Broken Warrior (The Weavers Circle 1)

Of course, boredom wasn’t the only problem eating away at Clay’s sanity.

There was also the problem of Dane “sexy ass in tight jeans” Briggs.

It wasn’t possible to be more torn over a single human being. The logical part of Clay’s mind relentlessly reminded him that Dane was a widower grieving the loss of his wife and child. He needed time to heal. He needed friends and understanding. Fuck, he needed someone to be there for him.

And that was not Clay.

Regardless of what he’d gotten roped into with the aunts and these stupid powers, Clay wasn’t a steady kind of guy. He wasn’t ever going to be Mr. Long-Term Commitment. He didn’t have a job, a home, or even a steady paycheck. When this pestilent shit was over and done, he was gone.

Dane was the kind of guy who was built for commitment, marriage, and those happily ever afters covered in hearts and rainbows.

God, cold chills broke out across his arms thinking about that.

But Dane was also very fucking sexy. And if the random looks he caught from the man when he thought Clay couldn’t see him were any indication, Dane was very interested in Clay’s hands and his pants.

That Clay could handle. He would be so very happy to put all his energy and skills into making Dane forget for just a little while that he felt an ounce of pain. There was no doubt he could make Dane feel treasured. Make his body burn with need.

Yet after the cum and sweat cooled on their bodies, there would be nothing else Clay could give Dane, and the man deserved so much more.

“I’ve got an idea!” Baer announced.

They had been stretched out across a pair of love seats facing each other in the family room. The only thing Dane had done in this room so far was to install a ceiling fan to help move the air around. He’d finished the kitchen a day ago and it was fucking stunning.

The handyman had now moved on to the room Baer had selected to be his own. Not a bad choice either. He’d grabbed the second-floor bedroom with the vaulted ceiling and large private bath. It was also the room closest to the entrance of what would become the game room.

“I’m afraid to ask,” Clay muttered.

“Let’s go out!”

“Where?”

“There’s a place in Savannah I know. Does a killer drag show on Saturday nights.” Baer sat up and dropped his feet on the floor while Clay remained stretched out with one arm above his head. “Have a few drinks. Good entertainment.” Baer lowered his voice and narrowed his eyes. “Maybe get laid.”

“We’re not supposed to leave the property.” Not that he needed to remind Baer.

Baer snorted. “You don’t strike me as the type to follow anyone’s orders but your own.”

Clay rolled his eyes. That was so childish. “Really?”

A low chuckle rumbled up Baer’s chest. “I know they’re trying to keep us safe, but we were fine for years on our own. I’m talking about a few hours out of the house. Nothing more. We’ll be fine. We’ve got powers now.”

It was on the tip of Clay’s tongue to remind his companion that he wasn’t so great with his powers yet, unlike Baer. But before Clay could say anything, Baer threw out the best and worst temptation of all.

“I bet we could get Dane to go with us.”

Clay glared at his new friend, who only threw back his head as he laughed louder. Yeah, the fucker knew exactly how evil he was being. Dane dressed for a night out, maybe a splash of cologne, a beer to help him relax some. Fuck, the idea was tearing down all of Clay’s self-control.

“He won’t do it,” Clay grumbled.

“I betcha he would. The guy has been working hard on this place. He deserves a night out on us.”

Clay didn’t even get the chance to argue. Baer was already on his feet and searching for Dane. Groaning, Clay stood and followed. This was a giant mistake.

“He’s not going to do it,” Clay called after him.

“We’ve got to at least ask.”“No,” Dane said as soon as Baer finished his proposal. He didn’t appreciate the “I told you so” look Clay was giving Baer, but it wasn’t going to change his mind. This whole thing had disaster written all over it in big bold letters.

Drinks and Clay in a casual setting?

No. No. No. No.

With just a little alcohol, he was going to do something stupid like crawl into the man’s lap and dry hump him while shoving his tongue down his throat. Work was the only thing keeping Dane’s hands off Clay. Exhausting, backbreaking work.

“Come on!” Baer needled, flashing Dane what he was coming to understand was Baer’s most winning smile. “You need a night out. On us. As a thank-you for all the hard work you’ve done. That kitchen is amazing, and you’re not letting us cook for you enough.”