Chapter 70
Donovan thought for a second. “We’re close to my house. I can just run in and change. No biggie.”
“It’s not that bad.”
Donovan glanced down again, seeing the speckled trail standing out quite brilliantly against the white background. “Not bad? Hell, I’d need a dickie to try to cover this mess up and that probably still wouldn’t work. Definitely need a change before we go anywhere else.” Not worth the risk of stray dogs or rabid squirrels stalking him due to the spicy scent.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt. We’ll swing by for a second. But keep your eyes open. Anything different and we’re out of there.”
Donovan had the urge to salute. “Yes, sir.”
TJ grumbled. “It took me this long to find the right man for me. And for one to love me in return. I’m not losing you now.”
“Hey, that road goes both ways.” Donovan finished his meal in three bites and washed it down with the remainder of his soda.
He’d pinched himself more than once, trying to wake up from a magical dream. After all the times TJ rejected him, Donovan had finally broken through the steel wall around TJ’s heart. He’d learned a lot along the way, namely that TJ was a great man, a marvelous physician, a considerate and caring lover, and a damn good friend to boot. That combination was nearly impossible to find. Yet, someway, somehow, he’d done just that.
He wiped his hands and watched TJ eat. The way he handled his fork, deftly, like a surgeon would a scalpel. Big hands with a gentle touch. Finesse. Controlled. Those same hands spread fire over Donovan’s body time and time again. Never had he ceased to strum Donovan to a glorious peak. Even before his own needs.
That, in itself, told the story. Donovan had been with several men. None of them had the same dedication and attention to detail. Nor did they have TJ’s surly temper that had pretty much disappeared lately or his grizzly shifter genetics.
Donovan found himself smiling brightly.
“What?”
TJ glanced down as if searching for a matching stain on his shirt.
“I love you.” The words flowed easily from his lips. Donovan knew he’d never tire of saying or hearing them.
TJ grinned. “Took you long enough to admit it.”
Donovan snorted. “I might have a lot sooner if you weren’t busy trying to run me off.”
“Stupid of me. I’m glad you stuck to the course.”
“Me, too.” Donovan glanced around, pondering if kissing in public would be a good move or not.
TJ leaned over and brushed his lips over Donovan’s in a sweet caress. “I’m not giving you up for anything. We’ll take care of this Bagsby first, so you’ll be free.”
“Free. I don’t know what that would be like to wake up in the morning without the worry of him showing up out of the blue.”
“Well, you’re going to find out, if I have anything to say about it.” TJ’s statement carried authority and promise.
“We’ll do it. Together.”
“Yes, we will.”
Ten minutes later, TJ pulled out of the parking lot at the small restaurant and headed for Donovan’s house. He drove like a wild man until he approached the small, white house, then he slowed to a crawl. Without stopping, he hooked a right at the next intersection, and backtracked. “See anything?”
“Nope.” Donovan searched the house for the smallest hint of anything being wrong. The doors were shut, appearing unchanged from the last time he was home. No strange cars were parked on the street or in the driveway. Windows were shut. The garage door lock was turned to the correct position. Everything looked in order.
TJ circled around, pulling into the small driveway this time. “Don’t be long.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened enough to show white knuckles. Tension radiated from him.
Donovan understood. He carried the same reservations. But everything looked just fine. He offered up a tiny smile, hoping to relieve some of TJ’s apprehension that crept in every time they left TJ’s home on the range. “I’ll be right back. Just let me get my shirt changed.” Donovan climbed out of TJ’s Jeep, dug his house keys out of his pocket, and let himself in.
The moment he stepped inside, he froze. His bear growled in warning as a whiff of an unfamiliar scent snared his attention and held it.
“It’s been a while, Donovan.”
Donovan’s heart sped as he stared at the face straight from his nightmares. Bagsby sat in his new recliner, his legs crossed, and hands resting on the arm rest. One of them held a pistol aimed in Donovan’s direction. As calm and collect as he appeared, Donovan knew better. Fury sparked in his dark, evil eyes.