Marcus was just passing through Texas when he met Kent. In his cowboy hat, low-riding jeans, and black boots, Kent looks like the type of guy Marcus desperately wants to love.<br><br>But two years later, he's discovered Kent is cold and distant, the quintessential American cowboy, and spends more time drunk than sober. Marcus can never predict his mood and blames himself for the flailing relationship.<br><br>Then, one day when Kent rides into town, Marcus finds a young runaway hiding in their barn. Luke is warm, loving, and quick to please ... everything Kent is not. Though the answer seems obvious, Marcus finds himself torn between the boy who demands his love and the man whose love he craves.

Cowboy

“I had to leave,” he mumbles into my


neck and I nod, yes, I see that. He had to leave, and he’s here


now, his dad’s not going to hurt him anymore. I tell him this even


though it’s no consolation, the damage is already done, but Luke


nods and lets me hold him, his arms finding their way around my


When the tears are dry and he sniffles an


apology, I wipe his cheeks with my shirt sleeve and tell him it’s


okay. “Come on,” I say, motioning at the tub overflowing with suds.


That makes him laugh. “I seriously doubt


that.” But he’s grinning, that’s what I hoped for, and


before I can turn away, he unzips his jeans and pushes them down. I


look at his feet so I won’t stare at his long legs, his lean


thighs, the bulge in the front of his underwear, and when those


briefs hit the ground, I close my eyes. I hear a faint splash, then


Luke draws in a sharp breath as he sinks into the tub. This late in


Chapter 16