Zach
Iain’t sorry either.
How hard would it have been to say that back? Instead, Zach had been too shocked to speak. Once the moment passed, it was too late. Colton backed away and kept a respectable distance.
Fuck him. He’d wanted that kiss since he’d first laid eyes on the hot-as-sin deputy. Hell, he’d have had Colton’s babies if it was possible. So why hadn’t he said something?
Zach held on as Colton drove them home. The tight muscles under his hands flexed as Colton handled the four-wheeler across the muddy field. He felt as much as he could without getting obscene.
He laid his head on the strong back because this might be the only chance he got. Damn, Colton smelled good. Like a real man, not some dolled-up club kid trying to score. Just being close to him made Zach painfully hard.
Shit, piss, and corruption, Zach had it bad. He needed to jam on the brakes because in a day or two, he’d have to move on and leave his heart behind.
What the fuck had he ever done to anyone to be shit upon like this? Didn’t he deserve to be happy, even if for a short time?He’d never hurt anyone on purpose. He hadn’t even complained—much—about his life. Would it kill the universe to let him have someone he could keep?
It wouldn’t have surprised him if Colton’s mom had been standing outside on the back porch with her hands on her hips when they pulled up, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Colton killed the engine, and they sat there for a second. “Thank you for indulging me. I don’t get a chance to pick real often.”
“Thank you for taking me. It was fun.” His hands lingered, and when Colton didn’t move, Zach didn’t either. It wouldn’t last, and Colton would never be his, but he could dream for a few more seconds.
Finally he stepped off and lingered by the side of the bike. He leaned over and kissed Colton’s cheek. “I ain’t sorry neither.”
Colton’s face turned crimson. He lifted his hat and ran a hand through his wavy brown hair. “That’s good then.” When he smiled, Zach’s hardon twitched.
His heart hammered in his chest. With the right nudge, maybe Colton would find a quiet place, pin him to the wall, and?—
The ring of Colton’s phone shattered the mood, sending them both back to reality. One that didn’t allow them to get friendly in the way they both wanted. Colton dug the phone out of his pocket.
“Hello?” He sat up straighter, and Zach guessed who was on the other end. “Yes, sir. We’re at the house.”
Two points to Zach. Damn sheriff probably had a camera pinned to Colton’s ass so he knew where he was even off duty.
“Yes, sir. We’ll be here.” He hung up and gave Zach an aching smile. “Sheriff’s coming by tomorrow with that fancy lawyer of yours.”
Why did he need an attorney? Was everything with Colton and his family an act to keep him close so they could arrest him? “My lawyer? Am I in trouble?”
“Relax. You’re fine. It’s the lawyer who has all your money.”
Things were hitting him too fast. “I don’t have any money, other than what’s in my bag in your house.”
Colton flashed that cute-as-fuck grin that left Zach aching to be fucked hard and long. “I’m not the one to talk out of school, but you got a fair bit more than pocket change coming to you.”
He wasn’t sure what to say or do, so he let Colton ease him up to the house, leaving him only to stow the instruments.
Pulling on his socks, Zach stared at the pale blue walls. Last night had been a blur. Dinner had been amazing. Zach might have eaten too many fajitas, but Colton’s mother was an excellent cook, and it would have qualified as a special holiday meal on tour. Afterward, he was in a food coma and barely remembered helping clean up. Or maybe he just wanted to forget. Momma watched them like a hawk the rest of the evening. Did she think they were going to rip off their clothes and get it on in every room in the house?
Zach also couldn’t stop thinking about the next day. Colton wouldn’t tell him anything other than Mr. Lee wanted to speak to him, so he stewed over it even as he fell asleep.
If Grandpa was into as much dirty shit as people said, Zach wouldn’t see a penny of the money in those accounts. He didn’t need a college education to know the government wouldn’t agree that laundered mob money belonged to Zach.
He shrugged on his best clean shirt and reminded himself to speak to Colton about using the washer and dryer. Not that hehated his old life, but this was living. A bed every night, enough hot water for a long shower, and washer-dryer in a house instead of hunting for a laundromat at two a.m.
And all that was in addition to Colton. At least he knew he wasn’t the only one who had it bad. Just Zach’s awful luck that the first guy he truly wanted for more than a quickie, had morals and a sense of honor that prevented them from hooking up.
Telling himself nothing would’ve come of it anyway didn’t stop the longing. Hell, Zach would find a job washing dishes if it meant kissing Colton every day.
He shook his head. That would never work. After the shine wore off, Zach would miss playing. These people were incredibly nice, but that wouldn’t help him make a living. The harsh truth was, Zach wasn’t going to stay here, not even for Colton.
