“Look at him.” Beau reached out and the pup staggered right over and plopped into Beau’s arms.
“He’s a true blue butthead.” Sammy scooped up little Lily, nuzzled her. “This is the new girl baby we’re keeping.”
“She’s a lover-girl.” Beau rubbed the boy’s ears. “This one will be Boudreaux.”
Sam beamed. He’d picked right. Hot damn. “Lily. Her name’s Lily.”
“Lily and Boudreaux. I like it.”
“Yeah.” Boudreaux was drooping and Lily wanting her momma and her brothers and sisters. “Six girls and four boys. Not bad.”
“Not bad at all. Last litter was only five in all.”
“I know, and she did okay. Doc says we need to retire her, though.”
“He does, huh? Well, she deserves it. She’s gonna be the best granny ever.” Beau laughed. “‘Cept mine.”
“Shit. Your granny’s pure magic.” They stood together a second, then went to love on the other dogs, giving scritches and snuggles.
Buford ended up coming to the house with them, so insistent that they couldn’t leave him in his pen. Silly bastard settled right on the couch, too. Beau was still chattering about his granny, about how she’d better have left all the gumbo stuff around. Sam tossed the gear in the mud room, stripped off his T-shirt, then leaned against the door frame, staring at his Boug.
“Home.” Beau grinned at Sam, hands in his pocket, rocking back and forth on his boots.
“Uh-huh. Looking good, babe.” Real good.
“You, too.” Beau gave him an appreciative once over, and he puffed up a little. He felt good, the bruises finally gone.
“You hungry?” He could make burgers, although he was sorta rooting for his Boug to cook for him later.
“I’m okay.” Beau was moving, coming closer, hands reaching for him.
“You’re better than okay.” His Boug was on a roll. He couldn’t not move into those hands.
“I am.” The smile grew, and Beau’s hands landed on his chest, those strong fingers tugging at the hair there.
“Hey…that’s cheating.” It brought him right up into Beau’s arms.
“Why? I swear, I about killed Dillon when he almost convinced you to wax.”
That tickled the living shit out of him. “You don’t want me smooth like Joa?”
“Shit, no.” Beau paused a moment, eyes crossing a little. “No.”
Sam started chuckling. “I do love me a Cajun man.”
“Yeah, yeah. Joa’s pretty and all, but you’re it for me, Poot.” Beau kissed him, proving the words with the actions.
He dragged Beau in close, rubbing all up in Beau’s business.
“Mmm. God, I’m glad we’re home.”
“Yessir. Good to have you. Our bed. Our dogs.” Them.
“You know it. Speaking of bed…” One of Beau’s eyebrows went up and down, suggestive as hell.
“You think it’s still where you left it?” He couldn’t help but tease.
“I sure hope so. You wouldn’t get rid of anything so good for your back.” Oh, Beau knew him too well.
