harder it will be to leave.” He bit his lip, suddenly more vulnerable than Shea had ever seen him. “And then maybe you won’t want to.”
“Are you talking about me movin’ in? Isn’t it too soon?”
“Yes. But I want Stacey to get used to you being around. I’m hoping you want this to be a permanent thing?”
“I didn’t say I love you just to get you into bed.”
Color rose high on Jake’s face. “No? I didn’t make it too hard for you.”
“Sex is easy. Love isn’t. And I’m always hard ’round you.”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it either. And I’m still interested in buying the ranch.”
“Ain’t for sale.”
“You’re keeping it?” The hope and excitement in Jake’s voice was evident, his eyes growing bright. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
“Yeah, but I like your idea. So maybe we can talk about some kind of partnership. Seein’ how much Stacey loved them animals makes me wanna help other kids like her. Ain’t nothin’ like havin’ a soft and furry ear to cuddle up to and whisper all your problems.”
“I think that’s wonderful. I’d love to partner up with you on that. And a few other things too.”
“Oh?” He stretched out on his bed. “What do you have in mind?” His dick zinged to attention.
“I wouldn’t mind cuddling up and whispering in your ear.” Jake’s smile left no doubt he was of the same mind, and he proceeded to pull down the sheet. “I want to—”
“Daddeeeee.”
A small voice echoed in the background, and Jake’s eyes widened. “Shit.”
“Maybe she’ll go back to sleep if you wait?” He could only hope.
Head cocked, Jake sat listening, and Shea didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he heard the voice again.
“Daddy, where are you?”
Before Shea had a chance to speak, Jake was up and out of the bed. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love you.”
And Shea was left with a blank screen. Frustrated, he lay down and gazed at the ceiling. Would he be able to fit into their world? Here on the ranch was a sweet life, but Jake and Stacey weren’t moving to Remembrance and coming to live at Forget Me Not. Even if he and Jake partnered up to take care of the ranch, which would take a tremendous burden off his shoulders, Jake’s life remained in New York City.
His evening plans thwarted, Shea scrolled through his phone and the pictures of Jake. The one that never failed to bring a smile to his face was one he took without Jake knowing, the day he fell into the lake. Soaked to the skin, barefoot, and madder than a wet cat, Jake had stormed away from him, and Shea couldn’t help taking a few pictures.
He sighed. That was probably the moment he knew he’d caught some pretty powerful feelings for the man. And the reason Shea knew, as he pulled his laptop over and searched the airlines for flights to New York City, he wanted everything and anything with Jake.
* * *
Four days later he checked into his hotel room downtown. He hadn’t told Jake he was coming, figuring it would be more fun to surprise him and Stacey that way. He sat on the bed and placed the call, but it went straight to voice mail.
Maybe he was in transit. It was only five thirty, and he was probably on his way home from work.
Shea decided to give Jake some time and took a shower. Feeling better in clean clothes, he called an Uber to take him over to Jake’s apartment, no more than a ten-minute drive away from where he was staying.
The doorman gave him a practiced, friendly smile. “May I help you?”
“Howdy, sir. My name is Shea. Jake Axelrod’s apartment, please. I don’t think he’s home yet, but can I wait in the lobby here?”
“I believe he’s home. I’ll ring him up for you.” The doorman spoke into the phone, then said, “You can go up, sir.”
“Oh, he is there? All righty. Thank you very much.” Shea strode to the elevator banks. Why didn’t Jake answer earlier? Had to be a reason, but whatever it was, it didn’t matter anymore. He was here for two weeks and hoped he and Jake could start ironing out future plans.
Jake waited by the open door. “I can’t believe you’re here. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming today?”
Brushing off the questions, Shea put his hands on Jake’s shoulders. “What’s wrong?” Something was off. Jake’s normally cool