Shea slammed the truck door shut. “They’re good people.” And that was all he planned on sayin’.
* * *
After dinner, Shea took Terry and Stacey on a tour of the house and gardens. As luck would have it, a hummingbird hovered over the feeder, and they spotted the owl in the tree. Shea could see Stacey struggling to keep her eyes open and Terry unsuccessfully trying to hide several yawns.
“If you’d like to make it an early night, breakfast starts here nice and early at seven, and afterward we can decide what you’d like to do. We have a new bunch of hatchlings in the chicken coop, and some baby goats, piggies, and bunnies that I know would love some attention. Later in the day you can horseback ride or go swimming in the lake. How does that sound to y’all?”
“Perfect, right, Stacey?”
She nodded.
“And the best thing is, you got plenty of time to enjoy it all. No need to rush and do it all in one day. Do you remember where your rooms are?” he asked, just as Jake opened the front door, holding a glass of whiskey and a bottle of beer. “I can take you, if you’d like.”
“Oh, no need.” Terry took Stacey by the hand. “We’ll ask Patty. I’m sure we can find our way. Good night, Shea, and thank you for everything today.”
He tipped his head. “Night, Miss Terry. My pleasure.” He bent down to Stacey. “Night, my little Rose of Texas. You sleep good now, y’hear?”
The intensity of her gaze startled him, and he knew he’d give almost anything to find out what had hurt her so.
After they left, Jake handed him the beer.
“Thanks.”
They sat on the porch swing, listening to the crickets’ chirping rise and fall around them. An owl hooted, and in the distance he heard the whinnying of a horse.
Eventually, Jake broke the silence. “How come you never mentioned you owned the ranch? Although I feel pretty stupid now that I think of it, not putting it together that Patty was the same asyourAunty Patty you told me about.”
“It’s no big deal. You have lots on your shoulders.” Shea drank a good portion of the beer. “It didn’t come up. Why does it matter?”
“It doesn’t. That’s why I don’t understand why you’ve been keeping it from me.”
Shea stared out into the night. “From when I was little, I knew I’d be taking over for my father. It was us working together, side by side. Once I started modeling, somethin’ changed, and I thought I didn’t want to do just this the rest of my life. Don’t get me wrong. I love living here, but I want to experience more.”
“Hence wanting to move to New York.” Jake set his now empty glass on a side table. “I can understand. But you’ll think I’m strange, as it’s the exact opposite for me. Maybe it’s a case of the grass is always greener, but I swear I feel my blood pressure lowering as I walk around the grounds here. When you drove up, it was almost like a homecoming.”
Shea drained his bottle. “I’m glad. I want you to be comfortable.” He held out his hand. “Take a walk with me?”
Hand in hand, they took a trail leading away from the ranch house. Jake glanced around him nervously as they walked toward the barn.
“We’re not going horseback riding?”
“Now simmer down. I’m doing the riding.” He brought Jake over to one of the ATVs, and chuckling, climbed inside. “This okay with you?”
“Good thing you’re cute.” Jake settled into the seat behind him and buckled his seat belt.
They took off, and in less than ten minutes, reached the cabin. During the week, Shea had readied the little house for Jake’s arrival. The bed was freshly made, and the fridge was stocked with beer and Jake’s favorite whiskey.
Shea closed the door and pushed Jake against it. “I figured, the first night I’d want you here all to myself. Besides, I don’t need anyone hearing you screaming my name.”
Jake snorted, but before he could reply with his usual dry wit, Shea’s mouth hit his, and Jake immediately softened under him. Shea had thought of nothing but this first kiss together for the past month, and now that Jake was here, he couldn’t stop running his hands over his firm-muscled torso and plunging his tongue into Jake’s mouth. Jake sucked it, and Shea moaned.
“Every night I thought ’bout you. How you taste and feel. So fucking perfect. Yeah. You’re perfect. I’m sayin’ it. Ain’t no getting better than this.” His fingers ripped at the fly of Jake’s shorts, unzipped them, then tugged his T-shirt up and over Jake’s head.
Glittering green eyes met his, and Shea sucked in his breath at the desire blazing there. He’d never felt as wanted. As needed. Time for Jake to know how much he needed him too.
Jake slid to the floor and tugged off Shea’s boots and socks. To have a man like Jake, so strong and powerful in his professional life, on his knees in front of him was unexpected and a huge fucking turn-on. Shea’s fingers fumbled as he pulled at the zipper of his own jeans and pushed them, along with his briefs, past his hips. Already hard, he held himself.
“You want me?”
