Bo turned to the sheriff. He didn’t live in Deer Run, but he’d presided over the whole county for most of Bo’s life. “Most men would be on Brian’s side.”
The sheriff’s eyes rolled. “You need to get out more, Bo. The world isn’t as all-fired small-minded as Deer Run. And it’s changing. You’ll still find assholes like Brian, but there are plenty of folks who live and let live. Life is way too short to spend your time hating. Besides, I’ve got a sister who lives in Seattle, and she’s a lesbian. She also makes the best chili I’ve ever had. I think the two are connected somehow.”
Bo wasn’t sure a person’s sexual preferences had much to do with the ability to properly make chili, but he was intrigued by the sheriff’s relaxed take on the subject. “Not many people around here agree with you.”
“It’s more than you think. The problem is that one or two strong voices shout out the softer ones. I admire the hell out of your brother. He served this country with honor, and no one has a right to tell him how to live his life. Too many people in this town live in fear that they’ll get looked down on. That ain’t no way to live.”
The sheriff opened the door again. Brian snored loudly and turned over on the cot, showing off the fact that he didn’t mind a little plumber’s crack. Bo tried to shrink back.
The sheriff laughed a little. “Go on now. I’m not cleaning out the other cell just to spare your tender sensibilities.”
“I don’t mind if it’s dirty,” Bo said. Dirty sounded better than staring at Brian’s asscrack all night.
“Nope. In you go. Maybe this way you’ll stay out of that bar. Jail is supposed to be a deterrent, son. But maybe you can sit out here with me for a while.” The sheriff’s eyes lit up a little bit. “Mouse won’t be here for a while, anyway. It’ll take her an hour or two to find enough mice to power that car of hers. We could play some checkers. Hey, do you want some coffee cake?”
Bo nodded. Anything was better than being stuck in there with Brian. “Sure.”
The sheriff smiled. “Good. You get the checkers set out of my desk. I’ll go heat up that coffee cake.” He turned to the kitchenette door. Then he turned back. “Hey, don’t you escape or nothing.”
Bo gave him a little salute. “Wouldn’t think of it.”
The sheriff nodded and disappeared. Bo found the checkers game and set it up. He pulled up the deputy’s chair. He shouldn’t have to wait too long. Mouse would be here, and they would talk. He would drive that cheap little car of hers back to her place, and they would figure out their future.
He was going to kiss Mouse, and not on her cheek. He was going to take her in his arms and lay her down. He was going to get inside her and finally make her his.
He was going to marry Mouse.
He felt a smile split his face. Something settled deep inside of Bo. He was going to be a husband and someday a father. The idea of Mouse with a baby in her arms warmed him. He would be a good father. He wouldn’t let his son feel alone and adrift. His son would always know that he was there for him. He would never beat the shit out of his son and force him to seek shelter.
That night he’d gone to Austin to find Trev flashed across his brain. He’d been hurting. Aidan would have killed their dad had Bo gone to him. He’d gone to Trev because they’d been so close.
Trev had told him to go away because he didn’t want to interrupt his party.
Mouse had gotten on a bus and come to him. She’d cleaned him up and held him. She’d given him a place to stay until his bruises healed and covered for him at school. Bo had made sure he was never alone with his father when he was drinking again. When the bottle had come out, Bo had hightailed it straight to Mouse’s place.
No, he wouldn’t be anything like his father.
Mouse had always been his home. He could see that now. He was done denying it. He loved her. He was ready to start his future.
If she would only get here.
When the sheriff came back, Bo ate his coffee cake and waited for his girl.
Chapter Seven
Trev came awake slowly for once. Usually his morning began with the rude awakening of an alarm clock. His life at The Club had been deeply regimented, beginning with a workout session every morning at 5:30 a.m. Leo would be at his door before dawn, dressed in sweats and sneakers. Trev had gotten used to getting up early.
Early-morning light filtered through the filmy curtains that covered the window panes. It was a soft, white-and-yellow light that made everything seem gauzy and slightly unreal. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was ancient, but it seemed to be working. 7:30. He let his eyes drift closed again. There was no hurry to get up this morning.
Trev turned and smiled as he felt soft, warm flesh against his body. Beth shifted in her sleep, the sweetest whimper coming out of her mouth as she curled into his body. Her head found his chest, her hair tickling his skin.
Beth.
Damn, he was in deep. He’d planned on introducing her to some bondage once he’d gotten into bed with her, but as soon as he’d kissed those sweet lips, he hadn’t found the discipline to do anything but fuck her again. After he’d rung a couple of orgasms out of her, he’d come for what felt like forever. He should have fallen straight to sleep, but he’d found himself sitting up and talking to her.
He sighed and brushed her hair back from her face, feeling a sweet sense of peace. He hadn’t felt this calm and happy in a long while.
He wasn’t due out on the O’Malley Ranch for a couple of hours. There was plenty of time. He could sleep for a while and then get up, and he and Beth could make breakfast and talk some more.
Damn, he liked her. She was smart as a whip and had a sweetly sarcastic sense of humor that wasn’t obvious on the surface. He was going to enjoy the next year.
He had just settled back down when he heard the door downstairs squeak. His eyes flew back open. He was going to fix that door first thing. He gently eased away, reluctant to let her go, but god only knew what critters would wander into the house and set up a nest if he didn’t go and secure the door.
Stretching, Trev looked back at his sleeping lover. She was turned on her side, her hands close to her face. The sun kissed her porcelain skin. How had she stayed a virgin for so long? She was tempting as hell lying there with those soft breasts and round hips. She was perfectly fuckable and so giving that she would be a perfect sub to the right Dom.
Was he the right Dom?
He’d never had a sub before. He’d trained and practiced, but deep inside he wondered if he would ever take a permanent submissive. He certainly hadn’t expected one so soon. With his track record, he wasn’t sure he should. What if he dove back down into that hole he’d spent years in? How would he take care of her? He wouldn’t. He’d never been a violent drunk, but he’d been horribly neglectful. He couldn’t think of a worse thing for a Dom to be.
He wouldn’t go there. He wouldn’t give in. Not today. Tomorrow would come, and he would have to make the decision all over again, but he was going to be okay today.
Voices. He heard soft voices talking deep in the recesses of the house. They were muffled, but there was no mistaking it. This wasn’t the raccoon or the wind. Every nerve went on full alert. Who the hell was in Beth’s house? Whoever it was, they were about to find out that Beth Hobbes had a keeper who didn’t appreciate early-morning visitors.