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stop pulling bodies from the harbor? Shaking his head in disgust, he
quickly showered and shaved, then hurried to the bedroom to dress.
As he pulled on his clothes and exited the room, he thought over
his conversation with Sidney the night before. Sidney said he was
falling in love. As much as Ryder wanted to believe him, he still
worried Sidney was just confused and lonely. What would happen
when Sidney came to his senses and realized it had all been just some
kind of trauma-induced infatuation?
The thought stopped Ryder in his tracks halfway down the stairs.
Perhaps he needed to reevaluate his own feelings. He felt protective
of Sidney, wanted him to be happy and safe. He liked spending time
with the man, and the thought of Sidney leaving caused his gut to
tighten.
66 Gabrielle Evans
Why did everything have to be so complicated? Slowly
descending the remainder of the stairs, he made his way to the
kitchen. He stood in the doorway, watching Sidney hustle around the
room, making a bacon sandwich and placing it in a small baggy.
The man moved so gracefully everything done with purpose and
poise. Ryder felt the rightness of watching Sidney in his kitchen. For
so long it had been only him, Nana, and Frank. When Gavin walked
out on him, he swore he would never again let any man become his
entire world.
Watching Sidney pour coffee, he realized he had failed miserably.
He swam in uncharted waters, desperately struggling to keep his head
above the surface. In just a few weeks, Sidney had become, maybe
not his everything, but damn close. Yes, he wanted to protect him,
keep him safe, and make him happy. He wanted to wrap the little man
in his arms and cocoon him from the evils of the world.
Ryder shuffled into the kitchen, right up behind Sidney, and
curled his arms around the man s tiny waist. Burying his face in
Sidney s silky hair, he breathed. He didn t know if he loved the man,
but he could see it heading that way. Whatever he felt, it went much
deeper than some misguided sense of duty.
Old wounds crept into the moment, worrying at Ryder s
insecurities. Could he be what the man needed? He certainly hadn t
been enough for Gavin. Six years together and all he had to show for
it was a scattering of photographs in an old shoebox. Hell, he hadn t
even been important enough for a personal good-bye. No, Gavin had
just disappeared without word or explanation.
Leaning his head back and sighing, Sidney turned in his arms,
giving him a dazzling smile. As much as I m enjoying this, you need
to be on your way, Detective Ward. He winked like the little imp he
was and pushed a thermos of coffee and the sandwich into Ryder s
hands. Call me?
Lipstick and Handguns 67
Ryder nodded, unable to form speech around the lump in his
throat, and gave Sidney a brief but passionate kiss. Stay inside and
keep the doors locked.
Sidney wrinkled his nose. Okay, if that will make you feel better.
I need to start looking for a job, though.
He wanted to protest, but knew it would only lead to an argument.
His sweet Sid was too stubborn for his own good. Not wanting to get
into it until he had time to debate his point, Ryder let it go, kissed
Sidney s cheek, and hurried out of the kitchen.
68 Gabrielle Evans
Chapter Seven
Sidney clicked off the television with a grumble of frustration.
Twelve hours since Ryder left, and he was bored out of his mind. He
tried to clean earlier, but Claire just pushed him out of the way,
reprimanding him the entire time.
You are supposed to be resting. Besides, it s my job to take care
of you and Ryder. Why don t you go take a nap?
Sidney frowned as he stared at the blank television. Not hearing
from Ryder all day caused his mood to sour, and he damn sure didn t
want a nap. He wanted to do something. He lunged up from the sofa
with a frustrated grunt.
Cl uh, Nana! He didn t want another scolding for not calling
the woman by her preferred name.
Claire bustled into the room and smiled. Yes, dear?
Sidney blushed. Sorry. I didn t mean to yell. Um, do you have a
morning paper delivered?
Of course. It s in the kitchen near the toaster. Claire placed her
hands on her narrow hips and cocked her head to the side. Is there
something in particular you re looking for?
A job, Sidney said simply. He needed something to do before he
went batty. He never spent so much time just sitting around before.
Not even as a child had he been so idle.
Oh, well I think that s a lovely idea. Claire bustled from the
room and came back seconds later with the classifieds section of the
paper. I don t suppose you ve talked to Ryder about this?
Uh, I mentioned it earlier. Sidney took the paper, avoiding the
woman s gaze.
Lipstick and Handguns 69
Mm-hm. Don t let him bully you. He s a sweet boy, but he has a
tendency to throw a fit when he doesn t get his way. Claire winked.
You don t stand for that baloney.
Sidney couldn t stop his smile of gratitude. Thanks, Nana. I
promise I ll put Ryder in his place if he messes with me. He gave
Claire his best tough guy glare.
She threw her head back and laughed loudly. Oh, yes, very
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