GENRE: Gay Paranormal Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 54,490 words
RATING:

Sequel to Blood Visions

Ronan and Dustin have been together for a busy year, working cases together as part of the detective agency Ronan set up to deal with paranormal cases law enforcement doesn't want to -- or can't -- handle.

A new case takes them to New Orleans. It seems simple at first, so the duo plan to treat the trip as their first vacation together. But when dealing with the paranormal, things are rarely as straightforward as they might appear.

The swamp holds something dark, and it has set its sights on them.

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Dustin rubs his head, feeling a slight headache forming, and he really hopes it doesn't get bad. He doesn't want to literally worry himself sick, not with a case to work, and not when they're supposed to be having their first vacation.

"Hey," Ronan says sleepily, and he reaches for Dustin, pulling him close, till Dustin's head is on Ronan's firm chest, with one of Ronan's arm around him. The other up higher, petting his hair and rubbing his temples gently.

Dustin relaxes into the touch. Not completely. It's not like a magic cure. But he feels safer, warmer, kind of cozy on the chilly air conditioned plane.

"How did you know I needed this? You were asleep," Dustin mumbles, pressing his face close to Ronan's neck and the soft toasty warm skin there.

"Your brain was talking so loud, it woke me up," Ronan says, a smile in his voice.

"I didn't mean to wake you up. I'm sorry. I'm not like in full blown panic attack territory, but I am stressing," Dustin replies. He really hopes he doesn't have a panic attack. He's had one in front of Ronan before, and he'd been so embarrassed, despite Ronan telling him not to be. Dustin hated the total lack of control over his mind and feelings. Ronan was the guy who was always in control of every situation. It had upset Dustin to feel like his control was unravelling in front of Ronan.

"Don't be sorry. You haven't done anything wrong. Try and let go of some of the tension you're holding, or you'll need a massage before we work the case. Just focus on us instead of flying." Ronan sounds concerned, and Dustin lets himself cuddle a little closer. He focuses on Ronan's breathing, which is much steadier than his own right now and soothing to listen to.

"Ever consider joining the mile high club?" Dustin jokes, because he's enjoying cuddling with Ronan and always enjoys sex with him, but he's not sure he could even convince himself to stand up and sneak to the bathroom right now, let alone get it up.

"Jerk. Don't say stuff like that. People might hear you. I don't want to get arrested. Chris and every cop I ever knew would find out. Harry would find out and tell everyone. I'd never live it down. I thought you agreed to try and obey the law now that you work for my detective agency?" Ronan sounds a little horrified at the idea of being charged with something illegal, but then, he's always been a pretty law-abiding guy.

"I don't break the law; I bend it," Dustin defends with a small smile, letting his fingers run back and forth over the raised threads of Ronan's T-shirt. The soft feel under his finger tips and the repetitive motion makes Dustin feel a little calmer.

"Your arrest record says different," Ronan teases.

"One assault charge. The other stuff never stuck," Dustin replies. He'd gotten in trouble a few times for being places he wasn't supposed to be when he was looking into things he'd seen in his visions. As for the assault charge, that had been against an anti-gay protester who'd been upsetting a young couple. He's not often violent, but he'd lost his temper.

"Can't believe I hooked up with a delinquent." Ronan shakes his head, but the corners of his mouth are turning up in a smile.

"I make up for the trouble I cause, though." Dustin smirks, and glancing around to make sure no one is watching them, he tweaks Ronan's nipple and makes him yelp a little. Dustin doesn't bother to hide his laugh.

"Brat." Ronan tugs Dustin's hair firmly but not enough to hurt.

"You like it," Dustin accuses.

"I do," Ronan admits.