Page 37 of Wistful in Wyoming
Jeremiah had run out of words and felt as if he’d left a piece of his soul on the ground between them. Dale took a step backward, his eyes bulging and his jaw dropping. The man’s reaction caused Jeremiah’s stomach to bottom out, and he closed his eyes for a moment, trying to stem the flow of tears that threatened.Have I just bared myself raw only to be rejected?
When he got his emotions under control as much as he could, he blinked and then focused on Dale’s face. What he saw there had a sob lodging in his throat. Dale was smiling, his eyes bright—glimmering even—and his cheeks glowing. After a moment though, he shook his head, schooling his features, and stepped down from the RV, so they were on the same level. “Jay, baby, I’m not sure where to start. I don’t know where you got the impression I’m leaving, but I have no intention of doing so. Antelope Rock is my home now, no matter what happens between us.”
Jeremiah heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank fuck.”
“Did you mean it?” Dale tucked his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and met Jeremiah’s gaze head on—no hesitation, no fear, just taking the bull by the horns, so to speak.
“I meant every word.” Reaching forward cautiously, Jeremiah cupped Dale’s scruffy jawline. “You’ve been stealing my heart, bit by bit, for a while now.”
Dale grinned and chuckled. “Not that. I knew that, and the feeling is definitely mutual. What I meant was, are you really ready to come out?”
Straightening his spine, he gave the man a curt nod. “Yes. Today, in fact. With or without you. I’ll stroll right through town waving a rainbow flag if I have to, but honestly, I’m hungry. Can I take you to lunch?”
Again, there was no hesitation, just acceptance and what seemed like joy in Dale’s expression. “Absolutely, cowboy. Is the Rock Diner okay? I have a hankering for a burger.” When Jeremiah agreed, Dale spun around, took a step up, leaned into the RV, and grabbed his hat, keys, wallet, and phone from the counter. Putting his hat on and adjusting it, he stepped down into Jeremiah’s space, brushing his chest up against Jeremiah’s, not giving him an inch. Tilting his head, Dale kissed him softly, but didn’t allow Jeremiah to deepen it into something more. Something he craved far more than a damn burger. He wanted to bask in this feeling inside him, to touch and grasp and taste every inch of Dale’s body. He wanted his sighs of pleasure and his screams of ecstasy. He needed his laughter and joy, his sorrow and pain. Jeremiah needed all that Dale was, even while, in return, he gave himself over to the safekeeping of Dale’s capable hands.
With a final peck on the lips, Dale put a few inches between their bodies. “That’s all you get until after lunch, baby. If I do more than that right now, I’m going to drag you inside and take everything you have to give, and then I’ll take some more.”
Jeremiah gulped. “What’s wrong with doing that?” His cock was aching and throbbing in his jeans at the erotic images Dale’s words conjured up.
“Nothing, but let’s save that for later. I want you free, baby, reallyfreeto be with me, completely and in every way.”
“O-okay.”
Dale reached out and took his hand, and in that moment, Jeremiah fell the rest of the way. He wouldn’t be alone. Dale was going to be there, by his side, while Jeremiah did the scariest thing he’d ever faced in his life. Having his lover’s support meant the world and eased the fear of telling his neighbors and friends who he really was.
* * *
Dale drove them into town,trying to keep the combined anxiety and elation coursing through him to himself. This was a milestone in Jeremiah’s life, and it could go one of two ways—they’d be able to love each other, out in the open, in this Podunk town, or they’d be scorned to the point Jeremiah would never forgive Dale for forcing his hand. But, damn it, they were both in their early forties—too old to be playing cat and mouse games, hiding who they were and who they loved. If the entire town, sans Willow and Nathan and some of the ranch hands, turned their backs on them, Dale honestly wouldn’t give too shits. They weren’t the people who made him happy—only one man had Dale’s heart soaring and the ability to bring him to his knees—Jeremiah Peter Urban, the sexiest cowboy Dale had ever laid eyes on.
Glancing over, he saw Jeremiah biting his lip and running his palms up and down his thighs. Reaching over, Dale grabbed the closest hand and squeezed. “I’m going to be right by your side, every second. I won’t leave you. If it gets to be too much or people are too awful, we’ll leave.”
Jeremiah’s chin trembled, but then he swallowed, straightened his shoulders, and threaded his fingers with Dale’s. “Thank you. I-I can do this. I know I can. Willow, Jenna, and Nathan all gave me something of a talking to. They said no one is going to care, not the people who really count. They said that the people who matter most in my life already know, or have suspected, and love me, no matter who I choose to love.”
“Yes, they do.” Dale brought Jeremiah’s hand to his mouth and kissed the knuckles, earning him a genuine smile from the man.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the half-full and familiar lot of the Rock Diner. Dale recognized some of the trucks parked there and knew Jeremiah would likely know who they all belonged to and who they would be facing when they walked into the place.
He found a spot in the back corner of the lot and pulled in before killing the engine. “Ready, baby?”
Jeremiah glanced around then let out a slow breath and nodded. “Y-yeah. Although, I could really use a kiss first—you know, for luck.”
Grinning, unable to resist even if he wanted to, Dale leaned forward and pressed their lips together. As always, the taste and feel of his cowboy’s mouth under his made Dale’s cock twitch and his blood heat. He could kiss Jeremiah all day and never tire of it. Sliding his tongue along Jeremiah’s, Dale swallowed the other man’s moan. Giving and taking, advancing and retreating, they made out for a minute or two until they were both half hard and breathing heavily.
Pulling back an inch, Dale said, “There, that should give you plenty of luck—not that you need it.” After smacking a loud final kiss onto Jeremiah’s smiling mouth, he added, “Come on, I’m starved. Let’s eat lunch, so we can get to dessert.”
Laughing and following Dale’s lead, Jeremiah climbed out of the truck. Stopping at the rear bumper of his truck, Dale held out his hand to Jeremiah and waited. If they walked into the diner hand-in-hand, there would be no mistaking them as just two friends having lunch. Their declaration would be loud and clear—they were a couple.
With only a slight tremor, Jeremiah took his boyfriend’s hand.
Chapter Twenty
Jeremiah’s palmwas sweating against Dale’s, and he hoped like hell the other man didn’t mind too much, because there was no way he was letting go now.
You’re no quitter.
He repeated the mantra in his mind, over and over, as Dale opened the door of the diner and led them inside. The place was about three-quarters full with the lunch crowd. Heads turned toward the door, as was usual, but instead of immediately going back to their meals, the gazes of the patrons and staff, men and women he’d known all his life, lingered. All chatter ceased, and the only sounds reaching Jeremiah’s ears were the clatter from the kitchen, someone’s baby giggling, and the pounding of his own heart. Everyone’s eyes were pinned on the couple’s clasped hands, and Jeremiah raised his chin and squared his shoulders. He wouldn’t be cowed or ashamed, and he almost dared anyone to tell him otherwise. He and Dale were doing nothing wrong, nor would Jeremiah be made to feel like he was less because of who he really was—never again.
“Where do you want to sit, babe?” Dale asked, glancing around at the few empty booths and tables.
