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He accepted the call. “Hey, Owen. What’s up?”
Surprise turned to fear when Owen blurted, “Tyler’s in trouble and needs you.”
Cash immediately set to straightening his clothes at hearing the urgency in Owen’s voice. “What’s wrong? Is he hurt?”
“No,” Owen said, then released a soft moan. “Well, I don’t know. He got arrested.”
Nick didn’t know who Cash was talking to or what had happened, but he didn’t need to rely on his Bureau training to know it wasn’t good. Cash’s voice had been urgent when he’d asked about potential injuries, and the response produced a crestfallen expression Nick never wanted to see again. His shoulder throbbed like a son of a bitch, but he ignored it as he propelled himself to his feet with his free hand. He kept an ear trained on Cash’s half of the conversation and pieced together that someone had gotten arrested.
“Owen, where are you now?” Cash asked.
If Owen was the one calling, that meant Tyler was probably the one in trouble. Cash had mentioned they were inseparable, two halves of a whole, and Nick had seen that firsthand at breakfast. They completed one another’s sentences and moved together as if choreographed. Nick also recognized that Owen was in love with Tyler, who was clueless about the depth of his friend’s affection. Nick suspected Tyler’s devotion ran deeper than friendship too, even if he hadn’t fully figured it out yet. Nick would be the first to say ignorance is not always bliss in situations like this. He felt a vested interest in the outcome of their relationship, and the first step would be to get Tyler out of jail. What the hell could that kid get arrested for anyway? He seemed like such a sweet kid, maybe a little derpy at times but endearingly so, kind of like a golden retriever.
Patsy woofed once as if she’d read his mind. Her expression was as anxious as Cash’s voice. Patsy clearly didn’t like it when her favorite human was upset. Nick reached down to pick up his discarded jeans and scratched her ears to calm her. “It’s okay, girl,” he soothed. “We’ve got him.”
Cash was alternating between uh-huhs and okays and sounded a little calmer. Nick held his sling out a little to help balance his upper body as he slid his first foot into the denim, then the other. “Nick, wait for me to help pull up your jeans. You’re about to topple over.”
Nick snapped his head up and met Cash’s shocked gaze. He’d just revealed their relationship status to one of the biggest gossips on the ranch. If Cash was lucky, Owen was too distressed to comprehend what he’d heard. Cash mouthed “Sorry” as he stepped over to assist with the jeans. Nick just shrugged because he’d hire a skywriter. Cash was the one who would struggle with the ranch crew knowing his business.
“Just hang tight, Owen,” Cash said into the phone. “Head over to the diner and hang out there until Nick and I arrive.”
In less than twenty-four hours, Nick had gone from me to we, and it pleased him immeasurably. Once Nick tucked everything away, Cash disconnected the call and turned his attention to pulling himself together. He put on his socks and shoes, then started repacking the picnic basket. The container that had held the egg salad sandwiches was empty. Nick was almost positive Cash hadn’t eaten them, and he knew damn well he hadn’t. He glanced over at Patsy, who wore an innocent wasn’t-me expression. Nick quietly put the lid back on the container and stacked it in the basket without ratting on her. She had offered him more comfort than one man deserved, so keeping quiet was the least he could do. Nick winked at the dog and was positive she understood.
“Which one of you ate all the egg salad sandwiches?” Cash asked. So he had noticed the empty container.
“We’re not telling,” Nick replied, darting a conspiring glance at Patsy.
“Okay,” Cash said. “Looks like I’m sleeping alone until I get a verbal confession or flatulence gives someone away.”
Nick pointed at the dog and said, “She did it.” Patsy’s expression didn’t change, but Nick figured she’d get even. When Cash turned around, he shrugged as if to say what could I do? No grace was given.
Once the food and blanket were in the basket, they loaded it in the side-by-side. Cash wore a pensive expression as he drove, and the trip back wasn’t nearly as fun for many reasons. The lighthearted mood was gone, and Cash had to be much more aggressive to make the climb to the ranch. He drove the vehicle full throttle like his racing days. Nick gave up looking brave and grabbed the fuck-this handle on the dashboard in front of him.
Cash didn’t ease up once they crested the hilltop and entered the woods. The forest rushed by them in a green and brown blur. Nick was eager to find out what the hell had happened but waited until they wouldn’t have to yell over the engine. Cash sped through the barnyard and screeched to a stop near the front porch.
“I just need to put Patsy and this stuff in the house.” The dog responded with two sharp barks. “Don’t sass me, young lady. In you go.”
The border collie’s head hung low, and her tail drooped as she followed her human. Cash returned moments later with a key fob in his hands. He pushed a button, and Nick’s BMW beeped twice. Cash scowled and looked at his hand.
“I didn’t mean to grab your keys,” he said.
Nick didn’t allow anyone to drive his car, a playful point of contention between them. “She’s closer and will get us to town faster than a lumbering pickup.”
“It’s not lumbering when I drive it,” Cash said as he led the way to Nick’s sleek sedan. “Though I have wanted to drive this bad girl since you bought her.”
The engine fired up with a throaty purr that made Nick want to shimmy in his seat. He watched as Cash familiarized himself with the car’s bells and whistles. He adjusted the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel before putting the car in reverse.
“You look damn fine driving my car.” Nick’s voice did a good impression of the engine’s throaty purr. “I’m going to buy you some black leather driving gloves.”
Cash smirked and glanced over at him. “I’m going to drive you.”
Nick sucked in a sharp breath. God, he wanted that so much. It wouldn’t matter if he couldn’t get hard or climax. Just imagining Cash’s dick inside him again was enough to make him shiver. Nick wanted—needed—the connection, to give his body to Cash and witness him take pleasure… Fucking yum. Nick shivered again.
“Need me to turn the AC down?” Cash teased.
“You damn well know how much I love getting on my knees for you,” Nick fired back. If Cash was going to play dirty, he’d do it too. “Now that the whole ranch is going to know about us, I won’t have to worry about keeping quiet while you plow me.”
Cash puffed up his cheeks and blew out a harsh breath. “I can’t believe I was so careless.”
