by Lynn Hagen
“What’s up?”
“You still dog sitting?” Casey asked.
“Yep.”
Casey sighed. “I’m bored out of my skull. Max and Cory aren’t speaking to each other and Darien’s at home with Matthew.”
When they’d been in Virginia, the five had been inseparable. Now their little family seemed to be drifting apart. “Why don’t you come over?”
“Because I don’t want the sheriff to come home and arrest me for being there,” Casey said. “No offense, but he scares me.”
Jordan chuckled. “Just get your ass over here. I got beer, food, and movies.”
“Hell yeah. I’m on my way.” Casey hung up.
Jordan tossed his phone aside. When he got up, the dogs followed. “Looks like I better throw something together. What do you say to a guys’ night in?”
Wally barked as Buster sniffed at his food bowl. When he saw no food was in there, he padded to Mason’s armchair and crawled into it.
“I know, Buster. I miss him, too.”
Mason cut his phone off and shoved it into his pocket. Fuck. He’d been spotted. He’d known better than to make the call, but he’d missed Jordan’s voice, missed the guy, period. He needed to finish this assignment and get home to his boys.
Mason spun away from the wall he’d hidden behind, firing repeatedly as he raced toward the exit. This was one of the reasons he’d retired. He was getting too old for this shit.
More like too tired of dangerous living. His heart was in his throat as a bullet whizzed past his head. He jammed his hand against the door, thrust it open, and he took off toward the woods. He was parked on the other side.
“Don’t let him get away!” Elijah Barona shouted behind Mason. How the son of a bitch had figured out he was there was a mystery. There was no way Barona should’ve known. Mason had walked right into a trap. Making that call to Jordan hadn’t really mattered. He’d felt it in his gut that he’d been set up.
But by who? That was the million-dollar question. He worked for the government. His handler, Raven, had been rock-solid from the beginning. Mason trusted Raven with his life.
He needed answers, and he would get them, just as soon as he got away from Barona’s men.
Jordan jolted awake when someone wrapped an arm around him. Wally usually jumped in the bed at night, but unless he’d grown an arm, it didn’t belong to the black lab. He looked over his shoulder, trying to get his bearings as he blinked a few times.
Mason was behind him.
And he was naked.
Jordan snapped his head back around, pressing his eyes closed as he tried to erase the image of Mason’s nude body from his mind. It was no use. He’d gotten an eyeful of Mason’s cock before he’d looked away and now it was emblazoned in his memory.
And what a gorgeous cock the man had.
He told himself that begging Mason to fuck him wouldn’t be a good idea. Jordan really wanted things to work between them, and having sex before they got to know each other was just asking for trouble. Besides, he wasn’t ready to go full speed ahead before he’d purged the demons that still haunted him.
“Sorry to wake you,” Mason mumbled.
“It’s okay.” Lord, help me. Mason’s sleepy voice was deep and husky, only adding to the temptation Jordan was fighting against. He curled his hands into fists under his pillow, trying desperately to fall back to sleep, but he knew that would be impossible.
He had a sexy, naked man lying behind him. He didn’t think anyone in the world had that much self-control. He sure as hell didn’t.
While telling himself not to do it, Jordan scooted back a little, trying to get closer to Mason’s nakedness. The only thing between them was Jordan’s underwear. It would be so easy to take them off and offer himself to Mason.
What if they just had sex? What if Jordan kept things simple between them, kept his heart out of the equation? They could be friends with benefits, but there was just one problem with that idea.
Jordan was already falling for Mason.
His resistance faltered when Mason yanked him back and their bodies aligned. His butt was nestled in the curve of Mason’s groin.
And his hard cock was pressed firmly against the crease of Jordan’s ass.
Biting his bottom lip, Jordan pretended to readjust himself so he could wiggle against Mason’s hardness.
Mason’s hand tightened on him and glided from Jordan’s hip to his stomach, where it rested just above the waistband of Jordan’s boxers.
“If you’re not gonna do anything about my hard dick, I think I need to go sleep on the couch.” Mason’s hand slid up Jordan’s chest. He plucked one of Jordan’s nipples, making him hiss. “This would be a good time to call a stop to this. Because if I keep going, I might not be able to.”
All the reasons Jordan kept Mason at bay vanished. He couldn’t think with Mason damn near curled around him. He wasn’t made of stone, and his cock throbbed for release.
Praying he wasn’t making a big mistake, Jordan slid his underwear off and tossed them over the side of the bed.
Mason turned him and pressed Jordan’s back to the mattress. They looked at each other before Mason’s lips caressed his. This was what Jordan had been craving. This was what he’d dreamed about while lying by himself in Mason’s bed at night. He moaned as he parted his lips, sucking Mason’s tongue into his mouth.
They kissed and touched, explored each other with their hands as Jordan’s body grew tighter. He wanted Mason to fuck him so badly that he nearly begged for it.
“I don’t have any supplies,” Mason admitted as his lips ghosted over Jordan’s jaw. “But I can still make sure we’re both satisfied.”
Jordan hadn’t thought to bring any condoms or lube with him because he hadn’t expected things to go this far. He wanted to kick himself in the ass now.
Mason pulled away and settled on his back. “Turn around and get on top.”
It took a second for Jordan to understand what Mason wanted. He slid his hand over Mason’s rigid stomach and kissed along his chest. If they could only suck each other’s cocks, Jordan wanted to draw this out. He wanted to map Mason’s body, get to know each dip and cut line. Jordan didn’t want to rush into the sixty-nine position and have this end so quickly.
And it would.
His cock was so hard, throbbing so heavily that one touch from Mason’s tongue would send him over the edge.
Unfortunately, Jordan wasn’t sure he could hold out much longer. His body was on fire with need. Every spot he touched, every lick he gave drove his senses crazy.
Mason grabbed Jordan and flipped him, making Jordan laugh. “As much as I’m enjoying your tongue on my chest, I want to feel it on my dick.”
“That needy?” Jordan teased.
“Damn right.”
Jordan moaned and hugged Mason’s hairy leg when Mason took Jordan into his mouth. He lashed his tongue over Jordan’s erection, sucking his length deep into his mouth before pulling back.
Mason released Jordan’s cock. “You can join in anytime.”
Jordan shook his head, blinking a few times while he tried to remember how to think. He wrapped his hand around the girth of Mason’s cock and slid his tongue over the slit.
“That’s it, baby,” Mason groaned.
Jordan worked Mason’s length into his mouth and down his throat. He used his throat muscles to grip it tightly, pulling at Mason’s sac. Mason punched his hips upward, his hold on Jordan’s hips tightening.
The room filled with moans, desperation, and need. Jordan’s balls had already drawn close to his body. When Mason slid a finger into Jordan’s ass, it was over. Jordan strangled Mason’s cock with his hand as he threw his head back and cried out. Mason drank him down, swallowing every last drop of Jordan’s seed.
Hungry for Mason, Jordan sucked and licked, pulled and swallowed. He slid the flat of his tongue over the heavy vein, then took Mason down his throat. Mason fucked Jordan’s mouth in short bursts, squeezing
Jordan’s thighs.
With a few tight pumps of his hand, Jordan had Mason calling out his name. Cum spurted down his throat, and Jordan was greedy for the taste.
He pulled back and rested his cheek on Mason’s thigh. “I think you just sucked my brain out through my dick.”
Mason chuckled as Jordan fumbled to get his leg over Mason’s body. He was boneless and all he wanted to do was sleep. Mason curled around him, pulling Jordan close. He pressed a kiss to Jordan’s shoulder. “We better get some rest. We both have to be up early.”
Jordan glanced at the clock on the dresser and groaned. He had to be up in three hours.
Mason made a quick breakfast while Jordan took Buster and Wally outside. They’d taken separate showers so they wouldn’t be tempted to fool around. They didn’t have time, though Mason would’ve loved to have Jordan on his knees while the water cascaded over his toned body.
He hadn’t come home last night with the intention of having sex. Mason had been emotionally depleted and had been looking for comfort. But he wasn’t complaining. The blowjob had been exactly what he’d needed.
Jordan came inside and feed the dogs.
This was nice. Real nice. Very domestic. For years Mason had dreamed of getting out of the game and settling down somewhere. He now had a house, a good job, and two dogs to keep him company. But he also wanted Jordan to be there on a more permanent basis.
After last night, Mason was sure he was finally getting past the friend zone. He just had one worry. Mason had left a mess behind in Baltimore. He’d never done that before. Elijah Barona had gone into hiding after Mason had gotten away, and he hadn’t been able to track the man down.
His gut told him his screwup would come back to bite him. Mason needed to get in contact with Raven. Not only to find out how everything had gone so wrong, but once again to stress how he didn’t want to be in the game any longer.
Mason had no doubt that he was catching feelings for Jordan. The guy was funny, sexy, intelligent, and damn it, Mason wanted this to work.
“Smells good.” Jordan took a seat at the counter. “I just wish I had enough time to relax and enjoy it.” He drank some of his coffee, shoveled down the eggs and toast, then drained his cup and stood.
“I’ll get your dishes,” Mason said.
“Thanks.” Jordan gave him a quick kiss before he hurried out the door.
Yep, Mason could get used to this real quick.
Chapter Six
Blade should have died in that gunfight. But since he hadn’t, the mercenary had made damn sure Mason Camden was now labeled a rogue operative.
That meant he had to be put down.
He’d botched his last assignment. Blade had fled and returned to this Podunk town as though he could forget his past. He had left a mess behind that the mercenary now had to clean up.
He thought about the thrill that had shot through him when he’d sliced Elijah Barona’s throat, the rush as Barona’s breath gurgled from his body.
But the mercenary had to be careful. Blade wasn’t a homegrown terrorist or some piece-of-shit cartel member. He was a deadly, highly trained operative who wouldn’t go down easy.
He directed his attention to the house at the end of the road. A man walked out and got into a red Impala. That wasn’t Blade. As the car pulled from the driveway, the mercenary ducked low in his seat. When the car passed, he sat up and looked at Blade’s house.
He waited until Blade left for the morning, then crept from his car to the back of the house. He checked the sliding door and found it unlocked. He didn’t go in, but the small-town trust was a bonus. It meant he could come back later and slip inside to finish this.
Two dogs padded toward him. One was a German shepherd, and it snarled at the mercenary through the glass. The black lab simply stared at him, as though curious.
So Blade really had settled into a quiet life. How interesting. Men like them knew that wasn’t in the cards. Men like them knew the only way out of the game was death.
Back in his car, the mercenary pulled away. If Blade wanted out of the game so badly, the mercenary had no problem giving the operative his retirement package.
Jordan stared at the sprawling ten-acre ranch surrounded by a white post-and-rail fence. The property was empty, but the mountain backdrop made the two-story colonial house seem like a dreamy place to live. The white home had columns holding up a portico over the front door, and evenly spaced black shutters on the sides of the windows. The second floor even had a balcony, and additional wings on the left of the house looked to have been added in later years.
Darien had told him the house needed only a few minor repairs. The investors planned on having the eyesore barn torn down. They already had a buyer for the house. Now all that needed to be done was the restoration work.
He stepped out of his car into the warm afternoon sunshine and headed across the road. He would have driven all the way to the door, but he needed the walk after the dinner Mason had cooked for them last night.
A man with a cane, his border collie tagging along with him, sauntered toward Jordan. He figured they were out taking a leisurely stroll. The dog jumped up, placing its paws on Jordan’s chest as Jordan petted the dog, its tail vigorously wagging.
“Sorry Daisy is bothering you.” The man smiled. He looked to be in his late fifties with a smattering of gray laced through his black hair. His handshake was strong and his smile cordial. “The name’s Mack.”
“I’m Jordan.”
“Haven’t seen you around these parts, Jordan.” Mack adjusted his cane.
“I came in with the Lockmere crew that’s rebuilding this town.” Jordan tucked his clipboard under his arm. He’d been upset Darien had taken him off the home Jordan had been working on. But as he stared past Mack’s shoulder, he couldn’t wait to see inside the colonial. He bet the floors were amazing.
“We got us a new sheriff, too.” Mack smiled, pulling Jordan’s attention away from the home. “He looks capable.”
“His name is Sheriff Camden.” The blush that heated his cheeks embarrassed Jordan. He usually wasn’t a blusher, but the thought of Mason put a wide smile on his face.
The old-timer gave him a wink. “I know that look, son. You’re in love.”
Jordan was shocked the elderly man was so accepting. Some of the already-established residents had voiced their disgust at the town becoming an LGBTQ haven. Most of the ones who objected had moved away, but a handful of the bigots had stayed. He was glad Mack wasn’t one of them.
“I don’t know about love,” Jordan said. “Maybe enamored.”
Mack moved closer and patted Jordan’s arm. “No shame when it comes to love. The heart wants what it wants.”
He slid his arm through Jordan’s. Mack had quite a grip. He led Jordan toward the ranch, Daisy following them. “I remember when I first spotted my Betsy,” Mack said. “She put a shine in my smile that would blind anyone standing within a ten-mile radius.”
Jordan came to a stop and pulled his arm free. As much as he liked Mack, he had work to get done and he didn’t need Mack following him inside. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Mack.” Jordan bent and petted Daisy’s head. She lapped at his hand and wagged her tail.
“Nice meeting you, too.” Mack turned and started back up the road.
Jordan watched for a minute before he headed toward the house.
“Oh my God,” Jordan chuckled. “I’m so full.” He patted his flat stomach as he slouched in the passenger seat next to Mason. “That food was awesome.”
Mason had taken him to a small Mexican restaurant in Chillicothe. It had been a long drive, but worth it. Mason still felt the Fajita Express burping its way back up his throat. He usually didn’t do spicy, and his heartburn was reminding him of that fact. He just wished he could remember if he had antacids at the house.
“Thanks.” Jordan smiled his way. “I had a good time.”
“Me, too.” Mason glanced in his rearview mirror and noticed the small b
lack Sonata that had been behind them since they left the restaurant. It could just be a coincidence, a driver heading in the same direction, but after the mess in Baltimore, Mason was on edge.
“At least I have lunch for tomorrow.” Jaden nodded toward the Styrofoam container at his feet. “Though I’m not sure if it’ll last the night. That was some really good food. Been forever since I had chimichangas.”
“Just as long as you let the window down.”
Jordan grinned and damn if that wasn’t a handsome smile. “I grew up on spicy food. My stomach is made of steel.”
“Am I taking you home or are you staying the night at my place?” Twice at dinner Mason had wanted to ask Jordan to move in, but he’d lost his nerve. He didn’t want Jordan to feel pressured. Mason knew Jordan wanted to take things slow, and asking him to build a life together after dating only two weeks might scare Jordan.
Mason cut down the road that led to Wildfire, and the Sonata kept going, passing the turnoff. He’d chastise himself for being so paranoid, but he knew sooner or later the disaster he’d left behind would catch up to him.
Sticking around Wildfire wasn’t a smart move. Although he’d purchased the house under one of his aliases, eventually someone would figure out where he lived. Mason needed to get out of town. Dagger might have hired him, and they might’ve known each other for several years, but he wouldn’t exactly call them friends. If pressured by the agency, Dagger could turn on him in a heartbeat.
So why hadn’t he left yet? The reason was sitting right next to him.
“I need to go home tonight,” Jordan said. “I promised Cory we’d hang out. He’s been feeling neglected lately.”
Maybe this was the opportunity Mason needed. He could toss his dogs into his Jeep and take off. Mason was pretty sure Dagger could find another sheriff. But can you really leave Jordan behind?
Mason strangled the steering wheel at the thought of never seeing Jordan again. He’d fallen in love with the guy, but staying in Wildfire put Jordan in danger. Taking Jordan with him did the exact same thing.