The Broken H (11 page)

Shane shrugged and finished chewing his pizza. “No; things were fine. I left right after you to get back out to the south pasture and put up the new fence.” He paused to take another bite. “You know, I don’t get it. What does Sherry Ann possibly think to gain by this? Does she think if she can trap me that I’ll somehow magically fall head over heels in love with her and marry her?”

“I don’t know, chief. The whole thing is weird.”

Shane grunted his agreement.

“She’s obviously got problems if she’d make up such a story to get revenge on you. And I want you to file a restraining order against both her and Kauffman. She needs to stay the hell away from you and I want him to keep his distance, too.” He lifted his eyes to let Shane know he meant it. “You think she really is pregnant?”

“Who knows? But if she is, it sure as hell isn’t mine.”

Gray snorted. “It’s quite possible she’s really pregnant and doesn’t want to tell her daddy who the baby’s father is.”

Shane shrugged. “Maybe so, but I can’t see how pointing the finger at me is going to help anything. I think she’s still trying to get her father’s notice, albeit in a somewhat extreme way. You think I should try and talk to her by herself, see what the hell she’s thinks she’s doing?”

Gray had started shaking his head before Shane finished talking. “No. Stay as far away from her as possible. I don’t need people telling me they’ve seen you together and her hollering rape or something. That girl obviously has issues, I wouldn’t put that past her. Not to mention you might agitate things by confronting her. At this point, they have to prove that she’s, one, pregnant and, two, if she is that you’re the father. And they can’t. They definitely won’t have DNA evidence of any sexual activity, and if she’s with child, it’s much too soon to get DNA results from the fetus.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll keep away from them, but there isn’t any need to file for a restraining order.”

Gray groaned.

“I’m tired of talking about the Kauffmans, so let’s drop it. Besides, I need to discuss something else.”

Gray frowned, letting him know the business of the restraining order wasn’t done. “Oh?”

Shane nodded. “Yeah, but not now. Eat.”

He studied Shane for a few minutes, trying to decide whether to push or not. Shane didn’t look visibly upset, so he decided that whatever it was would wait. They sat in silence, taking care of four slices of pizza apiece. Finally, Gray pushed away from the table a little and leaned back, relaxed. “You staying the night?”

Shane nodded. “I will if you’ll set the alarm for five.”

“As long as you don’t expect me to get up that early.”

Shane chuckled and moved back from the table, too. “Lazy.”

Gray nodded. “Yup, that’s why I went into law enforcement instead of ranching. No getting up with the roosters for me. It isn’t natural to be up before the sun is.” He grabbed his plate and reached for Shane’s. “You done?”

“Yeah, thanks. I really was tired of hamburgers.”

“I was, too, and would have made something but that last call took more time than I thought, so I didn’t get back into the office till way after my shift ended. And I’m off this weekend.” He put the plates in the sink and came back to Shane. He dropped to his knees in front of his lover, resting his hands on the man’s thighs. “I’ll fix something tomorrow. Maybe we can do something like fishing or go into San Antonio for a movie.”

Shane shifted in his chair, spreading his legs wider. He looked down at Gray and grinned. “We could do that. Next weekend I’m going to a livestock auction. Want come with me? If you’re especially nice, I’ll buy you a horse. Only you have to break it in.”

“Sure. Do I get to ride on your shoulders like when I was a kid?”

“I’ll give you something to ride…”

Gray ran his hands up and down Shane’s denim-clad thighs. His gaze drifted down Shane’s long body, finally settling on the bulge in his jeans. The sight made his own cock stand up and take notice. He unbuttoned and unzipped Shane’s pants, tugging the flaps apart. “Mmm, and what a nice ride it’s going to be.” He hooked his fingers beneath the waistband of the jeans and Shane’s underwear.

Shane lifted his hips just a little, allowing Gray to tug them down to mid-thigh. The beautiful wide prick that gave so much pleasure came free. It wasn’t hard yet, but it was getting there. Shane’s hand traced down the side of Gray’s cheek, his thumb rubbing back and forth over the cheekbone.

Gray looked into the brown eyes, taking a minute to absorb the beauty of that beloved face. Damn, those glasses really were sexy. Maybe Shane would let him—

“What are you thinking?” Shane smiled quizzically.

“Why?”

“You’ve suddenly got this naughty little glint in your eyes.”

Gray inspected Shane’s lap, noticing the now fully erect cock. He touched it and squeezed gently, making Shane hiss out a breath. “Just thinking about those glasses.”

“No.”

“You don’t even know what I want to do. Please?” He swiped his tongue up the long shaft along the prominent vein.

Shane groaned and scooted his ass closer to the edge of the chair. “You aren’t spunking on my glasses, you perv.”

Gray twirled his tongue around the plump head, sucking it deeper into his mouth. His own dick was like a brand inside his uniform trousers. He unfastened them as he gulped Shane further down his throat, then pulled back up. “Come on, chief. Haven’t you ever watched porn? The guy with the glasses always gets—”

Shane gripped his cock and tapped the head against Gray’s lips. Obediently, he opened his mouth again and engulfed Shane, forgetting all about what he was saying. He
was
going to come on those glasses and that fucking beautiful face, but he’d argue his case later.

When Shane’s hands wrapped around his head, he swore his own prick leaked copiously. Oh, man, he loved that. There was just something that turned him on to no end about having Shane’s hands on his skull while Gray sucked him off. The idea that Shane was so desperate for him that he didn’t want him to stop, that he needed to hold his head there, was a huge turn on. He’d always loved sucking dick—he had a bit of an oral fixation, truth be told—but the fact that it was Shane…

He’d never been able to get off just from giving head before—well, aside from the first time he’d ever done it—but with chief it was becoming the norm. In fact, if Shane started thrusting, he was a goner. The very idea that he could make Shane lose control just about did him in every time. Now, if he could just get the man to talk dirty to him, he’d be set.

He began to stroke himself as he bobbed his head up and down on Shane’s prick, sucking every time his mouth slid up. Shane groaned, his hands caressing Gray’s head, then he started moving, thrusting up as his hands pushed Gray’s head down. Shane already knew that Gray could not only take it, but loved it when he did that.

Gray opened up, relaxing his throat muscles. He sat back on his heels and used his hand to push Shane’s cock down so he could get a better angle, allowing Shane’s penis to slip all the way down. He could feel the blood throbbing in his own dick and the slick precome dribbling out the tip. His balls were so tight, so close to emptying.

The sounds of Shane’s rough breathing and the slick sounds of his own saliva and the suction of his mouth sounded loud in the quiet room. “Oh, damn, Grayson. That’s it. Take all of it.”

The hoarse whisper was all Gray needed. He shot hard, groaning around Shane’s dick. Come squirted out, slicking his fingers and splattering on the floor. The whole time he continued to suck, never slowing in his quest to pleasure Shane.

Shane bucked up into his mouth several more times, then tensed. His fingers flexed in Gray’s hair and he gasped something that sounded like, “Grayson, love, now,” and came. The salty flavor poured into Gray’s mouth and down his throat as he swallowed.

Gray slumped a little, trying to recover from his own orgasm, but kept Shane’s prick in his mouth. He sucked and licked, reluctant to let go, enjoying the weight of Shane’s softening prick in his mouth.

Shane chuckled and caressed his cheek. “That almost tickles.”

“Ummm…”

Shane laughed outright. “
That
does tickle.”

Gray smiled, letting Shane slip from his mouth. He kissed Shane’s thigh and rested his head on Shane’s knee.

“You really love doing that, don’t you?” Shane combed his fingers through Gray’s hair.

He nodded. “Yeah, I do. Especially with you.”

Shane caught his head in his big tanned hands and pulled Gray up, urging him onto his knees. Once Gray was face level, Shane leaned forward and kissed him, his tongue softly caressing, exploring. It wasn’t a deep or passionate kiss—it was soft and sweet and lazy, with just a hint of tongue—but it spoke volumes. Shane pulled back, his gaze tracing slowly over Gray’s face, a soft smile on his lips. “I told your parents today that I’m gay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. They said they already knew.” Shane frowned at the memory.

Gray grinned. “Well, hell, chief, they’ve known you since you were sixteen. If they hadn’t had at least an inkling, I’d have to wonder. I’m sure they know about me, too.”

“Well, you didn’t know I was.”

“Yeah, but I had reason to believe otherwise.”

Shane shrugged. “I didn’t mention you, but they know I’m seeing someone. I’ve been told that I should bring you home to meet them.”

Gray chuckled. “You could have told them. I wouldn’t have cared.” He knew they’d all deal with it. He had great parents. Heck, he would have told them years ago if he hadn’t been worried about what Shane would say. Ironically, telling them now wasn’t a big deal since he knew he wouldn’t have Shane’s censure to deal with.

Shane shook his head. “It’s not my place. You need to tell them.” His brows drew together.

Gray smoothed the lines. “You’re worried about what they will think? About us together, I mean?”

Shane gave a crisp nod.

“You want me to tell them? I can do it tomorrow.”

“No!”

Gray started. “Okay.”

“I’m sorry, I just need a little time. They need a little more time. They’ve had a lot to deal with lately, what with Ted’s heart attack, then the Kauffmans and their lame-ass accusation, then me telling them I’m gay. Maybe we should wait a while.”

Gray didn’t think it was that big a deal, but obviously it meant something to Shane, so he could hold off on telling his folks. “Yeah, we can wait as long as you want, but I don’t think it will matter. Well, they might be a little surprised at first, but they love us. They’ll be happy.”

Shane leaned forward and kissed him again. Just a soft brush of lips. “God, I hope you’re right.”

Chapter Ten

Maybe he could just do like he did as a kid: open the back door and shout, “I’m at Shane’s!” Back in the day, no one would have raised a brow. It would be so much simpler if he could tell them the truth, but he’d promised Shane to give him time.

Gray blew out a deep breath. By the time he rounded the second of the four curves on the way to the Broken H, he still hadn’t decided what he was going to tell his parents—or rather how not to tell them until Shane was ready to do so.

Gray wasn’t sure why exactly, but he had a feeling Shane needed to work out something for himself.

Around the third curve, he spotted riders on the edge of the Broken H’s property. As he got closer, he realized it was Shane with Mac, one of the older ranch hands. Mac had worked on the Broken H since Gray was a kid. The man used to stay up at the bunkhouse, but he’d gotten married close to fifteen years ago and move to his own house in town. He was a nice guy, closer to Shane’s age than Gray’s.

Shane saw him and waved. He waved back, pulled over to the side of the dirt road, killed the engine and waited.

Shane and Mac veered toward the fence, coming to meet him.

Gray hopped out, heading toward the two men. “Hey, chief! Hey, Mac!”

“Hey, sheriff! Mac smiled.

“Grayson.” Shane tipped his straw cowboy hat.

Gray stopped next to the fence, petting Kokopelli, Shane’s black gelding, on the white star above his nose. “What are y’all doing out this far?”

Mac grinned. “As little as possible. Ahem, I mean, we’re riding the fence.”

Shane shrugged, grinning. “You’re off work early.”

Gray nodded. “Sure am. I got out of there an hour earlier than I expected. I’d already packed a bag before I left, so I came right here. How’s daddy today?”

Mac let out a long whistle. “Grouchy as hell!”

Gray laughed. “In that case, I’m in no hurry. How about you, Mac? You want to trade me? Take my truck back to the ranch and let me ride Dixie back?”

Mac’s face lit up, then he looked over at Shane.

Shane nodded. “Sure, go ahead. You can go home when you get there.”

“Thanks, Shane.” Mac got off the chestnut mare and climbed through the fence.

Gray tossed him the keys to his truck. “Just park it out behind the big house and leave the keys in it.”

Mac caught the key ring from the air and smiled. “Will do! Later, Shane. Later, Gray!”

Gray climbed between the barbed wire, nearly knocking his tan hat off, then mounted. He glanced at Shane. “Let’s go.”

Mac honked and saluted them as he drove off.

“How long has it been since you’ve been on a horse?”

“About a year. Why?”

Shane grinned. “Well, since you somehow managed to stay off one while you were out here helping the last two weeks, I was just trying to get an idea of how sore you’re going to be.”

Gray snorted. “I stayed off the horses so I could stay close to the foreman’s cottage and ride you instead. Besides, it’s like riding a bike.” He gave Shane a heated look.

Shane chuckled, turning the black quarter horse around so that he was facing the big house. “Be nice and I’ll message your thighs and ass for you tonight.”

“I’m counting on it. And maybe afterward we could—” His gaze flicked down and back to Shane’s eyes, or rather his glasses.

“No.” Shane started Koko moving again.

Gray turned Dixie and caught up to him. “You don’t even know what I was going to say.”