Page 40 of Cowboy Seeks Husband
Chapter 8
“That thing must’veweighed sixty-five pounds, if not more,” Walker said, following Roan as he scrambled inelegantly onto the bank.
“Isn’t that a little big to fit into such a tight hole?” Roan looked pained when Walker snorted and he realized what he’d said. This damn kid was just too cute. “Still, I’m glad to be out of that water, oh my God.”
John stayed behind to go over the footage, but an assistant and camera guy tracked back toward the truck with them. “I have some towels in the back, and a spare pair of jeans.”
“Great. And thanks for lending me these. I think I would’ve had to burn my jeans otherwise.” Roan pulled the bib of his overalls down, letting it hang low.
Walker chewed his lip, a thrill awakening in his stomach. “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“Bad?” Roan looked at him, eyes wide. His black hair hung plastered to his face and his pale shoulders were turning red. Roan’s chest wasn’t muscular, but it had an enticing line of hair running right down the middle of it, and his dark brown nipples were circled by faint dark fluff too. Walker didn’t even allow himself to think about those damn piercings flashing in the sun. But the one thing Walker had the most trouble keeping his eyes away from was that dark trail of hair disappearing into the waterproof pants.
“It was horrendous,” Roan went on, drawing Walker’s eyes back up. If he’d noticed that he’d been ogled, he didn’t let it show. “And awesome.”
“Yeah? Glad to hear it.” They reached the truck and out of the corner of his eye, he saw John give him a little encouraging nod. Walker’s stomach contracted as he turned away from the camera. “Let’s get changed.”
“Gladly.”
Walker reached into the truck, handed Roan a towel, and watched as Roan vigorously dried his hair. When he resurfaced it was a poofy mess he tried to smooth down to no avail. Walker unbuttoned his jeans and stepped out of them, then dried himself off before easing out of his boxers too. Roan made a little startled noise, but Walker paid him no mind, just toweled off quickly and pulled on his dry jeans. Commando.
Roan’s face had turned as red as his shoulders, and he hadn’t gotten any further than hooking his thumbs in the top of the overall pants to tug them down. Walker kept his eyes studiously on Roan’s.
On the periphery, John waited. Fuck, he had to get this done and now.
“Hey, listen.” He hesitated, then cupped Roan’s face with one hand and leaned close. “I had a great time. Thanks for the date.”
Roan gazed at him, wide-eyed and silent, and, dammit, he couldn’t do it. Not just for show. He gently kissed Roan on the cheek, lingering a little longer than he meant to, pressing his nose against Roan’s cheekbone. Somehow it turned into something even more intimate than a simple kiss on the mouth. Roan smelled good. Like the water and sweat and something fresh and spicy underneath, like cilantro.
Shit.
Roan stood nailed to the ground, his eyes squeezed shut. Walker froze, wondering if he’d overstepped. His heart thudded in his throat. “Roan? I’m—what’s wrong?”
“There’s something,” Roan whispered, voice thin. “On my belly.”
Walker grabbed Roan’s shoulders and looked down. Right there, attached to the soft skin next to the jut of his sharp hip. “It’s a leech.”
“Oh, God.” Roan swayed on his feet, going deathly pale, and Walker held him tighter.
“They’re still filming so try not to pass out.” He gently patted Roan’s shoulder. “John? We have a problem.”
“What’s up?” John came up to them, and his eyes widened when he saw what Walker was pointing at. “What’s that?”
“A leech.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It needs medical attention.”
John nodded and yelled, “Medic!”
The guys leaning against the ambulance made their way over. “Oh cool. Leeches. I haven’t ever dealt with… alcohol, right?” The taller one looked at his co-worker. “Can you remember? I’ve never had to get one off of anyone.”
“It’s okay,” Walker said. “I’ve got this. I’ve done it before.” He gently touched Roan’s cheek. “Open your eyes, baby. There you go. Listen, I’ll get it off, it’s no big deal. But you’re going to have to strip naked so I can check if there are more. I’ll tell the others to go away.”
“Nope. We’re going to film it,” John said, and Walker sent him a dirty look. “It’s in the contract that we get access to everything except genital shots.”
“Fine. Whatever, but give him room to breathe, for fuck’s sake.”
