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  He went down the hall, and Ashton wondered what he’d done. He decided that tea wasn’t necessary and went to his room.

  Unlike before, Ben wasn’t waiting for him in the bed, and Ashton looked around just to make sure he hadn’t missed something. “Ben?” he said softly, walking into the hallway. Ben appeared in the door of the living room, wearing just a pair of boxers. “What’s going on?”

  “I figured you were tired,” Ben said. “I wasn’t going to force myself on you or just assume that I should be in your bed. And then you wanted tea, so I figured you were looking for something to do other than just go to bed, so….” He shrugged.

  Ashton leaned against the wall, then moved closer to Ben. “I want you in my bed. Okay? If I gave you a different impression, it wasn’t intentional. I just thought something hot might take some of the chill away.”

  Ben came over and wrapped his arms around Ashton’s neck, pressing his body against him. “Is this hot enough? If you need some more, that can most definitely be arranged.”

  Ashton nodded, kissing Ben hard enough that he nearly lost his balance.

  “Come on. Let’s get you someplace where I can get you good and warm,” Ben said, taking him by the hand.

  Once in the bedroom, Ashton got out of his clothes and under the covers. His leg ached, but that wasn’t important at the moment. He was much more interested in the warmth Ben was throwing off and the way his hands slid over Ashton’s chest. Ashton shifted to put an arm around Ben, and they both sighed. “Maybe this isn’t the best idea right now.” Fatigue and coming down from the night’s excitement had taken their toll on him. “I’m sorry.”

  Ben scooted closer. “Don’t be. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since someone just wanted to sleep with me, without sex being involved?” He snuggled right up to Ashton, and Ashton closed his eyes, listening to Ben breathe softly. But as tired as he was, sleep didn’t come to him right away. He worried for Ben and for himself, wondering exactly what was going on and how he was going to keep Ben and everyone on the ranch safe.

  Chapter 5

  BEN SLEPT deep and hard, warm and comfortable in Ashton’s arms. He woke when it was still dark and slipped out of bed to get a drink of water. The house was cold, and he hurried back under the covers.

  Ashton rolled onto his side, pulling him closer. Warmth surrounded him, and Ben went right back to sleep, something he wouldn’t have done before. When he was with Dallas, in his bed, he never slept because he never knew what he’d wake up to—including being secured and alone, not knowing why, or when Dallas would return. And all of it just because Dallas could do what he wanted. If Ben tried to stand up to him, the next time was worse.

  But this was different. Ashton actually liked him and wanted him in his bed, not as some living toy but, it seemed… just for him. And it wasn’t as if Ben wouldn’t have had wild sex with Ashton, because the guy was gorgeous and checked all of Ben’s boxes. Ashton seemed to want it too. But instead he’d held Ben all night and looked after him. Ben had never before been so blown away by something a guy hadn’t done in bed.

  When he woke again, Ashton wasn’t with him. He listened, but the house seemed silent, and he wondered if he was alone.

  Ben pushed back the covers and was about to get up when Ashton slowly came into the room with a tray. “Where’s your cane?” Ashton looked a little tippy, but he made it to the bed, and Ben took the tray from his hands. “Breakfast in bed?” No one had ever done that for him before.

  “I thought it would be nice. It’s just some toast, jam, and eggs. I have some orange juice, but I couldn’t figure out how to get that in here without spilling it all over the place.” He sat down and joined Ben in bed.

  Ben shifted the tray onto Ashton’s legs and hurried out, grabbed the glasses of juice from the counter, and strode back to the bedroom. He closed the door and got back into bed.

  It was fun feeding each other breakfast. The eggs were only warm by the time they ate them, but Ben didn’t care. Being in bed with someone, smiling and just having fun, not worrying if he was going to upset his partner and end up in a screaming match—he loved it. Dallas had been so demanding and fussy about everything. Toward the end of their relationship, Ben knew that he meant nothing to Dallas. But Ashton wasn’t like that, and being with him felt real… which scared Ben.

  Though he knew Ashton was nothing like Dallas, Ben found it hard to trust. He’d had the worst luck with guys, Dallas being a prime example. Maybe he wasn’t ready for any sort of permanent relationship. He couldn’t help thinking that maybe him moving on would still be best for everyone here on the ranch. But just as the thought flitted through his mind, Ashton handed him a piece of toast and slipped the tray onto his legs, pressing a little closer.

  “I think I’m done eating,” Ashton whispered, and Ben felt his own appetite take wing. He downed the last of his toast and juice and shifted the tray to the bedside table. Just as Ben rolled over, intending to straddle Ashton and explore every inch of Ashton’s delectableness, Ashton’s phone vibrated.

  Ashton groaned loudly, then looked at the screen and picked up. “What is it, Marcel? … I see….” He groaned again. “Okay, I’m on my way.”

  Ben lay back down and closed his eyes. “You know, I’m beginning to think your ranch is the biggest cockblock I’ve ever seen in my life.” He tried to keep his comment light.

  “No kidding.”

  Ben sighed as Ashton sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s going on? Do you need help?”

  “I don’t know. Marcel and Reg found fresh tracks in the snow this morning that were a little too close to the house. We need to check them out.” He got his pants on. “It seems to me that someone is playing with us, trying to wear us down.” He finished getting dressed and leaned over the bed. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay near the house phone and call if anything happens here.”

  Ashton picked up his cane and walked to the doorway before stopping, turning back with longing in his eyes. For a second, Ben thought he might return, but Ashton huffed and limped down the hallway. Ben wanted to tell Ashton not to go. He was in pain—the lines around his eyes and mouth told him that pretty clearly—but Ben didn’t have any right to stop him.

  Ben got out of bed and headed for the shower. He started the water and stepped under it, sighing as the heat made its way into his bones. Wyoming was vastly different from Texas, and he had never experienced cold the way he had the past few days. He was learning just how lucky he’d been to have made it to the barn and not ended up in a snowbank where no one would have found him until spring.

  The water’s heat felt so good, and his mind went to Ashton and how hot the man was. It was so tempting to let his hands slide down his belly, but he stopped himself. He could pleasure himself, but he would much rather have Ashton do it for him, and eventually patience would pay off. After washing, he turned off the water and stepped out, then dried off before going to the bedroom. Ashton had given him some clothes to wear the previous day, and he pulled them on, gathering his dirty clothes to put in the washer. He got it running and found the dogs in the living room.

  A sharp crack sent the dogs into a cacophony of barking. A second crack sounded, and Ben dropped to the floor, gathering the dogs to him and hoping to all hell that all of the guys were okay. Those had to be gunshots.

  He crawled over to the phone. “Are you okay?” he asked as soon as Ashton answered.

  “Yes. Stay where you are and keep the dogs safe. We’re hunkered down for now and we’ll be there as soon as we can.” Ashton hung up.

  Ben stayed on the living room floor, hugging the dogs, who thankfully seemed to sense that he was upset and stayed close to him.

  He jumped up when the back door opened.

  “Get him on the sofa,” Ashton said, and Marcel and Reg helped Lucy to the sofa.

  “Was he shot?” Ben asked. “Who did this? Did you see them?”

  “The bastard just winged my leg as he rabbited away,” Luc
y growled. “I’m going to be fine. It isn’t that deep.”

  “Oh, be quiet and let us look you over,” Marcel snapped as he got Lucy settled on the sofa. Ashton went to get bandages.

  “Bring scissors,” Ben called after him. “We’ll need to cut the leg of his pants off.” He waited for Ashton, then took charge of the situation, cutting off the pants and adding pressure to the wound, which had pretty much stopped bleeding.

  “I’ll get some hot water,” Reg said and hurried away. He returned with a basin and a cloth, and Ben wiped away the drying blood.

  “You were really lucky,” Ben told Lucy. “The bullet just grazed your leg, and it isn’t really deep. But it’s pretty wide, so you’re going to have to take it easy or it’s going to start bleeding all over again.” He cleaned the wound and bandaged Lucy’s leg. “You really should go to the hospital to have this checked out. It could get infected.”

  Lucy snorted. “You did as good a job as any doctor, and I don’t have to pay thousands to go to the emergency room. I’ll be fine. We just have to catch this son of a bitch so I can beat the living shit out of him.”

  “The sheriff is on his way,” Ashton said as Ben got to his feet. He sighed, wanting to get Ashton into the bedroom behind closed doors so he could check him over carefully and make sure he wasn’t hurt. This whole incident stank of the kind of shit Dallas would pull.

  “Lot of good he’s going to do,” Lucy mumbled. “This sort of thing is way beyond what he usually handles.”

  “I agree with that,” Reg said. “Our guys are a few hours out, but once they get here, we’ll get our equipment installed and beef up the perimeter around the entire ranch. The sheriff has a job to do, but so do we. He can’t protect Ashton and Ben, but me and the team sure as hell will.”

  “Count us in,” Lucy said.

  “You can count me in,” Marcel growled. “This one is going to be taking it easy for a while.” He shot Lucy a look that said not to cross him or there would be hell to pay.

  Ben turned to Ashton. “This is because of me.”

  “Maybe,” Reg answered. “But we don’t leave people behind, and if that’s the case, then you need help. And if you think running is the answer, you’re crazy. These people followed you here, and they will follow you wherever you try to go. Once the guys get here, this will be the safest place for you.” He seemed to be considering things. “What I don’t understand is why they shot Lucy. I mean, he doesn’t look like you at all. And if Dallas’s guys are pros, why did they miss?”

  Ben swallowed hard. “Dallas is like a cat. He likes to play with his prey before the kill. It’s fun for him to watch people sweat and keep them on edge until he decides to finish them off. That’s the way he does business, and I’m sure it’s what he’s doing here. The sadistic son of a bitch.” He tried not to shake as he wondered what Dallas’s next move would be and who would be hurt. Dallas was ruthless. He had spoken to Ben in the softest tones, and yet the cold heartlessness behind his eyes had left Ben chilled.

  “You may not know it, but Ashton and I are bulldogs, and we rip fucking cats to pieces,” Reg said as a firm knock on the door made them all jump. Ben hated how on edge he felt. Given the past few years, he should be getting used to it by now.

  “What happened?” the sheriff asked as he trudged into the room.

  Ashton took charge, explaining that they were checking out some tracks in the snow when someone took a couple of shots at them. “I’m fairly sure we were set up. Someone is trying to send us a message that they can get to us any time they want to.”

  The sheriff crossed his arms over his chest, studying Ashton as though he was out of his depth. Ben had to give Ashton credit—he held his own, staring right back, forcing the sheriff to break the stalemate. “This is war, and I’ve seen plenty of that in my life. Whoever is behind this attack, he wants us on edge so that when he lets us know what his price is, we’ll be willing to give him what he wants just to get him to go away.”

  Ben already knew what the price was going to be. Him, delivered on a silver platter. Of course, once Dallas got what he wanted, Ben would just disappear one day—like his friend Christopher. Dallas’s ego would be satisfied, and there would be no need to keep Ben around.

  “Is that so?” the sheriff said. “So you have this all figured out?”

  Ashton mimicked the sheriff’s posture. “Don’t you? After all, this is your job. I’ve been shot at, had people sneaking onto my ranch, letting loose my horses, and making anonymous complaints about how I care for my livestock. Most of that shit is low-level harassment, but I’ve reported all of it.”

  Some of the bluster went out of the sheriff. “The complaint was made anonymously, but we may have figured out a way to trace it back. We’re working on it. Gary has been cooperating because the informant made a real fool out of him as well. But taking shots at someone….”

  “Do you want to take a look? We came inside and left the area alone so you could investigate,” Ashton explained, his cheeks growing red. “I doubt you’re going to find much, other than where the shooter waited. At least the wind isn’t blowing the snow around.”

  “You all stay in here. I have a deputy on the way, and we’ll take charge.” The sheriff stormed out of the house, and Ashton lowered himself into one of the chairs. Ben brought him over a footstool to prop up his leg.

  “Why did you antagonize him?” Marcel asked.

  “It’s the only way to get him to do his job. I’ve known the guy forever. He was like that in school, loved getting attention but wouldn’t do the work. So when he needs one, I give him a kick in the ass, just like I used to when we were in high school. He tolerates me, and I do the same in return. Sometimes I think the man likes being sheriff more than he does actually acting like one. If I have to shame him into doing his job and getting us some answers, I will.” Ashton sighed. “After all, I sleep so soundly at night, knowing he’s on the job.”

  Reg snorted. “Sarcasm really becomes you.”

  “Smartass,” Ashton teased.

  Reg headed for the door. “I’m going out to do some looking around on my own.” He left as well, and Marcel got Lucy up and on his feet.

  “I’m going to take this one home and get him in bed to rest. I’ll be back so I can get the chores done before the security people get here.”

  “Just be careful,” Ashton said.

  Marcel promised, then helped Lucy to move slowly out of the living room.

  Ben sat on the arm of Ashton’s chair. “You know I’m not worth putting you and the people in your life in danger.”

  Ashton motioned toward the door. “Do you want to leave?” His gaze met Ben’s and held it in a visual vise grip. “If that’s what you want, then go. If you want to stay, then do that. But don’t bring up any more of this crap about running away and how we will be better off. Frankly, it’s kind of whiny.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Ben huffed. He had been thinking of them rather than himself.

  Ashton shook his head. “I am well aware of the risks. So are the guys and Reg. We have all been through some tough times here. Last summer a group of locals decided that they didn’t want gay men in the bar in town. They picked a fight, and Marcel and Lucy beat the living shit out of them. I’ve taken some crap from time to time as well, and I refuse to back away. All of us know how to fight, and we all take care of our own. Period.” He lowered his foot, sitting upright. “The question for you is… do you want to be one of us or not?” Ashton held his gaze in a grip of steel. “That’s your decision. The door is right there if you want it.”

  Well holy hell, that was direct. But Ben knew what he wanted. Ashton was offering him a chance to belong somewhere, and that was damned tempting. “But what if…?” Ben felt that Ashton found him attractive, and the feeling was mutual. But shit, that was putting a lot of pressure on something just a few days old.

  “This has nothing to do with where you sleep. If you want to stay, then we’ll find things for you to do so you
can make yourself useful. There is always plenty of work on a ranch this size. I have two thousand acres with as many head of cattle, as well as horses. We make our living with the cattle, and the horses are a much-loved side business. But it’s one I can’t indulge in anymore.” He paused before adding under his breath just softly enough that Ben nearly missed it, “Sometimes I hate this damned leg and cane.” He swallowed and his expression grew less dark. “If you’re willing to work, you can stay. If things progress between us, then that would be wonderful, but it has nothing to do with you being here. Got that? I won’t force my way into anyone’s bed or try to worm my way into someone’s heart.” Ashton was sexy as hell when he was forceful, and his offer was probably the kindest thing anyone had ever done for Ben. Ashton was offering him a lot more than just a place to stay. He was offering Ben a home, a place where he could belong. Something he hadn’t had since he entered foster care. The lure of both Ashton and what he offered was hard to resist.

  “I want to stay. I like it here.” He perched on the edge of the chair nearest Ashton. “Put your leg up and rest it.”

  “Yes, Mom,” Ashton teased.

  Ben was about to explain yet again how he felt, but he held the words to himself. “What is it like here in the spring?”

  Ashton smiled. “Gorgeous. It’s lush and green, and there are plenty of new calves. It’s my favorite time of year, with new life everywhere. Winter always seem slow, with the snow and weather. It’s our job to make sure everything survives so that when spring arrives, we can flourish. Everything ramps up in the spring. I run a couple thousand head, and I bring on extra hands for the summer months. I don’t need that many in the winter, though I do have some guys who watch over the more distant herds for me.”

  “Are any of the horses pregnant?” Ben asked.