you some towels on the way down the hall.”

A picture of Seth rubbing soap on his naked frame in the shower flashed through Malcolm’s mind and blood rushed to his groin. He quickly turned away. He didn’t dare let the kid see him with an erection. Once Malcolm reached the linen closet, he grabbed more towels than necessary so he could keep his tenting trousers from being spotted by the skittish Seth. He could always play it off that he’d needed new ones for himself.

“Here you go.” Malcolm flipped on the switch. “The dresser is empty if you want to put your things in there. Or, the closet has extra hangers, too.” Malcolm indicated the door at the far end of the room. “I only have a few of my winter things stored in there, so there’s still plenty of space.”

Hmm. Another thought struck him. “That reminds me.” He set down the one stack of towels on the bed then moved into the room until he reached the closet. “I have a jacket in here—nothing fancy—but it runs a bit small on me. If you like it, you can have it.” Malcolm reached inside and plucked out the microsuede bomber and held it up. “But only if you don’t mind wearing something an older guy would wear.” He chuckled. “I don’t know if my fashion choices are all that hip.”

“I don’t care about any of that. I wouldn’t even know what’s hip anyway.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think it’s a very nice jacket. Are you sure it doesn’t fit you?”

“I’m sure.” Malcolm handed it over. “It’s just a bit snug, but enough that I never wear it. All it does is hang in the closet. Seems a waste.”

Seth shrugged it on, and Malcolm exhaled in relief that he seemed to have accepted the gift.

Seth petted the soft fabric. “It’s awesome. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. And you look great in it, too.”

At Seth’s blush Malcolm gave himself a mental slap.Watch it with the compliments, idiot. He was already treading a fine line as it was.

“Well, I know you’re tired and so am I. I’ll see you in the morning.” Malcolm paused at the threshold of the room then gave Seth a reassuring smile. “The guest bath is this way down the hall.” He pointed in the direction he meant. “And if you get hungry, you know where the kitchen is.”

Malcolm considered Seth. His hands were no longer shoved into his jeans—instead, they’d made their way into the jacket. While Seth wasn’t a small man, and he had a more than average build, he seemed so lost and fragile. He was a man with no clear place in the world, no real family. No one he could count on.

The emotion clogging Malcolm’s throat had to be cleared before he could speak again. “It’s going to be all right, Seth. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

Seth peered up at him. “You’re the nicest person I’ve ever met. I promise I’ll make it up to you someday. I won’t forget.”

“The only thing I expect from you is that you live your best life—whatever form that might take.” He wanted to say so much more, to promise him the world, but it was time to walk away. “Get some rest.”

Seth stared at him with those gorgeous green eyes, his expression so open without an ounce of guile. “You too, Malcolm. Thanks again.”

Malcolm acknowledged him with a quick nod then left the room, making his way to the master suite at the end of the long hall. His mind raced a mile a minute and his heart pounded.

Why the fuck did I have to meet him?

He entered his bedroom, shut the door behind him then hurled the towels he hadn’t really needed onto the bed.

But despite the turmoil he sensed would plague him for the foreseeable future, he was glad he had. Who knew what might have happened to Seth at the Inn or if a man conned or hurt him? What if those bastards from the church discovered him in Eugene and forced him to go back to that awful place?

Malcolm growled.

If anyone touches him, they’re dead.

And despite his certainty that he should stay away from Seth, a part of him lodged somewhere deep inside, somewhere he’d kept his true nature hidden for years—knew he might not be able to resist the need in Seth. He sighed.

Or in me.

* * * *

Seth rolled one way on the bed, then the other. He finally settled in and fixed his gaze on a set of eggshell white curtains hanging from a wrought iron rod, the fabric a thick cotton that had seemed very expensive to him when he’d drawn them closed. They blocked out most of the moonlight, but not all of it—the faint illumination from the gap at the top of the rod cast an eerie glow in the room. The only other light was from a digital clock on the nightstand next to the double bed. Malcolm’s neighborhood was peaceful and quiet. Seth wondered what it was like during the day.

Don’t get too used to being here.

Malcolm had said one night, that was it. Then Seth would have to decide after he met Malcolm’s friend Nate, whether he felt comfortable enough to stay in his guesthouse.

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