Page 98 of The Fire Line

“Navarro.”

“Sorry.”

He looked profoundly unrepentant.

Harris stepped closer, which perhaps was not the strongest demonstration that he had learned anything from the previous five minutes.

One side of Jay’s shirt was still hanging loose. Harris caught the fabric and tucked it back into his jeans, telling himself the gesture was practical because sending Jay into the yard visibly disheveled would defeat the entire point of nearly having a heart attack over Evan.

His fingers stayed at Jay’s waist anyway.

Jay glanced down at them, then back at Harris.

Neither of them moved.

That was becoming a problem all by itself.

Harris finally made himself take his hand away. “Go first.”

Jay’s mouth twitched. “Look at you. Learning.”

“Don’t push it.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

He retrieved his camera bag and headed for the doorway, but stopped before stepping into the barn.

“I meant what I said last night.”

Harris waited.

“You not knowing yet doesn’t bother me.”

The words reached well beyond whatever had happened against the saddle rack.

Harris nodded once.

Jay left.

Harris gave it enough time that following would not look like following before allowing himself to think about the touch again. He could still feel that brief pass of Jay’s finger and the uncertainty tangled up with the want beneath it.

He did not know whether curiosity would eventually become readiness, and for once he was trying not to force himself into an answer simply because not having one irritated him.

What he did know was simpler.

Jay had stopped the instant Harris went still.

He would stop again.

Harris had not expected that knowledge to matter quite so much.

Outside, Evan called his name from near the wash rack.

Harris picked up the breast collar and walked back into the barn.

17

You Can Stay