“Also gay, so it’s nice to see gay smoochies,” Ryan added.

  Tanner made exaggerated gagging noises, then oofed when Geoff whacked his butt.

  “Geoff is spanking Tanner,” Ryan said sotto voce.

  “I thought Tanner was the straight one?”

  “I am!”

  They all began to laugh, just cackling like hyenas as they stood there in the main lobby.

  “Who wants pizza?” Geoff asked.

  “Has anyone in the history of the earth ever said no to your pizza?” Bleu grinned in Geoff’s direction.

  “Thank you.” Geoff came over to smack a kiss on Bleu’s unbruised cheek.

  Ryan grinned and wrapped one arm around Bleu’s waist, leading his lover back toward the kitchen. “You did good, babe.”

  “Thank you.” Bleu grinned wide. “He likes it.”

  “He loves it. Very much. Lunch and then our cabin?”

  That grin just got bigger. “Hot tub?”

  “God yes. Maybe we could take lunch to go.” That wouldn’t offend anyone, would it?

  “Let me whisper in Geoff’s ear.”

  Ryan handed Bleu over, and before he knew it, Geoff had a box with a pizza, a bottle of chianti, and two pieces of cheesecake. Fuck yes.

  He half carried Bleu, while Bleu carried lunch. Floyd stayed with Quartz, who looked tickled pink to be trusted with the mutt again.

  “Have fun, boys!” Stoney called, and Bleu answered with a happy laugh.

  He waved with his free hand, just chuckling madly. Everyone knew they were heading off to make love.

  Especially his Bleu.

  They wandered over to their cabin, which was a little out of the way, a little isolated in the snow. The views were stunning, but with Bleu it was all about the quiet. He said it was incredibly peaceful.

  More than that, they could be loud together and no one would care.

  One of his favorite things about Bleu was the happy sounds that heralded his pleasure.

  They made it inside, where Ryan set the food on the dining table before swinging Bleu gently into his arms. “Hot tub.”

  “Hot tub. Bubbles. Nakedness.”

  Wherever they landed, he was totally getting them a hot tub. His lover was an addict.

  They undressed, and he winced at the bruises Bleu still wore. They weren’t hurting so bad, Bleu said, but they were in the lurid phase.

  It seemed like every day he found another one too. Thank goodness Dan was gone or Bleu’d be wrapped in Bubble Wrap.

  He grinned at the idea of a plastic-wrapped Bleu bobbing in the hot tub.

  Ryan got everything bubbling away while Bleu brought over towels and robes and draped them over the warmer, then grabbed a couple of bottles of water.

  “Anything else?”

  “I’ll make sure lube and all is out by the bed.” He wasn’t teasing. This was necessary.

  “Perfect.” Bleu nodded and slipped into the water, head back on the padded side.

  He threw off the rest of his clothes so he could climb in as well, the lovely heat almost shocking after being outside. It took about two seconds for Bleu to float over to him, to straddle his lap and press close.

  “Hey.” He grabbed that tight ass, not squeezing too hard, but jonesing on the closeness.

  “Hello, love.” Bleu reached back and pulled his hair out of his ponytail, the mass surrounding them like a curtain.

  “Mmm. This is so much better than the big hot tub.”

  “Mmm-hmm. This is….” A huge bubble popped up between them, and Bleu threw his head back with a happy laugh.

  “I know, right?” Ryan was laughing along, his whole body swaying with it.

  “Oh, that felt amazing. Did it tickle you too?”

  “It so did.” That was silly and wonderful.

  “We’re going to Boulder tomorrow. I can’t wait. You’ll have to take me to get burgers.”

  “God yes. I want to watch you eat one. I know we had burgers here, but the Sink! I can’t wait.” He began to massage Bleu’s ass, fingertips digging in, drawing them together. Bleu’s face went lax, tongue flicking out to wet those parted lips.

  Hoo yeah. Someone was really feeling better.

  “You like that, babe?”

  “More, Ryan. I want to feel more.”

  Feeling better and greedy for him, all at once.

  “I want all the things, but we can take them one at a time.” He traced the crease down, pressing a tiny bit.

  “You can take everything you want. One or two at a time.” Bleu leaned in, biting his earlobe hard enough that his eyes crossed.

  “We’re supposed to be bubbling and relaxing,” Ryan teased.

  “Uh-huh. You’re not relaxed?” Bleu spread even wider for him.

  “Parts of me are very tense.” He rubbed up, letting Bleu feel his hardness.

  “Mmm.” Bleu moaned and grabbed him, bold as brass, measuring him from base to tip. “I have never forgotten this, love. Not once.”

  “No. I never forgot any of it.” Ryan kissed Bleu’s mouth, wanting his love to feel it. He wrapped one hand around the back of Bleu’s head, tilting him so their tongues could tangle.

  Bleu wrapped both arms around his neck, holding on tight, and he missed the grip on his cock. There was nothing like those clever fingers with their heavy calluses to make him lose his mind.

  He moaned when Bleu nibbled his lower lip, then his chin.

  “Hungry lover,” Ryan said.

  “Yes. I could eat you up.” Bleu moved slow as molasses, teeth stinging his throat.

  “Okay, yes.” They could totally do that. Once they got out of the water. He pushed the hair from Bleu’s face, needing to see everything.

  Bleu reached up to touch his cheeks, looking at him too. “Only fair.”

  “I agree, babe.” Ryan smiled, feeling so easy in his skin, so damn happy.

  Bleu’s moan filled the air, and the joy in his lover’s face made his balls draw up tight. Christ, Bleu loved him. Still. No bullshit, no lies, no hesitation. Just hunger and need and forever.

  He jerked, his hips rising and falling. “We should go to bed before I make a mess, babe.”

  “Yes. We can soak again after. I want you. I want everything.”

  He nodded, then pushed up to help Bleu out of the tub. That ankle was still a little unstable. Bleu followed his lead, at least until they got to the bed; then Ryan was spread out, Bleu’s hands on him, searching him, mapping out every single hot spot he knew he had, plus a dozen no one else had been patient enough to find.

  Ryan panted, moving his hips, his chest heaving. “You going to do me this time, babe?”

  “You know it. I’m going to make you so happy.” Bleu licked at his belly, slick fingers pressing into him without a hint of warning. When had Bleu even found the lube? Crazy good.

  He spread, digging into the mattress with his heels. Ryan hadn’t been joking about making a mess, so he was glad Bleu wasn’t wasting time.

  “Mine.” Bleu’s fingers liked to turn him inside out. God, they knew exactly where to touch.

  “Yours.” There was no arguing about that. As quick as it had been, he was Bleu’s, body and soul. Maybe he always was and he just hadn’t been smart enough or adult enough.

  Whatever it was, Bleu was inside him, to the bone.

  All he could do was bear down and let Bleu open him up, get him ready. He wanted everything.

  When Bleu pulled away, he groaned, suddenly empty and aching.

  “I’m coming back. Let me slick up.”

  “Hurry, babe. Imma die.” Dramatic? Sure. He needed Bleu.

  Bleu chuckled. “Oh, now. It would be a shame to pass over preorgasm.”

  “Right?” He ran his hands over his belly and chest, his nipples so hard they were too sensitive for the slightest caress.

  “I can smell how you need me.” Bleu kneeled up tall, that proud erection in one hand, shining with lube.

  “Well, come and get me, babe.” He reached out, running his finger over the head, feeling how wet Bleu was. Bleu bucked for him, arching up into his touch in a gorgeous bow. “Fuck.”

  “Yes.” Bleu leaned down, took himself in hand, and began to rub his prick over his hole, sensitizing them both.

  His skin beaded up with goose bumps, his cock bobbing. Ryan hadn’t let anyone do this in so long.

  “Ready?” Bleu whispered before pushing in without waiting for his response, the thick head scraping in and making him moan.

  “Ready,” Ryan said, laughing breathlessly. “Oh, babe. More.”

  “Everything.”

  He watched Bleu’s face in utter fascination as his lover began to take him. Nothing was hidden from him—not a second of need, of passion, of the pure love that Bleu felt for him.

  All he could do was stare, his hands falling to grip Bleu’s hips. He was probably leaving more bruises, but he couldn’t help himself.

  “Yes.” Bleu drove into him with strong, steady strokes that threatened to stoke a fire inside him.

  God, it had never been like this, not with anyone but this man.

  Panting, he started rocking up to meet each thrust, the bed shaking with their movements. They were cooking with oil, and his balls were warning him it had to end soon. Too damn soon.

  “Ryan.” His name sounded like a prayer, like a hymn, like Bleu’s fondest wish come true.

  “Love you.” He had to say it because it was true and it was the most important thing. There had always been love, but now he was going to fight for it.

  “Yes. Fuck yes. Love.” Bleu grabbed his prick and began to stroke, good and hard, not giving him any quarter. “Need you.”

  “I’m gonna—” That touch overloaded his already burning senses, and Ryan shot so hard his teeth rattled, his cry echoing off the ceiling beams.

  “Oh. Oh, fuck.” Bleu began to take him, hips thrusting wildly, sightless eyes rolling like mad.

  He watched that face, memorizing every expression. Not that he was letting Bleu go anywhere without him.

  There was a second where he swore Bleu was looking at him, staring right into his soul as he climaxed, offering him the universe.

  His cock jerked again, trying to let him be right there with Bleu. God help him, he was utterly lost.

  Bleu slumped down against him, lips on his throat. “Damn, love. That was… so good. So fucking good.”

  “Good doesn’t even begin to cover it, babe. I’m scoured and dismembered.”

  Bleu began to chuckle, cock jerking inside him. “I really prefer all your limbs attached.”

  “Yeah? Well, you put me back together too, so we’re good.” He pulled Bleu into the curve of his body, stroking that long back.

  “Do you have any tattoos?”

  “What?”

  “Ink. Do you have any?”

  He hooted. “I have two. A snowflake on my left shoulder and a raven on my right hip.”

  “Show me.”

  “You’re a demanding bastard.” He drew Bleu’s hand down to his hip, helping him trace the lines of his ink. His skin goose pimpled up again as Bleu explored.

  “So it’s flying?”

  “Over a little mountain peak.” He pulled Bleu’s hand up to his shoulder. “This one is bigger.” He traced the snowflake with Bleu’s fingers, remembering the time he’d cut paper snowflakes so Bleu could feel what they looked like.

  “I want one. Just to know what it’s like.”

  “Mmm. You know, I happen to be a designer….”

  Bleu’s grin was wicked, warm. “No… really? I’d wear your art in a heartbeat. I could feel it then, driven into my skin.”

  His cock gave another desperate jerk. “Damn, babe.”

  “I want that, okay?”

  “More than,” Ryan said. He stroked Bleu’s skin, from neck to thighs as far as he could reach. “I know the perfect artist in Seattle.”

  “Mmm. Excellent. We’ll go, then. After we go back to Boulder. Together.” Bleu melted against him. “Love you.”

  “I love you, Bleu.” The rest was just planning and details. Good thing they both had exes who were managers and wanted to run their lives. That way he and Bleu could just be.

  They had an entire world to see.

  Epilogue

  “THE mail, boss.” Mira handed him a stack of stuff, and Ford blinked. She handled the bills, so this was all personal stuff.

  “Thanks, lady.” Ford sorted through it on the way to the family side of the house. Donation request. A package from Mason, which was probably samples of some sort. Two science magazines for Quartz. Huh. There was one fancy envelope, the kind he associated with graduations and wedding announcements. The return address was Boulder.

  He dropped the magazines off, Quartz oblivious to his presence, headphones on, focus on his computer screen.

  Ford pondered going to his office, but he heard soft singing coming from the bedroom, happy low laughter filling the air.

  Oh, there was no way on earth he could resist that.

  Stoney was in his skivvies, still damp from the shower. The scars from his accident were fading finally, the only noticeable change the beard he’d started wearing to hide the marks along his jaw.

  “Are we dancing?” He threw the mail on the bed, grabbing Stoney’s hand.

  “Mmm. I know you.” Stoney moved right into his arms, face lifted for a kiss. “Afternoon.”

  “Lazy man.” He knew better. Stoney had been out working in the early spring slush. Good thing their only guest right now was a Texas singer who just wanted to sleep and soak in the hot tub. He swung Stoney into a two-step as the music changed to something King George.

  “That’s me.” Stoney moved like a dream against him. “What you been up to?”

  “Phone calls from the office. Nothing fun.”

  “Oh, that’s no good.”

  “Nope, but this is. Good, I mean.” He chuckled, the joy welling up in his chest just like it did every time he and Stoney got a moment to groove together.

  “You know it.” Stoney took another kiss, this one more promise and heat than gentle, and his body began to take notice of the fact that his husband was one pair of tighty-whities from bare-butt naked.

  Ford grabbed that sweet ass, ready for more than dancing.

  He grinned at Stoney when the song ended. “I think I better lock the door.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Get rid of all the clothes while you’re at it.” Stoney shucked his briefs and grabbed the mail off the bed, put the pile on the bedside table.

  Ford locked the door as Stoney sat on the bed and grabbed the top envelope from the pile. He stared over, and Stoney grinned.

  “What? I’m waiting on your happy ass to get nekkid.” Stoney opened the envelope and hooted as Ford struggled out of his sweater and turtleneck. “Looks like Bleu and Shields bought themselves a house.”

  “Yeah?” Fuck. Boots before jeans, man. Boots before jeans. “Where’d they end up?” Ford asked from the floor, where he’d tipped over.

  “Boulder. Looks like they’re sharing a studio there. They’ve invited us to a party.” Stoney looked down the side of the bed at him. “You okay down there?”

  “Oh, I just thought I’d check out the dust bunny situation.” He pulled off one boot, then the other. “You wanna go? We could get a hotel and stay, maybe go out to eat.”

  “I’m all over that. We could have a long weekend, maybe go to Denver for an afternoon.” Stoney put the card on top of the rest of the mail, smile going a little wicked. “We could do things that frighten fish.”

  “We so could.” Ford wiggled out of his jeans before he stood. Probably not sexy, but convenient. “You think they’ll do their wedding here?”

  “I’ll beat their asses if they don’t. After all, we’re why they hooked back up.” Stoney grabbed him, using his johnson like a handle. “As much as I adore the boys, I think that the relationship I’m concerned with is much more personal right now, Mr. Nixel.”

  “Oof. Careful with that, Mr. River. You might need it in a minute or two.” He crawled on the bed, pressing down against Stoney.

  “Shit, I need it. All the time. In fact—” The smile was blinding. “—now is good for me.”

  “I’m on it.” Any time was good for Ford, but in the off-season with the door locked and nothing pressing to do?

  He could get downright inspired.

  BA TORTUGA, Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, spends her days with her basset hounds, getting tattooed, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting, and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

  Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery ménages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeonholed by anyone but the voices in her head.

  Website: www.batortuga.com

  Blog: batortuga.blogspot.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/batortuga

  Twitter: @batortuga

  By BA Tortuga

  DREAMSPUN DESIRES

  #6 – Trial by Fire

  #30 – Two Cowboys and a Baby

  #65 – Two of a Kind

  LEANING N

  #16 – Commitment Ranch

  #42 – Finding Mr. Wright

  #78 – Whiskey to Wine

  TURQUOISE, NEW MEXICO

  #53 – Cowboy in the Crosshairs

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Now Available

  Commitment Ranch

  By BA Tortuga

  Leaning N

  A fist fight, a snowstorm, a stolen kiss in the barn... and a second chance at love.

  Ford Nixel has two law offices, two fancy condominiums, and all the right connections. In short, he has everything he wants.