Taking in a deep breath, Milo crossed the small road. "Hey, I'm Milo." He stuck out his hand.

"Kaylem," the guy said.

"I was wondering if you could give me a ride somewhere." Milo hated to ask, but he needed his car and the ranch was too damn far to hoof it.

Kaylem glanced over Milo's shoulder and frowned. "I'd ask if you were having car trouble, but your car seems to be missing."

"I left it at the Triple-B ranch. I just need a ride to go get it."

Turning his hose off, Kaylem tossed it aside. "No problem."

Milo was relieved. "Thanks."

They drove to Bryson's, Kaylem hardly saying a word. Milo didn't press the man to talk. He was lost in his own thoughts.

When his neighbor pulled into the ranch, Milo spotted Bryson outside. He appeared to be arguing with Harland.

"Looks heated," Kaylem said.

Milo didn't answer. He had a pretty good idea what the argument was about.

"Thanks for the ride," he said as he got out.

Bryson glanced his way, his face a mask of rage. Milo hesitated and then squared his shoulders. He didn't know why Bryson was looking at him that way, but he'd come here to get his car. His decision to be the man's friend would have to wait.

He walked over to his car and unlocked it, sliding into the driver's side.

"That's it?" Bryson asked as he approached. "You're just going to get into your car and drive off?"

The man's tone was pleasant, playful even. The rage was gone, replaced by a smile.

What in the hell had he gotten himself into?

Chapter Six.

Bryson pulled Milo out of his car. He wasn't going to ask who the hell that stranger was giving Milo a ride. Bryson remembered the man from the Laundromat, though.

Were he and Milo lovers?

His bear growled at the thought, demanding that Bryson fuck Milo, claim him, stamp his ownership all over the human.

But Bryson was a tad more civilized than that. "Dinner is ready. How about you join me?"

Milo glanced warily at the house. "I'm not sure I'm welcome here."

The guy must have seen Bryson and Harland arguing. Bryson didn't care if his friends were up in arms because he had run off and gotten married.

Renee was miffed at him for not inviting her along, but his friends were all kinds of pissed. They'd get over it.

"Nah, you're welcome here anytime." Bryson put his arm around Milo's shoulders and led him inside. As soon as they walked through the door, Renee pulled Milo into her arms.

"Welcome to the family," she said before kissing him on the cheek. Dresden, Noah, and Josh welcomed Milo as well. Bryson glared at Harland and Jed. If Clayton were home, Bryson was sure he'd be glaring at him as well.

Jed grunted and then extended a hand. "Welcome," he said.

Harland stared daggers at Bryson, but welcomed Milo as well.

"Another addition," Jack said as he patted Milo on the back. "Gonna add to our collection of kids? Pop one out soon so they can all grow up together. Christmas is gonna break my bank."

Milo shook his head slightly, a look of puzzlement on his face.

And then the kids descended on Milo, all of them wanting to know who he was and why they had another uncle. He was a bit worried Tyler or one of the others would shift. Even so, if that happened, Bryson would explain things to Milo.

Bryson chuckled as Milo dropped to the floor and began to talk with them.

The man looked right at home. It made Bryson's chest ache to know that Milo was and wasn't his husband. He wanted this marriage to be real. He'd straddled the fence since driving to the jewelry store and even when they'd said their vows.

But now that he was watching Milo with the kids, his heart told him that Milo was the one for him. His bear was still telling him that Milo was his mate.

Dropping the guy off and driving away had been the hardest thing Bryson had ever had to do.

"Time for supper," Renee announced.

Bryson reached down and pulled Milo to his feet, keeping their hands locked together as he led the man to the table.

Dinner went off without a hitch. Thankfully Harland and Jed hadn't said anything out of the way to Milo. He knew they were worried that Quinn would come after him, but Bryson wasn't.

Let the bastard try.

He knew Quinn had financial resources that Bryson would never have. But Bryson had claws and he protected what was his.

And Milo was his.

"How do you like living in Bear County?" Renee asked as she passed Milo the bowl of sweet peas.

"It's far different than where I grew up," Milo answered, accepting the bowl. "People here aren't as hung up on themselves as they are in California. Though I do miss the ocean."

"I've never seen it," Renee confessed.

"No?" Milo seemed surprised. "You're missing out on something spectacular. The salty ocean air smells amazing."

So did Milo. Bryson sat there inhaling honey-roasted walnuts and licorice. A low growl rumbled in his chest and Bryson wanted to grab Milo from the table and whisk him upstairs.

Harland arched a brow at the low noise Bryson was making.

"Maybe I'll take a trip there soon," Renee replied before she glanced over at Jack and blushed.

Sparrow walked in, still in uniform. He kissed Josh on the cheek before taking a seat. Milo glanced at the sheriff and then down at his plate.

Bryson knew Milo was wondering if the sheriff had called Quinn McNeal. But Bryson also knew Sparrow wouldn't do something like that. He was just as fierce about family as Bryson was. Sparrow wouldn't hand Milo over, even if Quinn was offering a reward.

The conversation took off, everyone talking at once. Bryson sat back, his arm over the back of Milo's chair. He smiled to himself and pretended that their marriage wasn't a sham when Milo and Dresden got into a comical conversation about children.

The guy really did fit in here.

After dinner, Bryson watched as Jed led his family outside for their evening walk. Harland and Dresden took their sons into the living room to watch something on the television.

Josh and Sparrow went upstairs with their son, Kane.

As usual, Jack and Renee wandered into the kitchen together.

Bryson was left alone with Milo.

"I had a great time," Milo confessed. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner."

"It could be like this all the time. Just because things are moving a bit fast doesn't mean we can't slow down and get to know each other."

Milo nodded. "I was thinking the same thing before I came here. If nothing else, we can become good friends."

Bryson's chuckle was low and deep as he leaned over and nipped Milo on his ear. "Oh, honey, friendship is very good, but I want something more."

He could see Milo swallow as his hands nervously fluttered to his lap. "More?"

Sliding his arm around Milo's slim shoulders, Bryson pulled the man closer. He still wasn't sure about anything, but the one thing he was confident about was the fact that he didn't want to let Milo go. Seeing Milo ride here with another man had just about torn Bryson apart. He had been ready to snap the stranger's neck.

That told him that he was falling for Milo. Jealousy was never his thing. When it reared its ugly head, Bryson had his answer.

Whether Milo was his mate or not, Bryson was keeping him.

"Yes, hon, more." Bryson pulled his chair back and pulled at Milo until the man was straddling his lap. "Much better."

"Should we be doing this in the dining room?" Milo glanced around as if someone were going to walk in at any second.

"I like how you think." Bryson stood, placing Milo on his feet. "The bedroom would be much better."

Milo pulled at Bryson's hand. "That's not what I meant."

"But we're married," Bryson pointed out. "I think it's okay if we sleep together."

Milo's brows pulled together and then he began to laugh. "You had me going for a second there."

Bryson wasn't sure what to say or do. Milo thought he was joking. He wasn't.

He backed Milo up until there was nowhere for the man to go. Milo's back pressed into the wall as Bryson placed a hand on each side of the human's head. He dipped his head, kissing Milo with all the pent-up emotions that were swirling inside of him.

Milo groaned into his mouth, slipping his hands around Bryson's neck, pulling Bryson closer. He could see now that with Milo, Bryson had to act, not talk. He would have to show Milo exactly what he wanted.

There was no denying there was something between them. Bryson could feel it, even if he had doubted what they were getting themselves into. There was a small bond growing.

Milo hitched a leg onto Bryson's waist, grinding himself into Bryson. This only made Bryson hotter. He wanted Milo. He wanted to see the man naked, thrashing underneath him as Bryson took him.

Without breaking the kiss, Bryson grabbed Milo and lifted the man until Milo could do nothing more than wrap his legs around Bryson's waist.

He walked out of the dining room and raced upstairs before Milo realized what he was doing. Bryson kicked the door closed behind him and then went directly to the bed, laying Milo out. He climbed over the man, deepening the kiss.

When he finally pulled back, Milo's eyes were glazed. "I want you, Milo."

Bryson had never wanted anyone this much in his life. With a groan, he pulled closer until their chests crushed together. His hands slid up Milo's arms and then up his neck until he cupped Milo's face. "God, you smell so damn good."

Then he lowered his mouth once again. Just before their lips touched, he heard a swift intake of breath. Kissing Milo was the most pleasurable sensation he'd ever felt-aside from the man's body pressed against his.

Bryson groaned when Milo brushed his tongue across his and then sighed as Bryson tenderly probed Milo's mouth. Milo's eyes were dreamy when he pulled his head back and whispered, "Make love to me."

Fire blazed inside Bryson as he reached between them and unsnapped Milo's pants. He hated to break their connection, but he needed room to undress the man. Bryson stood there for a moment, gazing down at Milo.

The man was stunning.

His red hair stood out in contrast to Bryson's cream-colored blanket. He looked like a siren, calling Bryson to him.

His hands trembled when he reached for the waistband of Milo's pants, anticipating how his soon-to-be lover would look without a stitch of clothing on.

He had his answer soon enough. Once he undressed Milo, Bryson gazed at the man's pale flesh. His nostrils flared with the effort of his breathing.

"Don't just stand there." Milo smiled up at him. "Do something."

A flicker of recollection shot through Bryson's mind, but it flashed by too quickly for him to grasp it. He was supposed to warn Milo about something, he just couldn't remember what as he gazed at perfection.

He shoved his own pants down his legs, baring himself. Milo's green eyes filled with heat as Bryson's erection sprang free.

Milo twisted on the bed and then crawled over to where Bryson was standing, taking Bryson's cock into his mouth. He hissed, his legs shaking as he stood there while Milo swallowed him.

Using the only brain cell that was currently working, Bryson pulled his shirt free and tossed it aside before he grabbed a handful of Milo's hair, thrusting in short bursts. Fiery hot pleasure raced through his veins. He hissed and groaned as Milo licked and sucked his throbbing erection.

Milo's mouth was heaven.

Bryson's eyes dropped to the man's ass and he felt his cock growing harder. The pale globes were perfectly rounded, waiting for Bryson to tease and lick them.

His canines began to lengthen and he felt his eyes shifting to bear. His fingers tightened in Milo's hair. A throaty moan that was more like a growl ripped from his throat. Bryson watched his cock slip in and out of Milo's mouth. His balls drew up tight as his body began to quiver.

Milo grabbed Bryson's cock, sliding it from his mouth before using his lips to suck from base to tip, and then he swallowed it again.