Free Dirty Angel-BarbaraElsborg by Barbara Elsborg Page B

they’ve never seen before to a pile of blankets because they know they’re cold.”
    “But that’s what he did,” the guy said. “By the way, my name’s Aden.”
    “I’m Brody. This is my brother Des.”
    Des glared. “I thought you knew him?”
    “We hadn’t been introduced,” Aden said.
    “Another one of your fuck buddies?” Des bristled with supressed rage.
    Brody could feel the anger pouring off his brother. Brody had never brought a guy back here. Des had no right to speak to him like that and it wasn’t as if he was homophobic, just overprotective. But before he could open his mouth, Aden spoke.
    “Brody knocked me down last night.”
    “Sure it wasn’t the night before?” Des asked.
    “I hit him with my car last night.” Brody stared at Aden taking in the hard planes of his narrow face, the line of his jaw, his paleness, and that dried blood.
    “What?” Des turned to Brody.
    “I called the police, but by the time an ambulance arrived, he’d disappeared.” Brody stared at Aden. “Coincidence you ended up here?” Or did you follow me?
    “I needed to get out of the rain. This was the first place I came to.”
    Brody swallowed his sigh of relief. That was true. The farm was the first dwelling he’d have passed. Worry that all this had in some way been planned, that Matt was behind it, employing someone to look for him, dwindled to nothing.
    “Where’s the blood come from?” Des asked. “You need medical treatment?”
    “I’m fine.” Aden fastened a button on his coat and slipped past Captain to get out of the stall. He held out a piece of plastic. “This was stuck in the horse’s mouth. I pulled it out.”
    Des took it from his fingers. “Damn Leo Carter. I’ve told him not to bring his plastic bottles of pop in here. I’ll kill him.” He renewed his glare when he looked at Aden. “You’re still trespassing and you’re lucky Captain didn’t kick you in the head. He’s temperamental. Good thing you know your way around horses, though you should know better than to pull a stunt like this.”
    “Are you good with animals?” Brody asked.
    “Only puppies and spiders.” The skin at the side of Aden’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “I’ve never been this close to a horse in my life.”
    Oh my God, I like you more and more. Funny and attractive? If he had a rough streak as well, Brody was toast.
    “You don’t know horses?” Des gaped at him and then at Captain. He put his hand over the door and the horse tried to nip him.
    “Hey, none of that,” Aden said. “This guy is feeding you and putting a roof over your head. You should be endlessly grateful and do anything he wants. And that includes letting him ride you.”
    Brody caught the quick glance Aden threw his way and his stomach churned. You’d let me fuck you? Brody’s cock thought so and he was relieved it was hidden under his coat.
    “I think you’ve said and done quite enough,” Des said through clenched teeth.
    “Sorry for trespassing,” Aden said. “And for any inconvenience caused. I’ll be on my way.”
    “I’ll give you a lift.” Though Brody intended to persuade him to stay for a while.
    Aden backed off. “No need.”
    Don’t go. “Like some coffee?” Brody held out the thermos.
    Aden hesitated before taking it. Their fingers brushed and he felt his heart skip a beat. Christ, he’s got cold hands. Except that wasn’t why his heart had lurched.
    Brody turned to his brother. “I somehow think Captain will be back on his feed now. I’ll take a look at the mare, then come back.”
    “Come back? Why? Where are you going?” His brother followed him to the mare’s stall. “Get rid of this guy.” He lowered his voice. “He’s trouble. You’ve got enough to deal with without inviting more aggravation into your life.”
    Brody chewed the inside of his cheeks as he examined the mare. “She’s okay.” He dropped his voice. “I hit him with my car and he wandered off. He was obviously