Page 9 of The Wounded Mountain Man

I inspect the washer, rolling the frayed black plastic between my fingers. "No wonder there's a leak," I say to myself.

I had a feeling that might have been the issue, so I picked up a new washer at the hardware store on the way back from what turned into a few hours of playing cards with the guys. I place the new washer into the valve stem and secure it. Then I put the valve stem and handle back into position, tightening each piece firmly in place.

"There. That should do it."

I brace the shower rod as I step out, glad I could do something, even if it is something small, to repay Logan for letting me crash at his place.

And for introducing me to the guys at the rehab center. Have to say, I wasn't all that eager to go there. I could easily spend the rest of my life without ever setting foot in one of those places again. But I'm glad I went.

I already knew Tex since everyone knows Tex, but the other guys Logan introduced me to were all cool as well. It was also great seeing Logan so relaxed and comfortable. He normally hates social situations, but knowing Tex, I'm sure he played a part in creating a space where they can all banter the way they do and make Logan feel safe.

I don't know whether I'll ever fully believe what the guys said about me being a real veteran, but it felt nice just hanging out with them. That's the thing I miss most about the military, the camaraderie and that deep connection I had with my fellow service members.

I'm making my way outside to restore the water supply when I hear a car pull up. Logan lent me his so I could get around, so I assume it's his coworker dropping him off.

"I'm out back," I call out.

He appears a few seconds later. "Hey," he says with a smile that's only grown cuter as he's grown older.

"Hey."

Seeing Logan dressed in a suit instantly sends a rush of blood to my cock. He loosens his slim, charcoal-gray tie and shrugs off his tailored navy suit jacket, but my eyes are drawn to his impossibly tight pants, how they fit perfectly over his lean, sculpted legs. Now if only I could get him to spin around for me so I could inspect that delectable bubble butt of his in closer detail.

"What are you up to?"

I clear my throat and look him in the face. "I just fixed your leaky shower."

He frowns. "I had a leaky shower?"

"In the main bathroom."

"Oh. I never use that shower."

"I noticed it yesterday, but it's fixed now," I assure him, before he spirals too much about it. "I'm just going to turn the water back on to make sure it's fixed." I've got the broken washer, so I extend my hand and show it to him. "I just needed to replace this."

He steps in closer, gazing intently at my hand for a moment. As he does, his fingers slide across my palm, and my heart starts beating faster.

"Thank you." His voice is low, husky. He toys with the washer, his fingertips skimming along my palm ever so gently. "Tell me more."

"Well." My voice cracks, so I clear my throat and start again. "Well, it was a very big job. Super complicated."

"I bet." He's not even pretending to be interested in the washer now, letting his fingers roam over to my wrist. "Life-threatening, I imagine."

"Oh yeah." I swallow thickly. "There were many,manytimes I feared for my safety."

He curls his hand around my wrist. I drop the washer, and it bounces along the wooden planks of the patio.

That movie-moment feeling returns with a vengeance as everything around me fades, and it's just me and Logan. Without thinking, I bridge the remaining gap between us, bring my hand to the small of his back, and tug him into me. His warm breath fans across my face as his eyes darken under hooded lids. He wants this as much as I do.

I think?

"Wait."

"No," he cuts me off. "I've waited long enough."

He'swaited long enough? Did he just say that? It's a little hard to hear with all the blood rushing in my ears.

His piercing blue eyes lock on mine, and he grazes his fingers through my beard. A small smile. "I like this."

---