Chapter 21
Logan stood in front of the mirror giving himself a final look-over. He had styled his hair, and with his five o’clock shadow, he had to admit he looked good. The black shirt he wore was a size too small and showed off his biceps and his hard chest. Feeling confident, he looked forward to Brice coming over. It was Saturday night, and Maddy and Bree had taken off back to Bozeman again for the night. The band they liked were playing again, and they had invited him but he declined. Instead he let Brice know that he was welcome to come over. The sound of a knock at the door made him smile, and then giving himself a final look in the mirror, he hurried to the front door.
Opening it up, he smiled as Brice stepped in. “I didn't get dressed up,” Brice started to stay, then Logan smiled as Brice's eyes went over him, “and I’m glad I didn't.”
Closing the door for him and taking his coat, Logan allowed himself the pleasure of checking Brice out. The man wore a simple navy-blue shirt and a pair of blue jeans. But the blond hair and brown-eyed guy was so damn good-looking, Logan had to bite down on his lip.
“How was work?” Logan asked as they headed into the kitchen.
Brice sat on a stool at the counter as Logan went to the fridge. “Not bad. I had to deal with a domestic call again. Johnnie and Cindy, you know them?”
Logan grabbed a Coke and a beer from the fridge, then closing the door, walked over to Brice. “Yeah, I know them. That’s Tommy's brother,” he said, handing Brice the beer.
“Shit. No wonder the guy is an asshole,” Brice said, a shake to his head as he opened his beer.
Taking a stool next to Brice, Logan sat down facing him. “Let me guess, Cindy has another black eye?”
Brice nodded.
“He’s a piece of shit like his brother,” Logan said, feeling his blood boil a bit. “I used to hang out with Cindy. We went to school together. Sweet girl, but she got mixed up with the wrong guy. Tragedy.”
“Sorry for bringing it up. I didn't know,” Brice said.
“No, it’s not you,” Logan said. “I’m just so sick of them. Their whole family has been nothing but trouble around here, and now Johnnie gets free rides from Harry for running drugs.” He scowled and then took a drink from his Coke.
“Wait. What do you mean ‘running drugs’?” Brice asked.
“You didn't know? I thought Harry would’ve told you by now.”
Brice shook his head, the look of bewilderment on his face so innocent Logan wanted to kiss him.
“You know, you look hot when you’re caught off-guard,” Logan said, watching as Brice went a shade of red Logan didn't know was possible.
“I love the compliment, but you were saying?”
Logan nodded. “A few of us that have been here our whole life know Harry is running drugs and giving smugglers a free pass. Johnnie runs for him. For how long and what he gets, I don't know, but it’s just known.”
Brice took a drink from his beer then set it down. “You know, when I took him in the last time, he told me Harry would let him go. And sure enough, the next morning he was out of jail. And Harry, well, he said he gave him a talking to.”
“That’s Harry. Corrupt as fuck, and nobody can do a thing about it.” For a moment Logan thought about how Harry's corrupt ways and the hurt it caused Maddy. Pushing the anger down, he turned back to Brice, glad to see the kind face smiling at him. “So, how is Carol holding up?”
“She’s doing good. Her divorce is going smoothly and she wants me to move in with her,” Brice said, then winked at Logan.
“Oh, is that right? What’s she offering?”
“Cheaper rent and home cooked meals.”
“I see,” Logan said, standing up and moving in between Brice's open legs. Putting his hands on Brice's shoulders, he looked down at him.
“And would that mean less time for me?”
Brice bit his lip, his eyebrows raising up. “Maybe, unless you could somehow get my attention.”
“Like this?” Logan said, his hand moving to Brice's neck. He leaned down, their lips meshing together. Blood pumped throughout his body as the kiss became hungrier, more forceful. Brice's hands came to his hips and then moved down his thighs. Breaking the kiss, Logan looked down at the passion and longing in Brice’s eyes that matched his own. Without another word, Logan took Brice’s hand, and led him back to his bedroom.
No words needed to be said as they both walked to the bed. Logan reached down and tugged off his shirt, and Brice smiled, the fire in his eyes now blazing. Brice’s chest muscles flared as he raised his arms to pull the shirt over his head.
Then Logan undid the button on his jeans as Brice undid his, neither taking his eyes off the other.
As Logan stepped out of his jeans, Brice took a step forward, his eyes and face looking a bit panicked.
“If this is too fast…” Logan started to say as Brice cut him off.
“It’s not that. I’m scared. I don't want to be hurt again.”
Logan placed a hand on Brice’s cheek. “I won’t hurt you. I'll never hurt you,” he whispered.
Brice nodded once and then kissed Logan's lower lip, his hand reaching for his dick. Logan wanted nothing more than to protect him, let him know that he was safe. He bit gently at Brice's lip, then planted small a kiss followed by another and then another. As Brice moved onto the bed, Logan went to the top drawer of his dresser, and opening it, grabbed a condom and some lube.
Going to Brice on the bed, he hovered over him, their dicks touching, their lips searching each other. Going to his side, Logan pulled the condom from the wrapper and placed it on himself. Then he lightly turned Brice around so he was bent over the edge of the bed. Logan felt himself grow harder as he looked at the beautiful tight bud waiting for him. He would show this man how much he cared for him.
“Be gentle with me,” Brice said, his voice low, his body trembling slightly. “I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.”
“I will. It’s me. You know I won’t hurt you,” Logan said, giving Brice the final bit of preparation with the lube. Then he put his lips to Brice's neck and gave it a gentle kiss as he gently pushed forward, a small moan escaping from Brice as he entered him.
As he slowly worked more of himself in, Brice's hand came up to his own, holding it tight as Logan continued whispering in his ear, letting him know that Brice would never be hurt again.
***
A few hours later Logan sat next to Brice in front of the fireplace. They had had a simple dinner of a frozen lasagna and now sat holding each other’s hands. Both were silent as Logan was lost in his own thoughts, his heart swelling with emotion for the man beside him. He was not the best with words, especially conveying emotions, but holding Brice's hand he hoped he sent enough of a signal.
“You know, being in bed with you, it was something special,” Brice said, turning his head towards Logan. “It was the first time of being with some one that I know wasn't just looking for random sex. It means a lot to me.”
“Me too,” Logan said, giving his hand a squeeze.
“Sorry if I sound like a wimp or that I’m too soft. I talk too much.”
Logan shook his head, leaned in, and gave him a kiss. “You’re not a wimp, Brice. The way you are able to talk about your own weaknesses is something I admire,” he said, and he really meant it.
“Really? I thought, well, I was told it made me weak.”
“Here is what is weak. A guy who ignores feelings or emotions and then says ‘I'm too much of a bad ass to face them, so, I’m just going to drink my life away’.”
Brice laughed. “I guess that’s true.”
“Listen, you are your most harshest critic. You’re handsome, you got good grades in college, graduated from a police academy. Shit, I'm a felon who if it wasn't for his sister would be shoveling manure at the fairgrounds. Trust me, dude, you’re good.”
Brice pulled his head back and laughed. The smile on his face was priceless, and then he turned towards Logan. “You know what? You’re right. I am my harshest critic. Instead of beating myself up about it, I’m going to start standing up, speaking out. No more Mr. Nice Brice. Watch out world, the new Brice has arrived.”
With a smile, Logan pulled him into his arms then held him. “And since you’re opening up, I’ll do the same. Being with you in the bedroom wasn't easy for me either,” Logan said, as Brice leaned back.
“Really? I find that hard to believe. I mean, you are like an Alpha Wolf.”
“Maybe I am. But, and I can’t believe I am saying this, but I have this wall around me to keep just about everyone out, especially around my heart.”
Brice nodded. “I see that.”
“But with you, I’m letting it down. And truth be told, it feels good. It’s like we’re opposites in a lot of ways, yet we are perfect for each other.”
“I couldn't have said it better myself.”
And for the next two hours, they talked near the fire, the conversation going to the past, to the present, but most of it to the future. Watching as Brice talked, Logan could not help but smile. There was a bright future ahead and he was sure Brice was going to be in it.