by Lynn Hagen
Lewis smiled, then turned away, making himself busy at the back counter.
Jordan wanted to ask if Lewis was okay, but was uncomfortable sticking his nose in someone else’s business. The bruise could’ve gotten there in any number of ways, abuse didn’t have to be one of them.
Jordan was heading toward his red Impala when two cop cars whizzed by, sirens blaring and lights flashing. Since only Mason and Drake were at the station, it was both of them.
Now what the hell was he supposed to do? The strawberry shortcakes wouldn’t last long in the heat. Jordan decided to go to Mason’s anyway. He knew the guy didn’t lock his doors.
Jordan just hoped his friend didn’t get mad at him for letting himself in.
Buster and Wally greeted him at the door wagging their tails, and Wally jumped up and licked at Jordan’s face. “Okay, buddy. Hi to you, too. Now get down.”
Wally dropped to all fours.
When Jordan put the desserts in the fridge, he noticed the marinating steaks. His stomach grumbled. What harm could it be to start grilling them? The potatoes were already wrapped in foil. Jordan grabbed the glass dish and the two potatoes and took them outside, letting the dogs out with him.
Jordan fired up the grill and tossed on the steaks and foil-wrapped potatoes. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and relaxed in the backyard.
The bruise on his chest still hurt from where Michael had kicked him. Michael had fought every step of the way as the cops dragged him to the ambulance, shouting that they weren’t going to take him down alive, cursing so badly that Jordan had blushed from the stuff flying out of Michael’s mouth.
He’d flailed so hard that he’d kicked Jordan in the chest and slapped him across his face. Jordan knew Michael hadn’t done it intentionally, but the medics still gave him a quick examination.
It hadn’t been any better once Michael was admitted. He had threatened the hospital staff, and told the doctor he was going to crush his head in in if he came any closer with that needle.
The cops had once again wrestled Michael down so the doctor could administer the shot. Not even five minutes later, Michael had been fast asleep.
The doctor had taken one look at Jordan’s face and insisted on an x-ray. Thankfully, no bones had been broken.
The steaks were ready by the time Mason stepped out into the backyard and grinned. “Now this is a nice sight to come home to.”
“I hope you don’t mind.” Jordan jumped up, afraid Mason would be mad that he’d not only let himself in, but taken it upon himself to start dinner.
“Mind?” Mason shook his head. “You can trespass anytime.”
Jordan wasn’t sure if Mason was just kidding around, but if his handsome smile was anything to go by, he was.
“Is everything okay?” Jordan followed him inside and took two plates from the cupboard.
“Let’s agree to leave business at the door.” Mason grabbed two bottles of beer from the fridge and set them aside. Next he put everything on the counter for the baked potatoes—sour cream, chives, bacon bits, and salt.
This felt so domestic that Jordan had an urge to run. He and Gary had started out blissfully happy, then things started to change. Gary had gone from smiling all the time to working late hours and coming home too tired to have sex.
Jordan had suggested couples counseling, but Gary had refused. He’d become more distant and closed off, and Jordan had been at his wits’ end. Jordan had waited until his lover had come home from work to talk to him. Gary had looked exhausted when Jordan told him it was over between them. If his lover didn’t think their relationship was important enough to work on, what hope did they have?
That was when Gary had raced from the house and gotten into the accident that had ended his life.
“Did I say something wrong?” Mason asked.
Folding himself into Mason’s arms would be so nice. Jordan needed a hug so badly that he physically ached. “No, I’m fine.”
“I mean, if you really want to talk about business, we can.” Mason speared the steaks and set one on each plate.
“I’m just curious,” Jordan admitted. “I saw you and Deputy Winslow fly by me. It’s only natural that I want to know what’s going on.”
“I know, but I think people need their privacy. It’s bad enough they’re going through some emotional stuff. I don’t want to tell their business.”
That made sense, and Jordan respected Mason all the more for it. He was still curious, though.
The dishes were done, the grill cleaned, and the dogs had been walked and fed. Mason dropped onto the couch and grabbed the remote while kicking his feet up on the coffee table.
Jordan fought not to curl close to him. In fact, he’d been fighting the overwhelming attraction all evening. He wasn’t winning. His gaze followed every move Mason made, and his eyes zeroed in on the sheriff’s butt, his muscles and the way they flexed, and his side profile.
And God, could Mason smell any more masculine? The dark scent was driving Jordan crazy.
Jordan sat there trying to figure out how to get closer without looking like he was trying to get closer. He stretched his arms over his head before resting them on the back of the couch.
Mason looked at him, one brow arched. “Are you seriously pulling that arm move on me?”
Jordan pulled his arms away, feeling like an idiot and a basket case. He wanted Mason but he didn’t want Mason. How screwed up was that?
Mason moved so close that their thighs touched. He stretched his arms, then rested one over Jordan’s shoulders. Jordan chuckled. “Don’t steal my move.”
Mason grinned. “Never used it before. Had to try it on for size.”
Their bodies molded as Jordan gave up the fight and leaned into Mason. He turned to stare into Mason’s gorgeous eyes. The lust swimming in their blue depths made Jordan’s heart gallop.
“Would you mind if I kissed you?”
Jordan’s nerves were wound tight as he shook his head. In truth, he’d been dying to kiss Mason since first laying eyes on him in Gallagher’s. He sucked in a breath like a nervous teenager when Mason cupped his jaw. His beefy hand covered half Jordan’s face as he pulled Jordan even closer.
Their breath mingled before Mason slid his tongue over Jordan’s bottom lip. Jordan shivered, excitement sweeping him under and carrying him away with the tide as Mason drove his tongue deep into Jordan’s mouth.
The kiss was like an explosion of fireworks inside Jordan. He moaned, grabbing the front of Mason’s shirt. Mason’s smell, his touch, his caressing lips were like liquid heat pouring through Jordan’s body. His cock thickened and pulsed as he damn near crawled onto Mason’s lap.
Thoughts of Michael vanished, and he momentarily forgot his guilt about Gary. The kiss was passionate and breathtaking and turned into languid licks and sighs. Mason’s heart pounded under Jordan’s hand, telling him that he wasn’t the only one excited by this moment.
“I’m not gonna lie.” Mason pulled back slightly. “I want to fuck you into the couch right now.”
Those words made Jordan’s cock pulse even harder. He wanted the same thing, but…. “I can’t. Not now.”
Jordan wanted to kick his own ass for denying himself the pleasure of Mason. Was he so insane that he would turn down what he knew would be phenomenal sex? He had to be.
“I don’t understand.” Mason entwined their fingers and kissed Jordan’s knuckles.
“Because if you always do what you always do, you’ll always get what you always get.”
“Come again?” Mason furrowed his brows.
“We hardly know each other,” Jordan said. “I don’t want to jump into bed with you. That’s what I’ve always done, and my past relationships never lasted. I want things to be different this time.”
Jordan wanted to build a lasting foundation with Mason. He also needed time to work through his guilt over Gary’s death.
A slow smile spread across Mason’s kiss-swollen lips. “So does this mean you
want something meaningful with me?”
Jordan shrugged. “Do you want something meaningful with me?”
“Damn straight I do.” Mason gave him a quick kiss. “I’m getting too old for one-night stands and simple flings. I want more, Jordan, and if you want the same thing, then I can wait for sex.”
With his heart lighter, Jordan nodded. “I want that, too.”
They spent the rest of the night cuddled close, watching the movie while stealing kisses from each other. They might not have had sex, but it had been one of the best nights Jordan could remember.
The following morning Mason felt light on his feet—which was odd since he hadn’t even fucked Jordan. But he kept smiling as he entered the station and greeted the deputy who had been hired. Two more were coming later that month, and Mason was glad his department was finally being properly staffed.
“Sheriff Camden, this is Deputy Isaac Hadfield,” Dagger said. “He was a Cleveland detective for six years, and before that, a marine.”
Dagger apparently liked his law enforcement ex-military. That was fine with Mason. It meant they wouldn’t buckle under pressure.
“An ex-marine,” Matthew Honeywell said as he entered the station.
“There’s no such thing as an ex-marine,” Mason, Dagger, Drake, and Isaac all said at once.
“I guess that opinion is unanimous,” Matthew said with a smile.
“Not an opinion. A fact,” Dagger said.
“Winslow, show Hadfield where he can suit up,” Mason said.
“You got it, Sheriff.” Drake led the new deputy to the locker room.
“Everything seems to be falling into place.” Matthew took a seat by Mason’s desk. “Just dropped by to tell you a few more houses have been sold. A lot have been rented, too. The population is climbing.”
Mason had no idea how much the four men had invested in Wildfire, but it had to be a pretty penny. Construction was going on all around town, businesses were opening, and new faces were cropping up all the time.
“Glad the town seems to be flourishing,” Mason said. “Keeps me working.”
“Since I hear you have mouths to feed,” Dagger teased.
“Oh?” One of Matthew’s brows rose.
“He adopted two dogs,” Dagger said.
“How commendable.” Matthew stood and shoved his hands into his front pockets. “I better get going.”
“Wouldn’t want to miss your lunch date.” Dagger winked.
Even Mason knew what that meant. How Mr. Honeywell spent his lunches was no longer a secret. Mason had gone to city hall once to talk to Seoul and heard the noises coming from Matthew’s office.
Matthew blushed as he hurried from the station. As Mason smiled, he thought of Jordan and their hot-and-heavy petting session last night.
“I’m gonna head out, too,” Dagger said. “Though I don’t have lunchtime sex to look forward to.”
Neither did Mason. He wasn’t sure how long Jordan wanted to wait, but he prayed it wasn’t long. Mason was so horny that a stiff wind might get him off.
When Dagger left his office, Mason’s cell phone rang. He answered without looking at the caller ID.
“Sheriff Camden.”
“Your mother is expecting flowers.”
Mason quickly closed his office door. “I had a hard time finding a flower shop.”
He heard a series of clicks before Mark Bowman spoke again. “You’re needed.”
With a low growl, Mason said, “I’m out of the game. You know I retired.”
“There’s no such thing as retirement. We haven’t bothered you for a while, but we’ve kept tabs on you.”
“Not interested,” Mason said.
“There’s a coffee shop in Chillicothe. It’s called Fresh Brew. Your handler will meet you there at oh-seven hundred tomorrow morning.”
Bowman hung up.
Mason cursed. He had no choice but to go. If he didn’t show, he would be deemed a rogue operative, and a cleaning team would be sent to eliminate him.
He couldn’t even tell anyone why he needed a few days. Even if he didn’t give the truth, Dagger would know. They were in the same line of work. Mason still considered himself retired, but as far as he knew, Dagger still worked for the government. They never talked about it, although they’d known each other for several years.
At least Mason had two men to cover the department while he was away. His only problem was Jordan. Mason didn’t want to lie to him, but he couldn’t tell Jordan the truth, either.
Mason stepped outside his office. He planned on tracking Dagger down to tell him he needed the time off, only to find Dagger still in the station, talking with Lindsey.
“Can I talk to you in my office?”
Dagger nodded before he followed Mason.
When they stepped inside, Mason closed his door. “I need a few personal days.”
“Can I ask why?”
“I have to take some flowers to my mother.” Mason’s mother had passed away ten years ago. He hadn’t seen his father since Mason was fourteen. Dexter Camden had said he was underqualified for the job of fatherhood and had taken off. Mason had no siblings. It was just him in the big, bad, cold world.
And now Buster and Wally. Mason hoped he could soon add Jordan to his growing family.
Knowledge filled Dagger’s eyes. He nodded. “Take all the time you need. Send her my regards.”
Which meant “make it back safely.” “Hopefully I won’t be gone too long.”
“Are you going to tell Jordan you’re taking off?”
Mason was surprised Dagger knew about Jordan. Since coming to Wildfire, he hadn’t seen much of Dagger, let alone had any personal conversations with him.
Dagger grinned. “I make it a point to know what’s going on in my town, Blade.”
“I’ll take care of Jordan.” Mason just wasn’t sure how.
“See you when you get back.” Dagger turned to leave, but stopped. “I’ll keep an eye on him while you’re away.”
“Not too close an eye,” Mason warned before Dagger walked out.
Chapter Five
Jordan smiled as soon Mason’s Jeep pulled up. Then he frowned. Why was Mason in his Jeep and not the patrol car?
When Mason got out, Jordan knew something was wrong from his expression.
“I’ll be right back,” he told Casey before walking toward Mason.
Jordan was hard, his heart galloping, and all he thought about as he stared at Mason was last night when they’d kissed and petted their way through the movie.
“I need to talk to you,” Mason said as they met on the tree lawn.
“About?” Jordan became nervous. Had Mason changed his mind about a relationship with him? He couldn’t think of any other reason Mason would wear such a grim expression.
“I have to go out of town for a few days.”
Jordan nearly collapsed with relief. “Now you’re sounding like me. Is everything okay?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Mason handed him a key. “I was wondering if you could look after Buster and Wally while I’m away.”
“Not a problem.” Jordan had fallen in love with the dogs. Looking after them wouldn’t be an effort at all.
“Since I know you get an early start,” Mason said, “it might be better if you stay at my house while I’m gone. That way you won’t have to make an extra trip in the morning or in the evening.”
That made sense. “Sure, I can do that.”
Mason grabbed Jordan’s nape and hauled him close, then kissed him on the lips. He turned and walked away, leaving Jordan standing there with a stupid grin on his face.
Jordan hadn’t heard a word from Mason in three days. That worried him. Mason hadn’t even called to check on the dogs.
Since he hadn’t told Jordan what was going on, Jordan had no idea when he would be back or why he’d left in the first place.
Mason wasn’t answering Jordan’s calls, either. Something wasn’t right and Jordan wanted answ
ers. He just wasn’t sure how to get them.
Instead of waiting around for Mason to call, Jordan decided to go to the police station to see if one of his deputies knew where he’d taken off to.
Before he made it to his car, his cell phone rang.
It was Mason.
“Where have you been and why haven’t you called me?” Jordan snapped when he answered his phone.
“Well, hello to you, too.”
Jordan rested against his car. Hearing Mason’s voice made the knot in his chest unfurl. “I’m sorry. I just haven’t heard from you and I was worried.”
Mason didn’t say anything. For a second, Jordan thought he’d hung up. “Mason?”
“I’m here, Jordan. Things got a little more complicated than I expected. I’m sorry I didn’t call you.”
Jordan ran his hand over his head as he kicked his toe against the clump of weed growing in the crack in the driveway. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You are helping just by letting me hear your voice. How’re our kids doing?”
That single question made Jordan weak in the knees. Mason acted as if they were already a family. That scared Jordan. What if things didn’t work out? The worry tried to overwhelm him, but Jordan forced it down.
“They’re doing okay. They miss you.” And so do I. Jordan was amazed at just how much he really did miss Mason. He’d gotten so used to spending time with him, so used to Mason’s dominating presence, that the house felt empty without him there.
“I miss you guys, too.” Mason grew quiet again. Jordan swore he heard a gunshot in the background.
He stiffened as his heart migrated to his throat. “Was that a gunshot?”
“I have to go,” he said. “I promise to call as soon as I can.”
“Mason, no!” Jordan gripped his phone in frustration. Had he really just heard a gunshot? Just what kind of trouble was Mason mixed up in? Maybe it hadn’t been a gun. Maybe a car had backfired. Jordan liked that option a lot better.
Knowing he wouldn’t get any answers tonight, Jordan headed into the house and curled up on the couch with Buster and Wally, miserable without Mason.
Jordan jumped when his phone rang. He grabbed it from his pocket and sighed. It was just Casey.