“Can we get both?”
“Of course. We’ll get some seeds too.”
Diesel smiled at his squeal, but Triton was too excited to care if he made a spectacle of himself. He loaded up the basket with several different colored flowers and several tall, healthy green house plants.
They took turns bringing everything into the house. The flowers were stacked on the back porch and the house plants were tucked on the table. It was a tight fit, but they managed it.
“We should put that big one in front of the window.”
“You think?” Diesel gazed at the small window table.
“Yep. Everyone will see it when they walk by,” he said, smiling.
“You do the honors,” Diesel chuckled. “I’ll grab the potting soil.”
In no time, Triton had the plants displayed around the house, moving some around here and there until all looked just right. Together, they headed outside and planted the flowers along the front of the house and near the front porch.
“It’s so cool.” He stood, hands on his hips, surveying their work.
“I usually plant earlier,” Diesel said, coming to stand next to him.
“Why not this year?”
“I put it off, because of my knee.” Diesel headed up the steps and held the door open.
Triton shucked his coat and muddy boots by the back door and wandered into the living room.
“I’ll start a fire, it’s still a bit cool.” Diesel stacked the wood and crouched to light the fire.
“It’s a lot colder here than Texas,” Triton agreed, rubbing at his arm with his good hand.
Cedar stalked up to the plant near the front window and batted at the hanging leaves.
“Don’t even think about it, you,” Triton scolded, lifting the cat and placing him on the couch with a rub beneath his maw.
“How about some hot cocoa?” Diesel murmured.
He turned with a smile.
“I’d love some.”
Diesel
The morning sun filtered through the window and brightened up his living room. It was extra bright for some reason and it had nothing to do with the new plants or flowers and more to do with the light-haired nymph currently curled up on his couch.
He had to admit that his desire was growing after the shower and hotter than hell kisses, not diminishing like he’d hoped. If anything, his need felt stronger. After shopping in the city and spending the last several days together, he found it harder and harder to keep his hands to himself.
You’re well suited to each other.
Snapping open the morning paper with a crackle, he ignored his internal voice and turned to the financial section to check in on his investments.
“Do you remember the abandoned mine?”
“Of course I do.” He looked up from the newspaper.
“I’m afraid of small places.”
He folded the paper and put it away. The financials could wait; Triton talking about his experiences took precedence.
“That’s understandable. That’s something you’ll want to tell Doc Vince when you see him today.” He glanced at his watch, they still had a several hours until the appointment.
“I remember that day so clearly.” Triton flashed him a small, soft smile, and Diesel shifted a bit on the couch.
“So do I.”
“You told me that my attraction to you was only hero worship.”
“It was.”
“Was is the right term. I’ve gotten over that.”
Diesel swallowed around a suddenly tight throat. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. I’m getting to know the real you. The one who isn’t running in to save the day.”
“I’m not?” He arched his brow.
Triton gave a small laugh. “Well, I guess you are.” Slim fingers waved around the living room. “You’ve opened your home to me, and you’ve saved the day once again. Maybe someday I can return the favor.”
“Maybe,” he smirked.
“You don’t think I can?” Triton gave him a look that Diesel didn’t quite trust.
“Um…maybe?” Now he wasn’t too sure.
“Maddox taught me how to shoot,” his boy said, fixing the cuff of the new skinny jeans Diesel had bought him.
Not my boy. But his mind kept going there. What if he was my boy?
“Shoot what?”
“A nine-millimeter handgun.”
“How’d you do?”
“I hit the outline of the person on the paper.”
“How far out?”
“I don’t know. It wasn’t far. Maddox said it didn’t have to be far to be effective, that most encounters are up close and personal.”
“Maddox is a smart man.”
“So, see? I could protect you.” Triton’s lips pursed and Diesel smiled.
“I have no doubts,” he conceded with a smile.
His cell phone buzzed, causing Molly’s ears to perk up.
“Hey, Memphis.” He answered the phone, holding Triton’s curious blue gaze.
“Hey, Diesel. The Army surplus store was broken into an hour ago.” Memphis sighed, sounding frustrated through the phone.
“By whom?”
“Auto Martin and what looks to be several of his men. I got him and the small army on camera. Made no attempt to shield themselves. Probably thinks he’s dealing with hicks in a backwoods town.”
“What did they take?” He traced his eyes over the slim blond curled up on his couch.
“Cameras show they took weapons, rain gear, camping gear, bullets, and tranquilizer darts.”
“How many men?”
“Four as far as we can tell.”
Four plus Auto, that made five people gunning for Triton.
“Fuck.”
Triton chewed his lip, looking worried.
“Yeah. I just wanted to let you know. He’s still lurking around, and now he’s got friends. I’m positive he doesn’t know where Triton is, but be on your guard.”
“We will. I’ve been setting the property alarm.”
“That’s good. Stay safe.”
“You too.”
He pushed the end button on the phone and tossed it to the table with a clatter. Moving to set the outside alarm on the perimeter of his property, he mentally calculated how much ammunition he had in storage. If it came down to a fight, he could hold them off long enough for Memphis and his men to arrive.
“What?”
He found Triton behind him, the boy’s eyes wide with fear. He’d do anything to ease that look from Triton’s face, but he told him the truth. Triton deserved to know the truth.
“Auto broke into the local surplus store. Sheriff says to be on our guard.”
“Oh god, I should leave.” Triton twisted his hands and then wrapped his arms around himself as if that could ward off anything.
“That’s the last thing you should do.”
“Why?”
Because I don’t want you to leave.
“You’re safer here with me than out there.”
“What about at the ranch?”
“I don’t think Maddox or River are back in Texas yet.”
“Clay threatened to hurt Bull.”