Hay and Heartbreak by Bailey Bradford

that almost-confession as much as he flew because of what had transpired between them. He felt the same way, too, and so could get used to having sex with Hector, watching his face as he came, listening to the sounds he made, feeling the ripple of muscle under smooth skin.
    But Dan didn’t make that confession, and Hector didn’t finish what he’d been about to say.
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
    Why in the world he felt like he was about to face a firing squad, Dan had no idea. It wasn’t like he and Hector had anything to be ashamed of. They were adults, and not the only ones in the bunkhouse hooking up.
    Even so, he lay in bed and listened to everyone else moving around, getting ready to go to work. He and Hector had returned after dark, and there’d been some teasing, though not much, when they’d come into the bunkhouse.
    Dan had showered off and fixed them a couple of sandwiches and some chips. After they’d eaten, they’d gone to their separate rooms.
    That hadn’t lasted all night. Once he’d been certain everyone else was asleep or otherwise occupied, Dan had gotten up and crept to Hector’s room. He’d spent a few hours in Hector’s bed. They’d jacked each other off, and after a nap, they’d sucked each other off again. Afterward, he and Hector had curled up together in a way that was comforting to Dan.
    Once Hector had started snoring softly, Dan had snuck back to his room. He hadn’t wanted to overstay his welcome, and that’s what he and Hector had agreed to anyways—Dan going back to his room, not sleeping all night with Hector.
    But Dan had wanted to. He was growing attached to Hector at an alarming speed.
    Might be wise to slow things down before I get hurt. Groaning, Dan rolled to his side, facing the wall. His emotions were stunted, that’s what he concluded, stuck at a seventeen-year-old boy’s level. That was why he was falling so fast for Hector. If Hector had any idea how clingy Dan was feeling, he’d run for the hills.
    “For the mountains,” Dan muttered. God, get your shit together, moron.
    A knock on the door had him debating the wisdom of playing possum and refusing to answer. He decided that would cause more talk or knocking, or both. “Just a sec,” he called out, resigning himself to getting up and facing the day. It was stupid to be embarrassed anyway, and that was part of his problem. He knew everyone in the bunkhouse would have figured out what he and Hector had been up to. Living in such close quarters, it was probably impossible to have secrets, especially sexual ones like who a person hooked up with.
    “I’ve got you a cup of coffee.”
    Hector’s deep voice had Dan’s cock perking up. “Th-thanks.” He swiped a hand over his face and winced. He hadn’t even brushed his teeth yet. Well, he doubted that Hector was going to kiss him anyway.
    Dan got up and walked to the door. He unlocked the knob then let Hector in. “Hey.” The man was more attractive every time Dan saw him.
    And Hector smelled like toothpaste and soap—and coffee, which he handed over.
    Dan smelled like he’d been rolling around in bed with a lover. He took the coffee. “Thanks,” Dan said again. “Um. Come in?” He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do or say, but he took a step back to make room.
    Hector beamed at him and kissed Dan’s cheek when he strode past.
    “Morning, sunshine,” Hector said, moving right behind Dan and wrapping his arms around Dan’s waist. “Thought you were going to try hiding out until after I left, and I really wanted to see you. I’ve got to ride out with Curt to check on one of the line shacks and do a little looking around. Rocky said she thought she saw unfamiliar tracks leading out that way, so I’ll be gone probably until tomorrow evening.”
    Dan’s disappointment shouldn’t have been so keen. It’ll be good for us to be apart. Give me time to get my head right. “Is it safe to send just two people out there? What if someone’s