She gaped at him. “Okay, whoever you are, you need to stay. Do you know this is the first time in five years he’s taken the afternoon off?”
“That’s just a cryin’ shame. Hopefully I can take his mind off work.”
Her pretty brown eyes twinkled at him. “If you can’t, then I give up all hope.”
He swept his hat off his head. “Why thank you, ma’am. I’m going to strive to do my very best.”
“And I’m sure your very best is pretty amazing. Just one word of advice.”
Shea was enjoying talking to the smart and feisty woman, and he was all ears to listen to the people who knew Jake well. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Ohhh, you must’ve met in Texas at the retreat? Is that where you’re from?”
“I am. Shea Montgomery from the Forget Me Not ranch.”
“Well, Shea Montgomery.” Serious now, she leaned in and lowered her voice. “That man hasn’t allowed himself to enjoy life in years. He likes to pretend he’s tough, but he isn’t.”
“I already had that figured out.” From the corner of his eye he watched Jake speak with a woman he recognized from the retreat. “Everythin’ he has, he gives to his daughter. I know that.” All sense of humor between them fled.
“Stacey is his world. Jake is the most amazing father, but he needs something else in his life. Or someone.”
“Shea?” Now alone, Jake waved him over. “Ready?”
“Thank you.” Shea gave Keisha’s hand a brief squeeze and hurried over to meet Jake in front of the elevators.
“What did Keisha want?”
“Oh, just chitchattin’.”
Jake raised a brow. “About?”
The elevator doors slid open, and they walked inside. Shea hit the Close Door button and kissed Jake. “That’s between me ’n Keisha. Now, where are you takin’ me for dinner?”
“It’s only three thirty. I figured we can get dinner at five, so we have some time to kill.” A crooked smile tipped up the corner of Jake’s lips. “What would you like to do until then?”
Shea returned his smile and kissed him again. “Lemme think about it.”
* * *
They barely made it into the hotel room before tearing off each other’s clothes. Jake yanked the T-shirt over Shea’s head, popped the button of his jeans, and pulled down his zipper.
“Do you know how many times I thought of you like this?” Jake’s chest heaved, and his eyes glittered. As desperate as Jake seemed to get him naked quickly, Shea’s intention was to take it slow and savor every moment.
He slipped his fingers inside the collar of Jake’s shirt and slowly undid the knot of the tie. Holding each of the silken ends, Shea pulled Jake close and kissed him. “I want you.” His fingers deftly unbuttoned Jake’s shirt and pushed it off his shoulders.
Jake didn’t answer, instead crushing their mouths together, smoothing his hands over Shea’s naked chest, arms, and shoulders. He shoved his hands inside Shea’s jeans and cupped his ass.
Their tongues played against each other, and Shea held on to Jake, feeling him tremble. Troubled, he stopped and rested his palm on Jake’s cheek. “Slow up and relax. We have time.”
“I can’t.” Jake slowly sank onto the bed. “I feel like I need to hurry all the time I’m with you. Like I’m on a ticking time bomb and I have to grab every bit of pleasure offered to me because something’s going to come and take it away.”
How sad for him. Shea’s heart broke at Jake’s declaration. He sat next to Jake. “I know you can’t spend the night or even half of it. Part of what makes you so attractive to me is the incredible love you have for your little girl.”
“And yet right now, you’re the only one I see,” Jake said, voice rough with need.
At Jake’s declaration, Shea’s heart twisted. “Then while we do have the time together, let’s make the most of it.” He pushed Jake to the bed and straddled him.
Jake lay unblinking, and Shea unzipped the slim trousers and slid them down Jake’s legs. His briefs were already soaked with precome, and Shea traced the thick bulge before peeling them off. The beautiful cock he remembered reared up, and Shea licked his lips. “Can I suck you?”
Jake reached up to tug him close. “Anything…please…”
With a groan, Shea bent and kissed Jake again, the smell of his sweat, cologne, and precome rising between them, the scent so rich and sweet, Shea wanted to bathe in it. Reluctantly leaving Jake’s mouth, Shea wrapped a hand around