by BA Tortuga
Table of Contents
Blurb
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Bartender Rescue
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Copyright
Hurricane
By BA Tortuga
Sequel to Tropical Depression
Stormy Weather: Book Three
Galen and Shane are back in the final installment of the Stormy Weather series, and a tempest of epic proportions is brewing. Once they couldn’t get enough of each other, but now Galen’s long hours are driving a wedge between him and Shane. Lonely and starved for his lover’s attention, bartender Shane falls in with a new crowd that doesn’t have his best interests at heart, and Galen struggles with a workload he can’t manage and an unscrupulous partner who wants to eliminate Shane. He can barely keep his head above water, let alone chart a course home to Shane.
While they’re floundering and trying to hold their relationship together, a hurricane heads for the Florida coast—and they’re directly in the path of the storm. It’s a crisis that will either finally break them apart or remind them how much they stand to lose if they don’t hold on to each other.
Also included is the free novella Bartender Rescue.
To my wife, just because.
Chapter One
GALEN THREW the phone across the hotel room and listened to it crack against the wall, pissed as hell he couldn’t get Shane on the goddamned line. If he heard his own voice on the answering machine one more time….
Jesus, he hated Chicago. When he’d thrown in with Frank on the whole promotion business, he hadn’t planned on being in a cold fucking city for two weeks, listening to the wind blow past the windows of a high-rise hotel.
No, sir. He thought he’d do one or two trips a year, and the rest would be on the phone, wheeling and dealing from the bait shop.
The bait shop. Hey, if Shane wasn’t home and wasn’t at work, maybe he was there.
His phone was all broken when he dug it out of the pile of suitcases and shit, so Galen dialed from the hotel phone.
It rang and rang, and then, about the time he was fixin’ to snarl, he heard barking and laughing and Shane going “’Lo?”
“Hey, babe,” he said, sitting back on the bed and breathing a sigh of relief. “Was starting to think you left town.”
“Nah, Len. That’s your job. I was down here cleaning some shit up.”
He could hear Goober barking away, hear the radio in the background. Hell, he could damn near see Shane, whistling and working.
“Ha.” His gut clenched up, but he kept it light. “Was missing you, darlin’.”
“Yeah? How’s the big city? You having fun?”
“It’s fucking cold.” Growl. Snarl. “Coming home in two days.”
“No shit?” Well, that made him feel a little better—the excitement, the way he could hear the happy in Shane’s voice. “I’ll go get stuff at the grocery and shit.”
“Yeah? Get me something to burn on the grill, man.” He wanted his deck, his grill, and a naked Shane. Not necessarily in that order.
“I can do that. I’m going out on a boat tomorrow before work. Wade got him a new one and invited me out to see. Goob, lizards are not toys.”
“Oh man, no slimy lizard dog toys.” Goddamn it. Fucking Wade. Fucking ass, getting time with Shane. A not-so-quiet part of him pointed out that Shane had stopped managing the bar so they could spend more time together and he’d fucked that up, well and often. “Well, you be careful. I don’t want you all waterlogged.”
“Shit, unless he ties my ass to an anchor, I can swim out of anything.” Shane just hooted, laugh ringing through the phone.
“Hey, that ass is mine.” No one touched Shane’s ass but him. Well, him and the cold dog nose.
“Yep.” He heard a door open, close. “Miss you, huh?”
“You busy, darlin’? I can call back tonight.” Unless Shane was working…. Maybe he should switch his flight to tomorrow.
“No. No, I’m not busy. I’m just fucking around. Pottering. You know.”
Yeah, he knew. He kept thinking of Shane, wandering, working the bar, driving that old Jeep all over. Alone. Without him. Lord, he was getting maudlin. “Oh, good. I have a while before my supper meeting. Thought we could chat.”
“Sure.” Shane started jabbering aimlessly, telling him about the bar, about the bait shop, about the dog.
About Wade.
A knot settled deep in his belly. He didn’t know who this guy was, but he was damned sure going to meet him when he got home. Maybe have a little chat.
“So, you gonna be home for a while this time? Should I order supplies for the bait shop?”
“I’ll be there a bit, yeah.” It was supposed to be two weeks. Galen figured he might have to extend.
“Yeah? Cool! I’ll tell Buck down at the marina. They’ll be tickled that you’ll be here for the summer. Me too. I was thinking we ought to get us one of them big aboveground pools with a little hot tub.”
“That sounds good, darlin’.” God, did it. Maybe it was time he put his foot down, told the investors they needed another seller.
“Doesn’t it? We could get floaties with beer holders and get Goob a little floaty of his own and…. Oh. How do you feel about Rottweilers?”
“Rott…. What did you do, Shane?” He liked Rotties as a rule. But when Shane sounded like that, it could be bad.
“Uh. Nothing?”
Uh-huh. Right. “Darlin’, what did you do?” He grinned a little, playing the game of cat and mouse you had to play to get Shane to talk.
“Mmm.” That was a happy little sound, all need and sex and his. “I’ve been good.”
“Yeah? Really good? Waiting for me?” He knew. Galen knew Shane didn’t cheat any more than he did, but sometimes it niggled at him.
“Well, I mean, I fucked a soccer team from Brazil and these Siamese quintuplets, but besides that? Yeah. I got you a surprise….”
“You little shit.” That had him smiling, easing off his tight grip on the phone. “Wanna come home, babe.”
“Then come home, Len. I got money in savings. I’ll buy you a plane ticket. Come on.”
“I’ll come home tomorrow. Tonight I have that one last dinner. Fuck the rest of it.” There. See him make a decision like he used to before he started fucking dithering.
“Tell me when to pick you up. I’ll be there.”
“I thought you were going boating?” That wasn’t fishing for Wade info. That was Galen honestly wanting to make sure he didn’t fuck up Shane’s day. Mostly.
“Yeah, well, that’s when I wasn’t picking you up, w
asn’t it?”
“It was.” Oh, Galen did love that man. “I’ll try to make it at three.”
“I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Promise?” Laughing at himself, Galen pulled out his little laptop and started working on a plane ticket. “I’ll settle for the nipple rings.”
“You got it.” Shane chuckled, the sound husky. “Tomorrow, then? For real? I’m ready.”
“For real, darlin’. I’m coming home.”
Come hell or high water.
Chapter Two
“OKAY, NOW. Here’s the deal. Y’all both stay quiet ’til Len gets in the Jeep.” Two sets of tails set to wagging—Goob’s big long hound dog tail and No Name Puppy’s short little stubby tail.
Galen needed a dog.
Shane had thought about it for a while before somebody brought the picture into the bar of that sweet little dark puppy face with the pretty light eyebrow dealies. He’d known when he saw her. She was Galen’s, and if Galen hadn’t been home enough to pick her out himself, that wasn’t his fault. Hell, maybe having a pup to take care of would make Galen want to stay home more.
If nothing else, Goob had a friend now. Had had a friend for three whole days.
He watched the doors, looking for that familiar hat in the crowd…. Oh. Oh, there.
“Galen!” He waved from the Jeep, Goober popping up and howling like mad.
Those long legs ate up the ground, Galen looking weird in that suit, but the hat and boots were the same. So was that damned pirate smile. “Hey, darlin’. Hey, Goober. You sound just the same.”
Goober was wagging so hard his tail whacked No Name in the face, and she yelped, biting down on Goob’s tail.
Hard.
Goob spun around, knocking the puppy down onto the floorboard with those great big ears and just barking away, telling her no.
Galen’s head tilted, that hat shadowing half his face. “Who else did you bring, lover?”
“Uh. She’s your welcome home surprise. Gimme your suitcase.” La la la. See him. See him get out of Galen’s reach.
The little Rottie leaped right over Goob, landed in Len’s arms, and licked that stubbly face. Galen gaped for a minute, then hooted and started giving scritches. “Lord love a duck.”
Oh, go him. Dog, meet Len. Len, Dog.
“Hey, you mutt. What’s…?” Len peeked under the puppy’s belly. “What’s her name?”
“I don’t know. What’s her name? I’ve been calling her Len’s puppy.” And periodically, “Goddamn it, no peeing on the floor.”
The puppy growled, getting a hold of Len’s tie and pulling at it ferociously. Galen laughed hard, tugging it away. “We’ll have to call her Khan.”
“Khan? Cool.” Galen was a little weird. “Get that tie, girl. Galen’s home. He doesn’t need it here.”
“No shit. Hold her.” That tie went flying, and Len put an arm around him and Goob and the little girl. “Hey, darlin’. I’m home.”
“Yeah.” Damn, it didn’t feel real. Galen. Home.
“Can we go? I want my jeans.” Nuzzling in, Len gave him a light kiss before grabbing the pups and hopping in the Jeep.
He nodded and hauled himself into the driver’s seat, then started the engine. It was almost weird, having Galen back in the car again. “How was your flight?”
“Fine. And it’s nice, it being warm and all.” One big hand landed on his leg, the gold ring on Len’s pinky shining. “You okay, Shane?”
“Yeah. Missed you some.” He reached out, squeezed Galen’s fingers. “Maybe more than some.”
“Mmm. Yeah, honey.” He could hear that deep growl in Len’s voice. That growl that made him understand just how much Len had missed him.
That sound shifted things in him from weird to wanting, just like that. Boom. Goddamn. “Yeah. Yeah.”
Home.
Home.
Driving.
“Gonna take the road fast for me, darlin’? Let me feel the wind?” Look at that smile. Galen looked fucking happy to be home. He’d almost been worried that Len wouldn’t be at all.
“You know it.” His own smile popped out, and he stepped on the gas, pushing it, pushing them. “Got your truck detailed.”
“Yeah? Get my other boots polished?” Oh, that hand was gonna get them in trouble—it kept sliding up and up his leg.
“Shit, no. They’re in the closet. I didn’t let the puppy chew on them, though.”
“You rock.” One long finger traced the seam of his jeans. Oh. Oh damn.
“Careful, Len.” He gritted his teeth, pushed it to eighty-five.
“What?” Sure. Uh-huh. ’Cause innocent worked so well for Len. That man knew what he was doing.
“Don’t make me beat you.”
“Oh, that ain’t how it works.” Leaning in, Len nuzzled his shoulder. “Faster, Shane.”
“Fuck. Fuck, Len. I need you.” So bad it hurt, deep in his belly.
“I know, Shane. Soon. Come on. Come on.” Oh, the house was gonna come into view any minute. Their house. Their bed.
He took the corner on three wheels, gravel flying everywhere as he squealed to a halt in front of the house. “Home sweet bait shop.”
“Excellent.” Len grabbed the little girl puppy and his bag and headed right for the house, leaving him with Goob and an amazing view of that tight ass.
Goob hopped right out and followed Galen, tail just a’wagging. Yeah. Yeah, he sort of got that. He’d be wagging too.
They got the dogs in and shut away, and damned if Len wasn’t half-naked by the time they got to the bedroom, that stiff shirt and coat gone.
“You need more time in the sun.” Shane was sure of it. He was also pretty damn sure Len needed more time in the bed with him.
“Later. We can lie out on the deck. Get your ass over here.”
“Bossy asshole.” He pounced, hands sliding right up Galen’s belly. Mmm. Fuzzy.
“You know it. Need you.” Len kissed him, lips hard and hungry on his, loving on him all over.
Oh hell yes. Galen was hard as a rock, those hands on his ass almost as good. They stumbled a little, slamming against the wall, Galen pressing right into him. Those hands lifted him right up. Oh, someone had been working out at the hotel fitness centers. Like, a lot. So fucking strong.
He’d forgotten how Galen tasted; how could he have fucking forgotten? He was making these noises; he couldn’t hold them back for love or money.
“You got too many clothes on, darlin’. What’s with that?” God, that voice. He’d heard it on the phone; Galen always called. But here in their room, it was just too damned much. Too good.
“I dunno. Fuck, missed you.” He pinched Galen’s nipple, dragged his fingers down along that dark trail to glory.
“Uhn. Oh. Shane. More.” Galen pulled back, putting enough room between them that Shane could open those slick suit pants.
“Uh-huh.” He fished out Galen’s cock, started jacking it good and hard. So fucking fine.
“Shane. Yeah.” Galen spread, stance wide and solid, and started fucking his fist. Damn.
“Yeah. I just. I need.” Shane dropped down, ignoring the scrape all along his back in favor of paying attention to that fat, heavy cock that was waiting for him.
“Darlin’?” Len stared down at him, eyes so dark they were almost black, looking dazed and hungry.
“Uh-huh?” He licked all the way up Galen’s cock, tongue sliding around the tip.
“Oh Christ.” Those hips pushed forward, sliding that hot prick along his lips, Len begging for it.
“Love you.” He took Len all the way to the root, sucking hard.
“Uhn!” Hands cupping the back of his head, Galen started thrusting, babbling all the while. “Love you, Shane. So damned much. Missed you so bad. Remind me next time I start to go….”
Uh-uh. No way. No more going for a while. Len was home now. Damn it. He growled a little, pulling Galen into his throat. That hard belly went even tighter for him, muscles clenching.
Yeah. Oh fuck. Galen tasted so damned good. He pulled those slacks down, rolling Galen’s balls, pushing a little.
“That’s it. That’s it, darlin’. Gonna make me…. Fuck!” That was it. Ping! Galen came for him, hot and salty and bitter-good.
Swallowing every drop down, Shane held on, taking all Galen would give him.
Len stroked his hair, staring down at him like he hung the moon. “That was the best welcome home ever, honey.”
“Uh-huh.” He rested his head on Galen’s hip, rubbing himself hard through his jeans. Home. Fucking hell.
“Bed.” Staggering, Len lifted him right up and hauled his ass to the bed, then tossed him down and attacked his jeans. Those big square hands closed around his cock when it sprang out of his zipper, pulling at him fist over fist.
“Len! Len!” He arched, hips snapping, needing it so goddamn bad he couldn’t bear it.
“I got you. I got you, Shane.” He could hear the tiny slur in Len’s voice that came with a fine orgasm, but Galen wasn’t gonna let him down. No, sir. That amazing mouth dropped on him like a ton of bricks.
That was all she wrote and he came so hard his teeth rattled, every fucking thing he was pouring into Galen’s mouth.
Galen stroked his thighs, humming and nodding a little, that sweet mouth cleaning him gently. The tip of his cock got a little sucking kiss before Len scooted up next to him.
“H… hey.” He sorta blinked, sorta grinned. “Welcome home.”
Len’s grin made his heart trip a little. “Hey. Glad to be back, darlin’.”
“Uh-huh.” He leaned in, licked the corner of Galen’s mouth. “Gonna keep you here this time.”
“You think?” Curling right around him, Galen pressed close, sweaty and fuzzy and there. “Suits me.”
Him too. Down to the bone.
Chapter Three
THE DUST was kinda terrifying. Shane used to like to clean. Galen had to wonder what had happened to that. Oh, not that the house was skanky or anything. Just… dusty. The dogs had worn little paths in some of it, though, which was hellacious cute.
Galen rubbed a hand over the back of his leather chair. “Darlin’? Where did you put those dusting cloths?”
