Chapter 53

Ethan sipped at the amber liquid, cautious. It burned his mouth and seared his throat, but he thought he could probably grow to like the harsh taste if given enough time. He took another sip and watched as the outlaw downed his whiskey in one gulp. Ethan stared at the curve of the outlaw’s neck when he tossed his head back, the knob of his Adam’s apple as it bobbed with each swallow, and had to fist his hands around his own glass to keep from touching that smooth flesh. His voice sounded thick when he asked, “What’s your name?”

“Jesse,” the outlaw replied.

Ethan dared to reach out and wipe at the trail dust along the sleeve of Jesse’s black shirt. “I’m Ethan.”

“I know.”

Jesse looked at him closely and Ethan stared back until he thought that blue gaze was going to swallow him completely. Suddenly he felt drunk, giddy and sad at the same time, and he didn’t know why but he had a sneaky feeling it had nothing to do with the whiskey in his hand.

“You staying here long?” Jesse asked.