Roped (27 page)

“You ready to go home?” Jamie whispered, his hands running soothingly down Tek’s back.

“Yeah,” he responded with a nod.

Jamie removed his ball cap and set it on Tek’s head, situating it low to shadow his red and swollen eyes. He then pressed both of his hands to Tek’s cheeks and met his gaze. “It’s about time you let your stubborn-ass wall down,” Jamie told him with a soft smile and pressed a gentle kiss to Tek’s lips. “Thank you for letting me carry some of the weight for you, even if it was only for a moment.”

Ah damn! How could he regret breaking down, showing weakness when the one constant goodness in his life was thanking him for it? He had no idea what to say. Instead, he said nothing and allowed Jamie to steer him out of the club. The cold wind felt good on his face, and he tipped his head back and closed his eyes for a moment as he took deep, calming breaths.

“You okay?” Jamie asked cautiously and laid his hand against the small of Tek’s back.

Tek turned his face and met those amazing caring blue eyes and smiled. “Yeah, I am now. Thank you.”

Jamie returned the smile and ran his hand up and down Tek’s back. Jamie’s touch always made Tek feel better. Made him feel whole, connected.

Something that had occurred to Tek earlier popped into his head again as they walked arm in arm down the quiet sidewalk. “I think Blake may know about our past,” Tek admitted regretfully. “I think we may need to consider moving on.”

“What makes you think that? Did you not get the job?”

“No, I got the job, that’s not it. Just something he said made me think he knew a lot more than he should. Maybe he’s setting us up?”

“I don’t think so, Tek. Blake is a great guy. Honest to a fault and a man of his word.” Jamie cocked his head. “Is that what happened back there? You’re worried about our past being exposed?”

It was more than just exposure, but perhaps part of his meltdown was fear? He wasn’t sure. Tek only knew he had to protect Jamie from the past at all costs, and he didn’t have the money or the resources to live long on the run.

“I’m always worried about it. Have to,” he finally responded.

Jamie was silent for the next block, but Tek could tell he was deep in thought by the expression on his face. As they waited at the corner for the light to change, Jamie said, “I don’t want to leave.”

“I know, neither do I. But we may not have a choice.”

“I trust Blake.”

Jamie never fully trusted anyone. The one exception was Tek, so it surprised him that Jamie would feel that way about Blake. “I know you don’t want to leave, Jamie, but I’m not convinced we can completely trust anyone.”

Jamie shook his head. “I do with Blake,” he said with utter conviction. “Call it a hunch, a gut feeling, or whatever you want, but somehow, I just know he’d never betray us. I think you should take the job.”

“Really?” Tek said uncertainly. “What if you’re wrong?”

Jamie shook his head again, harder this time. “I’m not,” he insisted.

Tek let Jamie’s words sink in as they crossed the street and made their way down the next block to the subway. He’d been on edge the last couple of days, a little paranoid. Maybe that’s what had set off the guilt and ignited his breakdown and it had nothing to do with Blake’s cryptic words.
Fuck!
He hoped that’s what it was. If Jamie trusted Blake as resolutely as he did, then Tek had to believe in the man too.

“Okay. I’ll take the job,” Tek finally agreed.

“Awesome!” Jamie exclaimed happily and pulled Tek tighter against him. Jamie slid his warm hand beneath Tek’s shirt and rubbed along the side of Tek’s body.

God, he hoped Jamie was right, that it was merely a coincidence and Blake had nothing to do with the fact that Tek had an uneasy feeling his past was coming to call. Maybe it hadn’t been Rocco he’d seen watching them from a car parked outside the club.

SJD P
ETERSON
, better known as Jo, hails from Michigan. Not the best place to live for someone who hates the cold and snow. When not reading or writing, Jo can be found close to the heater checking out NHL stats and watching the Red Wings kick a little butt. Can’t cook, misses the clothes hamper nine out of ten tries, but is handy with power tools.

Visit Jo at:

http://www.facebook.com/SJD.Peterson; http://sjdpeterson.blogspot.com/;https://twitter.com/SJDPeterson;

and http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4563849.S_J_D_Peterson.

Contact Jo at [email protected].

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Whispering Pines Ranch from
SJD P
ETERSON

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