His first true attempt at being an understanding boyfriend or partner or whatever the hell he turned into was an epic failure. Harmon, his poor man, was completely losing his shit. He was an asshole for finding that comical and that was never part of his personality until he met Harmon. Harmon sweated profusely. If he wasn’t mistaken, the man was on the border of a full-blown panic attack.

He rubbed Harmon’s lower back in a soothing rhythm as he opened the front door. He nudged Harmon inside and kicked the door shut.

“Anybody home,” he called out.

“Solomon, you finally got here.”

Salome Poe glided into the room in a beautiful silver evening gown. He rushed toward his mother as he smiled at her. He hugged her tight around her slender waist as she squeezed him tight, rocking him back and forth.

“Mom, you’re looking gorgeous as always.”

He stepped back and took her hands to hold her arms out to the side. He noticed his dad stood in the doorway of the sitting room. Six-feet-three inches of imposing man in a tuxedo. He resisted the urge to shake his head as he compared himself to his parents and his sister who thankfully wasn’t there. Harmon wouldn’t survive a meeting with his sister, Sandra, yet.

“Flattery won’t get you out of being fussed at for six months of no visits.”

“I know, I’m a horrible son. How haven’t you disowned me yet?”

“You’re less of a pain in the ass than your sister.”

He and his sister were almost eight years apart in age. He’d done his best at the annoying baby brother act, and she’d threatened to kill him thousands of times. Sandra had their parents to herself for a long time, and she hadn’t hidden her dismay at having to share them with an annoying sibling. Even worse that it was a brother. They’d grown closer when he’d hit his teens, and she’d been off to college. Then when he’d come out, she’d been all about setting him up on dates.

“I’m so snitching you out.”

“Introduce me to your gentleman.” Salome moved to his side and slid her arm around his.

He led her to where Harmon stood. The big man had his hands shoved into his pockets and focused on the toes of his scuffed boots.

“Mom, this is Harmon Little, Harmon?” Harmon didn’t look up. “Harmon.” He raised his hand to press his fingertips under Harmon’s scruffy chin and lifted his gaze. He smiled reassuringly at Harmon. “Harmon, this is my mom, Salome.”

“Pretty name.”

“Thank you, Harmon. Honey, you don’t have to be nervous.”

He’d worship his mother forever as she instantly moved away from him and enveloped Harmon. His mom was a few inches shorter than Harmon at almost six-foot.

“I was so happy when Solomon called to say he was bringing his boyfriend home. Come on and meet my husband.”

He retreated to let his mom take over. If Harmon saw his parents were normal people, no matter the trappings, he hoped Harmon would relax.

“Kyler, this is Harmon.”

“How ya doing, son, nice to meet ya.” His dad’s thick Texan accent made him remember the story of how his parents met. Salome had fallen in lust with a twenty-year-old ranch hand who worked for her college best friend’s father. She’d sworn the man was going to be hers no matter what she had to do.

His dad held out his hand and thankfully didn’t react when it took Harmon a minute to respond.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”’

“No sir around here, Harmon, want a drink?”

“I don’t drink.”

“I think we have some sodas or Solomon told me you liked apple juice. I picked some up earlier.”

“That would be great.”

“Well, you gentlemen go have a seat, and I’ll get you your juice.”

“I don’t want to be trouble.”

“It’s a walk to the kitchen, Harmon.”

He retook possession of his boyfriend as his mom disappeared then they followed his dad into the sitting room. He pushed Harmon down on one of the sofas. Shortly, everyone was set up with drinks and Harmon seemed to be braced for the worst.

“What is it you do, Harmon?” his dad asked.

Salome was sitting beside her husband and curled against his side. His parents didn’t care if they were in public or alone, they never tempered their love for each other. He’d always wanted a relationship like theirs.

“I work for a company called Trenton Security. We specialize in bodyguard services, and we freelance for a bail bondman’s business as Bail Enforcement Agents. I mostly work as a surveillance expert.”

“Sounds like an exciting but dangerous life.”

When his dad tensed, it was obvious just the thought of him being involved with someone with a dangerous job bothered him. They might talk to him alone later to make sure he was sure of his decision. Nothing would make him leave Harmon. He’d waited too long for a man of his own.

“It has its moments, but I’m good at it. Me and my teammates are more like family than co-workers.”

“Is that something you’ve always done, Harmon?” His mom must have noticed her husband’s discomfort because she rubbed his chest as she took over the conversation.

“I started working in security when I was eighteen. I have a talent for getting in and out of places without being seen. So my current boss set me up testing security systems.”

“Everyone should do something they enjoy with their life. It’s too short to be miserable. Solomon didn’t tell us how the two of you met.”

He couldn’t contain his laughter at the panic on Harmon’s face at Salome’s interest.

“Um, I ran into him in a grocery store.”

“He had the uncontrollable urge to take me home with him.”

“Solomon.”

“Mom, it was completely innocent. He finds me irresistible in my bow ties.”

He relaxed some when Harmon seemed to do the same when he didn’t bring up the kidnapping.

“Glad you finally found someone who appreciates your quirks.” His mom seemed so serene as she talked.

His parents were the coolest people he knew. They both came from money but never let that shape them. Kyler had taken a few years off after high school for work on a ranch. Salome went straight to college to become a doctor when her parents wanted her to marry and be the dutiful wife. He loved that they went against expectations. He was also a little jealous of their fearlessness. That was one of the reasons he loved Harmon. Harmon had his issues. Yet the man knew who he was, faults and all, and accepted them.

“He’s beautiful.”

Harmon said it so quietly he almost missed it, but he looked up to find Harmon watching him with that adoring expression he’d come to crave. He turned his head and rested his cheek against Harmon’s thick bicep to find his parents watching them with small smiles.

“He is. I can tell my son is happier and more comfortable in his skin since the last time we saw him. He’s always been a bit insecure. Kyler and I have tried to make him more confident, but we weren’t successful.”

“He’s smart, gorgeous, funny, cute…” Harmon’s voice trailed off. “He was looking at diet sh…stuff when we met.”

“Solomon Arthur Poe, what have we discussed?”

“Mom, I wasn’t taking diet pills. I was looking at protein bars and—”

“Don’t try that bullshit with your mother, son. You’re healthy, and you eat right, unless you want to lose weight, you shouldn’t torture yourself. We didn’t raise you and your sister to be self-conscious.”

He lowered his head at his dad’s mini-speech. They never made him feel bad about being chunky. Only that didn’t mean he hadn’t let society get him down. Everyone had something they didn’t like about themselves. It was a natural human reaction.

“Sorry, and you don’t have to look smug, Little.” He elbowed Harmon in the ribs.

“I don’t like when you call me Little.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” He soothed his man.

Harmon seemed to take small things personally. Like him using his last name like everyone else had done. Or things he didn’t even notice until he picked up on Harmon’s insecurity. It wasn’t an overblown reaction. Harmon had some deep-rooted scars the man hid beneath humor and crazy behavior. Unless it affected their relationship in an adverse way, he had no intention of changing his man. If Harmon needed to be comforted, then that’s what he would do.

“Do you have any family, Harmon?”

“No biological family. My mother gave me up when I was a kid. I have my friends and their husbands and wives, partners. I have a lot of nieces and nephews. My best friend, Lily, and her husband are like a mom and dad.”

“Well, you can consider us family now too. We always wanted more kids after Solomon, but we just weren’t lucky enough. Maybe one day our children will give us some grandchildren to spoil.”

“Mom, we’ve talked about this.”

“You want kids?”

He turned his attention back to Harmon. “I never really thought about it. I don’t see myself as a parent.”

“Me neither. I like being an Uncle. My life isn’t suitable for mini-humans. What if one day I don’t come home from a job?”

That eased his tenseness some. It wasn’t that he didn’t like kids or whatever, he just couldn’t see himself at this point in his life being responsible enough for kids. He’d couldn’t even commit to having a pet. The last plant he had, he’d killed it when he forgot to water it.

He didn’t like thinking that Harmon wouldn’t come home one night, but he couldn’t say he hadn’t thought about Harmon’s job. He’d heard the stories the times he’d hung out with Fielding and Livingston. It wasn’t enough to make him step back. One more day was better than missing out on a single minute of being with Harmon.

“Have you ever been hurt at work?”

“No, we have vests, and we watch each other’s backs. Not saying we haven’t had to take cover. We know our job.”

The conversation went to lighter subjects until his mom started to nod off where her head rested on his dad’s shoulder.

“I think it’s time to take my beautiful wife to bed. She got your room ready earlier. Keep it down…there’s some things a parent doesn’t need to hear.”

His dad winked, and he laughed as his parents said goodnight. He didn’t take his gaze off them until they exited the room.

“That wasn’t too bad, was it?”

“I expected something different.”

“I know you thought they’d be snobby because of the money and all that, but I know them. They’re great and don’t care much for expectations or what they’re supposed to do. Even if they were the way you assumed they would be, it wouldn’t change the way I feel about you. Okay?”

“Okay.”

He crossed his left arm over his chest and placed it on Harmon’s right cheek to turn his head until he could place his mouth on Harmon’s. Each kiss felt more amazing than the one before. He loved the freedom to touch Harmon. To show the man exactly how he felt. He wasn’t ready to confess his feelings. Harmon was still skittish and questioning. It hurt a bit, but since he knew Harmon’s past, he tried not to let it bother him. All he could do was prove to Harmon he was in it for the long haul. If it took days or years, he’d make sure Harmon never doubted the man was his and he belonged to Harmon heart and soul.

“Come on, bedtime. We have to get up early to head home.”

“Linus gave me some days off before we meet up Saturday to spend time with you.”

“Maybe I’ll call in and take a few days. I haven’t taken time off since last year. Would you like that? Just the two of us at your place?”

“I’d really like that.”

“Let’s get ready for bed, and I’ll call and leave a message for my boss.”

He stood and took Harmon’s hand. He slowly led Harmon up to his room. He couldn’t believe a few months ago he was killing himself to be something he wasn’t in order to get a man. Being who he was turned out to be enough for the right man. Who the hell would’ve thought that it took getting snatched from a grocery store diet aisle to find his happy ever after?

They stood outside beside the front entrance of Vincent’s, and he was about to smack Harmon’s hands away from the tie. Harmon had come down from the bedroom appearing uncomfortable in the button-down shirt, tie and dress pants. He’d kept telling Harmon they could stay in, but the next day Harmon was supposed to be leaving for a job.

The man hadn’t gone into details and part of him, while curious, didn’t really want to know. Especially if the assignment turned out to be dangerous.

“Harmon, we can go home.” Harmon’s comfort had become his top priority. His man’s life hadn’t been the easiest, and he needed to change that.

They’d talked about their pasts, and Harmon deserved to be treated gently, with respect and love.

“No, I want to take you on a romantic date. Do the grown up thing.”

“You know I like staying in. Means I get to curl up on the couch and touch you whenever I want.” He stepped up beside Harmon and slipped his arms around the man’s waist. He tipped his head back to smile up at Harmon. They’d been dancing around the dating thing for months. Yet even as they pretended to be friends, they’d still dated in their own way.

Maybe in some ways, he’d fallen too hard and fast. He knew others would find it weird how him and Harmon came to be, but to him it was right. He wanted his man to be comfortable, and this didn’t seem like Harmon’s kind of place.

“You do that anyway.”

The corners of his mouth tugged into a grin, and he rose onto his toes. He brought his hand up to Harmon’s cheek and pressed his mouth to Harmon’s. He brushed a kiss to the firm curves. “Yeah, I love touching you.”

“So, let me do this. I leave tomorrow, and I told you I’d try to call, but it might not happen. I don’t like it. I shouldn’t have agreed.”

“Baby, you love your job. I’ll be nervous while you’re gone, but I know you’ll be fine.”

“Come on, I called Vincent earlier and reserved a table.”

“You know as long as I’ve lived here this will be the first time I’ve come here.”

“Vincent’s is mainly for partners who want to something romantic.”

“Then I can’t wait.” As he spoke, he stepped away and took Harmon’s hand, lacing their fingers and led the man inside.

Tables for two and some larger littered the room. They were covered with linen cloths and electric candles.

“Uncle Little!”

A pretty, teenage girl in a flowing linen sheath dress that conformed to full curves approached them. Bright thread wraps were streaked through her curly dark hair that was twisted into an elegant yet loose bun. He couldn’t contain his laughter as he found Harmon being squeezed within an inch of his life. A flash of recognition teased at the back of his mind and realized he’d seen a picture of her. He couldn’t remember her name, though.

“Princess, as beautiful as always.” Harmon extricated himself from the bear hug and lovingly gazed at the girl as he held her arms out to the side.

“Aw, thanks, Uncle Little. Lucky just made it for me. So…” A wicked grin transformed the rounded features. “Gonna introduce me to the hottie?”

“He’s mine.”

“You know, he’s pretty, but he's not my type.”

“Still dating that biker chick you met at your last tattoo convention?”

Princess rolled her beautiful blue eyes in that professional level all teenage girls had.

“Too much distance and you know Juvie is a full-time job. She hates sharing me.”

Juvie, he recognized that name, she was the daughter of Little’s friend, Scary, and the man’s two husbands. He spent a lot of nights laughing his ass off at Little’s stories of what the Crews called the Hellions. They seemed a handful but extremely loved even with their many quirks.

“That best friend of yours—”

The young lady shoved Little’s chest. “Don’t start. I love her, you know that.”

“Yeah, and when are you going to do something about that?”

“Can I show you to your table?”

“Smooth subject change.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Princess, this is my Poe. Poe, this is the beautiful, Mina Princess Carver. She belongs to Trouble and Brody.”

“I know Brody from the grocery store. It’s pleasure to meet you, Princess.”

“You too, Poe. It’s taken Little long enough to find himself a person. Come on, I’ll show y’all to your table.”

Apparently, Princess was finished with any conversation about her crush on her best friend. She led them to a round table in the back, and Harmon pulled out his chair, then pushed it in as he sat down. Princess told them the specials, took their drink order, and left them with menus. She said their server would be right with them.

He glanced around, “This is nice.”

“Vincent does this whole romantic vibe thing. He opened this place decades ago. Even in Powers, it’s a bit of a hidden spot.”

“Little.” A quiet yet booming voice had him jerking his gaze up—way up.

A massive man with beautiful coppery skin and the palest blue eyes he’d ever seen stood beside the table. He was dressed in tattered jeans and a black t-shirt, with a bandana wrapped around his head.

He realized he was staring when Harmon cleared his throat, and he turned to apologize, but Harmon’s eyes shimmered with amusement. As Harmon shook his head, the man stood and wrapped the larger man in a tight hug. He noticed a similarity in the two men. The stranger seemed to relax at the embrace even as his skin darkened with a bit of embarrassment.

“Vincent, this is my Poe.”

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Vincent whispered shyly as Harmon released him and turned toward him.

“Same, Vincent, you have a beautiful place.”

“I’ll make you two something special.” Vincent spoke so quickly his words flowed into one, took the menus and escaped.

“Interesting man.”

“Vincent is a bit of a hermit. He doesn’t come out of his kitchen much. People make him nervous. You seemed to think he was pretty.”

He took Harmon’s hands back in his and leaned his forearms on the table. “No one is as handsome as you, Harmon.”

“Dude, my ego isn’t that fragile. Vincent gets that reaction a lot.”

“Doesn’t seem to like it though.”

“He doesn’t.” Harmon’s features grew serious. “I didn’t really want to bring this up on the date, but if I don’t go ahead and do it, I’m gonna forget.”

“Then get it out.”

“If you don’t hear from me for a few days or you just want an update on where I am, I want you to go to Trenton. I made it clear they answer all your questions.”

For some reason, Harmon was more nervous about this upcoming assignment. His man had gone away a few times since they’d met, but Harmon always called or texted every day—sometimes several messages.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

He knew from their meeting with Trevor how sick of a man Carrington was, and he couldn’t shake off the bad feeling he had. He loved Harmon, and that meant he had to be understanding—supportive. That was hard to do when he worried about Harmon getting hurt one day.

“It’s not that I’m not telling you anything. I just don’t want to lose you. You don’t hide that you’re not comfortable with my job.”

“It’s your life, Harmon, and I’ll be here when you’re home. Okay?”

Harmon nodded, but he knew his man wasn’t satisfied with his answer. Harmon was very much about action because he had trusted empty words and promises too many times over the years. That was the frustrating part about being with Harmon. He kept wanting to tell Harmon everything he felt for the man, but in his heart and gut, he knew it was too soon.

“I know words don’t mean much, baby, but all I can do is promise that I’m here for the long haul. You’re mine, but more importantly, I’m yours.”

“Okay, Poe.”

“Now, let’s have our romantic dinner and then I can take you home. Then I can love on you until you have to go to work tomorrow. Deal?”

“Really good deal.”

He brought Harmon’s hands to his mouth, kissed his man’s scarred knuckles and loved how Harmon relaxed under his attention. Tomorrow was coming no matter how much he didn’t want to say goodbye even for a short time. He’d be waiting. He didn’t care how long it took.