Butthat wasn’t the only thing Ethan noticed as he stood so close to Beau. How wasit the guy could still smell so damn good when he spent the day rummagingaround in a greasy engine? His scent was potent; a fresh clean smellinterspersed with that sexy cologne he wore and a hint of engine grease.
“Well,I know it damn sure wasn’t because you were defending my honor.” Ethan laughedwithout mirth, remembering why he was standing so close as he pulled out ofBeau’s grasp.
Attractionor not, he damn sure didn’t like the idea of Beau coming to his rescue. Hedidn’t need anyone fighting his battles for him.
“Well,I hate to disappoint you, but that’s just who I am,” Beau said, turning awayfrom him.
“No,uh-uh,” Ethan growled, grabbing Beau the same way he had him seconds before. “Don’tyou dare walk away from me.”
Temperswere high, evident when Beau took a step closer, coming nearly nose to nosewith Ethan again and forcing him back against the door of his own truck.
“Why?”Beau inquired. “You want me to stand here so you can tell me to mind my ownbusiness?”
Yes.That was exactly what he wanted to tell Beau.
Agust of wind whipped around them, a chill racing down Ethan’s spine. He wasn’tsure whether he was more affected by the cold bite of the air or the glaciallook in Beau’s eyes.
“Youcan’t fight my battles,” Ethan said forcefully, trying to grab hold of the lastremnants of his control. He tried to ignore the flex of Beau’s arm beneath hishand, or the intensely sexy scent of that cologne Beau favored. Or the factthat they were nearly chest to chest.
Hedamn sure wasn’t interested in letting Beau see how fucking hot he made him.Not to mention, he didn’t want to fight with Beau. Hell, he didn’t want to talkto Beau period. He was here as a favor to Zane. That was the only reason hewould’ve signed up for this shit.
“Thatwasn’t your battle to fight,” Beau said seriously. “But I can tell you onething…” Beau shoved his finger in Ethan’s chest, and the simple pressure hadEthan sucking in a breath, and it wasn’t because it hurt. No, quite theopposite. “I won’t stand back and let anyone talk shit about those I careabout.”
Ethanreleased Beau’s arm and shoved the hand stabbing at him away. Hard. He wasn’tgoing to stand there and listen to Beau spout bullshit about caring about him.He might want to fuck him, but that was about all there was to this.
“I’mnot your business,” Ethan said lethally.
Beaudidn’t move an inch, but Ethan felt as though he were pressed fully up againsthim. The heat from his colossal body somehow forced away the icy Februarybreeze and warmed him from the inside out.
Nota good thing.
“Iwant you to be my business.”
Ethanshook his head. “You don’t know what you want. If you’re smart, you’ll stay asfar away from me as possible.”
Hehad wanted to warn the man off of him for too long. Now that he had theopportunity, Ethan almost wished he could take the words back. Only they werethe truth. Beau deserved better than what Ethan had to offer him or any man forthat matter. It was hard enough to engage in relationships that were strictlysexual in nature, but that’s all Ethan had to offer. That was all he wanted tooffer.
Beforehe could say anything more, Beau was closer, the warmth of his chest seepingthrough the thin layers of cotton that separated them.
“Iknow exactly what I want. And you’d be smart to give in because I can tell you,I don’t have any intentions of giving up.”
Andjust like that, Beau’s warmth disappeared as he took a step back. Ethan wasgearing up to give Beau a piece of his mind when a truck door slammed, andEthan jerked to see who it was. Beau growled, low and intimidating. SomethingEthan had gotten familiar with. It was Beau’s possessive response he’d noticed.And, damn it all to hell, he liked the sound way too much.
“Sonof a bitch,” Ethan groaned, his eyes locking with Blake’s over the hood of thewrecker.
“Whatthe hell is he doing here?” Beau growled from behind him, the deep, gravellysound of his voice causing an influx of heat to build inside of Ethan.
“Hedoesn’t know when to give up,” Ethan muttered as he walked away from Beau.“What do you want, Blake? I’ve got shit to do today. I don’t have time forthis.”
“Butyou have time forhim?” Blake asked, his green eyes narrowed to slits ashe stared past him at Beau.
Theguy looked like shit. And that was saying something because Blake had alwayslooked good. Always put together. A metrosexual, Ethan thought they werecalled, Blake was known for his attention to detail when it came to hisappearance.
Nottoday. Blake’s scruffy beard made Ethan’s normal disregard to his appearancelook stylish. His dark hair was a mess, obviously not combed that morning. Hislong-sleeved, navy blue Henley shirt was wrinkled and untucked and as Ethanmoved around the truck, he noticed that one of Blake’s pants legs was tuckedinto his boot as though he’d gotten dressed in the dark.
“Thisis work, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Thehell it is.” Blake’s anger seemed out of place, especially since Blake hadinsisted on having the last word two weeks ago. “Work would be dumping thatshit off. What I saw when I pulled up wasn’t work.”
