Vaughn wondered if he would go to hell for wrangling an invite to the bonfire being held in Jake’s honor with all intentions on seducing Bryant, but he figured the old cowboy would have approved. How many times had he listened to Jake brag about Bryant, talking him up while hinting at things they had in common and all the ways they complemented each other? Vaughn’s rebelliousness and Bryant’s even keel, Vaughn’s promiscuity and Bryant’s loyalty, Vaughn’s creativity and Bryant’s logic. On and on and on.

Even if it was only for a few hot nights, he’d want them to be happy. Yet with one look, it had been plain to see that Bryant wasn’t.

And if Vaughn was being honest with himself, neither was he.

Content, sure. Thriving…eh, not really.

He’d gotten comfortable. Lazy. His shop was doing well, and stringless hookups were easy to come by. It had been a while since he’d been hungry. And he wasn’t talking about that peach pie Mrs. Trapp had added to the pile on the other side of the fire a few minutes ago. He’d bet a night with Bryant would be sweeter than any of the million home-baked goods about to crush that poor folding table covered with a red-and-white checked tablecloth.

Random guys who were mostly interested in sucking his cock in exchange for new ink…well, they had been fun at first. It had gotten old a while ago. He was looking for someone genuine. Someone who was attracted to him for more than what he could do for them—whether that was something artistic or living up to his reputation by giving them a raw, wild fuck.

He was hunting for an actual relationship.

With someone exactly like Bryant Compton.

What had once scared him away—the guy’s inexperience and innocence—now drew him like a shaker full of oats in front of one of Seth Compton’s prizewinning stallions. A man like Bryant wouldn’t sleep with someone for the hell of it. He’d tried that and they both knew it hadn’t worked out.

No, he’d only do it if they had a connection. Suddenly, Vaughn found himself wanting to find out if he was good enough. If the spark of attraction that had always existed between them could be fanned very deliberately into something more. And he could only do that if they spent some time together.

So he glanced around, scanning the gathering for golden hair, a quick smile, and the tall, fit body of his prey.

Speak of the stud…

Vaughn leaned up against the cooler and fished a beer from within it. He opened it with his teeth then took a deep drink, trying not to smirk when he noticed Bryant staring at his throat. It flexed while his lips wrapped around the opening of the bottle. He needed the long pull to cool himself off. It was crazy how being near Bryant made him feel like one of the logs on the bonfire, about to combust at any moment.

He’d gladly blow Bryant’s mind…and cock…if given half a chance.

Though they might have stayed put, sizing each other up without speaking the rest of the night if left to their own devices, James Compton—completely oblivious to the history, present, and hopefully the future, between him and Bryant—called, “Hey, Vaughn!”

He tried to remain pleasant as he chatted with Austin about the new ink he wanted, except all he could see was Bryant. Which was why he noticed the nearly imperceptible tightening of the guy’s lips and the tension around his eyes when Hayden mentioned that it was almost time for him to graduate. The grooves there deepened as he explained what he was doing back home and that he planned to stay for at least a while.

Part of Vaughn cheered at the thought of having Bryant so close, for longer than a day or two. Maybe forever, if he stayed after finally finishing school.

The other part was worried for the guy. His gut told him there was more causing Bryant to wring his hands than Jake’s passing. He was stressed the fuck out. Vaughn would be glad to provide a little relief. For them both. “Maybe your problem is that you work too much, Bryant. I remember lots of times in the past few years that Jake told me he’d had to lecture you again about cutting loose and having some fun. In his memory, I’d be willing to help you out with that.”

His impure intentions must have been obscenely obvious.

Bryant’s cousin Doug grinned, while James and even Austin nodded in agreement.

At least the three of them were on his side. The girls they’d brought home, too, if Hayden and Ivy’s approving smirks were any indication. Unfortunately, they weren’t the person he was trying to persuade. Hell no, he had to go and pick the most stubborn one of the bunch.

“You know I don’t date cowboys.” Bryant crossed his arms, only making the muscles in them and his chest more prominent. That was definitely not deterrent for Vaughn. Neither was Bryant’s glower.

“I always thought that was a stupid rule,” Vaughn replied. Inside he appended, Besides…I’m not a cowboy anymore. I’m an artist. I was only doing what I had to in order to survive at that point in my life.

He’d be sure to show Bryant the difference sometime.

Vaughn got pulled deeper into his side conversation with Austin about doing a major addition to his back, potentially including a memorial portrait of Jake. While they hashed it out, Bryant flushed and turned to Doug and James, acting for all the world like whatever they were talking about was fascinating.

But Vaughn had no intentions of letting him off that easy. Though he drifted off after he’d finished making plans for an official consultation with Austin, he stood nearby, shooting the shit with a lot of the guys he knew from his days working the ranch or from their patronage of his shop. He had no shortage of friends in Compton Pass.

One less than he’d had the day before.

Shit. Jake’s really gone.

It hit him hard right then—that this wasn’t somebody’s birthday bash and he would never see Jake again. Just like his father, Jake had died before Vaughn had said everything he should have. A mistake he would be sure never to make again. If there was someone he cared about, they’d know it.

He stumbled away to lean against a tree on the fringes of the amber light cast by the roaring flames. Ragged breaths made his chest saw in and out painfully.

“Hey. Are you okay?” Bryant’s fingers squeezed Vaughn’s shoulder. When was the last time a guy had given a fuck about how he felt? Never, that’s when.

He shrugged, loving the comforting weight of Bryant’s fingers there when he did. With any other guy, he’d struggle to admit that, even to himself. But with Bryant, it felt okay. He was harmless. He was kind. He was sincere. This wasn’t some ploy to get to him, so it made it easier to be honest in return. “You know. It seems normal for a while, and then…”

“You remember he’s dead. Yeah, I do know.” Bryant hung his head. “I’m sorry I was such a douche before. I know you’re hurting, too. Everyone here is.”

“That’s true, but just because we share one wound doesn’t mean anyone else understands your other scars. I didn’t mean to trample on those, although I think I might have somehow.” It was a first for him. Actually caring about how a man felt other than making sure he was satisfied in bed. Vaughn wasn’t sure how to do this, so he just tried his best and hoped it was enough.

“Well, yeah. That and I guess I’ve been holding a grudge all this time. That’s not right either. I’ll do my best to get over that ancient shit. It’s just that coming back home… It’s tough. For a lot of reasons.”

“I’m sorry, too.” Vaughn took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the scent of leather and fresh air that he associated with Bryant. “Before we put it behind us for good, I need to say something. I should have protected you that day. It’s partly my fault…what happened to you, I mean. It’s bothered me ever since that I left you alone with that asshole.”

“What?” Bryant looked as if he might haul off and sucker punch Vaughn. “How could you say that? I didn’t need you to protect me, you son of a bitch. I needed you to want me.”

Vaughn jerked back as if Bryant had actually hit him. He couldn’t have been more surprised. “What the hell makes you think I didn’t?”

“The fact that you turned me down flat.” Bryant sneered, letting Vaughn see what was probably only a fraction of his turmoil. “I get it. Honestly, I do. You wanted someone who was worth messing with. And I wasn’t. Not at the risk of your job. I probably wouldn’t be very good in the sack. I mean, wouldn’t have been and you knew it. That’s why you told me I wasn’t ready. Taunting me made me think maybe…if I fooled around with someone else…”

Vaughn narrowed his eyes. Both at Bryant’s slip of the tongue and the absolute ludicrousness of what he was saying then.

“You’ve got it all fucked up. I was trying to do the right thing. End of story. You were a minor, for Christ’s sake, and the stuff I wanted to do to you was definitely illegal.” He leaned in closer, wishing he could give Bryant a demonstration of how hard he’d been for hours straight—since he’d seen Bryant in town again and lots of nights in between—as he imagined how differently things might have gone if they’d run into each other a few months later than they had.

Bryant laughed. It wasn’t a fun sound, though. It was strained and tattered. “So you did it for my own good, is that it? Whatever you need to tell yourself, Vaughn. You don’t need to let me down easy anymore. At least I’m being honest here.”

Vaughn glanced around, finding everyone else engaged either in conversation or stuffing their faces. He gripped Bryant by the collar and dragged him into what most Comptons referred to as Vivi’s Garden. The verdant foliage stretched out beside the main house. It had grown over the years into a veritable jungle of vegetables and flowers. Every year the bounty from Vivi’s Garden took first place in the county fair. In fact, they’d even named the competition after Bryant’s grandmother and the entry fees were donated to Alzheimer’s research organizations in her name.

Lost in the center of the lush vegetation, they were invisible to anyone else. Though the voices and the crackle of the fire carried through the plants, no one could spy on them. Which was good because Vaughn was about to teach his book-smart obsession a lesson in dangerous attractions.

He whipped around and trapped Bryant against a trellis, monitoring him carefully. The only sign of shock was the dilation of his pupils. He didn’t tense or spook. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“I’m saying you’re being generous, and looking at the past through rose-colored glasses.” Bryant didn’t flinch when Vaughn inched closer. Soon their chests would be plastered together and Bryant would have no doubt that Vaughn wanted him. His hard cock would communicate his desire plain enough.

He watched in case any lingering demons reared their heads. The last thing he’d ever want to do was trigger Bryant, reminding him of the dark parts of their shared past instead of what could be a very bright spot in their near futures.

He had to be transparent if Bryant was going to believe him and change what seemed to be some deep-seated misconceptions. “Look, I admit I wasn’t thrilled when I realized how inexperienced you were. But that’s only because I didn’t want to be the one to corrupt you. Not because I thought you were lacking in any way whatsoever. The mere sight of you turns me on. Always has. It wasn’t easy doing my job with a stiff cock all the time. I was afraid Jake would notice and fire my ass. I needed that fucking job.”

When Bryant made some indistinct sound of disbelief from deep in his chest, Vaughn only knew one way to convince him. He took Bryant’s hand and pressed it to his crotch, where even now, their proximity was creating a situation his tight jeans weren’t well equipped to handle.

“This is for me?” Bryant whispered.

“Yeah,” he growled when Bryant’s fingers began to explore, measuring him with the brush of his thumb along Vaughn’s length. The last thing he intended to do was squash Bryant’s curiosity. “Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty to show you a good time, if you’ll let me. I want to make up for what happened back when we were too young to do it right. I know a fuck-ton more now. Trust me. You’re getting the better end of the deal. It will have been worth our wait.”

Vaughn wasn’t sure what he said, but Bryant froze. He went stiff where he’d been pliant, and not in a good way either. “Well, I’m not sure I’ve done as much maturing as you have.”

With his palms flat on Vaughn’s chest, Bryant shoved him backwards.

He hadn’t been trying to hold the guy against his will. No, he wanted Brainy Compton to come willingly to his bed, which was where he knew they were going to end up sooner or later.

It would be impossible to have this much attraction arcing between them and ignore it unless they were separated by several states, as they had been for years. It was strong enough to make Vaughn regret, for the first time in his life, that he hadn’t been cut out for higher education.

Still, Bryant’s denial shocked him. He couldn’t remember the last time a man had turned him down when he’d shown interest in them. Bryant would never do what Vaughn expected. He needed to remember that. Making that mistake had cost them both dearly once. He wouldn’t allow it to happen again.

“I’m not sure how I screwed up just now. But when you’re willing to tell me, and help me give you what you want, I hope you’ll come find me.” Vaughn tipped his hat and prepared to leave.

But he couldn’t stop himself from stealing a single kiss.

The kiss he hadn’t dared to take back when they were still kids.

Even more, he wanted to give one to Bryant in the hopes that it could make up for what he’d withheld in the past. That simple gesture might have been enough to prevent tragedy, though Vaughn was fairly certain he hadn’t had enough self-control to stop with a kiss back then.

He prayed he did now.

“Just so you don’t doubt what I told you when you walk away tonight…” He reached out and speared his hands into Bryant’s longish blond locks, then swooped in. He wasn’t rough or rushed. Definitely not forceful or cruel. Instead, he sipped from Bryant’s lips, savoring the taste of something chocolate the man had indulged in from the dessert pile.

It tasted a thousand times better mixed with the flavor of geek.

Bryant shivered in his grip, then moaned. He took hold of Vaughn, clinging to him every bit as much as Vaughn was clutching Bryant. He opened his mouth and allowed Vaughn to explore with his tongue and lips.

For a few minutes, Vaughn was able to forget the pain of loss—losing Jake, the time he’d lost with Bryant, and the innocence Bryant had lost that day in the barn. Instead, his world was filled with the joy of creating something instead.

Like when he drew, his brain was filled with possibilities.

He cradled Bryant’s head between his hands, directing him so that he angled his face to best accept Vaughn’s kiss. He held him in place as he made love to Bryant’s mouth. He sucked lightly on Bryant’s lower lip before flicking his tongue over it, wishing it were as easy or effective to salve the rest of Bryant’s soul.

The longer they kissed, the better it got. Each of them gave in a little until they met in the middle, open and receptive to the sweet and spicy exchange. Vaughn relaxed, enjoying the moment. He felt the muscles beneath his fingertips do the same. Bryant rested against the trellis, no longer poised to bolt.

So Vaughn stepped in. Their chests collided, pressing together in all the right ways. It was unusual for Vaughn to be with a man taller than himself, but he found he got off on knowing he was still able to take control of someone larger, someone better than him in every sense, and make it good for them.

He had prepared to mentor Bryant in what he liked.

It turned out Bryant Compton was one hell of a kisser. He made out like he did most everything in life, as far as Vaughn could tell. He committed one-hundred percent. Like he had when he’d refused to settle for less than a doctorate degree or when he’d driven all night to get home after a family emergency.

That kind of dedication spurred Vaughn on. He had to match Bryant’s passion. Their quiet, soothing kiss began to escalate. Bryant’s hands wandered down Vaughn’s back to his ass. He gave a surprised grunt when long fingers slipped into the back pockets of his jeans and squeezed.

Vaughn parted Bryant’s lips and began to explore with his teeth and tongue.

He one-upped Bryant’s bold grip by sliding his hands under Bryant’s shirt and running the flat of his palm up Bryant’s sides. Bryant shivered, then went slack. Vaughn could have done anything then and Bryant wouldn’t have objected, he was pretty sure.

Instead of taking advantage of the situation and the vulnerability Bryant had shown him, Vaughn backed off. He clutched Bryant to him, hugging him tight as he slowly eased the pressure of their mouths, which had only moments earlier been crushed together.

When their lips separated, Bryant groaned. Vaughn’s dick jerked in his pants.

Neither of them moved, though Vaughn was dying to peer into Bryant’s eyes and read whatever might be in them. So he took a breath that was shakier than a simple kiss should make it. Then he pried open his eyes and looked.

Bryant was staring right back, a mixture of shock and gratitude radiating from him.

Vaughn didn’t really understand that. After all, he was the one who was grateful for Bryant. The guy had woken something he hadn’t realized was dormant. Something fierce and unshakeable.

From the pulse hammering in Bryant’s neck, Vaughn thought he wasn’t the only one having a revelation at the moment. He felt pretty smug about how things had gone, and his eventual victory in their steer-and-cowboy game.

Until Bryant’s parting shot. He pushed past Vaughn, who was still dazed with pleasure and let him have it. “You said you were trying to protect me then. We both know how that turned out. Why should I believe this time would be any different?”

Vaughn couldn’t believe he had to ask. “Because I’d never disrespect you like that motherfucker did. I’d never hurt you or use you or put my pleasure above yours.”

“Yeah, but one of us—and I’m pretty sure it’s me—is going to be crushed when the other gets tired of this diversion. You should know I’m planning on staying in Compton Pass. This wouldn’t be a random anonymous affair. We’d have to see each other all the time and…remember. Is that really what you’re signing up for? Because I’m not sure I can handle that. There are enough landmines around Compton Pass for my liking.”

Vaughn’s arms ached to hold Bryant again. Except this time to ease the pain he could see in the other man’s eyes.

But he knew this wasn’t his chance. Bryant had already reached his limit for the night. It was a lot to take in. Their attraction even rocked him, jaded though he might have been.

“I’m glad to hear you’re hanging around. I know you don’t believe me, but what I said tonight is true. Think about it. I’m not a quitter and I suspect that if you ask yourself what you really want, when no one is looking to judge you, you’re going to be knocking on my door sooner rather than later. I can’t wait for that day and I’m going to have fun chasing you until you give in to what I know we both need.”

“You’re an arrogant son of a bitch, you know that?”

“That’s confidence, Bryant. I’m sure that I’m right. And I’m willing to prove it. Whenever you’re finally ready.”

At that last phrase, Bryant winced. His face turned red, and not from arousal.

Too late, Vaughn remembered how he’d told Bryant he wasn’t ready that day in the barn. Right before everything had gone to hell. In fact, he’d practically dared Bryant to fool around with that sack of shit or whoever came along after him, even if he hadn’t realized it back then.

Fuck.

Before Vaughn could fix things, Bryant shook his head and spun on his heels. This time he didn’t look back or stop when Vaughn called his name. He marched out to the fire and rejoined his cousins in the warmth and light.

Vaughn went home alone…that night.