Free Cowboy Way by Cindy Sutherland Page B

and that was it. Jake was coming harder than he ever had in his life. He finally collapsed, wrapping himself around Ryan, trying to catch his breath. He pulled out slowly, trying to take such care with this man—his man, he hoped. He got rid of the condom and pulled Ryan to him, feeling the smaller man snuggle into him.
“You okay, Ryan? Did I hurt you?” He was worried, even though Ryan wasnt showing any signs of pain. Ryan just draped himself over Jake like a blanket.
“You could never hurt me, Jake.” Ryans body was tired, but his heart was so happy. It felt lighter than it had in two years. “M going to sleep now, okay?”
Jake grinned and rubbed his hand soothingly down Ryans back. “Okay.”
Jake lifted the blanket from the bottom of the bed with his foot and covered them both. They drifted off, holding each other, content for the first time in their lives. Jake couldnt wait till morning.

Chapter 13
    R
YAN woke up to the sound of the alarm, feeling warm, safe, and happy. This was not how he was expecting to feel anytime soon, when he left his old job, four days ago. He was lying with his head still on Jakes chest, amazed that he had slept through the night that way. He was usually a very active sleeper, moving all over the place.
    He looked up to see crystal-blue eyes smiling down at him. “Mornin.” That drawl was something Ryan could listen to for a long time.
“Good morning. Guess we need to get up, huh?”
    Jake nodded, somewhat reluctantly. “Yeah, those horses arent gonna take care of themselves. And I need to run into town today. Grab a few things from the feed store and stop at the vets, because I want some vitamins for the pregnant mares. Plus, I gotta pay my bill.”
    The whole time he was talking, he was running his hands up and down Ryans back, and it made Ryan smile because he was sure Jake didnt realize he was doing it.
    “Ill come with you. Need to go to the store to get the stuff to make the poultice for Bellas sores, anyhow.” He reached up to gently kiss Jake before starting to get up. He was almost standing when he was pulled back against a hard chest.
“Thats all I get this morning? That kiss is the best you can do? Sigh, the bloom is off the rose already!” Jake threw his arm up over his eyes in a dramatic pose.
    “Better, huh?” Ryan cocked his head to one side before reaching up to take Jakes face in both his hands, moving in for a toe-curling kiss. He started slow, just running his tongue across Jakes bottom lip before sliding his tongue into Jakes mouth, and morning breath be damned. When he pulled back, those blue eyes were two shades darker, and Jake was looking extremely happy.
“That do it for you, cowboy?”
    Jake just grinned and tried not to let Ryan see how much the kiss affected him.
Ryan got up again, this time managing to get all the way off the bed, and sauntered naked and uncaring to the bathroom while Jake just watched him go for a second. Then he got up and started getting ready for his day.
Ryan decided that he loved coffee makers with timers, because the coffee was ready when they got downstairs. They both got their caffeine fix before grabbing a muffin each and heading out to the barn. The horses obviously knew the routine, and they were eager to get out. Ryan checked on Bella, making mental notes of things he thought would help her sores, before leading her to the corral. Despite the treatment she had suffered at the hands of man, she was an affectionate little thing, rubbing her head on Ryans back as he led her out.
He went back to the barn to give Jake a hand with the rest of the horses, loving Jakes habit of greeting each one by name. The morning chores of food and water were done quickly, and they decided to go to town first, getting what they needed, and then head back to get started on some repairs.
They checked the gates, hopped into Jakes truck, and headed for town. They turned up the radio, and pretty soon Jake was looking at Ryan, sitting by the