Page 40 of Except You

“Bow-tie,” Max says, looking genuinely hurt, which only fuels my mom’s fire.

“Beau, you will not talk to your fiancé like this!”

“Mom,” I groan and then glare at Max, who is pouting adorably at me. “Max, I need a word with you.”

I stand up and hold out my hand. I expect him to swat it away, but instead, he slips his fingers through mine, causing a flurry of butterflies to spread their wings within me.

I feel like I could soar, but I put those silly thoughts aside and pull him forward, down the porch steps, and toward the barn that houses the horses.

When we’re near it, I swing around toward him, my hands on my hips.

“You need to stop it, Max.”

He shrugs. “What did I do?”

“You are leading them on and they’re going to get their hearts crushed when they realize you’re straight.”

“But we’ve already said we’re boyfriends…”

“I did not. They assumed you were my boyfriend, and we’ve just been playing along for fun. But that’s different than fiancés and future husbands.”

Max’s face falls, and he nods. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll be more mindful.”

He looks sad, and I fucking hate it, so I step toward him, pressing my hands against his chest. His fingers come up and tentatively touch the back of them, causing whispers of desire to spark through me. I blamed him for this, but I’m entirely at fault too.

I can’t stay away from this guy.

Just as I open my mouth to say something, Diego rounds the barn, some rope thrown over his shoulder, his cowboy hat pulled low over his head.

Oh hell. He looks damn good with all that tan skin and all those muscles.

“Hey, Beau,” he says, and I pull my hands away from Max’s chest. My heart thumps unnaturally, and I feel my skin flush hot.

“Hi, Diego. Didn’t know you were working this weekend.”

“Yeah. I’ll be here. You know me. Never seem to be able to take a day off and relax.”

I wet my lips, and Max shuffles his feet next to me. “I remember that about you. How are you?”

He adjusts his hat on his head and his dark hair falls over his handsome face.

“Good. Your mom said you’re here with your boyfriend for the weekend.”

I glance at Max, who is watching me curiously. Of course. Of course my mom told him. Diego has been with us for years, helping out on the farm. He’s older than me, older than Max, actually. And we have a bit of a complicated history.

And by complicated, I mean that he’s fucked me a few times. Unbeknownst to my parents. They know nothing, and they never will.

Diego has made a few comments about wanting something more, but I just can’t go there with him. Can’t go there with anyone, it seems.

And yet here I am, with my boyfriend. I’m pretty sure Diego can see through the lie.

“I’m Diego. You must be Max,” he says, reaching out a strong hand. Max nods and shakes it before wiping his hand on his jeans. It’s an inconspicuous movement, but I see it.

“So, you finally settled down?” he asks, his dark eyes meeting mine, and I shrug.

“Guess I have.”

We eye each other, and a flare of lust pushes through me. Diego gave really nice dick. He fucked me real good. And Max isn’t an option. He never will be.

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