by Sara York
“Really?” Tanner was shocked. He thought the desire was one-sided. He really didn’t know how to do a relationship. This thing he and Mike had fallen into might just work though. Their rocky start revealed so much. Maybe, having so many problems up front would cut through the crap and they’d be able to get real very fast.
“Oh yeah, I was hot for you. But more than just hot for you, I like you as a friend too. You’re a good man, and I admire you.”
“It’s so weird.”
“What, that I admire you?”
“Yeah. I’m shocked.”
Mike took the last bite of his food and shook his head. “Well, don’t be. You’re freaking sexy and I really do admire you.”
Tanner stood and stretched and Mike hopped up too. His gaze heated and he tugged Tanner close. He leaned in and brushed his lips over Mike’s. Heat filled him and he pulled Mike even closer.
“I need you,” Mike said.
“Shower?”
“Yeah.”
Tanner tugged off his shirt and Mike undressed, tossing his clothes into the corner as they went. He reached out and grabbed Mike’s arm, pulling him close.
“I like this,” Tanner said as he ran his fingers over Mike’s chest to his pecs. “And this,” he said as he slid his fingers over Mike’s ass.
“I like this.” Mike ran his fingers over Tanner’s abs then lower to his dick. “Your cock is perfect.”
“Being with you is amazing.”
Mike pushed him up against the door and then stepped back. “I want to look at you.”
Tanner tilted his head to the side. “You like what you see?”
“Oh heck yeah. You’re freaking sexy.”
He chuckled and reached for Mike and spun them, pushing Mike to the door. “If you ever feel trapped, let me know.”
“I will.” Mike reached out and ran one finger down Tanner’s chest. “And you’ll tell me if you feel off about anything.”
“You got it.”
“Cool. Now, I want to feel you pressed up against me as I come.”
Tanner led Mike into the bathroom and they stepped into the shower together. He allowed Mike to lead their lovemaking, holding on as Mike rocked his world. They tumbled into bed and woke when Grant texted them.
Together, they headed to the control room where they went over everything, even the sex. Grant didn’t seem too worried about his sleepwalking.
“You know, Tanner, if you were upset about wanting Mike, I could see you sleepwalking because of your stress,” Grant said.
Matthew tapped his pen on the table. “Mike, you should probably set up your room so you know if he gets up. That way we can keep a record if he does it again. My guess is you were stressed and you walked because of it. Maybe we’re wrong. Either way, we’ll figure it out before you travel for a mission.”
“Sounds good.” Tanner reached out and held Mike’s hand. “I do feel better now you all know.”
“Good. I think we’re good with everything. How do you feel?” Matthew asked Grant.
“I’m good. Now, you two need to tell your teammates. They deserve to know.”
Tanner blew out a breath and looked to Mike. “Let’s go tell them.”
He followed Mike out of the room, pleased with how it had turned out. Grant wasn’t upset with him, Mike wanted to be with him, and Matthew hadn’t objected. When they stepped into the kitchen, Jazz was the first to see them.
“Well fuck me,” Jazz said.
“I think Matthew would have an issue, but I’m game,” Roger quipped.
“Shut up. Look at them,” Jazz said.
“Oh fuck yeah,” Tucker said then he pulled Billy close. “They are hot.”
A couple of guys let out wolf whistles and Suz came over, pulling him then Mike into a hug.
“I’m happy for you, little brother.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m older than you.”
“You keep telling yourself that. But we all know I’m the one who is more mature.”
The guys were laughing and talking. The atmosphere was jovial. Then Davis and Ryan came in.
“Hey, what’s up?” Davis asked.
“Tanner and Mike are a thing,” Roger said.
Davis smiled. “I’m really happy for you two.” He pulled Mike into a hug before he hugged Tanner. “Really, I’m happy. You two deserve to be happy.”
He felt odd telling Davis about his good news. Davis and Ryan grabbed some food and sat at the table. Roger sat next to them and Suz joined him. The table filled with guys talking and laughing. He grabbed a plate and loaded up on food before moving to sit next to Marshal.
This was what he’d missed his whole life. These men were his family. When they’d offered help to Suz, he’d been hooked. He glanced up and met Mike’s gaze. They both smiled and warmth spread through him. He and Mike would have time to grow together. They might have had an unconventional start, but they were dedicated to building a real relationship and staying together. From here on out, he would always be open with Mike. Like Mike had said earlier, they might screw up, but they were both going to work hard at being good to each other.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ryan had driven him into town to pick up his father’s ashes. The drive home was made in silence. When the truck stopped, he got out and went to the fire pit, staring at the mountain and the area surrounding the pit.
“What are you thinking?” Ryan asked.
“Let’s see if we can do the memorial service tonight.”
“Sure. I’ll send a note to Grant.” Ryan pulled out his phone and started typing. Less than a minute later his phone pinged back. “Yes, he said yes.”
“Okay,” Davis nodded slowly. “Okay. I want food, fire, and friends.”
“I’ll make sure everyone knows.”
Davis headed to his room while Ryan helped plan the evening. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling while he thought about his dad and the past. Few knew what his dad had stood for, but these guys and Suz knew. They had been around long enough to see Duff’s heart.
Ryan came in a few hours later and dropped to the mattress beside him. “We’re ready. Are you?”
“Yeah, I am.” He left the bedroom and was pleased to see the fire going and the chairs set up around the pit. Guys gave him hugs on the way out and Suz held him twice as long as the rest of the guys.
When everyone was outside, he waved them over. His gaze slid around the group as a sense of family spread through him. His mom and dad may be gone, but he had this group of men and Suz. This was his family. His smile couldn’t be suppressed nor could the pride he felt as he began speaking. “I want this to be about Duff. Tell your stories, your memories. I want you to remember what a good man he was. We can’t write a book about him, and we can’t share his life. He was a true patriot, but he can’t be celebrated in the media. Instead, let’s celebrate Duff for the man he was.”
Grant lifted his beer. “To get us started, I propose a toast. To Duff, the man who had a dream. He created something amazing in Wild Bluff. Let us never forget, Duff Whitaker was a true hero who served his country with faith.”
“Hear, hear,” the team called out before drinking.
They grabbed their food and sat as the sun dipped behind the mountain. Davis listened to stories of his dad, things he hadn’t known, and he told a few tales from his childhood. He laughed hard, enjoying the evening.
It was late before they broke up. He stopped, glancing up at the moon and the mountain.
“What are you looking at?” Marshal asked.
“My dad was proud of this place and proud of you guys. You all, all of you, even you, Suz and Tanner, you will keep him alive with your dedication to honor and integrity.”
Ryan took his hand and kissed his knuckles. They all stared up at the stars for a long while. A wolf howled and the wind picked up. An owl slid silently through the air, circling to the barn where it perched and watched them. He shivered and Ryan wrapped his arm over his shoulder, giving him a
small hug.
One by one, each couple filtered inside, cleaning up as they went. He and Ryan headed to their room. After a short shower, he slipped into bed beside Ryan, thankful his circumstances had brought him to Wild Bluff. Without these men and this team, he wouldn’t have known how awesome his dad really was. They’d given him so much, and he planned on returning their gift with dedication to their cause, making sure each team member knew how valued they were.
What they had at Wild Bluff was special. He would work to keep this place alive and operating with the principles Duff had instilled from the very start. With Ryan by his side, he knew he would succeed.
The End
About the Author
Writing is Sara York's life. The stories fight to get out, often leaving her working on four or five books at once. She can't help but write. Along with her writing addiction she has a coffee addiction. Some nights, the only reason she stops writing and goes to sleep is for the fresh brewed coffee in the morning. Sara enjoys writing twisted tales of passion, anger, and love with a good healthy dose of lust thrown in for fun.
Visit Sara York at her Website. Join my mailing list for more information about Sara York Books.
If you would like to read more Sara York books, a good place to start is the A Southern Thing Series, or The Complete Texas Soul Series.
For more information
sarayork.com
[email protected]
Also by Sara York
The Texas Soul Series
Texas Rough
Texas Hard
Texas Twist
Texas Branded
Texas Desire
Texas Legacy
The Colorado Heart Series
Colorado Wild
Colorado Fire
Colorado Flames With a Texas Twist
Coming to Colorado
Colorado Hitch
Colorado Connection
Colorado Flip
Colorado Heat
Love’s First Response series
Cops, Cakes, and Coffee
Firemen, Flames, and Fettuccine
Medics, Mayhem, and Mojitos
Holiday Emergencies
Southern Thing Series
Pray The Gay Away
Sending Jack Off To Jesus
My Big Fat Southern Gay Wedding
Billy
Lucas’ Story
Torn to Shreds
Learning to Live
In Texas series
Tempted In Texas
Troubled In Texas
Harder With Three series
Drawing The Line
Intimate Interventions
Bonded series
Bonded
Bonded 2
Standalone Novels
After The End
Becoming Cherished
Can’t Hide My Love
Forever Yours, Faithfully
Not That Type of Guy
Selling It
Storm’s Desire
Without You
Working It Out
Zane’s Inferno
Novellas
Center Stage
Healing Love
Jens and Elliot: Storming Love Series 2
Miami Sizzle
Push
The Dust of Everyday Life
The Road To Hell
Vampire Daycare
Velocity
Shorts
A Shot At Forever
Changing Currency
Family Lines
New Orleans Nights: Mike’s Way
New Orleans Nights: Jeff’s Way
Secret Cravings
Surprise Sleepover
Sweet Happenings
Watching For Love
Working Hard
Working Stiff
Transparency with Ethan Stone
M/F Novels
Murder Stalks
Smooth Lies
Sign up for my newsletter http://sarayork.com/sarayork/about-sara-york/