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

Luke’s hand eases into mine and he kisses my


cheek, a small peck that Kent doesn’t see because he’s glued to the


set. “Come on,” he whispers, pulling me along after him into the


night. His hand is warm in my own, his fingers strong and sure, and


with each step we take, he swings our hands in the space between


I shrug—there’s really nowhere togo.


I’d suggest the barn again but what if Kent comes out looking for


us? Another hour or two and he’ll fall asleep, and I can curl up


beside Luke on the couch again, we’ll kiss and cuddle and make love


the way we did yesterday, no intercourse but God, somehow so much


So we just hold hands, and Luke leads me


around the side of the house to the front. On the porch I ignore


the wicker chairs and glass-top table we have set up to look out


over the market. Instead, I sit down with my back against the


railing, my legs stretched out towards the kitchen door—from here I


Chapter 49