Free Ropes and Dreams by Bailey Bradford Page B

did.
    Ian calmed himself down with thoughts of Drake. What had he been thinking about? Right, courting Drake. Making him feel special, wanted. Ian went back to the laptop and started looking up the best gift ideas for men. He quickly realised he didn’t know Drake well enough to guess what he’d like.
    He could call Troy. Ian dismissed the idea immediately. No, that could get him fired, pulling Troy’s number from the report to ask personal questions. Ian would just have to tough this out, unless he happened to see Troy, Will or Carlos in town. Then he’d throw himself on their mercy, which really meant he’d force himself to ask them what they thought Drake would like.
    Chocolates and flowers seemed too trite. Ian wanted something that spoke to Drake, that showed him Ian thought of him as more than a possession or a fuck.
    Not that Ian had got to fuck him, but that was okay. Ian was kind of getting used to walking around with a damn hard-on since he’d met Drake.
    Ian ran over what he knew of Drake. The man had been abused, whether he’d admit it or not. He was scared, and he had a cute, hyper puppy. He also cooked well, but Ian doubted Drake would want any cooking utensils as gifts. If he did, he’d have to write out a list for Ian, because Ian knew jack shit about kitchen stuff other than the basics—silverware, pots, pans, plates, glasses, cups and bowls if he could find one. Those damned things kept disappearing on him.
    Drake was scared, which was heartbreaking. Ian wanted to go back to the ranch and hold Drake until the fear was gone. He couldn’t. Not without Drake making the next move.
    Except, Ian was kind of making the next move, if he was going to send Drake gifts. Shit, Drake would think he was just trying to sway Drake his way.
    Ian wanted him, but not out of guilt or bribery. He needed Drake to desire him as much as he wanted Drake. To that end, he could send gifts anonymously.
    “Which isn’t creepy at all. He’d probably think they were from Rigo.” Ian sighed and shut down the laptop. He needed a shower, and an orgasm or two, then sleep. Tomorrow he’d figure out what his next step in winning Drake would be.

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    The knock at the door surprised Drake when he was setting out trays of sandwiches for lunch. The ranch hands would be heading in to eat soon, but none of them would be knocking on the door.
    He heard the roar of a big engine, and when he reached the front door, he saw a FedEx truck pulling away. Figuring there was a package for one of his bosses, Drake was surprised to see his name listed as the recipient.
    “Huh.” His first thought was that Rigo had sent him something out of spite—shredded clothes or the like—but he quickly realised Rigo wouldn’t bother spending money to torment him. He’d just call and call. Drake had become a master at avoiding answering his cellphone, and he had the voicemail turned off. Rigo could go fuck himself.
    The box was about two feet long, and half as wide. The shipping address was from a company in New York. Drake didn’t recognise the name of it. He shook the box cautiously, excitement mixing with fear. He could be wrong about the sender, but… Well, Rigo was kind of dumber than a bag of rocks.
    Drake took the package inside and set it on the kitchen counter. Anticipation built as he finished preparing lunch, making tea and side dishes for the guys. He kept sneaking looks at the box, as if he’d suddenly develop X-ray vision and be able to see through the cardboard.
    Once he had everything ready, Drake stepped out onto the back porch and rang the dinner—and lunch—bell. Salt and Rocky would take care of calling in the workers for their meal. Drake peeked in on Buddy, who was playing happily in his pen with his siblings. Secure in the knowledge that he could have a few minutes alone, Drake went back inside.
    He took the box with him into his bedroom. Fortunately, he knew his bosses would leave him alone as Drake often