Page 66 of Cowboy Seeks Husband
“It’s okay,” Roan said. “I’m tired. I just want to go to bed, to be honest.”
“Five minutes,” Walker said. “It’s really windy out, so less bugs. Come on, little lion.”
Roan smiled reluctantly and rose to his feet. His dark eyes met Walker’s, and their gazes snagged, held. Walker hesitated, then threaded his fingers through Roan’s.
The sound of the cicadas hit them as they stepped outside, and Walker hoped it’d ruin the sound for the filming. The wind was hot and tugged at their clothes. He led Roan down the steps and to a small trail that ran between the fields. He used to come here with Mike before his parents knew they were dating. It’d been a while since he thought about his ex, and he wondered how Mike was doing with his veterinary practice in the city.
“How are you holding up in there with the others?” Walker asked, squeezing Roan’s hand lightly as he tilted his head toward the barn behind them.
“This whole thing is so surreal,” Roan said. “It’s a total mind fuck to be honest.”
“Hey, slow down some, guys,” the camera guys behind them called out. They both slowed their pace but didn’t look back.
“It is. It makes me wonder if anyone here would even look at me twice under normal circumstances, you know?”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s an artificial environment. And they create this situation where you can’t do anything but think you’re falling in love. With the ‘dream dates’ and whatever.” He made a face. “Not counting the noodling.”
Walker pressed his hand to his heart. “That wasn’t a dream date?”
“Fuck you,” Roan murmured, laughing softly. “I have nightmares I’m going to die of salmonella poisoning.”
“How are the bites?” Walker gently pulled them both to a halt and lifted Roan’s hand. It was hard to see under the moonlight, but he could make out that the scrapes against the flesh of his thumb were gone.
“I used the antibiotic cream the nurse gave me and they healed right up.”
“Hmm. Good.” He traced the lines on Roan’s palm, making his fingers curl slightly. “What do you think would’ve happened if we were just two guys who ran into each other out in the world?”
Roan’s tired eyes lit up a little bit. “Well, that depends. Where do you run into guys around here?”
“Oh, I don’t know. The feed store.”
Roan laughed and then pretended to think about it, mouth pursed. “I’m not sure. I’d probably be in the alpaca feed section. Or the llama feed. Maybe those special sheep, whatever they’re called. Something furry and fancy. I wouldn’t be anywhere near the cow feed section.”
Walker wanted to laugh, but he held it back. “Cows not good enough for you, huh? Yeah, I can see that. Okay. I got this. Maybe I spotted you from a mile away. Maybe I followed you to your deserted alpaca feed corner of the store.”
Roan’s lashes fluttered. “Yeah? What would’ve happened then?”
Walker ducked his head and grinned. He loved that Roan was playing along. “I’m a gentleman, so I’d have pretended to be interested in your silly alpacas. Then I’d ask you for a drink. Dinner maybe.”
“Wait, wait. How would you even know I was gay? Isn’t it pretty dangerous to assume something like that in the South?”
“Oh, baby,” Walker murmured. He dared to let his hand slip up Roan’s forearm. His sleeves were rolled up, and damn. He might be on the verge of skinny, but he had strong forearms, like he’d played a lot of tennis at some point. His broad wrists were covered in dark hair, and his skin was surprisingly soft over that muscle. “In those jeans? I’d know.”
“Then what would happen?” Roan asked, sounding a little breathless.
“Would you say yes to dinner?”
“Duh.”
Walker laughed under his breath. “I’d take you someplace nice. For oysters. Do you like oysters?”
“Never had them.”
Walker’s jaw dropped. “You are fucking kidding me.”
“Nope. Raw oysters? I’m not convinced. I’ll try anything once, but I’m silently judging you for liking slimy things.”
They were still standing close, and Walker had cupped his hand under Roan’s elbow. Walker eased his thumb into the hot, slightly damp crease and his mouth went a little dry.
