Free Colorado Fire - Colorado Heart 2 by Sara York Page A

for you."
    Grant flinched but didn't step back. "I know. I'm not good enough for him. You think I didn't know that. Don't ruin this thing between the two of you. He loves you and you'll be good for him."
    Marshal felt the words slide through him, leaving him pleased and a little frightened. He was in love with Zander, but he didn't want that out yet. He couldn’t back off from love. Once he said it to Zander, it would be out there, binding them together or forcing them apart. Fear filled him and for a moment he wanted to deny what Grant had said, but he couldn’t. It would be a lie and he wouldn't lie to Zander.
    "Please don't run out on me. I need you, Zander."
    Two seconds ticked by then five. He couldn’t breathe or think as he waited for Zander to make his next move. He could see the fight go out of Zander as he deflated. Marshal didn't have time to take this slow, he had to make sure Zander knew how he felt. "Promise me you'll listen to what I have to say."
    Zander nodded and closed his eyes. "Just say it."
    "Grant is right, I am in love with you, but that's not all I want to say. I'm not going to use that to manipulate you into staying, so if you want to end this after what I say next, I'll understand." No one moved or said anything for a long moment. Finally, when Marshal thought he would lose his mind, Zander nodded.
    "Talk."
    "You're right, a year ago, hell, six months ago, I would have taken what Grant offered and been happy. Maybe we could have made it work, but I'm not sure. I fell in love with you, and nothing will change that. If Grant had asked me this morning to be with him, I would have said no. He wasn't kissing me to come on to me. I asked him a question. He'd said we wouldn’t have worked, and I asked him if he thought I wasn't worthy the effort. He had just told me that I was, but he wouldn't have been good enough for me. I wasn't trying to get with him. He's not right for me and I know that. You're the guy for me."
    Zander glared at Grant. "Don't fuck with Marshal. He's a great guy. I'll freaking be pissed if you mess with him, and you'll have to answer to me."
    Instant relief filled Marshal, then Zander turned toward him and it was like a sucker punch to his gut. Trust and love wasn't shining in his eyes, instead hurt and restraint was directed his way.
    "When I walked in and saw him kissing your hand, it fucking hurt."
    "I'm sorry."
    "I'm not walking out on you."
    Marshal took a step toward Zander, hope filling him for a moment. "Thank you."
    "We need to work on a few things."
    He closed the gap, placing one hand on Zander's waist, squeezing slightly. Marshal's heart thumped wildly in his chest and his lungs seemed to collapse on him though he was still breathing. His muscles went a little weak as he leaned in, trying to get just a little closer to Zander.
    Zander lifted his other hand and ran his fingers over Marshal's cheek. "I swear I'll never walk out on you. I was mad, I really thought Grant was taking you away from me."
    "No, never." Marshal pulled Zander close, burying his face in the soft skin at the nape of Zander's neck. "Never, I'm with you now."
    Zander sighed and relaxed into Marshal's embrace. He'd known it would be a little difficult when they became a couple, but having Zander assume he and Grant would get together at the first chance bugged him. They had a long road to walk if they were going to make it.
    "You two need to talk or something. I'll leave you alone."
    "Hey," Zander called out. "This is private. No one else on the ranch needs to know. Keep your mouth closed about me and Marshal."
    "I won't say anything," Grant said.
    Marshal didn't turn to say bye, instead he kept his focus on Zander. He slid his lips over Zander's jaw to his mouth, sighing as they kissed. They needed to talk and they would need time to make everything right, but he felt that they had a chance to survive if they could just get over the few bumps and hiccups in their way.
     

 
     
     
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