Page 17 of Rising Storm

“Yeah. Most of the job entailed being observant up front and knowing everything you could about the place you were burglarizing. That meant a lot of waiting and watching. Patience is a thief’s virtue and all that. Then when it’s time for the steal, speed is the key.” Helix aimed the flashlight at Gareth’s shoulder. “I bet it was the same for you being a cop. And not just in a car like we were yesterday morning.”

“It was. Lots of waiting but I was never all that patient. It’s something I have to work on.”

They went silent again as more voices passed the door. It was close in the closet and Gareth could feel the warmth of Helix’s body as they kept brushing against each other. He could smell the motel shampoo on him.

After what must have been over an hour, Helix deemed it safe to go out of the room. He walked to Kavaugh’s office, examined the door and frowned back at Gareth. “We’ll need to steal a key card after all.”

Before Gareth could reply, they heard the elevator open and they hurried back into the supply closet. When they heard the sound of a bucket, Gareth’s eyes flew open wide as he met Helix’s amused stare. “Well shit, that sounds like the janitor.”

“You’re not going to like this but you need to get a lot closer.”

Gareth caught on immediately and grinned. “Take off your shirt.”

“No!” Helix said.

“You always have your damn shirt off.” Gareth kept grinning, he couldn’t help it. Helix looked so grouchy.

“There’s no time.” Helix grabbed Gareth’s lapels and yanked his body to his. Before Gareth could think to argue, Helix’s mouth was on his and all his thoughts flew out of his head. The kiss was hard and full of fake passion that his body took as all too real. He was hard in seconds. He opened his mouth and Helix’s tongue slid into his mouth and twined with his. He groaned and gripped Helix’s biceps before sliding his arms around him to haul him even closer. Helix’s leg slid between his and before he knew it, there was nothing fake about the passion at all. Heat flared between them so heavy and hot, it seared Gareth.

Helix’s hands went to his ass and he gripped him and rubbed up against him. Feeling that hard cock against his own—even through their clothes—made his breath catch and he deepened the kiss.

When the door opened, he barely noticed, too in tune with Helix and the kisses they were sharing. He tightened his arms around Helix.

A throat cleared and Gareth reluctantly pulled away, his breath coming in pants.

“Ya’ll from New York or something?” the janitor asked. He stood there with a bucket hanging from his hand and his eyebrows nearly up to his hairline. He wore a pair of dark green coveralls. His expression was more curious than anything.

Helix’s laugh sent his breath over Gareth’s wet lips and his answering chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Or something,” he answered.

“Well, the offices have all closed. I bet you could find a more comfortable spot to keep doing…what you’re doing.”

“We could definitely do that,” Helix said, his voice raspy. “Sorry about that. We got carried away.”

“I can see that. Weird place to make out.”

They hurried past the janitor and made their way to the elevator. Neither said a word as they rode it down to the lobby. The doors weren’t yet locked, so they easily walked out. As they left the building, Helix started laughing. “What in the world? New York?”

Gareth couldn’t help but laugh with him even as his heart still pounded.

* * *

That kiss had been fuckinghot. As Gareth drove them back to the motel, Helix couldn’t help but sneak looks at the man. His full lips were puffy and red from their kisses and he noticed him adjusting himself in his pants twice. He didn’t blame him. His own dick was hard as a rock. Now the awkwardness between them felt thick like cotton in the air. He hadn’t meant for the kiss to get so out of hand and he’d nearly forgotten it was just for show.

“So, we need to get a key card. Any ideas?” Gareth asked, shooting him a glance.

“Not yet. But it helps that the door is glass. We can break our way in if needed. Kavaugh isn’t going to call the police on a stolen item, so we have that going in our favor, too. But if there is actual proof that someone broke in, people from other offices or even his secretary could call it in before he has a chance to stop them. So yeah, a key card would be ideal.”

“I noticed there were other pairs of coveralls in that closet. They could come in handy.”

“They probably will,” Helix said as his cell rang. He fished it out of his pocket to see Shelli calling. “Yeah,” he said into the phone.

“Such wonderful phone etiquette you have,” she laughed into the phone. “I have good news.”

“I could use some good news.”

“I managed to track down the thief’s address. His emails to Hayrick have grown increasingly more frantic, too, so something is up. I’ll text you the address. And get this, it’s Barnette Kavaugh’s place.”

His heart picked up beats as alarm filled his system. What the Hell? That made no sense at all. His brother lived with Barnette Kavaugh? “Are you sure?”

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