Promises Part 3 (Bounty Hunters 3)

Ford stopped staring long enough to close his mouth and get up to be somewhat hospitable. He was raised in West Virginia, he knew better. “I’ll get it preheated. You can put the beer in the fridge.”

“Nice place. You got a lot of room to work with,” Dana said, looking around, already turning a beer up to his lips. He took off his leather coat and tossed it over one of the small chairs in the eat-in kitchen.

“Thanks. I don’t have time to do much with it. Maybe I will soon,” Ford said unconvincingly.

“Yeah, if we ever get a long enough break, huh?”

Ford didn’t answer. Instead, he let Dana walk around his home and make himself comfortable while he readied the pizzas. Ford hated to admit it but he already liked that Dana’s scent was quickly filling the small space. He smelled good enough to eat, better than his DiGiorno was going to smell. He’d obviously gone home and gotten spiffy, freshly showered and shaved. He had on a gray collared shirt with black jeans and black Jordans while Ford had on the same thing he’d worn all day. Then he got a sick feeling like he and Dana were on a date.

“Hey. Stop thinking so hard. You’re making me nervous.” Dana chuckled. But his smile faded when Ford failed to see the humor. Then he realized that he’d been staring at Dana too long with a tight scowl over his brow. Dana squeezed his eyes closed and touched his hand to his forehead. “Do you… do you want me to go, Ford? Maybe… yeah, maybe I should go.”

Ford’s chest constricted at the hurt look in Dana’s eyes. His smile had been sexy and open when he first came in Ford’s door, and Ford had only said a couple words and already Dana was thinking he should leave. Leaving was the last thing he wanted Dana to do. Ford stood there with his hands braced on the counter, his jaw firmly locked.

Dana picked his coat back up and began to walk towards the door. “Look. I’ll see you at work tomorrow. I’m sorry I jumped in on your time. Enjoy the pizzas.” Dana moved solemnly but he kept his spine straight and his shoulders back. Next thing Ford knew, his feet were moving and he was there, slamming the door back shut as soon as Dana cracked it open. His partner didn’t turn around, just stood frozen there with his hand still on the doorknob, facing the door, his chin dropped to his chest.

“I’m not trying to upset you. I’ll go if that’s what you need.” Dana’s voice sounded broken to Ford’s ears.

His chest was just touching Dana’s back while he kept his palm pressed firmly to the thick wood. He didn’t know how to voice his wants, but his actions had to say that he didn’t want to be left alone. “I apologize.” Ford saw the shiver in Dana when he spoke and god did that do things to him. “This is… I’m not sure what… I mean—”

Dana turned around and Ford realized how impossibly close they were. His eyes dropped down to Dana’s mouth all on their own. “It’s fine, Ford. I’m just gonna watch the game with you, man.”

Ford swallowed thickly, fighting the compulsion to lean forward and sneak a taste of Dana’s soft-looking lips, his curiosity nearly getting the better of him. And it didn’t help that now Ford’s erotic dream last night was right at the forefront of his mind. His cock thickened and he felt his cheeks heat like Dana all of sudden knew his secret. Knew he’d beat off to thoughts of him, the smell of him, the sheer magnificence of him.

“Sure. Let’s watch the game, okay. I’ll loosen up.” Ford finally put a string of words together that made sense.

“Yeah, loosen up, partner. I’m not gonna bite you.” Dana slowly licked his lips – on purpose – and watched Ford’s eyes as he did.

Ford groaned and rolled his eyes. “Grow up, brat,” he said softly, surprised by how husky his voice was.

“Whatever, you say, old man.” For the first time, Dana didn’t look offended when Ford said that to him, and Ford saw too much admiration coupled with heat in Dana’s eyes for him to take offense, either. Somehow, they’d turned those phrases into flirty innuendo. Dana casually touched Ford’s waist and eased him from blocking his path. “I’m gonna get the pizzas in the oven, the game is already on.”

Dana

Dana was stuffed with too many slices of oven pizza and beer. The game was over, the Orioles having won by two runs. It’d started out quiet between them, but once they’d sat down and gotten into it, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about all kinds of things, like they were making up for lost time. Sports was first. They both liked similar teams, but Ford was a Dallas fan and Dana liked the Redskins. They both gave a sly grin, realizing football season was going to be intriguing. When commercials came on, they’d face each other and talk. They didn’t talk much about the case they were on, thank heavens. That’s the last thing Dana wanted to talk about.