Read Cattle Valley 26 - Shadow Soldier Online
Authors: Carol Lynne
After closing the store for the night, Deacon eased his leg onto the wide leather footstool and sighed. Contrary to what most people chose to believe, Deacon hadn’t been injured in the war. In fact, he hadn’t even been active in the Marines at the time.
When the outgoing Director had asked him to head up the agency, Deacon had jumped at the chance. He loved serving his country but was tired of hiding his relationship with Bobby, his partner of six years. The first few years as Director had brought Deacon even closer to Bobby despite the occasional bit of required travel.
Deacon took a drink of his bourbon and silently cursed the direction of his thoughts. Although the car wreck that had taken Bobby’s life and most of the muscle in Deacon’s leg was no accident, no one had been charged with the crime of purposely running them off the road.
The phone rang, disrupting Deacon’s trip down memory lane. He set his glass on the table before answering. “Falling Limb Creations.”
“Hi, it’s me, Aaron. I hope I’m not calling too late.”
Deacon smiled. “Not at all, in fact, I’m glad you did. I was just sitting here feeling sorry for myself.”
There was a slight pause. “Yeah, I know how that is.” There was another moment of silence before Aaron continued, “I went by the station on the way home and got my schedule.”
“Excellent.” Deacon was really looking forward to spending time with Aaron. He couldn’t wait to teach Aaron the skill his father had taught to him.
“Do you have a pen and paper handy?”
“Don’t need one. I’m here twenty-four seven, so anytime you feel like getting out of the house, come on by.” Deacon hoped he didn’t sound too eager.
“Really?”
Deacon tried to wipe the constant smile from his face, but couldn’t. Aaron lit him up on the inside and after years of living in the dark, it felt pretty damn good. He couldn’t remember ever being so taken with a man after an initial meeting. Even though Luke had talked to him at length about Aaron’s issues, Deacon hadn’t prepared himself for a physical response to Aaron. “Yeah, really,” he finally answered.
“I’d like that. Dr Pritchard has asked me for a while now to find a hobby. He thinks I spend too much time on my own.”
“And do you?” Deacon picked up his drink.
“Generally, I don’t feel comfortable around people.”
Deacon rubbed the cool glass against his lips. “What about me?” he dared to ask.
“Yeah. I’d say it’s because you were in the service, but I’ve met several people that fought and none of them…” Aaron sighed. “Yes, I feel comfortable around you.”
“Good.” Asking Aaron out on a date came to mind, but Deacon knew it was too soon.
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing. I just wanted to tell you I’m off Thursday and Saturday. Next week I’m only working four days, so I’ll have even more time to devote to making that table.”
Deacon detected a hint of loneliness in Aaron’s voice. “Have you eaten?” he asked.
“Not yet. I thought I’d microwave some soup.”
“It’s Taco Tuesday. Care to share a table with me at O’Brien’s?” Deacon held his breath in anticipation of Aaron’s answer.
“That’s where everyone goes, right? I’m not sure I’d be comfortable.”
Deacon remembered the months following Bobby’s death and how hard it was to be around people. “Why don’t I go over and pick us up a big batch and bring ‘em back here?”
“You don’t have to do that,” Aaron replied.
“I know I don’t, but it gets old eating alone every night. I’d enjoy the company.” Although Deacon refused to think of it as a date, he realised it had been years since he’d sat down to dinner with another person. Knowing that person would be Aaron made it seem even more special.
“Okay, then, yeah, I’d like that. Should I stop and get beer on the way?” Aaron asked before chuckling. “I’ve finally managed to convince the lady who owns the liquor store that my driver’s licence isn’t faked, and I’m indeed old enough to buy it.”
“I’m more of a bourbon man, but feel free to bring some for yourself if you’d like. Sorry to say, I don’t have any here.” Aaron’s statement about the liquor store drove home the difference in their age. At twenty-four, Aaron still looked like a young man in his late teens. At forty-five, Deacon was easily old enough to be Aaron’s father. He wondered if that’s how Aaron saw him. Maybe the unspoken ease between them had nothing to do with a romantic connection and everything to do with Aaron’s need for a father figure.
“I’ll just bring a couple I have in the fridge.”
The excitement Deacon heard in Aaron’s voice gave him hope that he was worrying over nothing. “Meet you downstairs in thirty minutes?”
“Sounds good,” Aaron said before hanging up.
Deacon set the phone down. He swallowed the last of his drink and struggled to get back on his feet. Leaning heavily on his cane, Deacon entered the bathroom. He studied his heavy five o’clock shadow and decided he’d better shave again. Deacon reached for his electric razor and went to work. Kissing Aaron was only an outside possibility, but he knew how badly the coarse heavy whiskers could damage a lover’s skin.
Deacon blinked several times as he continued to run the shaver over his face. When had Aaron moved from someone he felt sorry for and wanted to help to potential lover? After Luke had asked him to help Aaron, Deacon had used his resources to find out everything he could about the younger man. The information he’d obtained had been enough to convince him the best way to help Aaron would be to wait him out. If Deacon had followed his initial reaction, he’d have scared Aaron off before they’d even had a chance to open a dialogue.
When Aaron had walked into the shop earlier, it wasn’t hard to see the pain in his eyes, and unfortunately, Deacon knew exactly how it had got there. To even consider anything beyond friendship was despicable on Deacon’s part. The last thing Aaron needed was a man of Deacon’s size and age to push him into something he wasn’t ready for. How many times had he been propositioned since Bobby’s death, and never once had he been tempted to open himself up, even for a single night of uncomplicated sex.
After his face was once again smooth, Deacon reached for his toothbrush. He spat the toothpaste into the sink before running a comb through his hair, which was, knock on wood, still as thick as it had always been. The only thing left on his vanity list was to change his shirt. Deacon tried not to think about his choice too much, telling himself he’d picked the white button-up merely because it was the closest to the front. It had absolutely nothing to do with the way it showed off his dark green eyes or his naturally bronzed skin.
With a disgusted shake of his head, Deacon headed downstairs. It wasn’t easy managing the steep steps, but he refused to put in an elevator, a lift. Walking through the shop, he took the time to turn on the small lamp in the centre of the large dining room table he proudly displayed in the showroom. Perhaps if he kept Aaron out of his apartment it would be easier to keep him out of his bed.
Aaron arrived at the store with half a six-pack tucked under his arm. “Hello?” he called upon entering.
When he received no reply, he shut the door behind him and tried again. “Deacon?” He made his way through the darkened store towards the only source of light, a large table with ornately carved legs. Aaron set the beer down and bent to examine Deacon’s work. What must it feel like to produce something so beautiful and long-lasting?
The bells over the door sounded, startling Aaron. He dropped to the floor, tucking his legs against his chest and waited. The tap of Deacon’s cane against the wood floor made Aaron feel like a fool. He got to his feet. “Hey,” he greeted, wiping his sweaty hands on his jeans.
Deacon set two sacks of food on the table. “I went ahead and ordered some chips and guacamole.”
Aaron was grateful Deacon hadn’t made a big deal out of his cowardice. “I love guacamole.”
Deacon gestured to one of the matching chairs lined up around the table like sturdy sentinels. “Is it okay if we eat down here?”
“Sure.” Aaron pulled out a chair and sat across from Deacon. “I’m glad you suggested this.”
“Me too.” Deacon removed four cardboard trays of tacos and several containers of salsa along with the chips and guacamole and set them on the table. “Go easy on the salsa, it’s usually pretty spicy.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.” Aaron pulled one of the trays towards him and dug in. They ate in companionable silence with Aaron sneaking glances at Deacon. God, the man was handsome. “These are good.”
With his mouth full, Deacon simply nodded. He waited until swallowing the bite before commenting, “I’ve yet to find something Jay can’t cook the hell out of.”
Aaron hadn’t been into O’Brien’s Pub, but he’d met both men at one of the parties his co-workers had invited him to. “I’ll have to get up the nerve to go in someday.”
Deacon reached across the table and tapped the back of his hand against Aaron’s. “It’s usually pretty quiet between four and five. That’s when I tend to sneak over and grab something to eat.”
“I’ll have to remember that.” Aaron finished off his third taco and pushed the tray towards Deacon. “You want this? I can’t eat another bite.”
Already on his sixth taco, Deacon’s eyebrows rose in apparent surprise. “I thought you said you hadn’t eaten yet.”
“I hadn’t. My grandma used to say there’s nothing wrong with still being a little hungry at the end of a meal. According to her, that’s why a large proportion of the population is overweight. Secretly, I think it’s because she didn’t have the money to feed a growing boy, but it’s a habit I haven’t overcome.”
“Well, the food’ll just go to waste if we don’t eat it, so you might as well help me finish it up,” Deacon said, pushing the tray back to Aaron.
Smiling, Aaron shrugged his shoulders and picked up the lone taco. “If you insist.” It would be hard to break old habits, but Aaron hoped to enjoy more meals with Deacon, so he’d better get used to eating more.
Deacon followed suit, noting the time. “I can’t believe it’s after eleven.” He braced his hands on the arms of the willow chair they’d moved to after dinner, and reached for his cane. “What time do you have to be up in the morning?”
“I’ll do that.” Deacon walked over to the table and began to help Aaron clear it. “You should go home and get some sleep.”
“I will, but first I need to help clean, otherwise you won’t invite me over again.”
Deacon took the wadded papers from Aaron and stuffed them into one of the sacks. “As far as I’m concerned, you can eat with me any time you like.”
Aaron bit his bottom lip. “Be careful, I might take you up on that offer.”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” Deacon tossed the sack into the trashcan behind the front counter before returning to Aaron’s side. “I like you,” he admitted, meaning the words more than he really wanted to.
Aaron looked up at Deacon. “Will you do something for me?”
“Sure.”
Aaron placed his palm on Deacon’s chest. “You’re the first person I’ve felt truly comfortable around since…” He removed his hand and looked down. “Well, I guess ever. I’m not sure if you’re feeling the friend vibe, or something more, but I was wondering if you’d kiss me?”
Deacon reached for Aaron and pulled him into his arms. “It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to kiss someone.”
Aaron gazed up into Deacon’s eyes. “And do you want to now?”
“More than you know,” he whispered as he lowered his head. He brushed his lips across Aaron’s twice before sealing their mouths together. Not wanting to push, Deacon left his tongue in his mouth until he felt the warmth of Aaron’s pressing against the seam of his lips. With a moan of surrender, Deacon opened to Aaron’s passionate kiss.
The longer they kissed, the more heated Deacon’s body became until he knew he either needed to break away or bend Aaron over the table and bury himself deep. The wiser portion of his brain took over and Deacon ended the kiss. “We’d better stop there.”
“Why? Is there someone else?” Aaron asked, threading his fingers through Deacon’s hair.
“Not for a long time,” Deacon replied, hoping to put Aaron’s mind at ease. “But I don’t think either one of us is ready to take this to the next level.”
Aaron pressed his obvious erection against Deacon’s thigh. “There’s no doubt we’re both physically ready, but I guess you’re right. Better to get to know each other first.”
Deacon wanted to confess that he already knew far more about Aaron than he should, but he kept his mouth shut. Instead, he dived in for another deep kiss. It wasn’t until his leg started to shake that Deacon realised he’d dropped his cane to the floor when he’d pulled Aaron into his arms. He pulled back and licked his lips. “Any more of this, and I’m going to end up falling on my ass.”
By the confused expression on Aaron’s face, it was obvious he didn’t understand Deacon’s statement. “Will you pick up my cane for me?” Deacon hated to sound like a weakling, but it was better than stumbling to the floor.
“Oh!” Aaron exclaimed. He bent to pick up the cane and handed it over. “I forgot. I’m sorry.”
“Never feel sorry for forgetting something like that.” Deacon wiped the sweat from his forehead. “But to be honest, I need to get upstairs before my leg gives out on me completely.”
“You want me to help you?” Aaron asked.
The thought of getting Aaron upstairs was tempting, too tempting. “Better not.” He winked, hoping to soothe the rebuff. Wrapping his free arm around Aaron’s waist, Deacon walked Aaron to the door. “Thanks for joining me for dinner.”
Aaron grabbed for the door handle but didn’t open it right away. “I’m not usually like this.”
“Like what?”
“Sane. As a matter-of-fact, I’ve talked to you more today than anyone outside Dr Pritchard since I got back.” He shook his head. “There’s something different about you. When I’m with you, I feel calm.” Aaron tapped his head against the wooden door. “Safe, I guess.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Deacon soothed, running a hand down Aaron’s back. “Give me a call tomorrow if you get a chance.”
Aaron turned and gave Deacon a quick peck on the lips. “I will.”
Deacon locked the door as he watched Aaron get into his car. He waved as Aaron pulled out and stood there until he could no longer see the car’s taillights. After a trip around the store to turn off the lamps they’d used during their evening, he headed upstairs. Despite the feelings of euphoria at the prospect of holding Aaron again, Deacon knew there could never be anything serious between them until he came clean about digging into Aaron’s past. Unfortunately, if he did that, Aaron’s sense of trust in him would be ruined.
Damn.