Rid chuckled, leaning subtly against Dale’s hip. The two of them were sickening sometimes with the way Dale pissed around Rid when other guys got too close and how Rid laughed at every corny thing that came out of Dale’s big mouth. Yet, Fox still found himself smiling that they seemed to be really hitting it off.
“Robby whines too damn much, but his little sister is a spitfire.” Rid nodded. “Shannon said she’s advancing fast with the few riding lessons she’s had.”
“His baby sisters can run around here all day, I don’t care. But if Robby slacks off on his job for even a second, you let me know, Fox,” Dale pressured.
“Yeah, whatever,” Fox dismissed him with a wave, still watching Diablo.
“Psst.” Rid made a sexy sound with those pinkish lips to get Dale’s attention, then tilted his head up like a needy boy, seeming to easily shift the foreman’s mind from acting like the boss… to something else.
Fox cringed. To think Dale was into the daddy thing after all. He ignored them when Dale checked to see who was around before he lowered his mouth to Rid’s. He canted his head to the side, his big gray hat providing their kiss with a hint of privacy.
It was an hour past closing time, so thank heavens there were no children milling around to see their kiss grow out of control. Fox grumbled when Dale reached around and palmed Rid’s ass, almost lifting him off the ground. “I’m still standing here.”
“For how long?” Dale’s voice was husky, his eyes glazed over as he stared at Rid’s lips.
“What?”
“How long you gonna be standing here?” Dale tilted his head towards the stable.
“Rid needs to finish his inventory in the back… Can you, uh…?” Dale swiped at his nose, not quite meeting Fox’s eyes. “Whistle if anyone’s coming.”
Fox couldn’t believe Dale was serious. He always acted so straitlaced, bitching anytime Bull and Fox got too handsy. Now here he was asking Fox to be a lookout while he sneaked in a quick hummer. The nerve.
“If you asked me, I’d cover for you,” Dale said childishly.
Fox shoved him out of his face. “Make it fast. It’s almost time for dinner.”
Bull loved how much Fox watched over Diablo. He stared at him as if he were dreaming about running him down a long trail at sunset. Fox had been so entranced in Diablo’s lesson that he didn’t hear him approach until he’d wrapped his arms around his waist. Fox jumped when he kissed his cheek, surprise registering on his handsome face.
“Hey,” Fox said way too loudly. “Where’d you come from?”
Bull frowned around his laugh. “What?”
“I mean, um.” Fox cut his eyes to the barn door, then back to him. “Not where, per se, as in, where but… you know. More like, what’s up?”
“What’s up?” Bull mimicked, stepping away and assessing Fox, because he wasn’t a man that got rattled often. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m great. Bull!” Fox belted, grinning weirdly after a pathetic little whistle escaped his lips.
Bull put his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side, wondering if his boyfriend had some kind of personality disorder he was just revealing. “Okay.” He tugged on the brim of his hat. “You’re acting insane, and I think I know why.”
“You do?” Fox asked, sounding distracted and still peeking towards the barn opening.
“Yes.” Bull pulled his weird lover towards him. “How about we go into town tonight and have dinner, then maybe see what’s playing at the Cinemark?”
Fox’s demeanor shifted, his bright eyes the only light Bull saw as dusk settled around them. “You asking me on a date?”
Bull smiled. Found himself doing that quite a bit these days, then answered. “Yeah, I s’pose I am. It’s long overdue, don’t you think?”
“I’m not restless if that’s what you’re thinking. I don’t miss Atlanta or its lively nightlife that I was never a part of. I especially don’t miss having to eat greasy takeout every night or bumming a meal off one of the guys who cook.” Fox placed a breathy, lingering kiss on his lips, “I love eating Amelia’s food with you at your table. I love our routine, Bull. From sunup to sundown.”
Bull slumped against Fox, letting their foreheads rest together. “Don’t say shit like that,” he rumbled, feeling the weight of Fox’s statement at the center of his heart.
“I can’t help it,” he whispered into his mouth.
Bull was glad for the reassurance that Fox was content, but he still wanted to take him out. Finally, it was safe for him to leave his family for a few hours at night so he could unwind without him having to worry if someone was going to trespass. He wanted to show his gratitude. Bull was about to ask if he liked action movies or if he wanted to watch a thriller, when he heard a loud thud in the barn.