Yet, the guy never discussed anything. He never bothered to explain anything. Could Pen spend the rest of his life with someone whose personality was at the opposite spectrum of his own?
Pen’s stiff and angry steps slowed. Who was he kidding? He couldn’t live without Shadow. The rough-around-the-edges man was Pen’s life.
Sure, he had been hurt that Shadow hadn’t said the words—the ones that asked him to make a commitment. But was this any different than Shadow taking him to the clinic so they could be tested and forgo the condoms? There hadn’t been any asking there. Why should there be any now?
Pen stopped in the middle of the sidewalk when his jumbled thoughts zeroed in on the heart of the matter.
Shadow was Shadow. The only question Pen had to ask himself was, could he live the rest of his life with Shadow? Because that was what the man really wanted.
“You better be careful. Thinking that hard could lead to hurting something.”
Pen looked up from staring at the sidewalk to see Pip standing in front of him. “Shadow wants to get commitment tattoos.”
Pip smiled. The man always seemed to be smiling. “So?”
Pen tried again. “He could have asked or talked about it. Instead, he just tried to issue orders.”
“Good luck with that,” Pip answered. “Rescue for Hire men never explain and seldom ask. The trick is to guide them toward an extra that you really want.” Pip touched his ear, which sported a big diamond stud. Pen liked diamonds, and he was ready to replace the heart earring in his ear.
* * * *
Shadow didn’t do nervous. He told himself that those weren’t frayed nerves that had sweat coating his brow. In one hand, he held a bouquet of flowers and in the other was a red, decorated, heart-shaped box filled with chocolate.
Google said when romancing the one you love that flowers and chocolates were essential. Shadow pushed away the memory of Kris Winters’s face when he had walked into his flower shop and bought the biggest bouquet of roses in the cooler. No doubt Kris’s partner and Shadow’s former teammate, Mr. Storm, would have gotten a phone call within seconds after Shadow had left the store.
Feeling stupid because he lived there, Shadow knocked on the apartment door anyway. It seemed like the right thing to do.
The door opened, and Pen stepped into view. “Hi.”
The first thing Shadow saw were tight white jeans painted on Pen’s legs, hips, and emphasizing his package. A black tank top molded Pen’s torso and exposed solid arms. Pen’s hair was styled in soft waves, which highlighted a face whose light gray eyes held a hint of uncertainty. His sharp white teeth were embedded in his bottom lip.
Shadow held out the flowers. “Here.”
Pen’s eyebrows rose, and his mouth dropped open. “You brought me flowers?”
Shadow frowned. What else would he be doing with them as he held the blossoms under Pen’s nose? This wasn’t going the way he thought it would. Where were the kisses and hugs that led to Pen getting a tattoo with him?
“I got chocolate, too.” Shadow breathed a sigh of relief when Pen took the candy, turned it over, and examined the ribbon-covered, frilly box.
“I’ve never been given candy before. What kind is it?” Pen looked up, showing Shadow a face that was radiant with happiness.
Shadow froze. Shit. “Um… I don’t know.”
Pen smiled and took the flowers out of Shadow’s hand before turning and going to the kitchen sink. “That’s okay. I’m sure they’re delicious.”
Pen opened the cabinet and pulled out a large clear glass vase. Shadow watched, fascinated, as Pen took out heavy-duty scissors and cut the rose stems at an angle. After putting water in the vase, he set the stems in. With a twist of his fingers, the roses turned into a pretty picture in a magazine.
Shadow had never seen anything like it. When he tried giving his foster mother dandelions, they’d been dumped in a juice glass of water.
“They are the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever been given,” Pen said, admiring the buds before walking over and giving Shadow a kiss.
Shadow grunted in reply before he wondered if someone else had ever given Pen flowers. Pen patted Shadow on the chest.
“Calm down, big guy. You are the only one who’s ever mattered. Melissa Jorgenson from first grade, who picked a rose from one of her mother’s bushes, doesn’t count.” Pen cuddled into Shadow’s chest.
Shadow lifted Pen’s chin with his finger and covered his lips in a kiss he hoped would show the man how much he loved him. When he ended the kiss, Pen’s lips were a deep red and swollen. Shadow wanted to keep them that way forever.
“Would you like to check out the candy?” Pen asked. His light gray eyes were sparkling.
“I’d like to go and get our tattoos,” Shadow stated.
Pen’s gaze never wavered as he looked up at Shadow. In his mind, Shadow started going over the list of reasons getting tattoos was a good idea.
“Okay.”
Shadow blinked in surprise. “Okay?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
“Are you sure, baby?” Pen had to be. This was too important.
Pen’s mouth twitched. “I’m sure, Mr. Drayton.”
Shadow relaxed. Pen was sure.
Epilogue
Flyer Wakefield pulled his phone out of his jeans and answered the irritating piece of technology. In another few minutes, he would be up in his hang glider where no one could touch him, and he could just be.
“Are you ready to give up that nonsense and come home where you belong?” Sammie Arden’s piercing voice made Flyer wince in pain, real and remembered.
“We are broken up, Sammie. Don’t call me again.” Flyer was proud his voice sounded strong. Showing any hint of weakness could give Sammie an advantage that he would take and use against him. Flyer shuddered at the memories that thought invoked. “You’re going to be sorry for not obeying me, Flyer. I will make you pay.”
The called ended.
* * * *
Carson Radley pushed out as Sammie sank his cock deep into his ass. The call Sammie had just made ramped up the man’s excitement, and Carson needed to be loose enough to take it.
Carson had learned early on in their partnership that going against Sammie resulted in painful consequences. His fading black eye was a testimony to one of Carson’s first lessons.
It didn’t matter, as long as Carson could exact his revenge on Jimmy and Tristen Earl. He wasn’t fool enough to go up against Roman Marshall, the leader of Rescue for Hire West, but the Earl brothers were going to pay for dumping Carson. Because of them, he had no job, home, and was forced to give up his horse, Abbot. That was unforgivable.
Sammy slammed his cock into Carson and set up a punishing rhythm. Yep, the brothers were going to pay, and if he had to help Sammy take care of Flyer Wakefield to accomplish his goals, so be it.
THE END
WWW.AUTHORBELLANNBLOGSPOT.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bellann Summer lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband and children surrounded by lakes and woods. In the summer Bellann enjoys fishing, camping, gardening, and growing flowers. Autumn is spent out in the woods, exploring the beautiful colors, and nature at its finest. In the winter there is ice fishing, snowmobiling, and sitting in front of the wood fireplace. She has always loved to read, and any free time is spent with a book in her hand. When major life changes occurred, she decided to try writing what she liked to read. And it worked.
For all titles by Bellann Summer, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/bellann-summer
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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Shadow's Pen [Rescue for Hire 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 11