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They shook, and Sol gazed at the others who’d gathered around. “Guys, the pleasure was mine. You’re a great bunch, and if any of you make it out to San Francisco, come look me up.”
“Any chance you’ll be coming back to Salvation for another visit?” Walt asked.
Sol heaved a sigh. “Never say never, right? I don’t know. Work keeps me busy. I only just managed to squeezethisweek in.” He avoided looking in Butch’s direction.
It was just sex, right? That was all it could be.
The farther he got from Salvation, the more he might actually believe that.
There was no putting off the goodbyes a moment longer.
Sol shook hands with all of them, leaving Butch to the last. To his surprise, Butch didn’t offer his hand.
“I need to see the boss, so I’ll walk up with you.”
“Fine.” Sol was no fool.
They walked out of the bunkhouse, Sol’s bag in one hand, his backpack slung over his shoulder. He caught sight of Paul in the paddock with Sorrel, grooming him. Paul raised his hand in a wave, and Sol waved back.
“Sorrel seems content.”
Butch smiled. “He’s a sweet one, like Bailey.”
Sol stared at the white and green barns, the stable, the house on top of the hill, and the horizon where the land met the huge expanse of sky, so blue it hurt the eyes. “I love your home.”
“Pretty fond of it myself.” He lapsed into silence.
Sol had expected something more personal, but it appeared Butch wasn’t one for goodbyes either, and the realization brought some slight relief.
Butch seemed to be as much a realist as he was.
They reached the old barn, but instead of strolling past it, Butch grabbed his arm and steered him through the door so fast that Sol didn’t have time to react.
Butch closed the door behind them. “I had to get you alone. I was awake most of the night, thinking about what I wanted to say to you before you left.”
“Butch, I—”
That was as far as he got before Butch’s lips stopped the flow of his words.
Yeah, not much of a realist after all.
For someone who’d never kissed a guy until a few nights ago, he sure was making up for lost time, andfuck, he was a fast learner. He didn’t close his eyes, his breathing slow and deep, as if Butch was learning the taste of him all over again.
Sol dropped his bag to the straw-covered floor and pulled him in, his hands on those wide shoulders, savoring the strength in them, the feeling of muscle beneath his fingertips.
“You’re a good kisser,” Sol murmured against his lips.
Butch chuckled. “I had a good teacher.” He took a step back. “Gotta tell you, I felt kinda lost yesterday, not having you around.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to go riding.”
Butch waved a hand. “Couldn’t be helped. And it sounds as if you did good.” His chest rose and fell. “I know I shouldn’t have dragged you in here, but I couldn’t let you leave without telling you something.”
Sol’s stomach muscles tightened and his pulse quickened.
Don’t let this be what I think it is.
It happened sometimes. A guy’s first experience of intimacy could lead him to make all kinds of wrong assumptions, and Sol didn’t want to be the one to dash Butch’s hopes.
