Page 274 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Joey pulled Felix into a kiss as they both convulsed and squirted onto each other, groaning through the kiss.
Afterward, Felix pulled Joey into a hug. “I’m even more frightened now. You make me feel so amazing, and I like it so much.”
“Loosen up a little,” Joey gasped. ‘You’re hugging me so hard I can’t breathe. You make me feel amazing, too. I never felt this good before.”
Felix pulled back and gazed at Joey’s flushed face. “What are we going to do?” He tugged his lower lip between his teeth.
“Nothing we don’t want to do.” Joey leaned in for a quick kiss. “We’re best friends having a little fun.”
“Best friends.” Felix nodded.
Joey picked up his drawers and left the room, closing the door behind him.
With his drawers, Felix cleaned up himself and the floor. He crawled into bed naked and drifted off to sleep as visions of Joey’s flushed face led him into dreamland.
Chapter Nine
The following morning, Felix woke to Joey standing over him, stroking his hair.
“Morning, cowboy.” Joey’s soft voice came with a smile. “Time to do chores.” Joey leaned down for a quick kiss, then strolled out the door. “See you downstairs.”
Felix hopped out of bed in a flash. He washed and dressed before bounding down the stairs. Waking up to Joey energized him.
“Morning, everyone.” Felix beamed as he walked into the kitchen.
“Well, someone is in a fine mood this morning.” Mabel hugged Felix. “No need to ask if you slept well.”
“You sure are perky this morning, Felix.” Grover set his coffee mug on the table. “Ranching life must be agreeing with you. When you first arrived, I wondered if you would survive.”
“This is a new world to me, Pa Sterling. I enjoy ranching much more than I thought I would. I would rather work on this ranch than in my father’s store.”
“Now, hold on, Felix. I hate bursting your bubble, but your father expects me to return you to Blackfield. He’s counting on you.”
“Pa Sterling, yesterday you told me becoming a man was about people as much as anything. Well, I’m a people too. Don’t my feelings count?”
“You bet. But don’t forget who planted the seed that gave you to the world. You owe something to your family.”
“I won’t forget, Pa Sterling.”
Mabel served scrambled eggs, sausage, homemade bread, and fresh apple butter for breakfast. “Felix, what are you and Joey up to today?” she asked as she put eggs and sausage on his plate.
“I’m not sure what Joey planned.” Felix gazed across the table at Joey and smiled.
“We need to take the wagon over to the Bowden place and pick up more hay.” Joey took his plate from his ma and set it in front of him. “The loft is getting kind of bare. We only have five bales left.”
“You’re in a better mood this morning, son,” Grover said. “Did you figure out what bothered you?”
“Yeah. Me and Felix talked last night. It’s helpful to have someone my own age to talk to. He helped me understand things differently.”
“I’m glad you two are back on solid ground,” Mabel said. “I don’t like seeing either of my two young men unhappy.”
“We’re good, Ma Sterling,” Felix said.
“I agree with your plan of going to the Bowdens today.” Grover slathered apple butter on his bread. “I’ll give you money for the hay and help you unload when you get back.”
“Ask Mrs. Bowden if she has any spare early peaches,” Mabel said. “They have quite an orchard, and she usually has ripe fruit by now. I can make us a fresh peach cobbler.”
“I’m all for that.” Felix forked his last piece of sausage and lifted it to his mouth.
