Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

He waved at Holden as he parked. They got out of the car, and Marilee said, “Hey, Roe! How’s it going?”

“Good.” He made his way over to them. “Polly was bouncing around like crazy when I checked on her earlier. She’s a mischievous one.”

“She’s a handful is what she is,” Holden answered, and Marilee swatted him.

“She’s my baby, and I love her, so you be nice, Holden Barnett.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Holden said playfully.

“Is Wyatt here?” Sean asked.

“No, he went with his mama to see his grandma in Wilmington. He’ll be gone for about a week.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I was just gonna see if he wanted to meet me on one of our games online.”

“Bet he will later on. You should text him,” Roe told him. He liked the growing friendship between Wyatt and Sean. He hoped eventually Sean would start branching out and playing with some of his old friends or spending time with some of Wyatt’s.

“Can I throw the ball for Zeus?”

“Yeah, of course you can. All his toys are in the bucket by the front door.”

“Thanks, Roe!” Sean ran toward the house, Zeus right on his heels.

“Thank you for always being so good to him. It really means a lot to me.” Marilee squeezed his arm.

“He’s a great kid. Nothing to thank me for.”

She gave him a sad smile, probably for the things Sean missed out on with his own dad, before saying, “I’ll give you two some privacy.”

Holden leaned against the car, and Roe did the same beside him. They watched as Sean tossed a Frisbee for Zeus, who was about the happiest dog on earth since someone was playing with him.

“How was your day?” Roe asked.

“Good. We drove into Asheville and picked up a few things Marilee needed and got some shoes at the outlet store for Sean. What are you up to?”

“Not much. Wyatt and Lindsey left right before you got home.” Damned if he didn’t like that—thinking of this as Holden’s home. Sure it was, but it was also a temporary one. He wished that part wasn’t true. “Now that you’re here, I figured I’d put you to work for me.”

Holden cocked a brow. “Oh, you think so, do you?”

“Yep. I do. I give good head, after all, and that’s what you’ll get for a job well done.”

With a half grin teasing his lips, Holden pushed off the car and moved so he stood in front of Roe—close, but not touching. Roe’s fingers itched to pull Holden to him, line their bodies together before he took Holden’s mouth. He was good, though, and held himself still.

Holden darted a look over his shoulder. Sean was farther away than he had been, wrestling around in the grass with Zeus. “You sure look pretty when you’re on your knees for me.” Holden’s voice was all rasp and sex.

“My truck smelled like you this morning. Got me hard.” Holden had taken his vehicle the day before for work and picked Roe up afterward. They’d driven to a secluded spot and made each other come before heading home again.

“You’re getting me that way right now.”

Roe looked down at the bulge behind Holden’s fly. He glanced over and saw Sean was still busy, so he reached out, cupped him, damn near growled at the low, deep moan that slipped past Holden’s lips.

Then he pushed off the car too and got in Holden’s space, mouth close to his ear. “Gonna have to wait until I get what I want out of you first.” Roe stepped away.

“You bastard. You turned the tables on me. I was supposed to get you hot and bothered.” Holden chuckled.

“You did. Plus, watching you work is like foreplay. I’ll be dyin’ for it by the time we’re done.”

A wide smile stretched across Holden’s face. It twisted Roe’s insides all up. It was bright and wild and…happy. It was a good look on him, one Roe wanted to keep putting there.

“Come on, before you make me do something that gives us away.” Roe nodded toward the pens.

“Let’s do it, then,” Holden replied.

They spent a couple of hours in the sun, sweating, working, and talking. They fixed the wiring along the chicken coop, and did some repairs on the goat sheds—which looked like little dog houses. Sean had gone back inside a while before, so Zeus had been harassing them, stealing tools and trying to help.

They were taking a break, standing by the picnic table, shirtless, each with a cold beer in their hands, when Holden looked around and said, “There’s so much we could do with this land.” Roe didn’t think he realized he’d used the word we, but Roe liked it. “You still considering getting horses?”

“I am. What else were you thinkin’?” He watched Holden while he took a drink of his beer.

“Don’t really know. Nothing like Covington Acres.”