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  “Omelet okay?”

  “Sounds great.”

  Dayton grabbed his frying pan from the pot rack hanging above the stove. He started the bacon first and pretended not to feel Hart staring at him. He could, though, and it made him twitchy. He turned to the counter, took out his cutting board and favorite knife, and began slicing mushrooms and green peppers.

  “Anything you don’t like?”

  “Nope,” Hart answered.

  Dayton looked over his shoulder and found Hart sitting at his little kitchen table, a flea market find he’d sanded down and painted to match the rest of his home. Hart’s long legs stretched out and covered half the length of the kitchen. Dayton found himself following the length of those legs from ankle to crotch.

  He blushed and jerked his gaze up. Hart watched him with a knowing smirk.

  Dayton cleared his throat and turned back to the vegetables. “So how did you manage to get the day off?”

  “I rearranged my schedule. The pleasures of being my own boss.”

  “Must be nice.”

  “It is. So when does school start back?”

  “Oh, the students come back at the end of August, but I go back in another few weeks. They switched textbooks on us this year, so I have to redo all my lesson plans.”

  Teaching high school history hadn’t been Dayton’s lifelong dream, but it worked for him. He enjoyed the summers off and loved spending time with his students. The bureaucracy, however, left a lot to be desired.

  “Since you have some time before you go back, maybe we can take a trip. Go away for the weekend.”

  Dayton slid the mushrooms and green peppers to the side and began peeling an onion. “I… don’t know what to say to that.”

  “Say yes. Easy enough. I wasn’t kidding when I said I want you, Dayton. I want to make this happen for us.”

  Dayton shook his head and ignored the sudden stinging in his eyes. He diced the onion and flipped the bacon. “It’s not that easy.”

  “Sure it is. You won’t know unless you try.”

  Dayton cracked a half dozen eggs into the bowl and added a bit of water and seasonings. “You see possibilities, I see obstacles. I don’t want to get my heart all wrapped up in you, and then have it shatter when it all falls apart.”

  The chair scraped against the floor. Hart stepped behind him. “I won’t fall apart on you.”

  Dayton shrugged his good shoulder and picked up the whisk. “We’ll see. Slow, Hart. Let’s take it slow.”

  Hart pressed up against his back, his solid strength a comforting presence. “I will. Now, where do you keep the plates? I’ll set the table.”

  He pointed with his knife to the cabinet above the dishwasher and turned back to the stove. Bacon out and draining on some paper towels. Vegetables in to soften before going into the omelet. Cheese grater out and sharp cheddar prepped. Focusing on each task helped Dayton settle his nerves. He hadn’t had another man in his home since John. Hadn’t wanted to let someone else invade his space and make memories in places he stood every day.

  Hart put the plates on the counter next to Dayton and brushed a hand over his back before opening drawers to locate the utensils. Those found, he went into the dining room.

  Dayton took a deep breath. He could do this. Just breathe and get through the morning with an old friend.

  By the time he had the omelets ready, his stomach growled in complaint. He hadn’t eaten much the day before and should have before he went out to work on the yard. He plated the food and carried it into the dining room. Hart stood at the opposite side of the table.

  Dayton had a collage of photos in a wrought iron frame. Most of them contained members of Hart’s family. Tawny and Dayton were together in several, as well as various cousins. They’d all grown up together, and since the pride tended to stick to one place, most of them still lived in town.

  Except Hart.

  Dayton placed the plates on the table and came around to Hart’s side. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “Nothing for you to be sorry for. It wasn’t your decision. It’s hard to see them, to realize how much I’ve missed, but I’m glad I have you now to keep me connected to them.”

  “Come on and eat.”

  Hart nodded and took one last glance at the images before he took a seat at the table. “This smells amazing.” He took a big bite of bacon and groaned.

  “Yeah, I remember. You and bacon.”

  “I could eat a pound, I swear.”

  Dayton chuckled. “Well good, ’cause that’s about how much I made.”

  HART TRIED to concentrate on his food, but he kept watching Dayton and found himself distracted. Photos of his family hung just behind him on the wall, but he had his family right here in front of him. If only he could get Dayton to see reason.

  A piece of pepper dropped off Dayton’s fork and landed on the green tank top he wore. Hart reached over and plucked it off the material. He held it out to Dayton and winked. Dayton slurped it from between his fingers with a greedy chuckle.

  “Don’t tease me with food. You know better.”

  Hart did. Dayton’s metabolism was something to behold. He was slim and svelte, but he could eat his weight if challenged. Hart remembered one cookout when they were still in high school. Dayton had eaten two hamburgers and three hot dogs. He’d out-eaten Hart, who usually ate the most simply because of his size.

  “You still eating double servings of everything? I’ve never seen anyone eat like you do.”

  “Alas,” Dayton whined. “My metabolism isn’t like it used to be. Just a serving and a half will do me now.”

  Hart laughed. “That’s about where I’m at too. We can split a third meal and be happy, huh?”

  Dayton smiled. “Yeah.”

  They devoured the last of the omelet off their plates. Hart scooped up the dirty dishes and carried them to the kitchen. Dayton followed and pulled open the dishwasher.

  Hart watched him unload for a moment, then began rinsing off the plates. He scraped out the frying pans Dayton had used and filled the sink with water. They worked well together, and within minutes the kitchen was clean again.

  “Well, I guess I’d better find somebody to work on the lawn.” Dayton looked up at him and dried his hands on a towel. “Thanks for helping me clean up.”

  “You’re welcome. And why don’t you let me help mow? Been a while since I’ve done it. You’d have to supervise.”

  Dayton’s mouth opened and snapped shut again.

  Hart arched a brow. “What? I know how to push a lawn mower.”

  “I know, but… why would you want to?”

  Hart took the towel from Dayton’s hand and tossed it onto the counter. He stepped closer, pulling his mate near. “Because I’d do anything to spend a little more time with you. For you to give me a chance. Think you can?”

  “I don’t know. But I won’t turn down free labor.” Dayton grinned, then pushed his forehead against Hart’s chest.

  Hart’s animal began to stir. Dayton’s unconscious gesture simulated scent marking. His liger wanted to be claimed and to claim. Hart purred lightly and pulled Dayton closer. “I’ll get started. In just a minute.”

  Dayton looked up at him. “You sure?”

  Hart dove down to steal a quick kiss. “Positive. Won’t take long, and by then, it’ll be lunchtime. Maybe I can take you out?”

  “But you’ll be all hot and sweaty.”

  “Oh, I see.” Hart grinned. “So you want to get me hot and sweaty and keep me all to yourself? That can be arranged.”

  Dayton smacked his arm. “You’re a goon.”

  Chapter Five

  AFTER A morning spent watching a shirtless and sweaty Hart mowing his yard, Dayton found himself hot and bothered in the most uncomfortable of ways. He offered the man his shower, and Hart accepted with a smile.

  Of course, that meant he now had a wet and naked Hart right there in his house. Steps away. Wet. Naked. Soapy. An image Dayton was all too famil
iar with from the day before.

  With a little whine under his breath, Dayton paced around his living room. The dust annoyed him. Desperate for something to distract him from the reminders of the last time he’d been in the shower with Hart, Dayton grabbed a dust rag and furniture polish and began tackling the dust problem.

  He cranked up the radio to the local Top 40 station and let the beat of some tune he didn’t recognize carry him away.

  “So, you’re a fan of Velcro Roses?”

  Dayton jumped and spun around. Hart stood at the entrance of the living room, one of Dayton’s ruby red towels wrapped around his waist.

  Note to self, get bigger towels. The material wasn’t quite wide enough to wrap all the way around Hart, and an enticing display of hairy thigh caught Dayton’s eye.

  Hart cleared his throat.

  Dayton jerked his gaze up and sputtered, “Um… sure.” He couldn’t remember the question, so hopefully he hadn’t just agreed to do something he’d regret.

  Hart took a step closer, and the movement drew Dayton’s attention lower again. “I wondered if you’d go out to my car and grab the bag out of my trunk. I have a change of clothes in there, but didn’t think to bring it in before my shower.”

  “Oh, sure. Right. Clean clothes. Clothes would be good.”

  Hart dangled the keys in front of him, and Dayton grabbed them and ran.

  He used the key fob to open the trunk, and it glided open with a swish. Must be nice, Dayton thought with a silly grin.

  He located the bag and took it back inside. Hart waited in the living room, the red towel still barely covering him.

  “Thanks, darlin’.”

  He spun around and went back to the bathroom. Dayton watched his ass flex beneath the material and groaned. “What am I doing? Just friends, Dayton. Take things slowly.”

  His body didn’t agree with his decision, and he frantically started cleaning again. He removed a stack of paperbacks from his bookcase and made sure to very thoroughly clean the empty spot. He eyed the stack and decided alphabetizing them wouldn’t be a bad idea.

  Another task set, he began arranging the books first by author, then by series.

  “What are you doing?” Hart’s voice caused him to jump again.

  “Um, organizing my bookcase?”

  Hart shook his head with a laugh. “I’m starving. Can we finish that later and maybe go get a bite to eat?”

  The petty part of Dayton wanted to send Hart on his way with another “thanks but no thanks.” The guy had just spent a couple of hours mowing his yard, though. The least he could do was take him to lunch.

  “Sure. Let me grab my wallet.”

  While he was in the bedroom, Dayton threw on a clean set of clothes. No sense smelling like lemon-scented cleaner while out to eat. He stopped off in the bathroom and washed his hands as well before they headed outside.

  Hart unlocked the car and went around to the passenger door. He opened it for Dayton and Dayton slid inside. The soft leather seats still had that new car smell. He inhaled and released it. Luxurious.

  When Hart climbed in and started the engine, it purred to life. Purred. Dayton chuckled.

  “What?” Hart asked.

  “Oh nothing. Just realized that your car purred. You know, kind of like you do.”

  Hart looked at him like he’d lost his mind, but Dayton shrugged. “It’s true. You do purr.”

  “Uh-huh. So what’s good around here?”

  Dayton ran through a mental list of the restaurants in town. “Oh, you haven’t been to the Mello Tomato, have you?”

  “No. Is it good?”

  “Fabulous. They have amazing salads there.”

  Hart turned up his nose.

  “Don’t worry, they have huge hamburgers too. Their salsa burger is out of this world.”

  “Sounds good. Point me in the right direction.”

  Dayton sat quietly while they drove, only breaking the silence to tell Hart when to turn. He watched Hart inspect the town as they drove through. Dayton wondered if he was reminiscing about their younger years.

  The Mello Tomato had the usual thick crowd of customers, most of them scattered at the outdoor tables. Reggae music blared through the speakers. Dayton couldn’t resist swinging his hips in time with the beat.

  They ordered at the counter and took their number to a booth in front that had just emptied. A busboy came by to clear it and grinned when he saw Dayton. “Hey, Mr. Whitmore. Enjoying your summer?”

  “I am. How about you, Seth?”

  “Not too bad. Working and getting ready to go back to football camp. We’re starting training before school starts again this year.”

  “Well, take care of yourself. And I expect you to keep that grade up in history.”

  Seth chuckled. “I will. Coach says I have to have a C average or I’m benched. Of course, Mom says I have to have a B average or I’m couched.”

  He wandered off with his bucket of dirty dishes with a wave, and Dayton returned his attention to Hart.

  “You’re really good with the kids, aren’t you?”

  Dayton shrugged. “Most of the time. Some of them are jerks, but I try to blame it on hormones and give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember what we were like at that age?”

  Hart grinned. “I remember you and Tawny. I never acted like that.”

  Dayton snorted in disbelief as their waitress delivered their drinks. It was another student from the high school. “Hey, Mr. Whitmore. Haven’t seen you in here in a while. I heard about your arm. You okay?”

  “Thanks, Carrie. Yeah, the arm is a bit busted up, but I’ll be fine. How’s your dad doing?”

  “He’s good. Grumpy as a bear, but we’re glad it was just his leg that got broken in the accident and not something worse.”

  “Absolutely. You be sure to let your mom know that I’m around if she needs some help. Not sure what all I can do with my arm like this, but I can make sure you guys get some heavy lifting done if you need it.”

  “I’ll tell her. We’re managing. Seth has had some of his football buddies coming over to mow the yard and stuff. I think we’ll be okay, other than that.”

  She left, and Hart shook his head. “I’d forgotten what it was like in a small town. Everyone knows everyone else’s business.”

  “I like it,” Dayton answered. “If I didn’t turn up, people would worry and come check on me. You don’t get that in bigger cities.”

  “Now, that’s not entirely true. I have people who would miss me as well. My assistant, for one. The first irate pop star she had to deal with because I was late? She’d send out the National Guard to drag me into the office.”

  Dayton chuckled and took a sip of his fruit tea. “Oh, that’s good.” He gulped down another long swallow and realized Hart watched his every move.

  “Man, I hope one day I can get you to make that face.”

  Dayton’s heart pounded, and his cheeks burned. “I really like their tea,” he muttered.

  “I would say so. Let me try it.” He reached for Dayton’s glass and took a tentative drink. “Huh. That is good. I thought it would taste like fruity dirt.”

  “You never have liked tea. I don’t know how you were raised in the South. You must be an import from somewhere.” Hart flinched, and Dayton’s stomach dropped. “I’m sorry, Hart. That was a really shitty thing for me to say.”

  “No, it wasn’t. You were kidding around. I shouldn’t be so sensitive about it.”

  But he was, and Dayton should have thought. “So, have you talked to her lately?”

  “No. My mother wants nothing to do with me, and hasn’t since she saw gold hair where the stripes should have been. Bad enough that she let a lion knock her up, but to get some freak as a result?”

  “You aren’t a freak. I think your liger is gorgeous.”

  The stress lines on Hart’s face cleared, and he smiled. “Just my liger?”

  “Oh shut it. You know you’re gorgeous. Don’t go fishing for
compliments. I’m not biting.”

  Carrie came to their table with a tray of food. “Order up, guys.” She placed a huge burger and fries in front of Hart, and a grilled chicken salad with a side of sliders beside Dayton. She smirked at him when she placed the second plate down. “Are you really going to eat all that, Mr. Whitmore?”

  “Yep.” Dayton grinned and grabbed one of the sliders. “And I’ll probably order dessert.”

  She shook her head. “It’s really not fair,” she grumbled.

  Dayton laughed and tilted his miniburger in Hart’s direction. Hart scooped his burger up, and they mock toasted each other.

  He watched Hart’s face for reaction to the food, and when his friend groaned his appreciation, Dayton waggled his eyebrows. “Told ya so.”

  “Uh-huh. Now be quiet. This burger deserves my entire focus.” He winked at Dayton, and they dove into their meal.

  Before long, nothing was left but scraps and the few pieces of lettuce Dayton didn’t want. He gestured Carrie over, and she handed him the dessert menu. “I can’t believe you were serious.”

  “Oh, I’m very serious about my food. Now, I think I’m going to try the chocolate coffee cake. Hart?”

  He handed the menu over, and Hart stopped at the first entry. “And I’ll have the strawberry shortcake.”

  As Carrie walked away, an obnoxious squeal filled the restaurant. Unfortunately, it was a noise Dayton was all too familiar with. “Brace yourself,” he said to Hart as Tawny came running over to them.

  She leapt at her brother and pushed him farther into his side of the booth. He let out a little “oomph” of pain before he could get his arms around her as well.

  “Hey, sis.”

  “You! You’re here in town and didn’t call me. What’s up with that? Oh my God, I’ve been wanting to see you so bad but can’t get up to Atlanta.”

  Rick walked up to the table and nodded at Dayton. He glared at Hart and let out a low growl of displeasure.

  “Rick, taking your girl out to lunch?” Dayton tried to distract him from the fact that Tawny completely ignored his presence now that she’d seen her brother.

  “Yeah,” he said. “We were supposed to have a nice quiet lunch. Guess that’s not going to happen now.”