Shane was glad to see the front of the motel come into sight. Before the team had left the hospital, Shane had arranged for Cade and Jake to be moved into the same room since it would be easier on Bret and Pip to be near one another. His next goal was to see if he could get Tony to share his room with him.
Tony was busy fighting with himself. While at the hospital, he had arranged for their personal bags to be taken from Damian’s airplane at the airport and delivered to the hotel where he had reserved three rooms. He thought that Treble and Damian would have one room. Alex and Leo, the other, and he would have the third. He had arranged for there to be two king-sized beds in his room in case Bret or Pip needed a place to take a break. Now logic told him it was only polite to offer the extra bed to Shane.
On the other hand, maybe Shane wanted his own space. Yeah right. Shane’s idea of personal space was having his arm around Tony’s shoulders, holding him close, and his rock-hard thigh pressed tight against his. Tony knew if he offered the second bed to Shane, it had a ninety-nine point nine percent chance of remaining empty while his bed would be full with a huge, hard-muscled man next to him.
So that brought Tony to the real question. Did he want Shane in his bed? He really thought it would be a long time before he was ready to welcome another man into his body. He had never been a one-night-stand kind of guy. If he gave his body, feelings always followed. But Shane Miller was blowing apart all of his walls, one by one. Not to mention invading his space at every opportunity.
“Time to get out of the cab, honey.” Shane leaned over Tony and opened the door. Putting his hand on Tony’s back, he guided him out onto the concrete pad in front of the hotel doors, where the others were waiting for them.
“I think we should check in and then meet tomorrow morning around seven for breakfast. It looks like there’s a decent restaurant across the street over there. We can make some plans and then go back to the hospital,” Shane instructed.
Everyone agreed and proceeded to make their way to the reservation desk. Tony hung back, knowing Shane would stay with him.
“What I want to know is why everyone just follows your orders? Maybe someone else had a different idea,” he challenged the big man.
“Do you have a different idea?” Shane quipped.
“No.”
“So what’s the problem? Everyone is dirty and tired. I know you guys have been awake for almost forty-eight hours straight. Getting a good night’s sleep and discussing how we’re going to get Cade and Jack home is a good plan. Again, what is your problem, honey?”
“My problem is that you keep calling me ‘honey’. You keep touching me. You never ask. You just order everyone around and they do it. No one even questions your right to decide what we are going to do.” Tony knew he was practically shouting, but he couldn’t help it. He was tired and confused and really wanted a computer so he could book that plane ticket to somewhere.
“Let’s get you checked in and then we can talk about it.”
“There you go not asking again,” Tony pointed out, suddenly so very tired.
One dark eyebrow raised and then Shane proceeded to guide Tony into the hotel and up to the front desk. The others were nowhere in sight and Shane helped Tony get checked in and then, with the room card in hand, they went to their room.
Closing the door behind them, he guided Tony straight into the bathroom. At this point, talking was a waste of time. With quick and efficient actions, he had Tony naked and under the warm water cascading from the showerhead. Quickly taking his own clothes off, he stepped in behind Tony and proceeded to wash all the dirt and grime of the last couple of days off the exhausted man.
Tony didn’t move or object. He stood there with his eyes closed, completely shut down. Shane turned off the water, dried them both, and herded Tony into the next room toward the bed. Once he got them both under the covers, he pulled Tony into his arms and kissed him.
After a couple of moments, Shane felt Tony open his mouth. Before Shane could take advantage and take a taste, he felt Tony’s tongue probing at the corner of his mouth. Shane opened his mouth, letting Tony in. Tongues met, tangled, tasted. The kiss deepened and became more intense. Shane felt the flesh between his legs harden and he felt the answering tap against his belly from Tony’s.
Breaking the kiss, Shane rubbed his rough cheek against Tony’s shadowed jaw. He hoped Tony always kept the five o’clock shadow look. Shane thought it made the man look even sexier than he already was. Slowly he felt Tony relax and soon he was asleep.
Cade had told Shane that when he had met Bret, something inside told him that Bret was his forever man. Now Shane knew what Cade was talking about. Even though Tony was still working through the pain of the past and he was probably going to challenge Shane at every turn, Shane was certain Tony was his forever man. Finally Shane let sleep take over.
Chapter Five
Tony opened his eyes, trying to figure out why he was completely trapped under someone’s body. He was lying on his stomach, with his left leg bent to the side. There was a large arm under his head, and someone’s back pressed tight to his. Tony’s right leg was straight with a man’s leg running tightly alongside it. The man’s other leg was draped over his hips and bent leg. In essence, Tony had a huge man completely covering him, almost like he was protecting or hiding him. On the other hand, now that he thought about it, the other man could be stopping Tony from going anywhere without him knowing about it.
Tony knew it was a man on top of him because there was what only could be a hard dick pressed between his ass cheeks, pushing against his balls. On the muscled forearm under his head he could see a large tattoo. It was shaped like a dragon, beautiful, in shades of purple, red, green, and blue.
The hips on top of him started moving, pulling back and then thrusting forward, creating friction between his cheeks and against his balls. Again and again those hips moved, causing that huge cock to press deeper and deeper until it started rubbing against Tony’s hole.
For over four months, Tony’s body and mind had been numb to any type of personal sexual satisfaction. Now the ice had thawed and his body was starting to tremble with need. Shifting a little, he rubbed his back against that massive chest behind him. He couldn’t believe how good it felt to feel another man’s torso, arms, and legs against his.
When Shane’s lips started running sucking kisses along the back and side of his neck, Tony couldn’t stop himself from rubbing his rock-hard dick against the sheets beneath him. It had been so long since he’d had a hard-on.
“Turn over, baby,” Shane whispered in his ear.
Tony turned so he was on his side facing the other man. He couldn’t help but admire the man’s rugged good looks. For a moment, Tony wondered if Shane would consider growing his hair a little longer, but then realized that he probably had and would always have very short hair. Fashion would never be a high priority with Shane. Tony knew he would be the one to make sure Shane wasn’t wearing something ten years out of style.
Wait a minute, where did that thought come from? Tony was sure he hadn’t just thought about a future with Shane. Then the big man kissed him and he didn’t think about anything anymore.
Shane kissed Tony, pulling their bodies together. Wrapping his arm around Tony’s waist, he reached down and palmed that tight firm bubble butt. Shane loved an ass that was firm and round. He was a lucky man that Tony had that going on and more. Shane wanted nothing more than to plunge his finger into the snug hole beneath his fingers, but he didn’t have any supplies with him and he would never take a chance on hurting Tony.
After one last squeeze and rubbing his hand over those cheeks one more time, he reached between their bodies and took both of their cocks in his hand. Using their pre-cum to wet the way, he started stroking their combined flesh in firm strokes.
Forming a tight tunnel with his hand, he instructed, “Shift your hips, honey.”
With both of them thrusting their cocks against one another, Shane knew neither of them would l
ast long. Suddenly Shane felt Tony’s teeth latch onto his chest just under his collar bone. That was all it took. Shane exploded. Streams of cum painted both of their abs. Tony’s cock jerked beneath his hand and cum shot out, joining Shane’s, coating their bellies even more.
Tony collapsed back onto the bed, Shane pressed against his side. He started to worry what this all meant and if the feeling that his whole world had shifted was real.
“Quit thinking so hard, baby.” Shane interrupted his thoughts. “Trust me, it will all work out.”
“I need a shower,” Tony said, looking up into Shane’s warm blue eyes.
“We both do, but you go first. I’m going to make a quick call to the hospital. We have to meet the guys for breakfast in a little while,” Shane reminded Tony, not sure how much he remembered about the ride home last night. The poor guy had been exhausted.
Shane made his call to the hospital, getting through to Cade’s room. He talked with Bret a little while, finding out how Cade was and also getting an update on Jack. He let Bret know they would bring him and Pip a change of clothes and some food when they arrived a little later in the morning. He had just ended the call when Tony came out of the bathroom.
“It’s all yours,” Tony said, looking delicious with his skin glowing from the warm shower and hair still wet and messy. Shane was glad to see he still had the five o’clock shadow.
Leaning down and giving him a quick kiss, Shane grabbed his bag and went and took a quick shower. Unless he had someone in a shower with him, he wasn’t one to linger. If pressed he could admit he wasn’t a big fan of water at all. He knew the “event”, as he and Cade referred to it, had shaped his dislike of getting wet. Shoving those memories into a little box in the back of his mind, Shane finished cleaning up and then went into the other room to take Tony to breakfast.
Shane found Tony sitting at the small table next to the window, rapidly typing on a laptop computer. His first thought was that Tony was going to try and make another run for it, but when he got a glimpse of the screen, all he saw was columns of numbers.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“I’m just checking everyone’s spreadsheets, comparing them to the latest stock trades. My brother, Carlo, is the one who takes care of things now, but once a week I like to go over things to see how everyone is doing.”
“Okay, what does that mean?”
“I’m making sure everyone on the team keeps making lots of money in their investments,” Tony answered.
“So, everyone has lots of money?” Shane asked, trying to keep his voice even. This bit of news put a whole new light on the decisions that needed to be made.
“Every employee of Rescue for Hire could never work another day of their life and still would be able to do or buy anything they wanted,” Tony answered absently, busy scrolling through some numbers. He really wished Shane would be quiet for just a few minutes.
“Am I correct in deducing you invested everyone’s money, making them a lot of it?”
Tony looked up, confused. Isn’t that what he had just said? “Yes?”
Shane sat down in the chair next to Tony. “What else do you do for the company besides making the employees lots of money?”
“I told you. I showed my brother Carlo how to invest the money now. I just oversee it. But to answer your question, I handle most of the accounting for the company and payroll. I think I already told you that too.” Tony didn’t understand why Shane was asking all these questions. But if he wanted answers, he would get them. “I also keep track of the land for sale around the area. If there is a hint of someone selling their home or land, I make them an offer in the company’s name.”
“Why?” Shane asked.
“Because Cade wants everyone close so when there’s a rescue, everyone can get to his house and the equipment shed as fast as possible,” Tony explained. “Actually the land Cade, Jack, Alex, and I have our houses on used to be an old lumber company. When they started selling their acreage, Cade snapped it up. After a few years they sold all of the land to us.”
“How much land are we talking about?”
“Hundreds of acres,” Tony answered.
“Is there anything else on your job description?”
“Well, mainly I do what Cade asks me to do. Investigating people, pulling up satellite maps for rescues find the newest gadgets to make things easier—you know, stuff.”
There was a long pause as Shane stared at Tony. Tony started wondering what he had done wrong.
Shane reached a hand out and cupped the back of Tony’s neck, pulling the man in for a soul-searching kiss. When it ended, Shane looked at Tony from the top of his shiny, messy, black hair to his bare tan toes.
“Let’s get Bret’s and Pip’s clothes and go meet the guys,” Shane finally said. He was reeling. Before him was a gorgeous man who didn’t know he was gorgeous. He was also brilliant when working with money and anything technological. Yet he didn’t have one ounce of self-preservation. No wonder he had become a dirty little secret in his last relationship. The man truly didn’t understand that he had every right to demand respect and to be openly, totally loved.
That would change from this moment on. Shane had decided he was keeping him and showing him how truly special he really was.
* * * *
Breakfast at the nearby restaurant found the whole group sitting at a huge table in the corner, plates piled high with eggs and all the fixings. After they finished their meals and were sitting back relaxing with large cups of steaming coffee, Shane decided it was time for the meeting.
“All right, everybody, let’s start,” he said, leaning back and putting an arm across the back of Tony’s chair next to him.
“What are you thinking, commander?” Treb ask.
“I called the hospital this morning and talked to Bret. He said both men had a pretty good night. He thought, barring any complications, Jack would be released tomorrow. Cade is going to have to stay another few days.” Looking at everyone, he finished. “So the question is do we take Jack back to the motel until Cade gets out or do some of us take him home and some of us wait for Cade’s release?”
Alex spoke up first. “I think Damian should fly Jack home the same way you flew me home when I was injured, on a mattress on the floor of the plane. Then when Cade is released, we can transport him the same way.”
“That would work,” Damian said. “It would also mean that Treble and I would be going home with Jack.”
“That’s good. Fred misses us,” Treb added.
“That mangy nasty cat doesn’t miss anyone,” Tony egged.
“I’ll have you know my pussy is not mangy or nasty,” Treb replied.
“Enough about pussies,” Shane interrupted. “So far we’ve decided Treb and Damian are going home with Jack. Anyone have any other ideas?”
“I think Leo and I should stay here with Cade and Bret,” Alex answered. “Commander, it’s obvious you are in charge now that Cade is laid up. It’s also obvious where you go, Tony will be going. It only makes sense that you go home and take care of the business. With Tony’s help, you two should be able to get all the paperwork straightened out from the last rescue and anything new that has come up.”
“There’s also the fact,” Alex continued, “that Treb and Damian have that cat to take care of and Tony has his horses. My Bud can stay at Jack’s when you get home. He loves Pip.”
“Don’t forget we’re going to have to help Pip with Jack and the little girls,” Treb added.
“Not to change the subject, but Pip’s parents were at the hospital, but Jack’s parents weren’t there. Are they deceased?” Shane asked.
“No, he doesn’t talk about them. They kicked him out when he turned eighteen and told them he liked girls and boys,” Alex answered.
“My vote is that Leo and Alex stay and the rest of us go home tomorrow with Jack,” Treb said, waving down the waitress and ordering a soda. “Are we done yet?”
Shane laughed at Treb
’s abruptness. Some things never changed. “All right, is everyone in agreement with that plan?” After everyone agreed, he said, “Let’s go to the hospital and see what’s happening and then this afternoon we can get everything ready.”
Chapter Six
“What’s this commander stuff?”
Shane was sitting with his brother while Bret was out in the hall talking to his parents on his cell phone. They had been discussing the plans to take Jack home, and Cade was filling Shane in on what reports had to be filled out and where to file them. Also what day-to-day issues had to be dealt with until he got home.
“You know I was Treb’s commander. When I arrived, he called me that and now everyone calls me that.”
“Except for Tony,” Cade stated.
“Except for Tony,” Shane agreed.
“You think he’s ready for you, brother? There’s also the fact that something funky happened with the big breakup. I haven’t pushed, but right before the accident I had decided to step in and straighten things out.”
“No worries, big brother. Turns out Janice Hayward had a dirty hand in the breakup. I might have stepped in and took care of a few things.”
“Really? Wow. Now that makes a few things a little clearer. But you haven’t answered my question about Tony,” Cade pushed.
“Tony is my forever. You were right. When you meet the one, you know. Doesn’t really matter if he’s ready or not, he’s mine.” Shane’s answer was adamant.
“You know you’re going to have to protect him from himself. I swear he is as bad as Pip in only seeing the good in people. I think that’s why he was so hurt by the breakup. From what I’m putting together, it was a major betrayal. Tony is the type who has a hard time understanding that people do underhanded nasty things to each other.” Cade continued. “Are you sure you’re ready to take him on? He does have a temper and will challenge you.”
“He’s what I’ve been looking for. He’s the total package that fits me. I have no problem setting people around him straight if they think they’re going to take advantage.” An evil glint sparkled in Shane’s eyes. “No problem at all.”
Commander's Spitfire [Rescue for Hire 5] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 4
