Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Cole found himself suddenly tongue-tied as he stared up at JB. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had understood that about him. More, he thought JB was the type to run interference for him at a social gathering. Definitely the kind of friend he’d spent the better part of his life looking for.
“Thanks. Should I dress for dinner?”
JB’s eyes slowly traveled down Cole’s body, and Cole swore he could feel it like a firm hand running over him. It was the most disturbing feeling. Not bad. Just…unexpected as he struggled to not flex or sit up a little straighter.
“Nope. You’re good. If you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re pretty casual here.” JB winked and patted Cole on the shoulder one last time before stepping away. “I’m gonna head to the office. You good here?”
“Yep. I’m fine. Good. Everything is under control,” he stammered, inwardly cursing himself. What the hell was wrong with him?
JB chuckled and waved. “See you about five, five thirty.”
It was only when the door closed behind JB and Cole was alone in the house that he dropped his head back and groaned. What the fuck was wrong with him? He was not attracted to JB Alexander. He was not attracted to men. Period.
JB was a nice guy. A funny guy. A sweet, thoughtful, perceptive guy who was helping Cole out while he was in a bad spot.
No big deal.
So then why could he still feel the heat where JB had placed his hand on Cole’s shoulder? And why was he half-hard in his damn jeans?
Chapter Eight
Cole’s footsteps crunched with JB’s across the gravel drive as they walked toward the main house. Fresh white paint coated the siding with red brick accents. They’d painted the place again last year, so everything looked nice and tidy, just the way his mother liked it.
It had been a nice place to grow up and was still plenty big for him to share comfortably with his parents, but he preferred the privacy of the guest place. He’d moved into the guest house when he returned from the Army, his years there giving him the need for space. It still felt a little weird to walk back to the house where he’d grown up because he’d always been leaving that house—sometimes sneaking out of it. He grinned at the memory.
Yellow tulips and purple hyacinths lined the walkways, spring flowers his mother planted every fall, though they were technically perennials. Some returned, but she enjoyed a full garden, so she hit the ground with bulbs every year. She’d be switching over to petunias once spring passed.
There was also a small vegetable garden with plants peeking out of the ground. There was nothing like his mother’s fresh tomato spaghetti sauce, which is what they were having tonight since she’d canned it.
He glanced over at Cole, who was silently taking in the view. The man was often quiet, and it didn’t bother him in the least. He’d opened up more at lunch today, making jokes and teasing. It had given JB the most enticing peek into Cole’s personality, leaving him panting for more. More teasing. More jokes. More of that sexy smirk that lifted one corner of his mouth.
His companion had dressed up a bit for their dinner at the main house after all, wearing jeans and a navy button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The color brought out the sharp indigo of his eyes. He’d trimmed his beard, making his lips look extra kissable. That was one sexy man walking next to him. It was all JB could do to pull his gaze away.
The images in his mind weren’t helping either. As he’d gotten ready, he’d spotted Cole’s wet boxers draped over the bathtub to dry. He’d apparently slipped into the hot tub and JB had missed it. Probably for the best.
“Just so you’re prepared, my family is crazy when they’re all together. It’s always noisy as hell, but fun.” JB shot him a grin. “My sister is especially crazy, so heads up.”
Cole’s smirk peeked out and JB’s heart sped up. “Don’t forget that I work for Ward.”
JB laughed. “True. Very true. You’ll be fine.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting her. She has kids, you said?”
JB nodded, his smile growing warm and fond. “Yeah, two. Six and three. Cutest kids on the face of the earth, and they know it.”
“I like kids,” Cole said as they reached the patio and walked over it to the door. They passed his parents’ gray outdoor furniture and his dad’s large, silver gas grill. JB preferred charcoal to gas, but he’d never been able to talk his dad into using it.
JB opened the door and ushered Cole through, noting the spicy scent of cologne as he brushed past. He closed his eyes briefly and breathed it in. When he opened them, he caught Cole watching him and felt a bit of heat crawl up his neck. Oh well, he’d gotten caught smelling him. He shrugged with a sheepish grin and his knees nearly went out when Cole grinned at him, his teeth glowingly white between his beard and mustache.