Texas Pride

“Kylie…” The last question horrified Kitt. Austin didn’t seem to notice as he stood beside him, wrapping an arm around his waist. It was hard not to move out of the casual touch.

“So far, no one’s thought to look here, and I need you to keep all this to yourself. Only a handful of people know I’m here. But honestly, your brother’s the most important person to me in this deal. I know he’s not comfortable with you, or anyone for that matter, knowing about this or him.” Austin’s words were so perfect. Kitt watched Kylie, trying to gauge her reaction, but the star struck wonder just stayed the most obvious part of her expression.

“Does Mom know you’re here? She’s safe. She hates all the gossip in town. She won’t tell anyone, I promise.”

“She knows, but your little sister doesn’t,” Austin said, and Kitt just let him do the talking. That numb feeling began to wear off with dread closing in fast.

“Okay, so I can keep it quiet. Have y’all been like in love since high school?”

“No! No, no, no! Kylie, enough with all the questions! Shit!” Kitt threw his hands up in the air. “Please, go home.”

“I wish I’d been with your brother since high school,” Austin said, looking over at Kitt who now paced until a sticker got him good in the foot and he was forced to stop and dig it out.

“Okay, let me ask this. Why aren’t you tellin’ people? You two are like, hot, together,” she said.

“We’re done. This is done. You’re leavin’,” Kitt said, tossing the sticker aside. He whistled for her horse, and at the same time, Austin’s phone rang, startling him.

“I have to get going. My security team’s on their way out here to drive me to the airport. I need my tennis shoes.”

“Here! Are these yours?” Kylie said, all smiles and helpfulness bundled in an incredibly annoying little sister.

Austin’s pickup truck came out of nowhere, slowly making its way through the pasture. Kitt could only watch it drive up. He’d thought they were all alone out here. Austin told him they were, but clearly his security knew where Austin was at all times. Had they watched them last night? The thought caused a deep heat of a blush to rise in his cheeks as his eyes riveted to Austin. They only stared at one another for a second or two, but he could see Austin knew his thoughts when he shook his head mouthing a very clear ‘no’ in his direction.

For the first time this morning, Austin’s brow lowered, frustration clear in his eyes. After a second of everyone looking at each other, Austin took matters in his own hands and pulled Kitt to the back of his pickup truck, ignoring the rest of them.

“I need to go. I’m sorry I can’t stay and clean this up with you. I promise you they weren’t around last night. They tracked me through my phone,” Austin said. He took Kitt in his arms, coming to stand chest to chest at the tailgate of the truck. Kitt reluctantly followed the move. He cut his eyes up to see if the others were looking their way.

“This so wasn’t how I wanted our morning to start. I’m sorry,” Kitt said quietly.

“It was still good. Your sister’s lovely. I think she’ll keep it quiet,” Austin said, pulling Kitt tighter against him. Kitt again cut his gaze over to see if anyone looked their way. “I’m right here, Kitt. We seriously have to work on you being so jumpy. These people already know. Now kiss me like you meant everything we discussed last night, and make me think you’ll only think of me while I’m gone.”

What if Kitt was right and Austin didn’t come back? What if this was the last time he spent with Austin? Kitt lifted his hands, holding Austin’s face in place and slanted his mouth over Austin’s, kissing him thoroughly in a swirl of tongue and teeth. Kitt meant everything he said last night, and he threaded his fingers through Austin’s hair, positioning him better to extend the kiss. If this was their kiss goodbye, Kitt wanted to remember it for the rest of his life.

When they finally came up for air, Austin grinned with his eyes closed. “Yep, that was exactly what I needed. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’m hoping about a day, no longer than two.” Slowly, Austin opened his eyes, and Kitt stepped away, but kept his gaze intently focused on Austin, trying to memorize everything he could about the man.

“I hope your ass is as sore as mine. And don’t call Fisker. Jack off until I get back!” Austin said as he walked over toward his truck. Kitt couldn’t keep the smile from forming on his face. Austin was jealous of Sean, and as wrong as it was, it did great things to his heart.

Kitt watched Austin drive off only then remembering Kylie. He turned quickly, wondering if she’d heard the jack off remark, but both she and her horse were gone. She’d finally got a clue and gave them privacy. She’d also picked up their camp, leaving the site mostly clean. Kitt lifted the cooler into the back of his pickup and checked the fire pit one last time. He sat there alone a minute, tugging on his boots. He already missed Austin even before he got inside his truck and headed for his cabin.

Chapter 13

“You should’ve told me. We’re a team! I always thought it was you and me against the world,” Kylie said, following Kitt into his bedroom.

“You’re supposed to concentrate on school, not come back here,” Kitt said back just as confrontational. He slammed the bathroom door and locked it behind him so she wouldn’t follow him in. The door didn’t stop her from yelling at him through it.

“Just tell me why you never trusted me enough to tell me about yourself,” Kylie yelled. It took a full minute of him standing on one side of the door, imagining her on the other side, both just staring at the closed door.