The preacher flinched as if the words struck him like his father. “I would never be a husband to a wife. Men like me are meant to stay devout to the Lord, to dedicate our lives to Him—”
Oh, Laurie donned scripture like a suit of armor against the thoughts, the touch, thefeelingsDecker knew he’d brought to life inside of him.
“So, you will stay as you are. Andwewill stay as we are.” Decker yanked on his river-soaked boots. “Neighbors.”
“Neighbors?”
“Neighbors. Maybe friends, if we survive this.” Decker straightened. “But if you ever tell me what you want from me again, I will be as true to my promise as God casting them out from the garden. You will not survive if I feed from you and I’ll be glad to be rid of you.”
“You think I’m a coward for keeping part of me hidden yet you only feed when you’re near death. You keep no company with others like you. You masquerade as human when you are the furthest thing from us. We are not so different,” Laurie whispered.
Decker’s footsteps towards the door slowed. “I still indulge. I know the feeling of giving into my desires. Do you?” He cast a look back.
Laurie’s lips flattened into a thin, stubborn line, and he had no answer.
He didn’t ask him to stay.
So Decker didn’t.
