FiguringEthan would either give up or get more defensive, Beau decided to leave thedecision to him. Releasing his wrists, he started to move back, but before hecould get out of Ethan’s personal space, he was being pulled back. Ethan’shands were in his hair, pulling him close, sending shards of pleasure/painbolting through his scalp. He didn’t even have time to inhale before Ethan’smouth was on his, his tongue plunging in deep and hard.
Beaulet Ethan control the kiss, didn’t use his hands to touch him in returnalthough he wanted to. If he had his way, he’d strip Ethan bare right there inthe middle of the shop and drop to his knees and suck him deep into his mouth.Then he’d turn him around and fuck him until they were both wild with lust.Because yes, Beau had never been so eager to know what it felt like to beconsumed by Ethan completely.
“Myhouse,” Ethan moaned against his lips a few seconds later.
Beaucontemplated the idea for a minute. He wanted nothing more than to go toEthan’s house, hide away for the night and steal several hours of alone time.Hell, it was all he’d been able to think about. But, for some reason, he didn’tthink that was the most brilliant plan. Allowing Ethan to turn this intonothing more than a casual sexual encounter wasn’t going to get them where Beauhoped they’d be.
“Notjust yet,” Beau said softly. “I’ve got to meet Zane. And I want you to comewith me. It’s just to Moonshiners.” Before Ethan could argue, Beau put his handup to silence him. “We don’t have to be obvious, but I’m not going to let youhide from everyone. One beer, that’s all I ask.”
Beauthought for sure Ethan was going to say no. In fact, the silence that lingeredbetween them for long, agonizing seconds had sparked the disappointment in hisgut. And then, before he could say anything more, Ethan nodded his head.
“Onebeer. I’ve got to go home and shower first. I’ll meet you there.”
Beaustudied Ethan for a moment, wondering if he was just agreeing in order toplacate him. Even if he was, Beau had to trust him this go round. If he didn’tshow up, Beau would be at his doorstep, and they’d hash it out then.
Beaunodded his head in agreement, placing another gentle kiss on Ethan’s lips.
“I’mgonna head home and shower too. I’ll see you there.” Without waiting for Ethanto respond, Beau turned away. He only stopped when Ethan’s strong hand circledhis bicep.
“Packa bag,” Ethan said with a wicked grin. “I expect you to stay at my housetonight. And this time you won’t have the option of walking away.”
Beausmiled back, realizing exactly what Ethan was saying. If he didn’t intend toshow up, he wouldn’t have made plans for after.
Fornow, he was going to celebrate this very small victory.
Chapter Twenty
??
WhenEthan stepped into Moonshiners a solid hour later, he was wondering what thehell he’d been thinking when he agreed to this. The only positive was that itappeared it was a Walker reunion. Despite his opposition to calling negativeattention to his family, Ethan still felt more comfortable when they werearound. They were his family, and family was like a security blanket of sorts.
Allof his brothers and their significant others were there. Even his cousin Jaredhad graced them with his presence. Had Beau known they’d be there? Was that whyhe suggested they come?
“Hey,Mack,” he greeted the bartender as he approached the bar. “Can I get aHeineken?”
“Comingup, E.”
Whilehe waited for Mack to pass along his beer, he took inventory of those who werein the small bar, other than his brothers. Luckily, aside from his familymembers taking up half the available space, the place was relatively empty fora Tuesday. And it didn’t slip past him that Beau wasn’t there yet.
“Hereyou go,” Mack said as he passed the beer over.
“Thanks,add it to my tab?”
“Alreadydone.”
Witha simple nod, Ethan headed toward the back where the pool tables took up mostof the space. And where the two felt-covered tables weren’t sitting, hisbrothers were.
Therewas a round of greetings from his brothers and Jared, a couple of hugs fromtheir wives. When everyone went back to what they were doing, Ethan joinedKaleb and Zoey sitting at one of the tables beside the pool table that Travisand Gage were at.
“Hey,”Zoey greeted with a giant grin.
“Hey,back. Where’s Mason?” he asked, referring to his nephew.
Ifit were possible, Zoey’s face lit up even more. “He’s with Lorrie and Curtis.They wanted some alone time with him tonight.”
Ethancouldn’t say he blamed them. He had been meaning to stop by to see the littleguy. For the first month after Mason came home from the hospital, Ethan hadmade a point to go by at least once a week. When he finally felt as though he’dworn out his welcome, he had cut his visits back. Now he was going throughwithdrawals.
“Whenare you gonna stop by and see him?” Kaleb asked, motioning toward the emptychair near the wall before tipping his beer bottle to his lips.
