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fucking prepared to talk when I wake up.
Cliff rolled his eyes at the dramatic exit. He put his foot into the stirrup, stepped up, and swung his
leg over the saddle. With a squeeze of his knees, he urged Killian outside and headed east. As he
passed the main house, he caught sight of Ty, arms folded across his chest as he leaned in the doorway
wearing his favorite uniform: a white apron over a white T-shirt and worn blue jeans. The former
Navy SEAL scowled at him. Raising his hand to the brim of his hat, he inclined his head in Ty s
direction. Then he followed Rhino s example, lowered his index finger and flipped him off before
kicking Killian into a canter. It was going to be a long fucking day.
****
Ryan had watched Cliff from his perch in the top of the barn for as long as he d dared, but once it
looked as if Cliff planned to go for a ride, he d made himself known and dropped to the floor for a
rather anticlimactic reunion. He d arrived an hour earlier and, just as Ty suggested, he d used the
ladder to the loft, then swung from the beams like a kid on the monkey bars until reaching the center of
the barn. Some time in the distant past, a kind soul had layered plywood over a twenty-foot section of
crossbeams to create a sturdy platform, probably for storage. Whatever the original intention, the
dust-covered surface had been ideal for remaining out of sight while watching Cliff do what Ty had
referred to as his morning chores.
Cliff had looked tired, but the tightness around his eyes and the creases etched around his mouth
told him this was more than a physical exhaustion. Something big was eating at his friend. Well
welcome to the club, Ryan thought, watching as Cliff saluted Ty, then kicked the horse into a run.
Damn& he does look like a cowboy from the tight Wranglers to the dusty boots and a beat up straw
hat on his head. What the fuck?
You going to stand there watching all day or come in and get something to eat? Ty asked. The
man had moved closer than he should have been able to without Ryan noticing. Damn, he was tired.
Gotta place for me to crash?
Yep& soon as you eat. Follow me, and let s get these ranch hands outta here, Cass has held em up
long enough.
You re a goddamn mother hen, Ryan groused, but the smell of coffee and bacon could overcome
any reluctance.
Cluck, cluck, Ty said. You get a free pass on the boots-off-at-the-door policy on your first visit.
Now sit. He pointed to a stool pulled up to a stainless steel workstation in the large kitchen. Ty
poured a mug of coffee and put it in Ryan s hand, then piled bacon, eggs, and hash browns on a plate.
He set the food and some toast in front of Ryan, but for the next several minutes, conversation was
impossible. A stream of men wandered through the kitchen, rinsing their plates and loading them
directly into the dishwasher. They alternately gave Ty shit or praised the last meal& or the next.
Finally, a long, tall drink of cowboy sauntered through the arched doorway that opened into the dining
room. He carried a serving platter that was empty, save the tongs.
Sorry, honey. I tried to save you a sausage, the man said, his brows raised high, giving him a
picture of innocence that Ryan didn t buy.
Ty frowned and studied the other man for a long moment. Huh. Guess I ll top tonight then.
Laughing, the man, who must be Ty s partner, Cass, placed the platter in the sink, then stepped close
to cup Ty s face in his hands. Gotta run. I ll see you in a couple of hours. He lowered his mouth and
took a long kiss.
Ryan wasn t a complete stranger to guy-on-guy PDA, but it wasn t something he was used to seeing
so up close and personal. He looked down at his empty plate, telling himself it was to cede them
some privacy. After a moment though, his gaze was drawn upward. There was something comfortable
about the way they fit together. Both men were big. Ty was broad, his shoulders and arms bulky in the
tight T-shirt. Cass was taller, lean and lanky, but his forearms were heavily corded, no doubt from
years of ranch work. The two men pressed close, hips aligned, chest-to-chest, tongues clearly
engaged as the kiss spun out& and damn if Ryan s dick didn t twitch. Amazing what six months of
abstinence could do for you& just about anything looked good.
Cass stepped back, and they smiled at each other before he turned toward the back door. Two steps
later, he spun around.
Shit, where re my manners? He strode toward Ryan, his hand extended. I m Cass Cartwright.
Welcome to the Willow Springs Ranch.
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