Wild Trail (Clean Slate Ranch #1)(40)

“True.”

They didn’t have a library or an historical society to speak of, but maybe there were some kind of records at city hall. Mack didn’t want to go digging around while he had Wes on his hip, so he’d have to come back to town later on, when he wasn’t busy with the ranch guests.

“Here you go,” Petey said a moment later. He handed Mack a small paper bag that rattled with pills. “How’s Judson doing with his blood pressure medication?”

“Seems to be doing much better. I’ll tell him you asked after him. Thanks, Petey.”

“Take care, young buck.”

Mack found Wes near the small display of packaged cookies, staring longingly at chocolate-covered shortbreads. “You ready?” Mack asked.

“Tell me not to buy those,” Wes said, pointing at the cookies. “I’m not allowed.”

“Why not? Watching your girlish figure?”

“Hah. No.” Wes stuck his tongue out in a way that was incredibly adorable. “If I buy them, then Sophie will find out, and she’ll yell at me for bringing cookie temptations within her reach while she’s trying to fit into her wedding dress.”

Mack laughed at the super-serious way Wes said all that. “You could always hide them from her.”

“Hah! You don’t know my sister. She can smell sugar from sixty paces. And she is constantly complaining that I can eat anything and stay thin as a reed, while all she has to do is sniff a donut, and she gains a pound.”

“Guess you inherited the fast metabolism.”

“Don’t know who I inherited it from, though.”

“Your parents have the same issue with weight as Sophie?” This was a strange conversation to be having in the middle of the grocery store, but Mack liked talking to Wes. He didn’t want it to end yet.

Wes’s eyes flickered. “No, I meant, I don’t know who my biological parents are. I’m adopted.”

Mack startled. “Really?”

“Yeah, when I was an infant. My parents were told by doctors that they couldn’t conceive, so they adopted me when I was only a few days old. Then four years later, boom! Sophie arrives. Surprise!” Wes picked up the cookies and stared at the shiny package. “It was love at first sight. And our parents never treated us differently. Just because my mom and dad didn’t conceive me doesn’t mean they love me any less.”

“That’s a great mom,” Mack said softly. “Great parents, in general.”

“Yeah, well, there are a lot of adopted kids who aren’t so lucky, or who never get picked for adoption. I know how lucky I am.” Wes sighed, then put the cookies back. “Come on, let’s get to the ranch. Sophie’s probably convinced herself that my ankle will turn black, fall off, and I’ll have to crawl my way down the aisle as her Best Person.”

“Can’t have Sophie worrying.”

Mack paid for the prescription before they left, with half a mind to go back and get those damned cookies. He wanted to do something nice for Wes, and that wasn’t usually Mack’s MO. They walked to the truck side by side, and Mack stopped himself more than once from reaching for Wes’s hand. It was a stupid, reckless idea, but one he couldn’t get out of his head.

Jesus, the guy was under his skin in a bad way.

Once they were back in the truck and aimed for the ranch, Wes said, “Tell me something about you.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. I told you about being adopted. All I know about you is that you used to be SWAT and you have an ex you left behind in Los Angeles.”

“Then you know a lot already.”

Wes rolled his eyes. “Oh come on, there’s way more to you than those surface things. Can you at least verify if this mystery ex was a man or a woman?”

So Wes hadn’t totally figured him out? “Man.”

“I knew it. You totally give off big cuddly bear vibes. Major toppy vibes, too.”

Mack tightened his grip on the steering wheel and concentrated on the road, so his traitorous brain didn’t assault him with images of topping Wes. Bending that slim body over and—Stop.

Too late. And he was so not adjusting himself with Wes right next to him. Fine, if Wes wanted to play games... “You’re giving off major vibes of your own, boss,” Mack said. “As in ‘blister my ass with your hand, and then fuck me blind’ vibes.”

Wes’s cheeks pinked up and his nostrils flared. “And here I thought your earlier comment about spanking me was all bravado.” He leaned closer to Mack. “I’d let you spank me, daddy.”

Jesus Christ.

Mack swallowed hard as his dick perked up, straining against his zipper. He nearly pulled the truck over into the grass right then and there, but they were back on ranch land, and he wouldn’t risk getting caught. He did, however, palm his own crotch to gauge Wes’s reaction.

Wes licked his lips, hands fisted in his lap, probably restraining himself from reaching out. Making the first move. “If I knock on your cabin door tonight, will you let me in?” Wes asked in a strained voice.

Mack knew he ought to say no. But that place deep down where arousal and need were stirring overrode his common sense on the matter, and instead of being smart, he went with human. He put a hand on Wes’s thigh, then said, “Yes.”