His Convenient Husband: Innamorati, Book 1 by J. L. Langley Read Free Book Online Page B

wet, like he’d just gotten out of the shower. The red short-sleeved polo shirt pulled tightly across a slim but nicely shaped chest, and even showed off toned biceps. He was still smaller than Tucker, but Micah didn’t look like a kid any longer. A pair of tight jeans emphasized the leg muscles he’d earned from years in the saddle, and his feet were bare.
    Tucker’s breath caught. The memory of the last time he’d seen Micah bare footed, when Tucker had left The Bar D after their one night together, came to mind. God, he’d felt like such a cruel son of a bitch.
    Micah settled beside him, leaning his tanned forearms on the rail. He stood so close the heat of his body warmed Tucker’s left arm.
    “Yeah, I’ve missed it. There aren’t as many stars in the city.” Taking a drink of his whiskey, Tucker glanced back out at the deep endless sky. The soft spring breeze ruffled his hair and blew the vanilla-scented smoke around him. A someone is staring at you feeling niggled at him, but he didn’t look to confirm it. Part of him wanted Micah to be looking, which made Tucker want to kick his own ass. He’d ruined his chances with Micah long ago. Damn if being back here didn’t have Tucker way off balance, or maybe it was the three whiskeys he’d had in the last hour. At any rate, he had to keep reminding himself he’d burned his bridges.
    “Is it all you’ve missed?”
    Apprehension trickled over Tucker, but he pushed it away. It may never be like it was before, but they could at least get along. “No, it’s not all I’ve missed. I miss my family and working on the ranch. I miss—” You. Tucker’s chest ached at the realization. He missed the easy friendship he and Micah had had before Tucker had messed it up with that one night. It seemed wrong to regret such a wonderful, profound night, but he did.
    Micah extracted the cigar from Tucker’s fingers and took a puff.
    It was such an intimate gesture Tucker found himself staring. “I—I miss the quiet.” He watched Micah’s lips pucker as he blew out the smoke, and unbidden the image of those sweet lips kissing up his body sprang to mind. Tucker shook his head and retrieved his cigar from Micah. “Since when do you smoke?”
    “I don’t usually.” Micah shrugged. “Why don’t you come home more often? Is it because of me? I’d hate to think that—” Micah’s voice lowered, almost quivering. “I don’t want you to stay away from your family because of me.”
    Damn. A pang of guilt slapped Tucker in the gut. He did stay away because of Micah, but not for the reasons Micah thought. “It’s not you.” The lie slipped out of his mouth so easily, Tucker almost believed it himself. “Work keeps me busy. There are always deals to make and companies to sell.” Tucker took a puff of his cigar, and it occurred to him that Micah’s lips had just rested where his were. Micah’s lips tasted as sweet as they had four years ago. Did Micah have more practice now? Tucker shouldn’t care, but he didn’t like the idea of Micah being with anyone else. He’d been Micah’s first, but Tucker had no right to expect to be Micah’s only.
    “What’re you doing out here?” Tucker winced at the growl in his voice.
    Micah was quiet for several moments. When he spoke, his volume was barely above a whisper. “Couldn’t sleep. I was wondering where you were.”
    Sucking in a breath of air, Tucker nearly choked. He covered quickly by taking a drink. Something tickled his arm as he set his drink on the porch railing. He glanced down.
    Micah’s long dark fingers feathered over his arm, caressing. It was an innocent touch, but it sent the blood thrumming straight to Tucker’s groin. Fuck. He had to get outta here before he did something he’d regret. Keeping his distance was much easier when Micah was pissed at him.
    Tucker dropped his cigar to the ground and crushed it out with his boot prior to kicking it off the porch. After standing, Tucker turned and