by Olivia Black
The man tended to stay inside his room and keep to himself. Oliver seemed fairly comfortable around him, but with the others he was cautious. Robbie wondered if it was because he knew Oliver’s secret.
“How are you? I mean, you know, the whole Cody thing,” Oliver asked. He cleared his throat, fidgeting in the seat, and Robbie knew he was uncomfortable. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“No, it’s okay.” He took a deep breath. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to let go of Cody for the night. “I met Cody the minute I drove up to the ranch and we just clicked. I started to really have feelings for the guy and I thought he felt something for me. Now that it’s over, I miss him.”
Robbie glanced up into the rearview mirror and looked at his reflection. He wasn’t wearing the bandages any longer, but the stitches remained. They weren’t due to be removed for another couple of days. He hated seeing the marks on his face and neck, a constant reminder of the reason Cody wasn’t interested.
He didn’t blame Cody, but he was disappointed in the cowboy for avoiding him. It seemed whenever Robbie was around, Cody miraculously disappeared.
“I’m sorry about the whole thing. It sucks, man. I’ll drive tonight. I want you to enjoy yourself, so drink and dance and meet a new guy. Tonight, Cody is a memory of the past,” Oliver said.
Robbie gave an internal sigh.
If he could forget Cody that easily, the cowboy would already be out of his mind. The idea sounded promising though. If he could relax, drink, and dance the night away with another man, he could at least pretend that his heart didn’t hurt.
It didn’t take them long to arrive at the small town with no name, and the bar, Marilyn’s.
Robbie strode into Marilyn’s, following Wyatt, Jackson, Easton, and Jared. Oliver stayed at his side, scanning the area and looking a little uncomfortable. He briefly wondered what the man was thinking and then shook it off. If Oliver wanted to share his thoughts, he would. Until then, Robbie wouldn’t say anything.
The music got louder as they grew closer to the front door and Robbie changed his pace to match the beat.
As they walked into the bar, Robbie looked around. There were men and women dancing, drinking, and playing bar games. He focused on the gorgeous men. All of them were wearing tight jeans, button-down shirts, hats, and boots. Looking over at Oliver, he smiled and winked. His brother gave a nod of approval as his eyes scanned the place.
The whole bar was made of dark oak with leather-topped barstools and chairs. The mirror on the back wall clearly reflected all the bottles in front of it. The bold name of the bar, Marilyn’s, painted over the glass was crisp, yet faded, as if it had been there for years.
“Hey.” Jared touched Robbie’s forearm to get his attention. “Grab that big table.” He tilted his head, motioning to a table in the middle of the bar that people were abandoning. “I’ll go to the bar and order the first round.”
“Yeah, no problem.” Robbie made a beeline for the table and slid into one of the chairs right before another man snatched it from him.
“Damn, you’re fast, city boy.” A thick Southern accent drawled out.
“City boy?” Robbie chuckled, looking up into baby-blue eyes.
The cowboy tilted the brim of his cowboy hat up with the rim of his beer bottle. Their eyes met and held for a moment. A slow grin spread across the man’s thin lips, exposing straight white teeth.
“I’m Sam Caine, do you mind if I join you?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Robbie shrugged, “Sure, you might need to grab an extra chair though. I’m here with a big group.” He clasped the man’s hand. “I’m Robbie Robertson.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Grabbing a chair from a nearby table, he swung it around, straddling it.
Sam took a sip of his beer, his eyes roaming down Robbie’s body.
* * * *
Cody groaned internally as he watched Robbie from his spot at the corner of the bar.
When Mason and Preston suggested he meet them at Marilyn’s, he’d been relieved. Staying at the ranch so close to Robbie was driving him crazy. Trying to avoid the man was difficult. Twenty thousand acres seemed small when he kept looking over his shoulder. He practiced what he would say in his mind, but none of the words seemed right. The hours flew by and with each day that passed, it became harder for him to speak to Robbie.
He wouldn’t be able to avoid Robbie for much longer, but seeing him with another man was a fate worse than death.
I’m such a fucking idiot. I’m sorry. I should’ve been by your side when you needed me, but I was a wimp when you needed me to be strong. It’s my fault. Those marks on your face are all my fault.
Lowering his head, he rested it against the bar and closed his eyes for a moment, wishing he would’ve stayed home locked inside his room.
A slap on his shoulder got his attention, and Cody jerked his head up and met Jared’s eyes. “Are you going to join us or are you planning on sitting here all night?”
“I was going to sit here,” he admitted, taking a sip of his beer.
Jared made a disbelieving noise in the back of his throat and shook his head. He waved to the bartender and Jacob Monroe strode over. He was forgotten as Jacob and Jared stared at one another.
The moment stretched, until finally, Jared spoke. “Can I get six beers, please?”
“Please?” Jacob raised a brow, arousal glittering in his eyes. “I do like a man with manners.”
Jacob didn’t take his eyes off Jared as he reached into the cooler and pulled out the beers, lining them up on the bar. Heat and sexual energy sparked around the two and Cody leaned back, not wanting to intrude on their moment.
Looking over at Robbie, he remembered the first time he met the man. Did they look at each other the same way? Had the attraction been instantaneous for them both? Tracing Robbie’s features with his eyes, Cody let out a sigh. He missed Robbie—the soft kisses, the caressing touches, even the man’s deep voice.
Get up and go talk to him. Tell him what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling.
“Do you want to live with regret?” Jared asked, and Cody shook his head. “Good. It’s about damn time. Grab a couple of these beers. It’s time to talk to Robbie.” Jared turned on his heel and strode away.
Cody stared at the two beer bottles sitting on the bar. Taking a deep breath, he built up his courage and slid off his barstool. He grabbed the beers and followed Jared’s lead, walking to the large table. When he reached the group of men, all eyes turned toward him, staring with various expressions.
“I found Cody at the bar and invited him to join us,” Jared said, taking the beers from his hand. “Cody, take a seat.”
Following Jared’s orders, Cody slid into one of the chairs. He stared at his own beer, running his thumb over the label. Nobody spoke and Cody felt uncomfortable as the seconds ticked by. A slow song came on and Cody’s heart ached. He wanted to be wrapped inside Robbie’s arms, swaying slowly to the rhythm.
“Would you like to dance?” Cody jerked his head up at the question and watched in horror as Robbie took Sam’s outstretched hand.
The two men walked to the dance floor and Cody had a hard time catching his breath. Massaging his chest, his lower lip trembled. Sam wrapped his arms around Robbie’s waist, and Cody looked away. He couldn’t watch someone else touch Robbie, not when he desperately wanted to be in the man’s arms.
“What did you think would happen?” Oliver asked over the music.
You didn’t talk to him, you’ve been avoiding him, and now he’s found someone else. Those words went unsaid, but Cody could still head them inside his head.
“You should probably do something before it’s too late,” Wyatt said as he stood and offered a hand to Jackson. “Will you dance with me, love?” Jackson grinned and stood up. He interlaced their fingers, following behind Wyatt to the dance floor.
“What the hell are you doing sitting there? Get up and cut in,” Oliver told him, rolling his eyes
heavenward in obvious frustration.
Cody pushed himself up. He rested both hands on the table giving himself a pep talk as he watched Robbie and Sam. Growling in frustration, Cody kicked his chair back and stomped to the dance floor. He wasn’t going to stand by and watch another man take Robbie away. It was time for him to “man up.”
He tapped on Sam’s shoulder, stopping the men mid sway. Sam looked over his shoulder, but Cody didn’t look at him.
He stared at Robbie. “Can I cut in?”
“No,” Sam told him.
Chapter 8
“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to Robbie. Will you dance with me?” he asked, holding his breath, hoping his tattooed Adonis would say yes.
Robbie stared at him for a moment before finally nodding.
“Yeah. Thanks for the dance, Sam.” He dropped his arms, letting go of the other cowboy before holding out his hand to Cody.
“This is bullshit.” Sam growled, leaving them alone on the dance floor.
Cody grabbed the outstretched hand like a lifeline and walked into Robbie’s arms. Placing his face against Robbie’s chest, he inhaled the man’s familiar cologne and just breathed him in. Robbie wrapped his strong arms around Cody, holding him close. They didn’t sway or move. Instead, they stood in the middle of the dance floor, hugging.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he rushed out, gripping Robbie’s shirt in a tight hold. “God, I missed you so much.”
Moisture filled his eyes. He’s missed being close to Robbie, missed everything about the man. The relief of finally being close felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders, letting his emotions free.
“I missed you, too,” Robbie’s voice rumbled out. “What happened, Cody? Why didn’t you come and see me? I thought you cared about me. I thought we had a future together.”
“I do care about you. I want you. I want us to be together.” He wanted a future with Robbie in it. The only way that would happen is if he were completely honest with the man. “It’s my fault that you got hurt. Instead of helping you, I froze. When you needed me, I was useless. I should’ve been man enough to help you.” Cody closed his eyes tight and wiped a stray tear on Robbie’s shirt. “I let you down.”
Robbie took a small step back and cupped Cody’s face in his rough palms. “Open your eyes,” he murmured.
Cody blinked his eyes open and stared into Robbie’s beautiful dark globes. Cody didn’t remove his hands from Robbie’s shirt, he needed the contact. And he was afraid that if he did let go, Robbie might walk away.
“Cody.” Robbie shook his head, smiling sadly. “I don’t blame you for what happened. It was an accident. You didn’t do anything wrong. You drove me back to the house and I’m fine. I’ll have a few scars, but it’s no big deal.” Cody nodded, trying to push the guilt he’d been feeling away. “If I’m going to be in a relationship with someone, I want that man by my side through thick and thin. I don’t want to be with someone that takes the easy route and runs away.”
“Please don’t end things between us.” He breathed out.
Cody didn’t know what Robbie was going to say, but it felt like Robbie might be officially ending things between them. If that happened, he would need to leave the ranch. There was no way he’d be able to live and work so close to the man. Oliver was right—Robbie would move on and fall in love. He couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch it all happen when he wanted to be the one for Robbie.
“I want another chance. I want to be with you. I’ll be stronger, I promise. I’ll never run away again. I won’t abandon you when you need me,” Cody vowed.
“I’m not ending things, Cody, and I don’t think you’re weak.”
“I should’ve been by your side while you healed. I made a mistake and I can’t change the past, but I can be better in the future. Please…forgive me. Give me another chance. I won’t let you down again.”
Instead of saying anything, Robbie pulled him close, plastering their lips together. The kiss started off as a sweet peck, but soon turned hungry as Robbie devoured his mouth. Cody pushed his way into Robbie’s mouth, their tongues dancing even though their bodies didn’t move. When Robbie started to suck on his tongue, Cody’s cock hardened, pushing painfully against the front of his jeans.
Strong arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him tight against Robbie’s body. Robbie rocked his hips, rubbing against his erection, and he groaned into the man’s mouth.
Robbie pulled back from the kiss and licked his lips. “We should probably dance instead of giving everyone a show.”
“Yeah.” Cody nodded, laying his head back on Robbie’s broad chest.
They swayed to the country song blaring from the speakers. Smiling, Cody closed his eyes, feeling a huge sense of relief. The man’s scent, along with his strong tattooed arms, made him feel safe and secure. It had been so long since he’d been wrapped in the tight, loving embrace. Being separated from Robbie had been a small piece of hell he didn’t ever want to experience again.
The hard press of Robbie’s cock against his lower abdomen made him chuckle.
Lifting his head, he looked up and Robbie only shrugged. “Do you want to leave early?”
“I’m not sure if we should. I invited my brothers to come out tonight. I need to at least finish my beer,” Robbie told him.
Running one hand down Robbie’s chest, Cody cupped the man’s shaft. “I’m not sure how long I’m going to be able to hang out here when this is poking me.”
Robbie smiled and squeezed Cody’s ass. “Well then, I might be able to call it an early night.”
Cody groaned and Robbie tightened his hold. They moved back and forth several times, in perfect tune with one another.
“I need you,” Cody moaned.
“Can you feel me?” Robbie teased, swiveling his hips. He rubbed his cock against Cody for extra emphasis.
“Oh, fuck,” he whispered. Robbie insinuated his muscular thigh between Cody’s legs, “Damn it.” An overwhelming desire to come rushed up his spine. His balls drew up as he started to shake and tingle. It had been too long and being with Robbie again was a dream turned reality. “I need to go to the restroom.”
Cody pushed Robbie back and rushed toward the men’s room.
He opened his jeans and stroked his cock only once before Robbie grabbed him and shoved him into one of the stalls. He turned the lock and pushed Cody up against the wall. Forcing his jeans down his legs, Robbie went down to his knees.
“I want you in my mouth,” he murmured before swallowing Cody’s shaft.
Warm moisture surrounded his cock as suction slowly built and Cody’s eyes rolled back. Pure pleasure consumed him.
Cody spread his legs as wide as he could. “Oh, God…oh, shit! I’m not going to last long.” He groaned, the sounds echoing through the space.
Robbie murmured Cody’s name around his cock, sending him into a frenzy of lust.
He began to fuck Robbie’s mouth, the head of his cock sliding down he man’s throat over and over again. Cody’s legs shook and he tightened his muscles to prevent himself from sliding to the floor as he watched his cock disappear into Robbie’s mouth. He cried out Robbie’s name when the man slid a finger into his ass, making his cum erupt in spurts of white ribbons. He hit his head against the metal stall wall as his orgasm took over, his entire body shaking as pleasure rocked him to his core.
* * * *
Robbie planted a kiss on the head of Cody’s cock before standing.
Licking his lips, he stared at the beautiful man standing before him looking dazed. He grinned as he tucked the cowboy back into his jeans and zipped his fly. Robbie leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Cody’s lips.
“When can we go home? I want to return the favor in a comfortable bed,” Cody murmured quietly.
“Let’s go talk to the guys first and then, I’ll take you home.” Holding out his hand, Cody interlaced their fingers.
With their short time apart,
it was easy to invite Cody back into his life. He was proud of the young man. It took a great amount of courage to walk onto the dance floor and open up about his feelings, which proved that Cody wasn’t as weak as he thought. Robbie was relieved that the relationship they’d shared wasn’t one sided. Cody did have real feelings for him.
They walked out of the bathroom together and he led Cody toward the table. As they grew closer, he noticed Oliver’s amused smile suddenly drop. He stood in one fluid motion, his chair toppling back, and started toward them. A calculating look on his face gave Robbie pause and he wondered what the man was planning. He was so focused on Oliver that he never saw Sam barreling toward them until it was almost too late. The man’s fist was up swinging toward Cody when Oliver tackled Sam to the ground.
All hell broke loose then. It seemed that when the first punch was thrown, a bell went off, giving permission for everyone else to start fighting. Fists flew, shouts rang out, and glass smashed against the hardwood floor, as the bar erupted into a brawl. Robbie shoved Cody behind him, trying to protect his cowboy.
“Shit! We’ve got to get out of here!” Robbie yelled.
He grabbed Oliver around the waist and hauled the man up, hoping they could escape before things got worse.
“Head toward the exit,” he told Oliver.
Drunken idiots were beating the living crap out of each other as Robbie tried to find his brothers. It was tough since all the cowboys that were regulars seemed to be aiming for them, the new guys. There was only one exit that he knew of and it was blocked by fallen tables and a group of men beating on one another. One of the large wooden tables close to him fell, barely missing his face. Jumping back, he wrapped an arm around Cody, pulling the man close.
He spotted Wyatt, Jackson, and Easton rushing out the front door. He caught Easton’s eye and the man grinned and gave him the thumbs up. Looking around, Robbie tried to spot Jared, but couldn’t find him in the crowd. He just hoped the man was already outside.