Snakes Among Sweet Flowers (30 page)

Cam had always liked his own space, but for some reason, having Jackson around wasn’t cramping his style at all. Their only problem so far had been Cam’s lack of drapes in his upstairs bedroom and how it let in far too much light for Jackson’s taste. Cam had agreed to tack up a blanket over the window for the time Jackson was there, but he already missed his view and the morning sun waking him up at first light.

Cam carried the Crock-Pot with the cord wrapped around the handle. It felt surreal walking across the lawn where everything had happened. All the cars parked throughout the yard made it look different, though, and that helped Cam deal with it. Jackson seemed to understand and laid a hand at the small of his back as they headed for the front steps. The weight and warmth of his touch did the trick, and Cam put on a smile as he passed through the open front door.

The living room was filled with people chatting in small groups, some sitting, others standing. A few of the visitors paused in their conversations to stare in a decidedly unfriendly manner as they entered, but for the most part, they were greeted with at least acceptance. Sounds of dishes clanking and cabinets closing could be heard from the kitchen, and it appeared the crowds extended into that area as well. Cam nodded toward the kitchen, figuring they would at least go in there long enough to hand over the Crock-Pot of food, but they made it no more than a few steps before Jackson was clapped on the back by one of the visitors. Cam smiled a greeting but decided to move on without Jackson. He could always find him later, and it sure wasn’t like they were connected at the hip or anything.

There were lots of smiles and nods and waves as he made his way through the crowd, and that made the frowns and turned-up noses less of a problem. He was glad so many had turned out for Ruby, but he imagined the silence would be all the louder when they left. He wondered how she would handle everything without Junior, and decided to make sure to talk to her about it.

At the door to the kitchen, he paused and looked around. The room was much like his, only bigger, he decided. It was filled to the brim with ladies in dresses, moving efficiently around each other as they worked and talked, the sound much like that of a busy henhouse. Only one in the crowd appeared to be motionless, and that was Ruby Mae. She stood against the counter, holding a plate with a few dabs of food on it, but she looked as if she had no idea what was in her hand or even what was going on around her. Cam looked around again but didn’t see any sign of the kids.

When he was noticed, stalled in the doorway, a cry went up, and Cam was greeted happily by the gaggle of women. They swooped in and took the Crock-Pot, raving over how delicious the roast looked and how nice it was of him to bring it.

“Jackson helped,” Cam interjected, then felt like some kid in a Shake ’N Bake commercial.

The ladies trilled over the news and began flooding him with questions about his relationship with the town’s golden boy.

“Will you two be moving in together?”

“Don’t you think they should marry first?”

“Have you considered children?”

“All right, ladies,” Pamela said loudly as she entered the kitchen. “Don’t scare off Jackson’s new love interest. He’s not here for an inquisition.” Pamela wrapped her arm around Cam’s shoulder and gave him a pat.

There were giggles as the women went back to their work in the kitchen, much to Cam’s relief. Marriage? Love? Children? Good lord! They’d never even fucked each other yet. The revelation was quite a shock to Cam, and he decided it was about time to change that. He’d have to chat with Jackson when there was time.

Cam heard sounds from the backyard and stepped over to the door to look out. The kids had changed out of their dress clothes, and all of them but the two youngest were now standing around the yard, not so much playing as they were moping. Cam sighed. They all looked shell-shocked, and he guessed that was about as close a way to describe them as he could come up with.

Cam glanced around, but everyone was busy making plates and slicing cakes and pouring drinks, so Cam slipped out back and sat on the steps. “Hey,” he said, and they all turned. Smiles quickly appeared and they hurried closer. Cam didn’t know the little ones as well as the older ones, but they seemed just as eager for attention. Cam realized that everyone’s focus was on Ruby at the moment—what she needed, how she was going to get by—but the kids had been a bit forgotten in the mix.

The six of them found places on the steps around him, and Cam spent the next hour or so listening and talking. He made jokes but didn’t try to keep the kids from having the opportunity to talk about what happened or how they felt about it. They seemed happier for the attention, and Cam felt better for having given it.

When the back door opened, they all craned their heads around to find Jackson along with a guy the kids appeared to recognize and Cam was pretty sure worked for the police department. The kids greeted both men and then they wandered off to play in the yard.

Jackson came down a step and then sat next to Cam. “Cam, this is Brian. He’s organizing a group of people who are going to help Ruby out.”

Brian nodded at Cam’s greeting and took a seat on the other side of Cam. “We aren’t trying to make decisions for her or take over her life. We just want to make sure she doesn’t go under, you know?”

Cam nodded. He totally understood. “So what do you need?”

“Well, we think we might have a job for Ruby, but then there’s finding places for the kids while she’s away from home. I know you’ve been spending time with Galen and—”

Cam nodded. “Yeah, and Luanne and Tony. They’re welcome to my place anytime. They got bikes there.”

Brian grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that. When school starts, the bus can drop them there in the afternoon ’til Ruby gets off work. Sound good?”

Cam grinned. “Sounds great. But….”

Brian raised his brows. “But?”

Cam shrugged. “I don’t know how well I’ll do with helping on homework.”

“If they need help, maybe we can get someone to come over and tutor them?”

“Yeah, okay,” Cam agreed. He glanced over to Jackson, who was smiling like Cam had just done the greatest thing in the world. That made Cam smile right back, but when he looked out to the kids as they wandered around the yard, his smile faded. “You know, they are hurting bad and everyone is focused on Ruby. They may need to talk to someone.”

Brian and Jackson turned to stare out into the yard too. “I think you’re right,” Brian said. “I’ll make sure to put that on the list of things they need.” He pulled out a notepad from his pocket and scribbled a note.

“Do they need any bills paid?” Jackson asked.

Brian sighed and looked up from his pad. “The house is paid for, so that makes things easier. We already paid six months on the electric bill, and Matt Gordon and the church are providing food. The Dairy Queen has made a big donation toward the funeral costs. But if Ruby gets a job, that old station wagon is going to need work and gas in the tank in order to get her back and forth.”

“I can do the work,” Cam said.

“I’ll pay for the gas,” Jackson added.

Brian nodded and grinned, then went back to scribbling on his pad. Cam looked out at the kids again and thought of how different it might be if they hadn’t lived in a small town like Hog Mountain where everyone came together and helped each other.

They stayed about an hour more, having a plate of food and chatting with the other visitors. Cam got plenty of claps on the back and numerous mentions of his garage. Several people set up times to bring their car by to be looked at, and when they left, Cam was feeling optimistic about the garage becoming a sustainable business.

The drive home was mostly quiet, both men lost in their thoughts. With Harold dead, Cam didn’t have to worry about testifying against him. He was still instructed not to leave the town and there might be more needed from him, but Cally had disappeared according to what the police were saying, so for the time being, things were quiet. Cam felt like a dark shadow had been wiped away with the removal of Harold from his life.

When they stepped in the front door, they were met by Tommasina, who meowed and rubbed their legs as if they had been gone for days instead of hours. Cam went to check she had food and water, while Jackson turned on lights and got comfortable on the couch.

Cam came back with two glasses of iced tea, which he set down on the coffee table, then started removing his tie and button-up shirt. Jackson had already kicked off his shoes and had his tie draped over the banister to take up when they went. He then began unbuttoning his own shirt, and soon they were both down to just their dress pants.

Cam sat beside Jackson and leaned into him, taking a sip of his tea and enjoying the feel of skin on skin. “I thought about something today, Sheriff.”

“Oh yeah? Just one thing?” Jackson grinned and sipped from his glass.

“You know me and my one-track mind.” Cam winked.

Jackson put an arm around Cam and got comfy, his cast hanging over Cam’s shoulder. “Tell me what you thought.”

Cam looked over into Jackson’s eyes and said, “We’ve never had sex. I mean, you know, like
let me plow your field
kinda sex.”

Jackson laughed, and Cam smirked.

“Well, we’ve both been kinda beat to hell and back,” Jackson said.

“True. But I’m feeling better,” Cam assured him.

Jackson nodded. “I could probably live through it.” He was still smiling.

“You sure, Sheriff? I wouldn’t want to do any permanent damage or anything.” Cam was grinning right back and started unbuckling his pants. He was all in, no matter who was topping. And speaking of which… “Who does who?”

Jackson shrugged. “I usually top, but….”

“Same here,” Cam agreed. “So whoever gives it up needs to be careful, I guess.”

Jackson nodded and stared at Cam as if waiting for him to decide.

“So here’s how I see it going. We do it standing so bones don’t get crushed and bumped.”

Jackson nodded and waited.

“And you plow me like a farmer with a vengeance.”

Jackson laughed and stood. Cam stayed where he was, watching the show as Jackson began removing his dress slacks and underwear. Yeah, the guy was built like a brick shithouse.

“I’m kinda looking forward to this,” Cam said, standing and dropping his own pants to show a hard cock pressing against his own underwear. He kicked off his shoes and pants, then headed for the first-floor bathroom to retrieve lube and condoms.

When Cam returned, Jackson was naked and pumping his cock as he stood near the end of the couch. Jesus, the man was hot. Cam had to stop and simply take in the magnificence that was Jackson Rhodes. All that golden skin and hair, the thick muscles, the equally thick cock with a big bear paw of a hand wrapped around it. Cam dropped his own underwear and joined in the stroke fest. Just thinking of having Jackson pounding into him had his cock ready to burst.

Jackson stepped closer, his focus running the length of Cam’s body, letting Cam know that Jackson was just as pleased with what he saw. They came together in a rush, and Jackson rearranged his grip to take both of their cocks into his hand.

Cam groaned, his hips thrusting of their own accord. “Oh God, Jackson, yeah.” Cam was already deciding that they could do anything else they had planned later. He was happy right where he was.

But then Jackson stopped and took the lube. He pushed Cam toward the armrest of the couch and then stepped behind him, kneeling and spreading the globes of his ass wide.

“Mmmm,” Jackson hummed. Cam had never really worried about if other partners were pleased with his body parts, but with Jackson, it definitely mattered, and it felt good for him to offer even that small bit of approval.

Cam leaned forward and closed his eyes as Jackson placed a lubed finger against his hole. He circled the finger and then pressed until it popped in, sinking slowly and ratcheting up Cam’s excitement. He groaned as the pad of Jackson’s finger put pressure against his prostate.

Jackson pulled back, then pressed in again with two fingers this time. “Yeah, you’re pretty tight.” He sounded out of breath with anticipation.

“Feels good,” Cam assured him, pushing back to meet the thick fingers.

Cam glanced back when Jackson’s ministrations ceased, watching with piqued interest as Jackson rolled on the condom and added some additional lube. When he stood, Cam pushed his ass out in offering, enjoying the feel of at least one of Jackson’s hands clamping down hard on his hip.

“Might be a little awkward with only one hand to guide,” Jackson said, his focus on his cock as the tip touched against Cam’s asshole.

Cam didn’t answer, just closed his eyes and waited. He’d never particularly cared to bottom in the past. It had happened and he’d enjoyed it when it did, but he’d never thought he’d be this excited about getting a guy’s dick inside of him.

Once Jackson had bottomed out inside him, they both held still for a moment. The feeling was incredible, but his need for Jackson was growing exponentially. He finally rocked his hips, eliciting a moan from Jackson but also getting him moving.

After that, it was mostly sounds and feelings and movements, needs and wants and a lot of fulfillment. The couch creaked with each deep thrust, but Cam couldn’t have cared less if it crumbled to bits beneath him, as long as it didn’t put a stop to what was happening at the moment.

When Cam yelled with his release, he heard Jackson huffing at his neck and then a deep inhale as Jackson arched and held himself deep. Cam slumped over the arm of the couch, sweaty and out of breath and totally sated. Jackson came down on top of him and the couch protested.

“Sheriff, this couch can’t take much more. Let’s take this game upstairs.”

“Yeah.” Jackson pulled out, then turned to dispose of the condom.

Cam swiped at the cum on the couch arm, then shrugged and figured he’d deal with it later. He was halfway up the stairs when he heard Jackson’s footsteps on the bottom riser.

Their room was almost fully dark with the thick blanket covering the window. Cam fumbled his way across the room until he felt the edge of the bed, then followed it around to his side. The bed shook as Jackson did the same thing, heading for his own side, and then they were lying next to each other.