Poor Jenna. She was not into roughing it.

  “It’s not a five-star hotel, but it’s as posh as you want it to be. They have a hot tub, the food is without question some of the best I’ve had, and the cabins are air-conditioned and they have Wi-Fi.” He’d made sure Jenna’s cabin had some extra girly touches, like feather pillows and a spa basket.

  “You are good to me.” She leaned over and patted his knee.

  “I know. You’re the one who compromised this year.” Jenna had been jonesing for Reno. “Momma will want to shop in Aspen with you.”

  “Excellent. That’s the best type of team building.”

  “I thought you’d agree.” He winked. God, he loved his job, working with his friends and family. Even when it kept him and Mason running in circles trying to find time. Now they had a week, and Noah wanted it to be magical. “Maydell wants to shop too. Y’all treat her right.”

  “Have I ever been mean to her?”

  “No.” Gene was rolling. “That’s Jonah the Dragon Lady Slayer. The only man on earth that’s made her cry.”

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to!”

  “Much,” Jenna whispered.

  “She just feels very out of place with all the executives and such. Momma will help, as they’re of an age, but she’ll need a little encouragement.”

  “She’s a battle-ax. She’ll be fine.” Jonah winked, and while the words were mean, the tone was gentle. They all adored Maydell, and Jonah had made her cry once because he’d given her a birthday card with a pair of pearl earrings to replace the ones she’d lost on a trip.

  They were family.

  “We’re descending, folks. Twenty minutes to wheels down,” Alan said from the cockpit.

  They all buckled up. “I have my own ride to the ranch, y’all.” Noah grinned. “You have a shuttle.”

  “What? You dog!”

  “Are you going to meet your fuck buddy?”

  “You’re deserting us for a blow job?”

  The ruckus was gratifying. He did love to make waves, after all. Noah just smiled and sat back in his seat, thinking of all the ruckus he intended to cause with Mason. Excitement rose in his chest. All the phone calls in the world couldn’t make up for a real kiss.

  “Your cheeks are all red, bud.” Jonah nudged him with one elbow. “Glad to see you all happy to see someone. You deserve it.”

  “He’s special, Jon. I mean, genuinely. Weird, huh?”

  “God yes. I mean, you’re a bazillionaire. You could have a dozen boys every night.” Jonah laughed out loud. “But you want this guy in Colorado.”

  “I do.” He more than wanted Mason. He thought he loved Mason.

  “Then go for it. You know how to get what you want.”

  “Thanks, man. It means a lot that you’ve got my back.” Jonah always had, even back in high school when he’d come out to Jonah by trying to take a drunken kiss. And gotten socked in the mouth for his trouble.

  It probably wouldn’t happen that way now that Jonah had decided he was omnivorous, but these days, Noah knew what he wanted.

  They were on the ground in no time, even if Jenna spent the last five minutes of the flight squealing over their angle of descent. Shit, he was glad he’d let Alan do this flight.

  Note to self: Aspen airport is intense.

  They landed and filed out, grabbing their little carry-ons.

  “Our bags are going to meet us at the venue, boss?” Gene asked.

  “They are. Alan arranged with the driver to come collect everything. I’ll be heading off, but Mason says he could make reservations for you here in Aspen if you want to eat and explore a little before you start up.”

  “We can figure it out, man. You go and meet your guy and enjoy yourself before you have to be all executive tomorrow.” Jonah was a good man.

  “Thanks, guys.” He waved at them all before jogging toward the airport. Mason was waiting for him down at ticketing.

  He saw Mason, his lover in a skintight T-shirt, a pair of jeans that made his mouth water. That had to be for his benefit, and man, Noah appreciated it.

  Moving fast, he met Mason halfway, and as tempted as he was to take a kiss, he took a hug instead. “Hey, honey.”

  “Hey, Mister.” Mason’s eyes were eating him up. “You look damn good.”

  “Thank you. So do you. I mean… we’re staying at the condo tonight, right?” He’d never make it all the way to the ranch.

  “Yes. Dinner’s delivered at eight. I need to take you home and unwrap my present.”

  “Yes.” They let go reluctantly, and Mason led the way out to parking.

  Now, as soon as they got in the little crossover SUV, Noah leaned over and took a kiss. Hard. Mason was right there with him, hand wrapped around the nape of his neck, holding him close as they devoured each other. Too long. It had been too long, and Noah already knew he wouldn’t want to leave.

  “I want you. All of you. Over and over.” Mason was going to make him lose his ever-loving mind.

  “You need to drive, honey. I’m too old to come in my pants sitting in a car.”

  “I hear you. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 14

  “T his whole thing with you and Noah is great for my job security, you know.”

  Mason was going to beat Geoff. “Hush.”

  “Seriously. I’ve had to cook for more Texans….”

  He snorted. “I totally call bullshit. We all know Colorado would gain twenty thousand feet if the Texans went home.”

  “Yeah, but these people are rich. Like whoa. And they’ll send more people.” Geoff winked, up to his arms in pizza dough.

  “Yay job security. I need to take that tray of cheese and crackers out.”

  “My new guy took them.”

  “New guy?”

  “Yes!” Geoff beamed. “I now have an assistant. Tiny. He’s amazing. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

  “Tiny.”

  “Tiny McGee.”

  “You hired an elf?”

  Geoff hooted. “Right. An elf. Well….”

  “Did you want anything else delivered, boss? They asked for a bowl of pickles, so I have to go back anyway. The Cheez-It knockoff recipe is a huge hit.”

  The deep, deep voice seemed to vibrate the whole room.

  Mason blinked. Oh, this was the best thing ever. Tiny the Biker Giant. Tiny the seven-foot-tall, tattooed, beads in his beard, muscle man. “Hey, there. I’m Mason.”

  “The event guy?” Tiny boomed.

  “Yes, sir, the event guy.” He held out one hand to shake.

  Tiny engulfed it in his. “Pleased. This is a great group.”

  “It is. I’m glad to meet you.” Jesus Christ, Tiny was built-in security.

  “The pickles are in the walk-in, Tiny. Make sure there are enough Cokes, okay?”

  “You got it, boss.”

  God, that was cute. When he glanced at Geoff, he got a grin that said everything he was thinking. Lord, Lord.

  Tiny trundled out with a big tray of pickles and Cokes, dips and pretzels.

  “He’s amazing.” Mason just had to say it.

  “Right? He’s like this ball of joy and just as easy as pie. I adore him.”

  “Queer?”

  “As a three-dollar bill.”

  Mason grinned. “Is there going to be a love match?”

  “Oh, honey. I like Tiny. I wouldn’t screw him up by having an affair with him.”

  Mason frowned. Geoff had love-life issues, and he always wanted to snap at Geoff for putting himself down, but how would that help?

  “Hey, there you are.” Noah peeked into the kitchen. “Can I have a mo?”

  Noah could have all his mos. “Of course. Is everything okay?”

  “Sure.” Noah breathed deep. “Pizza. Oh God. Yay.”

  “I know, right? That shit is like crack.” He smiled, reaching out to stroke Noah’s wrist.

  Noah grabbed his hand. “I’ll give him back here in a bit.” Tugging, Noah led him outside.

  God, he loved the way Noah smelled, the mixture of spray starch and Old Spice and man. He also loved the way Noah’s lips felt on his once they were around the corner of the house and out of sight.

  Oh, hello. My love. The words echoed in his mind.

  Noah lifted him up on tiptoes and kissed him until his ears rang.

  “Better. Why haven’t I seen you?” Noah asked.

  “I’ve been working your event, Mister.”

  “Yeah? Yay. I need your attention now.” Noah managed to look both pouty and amused, which was no small feat.

  “Do you? Are you needing a private consultation?” Oh, Mason, you are not being professional.

  “I do. Rachel just came through the gate five minutes ago. Text her and let her know you’re in a private meeting?”

  “I can do that.” He reached out to run one hand up along Noah’s belly.

  “Mmm. Before we get cooking with oil, baby. If you don’t do it now, you never will.”

  “No one will come looking for you?” There was a tight little nipple right there, waiting for him.

  “No. I told the team I was napping. If I actually say that, they avoid me like the plague until I’m ready to reappear.”

  “Oh, yay.” He grabbed his phone. “Text Rach. In a meeting. Do not disturb. Send. Ta-da.”

  “My perfect lover.” Noah dragged him off to the second-biggest cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were in the main one.

  “Kiss me?” He couldn’t believe he was doing this, slacking work for a hookup.

  “Yes.” As soon as they got inside, Noah was kissing him over and over. The flame between them just burned hot. It made sense, he supposed, because no amount of skyping and mutual masturbation would replace this. This was real. Not just the sex, but the being together, reinforcing all the things they knew about each other.

  “Damn, honey. I want to eat you alive.”

  “Awkward, but I’m in.”

  Noah laughed. “That was a euphemism for a blow job.”

  “I figured that ou….”

  Someone banged on the door. “Dude! Ark! I saw you sneak in here. I am not doing a scavenger hunt without you!”

  Noah’s face went all thundercloud. “I’ll be right back.” He marched to the door. “Sammy, I’m busy.”

  “You’re canoodling!”

  “I am. And you’re interrupting!”

  “This is not a hookup! You’re paying Mason to organize things. You can’t just….”

  Noah stepped outside, and the noise stopped. He could hear Noah speaking in a low tone, but that was it.

  He felt about two inches tall. He knew better than this. You didn’t date clients. You couldn’t. He snuck out the back door, closed the door quietly, and then he headed back toward the main house, moving as quick and quiet as he could.

  When Jonah waved him down, he smiled and walked over, nodding to the rest of Noah’s team. He could do this.

  “Hey, guys! How are you doing? Everyone comfortable?”

  “This is fab.” One of the guys, whose name he couldn’t remember, had obviously lost the last race or whatever they were doing, because he wore an inflatable palm tree hat, and a pool floatie around his waist said Sink or Swim.

  “Can I get anyone anything?”

  Sammy slipped into the group, not quite meeting his eyes. Ouch. Someone was pouting.

  “Can you send someone with more Sprite?” Jenna asked. He liked Jenna a lot. She had a ready smile and a great flippant humor.

  “Absolutely. I’ll take care of that right now. If you’ll excuse me.” Sprite. Sprite. Sprite.

  He texted Geoff, just so—oof . Noah caught him before he fell, hands on his arms. “Where did you go?” Noah kept his voice low but definitely, er, commanding.

  “I went back to work. I have no interest in getting you in trouble.”

  “Mason, I own the company.”

  “I know, but….” Surely Noah didn’t want his family thinking they were… doing exactly what they were doing. “I’m just trying to protect you.”

  “I love you for that, honey.” Noah’s expression went wry. “Doesn’t mean I’m not frustrated as hell.”

  “I love you too.”

  The words sort of crashed down between them, just sploosh, turd in the punch bowl.

  I love you too.

  Noah’s eyes lit up, but then he grimaced when someone called his name. “Tonight. You. Me. I don’t care if we have to drive back to Aspen.”

  “Tonight. Go on. They need Sprite.” And he needed to hide his face in the freezer.

  “Promise?” Noah stood there, and probably would until he crossed his heart.

  “Yes, Mister. I promise.”

  Chapter 15

  E xcept it didn’t look like they were fixin’ to be able to keep that promise that night.

  Sammy had started having cramps, and they ran her to the hospital in Aspen.

  They admitted her, and Noah and Doug spent the night at the hospital with Mason at the ranch dealing with everything, including his mom and dad.

  Mason was a champ, and Rachel was turning out to be a hell of an assistant. Maydell went back to Dallas that night to handle everything down there, and now he had to decide whether to send Doug back to the ranch or get him a hotel room he could run to and wash and such.

  How’s it going? Mason texted. His lover.

  Ok. Tired

  I bet. I’m on my way to the hospital to bring you my keys

  Thanks so much honey

  He would totally stay at Mason’s condo.

  You need food?

  I do. As soon as you come I can duck out if you can eat with me.

  Noah thought Sammy was going to be fine. He honestly thought she’d just overexerted herself at high altitude.

  k. Doug? Sammy? His man was so generous, so good.

  Doug will stay here tonight I bet. He and Sammy had chicken salad and chips.

  They looked pretty sad, really, but Doug had wanted to eat with Sam.

  cuin20

  He looked at Sammy, smiled at her. “This is what you get for interrupting my canoodling.”

  “Butthead,” she teased, but she looked so scared, and Doug was right there with her, holding her hand.

  “Be good, Noah. I would hate to kick your butt in the lobby.”

  “I would hate for you to try to kick my butt at all, Doug. I’d have to wipe the floor with you.” He said it automatically, but he wasn’t feeling it right now. “I’m gonna have to go eat soon.”

  “Mason is coming.” Sammy smiled for him, brave as hell. “You go with him and go sleep after, okay?”

  “I will. I’m going to his place, so we can be here in five minutes.”

  “Okay. I know you have my back, Ark. It’s been a long day. Have something spicy and yummy for me.”

  “Will do. I will be back in the morning, and someone will bring Momma and Daddy. Doug, I’ll get you a room close by.”

  “If I need it, sure.”

  “Bubba, you’re going to want to take a shower and change, if nothing else.” He really just wanted Doug to have a place, even if he didn’t use it.

  Doug nodded to him, and he could see the deep fear in his eyes.

  He clapped Doug on the shoulder. “Do you need me to stay? I can.” Noah hated not knowing what to do. He always knew how to handle a situation.

  “I think we’ll sleep just fine in here and—”

  A nurse came to the door. “Excuse me. There’s a Mr. O’Reilly here?”

  “Thank you. I’ll be right out.” Noah leaned down and kissed Sammy’s cheek. “I’m five minutes away, okay? And I have my phone.”

  “Love you, Ark.”

  Noah didn’t linger and headed out, finding Mason standing there with a little suitcase, a bag of cookies, a thermos, and phone chargers.

  Phone chargers.

  Noah was keeping him. Forever.

  “Hey.” He gave Mason a broad, relieved grin. “Let me take that in for them, and I can go.”

  “You got it.” Mason passed everything over with a smile.

  He let their fingers touch, lingering just a moment in Mason’s warmth. “Be right back.”

  “Dude! You rock,” Doug said when he appeared with the chargers and cookies. “Now I’m set all night.”

  “Yep. Okay, y’all are sure you don’t need anything else?”

  “No. Go. She’s sleeping. Shoo.”

  Sammy had always been able to fall asleep in seconds. It amused him that she’d dropped off the moment he left. He scooted or shooed or whatever, and met Mason back in the hall.

  “What are we eating?”

  “We can go to Jimmy’s for a burger and a beer or La Creperie Du Village for raclette and a glass of wine.”

  “What the heck is raclette?” Noah blinked, because he wasn’t sure that sounded comfortable. A tiny rack of lamb? A wee kick to the balls?

  “Interactive food. Meat and cheese and potatoes. Pickles. Think fondue, but with a grill. It’s sort of romantic, you know?”

  “Oh.” That sounded like heaven. A long, nibbly meal with wine.

  “Yeah? I made us a reservation for ten.”

  “That’s perfect. Can we drop by the condo and just let me get cleaned up?” Hospitals smelled. Sure, it was sterile, but he always felt like people could tell, as if they were searching you after they smelled you to see what disease or injury you might have.

  “I brought your suitcase, your laptop, and your cords.” Mason led him to the parking lot, to the SUV. “I thought you might need them.”

  “Thank you.” He took Mason’s hand because the lot was mostly deserted. He didn’t want to push, but he needed contact.

  “Is she okay? Sammy? I mean, is she going to be okay?”

  “I don’t know.” Noah blew out a breath. “I think they’re just keeping her for observation, but she and Doug are terrified.”

  “Poor baby. I hate that for her. Well, you tell me what you need, and we’ll make it happen.” Mason headed out of the parking lot.

  “You’re it, honey. I’m so glad to see you I could just bawl.”

  “Well, we’ll take you home and dress you up and we’ll have a nice long meal.” Mason reached out for his hand. “Open up the window, feel how the heat dropped.”