Stetsons and Stakeouts

by BA Tortuga

  “Oh, that’s not weird at all.”

  “Right?” Gianni got him up slowly, holding his hands but not letting him bend. “To the shower!”

  “You sound awful cheery.” He followed along, his eyes caught by Gianni’s.

  “Why wouldn’t I be, caro? I get to wash my lover, touch him.”

  Sometimes Gianni said things that made him blush.

  His lover. Even if it was only make-believe, it sounded awfully good. He didn’t even notice the water coming on, but it was warm when Gianni eased him down on the shower seat. “Sit tight. Just going to get the towels and soap.”

  He already felt better. A little light-headed, but better. The hot water eased all sorts of stuff in his body, and he had to fight not to slump.

  “Here we go.” Gianni padded in, boots gone, and the shirt came off as soon as Gianni closed the bathroom door.

  “Mmm. You’re fine as frog hair.” Bonner reached for him, and damn near fell off the seat.

  “Hey, now. Easy. Gentle movements. Your body is like Jell-O right now.” Gianni moved right up into his space, and he rested his cheek on that sweet fuzzy belly.

  That was so much better.

  Gianni washed his hair, singing something soft and familiar, and Bonner laughed when he realized it was “Strawberry Roan.”

  “My cowboy.” He was in so much wonderful trouble.

  “Oh, I can sing Italian lullabies too, caro.” Gianni was so gentle, those callused hands moving on him like he was made of glass.

  “God, that feels good. I could let you touch me forever.”

  “I would do it.” Gianni hummed. “I love how you react to my touch.”

  He breathed deep, his eyes falling closed. This was magic. Pure magic. Bonner felt better now than he had since he got whacked with a rubber bullet. Soon he was floating, easing back to the bed, and he didn’t know how he got there.

  “That’s it, caro. Rest, and then we’ll have some food.” That low voice helped him relax into sleep.

  “Love.” He sighed and floated off.

  He thought maybe he heard Gianni say something about amore, but that was it. Boom.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “COME GET him, Cesare,” Mason told him. “Physio has cleared him.”

  Hot damn. Gianni was ready for Bonner to come home. He had his bedroom set up for Bonner’s recovery, had the blankets in the limo. It was time.

  Somehow, Gianni thought Bonner would laugh about coming to pick him up in a limo. That was exactly why he was doing it.

  He wanted laughter, he wanted peace, hell, he wanted to see Bonner in his bed. “On my way. Should I bring him food?”

  “Wait until he gets to the house. Puking with the brace would suck.”

  “Right.” Poor Bonner already hated that brace.

  “He has to wear it whenever he’s out of bed for more than fifteen minutes, okay?”

  “Got it.” Gianni had already installed an adjustable king bed with the Sleep Number thing. That way Bonner could always be comfy.

  “Good. We’ll be downstairs in twenty. He’s going to start eating the walls soon.”

  “I’ll be there, buddy.” He really did appreciate the way Mason had taken an interest in Bonner’s case. Of course, Bonner had kinda saved Mason’s life too. There was a lot of that going around. He headed out, passing Alison on the way. She was drinking coffee at the kitchen table, doing a crossword puzzle, in pen. Crazy smart woman.

  “Going to pick up the squeeze?” she asked.

  “Yup. Want anything while I’m out?”

  “Nah, I’m going to head to Dallas for the weekend. I’ll bring home brisket and groceries.”

  “Coolios.” He studied her. “How are you doing? For real?”

  “Bored. Ready for an assignment. You?”

  “I want to talk to you about that. Pencil me in early next week?” Please.

  “You got it. Those babies here yet?”

  “Nope. I’m going to take Bonner over to see her next week, maybe.”

  Ali raised one eyebrow. “Ah. Your aunt is in full-on granny mode.”

  “Yeah… I suppose there’s no harm there.”

  “Nope. I’m just warning you. If that girl takes those babies away, well, Jerilyn will be depressed.”

  “Well, I’m not having any babies.” He paused a moment for effect. “You could pop one out for her.”’

  Man, she could whip out that middle finger like a pro. “Fuck you, Cesare. Go get your boy toy. I’ll see you Monday.”

  “Be careful, Ali. That’s a long drive.”

  “I got it.” She winked, waving him off. Gianni headed out to the car, his usual driver back in place after Greg gave up the job. They pulled up in front of the hospital, and just like magic, Bonner was wheeled out, that brace over a plain white T-shirt. Oh, someone was pissed.

  He had to wear it to get well. Gianni hopped out to help Bonner get settled. This car wasn’t so low-slung as some of the others, so it should be easy. “A limo?” Bonner just stared.

  “Yup. Riding in style for my caro.”

  “Good Lord and butter.”

  “And then some.” Gianni held Bonner’s arm, helping to keep that back straight. That kind of pain could be horrifying.

  “Don’t let me fall, Gianni.”

  “Never.” No, he was going to protect Bonner with his damn life. Bonner nodded, trusting him to get him loaded into the limo without hurting anything. That trust humbled him. Gianni didn’t think anyone else had ever trusted him that way.

  Not even his team.

  Christ.

  Well, okay, maybe Colt. He wouldn’t mention Colt, though. Bonner didn’t like the guy. At all. Bonner settled, looking around. “Fancy.”

  “You want anything to drink?” He slid into the seat next to Bonner. “No booze.”

  “Coke. Please.” Bonner grinned at him. “I don’t think I’m ready for tequila yet.”

  “No, but now I know what else you’ll drink other than beer.” Gianni loved tequila.

  Bonner chuckled softly. “Are you ferreting out my secrets, boss?”

  “I totally am. I want you to have the fantasy recovery. Hot tubs. Tequila when you’re ready.” Gianni tapped, and Paul took off.

  “Sharing a bed?” Oh, there was hope there.

  “Definitely. I even got a new bed. An adjustable air one, with the head that goes up and down.” Along with that, he’d gotten the temperature control mattress pad. He was always hot.

  Bonner’s expression was a study in pure shock. “A new bed? Really? I—really? For me?”

  “Yep. It’s totally worth it.” He knew he would have to be careful to begin with, but he wanted to sleep with Bonner.

  “Thank you. I don’t… I don’t know what to say, but thank you.”

  “I think you’ll like it.” Gianni knew better than to be too offhand. Cowboys had more pride than just about anyone but Italian counts.

  “Do you? Like it, I mean.”

  “I do. I thought it would be too soft or weird, but man, I like it.” He loved the head that moved up and down. “I can foresee some amazing fun in our future.”

  “Listen to you.” Those lean cheeks went hot.

  “I want acrobatics once you can do them.” Gianni loved how Bonner blushed.

  “You know, I heal pretty damn quick, right?” Bonner was trying, Gianni could tell, but he could also tell his lover was fading fast.

  The drive to the ranch wasn’t long, but he’d still brought pillows to prop up behind Bonner’s back. “Here, caro. This way you can lean.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry. I’m trying. This brace is….”

  “It stays on, caro.”

  “But—”

  “Unless you’re in bed. You can go to the toilet without it, but that’s it.” He knew how it sucked, but he was having no arguments. He needed Bonner whole and healthy, and he intended to make sure it worked.

  “Butthead Italian cowboy.”

  “That’s me,�
� Gianni agreed. “I am stubborn, and I get my way. I’m on medical leave myself, so I have nothing but time to help you heal.”

  “How long do you get leave?” Bonner’s eyes drooped, his words slurring. That would actually get better quickly as long as Bonner did what he had to.

  “As long as I need, caro. Right now, you can relax for me, breathe. We’ll get you home and in bed. Do you want your Coke?”

  “Uh-huh.” Bonner held out a hand without opening his eyes.

  “Here. I’ll help.” He opened the bottle so he could hold it to Bonner’s lips. Bonner drank deep, throat working hard. “Maria has been cooking for days, filling the fridge with shit we can heat up whenever we want.”

  “Oh? I’m so ready for home cooking. The sheriff? Did I hear he was leaving at the end of the week?”

  “Yeah. He and Xavvy will be at the house, but on the ground floor.”

  “It’s your house, Gianni. You don’t have to explain yourself.”

  “I know, caro. I just thought I would warn you. Those two will fight. Loudly.” He winced at the thought.

  “That’s probably love, Gianni.”

  “Oh, I know it is. They just need to work it out.” The car hit the ranch road, the bumps making Bonner moan.

  He was grateful he’d put in the ramp at the back of the house for both Bonner and Chris.

  “Breathe, caro. Almost there.”

  “Not gon’ be riding for a couple days.”

  “Nope. I think you’re gonna be fattening up and sleeping.” He stroked Bonner’s arm. The brace was on for six weeks. He didn’t know if anyone had explained that to Bonner, but he sure as shit wasn’t going to.

  No, he would let Mason do it. Or Kevin the therapist when he made house calls….

  His job was to distract and adore. Feed and pamper and convince his foreman to stay.

  He chuckled. Bonner really did make a good foreman. Both Hank and Mr. Franklin said if Bonner came back, they would work with him, not against him, so that was a good sign. They rattled over the cattle guard, and Bonner went gray. “They said you could have a pain pill as soon as you got home,” Gianni murmured.

  “Good deal. I’m okay. I got this.”

  Right. Bonner was ready to run a marathon.

  “No worries, caro. We’ll figure it.” How many times had Mamma said that to him when he was sick, stroking his hair and humming “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”

  “We will. I got this. I swear.”

  “Do you like King Ranch casserole? We have about ten pounds.” Distract when all else failed.

  “I love it. It’s one of my favorites. I love all that shit—King Ranch, chicken spaghetti, tamale pie, tater tot casserole.”

  “Good. Though I think tonight Maria will insist on chicken soup.”

  “I think I could handle that. Do we have saltines?”

  “We do.” They also had oyster crackers. He loved those in soup.

  “Cool. I’m all over that.” The car came to a stop, and they all just breathed for a minute. Bonner’s eyes were wide, red spots standing out on his pale cheeks.

  He almost asked what was wrong, but he knew. This was the first time Bonner had been back here since the attack.

  “You want to go somewhere else, caro, all you have to do is say.” He would fly Bonner to Italy if he had to.

  “No. No, this is good. This is home, huh? Sort of?”

  “Anytime you need it. I want you to feel like this is home.” He wanted to keep Bonner. Any way he could get him. Preferably naked at some point when he recovered.

  Oh damn. He could spend hours worshipping Bonner’s nakedness. Days. After that poor back was bendy. Until then, he could live with jacking off furiously. Hell, Gianni could suck Bonner off, if he promised to stay still.

  Maybe in a few days. Bonner was sound asleep, and they hadn’t even gotten inside the house. He slipped out of the limo, trying to figure out the best way to get Bonner in and upstairs. Harrison and Luis came over, looking in. “You want us to carry him?”

  “No. No, we have to get him upright or in a wheelchair.” They couldn’t take any chances bending Bonner the wrong way. “Caro. Wake up.”

  Bonner’s eyes fluttered open. “Dude. Whoa. Sorry. I must’ve dozed off.”

  “No biggie, but if you don’t want these lugs making an Old West travois, we need to get you in the house.”

  “I’ll get the sticks!” Harrison said.

  “I’ll find a couple mail bags!”

  Bonner looked a Luis. “You two have read too many Westerns.”

  “I watch a lot of John Wayne,” Harrison agreed.

  “I like the Spaghetti Westerns.” Luis hit Gianni on the arm.

  “Oh for fuck’s sake. Come on, caro, before they prove how genuinely bored they are.” Gianni was going to have to get these guys back to work.

  “I think they already did.” Bonner gave him a weak smile, and they all eased him out of the car together, keeping the brace where it belonged.

  “Bed, I think.” Gianni wasn’t going to hear any arguments. Bonner needed to rest, and they could take off the brace, get Bonner a drink, a snack. “Y’all get him to the elevator, and I can get him to the bedroom. No problem.”

  Bonner just nodded, which made Harrison and Luis stare grimly at him. Yeah. That was a bad sign.

  They got Bonner in, then on the elevator.

  “Holding out on us, man,” Luis murmured as the doors were closing.

  “You gonna make it?”

  “Uh-huh. I don’t feel so good.”

  Gianni had the antinausea patch on Bonner’s lower back before the elevator doors opened. No puking. They needed a cool room, soft sheets, and some ice water. Ushering Bonner into his room, he grinned at the new bed. “Ta-da.”

  “Oh. It’s real nice.”

  “It is. Bathroom. Do your business. We’ll take the brace off and get you settled.”

  “Promise?” Bonner shuffled to the bathroom, so Gianni turned back the covers before turning on the fan. Bonner liked it cold, he’d learned. All those days in the hospital had taught him a great deal.

  As soon as Bonner came out, Gianni helped Bonner sit before he removed the brace. Bonner grunted as it came off, the sound too much like a sob.

  “Shhh.” He rubbed gently far above the break. “Relax, and I’ll get your pills.”

  “Thank you. God, the bed is nice.”

  Gianni beamed, because that was what he wanted to hear. “After the hospital it probably seems like paradise.”

  “Honey, it’s just paradise. You’re gonna be in it.”

  “I am.” He grabbed Bonner’s pain pills and popped them in his pocket. Moving to the mini fridge, he hummed while he pulled out waters and grapes. Soup once Bonner had a nap.

  “You have a fridge in your bedroom?” Bonner’s chuckle was soft as hell.

  “I get thirsty.” No way was he going to feel bad. Hell, Massimo had put in a full wet bar; he’d torn it out years ago.

  “That’s too cool.” Oh, that made him feel good.

  God, childproof caps sucked. “Pills, baby. They’ll help.”

  Bonner opened his mouth to argue, and Gianni popped one in his mouth, offering the bottle of water before it could start dissolving, because damn. Nasty. As soon as Bonner swallowed, Gianni rubbed a cold grape over Bonner’s lips, encouraging them to part.

  Bonner sighed, mouth opening for him. Gianni popped in the cold grape, making Bonner close his eyes with pleasure as he bit down.

  “Oh, that’s better, isn’t it?”

  Bonner answered by opening his mouth like a little bird.

  Delighted, Gianni fed Bonner another grape, then another, alternating with sips of water. Bonner was drooping by the time both were half gone, so Gianni eased him to rest fully. “Sleep, caro. I’ll be here. I’ll plug your phone in, right here.”

  “Don’t care ’bout that. Jus’ stay.”

  “I’ll be all half-naked and sleeping. No molesting me.”

 
“You got my word, boss. No molesting your fine bod.” And with that, Bonner was asleep, just gone, his body demanding rest.

  Gianni rose to remove his shirt and shoes, then crawled under the covers. He wasn’t quite lazy enough to nap after all the time he’d been taking to sleep at the hospital, so he grabbed his phone to check in on his tech nut.

  There’s tons of food in the fridge

  Not hungry. Get some rest

  I’ll sic Mason on you

  Colt was really worrying him. Always a little squirrely, Colt could be challenging, but he’d never been this bad.

  Of course, he’d rarely had a disaster this big. Rarely.

  DON’T YOU DARE

  Then get some soup

  That was one to remember, as blackmail went. Gianni had experienced Mason’s tender bedside manner personally.

  He grinned, crossing his legs at the ankle as he stretched. He needed to know the story between Mason and Colt. Had to.

  Going to get cake

  That’ll do. He trusted Colt to do it too. Man of his word, Colt. What’s with you and the doc?

  Long story. Boring.

  Uh-huh. Right. Somehow he doubted that. Spill

  Nope.

  You said you worked together. He could be relentless.

  Phone is dying.

  Little liar. You’ve got a charger right there. He started chuckling, tickled to death.

  Not in the kitchen, I don’t. Carrot cake. Later

  Colt was a shit. Gianni kinda adored him.

  He turned to look at Bonner. Those hard lines were starting to ease, to relax.

  Gianni set his phone aside so he could roll up on one elbow. He laid his other hand on Bonner’s chest, feeling the thudding of his heartbeat. At his touch, Bonner smiled, the look natural, easy, and Gianni felt that smile, all the way to his bones.

  This was going to change his life, this thing between him and Bonner. Change it completely. Gianni wasn’t sure he was ready for that kind of disruption.

  He had a career, a lifestyle, a whole world….

  Bonner was as solid as a rock, though. The man appealed to him on a level he couldn’t even begin to understand.

  Was this what Massimo had felt? His mom? Was this complete fascination, this desire? Was this love?

  He wasn’t a fall-in-love type. Fall in lust? God yes. But love? Never.