Beauheld Ethan close, Ethan’s back crushed against his chest with Beau’s arm curledbeneath Ethan’s head. They had fallen asleep like that, had been like that forhours and it wasn’t until Ethan began thrashing that Beau had awakened. Atfirst he’d been confused about where he was. Then when he heard Ethan’spanicked voice, his guttural scream, Beau had been brought from his sleepystupor and right into reality.
Ethanhad been having a nightmare. A terrible one if Beau had to guess. Even now, hewondered if Ethan would even try to go to sleep after that. Neither of themwere moving and Beau wasn’t going to let him go if he didn’t have to, so he’dbe happy to lay there for hours, awake, watching over him. He wanted to protectEthan, even from himself and if that meant he had to stay awake so that Ethancould get some rest, it was what he was going to do.
Hisoffer to listen had been accepted exactly the way he expected. Ethan wasn’tgoing to talk. Maybe not ever, but Beau wanted him to know he was there. Hewould always be there. For as long as Ethan would have him.
Ethanshifted, reaching across the mattress and Beau had to loosen his hold briefly.When he realized Ethan was reaching for the nightstand, a shiver of awarenessraced down his spine.
“Turnover,” Ethan said, his voice much steadier than minutes before.
Beauwatched him carefully for a moment before turning over onto his stomach, hishead turned so that he could watch Ethan. He kept him in his sights as Ethanrolled a condom over himself before grabbing the bottle of lube that stillremained on the bedside table. It was clear what Ethan’s intentions were, and ifthis was what he needed, Beau would give it to him. Not that he thought itwould help, but if anything, it would allow Beau to feel closer to him. And hehoped Ethan would feel the same.
WhenEthan eased over him, his slick cock sliding between his ass cheeks, Beau’sbody hummed to life. The heavy weight of Ethan was like a blanket surroundinghim and Beau welcomed the skin to skin contact. Ethan’s chest was damp fromsweat as he lay against him.
Neitherof them spoke, nothing to be said, but Beau felt every emotion Ethan locked upinside as he slid his cock inside of him, slowly. Ever so slowly.
Beaugripped Ethan’s wrists when he propped himself over him, holding on to himwhile Ethan began a slow glide and retreat. He turned his head when Ethan camecloser, trying to find his mouth in the darkness. When their tongues met, Beaupushed up so that he could have better access, Ethan’s fingers linking with hisas he continued to bury himself deeper.
AsEthan found solace in Beau’s body, he found solace in the fact that Ethan was reachingout to him, needing him. Ethan might never be able to tell Beau what he needed,but Beau knew. Words weren’t the only way to be heard. And Beau heard Ethanloud and clear. This man might keep himself isolated, but his heart beat likeeveryone else’s.
“Beau,”Ethan whispered softly, his breath fanning over Beau’s lips.
“I’mhere, E.”Always here.Beau left off the last words, but he prayed thatEthan knew that already.
Nothingelse was said aloud from that moment on, but for a long time, their bodiesspoke to one another. It was a give and take, both of them seeking what theother was offering, taking what was needed.
Andin those moments, Beau realized he would never be able to walk away from thisman. Not without having his heart shattered into a million jagged pieces.
Somewherealong the way, as he ventured down the winding, bumpy path that led him toEthan, Beau had fallen in love.
Chapter Twenty Six
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“Goddammit!”Ethan roared, throwing the wrench at the metal wall of the shop before stompingoff. He had just spent the entire fucking morning working on Brendon’s goddamntruck, and for the life of him, he couldn’t get it to start.
Itwas his own fault he knew. He couldn’t concentrate.
“Hey!”Beau hollered from the other side of the shop, his body rising up from wherehe’d been perched beneath one of the trucks they got in just that morningneeding routine maintenance.
Ethanignored Beau’s attempt to get his attention. He knew he just slipped pastpissed off and into riled up territory, but he couldn’t help it. Withoutresponding to Beau, Ethan merely stormed into his office and slammed the doorbehind him. Shit, he was surprised the damn office even had a door. He waspretty sure it’d never been closed before.
Droppinginto his chair, Ethan stared down at his cluttered desk, sliding his hands intohis hair and pulling hard. He had to focus, had to stop thinking about thatfucking nightmare, but every time he closed his eyes, there he was, right backby the lake, Jimmy beating him until he couldn’t even think through the pain.And Gavin… Gavin had stood there watching, never trying to help.
Thedoor was pushed open moments later, but Ethan didn’t look up when he said,“Ever think of knocking?”
Sure,he knew he was being an ass, but he couldn’t shake it. He was being pulled inall directions, remembering the fight at Moonshiners, the fucked up nightmarethat had resurfaced, and of course, these feelings he’d developed for Beau butwanted nothing to do with.
Ethanfinally looked up, realizing Beau hadn’t answered him. What he saw was a manwho obviously wasn’t interested in putting up with Ethan’s shit. Not that hecould blame him. His mood sucked.
Theguy was a goddamn saint, and even that pissed Ethan off.
“Youcan’t fix this, so don’t even bother to try,” Ethan grumbled, leaning back inhis chair and closing his eyes. A few seconds later, he opened them when heheard the click of the door closing, thinking Beau had vacated the room only tofind him still staring back at him.
Haulinghimself up out of his chair, Ethan tried to move past Beau, but couldn’t. Theman was the equivalent of a brick wall.
“Fuckingmove,” Ethan barked, not even attempting to sound polite.
Justwhen he thought Beau couldn’t shock him into submission, he found himselfturned around, facing the wall with Beau pressed up against him much like hehad the night before when Ethan had had a similar meltdown.
