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

You want to eat my food, sleep on my couch, you best earn your


keep. I’ve got vegetables out back ready to come in.”


“I can do that,” Luke agrees. Kent nods


like it’s settled, as if letting Luke stay was hisidea, and


I don’t say anything. Let him think that, if it makes this easier.


Let him believe that Luke’s staying here just because Kent asked


him to. It’s me,I want to say but don’t, I keep my mouth


shut and don’t say a word while Kent starts going over the plants


he thinks are ready for picking. The peppers, another batch of


strawberries, the onions and I know he’s giving that to Luke just


because he hates digging those bastards out himself. When he’s


finished, Luke nods, gives me another long look before he pushes


away from the table and stretches. My pants fall down his hips


slightly, exposing a flash of smooth stomach where my shirt pulls


up. I ache to touch him, kiss him again, run my fingers across his


Chapter 26