"How much more?" Milo asked as he wandered over to the blanket, standing just at the edge.

Bryson grabbed Milo around the waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were melded together. "However more you're comfortable with, sweetheart. Tell me what you need, Milo. I swear I'll give it to you. Anything. If you just want to sit here and quietly enjoy the view, we can do that."

"I want you so much it hurts," Milo admitted. "You're all I think about. But"-Milo glanced at Bryson's chest-"I wasn't ready."

Bryson rubbed his hands over Milo's back. "And now?"

Instead of answering him, Milo leaned up and brushed his lips over Bryson's. "Now I want you with every beat of my heart. I want you to make love to me, Bryson."

Bryson's nostrils flared and his heart ached at the uncertainty in Milo's tone. He could feel Milo's heart fluttering wildly as the man's breath began to come out in pants.

"I'll make love to you, baby. I'll do anything you want." He closed the distance, kissing the man gently, putting all the passion he felt for Milo into it. He'd been dying for a sensual kiss like this for a long time.

He could finally tell Milo he was safe and mean it. Quinn had been arrested and was being indicted on numerous charges. The man wasn't going to see the light of day for a very long time.

Bryson probed at his mate's lips until Milo finally opened to him. Milo's scent was a gentle caress against Bryson's senses. His entire body seemed to feel everything more acutely-the wind in his hair, the sun on his skin, and the warmth of the man in his arms-as his tongue delved into his mate's mouth. God, the man tasted so damn spicy.

He lowered them to the blanket. They were chest to chest, taking their time, reacquainting themselves with one another.

Milo's hand slid up Bryson's back, pulling him closer, their tongues dueling, performing a mating dance that made Bryson's senses go wild. Bryson nipped at Milo's lower lip, showing his dominance in the most provocative way. Milo gave a low, throaty moan, nipping Bryson right back.

He slid his hand into Milo's hair, giving it a light tug, pulling the man's head back so he could nip down the nymph's throat.

It had been so long since Bryson had been with Milo that he had to chant to himself to go slow and not ravish the man's body. He furrowed his brows when Milo pulled away, but his puzzlement didn't last long. Milo yanked his shirt over his head, tossing it aside.

Skin.

Bryson needed skin.

He removed his shirt as well, shivering when Milo ran the palms of his hands over Bryson's chest. "Still so big," Milo murmured before sucking one of Bryson's nipples between his teeth, biting it gently.

Bryson hissed, his cock becoming fully erect as his mate licked and sucked at him. He glided his hand up Milo's back, cupping the back of Milo's head and holding him in place. God, Bryson had been ready to sell his soul in the time that Milo was gone in order to have this.

So many lonely nights. So many prayers for Milo's safe return. And here his mate was, touching him in ways nobody else had. Not just sexually, but emotionally as well. Bryson had never loved anyone as much as he loved Milo.

Milo released his nipple, grinned, and then unsnapped his pants, sitting up after he'd wiggled them down to his ankles. As Milo unlaced his shoes, Bryson shucked his jeans and boots.

Naked at last.

Laying back down, Milo hitched one leg over Bryson's waist, bringing their bodies closer together. "Much better," Milo said before he licked at the other nipple, teasing it into his mouth. The sensation raced across Bryson's chest, sending tiny shock waves through his body.

Gliding his hand down Milo's side, Bryson pushed it between them and ran his knuckles over Milo's erection. The man bucked, making Bryson smile wickedly as Milo continued to taste him.

Wrapping his fingers around Milo's cock, Bryson inhaled the flare of desire that seemed to be filling the air around them. His hand gripped Milo's cock harder when Milo groaned and thrust his hips forward.

Although Milo had been home for two months, Bryson had been feeling a bit lonely. He had craved this intimacy as much as he craved breathing. Milo hadn't shut him out, but he had kept a distance between them when it came to sex.

Again, Bryson hadn't minded, though he'd spent many days in the bathroom jerking off. Now it seemed his mate was ready to take that step, and Bryson was going to make sure he showed Milo just how much he cared for the man, how much he cherished being with him.

As Milo savored him, Bryson's cock turned into a wedge of steel, straining between them. He blindly reached behind him as he kept Milo's head close to his chest, grabbing his jeans and digging into the front pocket for the packets of lube he'd stuffed in there.

He dropped the packets behind Milo and then tore one open, drizzling the clear liquid onto his fingers before he probed at Milo's entrance.

Wicked, driving hunger rose to the forefront of his senses. The only thing Bryson could think of was having Milo, possessing him and reclaiming his mate.

Milo's hips pressed forward, grinding their erections together. Bryson slid two fingers into Milo's ass, clenching his teeth at the tightness.

His mate lifted his arms into the arm, pressing his hands into Bryson's free one. He instantly knew what the man wanted. Bryson gripped Milo's wrists and held them firmly as he stretched his fingers wide, reveling in the soft whimpers vibrating in Milo's throat.

"God, I've missed this," Bryson said as he slipped a third finger into Milo's ass. "I've missed everything about this, about us being together."

Milo pulled his head back from Bryson's chest, gazing up with those magical green eyes that always entranced Bryson. He would never get enough of Milo, never tire of the man, and never take for granted what they had together.

He belonged to this human, heart, body, and soul.

Milo pulled his wrists free before he pressed his palms into Bryson's pecs, his eyelids fluttering closed. "I dreamt of you making love to me. I ached for it on so many nights."

"I'm here now, love. I'll make love to you as many times as you want me to, need me to. All you have to do is ask and I'm yours."

Bryson removed his fingers and then turned Milo to his stomach. He glided his hands over the man's smooth back as Milo sighed. His mate had a contented little smile on his lips as Bryson lubed his erection.

Stretching out on Milo's side, Bryson grabbed the man's leg and lifted it, the tip of his cock honing in on Milo's hole. He kissed his way across Milo's shoulder as he breached his mate, inching his cock into Milo's body, shuddering at how good it felt to be inside the man once more.

His legs began to tremble as he fought not to pound into the man's tender flesh. Bryson waited for Milo to relax, for Milo's body to accept the invasion of his cock.

Bryson slid an arm under Milo, pulling him close, pressing their bodies together as he surged forward, his cock tightly encased inside Milo.

He stilled, goose bumps breaking out over him at the rioting pleasure that wracked his body. "Missed you so much," Bryson murmured as he began to thrust his hips slowly, taking time to savor this moment.

Bryson finally had someone to fill his bed, someone to wake up to. He felt as if his life was now complete. But Milo wasn't just someone. He was the balm that soothed Bryson's soul, the anchor in life Bryson needed, and the man who held Bryson's heart in the palm of his hand.

Milo's muscles were gripping Bryson's dick so tightly that he was already on the verge of coming. He focused on Milo's face, watching as sweat began to glisten on his mate's skin. Bryson leaned forward and licked a long path up Milo's neck and then nipped his shoulder. "Mine," he growled.

"Yours," Milo agreed as he surged backward, meeting Bryson stroke for stroke.

Bryson couldn't take it any longer. He had tried to hold out as long as he could. But Milo's body was too pleasurable, too all-consuming.

He turned until Milo was on his hands and knees and then began to move faster, driving his cock hard and deep. Milo cried out, his arms quivering.

Bryson grabbed Milo's hips, thrusting forward. Their rhythm was a thing of beauty as Milo arched his back and cried out his climax. Bryson licked at his mate's shoulder, and then bit down hard into his soft flesh.

He growled hard as his cock exploded inside Milo's hot channel. A wave of mind-blowing eruptions slammed through Bryson as he jetted into Milo. The man continued to cry out until Bryson slowed, rocking their bodies together.

He reached up and wiped the sweat from his brow, relaxing his fingers on the man's hips.

Milo collapsed beneath him, pulling free of Bryson's softening cock.

Before he stretched out beside his mate, Bryson reached into his jeans. He dangled the charm in front of Milo's face. "I was waiting to give this back to you."

Milo grabbed it, his eyes watering as he gazed at the charm his mother had given him. "I prayed you would find this."

Bryson lay down, curling around Milo, pulling the man's back to his chest. He rested his chin on Milo's shoulder. "It was the clue that led me to you."

Turning, Milo burrowed himself under Bryson. "This is where I always want to be, Bryson. Not just near you, but tucked safely next to your heart."

Bryson wrapped his arms around Milo, holding him close. "You were already there the day I met you."

THE END.

COWBOY ROWDY.

Bear County.

Lynn Hagen.

Chapter One.

Cameron leaned against the brick of the building and wondered if coming outside for a cigarette break had been a wise idea. It was freaking winter and he was standing there shivering like an idiot as he inhaled deeply. He needed to give up the nasty habit, but quitting was not the easiest thing to do.

But he had been through worse, and if cigarettes were his only vice, so be it.

The killer part was, Cameron couldn't even afford cigarettes. He couldn't afford shit. Not since Taylor had moved out. Taylor had been Cameron's best friend and still was. But he had seen less and less of the guy lately. Cameron needed to get a new roommate. The bills were piling up and he was barely making rent. Noodles and grilled cheese had become the staples of his diet.

He'd been working at the Piggly Wiggly but had gotten fired when he couldn't take the guy's insults any longer. Mr. Dresel used to pick on Taylor about what he wore and how he looked. But after Cameron's friend had quit, the manager had zeroed in on Cameron and the insults had started. Screw that. Cameron wasn't taking that kind of abuse from anyone. Thankfully the pharmacy had been hiring.

Flicking his cigarette into the inch of snow that had fallen overnight, Cameron hurried back inside and stood under the blast of heat coming from the vent overhead. His fingers tingled as they thawed. Cameron lifted them over his head and wiggled them until the circulation returned. A few customers stared at him curiously but Cameron ignored them.

"Finished with your break?" Simon asked as he continued to stock the antacids on the shelf. Cameron glanced around the drugstore to see very few people. Not even the pharmacist had made it in yet. It was colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra. Cameron was surprised anyone had been brave enough to venture outside. Cameron certainly wouldn't have without the motivation of a paycheck.

"I wouldn't recommend going out there." Cameron rubbed his hands together and then tucked them under his armpits. Even though he was standing inside the warm store, he still felt a cold chill lingering on his skin.

Simon shook his head as he set the last box on the shelf. "I have no need to. I kicked that habit a long time ago."

Which made him an ex-smoker and a cynic. Cameron wasn't about to stand there and listen to a lecture. Although most of the time Simon was cool, the guy could be a bit irritating. He was goth from head to toe, including piercings and a few tattoos. Simon was young, around Cameron's age. But sometimes the guy acted like an old man.

After pulling his coat off, Cameron took it to the employee lounge and tossed it on the table. It wasn't like there were a lot of employees in today anyway. There were vending machines against the far wall and he decided a hot cocoa would do the trick. He knew Arlene was waiting for him to relieve her on the cash register, but a few more minutes wouldn't hurt. Cameron dug into his pocket and counted out the change he needed. It was the only money he had until payday, but he really did need that hot cocoa.

When the dispenser began to drip the cocoa, Cameron hurried to the bathroom. He might as well take care of everything before he was stuck behind the front counter for another few hours.

After grabbing the cocoa from the dispenser, he headed back up front. Cameron was walking down aisle five when he spotted the guy.

Rowdy Sheppard.

The hottest man Cameron had ever had the privilege of molesting with his eyes. He had first met Rowdy at the McMaster place about six months ago. Although Cameron had let the cowboy know he was interested, Rowdy hadn't given him the time of day.

But there he stood, flipping through a magazine. Cameron was both excited and annoyed. Annoyed because the cowboy had given him the brushoff. The guy could be straight. That could be the reason. But Rowdy could've had the decency to tell Cameron he wasn't interested.

Continuing toward the front counter, Cameron pretended that he hadn't seen the man. He wove his way around the displays in the center aisle and walked behind the counter, placing his cocoa next to his register. Cameron would be the first to admit that he was lazy as hell. He normally didn't care what his counter looked like. But with Rowdy standing so close by, he began to clean, trying to make himself look busy.

Damn the counter was dusty. No wonder Mr. Blake complained constantly about Cameron's work ethic. But his boss bitched about everything so he usually ignored the guy. As he wiped over the green linoleum countertop, Cameron stole covert glances toward the cowboy. Damn if Rowdy wasn't one fine specimen of a man.

"Keep staring that hard and you might burn a hole through the guy," Arlene said with a smirk. Cameron hadn't known he was being that obvious.

"Jealous?" he asked. He'd already turned Arlene down twice since starting here. Cameron knew she liked him and if he had swung that way, she would have been a nice-looking gal to go on a few dates with. But she had the wrong body parts and they pretty much argued all the time at work. Simon teased them and called them a married couple. Arlene liked the idea. Cameron didn't.

Best not get her hopes up. But she was one of those delusional types. In her mind, one date and she could turn a gay man straight. Cameron rolled his eyes. What a crackpot.

"Hardly," she said. "He's too rugged for you. If you're going to screw around with the same sex, it might as well be your own type."

One of Cameron's eyebrows rose higher than the other. "And what exactly is my type?"

Her eyes trailed over Cameron from head to toe and for some reason he felt freaking violated. The look was salacious as she licked her bottom lip. He felt nauseous. Not because the opposite sex found him attractive. But because Arlene found him attractive. She was cute but she was also a bitch.

Not a winning combination.

She leaned her hip into the counter and crossed her arms over her stomach. Her dark-brown eyes narrowed. "You're an egotistical little twink. You'd be better suited with Simon. Not that I'm trying to hook you two up."

Cameron flipped her off with his defrosted finger. "If we should be with people we're best suited for, you'll need a broom."

"And you'll need a mirror, you vain asshole." She wasn't the best person to match wits with. Arlene resorted to childish retorts when Cameron flustered her. It was fun riling her up. If she wanted to be catty about him being gay, then he could antagonize her. Seemed fair to him.

"Don't you have some film to under-develop?" Cameron asked. Arlene worked in the photo department. If you could call it a department. She worked behind a small counter in the corner of the store where she screwed almost everyone's pictures up. Cameron was surprised she still had a job. But being the boss's niece had its perks.

After she stomped off, Cameron grabbed his hot cocoa and took a long sip. The liquid was a welcome warmth as he sighed into his cup. The only thing missing were tiny marshmallows. Hot cocoa was never complete unless it had marshmallows floating on top. Some whipped cream would be nice, too. But Cameron was balling on a budget and even marshmallows were out of his price range.

The only thing Cameron had to look forward to tonight was deciding whether he wanted chicken- or beef-flavored ramen noodles. He led such an exciting life. Maybe he'd stop by Taylor's and get a decent meal after work. But then again, if he did that, he might run into Rowdy, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He was still trying to get used to the idea that Rowdy was a bear shifter, and Cameron didn't want to seem like he was stalking the guy. He did have his pride after all. What he didn't have was a roommate and if he didn't solve that problem soon, Cameron would find himself out on the street.

When Cameron spotted Rowdy heading his way, he set his cup of cocoa aside. He hoped like hell that he didn't appear nervous. Because he was. But he didn't need Rowdy to know that. The guy more than likely had a big enough ego as it was. Cameron refused to add to that.

He squatted and pretended to look for something under the counter. He could hear Rowdy setting his items beside the register, but Cameron needed time to calm his breathing. He needed time to compose himself. If he blushed, he was going to kick his own ass.

Ever so slowly, Cameron stood. He gave Rowdy a tightlipped smile. "Do you have a Bear Pharmacy savings card?" There. He could be professional. Cameron could talk to the guy without hyperventilating. Points for him.

Rowdy dug into his wallet and pulled the card free. To be honest, Cameron was pretty shocked that the cowboy had one. Most men that shopped there claimed they had too many things in their wallets already. Cameron was constantly using the courtesy card for their purchases.

When Cameron took the card, their fingers accidentally brushed together. Cameron nearly dropped the card at the contact. He gripped the plastic tighter until it was biting into his fingers. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but his pulse sped up.

He scanned the card and returned it, careful not to touch Rowdy. Whatever that zing was, Cameron didn't want a repeat. He scanned Rowdy's items quickly and bagged the stuff, averting his eyes.