Free The Magic in Your Touch by Sara Bell Page A

that order in now. Nate has patients waiting and I need to get back to the office.” Brandon used the same tone with Shane that he used on unruly suspects.
     
“What? Oh, sure thing, Sheriff.” He left, but not before winking at Nate.
     
Nate gave Brandon a look of disapproval. “Did you have to be so rude? The guy was just being friendly.”
     
Brandon snorted into his coffee. “Friendly, my ass. He was two steps away from asking you out.” “Is that a crime here in Reed?” He didn’t expect an answer, and he didn’t get one.
    The rest of their meal was spent in silence. Brandon had never felt jealousy like this before, not even when he came home and caught Jeff screwing around on him the first time. He did his best to keep the seething anger he was feeling under control, but when Shane brought the check and slipped Nate his phone number, Brandon’s patience reached an end.
He threw his money on the table, growling when Nate reached for his wallet.
     
“I invited you to lunch. I’ll damn well pay for it.”
     
Nate said nothing. He followed Brandon out to the SUV and was about to get in when Bran put his hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
     
“Throw it away.”
     
“What?”
     
“Shane’s phone number. I want you to throw it away.”
     
“Why? He seems like a nice guy.”
     
Brandon took a step closer, placing Nate between the SUV and himself. “I don’t care how nice he is. No way are you going out with that guy.”
     
He could tell that Nate was starting to get mad by the flush of his cheeks.
     
“Who are you to tell me who I can and can’t go out with?”
    Brandon took a deep breath, but it did nothing to cool his anger. “I’ll tell you exactly who I am. I’m the guy who’s watched you go to the guest room every night when what I really wanted to do was drag you across the hall to my own bed. I’m the man who’s kept his hands off you because I promised you we would let things happen naturally, the whole time fighting the urge to strip you down and run my tongue over every square inch of your body. For a solid week, I’ve been going out of my mind wanting you and trying to keep my distance. You want to know who I am? Here, let me show you.” He pushed Nathan up against the side of the truck and covered his mouth with his own.
    At first Nate was too stunned to react, and Brandon was too angry to notice. Pretty soon, though, anger and shock gave way to desire as Bran devoured Nate with his mouth. When Nate wrapped his arms around Bran’s neck and parted his lips, Brandon moaned and swept his tongue inside. He ground his hips against Nate, his erection threatening to break the zipper of his jeans. Headless of anyone who might be watching, Brandon kissed Nate until they were forced to pull apart from lack of air.
Nate groaned. “Don’t stop.”
     
Brandon rested his forehead against Nate’s. “I’ve got to, baby. I’m about two seconds away from having to arrest myself for public indecency.”
     
Nate reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “Here.”
     
Still reeling from the kiss, Brandon said, “What’s that?” “Shane’s phone number. I won’t be needing it.”
     
Brandon laughed as he helped Nate into the passenger seat. “I hope all of our arguments end like this one.” Nate’s smile was answer enough.
     
Brandon got behind the wheel and started the engine. As he was buckling his seat belt, Nate reached over and took his hand.
     
“What are you doing?”
     
“Letting things happen naturally. Was I wrong, or did you just declare ownership back there?”
     
Brandon pulled the SUV out onto Main Street but kept a firm hold on Nate’s hand. “That all depends on whether or not you liked it, and whether or not you mind being declared ‘private property.’”
     
“Yes, I liked it, and no, I don’t mind.”
     
“In that case, consider yourself off the market.”
     
Nate got quiet for a minute.
     
“Bran?”
     
“Yes,