Texas Pride

“Have you been with Cara?” Kitt asked, now looking directly at Austin. The truck slowed almost to a stop.

“I’m not sure I wanna answer that,” Austin said, looking out the front window.

“So it’s a yes,” Kitt said, their gazes switching places. He looked out the front window as Austin looked at him.

“Not recently. Once I decided I was really done with that world, I sobered up, put the drugs down and cleaned myself up. I’ve only been with men since then,” Austin said.

“How did you work that and keep it quiet?”

“I wasn’t always discreet. There’re lots of rumors out there. Cara’s good at lying about where I was, on and on.”

“But she isn’t here if we get caught.”

“No. But for me, I’ve decided it can’t really affect me anymore. I left that world behind although no one seems to believe me. It’s just the cameras are such a pain in the ass. I need a few years to be out of the picture, prove I’m really retired before I let anyone know. If I ever let anyone know. I want my privacy. I miss my privacy.” Austin said it all again for what felt like the hundredth time in the span of just a few days. He moved his hand back and forth across Kitt’s thigh, finally tucking it back under his leg.

“I can’t ever come out, Austin. No way this ranchin’ world would ever accept it. It’s like the 1950’s around here. It would ruin everything, and I just can’t have that. I have Lily and my sisters to think about.”

“No one questions you?” Austin asked.

“If they do, I never hear it. We’re here.” Kitt brought the truck to a stop at the base of a small ridge. He put it in park, resting one arm on the steering wheel while he hooked his other arm around Austin’s shoulders. He used his thumb to lift Austin’s chin as he leaned in to kiss him. When he pulled away, Kitt slowly opened his eyes.

“I don’t wanna talk about this anymore. It depresses me. I like what we have right now, and the future doesn’t look so good for either of us. Just know that when you’re ready to go, it’s okay, no hard feelings at all,” Kitt said, looking straight at Austin. Austin leaned forward, kissing Kitt again, swiping his tongue forward this time before he brought his hand up around Kitt’s neck. He pulled him back to deepen the kiss, and drove his tongue forward, dominating the kiss. Beneath his palm, he felt Kitt’s heart pounding in his chest when they broke apart.

“We need to set up camp,” Kitt whispered still in Austin’s face, searching his eyes with his own.

“Kitt, I don’t want this to end between us. I feel more alive now than I’ve felt in years. If we have to stay hidden, then so be it, but I want this between us.” Austin realized he gave Kitt no choice but to stay close as he gripped Kitt’s shirt. Kitt nodded, looking at him closely for several long moments before he pulled away and slid out of the truck. Damn how he hated it when Kitt went quiet on him!

Chapter 11

They set up camp right on the ridge overlooking the pasture. The night was clear, and the wind blew a mild breeze through the overgrown grass. Tall trees swayed in the distance. The two of them lay spread out on a blanket. A roaring fire flickered just a few feet away, keeping them and the food warm as a mild cool front pushed through the area from the north. Dinner was excellent. They ate small, bite size pieces of food Austin had cooked himself.

“Here, taste this last bite for me. It’s hot like you like it. It’s a shrimp, jalapeño, bacon something. I found the recipe online.” Austin ran the bite over the peppered jelly before lifting it to Kitt’s mouth. Kitt relaxed on the blanket, his body sprawled out with his head close to Austin’s knee. His standard Bud Light sat close by while Austin opted for wine.

“I’m gettin' full,” Kitt said, but still opened for the bite. No way he would refuse anything from Austin, especially something he cooked with his own two hands. Kitt chewed and swallowed as Austin leaned in.

“I got some jelly on the side of your lip,” Austin murmured, leaning further in to swipe the sweet and spicy mix from the corner of his mouth. “Mmm…you taste delicious.”

“That’s your food you’re tastin’,” Kitt said and leaned up on an elbow to reach for another shrimp.

“It tastes better on you.” Austin chuckled at the roll of Kitt’s eyes.

“Whatever! Open up, have you tried it? They’re delicious.” Kitt rose further up to give Austin the bite he just picked out. Austin sucked his fingers in, licked them as Kitt pulled them out.

“Mmmm…you’re delicious. I think you need to be on the menu.” Austin waggled his eyebrows as the perfect follow up on the cheesy line.

“You’re a mess, Austin,” Kitt said, as he reached over to grab another bite. He popped it in his mouth before he lay back down on the blanket, looking up at the stars. “I’m glad no storms came with the front. I like us bein’ out here together.”

“Me, too.” Austin brought another piece of shrimp up for Kitt who ate it easily.

“We eat too well. You’re gonna get me fat.” Kitt swallowed and lifted up to take a drink of his beer.

“Yeah, I don’t think there’s any fear of that. You work way too hard. But you know, it might not be such a bad idea for you to gain a hundred or so pounds. Maybe it’d help my insecure heart not worry about Fisker, or any others coming to steal you away from me,” Austin said absently.

Kitt cut his eyes directly to Austin. There was a lot of meaning in the words just spoken. He laughed at the funniest thought. “If I gain a hundred pounds, I’m not sure you’ll wanna keep your eye on me, but give me another bite! We can try it and see which theory proves true...” Kitt swiped the shrimp through the jelly before popping it in his mouth.