Aaron didn’t let go of the strap, instead lifting his backpack to the compartment himself. He was particular about this bag, making sure it lay a certain way, and nothing got in the way, which meant crowding Kreed’s carry-on. “Hey, be careful. My Lush products are in there,” Kreed said, moving everything in the overhead bin so his backpack wouldn’t get too crushed.
“What’s Lush?” Aaron asked, shrugging off his coat, shoving it inside the bin as well.
“Boy, you don’t know amazing until you’ve had yourself some Lush,” Roddy added, helping Kreed with his coat, before tucking all the straps and things inside the bin.
“That’s right. You’re the one who introduced me to that stuff.” Kreed gestured for Aaron to take the window seat.
“Mmm hmm. You two need to take a seat. Help your boy with his seatbelt. I need to give the green light.” Roddy moved around them as Aaron scooted in first and Kreed took the aisle seat. It was far easier to stretch his long legs in the aisle.
“What’s Lush? Is it an alcohol?” Aaron asked, pulling the belt around his lap.
“No, bath products. It makes your skin soft,” Kreed answered, buckling himself in.
“What?” Aaron stopped in mid click.
“What?” Kreed asked after a minute’s pause.
“You’re really such a girl. Is that what you were doing when I was trying on all those clothes?”
“Yeah. I usually have to ship the shit in, but there was a store here. It’s relaxing. Sue me. Besides, I got you a fizzbanger bath bomb to try. You need to lighten up. Seriously, that scowl you wear all the time’s gonna cause premature wrinkles.”
Aaron just stared at him for several long seconds before he answered, “I think I heard about that stuff on Rooster Teeth. It was advertised for their mothers for Christmas or Mother’s Day or something like that.”
Kreed was right on the verge of asking what the hell Rooster Teeth even meant when a female flight attendant bent in toward him. “You need to buckle your seatbelt, sir. Hi, Kreed.”
“Hey, honey,” he said, but never looked up. He kept his eyes on Aaron’s disbelieving face. The flight attendant patted him on the shoulder and continued down the aisle. Aaron’s look conveyed the same hard time Mitch always gave him about his hygiene habits. Wait until Kreed took his night off and headed to the bathroom instead of the bar. Aaron was going to flip the fuck out. He slid his gaze to Aaron’s hands still holding the buckle. “Need help with that?”
“No…” Aaron still just paused, studying him like he’d never seen him before. After a second or two, he dropped his gaze to buckle himself in as the engines started. Moments later, the plane began to back up. “Everybody on here knows you.”
“I fly a lot with this airline,” Kreed said, still just watching Aaron. It wasn’t a hardship. He was the best-looking thing on this plane.
“It’s cool how you got us first-class seats,” Aaron said, his head turned away from Kreed, his gaze glued out the small window, forcing Kreed to have to lean in to hear what he said.
“Was that said with a hint of appreciation?” Kreed asked, moving his head back when Aaron turned toward him. It was hard to stay focused on the conversation when those blue eyes landed on his. Kreed forced himself to take a giant mental step backward at the realization he had no idea what he’d just asked that fine-looking man. In his entire life, he’d never had that happen with anyone, male or female.
“I don’t scowl all the time,” Aaron announced, and Kreed forced a laugh, still trying to remember where he’d left off the conversation. When nothing came to mind, he finally answered with a joke, hoping that saved him.
“I’ll remember to mark the day I don’t see a frown,” Kreed added dryly.
Aaron shook his head. “I just have a lot going on. It’s easier to be at home right now.”
Aaron could be a politician with that answer. What did that even mean? Every answer the kid gave ended with him wanting to be at home right now. He had a single-minded focus. Though that seemed to be Kreed’s problem at the moment too.
“It’s cool,” Kreed said, still unable to do much more than watch Stuart closely. Aaron’s face lost that angry look he usually had, smoothing out in that brief exchange, his hair perfectly combed in the new style. His lips seemed fuller right now, more kissable, and, God, that’s exactly what Kreed really wanted to do—kiss Aaron. No matter the desire coursing through him, Kreed forced himself to not move a muscle in Aaron’s direction.
“It’s the holidays too. It’s a tough time to be pulled away. We’ll get this wrapped up and get you home soon,” Kreed added, hoping to keep Aaron talking.
“It’s work right now, not the holidays. I bailed on the family early this year,” Aaron said absently, almost like they were about to have a real conversation.
“You and the family close?” Kreed asked.
Aaron was silent several long minutes. Okay, maybe he’d been wrong about the conversation. The plane accelerated then lifted in the air before the kid finally responded.
“It was my first Christmas at home in more years than I could count. I know it seems selfish, especially when you had to leave your parents at such a difficult time. I’m sorry about all that,” Aaron finally said. Strangely, the words felt deeply sincere and provided a welcomed comfort to his heart.
“Nah, I get it. I ducked out on the holidays all the time. Besides, my family’s not as big as yours.”
“I don’t wanna talk about them.” Aaron shook his head and let out a sigh. He studied his hands in his lap. After a minute, Aaron’s gaze lifted and connected again with Kreed’s. Unexpected emotion swam in those depths, drawing him in. Kreed stared back, the connection held meaning, but he had no idea what. “It’s pretty cool how you get on flights though.”
Aaron’s voice was smaller right then. Kreed didn’t let up on the intensity of his stare, but accepted the change of topic. “I’d like to think it was me, but it’s the deputy marshal deal. Airlines let us ride all the time. It makes them feel safer.”
“So you have your weapon on right now?” Aaron asked.
“Always,” Kreed answered. He never looked away, but lowered his brow, teasing. “Why? Does that turn you on?”
“And nobody checked you?” Aaron seemed content to ignore Kreed’s clearly one-track mind. Whatever kind of moment they were sharing had moved on, replaced by a look of shock.
“Not this time. It depends really. They’re supposed to, but around DC they get used to people. Mitch helps the security agents remember me. Besides, they’d let us on armed regardless, so it’s just a formality.”
“I think you’re pretty memorable on your own,” Aaron confessed quietly.
Kreed tried to contain his smile at that comment and knew he’d failed when he felt his lips twitch upward. He’d almost gotten a compliment. Aaron turned away and reclined his seat, reaching for the earbuds that hung from his neck. He pushed one then the other inside his ears. Kreed figured there was a never-ending supply of entertainment coming from those headphones, because they were always Aaron’s go-to device to end a conversation. He watched as Aaron leaned back and closed his eyes, effectively shutting down any further discussion. Kreed reached for the Sky Magazine and started thumbing through the pages. He’d just been given a compliment and effectively put in his place all in one fell swoop. That about summed up every single interaction he’d had with the kid so far.
Chapter 9
“It’s fucking Texas, Cody. I thought it was some sort of state law that it has to be warm all the time,” Mitch complained, pulling the rental car into Colt and Jace’s Preston Hollow home—or estate, depending on who spoke about the house. Mitch gave Colt shit about the size of the house and the area he and his partner lived in before always closing the argument with a win by bringing up President Bush’s doorbell only being a few doors down.
“I told you not to wear shorts. It’s Dallas. It gets cold up here,” Cody shot back, releasing his seatbelt. Mitch put the car
in park, leaned over the console toward the passenger seat, and pulled Cody to him.
“It always makes me smile when you refer to anything in Texas being ‘up,’” he teased, making air quotes with his fingers. He puckered his lips. Cody had to lean in the rest of the way to kiss him. Without looking, Mitch reached over and turned off the ignition. He kept his gaze on Cody, dropping an arm behind the seat’s headrest. Cody wasn’t more than a couple of months post-op after taking a bullet to his shoulder. He’d gotten lucky. Actually really lucky, becoming the newest poster boy for Apple products when his iPhone took the second bullet aimed point blank at his chest. Even now, it was a sobering thought and Mitch warred with himself to keep his mood even. Being back in Dallas, in this particular home, had the potential to increase all of their risk, and the panic of this situation left him unsettled. Mitch would have to be on his A-plus game; he couldn’t have Cody in any more danger. He searched Cody’s eyes before he spoke. “You sure you’re good with this? I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I can step back and take you somewhere far away from all of this. We could hit a Caribbean island where I could wear these shorts and not freeze my ass off.”
There was a pause as Cody searched his face. Mitch knew Cody was nervous. How could he not be? But he could almost see his brave state trooper boyfriend mentally pulling on his big boy Superman Underoos. Mitch needed to do that too. A smile slowly spread across Cody’s handsome face. “Are you tryin’ to get me out of the country because you wanna marry me?”
Mitch barked out a laugh at that one, leaned back into his own seat, and started to open his driver’s side door. Out of the two of them, Mitch was the one rushing them to the altar. Cody had been teasing him about that since he’d proposed on Christmas Eve. A burst of cold wind had him closing the door again, shutting them back inside the still-warm car.
“Hang on.” Mitch fished his phone out of his front pocket and dialed Colt. As the phone started to ring, Cody’s cell gave a loud chirp. It had to be Kylie. She and her mom had been texting them since Christmas. Cody went for his phone.
“Open your door. It’s too cold out here,” Mitch instructed when Colt answered his call. He turned just in time to catch Cody shaking his head and smiling from ear to ear. Mitch had to know what put that sweet-silly look in his honey’s eyes. “What’d she say?”
“She put the Barbie to bed and thought we should see her sleeping,” Cody said, lifting the phone to show the picture Cody’s sister had just texted.
“That’s sweet. They’re wearing matching pajamas.” Kylie had a thing for her Uncle Cody. Since Christmas Eve, they’d been getting regular pictures of her Christmas present from them—Barbie eating breakfast, dressing up, playing outside, dressing up again, and now going to sleep. Kylie was overly precious and had turned out to be a little unexpected ray of sunshine in Cody’s recovery.
The porch light came on, and Mitch heard Colt’s laughter inside the car. He glanced at the phone in his hand and realized he had forgotten to end the call through his and Cody’s exchange. Shit! He winced and quickly hung up. Bad move on his part. Mitch liked always having the upper-hand, especially after all the shit he’d given Colt over the last year. Now, he’d just given Colt something to hold over his head.
Before Cody opened his door, Mitch placed a hand on Cody’s arm, stopping him in mid-motion. “Babe, just so you know, I’m gonna proposition Jace about a three-way at least ninety times over the next few days, so don’t let it surprise you. You should know I don’t mean it. I gotta get under Colt’s skin. You remember what the guy did to me, right?”
Cody’s brow lowered. “You two are terrible. I kinda feel obligated to them. I wouldn’t’ve met you if they hadn’t brought you to JR’s.”
“Dammit!” Mitch hissed and turned away. “I forgot about that. Shit. Okay, maybe just once or twice, then.” When Cody gave him that look of uncertainty, he tried to quickly explain. “I’ve got to, Cody. Otherwise, I got nothing other than the bacon to mess with him about. You have to admit it’ll drive him crazy. Just don’t say anything. Let me do the talking.”
“I know. Okay, but remember your dad made me promise that I’d make you be nice,” Cody said, opening his door this time. Mitch reached over the seat, grabbing his duffle bag from the backseat. Cody walked around to the back of the car, and knocked on the vehicle’s trunk, signaling for him to open the hatch.
Mitch couldn’t avoid the cold any longer; he had to get out of the car. He lifted the knob, opening the back then pulled on the handle to his door. Cold swept through the open door, prickling along his exposed skin as he slid out and shivered his way around to the back of the vehicle. His mister was lifting their luggage from the trunk.
“You aren’t supposed to lift that much weight,” Mitch said, taking the suitcase from Cody in mid tug.
“I’m fine, Mitch. Give it to me,” Cody said, giving him a struggle for the handle. Mitch sighed in frustration, but didn’t give an inch. They both knew what the doctor had said Cody’s restrictions were. Mitch didn’t give a shit what Cody thought about his recovery; he wanted him back to a hundred percent, which meant Cody was going to follow every damn instruction the doctor gave.
“You’re hardheaded,” he thrust his much lighter duffle into Cody’s stomach and managed to pull the suitcase handle from Cody’s grasp.
“You treat me like I’m an invalid,” Cody shot back, catching his bag before it hit the ground.
“Trouble in paradise?”
From behind him, Colt’s voice echoed through the chilly air. Mitch jerked, reaching for the weapon that usually sat on his hip. He’d lost track of what they were doing and hadn’t heard Colt approach. How good a job could he do at protecting Cody if he just let someone sneak up on them without knowing? To top everything off, Colt’s tone matched his expression—both mocking him. Mitch furrowed his brow.
“Who knew we’d be seeing you again so soon.” Colt extended his hand toward Cody.
Cody’s smile was brighter than the full moon as he accepted the handshake. Colt and Jace had come to his parents’ house in upstate New York for Christmas. They’d spent about forty-eight hours there before heading back to Dallas. Mitch had been on his home turf, so he was able to give Colt all the shit he wanted. Now, clearly, by the look on Colt’s face, he planned a counter-attack. Fuck!
Let the games begin.
While they continued to clasp hands, Colt carefully took the duffel off Cody’s shoulder. Mitch scowled even more when Cody didn’t utter a word of protest. His guy had argued over handling their luggage since leaving his parents’ house. Now, he just handed it over to Michaels without any sort of complaint?
“Thanks for letting us stay here,” Cody said, his voice warm and friendly. Colt just looked his way and winked. Mitch knew exactly what Colt was doing, and it wasn’t going to work.
“You wanna carry something? Take this, frat boy.” Mitch thrust the heavier suitcase toward Colt, and, in the same move, snatched the duffle bag from Colt. Startled, all eyes turned his way, and only then did he realize his monumental mistake. He’d just given Colt more ammunition to use against him. Double damn.
“It’s cold out here, guys. Can we go inside?” Jace’s voice came from the hood of the car. Mitch had forgotten the cold. Actually he’d grown quite warm with all the testosterone flowing through him. He now understood why Colt acted so crazy and possessive when he and Jace had first started dating.
“Yeah, y’all come inside,” Colt echoed, dropping the suitcase until the wheels hit the ground. With the handle extended, he dragged the thing along the driveway toward Jace.
“What was that about?” Cody whispered when Colt moved out of earshot.
“I don’t even fucking know, and weirder than that, I don’t know if I wanna mess with Colt anymore.” Mitch’s brow furrowed even further at his words.
“That’s what I just said in the car,” Cody countered, clearly confused.
“It was a good call. You should’ve fought me
harder on that.” Mitch couldn’t wait for this honeymoon phase of their relationship to wear off so he could get back to his normal self.
Cody started toward the front, but when Mitch didn’t move from his spot, Cody came back, took his arm, and pulled him in the direction Colt and Jace had walked. “You’re being weird,” Cody finally said.
“I’m always weird. A smart guy like you, I figured you’d have noticed that by now,” Mitch replied, finally taking the lead and walking up the front steps. Jace waited outside the front door, arms clutched at his chest to ward off the cold. Colt stood in the foyer, smiling brighter than he’d ever seen him smile. Shit, the guy had figured out Mitch had a jealous streak. Fuck, his life sucked. All of a sudden the thought of staying here the next few days seemed a bit like hell.
~~~
“Cody, I understand you’re the grill master,” Colt said, carrying two full plates of steaks and hamburgers through the kitchen to a door leading out to a covered patio. Through the window along the back wall, Mitch could see an industrial-size grill pushed close to the house. Jace trailed behind with a second plate loaded with long-cut strips of assorted vegetables. Colt was overly excited about his meat options, and even with the current state of the freezing temperatures outside, he’d lit the grill, planning to cook their dinner outside.
“Leave him alone,” Jace scolded. Now that Mitch was a man in love, not single and the instigator he’d always been before, Mitch could see that Jace had always kept peace between the parties—the constant equalizer. It hadn’t been more than an hour since they’d arrived, and Colt was already in rare form. He was dishing out the crap, making up for a full year’s worth of snarky comments from Mitch.
“What? He grills at home all the time,” Colt remarked, acting innocent. Cody jumped up from the kitchen table and opened the door for Colt, pushing it wide to accommodate all the food Colt carried. Mitch watched as fucking Colt Michaels grinned big and winked at Cody. Aggression stewed in his gut.
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