Real World, page 16
part #2 of Love is Blind Series
“How did Caleb like the beach?” Dan knew Randi and Grainger had been over the moon about the trip.
Weldon grimaced, wincing a little. “He did okay. It was a little overwhelming—all the water and the people and then Em told him about jellyfish. He won’t even eat PB&Js anymore.”
“Oh, man. That sucks. Peanut butter and jelly is a mainstay.”
“Yeah. Right now he’s settling for peanut butter and banana. I swear, he’s scared of everything. I don’t remember the other ones doing this….” Weldon stopped, turned bright red. “And you don’t need to hear all about the kids. I’m sorry.”
Dan snorted. “I spend at least one day a week on the couch with Randi letting her paint my toenails, Weldon. I am unafraid of kid tales.”
After their little talk, they’d become pals, he thought. He’d gone to Dix and read his big brother the riot act. Both Audie and Dix had instituted Daddy Days. Every week, they had one-on-one time. Made him a little proud, that he was a part of it.
“Oh, man. I thank God daily that Maddie is old enough to teach the younger two girls about that.”
“Like I told Randi, I have numerous girl cousins. I am an expert.” Dan winked. “Should we get dessert? They have apple stuff.”
“You want to share? I’m pretty full. Or, if you want, I got a cherry pie from the HEB at home, good coffee….”
“I like it.” Weldon always had Reddi Whip, too. “I love how you think.”
“I think that we have a couple days where there’s no one else around so we can scratch an itch.”
Dan looked right into Weldon’s eyes. “I’m in if you’re really okay with it. I don’t want to go months without seeing you again.”
“No. I don’t either. I reckon you didn’t forget about my kids over the last few, so we’re good.”
“Thank God.” He paid the bill because he was ready to head out. They got their leftovers in boxes and damned if his whole body wasn’t alight with anticipation.
“Follow me, honey, and we’ll do things that frighten fish.”
“I am on your ass like white on rice.” Dan couldn’t wait. This he knew he was good at.
They drove out to Weldon’s place, the menagerie of animals seeming bigger than he remembered. Was that a zebra? He hopped out of the truck, eyes as big as saucers.
“Weldon? Is that a zebra in your pasture?”
“Yeah. I did some work for these folks in Wimberley and they paid me in zebra and kangaroos.”
“Kanga….”
“Uh-huh. I put them in the dog run along with the fawn Emma found a couple weeks ago. She’s bottle feeding them. Well, not the zebra. He’s not particularly friendly yet. Kenzie’s decided he’s hers.”
“They kick.” Or so he’d heard. “How do you pay someone in zebras?”
Weldon chuckled. “They go for three thousand a head.”
“Oh.” Lord, Weldon was a softy. “I’ve never met a man like you, Weldon.”
“I hear that a lot. I’m comfortable with it.”
Weldon’s smile drew him in, and Dan realized no one was around to protest if he kissed Weldon right there in the yard. Who would object? The zebra? The ostrich?
Fuck the livestock. They might learn something.
Dan laughed for sheer joy. Weldon was in his arms and kissing him back madly, just giving him everything gift wrapped in a tight little package.
Oh, he needed to unwrap that. Dan steered Weldon toward the house, knowing it would be unlocked.
“Mmm. You still taste just right.”
The words served to make him more than a little goofy. Dan licked his lips, savoring the taste of Weldon. “Better than cherry pie.”
“Uh-huh.” They stumbled up the stairs, managing to put the leftover boxes up where the dogs couldn’t get them before Weldon led him back toward the bedroom.
They shed clothes like crazy, both of the naked by the time they tumbled to the bed. Oh, skin on skin. Finally.
“Jesus, I want you.” Weldon climbed on top of Dan, rubbing on him like they were looking to make fire.
“Good.” He grabbed both of Weldon’s ass cheeks, squeezing. “I want you right back.”
He had to hear Weldon scream, feel Weldon shoot. Those things were more important than his own pleasure. Not that he was gonna turn down the best orgasms a man could imagine. Weldon’s skin burned, and Dan swore he could feel every single hair on the flat belly.
He stroked up and down Weldon’s back, his hands tingling. Weldon made him feel like superman. Like there wasn’t anyone else that was in the man’s head.
There’d better not be.
Dan pushed his tongue into Weldon’s mouth when their lips met again, panting with the way his cock rubbed Weldon’s skin, and when Weldon began to suck on it, he damn near lost it.
They battled through the kiss, their bodies finding a rhythm. He had a feeling there would be round one, where they combusted, then another, slower fuck.
Shit, they had a couple days. They could have all the orgasms. He nibbled at Weldon’s lower lip, the thought calming him some.
“Mmm. Hungry? Still?” Weldon’s voice was pure tease, sexy kitty and laughing.
“Different appetite, babe. This one is still huge.”
Weldon grabbed his cock, squeezing him good and hard.
“Uhn.” His back arched his cock jumping at Weldon’s touch. “More, babe. Been missing you so bad.”
“Good. I’d hate to be alone in that.”
“Never.” He pinched one of Weldon’s nipples, knowing it would make the man crazy.
“Dan.” Weldon slammed down onto him, tongue fucking his lips, really giving him friction everywhere. That was what he wanted, heat and teeth and the knowledge that he could take what he desired.
His caveman brain whispered, “Mine,” and he pulled Weldon up against his chest, scraping Weldon’s neck with his bristly chin.
“Damn.” The wet kiss of Weldon’s cock on his thigh answered the “how do you feel about beards” question.
He loved that Weldon liked to feel all the things, to experience every sensation they could create, and more than that, he….
“Stop thinking, honey. This is about the good stuff.”
“You always tell me that.” He had to laugh, though, because it was true.
“I probably always will.” Weldon winked at him, playful as hell and he only had the barest chance to process that word, “always.”
Longing shot through him, but that hand on his cock didn’t allow much rumination. No, he had to hump against it, push toward the ultimate pleasure. Weldon gave him all that strength, every one of those woodworker calluses. Dan’s toes curled, pleasure flooding him.
“Come on, honey. I want to see you come. It gets me so hot, knowing I did that to you.”
His eyes flew open, his gaze snapping to Weldon’s, bright blue staring into him. Weldon seemed to see right through everything, deep into the heart of him.
Dan groaned, his seed spurting from him, his cock jerking while his body danced. Weldon immediately eased back, gentled his touch. Good man. Too much and he wouldn’t be able to go again, becoming too sensitized.
Weldon lifted one hand to his lips, lapping Dan’s spunk off his fingers.
“Oh, God.” Dan stared, just stunned into speechlessness. He really was lost here. Totally in love.
Weldon grabbed his own cock and gave him the best sort of show—tugging off, sucking Dan’s come off his fingers, gaze fastened to his.
“That’s it, babe. Show me how good you feel.” He could just watch for a moment, enjoy the feel of Weldon’s ass, rubbing on his thighs.
Then Dan had to touch. He made it maybe a minute. Definitely not two. He slid his hands up Weldon’s fuzzy thighs, smiling as Weldon squeezed, working the tip of that fat cock.
“You’re so damned pretty, all golden and strong,” Dan told Weldon. “I love to look at you.”
Oh, look at that blush. Had no one ever told Weldon that? Ever?
Dan flicked the tip of Weldon’s cock. “I mean it.”
“Dan!” Weldon arched, the tiny body bowing like a dream. “Fuck!”
“Yes. Lord. Oh, babe. I want to see you come, too.”
“Just need. One more time.”
Dan knew exactly what Weldon wanted, so he gave it, rubbing the tip of Weldon’s cock good and hard. Seed sprayed over his belly, his chest, painting his skin with Weldon’s need.
Every moment was etched on his memory, and he took it all in, then rubbed the come into his skin. Weldon was going to be the death of him, and it was totally worth it.
His lover leaned down against him, resting them together, both of them breathing hard. “Wow.”
“Definitely wow.” They’d gotten a bit noisy, but no kids were traumatized, so Dan was pretty fucking happy.
He wanted to do it again.
Soon.
He tugged Weldon up for a kiss. “So, do we put the pie in the oven or do we just stop pretending this isn’t dessert?”
“The pie will keep, honey. I promise.”
“Oh, good. I don’t want to leave this spot until I have to. Or maybe for shower sex.”
“I like slick soapy sex.” Weldon kissed his shoulder.
“I do, too.” Dan cupped his palm to Weldon’s cheek. “I really like you, babe. Seriously.”
“Maybe next time you don’t stay away so long, huh?”
“Yeah.” Dan stroked Weldon’s back. “I don’t think I can.”
Weldon kissed the hollow of his throat, and he felt that touch echoing deep inside. This was something Dan needed to stop fighting. Something he couldn’t deny.
Something he didn’t really want to.
18
Weldon had never made margaritas naked before. They’d decided on leftovers instead of pie, and coffee just didn’t go.
Frozen margaritas seemed like the thing. Especially since they didn’t have sweet and sour but he had frozen limeade.
Dan peered over his shoulder. “What happened to the lid for the blender?”
“Maddie used it as a dish to feed the chickens and one of the goats got it.” He had an aluminum pie plate that worked pretty well.
“Wow. I thought Audie and Randi improvised a lot.” Dan patted his butt, which made him laugh. “I like nakedness in the kitchen.”
“It’s rare enough that it feels naughty. My kids have an embarrassing amount of unsupervised time, especially when I’m on the job.” He leaned back into the touch, almost losing the pie plate. “Mel watches the smaller two, but Emma’s decided she’s too big for Granny-sitting.”
“Yeah? She and Randi can be… challenging.” Dan chuckled, breath warm on his neck.
“Challenging. That’s a polite way to say Death on a Horse.” He teased, but he had faith. One day those girls would take over the universe, no question.
“They’ll use it for good at some point.” Dan sounded so sure.
“I think they will. Good or huge profit. Maybe both.” He could support that.
“Yeah. You could retire.” Dan slapped a hand over the pan covering the blender when it tried to go on him.
“Good catch!” He had an icy blob of lime and tequila sliding down his chest, threatening a nipple.
“Mmm.” Dan caught the drip with the fingers of his free hand, licking it clean. “Whoa. Lime.”
“Uh-huh.” He told his nipple to stop it. Now was for booze and possibly naked butts on the fake fur blanket on the sofa.
Dan snapped finger and thumb against his skin. “Look at that little hard bit.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He went for innocent, which worked about as well as it did for Emma.
“No?” Dan took said nipple between his fingers and pinched it, making Weldon rise up on tiptoe. This was definitely naughty.
“You be good now.” It felt a little weird, having someone pinch and play in the kitchen. A little weird, a lot bad dog. Weldon thought he might try it again with Dan someday.
“Oh, if that’s what you want….” Dan grabbed two glasses so Weldon could pour.
He ran his freezing cold fingers over Dan’s butt, proving what he wanted.
“Damn!” Dan jumped, laughing like a loon. “Cold, babe.”
“It’s got ice.”
They poured out and headed to the couch, settling in a pile of comforters. Most of the winter covers were either washed and folded or already out in the yard for dog blankets. These were the last holdouts for the central Texas winter.
“Movie? Bar Rescue?” Dan leaned against him, squishing him for a moment.
“Is it wrong that I love that stupid show? I keep waiting for Jon Taffer to deck someone.”
“He does seem like a tough old bull.” Dan grabbed his hand, and the tiny luxury of holding on made his heart skip a bit.
He leaned and clicked through the ten thousand kids’ shows to find Bar Rescue. “I never worked in food service or bars, but it sounds like damn hard work.”
“I guess, yeah. I never had to pull KP, you know?” Dan played with his knuckles.
“No? What did you do?” Audie’d told him that he did mostly training, but he wanted to know what Dan thought. He tended to explain what he did in a whole different way.
“I was a training officer. I worked with various airborne units and infantry units to coordinate air and land procedures. Basically I did a lot of logistics and made a lot of people redundant.” Dan shook his head. “Try making that sound important on a resume.”
“So you organized folks. That’s pretty cool. I suck at that. I just want to make things, you know? Me and my workshop.” He wasn’t ashamed of it, either. He loved his job.
“Yeah. I’m okay with details, but I’m really better at herding cats.”
“I get enough of that with the kiddos, to be honest.” Herding cats, nailing Jell-O to a tree—he’d used all the things you said to mean, “Oh my God, raising kids is a bitch”.
“I can see that. I’ve been spending more time with Randi and Grainger both. They’re amazing, but logic? Not coming into play.”
“Yeah. That takes time. Jakob thinks about things and so does Maddie, but the rest? Not yet.”
“They’re worse than a host of new recruits. I kinda like it.” Dan’s cheeks pinked, and Weldon wondered if he felt a little guilty for liking kids after telling Weldon he didn’t want to deal.
“I can’t say I’m sorry.” At Dan’s look, Weldon shrugged. “I like you a lot. I want you to like my kids.”
“I feel like a dick, you know?” Dan grabbed the remote and set it aside so he could to face Weldon more. “I’m just—I feel totally unmoored, and I want to be fair to everyone.”
“So we’ll be fair. I want to be fair to us, though. The possibility of us.”
“I can totally live with that.” Dan dropped a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you for taking another chance.”
“You’re the one who called.” Weldon took another kiss, this one going deeper. “My hero.”
“Mmm. We can both be heroes. I might need to get you a new blender.”
“You think?” He clinked their glasses together, then started chuckling. The blender really could use replacing. Maybe they could shop for one together.
“Either that or we have to get sweet and sour mix.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll find another blender, but only if there are more margaritas in my future.” That seemed perfectly fair.
“More naked ones if I have my way.” Dan licked his lips, beginning to look a little hungry again.
“This is a new thing. An innovation. I approve.”
“I’m a problem solver.”
Yeah, Dan could solve so many of Weldon’s issues. His itches. Maybe even fill some of the hole left when he lost his wife. Maybe.
A man could hope.
19
Someone was licking his nose.
Now, Dan wasn’t one to tell a man he couldn’t embrace his fetishes, but nose licking seemed odd. Not something Weldon would really be into.
He opened his eyes, and there sat a dog he’d never seen before, a white, fluffy thing with big brown eyes, bright as buttons.
“Weldon? Did you get me a puppy?”
“Possibly. Do you need one? I have lots.” Weldon looked over top of him. “Ah. That’s Mercy. She’s Kenzie’s.”
“She’s licking my nose.” Weldon already wore clothes. Damn. “Am I late?”
“Late for what, honey? I was feeding, that’s all.”
“Ah. Well, I’m at your service if you need help.”
Weldon raised a brow. “Do you ride? I have two mares who need exercise.”
“I haven’t in a long time, but I took lessons when I was a kid.” Before someone let him know only girls were horse-crazy and boys were supposed to be into dragons and trucks.
“Well, you feel up to trying? Sapphire is gentle as a lamb.”
“Sure. Do you fish?” That was a manly thing, right? One he knew how to do. Dan rolled out of bed and grabbed his jeans to sniff.
“God, yes. I love to fish. There’s a stocked pond down in the back forty. If you want, I can pack a couple sandwiches and we can take some poles.”
“That sounds amazing. Totally worth wrangling a horse for.” He winked. Oh, he hadn’t had a day fishing in years.
“Good deal. I’ll get some food together for a snack later. You want some bacon and eggs first?”
“I’d love some. I’ll cook if you get us ready to go.” Baconator Dan.
“Sounds good to me.” Weldon leaned down, kissing Dan like it was the only thing he ever wanted to do. Long, leisurely, the kiss made him wish he’d stayed under the covers and begged a quickie.
Weldon pulled back. “I like you in my bed, man.”
“Me, too.” Dan felt as if he’d awakened to a new day, one where he wasn’t going to pretend he didn’t want this.
“Cool.” Weldon popped his hip playfully. “Now get out of there and let’s go play. We have today and part of tomorrow to be lazy before I have kids and you have to get ready to work Monday morning.”
“I do!” Maybe that was why he had a new lease on life. A purpose, even if all he did was pick up nails. The new guy always did scut work. He understood that and he didn’t give a shit. He wanted something to do.
Weldon grimaced, wincing a little. “He did okay. It was a little overwhelming—all the water and the people and then Em told him about jellyfish. He won’t even eat PB&Js anymore.”
“Oh, man. That sucks. Peanut butter and jelly is a mainstay.”
“Yeah. Right now he’s settling for peanut butter and banana. I swear, he’s scared of everything. I don’t remember the other ones doing this….” Weldon stopped, turned bright red. “And you don’t need to hear all about the kids. I’m sorry.”
Dan snorted. “I spend at least one day a week on the couch with Randi letting her paint my toenails, Weldon. I am unafraid of kid tales.”
After their little talk, they’d become pals, he thought. He’d gone to Dix and read his big brother the riot act. Both Audie and Dix had instituted Daddy Days. Every week, they had one-on-one time. Made him a little proud, that he was a part of it.
“Oh, man. I thank God daily that Maddie is old enough to teach the younger two girls about that.”
“Like I told Randi, I have numerous girl cousins. I am an expert.” Dan winked. “Should we get dessert? They have apple stuff.”
“You want to share? I’m pretty full. Or, if you want, I got a cherry pie from the HEB at home, good coffee….”
“I like it.” Weldon always had Reddi Whip, too. “I love how you think.”
“I think that we have a couple days where there’s no one else around so we can scratch an itch.”
Dan looked right into Weldon’s eyes. “I’m in if you’re really okay with it. I don’t want to go months without seeing you again.”
“No. I don’t either. I reckon you didn’t forget about my kids over the last few, so we’re good.”
“Thank God.” He paid the bill because he was ready to head out. They got their leftovers in boxes and damned if his whole body wasn’t alight with anticipation.
“Follow me, honey, and we’ll do things that frighten fish.”
“I am on your ass like white on rice.” Dan couldn’t wait. This he knew he was good at.
They drove out to Weldon’s place, the menagerie of animals seeming bigger than he remembered. Was that a zebra? He hopped out of the truck, eyes as big as saucers.
“Weldon? Is that a zebra in your pasture?”
“Yeah. I did some work for these folks in Wimberley and they paid me in zebra and kangaroos.”
“Kanga….”
“Uh-huh. I put them in the dog run along with the fawn Emma found a couple weeks ago. She’s bottle feeding them. Well, not the zebra. He’s not particularly friendly yet. Kenzie’s decided he’s hers.”
“They kick.” Or so he’d heard. “How do you pay someone in zebras?”
Weldon chuckled. “They go for three thousand a head.”
“Oh.” Lord, Weldon was a softy. “I’ve never met a man like you, Weldon.”
“I hear that a lot. I’m comfortable with it.”
Weldon’s smile drew him in, and Dan realized no one was around to protest if he kissed Weldon right there in the yard. Who would object? The zebra? The ostrich?
Fuck the livestock. They might learn something.
Dan laughed for sheer joy. Weldon was in his arms and kissing him back madly, just giving him everything gift wrapped in a tight little package.
Oh, he needed to unwrap that. Dan steered Weldon toward the house, knowing it would be unlocked.
“Mmm. You still taste just right.”
The words served to make him more than a little goofy. Dan licked his lips, savoring the taste of Weldon. “Better than cherry pie.”
“Uh-huh.” They stumbled up the stairs, managing to put the leftover boxes up where the dogs couldn’t get them before Weldon led him back toward the bedroom.
They shed clothes like crazy, both of the naked by the time they tumbled to the bed. Oh, skin on skin. Finally.
“Jesus, I want you.” Weldon climbed on top of Dan, rubbing on him like they were looking to make fire.
“Good.” He grabbed both of Weldon’s ass cheeks, squeezing. “I want you right back.”
He had to hear Weldon scream, feel Weldon shoot. Those things were more important than his own pleasure. Not that he was gonna turn down the best orgasms a man could imagine. Weldon’s skin burned, and Dan swore he could feel every single hair on the flat belly.
He stroked up and down Weldon’s back, his hands tingling. Weldon made him feel like superman. Like there wasn’t anyone else that was in the man’s head.
There’d better not be.
Dan pushed his tongue into Weldon’s mouth when their lips met again, panting with the way his cock rubbed Weldon’s skin, and when Weldon began to suck on it, he damn near lost it.
They battled through the kiss, their bodies finding a rhythm. He had a feeling there would be round one, where they combusted, then another, slower fuck.
Shit, they had a couple days. They could have all the orgasms. He nibbled at Weldon’s lower lip, the thought calming him some.
“Mmm. Hungry? Still?” Weldon’s voice was pure tease, sexy kitty and laughing.
“Different appetite, babe. This one is still huge.”
Weldon grabbed his cock, squeezing him good and hard.
“Uhn.” His back arched his cock jumping at Weldon’s touch. “More, babe. Been missing you so bad.”
“Good. I’d hate to be alone in that.”
“Never.” He pinched one of Weldon’s nipples, knowing it would make the man crazy.
“Dan.” Weldon slammed down onto him, tongue fucking his lips, really giving him friction everywhere. That was what he wanted, heat and teeth and the knowledge that he could take what he desired.
His caveman brain whispered, “Mine,” and he pulled Weldon up against his chest, scraping Weldon’s neck with his bristly chin.
“Damn.” The wet kiss of Weldon’s cock on his thigh answered the “how do you feel about beards” question.
He loved that Weldon liked to feel all the things, to experience every sensation they could create, and more than that, he….
“Stop thinking, honey. This is about the good stuff.”
“You always tell me that.” He had to laugh, though, because it was true.
“I probably always will.” Weldon winked at him, playful as hell and he only had the barest chance to process that word, “always.”
Longing shot through him, but that hand on his cock didn’t allow much rumination. No, he had to hump against it, push toward the ultimate pleasure. Weldon gave him all that strength, every one of those woodworker calluses. Dan’s toes curled, pleasure flooding him.
“Come on, honey. I want to see you come. It gets me so hot, knowing I did that to you.”
His eyes flew open, his gaze snapping to Weldon’s, bright blue staring into him. Weldon seemed to see right through everything, deep into the heart of him.
Dan groaned, his seed spurting from him, his cock jerking while his body danced. Weldon immediately eased back, gentled his touch. Good man. Too much and he wouldn’t be able to go again, becoming too sensitized.
Weldon lifted one hand to his lips, lapping Dan’s spunk off his fingers.
“Oh, God.” Dan stared, just stunned into speechlessness. He really was lost here. Totally in love.
Weldon grabbed his own cock and gave him the best sort of show—tugging off, sucking Dan’s come off his fingers, gaze fastened to his.
“That’s it, babe. Show me how good you feel.” He could just watch for a moment, enjoy the feel of Weldon’s ass, rubbing on his thighs.
Then Dan had to touch. He made it maybe a minute. Definitely not two. He slid his hands up Weldon’s fuzzy thighs, smiling as Weldon squeezed, working the tip of that fat cock.
“You’re so damned pretty, all golden and strong,” Dan told Weldon. “I love to look at you.”
Oh, look at that blush. Had no one ever told Weldon that? Ever?
Dan flicked the tip of Weldon’s cock. “I mean it.”
“Dan!” Weldon arched, the tiny body bowing like a dream. “Fuck!”
“Yes. Lord. Oh, babe. I want to see you come, too.”
“Just need. One more time.”
Dan knew exactly what Weldon wanted, so he gave it, rubbing the tip of Weldon’s cock good and hard. Seed sprayed over his belly, his chest, painting his skin with Weldon’s need.
Every moment was etched on his memory, and he took it all in, then rubbed the come into his skin. Weldon was going to be the death of him, and it was totally worth it.
His lover leaned down against him, resting them together, both of them breathing hard. “Wow.”
“Definitely wow.” They’d gotten a bit noisy, but no kids were traumatized, so Dan was pretty fucking happy.
He wanted to do it again.
Soon.
He tugged Weldon up for a kiss. “So, do we put the pie in the oven or do we just stop pretending this isn’t dessert?”
“The pie will keep, honey. I promise.”
“Oh, good. I don’t want to leave this spot until I have to. Or maybe for shower sex.”
“I like slick soapy sex.” Weldon kissed his shoulder.
“I do, too.” Dan cupped his palm to Weldon’s cheek. “I really like you, babe. Seriously.”
“Maybe next time you don’t stay away so long, huh?”
“Yeah.” Dan stroked Weldon’s back. “I don’t think I can.”
Weldon kissed the hollow of his throat, and he felt that touch echoing deep inside. This was something Dan needed to stop fighting. Something he couldn’t deny.
Something he didn’t really want to.
18
Weldon had never made margaritas naked before. They’d decided on leftovers instead of pie, and coffee just didn’t go.
Frozen margaritas seemed like the thing. Especially since they didn’t have sweet and sour but he had frozen limeade.
Dan peered over his shoulder. “What happened to the lid for the blender?”
“Maddie used it as a dish to feed the chickens and one of the goats got it.” He had an aluminum pie plate that worked pretty well.
“Wow. I thought Audie and Randi improvised a lot.” Dan patted his butt, which made him laugh. “I like nakedness in the kitchen.”
“It’s rare enough that it feels naughty. My kids have an embarrassing amount of unsupervised time, especially when I’m on the job.” He leaned back into the touch, almost losing the pie plate. “Mel watches the smaller two, but Emma’s decided she’s too big for Granny-sitting.”
“Yeah? She and Randi can be… challenging.” Dan chuckled, breath warm on his neck.
“Challenging. That’s a polite way to say Death on a Horse.” He teased, but he had faith. One day those girls would take over the universe, no question.
“They’ll use it for good at some point.” Dan sounded so sure.
“I think they will. Good or huge profit. Maybe both.” He could support that.
“Yeah. You could retire.” Dan slapped a hand over the pan covering the blender when it tried to go on him.
“Good catch!” He had an icy blob of lime and tequila sliding down his chest, threatening a nipple.
“Mmm.” Dan caught the drip with the fingers of his free hand, licking it clean. “Whoa. Lime.”
“Uh-huh.” He told his nipple to stop it. Now was for booze and possibly naked butts on the fake fur blanket on the sofa.
Dan snapped finger and thumb against his skin. “Look at that little hard bit.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He went for innocent, which worked about as well as it did for Emma.
“No?” Dan took said nipple between his fingers and pinched it, making Weldon rise up on tiptoe. This was definitely naughty.
“You be good now.” It felt a little weird, having someone pinch and play in the kitchen. A little weird, a lot bad dog. Weldon thought he might try it again with Dan someday.
“Oh, if that’s what you want….” Dan grabbed two glasses so Weldon could pour.
He ran his freezing cold fingers over Dan’s butt, proving what he wanted.
“Damn!” Dan jumped, laughing like a loon. “Cold, babe.”
“It’s got ice.”
They poured out and headed to the couch, settling in a pile of comforters. Most of the winter covers were either washed and folded or already out in the yard for dog blankets. These were the last holdouts for the central Texas winter.
“Movie? Bar Rescue?” Dan leaned against him, squishing him for a moment.
“Is it wrong that I love that stupid show? I keep waiting for Jon Taffer to deck someone.”
“He does seem like a tough old bull.” Dan grabbed his hand, and the tiny luxury of holding on made his heart skip a bit.
He leaned and clicked through the ten thousand kids’ shows to find Bar Rescue. “I never worked in food service or bars, but it sounds like damn hard work.”
“I guess, yeah. I never had to pull KP, you know?” Dan played with his knuckles.
“No? What did you do?” Audie’d told him that he did mostly training, but he wanted to know what Dan thought. He tended to explain what he did in a whole different way.
“I was a training officer. I worked with various airborne units and infantry units to coordinate air and land procedures. Basically I did a lot of logistics and made a lot of people redundant.” Dan shook his head. “Try making that sound important on a resume.”
“So you organized folks. That’s pretty cool. I suck at that. I just want to make things, you know? Me and my workshop.” He wasn’t ashamed of it, either. He loved his job.
“Yeah. I’m okay with details, but I’m really better at herding cats.”
“I get enough of that with the kiddos, to be honest.” Herding cats, nailing Jell-O to a tree—he’d used all the things you said to mean, “Oh my God, raising kids is a bitch”.
“I can see that. I’ve been spending more time with Randi and Grainger both. They’re amazing, but logic? Not coming into play.”
“Yeah. That takes time. Jakob thinks about things and so does Maddie, but the rest? Not yet.”
“They’re worse than a host of new recruits. I kinda like it.” Dan’s cheeks pinked, and Weldon wondered if he felt a little guilty for liking kids after telling Weldon he didn’t want to deal.
“I can’t say I’m sorry.” At Dan’s look, Weldon shrugged. “I like you a lot. I want you to like my kids.”
“I feel like a dick, you know?” Dan grabbed the remote and set it aside so he could to face Weldon more. “I’m just—I feel totally unmoored, and I want to be fair to everyone.”
“So we’ll be fair. I want to be fair to us, though. The possibility of us.”
“I can totally live with that.” Dan dropped a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you for taking another chance.”
“You’re the one who called.” Weldon took another kiss, this one going deeper. “My hero.”
“Mmm. We can both be heroes. I might need to get you a new blender.”
“You think?” He clinked their glasses together, then started chuckling. The blender really could use replacing. Maybe they could shop for one together.
“Either that or we have to get sweet and sour mix.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll find another blender, but only if there are more margaritas in my future.” That seemed perfectly fair.
“More naked ones if I have my way.” Dan licked his lips, beginning to look a little hungry again.
“This is a new thing. An innovation. I approve.”
“I’m a problem solver.”
Yeah, Dan could solve so many of Weldon’s issues. His itches. Maybe even fill some of the hole left when he lost his wife. Maybe.
A man could hope.
19
Someone was licking his nose.
Now, Dan wasn’t one to tell a man he couldn’t embrace his fetishes, but nose licking seemed odd. Not something Weldon would really be into.
He opened his eyes, and there sat a dog he’d never seen before, a white, fluffy thing with big brown eyes, bright as buttons.
“Weldon? Did you get me a puppy?”
“Possibly. Do you need one? I have lots.” Weldon looked over top of him. “Ah. That’s Mercy. She’s Kenzie’s.”
“She’s licking my nose.” Weldon already wore clothes. Damn. “Am I late?”
“Late for what, honey? I was feeding, that’s all.”
“Ah. Well, I’m at your service if you need help.”
Weldon raised a brow. “Do you ride? I have two mares who need exercise.”
“I haven’t in a long time, but I took lessons when I was a kid.” Before someone let him know only girls were horse-crazy and boys were supposed to be into dragons and trucks.
“Well, you feel up to trying? Sapphire is gentle as a lamb.”
“Sure. Do you fish?” That was a manly thing, right? One he knew how to do. Dan rolled out of bed and grabbed his jeans to sniff.
“God, yes. I love to fish. There’s a stocked pond down in the back forty. If you want, I can pack a couple sandwiches and we can take some poles.”
“That sounds amazing. Totally worth wrangling a horse for.” He winked. Oh, he hadn’t had a day fishing in years.
“Good deal. I’ll get some food together for a snack later. You want some bacon and eggs first?”
“I’d love some. I’ll cook if you get us ready to go.” Baconator Dan.
“Sounds good to me.” Weldon leaned down, kissing Dan like it was the only thing he ever wanted to do. Long, leisurely, the kiss made him wish he’d stayed under the covers and begged a quickie.
Weldon pulled back. “I like you in my bed, man.”
“Me, too.” Dan felt as if he’d awakened to a new day, one where he wasn’t going to pretend he didn’t want this.
“Cool.” Weldon popped his hip playfully. “Now get out of there and let’s go play. We have today and part of tomorrow to be lazy before I have kids and you have to get ready to work Monday morning.”
“I do!” Maybe that was why he had a new lease on life. A purpose, even if all he did was pick up nails. The new guy always did scut work. He understood that and he didn’t give a shit. He wanted something to do.
