He felt Saxon’s chuckle seeping into his skin along with the body heat the man was throwing off. A hug? Jesus, when was the last time someone had hugged him? Holy fuck, he’d forgotten how awesome hugs could be. He sank back against Saxon’s chest, allowing him to take most of his weight. Saxon’s chin rested on his shoulder, slight puffs of air from Saxon’s breath raising goosebumps along his skin.
“Now you’re getting it.”
Against him, he could feel Saxon breathing four square just like he had been doing. His body decided it quite liked the feel of how steadying it was to have someone doing what it needed to do, and he synchronized his breathing with Saxon’s.
“See, hugs are awesome.”
Rick’s hand came up to grip Saxon’s forearm where it rested on his chest. “I didn’t see you as the hug type.”
“I’m not.” Saxon whispered in his ear. “Don’t tell the others or I’m gonna have to start charging a fee for hugs.”
He could feel the humor bubbling in his belly, where just a few seconds before there had been the churning mass of hurt. “Idiot.”
“Pretty much.”
His brain finally slowed enough that he could sense the upset and disbelief he’d felt in the war-room burn away. It was time to get back in there and figure this shit out. “I’m good.”
“Another second or two.”
“M’kay.” Rick’s eyes closed.Don’t get used to this.But warning himself to be careful… Yeah, that shit wasn’t working. Saxon had always ticked all his boxes. But now with this caring side of him showing… he was screwed.
Finally, a thump on the war-room door told them their time was up. Saxon’s arms tightened for a second before dropping from his chest. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” He didn’t know why he did it… didn’t care either, but he leaned up the scant two inches that separated them and planted a kiss on Saxon’s chin. “Thank you.”
Even though Saxon’s facial expression didn’t change, the slight softening in his eyes told him the other man was pleased he’d done it. Making a mental note to do it again, he followed Saxon back to the war-room.
* * *
When they entered,the big screen they used for video conferences showed a man in field camo with no patches. From the color of the camo, Saxon could tell he was American. His accent when the man spoke confirmed it.
“What I am saying is all our sources say the ‘Ndrangheta haven’t figured who took him from them, yet. We are trying to avoid that as long as…”
Saxon tilted his head to one side to study the man on the screen. The man’s voice trailed off as he noticed them enter the room. His eyes skimmed over Saxon before moving to Rick and checking him over, and then giving what looked like a nod.
Fucker.
Shut it.
What the hell?
Saxon didn’t like the feeling the man’s scrutiny of Rick gave him. It almost seemed as if the man on screen approved of what he saw when he looked at Rick. Was this jealousy? Argh. Nope, it couldn’t be. Maybe it was one of those emotions the others in relationships spoke about. He couldn’t be sure of anything, except it wasn’t something he’d ever, ever felt before. He wouldn’t know jealousy if it turned around and bit him in the ass. His relationship rules were clear. He never gave a fuck long enough to get jealous.
“It’s good to see you are well,” the man on the screen said.
“I’m like a cat.” Rick nudged Saxon forward and went back to the chair he had used earlier. “I have nine lives.”
“Thank fuck.”
“Aww, Boss, did you miss me?” Rick grinned at the man on the screen.
Wait!
This is his boss?
Well, didn’t he feel like a dumbass for trying to figure out how he could turn the screen off without Noble or Max shooting him, so the asshole would stop staring at Rick.
“Are we secure?” Rick looked at Max for confirmation.
