Colorado Wild - Colorado Heart 1 by Sara York

lips slightly open leaving Grant filled with desire. Craig knew how to play him. The look always got Craig what he wanted, but not this time. The price was too high. Grant would have to leave White Bluff and he wouldn’t do that, even if it meant he could be with Craig. The thought troubled him. If he wouldn’t leave White Bluff for Craig, did that mean he didn't really love him?
    Grant squared his shoulders. "If you ever cared for me at all, just leave me alone."
    Craig laughed. "It's going to bug you for a long time, isn't it?"
    "What?"
    "You don't know if I ever cared for you." Craig walked away without looking back.
    When he disappeared around the corner, Grant pulled out his phone and punched in a text. Craig found me. I'm blown. I'm getting a new phone now.
     
    *~*~*
     
    Marshal's stomach rumbled again. "I'm starving. Do you think he's almost back?"
    "No clue. I hope he finds something good." James stretched out on the bed next to him. Marshal turned to face James, taking in the strong jaw and sculpted nose. "You're really a good-looking guy."
    " What the hell are you getting at?"
    "Nothing, I was just saying you really are good-looking."
    "Please tell me there is a reason you're starting to look at guys. You know, you and Billy are the only straight ones we have."
    Marshal chuckled and turned to his back, "I don't think Billy is that straight anymore."
    "Really? What makes you say that?"
    Marshal rolled back to his side and placed his hand on James's chest. James turned his face toward Marshal, his amber eyes shuttered. "The way he and Tucker have been looking at each other. Haven't you caught any of their little glances?"
    James shook his head. "No, I haven’t really been paying attention—and why are your hands all over me?"
    Marshal pulled away and rolled to his back again, placing both hands under his head so he didn't touch James again. "I don't know. I'm tired and hungry. I need someone to cuddle with me. It's been a while and I've been on a fuckload of missions lately, and seeing Tucker shot last time got to me. I don't want either one of us to be shot, and I don't know. I guess if I hold you close I'll feel better about it all."
    James sat up and Marshal thought he'd made a fool of himself. He was straight but sometimes he just needed to be with someone. Then there were the thoughts he had about Zander. The man was his best friend, but there was something more. Sometimes guys excited him, mostly Zander. James scooted close and lay down with his head on Marshal's shoulder. Slowly, he dropped his arm, wrapping it around James's shoulder.
    "Thank s."
    "Just don't tell anyone."
    "But you're gay, why would they care if you were sleeping with me?"
    "Dude, I'm not the type of guy to go turning straights gay."
    Marshal closed his eyes and sighed. He could almost pretend that James wasn't James—almost but not quite. Living with guys all the time wasn't too bad, but he wanted something more out of life. Eventually he'd tire of working at Wild Bluff and want to move on. For now, he was okay with staying, but he knew his days at Wild Bluff were numbered.
    His phone buzzed and he picked it up seeing the text indicator light up. "Looks like Grant texted us."
    "What does it say?" James moved his head so he was looking at Marshal.
    He smiled then opened the app and began reading. " Craig found me. I'm blown. I'm getting a new phone now."
    "Shit. What do we do?"
    Marshal unwound from James and rolled to the edge of the bed before standing. "We're not blown, just Grant."
    "But if we act, Craig will know it was us."
    Marshal paced the room, trying to find a hole in their airtight plan. "We proceed."
    James shook his head, his lips thinned out. " Grant was made."
    "Only Grant."
    "What if Craig knows where we are?"
    "He doesn't."
    James moved in front of him, placing his hand on Marshal's chest. "How can you be sure?"
    The pressure of James' s touch grounded him. He placed his hand on James's hip, earning him a raised