Page 16 of Dust and Desire
“Sometimes,” I replied honestly. “Once it a while it feels too quiet out here, too remote. And I miss the food.” I glanced down at the plate. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the diner and home cooking, but sometimes you just need a good bagel, you know?”
Alex just shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. Only bagel I’ve ever eaten came from the grocery store in a bag.”
I glanced up at him, those brown eyes totally frying my brain. “Oh.”
A long awkward pause fell over the room as both of us stared at one another.
“Well,” Alex said, patting his hands on his thighs which was the universal sign forit’s time to go. “I’ll leave you to your dinner.”
He turned back to the door, pulling it open in one smooth motion.
“Alex?”
He stopped, glancing back at me.
“I… uh… I just wanted to apologize,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He lifted an eyebrow. “For what?”
“It was me down by the creek today,” I continued, not really sure why I felt the need to confess. Maybe it was a vain attempt to ease my guilt for jerking off to him in the shower. “I didn’t realize you were…you know… and I felt too embarrassed to say anything so I just sorta… ran.”
His expression softened into something almost like…relief?
“I was wondering about that,” he replied, his face breaking into a smile. “I hope I didn’t shock you or anything. I didn’t stop to think anyone might be out here. It won’t happen again.”
“Oh no,” I said quickly, worried I’d offended him. “Do what you need to! I don’t mind!” He smiled again and I realized how that must’ve sounded. My face burned with embarrassment. “I didn’t… I wasn’t trying to…”
“It’s alright,” he grinned. He started for the door again, pausing at the threshold. “But if I could be so bold… the next time you catch me skinny dipping, you don’t have to run off. I’m not shy and I don’t mind having someone to chat with.” He gave me one more look from head to toe. “Or someone toswimwith.”
My face was so hot I thought it was going to melt right off. Was he really suggesting what I thought he was? Could he be that bold? That blunt? Why were my pants getting tight again? That last question didn’t need an answer. I knew exactly why they were tight.
“Have a good night, Dustin,” Alex said, tipping his hat. “And don’t be a stranger. I won’t bite unless you ask nicely.”
And with that, he was gone. The door closed behind him and I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. I stood there panting, my palm on the front of my pants to keep my throbbing cock at bay.
Why was it every time Alex Reyes came near me, I was left a flustered mess with a leaking cock?
Chapter 7
Dustin
It had been three days since Alex’s late-night visit to my cabin, and I still couldn’t stop thinking about him. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him standing there in my doorway, that easy smile on his face, those knowing eyes trailing over my body. I’d replayed his parting words at least a hundred times…
“I won’t bite unless you ask nicely.”
God, I wanted to ask. I wanted to beg.
But I hadn’t seen him since that night. It was like he’d vanished into thin air, which was ridiculous considering how small Sagebrush Ranch was. I’d caught glimpses of his black hat in the distance, watched him riding alongside Colt at the far end of the pasture, but he hadn’t come close enough for conversation.
Part of me wondered if he was avoiding me. Maybe I’d misread the entire situation. Maybe his flirting was just his natural way of talking to everyone, and I was a pathetic, lonely man seeing what I wanted to see.
I sighed, staring at the empty Word document on my laptop screen. I’d been trying to write something…anythingfor the past hour, but my mind kept drifting back to Alex. To his tanned skin. Tothe invitation in his eyes. How was a man supposed to get anything done with someone like Alex around?
A knock at my door made me jump. My heart leapt into my throat. Was it him? Had my prayers been answered?
I scrambled to my feet, running a hand through my hair in a futile attempt to tame it before yanking open the door.
“Hey, Dustin.” It was Dakota, not Alex. I tried to hide my disappointment as he held up a paper bag. “Mom sent over some of her apple pie. Said you missed dessert last night.”
