Page 21 of For the Love of the Broken Man

Dan chuckled. “Not hardly. If I didn’t want to get to know you, I’d have dropped you off and turned the truck and trailer around after I found out Josie was fine.” Dan had to wonder why he didn’t do just that, but then Jase grinned, and he had his answer.

“Look, Jase, I’ll be honest. We didn’t get off to the best start, but that’s because you just caught me off guard through no fault of your own. I fucked it up, but I don’t want to be the guy who was an asshole, so maybe we give each other another chance? You and I get to know each other, and I’ll come here as often as I can get a weekend off. Kayley would love to come here on a regular basis because she loves Meggie, and they get along well. What do you say?” Dan moved his arm closer around Jase’s shoulders, touching his right shoulder as they both pretended to watch the game.

When Jase settled into his embrace, Danny’s heart sped like a hummingbird’s wings. The feel of his skin against Jase’s bare flesh was remarkable. It was warm and soft, and he wanted to pull the younger man into a kiss, but the timing wasn’t right—yet. The day would come when it would be—ifDanny played his cards right.

Dinner consisted of Chinese from a place in Dillwyn that Jon and Mickey loved. Dan hadn’t ever had Chinese, so he let Jase pick for him and Kayley, and when the food arrived, Jon and Mickey carried in three bags.

“That seems like a lot of food.” Dan and Jase pulled out plates and flatware from where Mickey directed so they could set the table.

“You gotta try a little bit of everything to see what you like.” Mickey started opening containers and glancing inside. He explained the dishes as they set them in the center of the table.

Mickey and Jase filled plates for Megan and Kayley as the front door opened. Terry came bustling inside with a big smile on his face as he rubbed his large hands together.That kid’s gonna be huge!

“I thought I smelled China Grove. You get my favorite?” Terry stepped closer into the kitchen and scanned the containers on the table, his face falling a bit.

Mickey turned to the center island and handed him a large container with a smile. “Kung Pao Shrimp with chili sauce. Don’t come knockin’ on our door for Tums, young man. You do this to yourself every time.” Mickey’s teasing made the boy smile.

“Aw, now Pop, you love me, or you wouldn’t order it.” Everyone laughed at the boy’s comment and made room for him at the table. The chatter was lively, and Dan found he actually liked the food.

He’d only ventured out with sweet and sour chicken, but Jase had offered a taste of his beef and broccoli, and Dan liked it as well. Chinese was a new thing he’d add to his list of likes.

He watched Kayley devouring some fried rice, and he knew they had a hit on their hands. Everyone traded food around so they each got a taste of everything. The only thing Dan didn’t like was some sort of duck thing Jon had ordered. It came with green onions, a heavy sauce, and little pancake things. Mickey made one for him, and Dan tasted it, but it wasn’t to his liking. He passed it off to Jase, who ate it happily.

After food and cleanup, Terry excused himself to go upstairs to finish an essay for his English final. He was a freshman, and from what Dan had heard, he was doing well in school.

The rest of the group went to the family room to watch a movie the girls had chosen, Fox and the Hound.Before they got through the first ten minutes, two little beauties were curled up together, sleeping soundly.

“Let’s take them up. It’s only eight. You guys want to go back to the pool? I’ll let Terry know we’re outside in case the girls wake up,” Mickey suggested.

Danny had an idea. “Uh, how about I go help Jase unpack his stuff and you guys go ahead and swim? I wanna make sure he’s settled.”

When he got no negative reactions from anyone, Danny helped them get the girls upstairs and dressed for bed. Mick told him to lock the door when he came inside, and they parted ways.

Dan, still dressed in swim trunks and a T-shirt, followed Jase up to his garage apartment, not sure why he’d made the suggestion or what the fuck he thought would happen.

They were both in the bedroom, and Jase was unpacking his duffel. Dan could tell he was uneasy, and he felt the nerves himself. Finally, his brain went into the negative space he tried to stay out of as much as possible.

“You’re too young for me. You’re eighteen and I’m twenty-seven. I’ve got a… well, you can see the damn scars on my leg. I have a mother who’s dyin’, and I’m raisin’ Kayley by myself. I can’t imagine what I’d have to offer—”

Jase walked over to him and placed a finger on his lips before he gently knelt to trace his finger along the rough scar on Danny’s leg from his knee to his ankle. Dan was surprised he was so forward, but he could see a look of determination on the younger man’s face. “Let’s just take one thing at a time, okay?”

He stood and leaned forward to brush his full, soft lips against Danny’s, nearly sending the guy tohisknees. Danny Johnson had been kissed before, but never as sweetly as Jase had kissed him. It sent his mind wandering and it was hard to rein himself in. He wanted to take the young man to bed, but that was out of the question.

When Jase swept his hot tongue over Dan’s lips, he didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around the guy’s waist and pull him closer as those long arms went around his shoulders in a tender embrace. Their tongues swirled and tangled together, bringing soft moans from each of them. Dan knew he’d never felt anything so jolting in all his years. He had no idea what the kid—what Jase was feeling, but he hoped it was as life altering as Dan was experiencing at that moment.

The two men ground together before Danny pulled away and looked up into those clear, bright blue eyes, smiling. “I think we better stop before we make a mess. Let’s get you unpacked.”

They went to the duffel and backpack and began sorting Jase’s clothes. Dan could see he’d need more things, but he’d keep his mouth shut because he knew the guy didn’t have money, and Dan didn’t have any to spare.

Hell, he was down to three pairs of jeans himself. Jase needed a pair of work boots aside from the muck boots he’d brought along, so Dan decided he’d mention it to Mickey when Jase wasn’t around to save the brunet any embarrassment.

After they moved the furniture around a little bit, Dan felt tired, and it was time to end the night. His prick was so hard it could bust granite, and he needed time alone.

What he longed for was to sleep with Jase in his bed to get the relief he desired, but it was far too soon. They needed time to get to know each other, and the distance would be good for them to do just that, Dan was sure.

“G’night.” Dan gently kissed Jase before he walked down the stairs of the carriage house.

“Thanks, Danny.” He didn’t look back or he’d never leave. The realization made his heart stumble.

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