The Man Who Loved Cole Flores (Dig Two Graves 1)

“Those bastards had it coming. It’s been five years, and my blood still boils when I see one of them,” Cole said, tapping his boots against the wood under their feet. “They’re grave robbers, you know? You won’t find worse scum from coast to coast.”

“He almost killed me! And over what? Revenge?” Ned hated himself a little the moment the word left his lips, because he wasn’t any better. What happened to his family was now history, yet the savagery he’d witnessed hurt him to this day.

Cole grabbed his good hand and entwined their fingers. “Anyone who as much as looks at you the wrong way will bite dirt! I won’t let this happen again.”

Ned stared at him, slowly turning this situation around in his head. Cole’s protective fury, his tenderness, the watch he’d insisted on gifting him once Ned laughed at the bundle flowers…

Just like that, his anger turned into confusion.

“Are you… are you romancing me?”

Cole stilled, his mouth hanging open as he took in Ned’s face. “What… what did you think this is?” he asked, his grip on Ned’s hand growing tighter.

Oh.

“I didn’t think two men could…” he drifted off, unsure how to finish without looking foolish. All he knew was that when he met Cole’s gaze, he didn’t just feel lust for his strong body, lively eyes, and handsome smile. He’d been unable to put a name on why his heart beat so fast whenever they were together, or why he thought of Cole every waking moment of the day, because it didn’t occur to him that two men could be sweet on one another.

The argument they’d had no longer mattered. This new reality was too grand, and tastier than dates, honey, and raisins combined. “I got us cigars,” he tried with a shy smile. He had no idea how to express his feelings to another man being one himself, but was willing to try, even if they were the first two men to ever become each other’s sweethearts. The outside world didn’t need to know.

Cole smiled and reached back to a crate that hadn’t been there before. “Got you something too. You’ll need it,” he said and offered Ned a package wrapped in brown paper. Lightweight and held together by a string, it felt like a promise, even though he didn’t yet know what it was.

Ned didn’t care to guess and pulled his fingers out of Cole’s grip to see his gift faster. “I don’t think I’ve had anyone care so much for me since my parents died,” he said and leaned over for a quick kiss, as if they hadn’t killed three men only minutes ago. It was almost as if it had happened in a different life, to different people.

Cole put one arm around Ned and hugged him, resting his chin on Ned’s shoulder. “I don’t care if other men like us do it. I want to,” he said and pressed a kiss to the edge of Ned’s collarbone, which felt sensitive even through the double layer of fabric.

Ned ripped the paper, revealing a belt of tanned leather embossed with a pattern of horses running through the prairie, and plenty of bullet pockets waiting for rounds.

“It’s empty inside, so you can carry valuables in it too. Money, papers, and such,” Cole said as if the beautiful item that still had that pleasant leathery scent couldn’t speak for itself.

“A picture with my sweetheart.” Ned’s cheeks burned as he bumped his shoulder against Cole’s chest, elated by the thoughtful gift. Cole must have seen Ned’s bags were old and ripping at the seams and chose to act.

Cole’s eyes shone brighter, and he pulled Ned’s hand to his lips to seal their agreement with a kiss to rough knuckles. “I like the way you think.”

The emotion blooming inside Ned made him shiver like a virgin on her wedding night. Never before had he felt so fulfilled. It was as if reality lost its sharp edges in a promise that from now on, he’d get to dance through life at Cole’s side.

Here was a man who cherished him, pleasured him, and cared for him. Regardless of the outcome of Ned’s work for the Pinkertons, he’d find a way to keep Cole at his side. He didn’t know how, but he’d make it work.

“And you’re mine only? No other man or woman?”

Cole grinned, hugging Ned with the one arm. “I know I’m being fast, but why waste time? I know who I want. And it’s you,” he whispered, drilling his gaze all the way into Ned’s soul.

Ned kissed him again. “One more stop before we head back?”

Chapter 18

Ned clicked his tongue so Nugget would climb the gentler slope at the back of the mesa faster. Rusty clouds came up from under the stallion's hooves, forcing Ned to wave them away with his hat, but the red dirt already left its mark on Ned’s clothes. The air was still and hot, but they’d travelled through Arizona long enough for him to know the evening would bring a chill. For now, he stared out into the most bizarre landscape he’d encountered so far.