Easton [Belt Buckle Ranch 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (3 page)

“Did you get lost?” Oliver asked, raising a brow, and all eyes turned toward him.

“Uh…how’re the wedding plans coming along, Cody?” Easton asked, completely changing the subject and getting the attention off of himself and onto someone else.

The cowboy chuckled lightly and winked at him knowingly. It was nice to see Robbie and Cody together, holding hands and cuddling close. Easton wasn’t at the Belt Buckle ranch when Robbie arrived and met Cody, but he did have front row seat for most of their relationship. And now, the two were planning to get married.

“We’re just planning a small ceremony at the ranch,” Cody told him, before placing a kiss on Robbie’s lips.

“What about a bachelor party?” Oliver asked.

“We could do a joint party at Marilyn’s, if you guys want,” Jacob offered.

“Sure.” Robbie shrugged. “If that’s what Cody wants.”

“I wouldn’t mind dancing with you again.” The cowboy winked and Robbie chuckled.

Trent leaned over the table and placed a large tray of barbeque ribs and chicken in the center. Oliver reached for the plate first, stabbing a few pieces of chicken and transferring them to his plate.

“Damn, I’m starving.” He sank his teeth into a chicken breast and moaned, licking the sauce from his lips.

“Oh, stop it.” Susan Hunt gently elbowed him in the side, rolling her eyes, and Easton chuckled.

Oliver had been complaining since he woke up. Mrs. Hunt did the cooking at the ranch and had prevented Oliver from entering the kitchen. She didn’t want them getting filled up on a giant meal so instead of the usual hot breakfast, they had been given cold cereal.

Trent joined them at the table and started passing the food around so that each person could pile their plates high. When everyone started eating, Trent took the opportunity to talk to them.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’m having this little get together. As the executor, I made a lot promises to William. One of those promises was to make sure that everything is flowing smoothly at the ranch. If you need anything at all, I’m here. I want to make sure that you all are successful.” He looked around the table.

“I think we’re all fine.” Jackson looked around the table and Easton nodded his agreement. “We’re just living and working.”

“Wyatt is a wonderful foreman so I’m sure he’s got everything under control, but if you all need anything, I’m here to help,” Trent said.

The meal progressed fairly quickly after their brief conversation, everyone digging into their food. After the meal, most of the guys toured Trent’s state-of-the-art barn. Wyatt took the lead, but Easton decided not to join the group. He didn’t need to see more of the same.

Easton took his drink and went to the front. He walked around the wraparound porch and watched the late afternoon sun. Dropping into one of the chairs, he sipped his beer and rocked back and forth. Throughout the entire meal, he’d had a hard time keeping his eyes off Trent or keeping his mind from wondering. The older man sat at the head of the table and Easton had envisioned himself kneeling next to Trent’s chair, minus the rest of the men at the table. Leaning forward he placed his elbows on his thighs and took a deep breath.

The screen door slammed shut and Easton looked up and waited. It didn’t take long before Trent was staring at him and finally, Easton got his wish. He was alone with Trent. This was his chance. Slowly standing up, Easton built up his courage. The words were on the tip of his tongue but before he could utter a single syllable, Trent cupped his cheek.

“Stop dreaming about something that can never be. I’m not a gentle man, boy, and you’re too soft,” Trent said, and as if to prove his point, he rubbed his palm against Easton’s shaved cheek.

One Week Later

Easton woke up before the sun. Stretching his arms above his head, he stared up at the ceiling and took a few cleansing breaths. The house was silent and Easton knew that everyone was still asleep. Rolling out of bed, Easton shuffled his feet as he made his way to the bathroom. He flipped on the light and turned the faucet on, splashing cold water onto his face.

Placing both hands on the counter, Easton looked at his reflection in the mirror as the drops of water ran down his face. He studied himself, wondering why Trent considered him soft. He may be the youngest of his half-brothers, but he was still a man. With short wavy blond hair, brown eyes, and a fit body, most of the older men he was attracted to assumed he was a naïve, innocent virgin.

Why doesn’t Trent want me?
He’d been asking himself that question since meeting the man. It was strange. Easton could almost swear the two had a connection the day they’d met. He could still remember Trent arriving at the Belt Buckle Ranch with the legal documents. Being the executor of William’s will, Trent had taken command of the meeting. He was a natural leader and Easton wanted to do as he commanded. It was exciting. Just thinking about the man heated up Easton’s blood and made his cock harden in seconds.

Shaking his head, Easton grabbed his toothbrush and toothpaste, going through his normal morning routine. He didn’t bother with a shower since he’d be working outside, sweating his ass off under the sun. Pulling off the soft pajama pants over his bubble butt, Easton shook his hips, allowing the material to fall down his legs and pool at his feet.

He abandoned his pajamas on the floor and strode back into the bedroom. Opening the top drawer, Easton grabbed clean pair of boxer briefs and slid them on. He opened the second drawer and pulled out a pair of Wranglers before grabbing a clean shirt. Taking a deep breath, Easton got dressed.

This was his normal routine every morning and although he loved the ranch and he was getting along great with his brothers, something was missing. Back home in Oklahoma, he lived to take care of his grandparents and to make the farm a success. Living here on the ranch, Easton worked day and night. He occasionally went out to the small bar in town called, Marilyn’s, but he wasn’t looking for casual sex or a one-nighter. He wanted more. He wanted what Jackson, Robbie, and Jared had found…love.

Easton scoffed at his own romantic thoughts as he shoved his sock-covered feet into his worn cowboy boots. He needed to get his head out of the clouds and get to work. Since the barbeque at Trent’s, he needed the labor to take his mind off the man. He’d been outside on the front porch all alone when Trent stepped out.

There was something that called to Easton on a purely sexual level. The two stared at one another and something unexplainable passed between them. Easton felt it deep in his bones. The attraction was indescribable—like a rope was tied around his midsection pulling him to Trent. He could still hear the man’s words clear as a bell.

Stop dreaming about something that can never be. I’m not a gentle man, boy, and you’re too soft.

And with those words hanging in the air between them, Trent walked away. Easton hadn’t said a single word. He just stared at the man’s back as he disappeared into the barn. An air of dominance surrounded Trent like a thick blanket, and Easton was desperate for a taste. He’d never looked at a man and wished to be stripped down and forced to his knees. His thoughts and dreams had been consumed with vivid pictures of Trent since they’d met.

Easton groaned, smacking himself in the forehead.
Stop thinking about him!
Leaving his bedroom, Easton headed toward the kitchen. He made himself a quick bite to eat before going out to the barn.

The familiar smell of leather, hay, manure, and horses filled his nose. Oddly enough, Easton liked the various smells inside the barn. He didn’t even mind the manure. Cleaning out the stalls, he’d get a nose full, but it was mostly broken down grains and grass. Other workers were bothered by the smells, but after a lifetime of working with animals, Easton wasn’t fazed.

“Good morning,” Easton called out, and the horses made various sounds in greeting.

Easton walked down the center of the barn, smiling at all the horses. He stopped at a few stalls along the way—petting a few heads and patting necks—before going to the feed room. Opening the door, Easton grabbed one of the wheel barrows and using a large handheld scooper, filled it with sweet feed for the horses.

“Damn, man,” Jackson said, and Easton looked over as the man leaned against the door frame. “You’re up early. Everything okay?” he asked on a yawn.

“I’m always up early.” Easton dropped the scoop into the feed and grabbed the handles on the wheel barrow. He kept the single wheel balanced as he walked back toward the stalls and the hungry horses waiting for their breakfast.

“You didn’t answer my question, Easton.” Jackson trailed after him. “You’ve been quiet lately. Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” He shrugged.

“You know I’m here for you if you need anything, right?” Jackson asked as Easton started scooping feed into the buckets for the horses. “We all are. If you’re feeling homesick, you can always take a break and go to visit your grandma.”

“I might take you up on that.” Easton smiled. He missed his grandma and thought of her often. Although they spoke on the phone, Easton missed her hugs and the smell of her perfume. She’d been wearing the same fragrance since he was a little boy, Estee Lauder, Youth Dew.

“I’ll talk to Wyatt. Whenever you’re ready to take a little vacation, let us know. We don’t want you working yourself to death, man.” Jackson gripped his shoulder and Easton looked at him. “I’m serious. Would you please consider sleeping in at least one day a week, because you’re making the rest of us look bad?”

Jackson chuckled and Easton grinned. “I’ll consider it.”

“Thank you…the slackers would really appreciate it.” Jackson patted his back and Easton chuckled, watching his brother leave the barn.

Easton went through the morning chores as the sun slowly woke up and rose above the horizon. Other ranch hands came into the barn and went out, carrying on with their daily activities. Saddling Daisy, Easton climbed onto the back of the horse and headed out toward the east pasture, ready for more work. Each day he worked himself until he stumbled up the stairs, took a shower, and passed out from sheer exhaustion.

“Hey, Easton!” Wyatt hollered.

“Morning, Wyatt.” Easton grinned, clicking his tongue and sending Daisy into a trot.

“Trent needs some help over at his place. You interested?” Wyatt asked and Easton’s heart shot up to his throat.

“Yeah, sure.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“Head on over there.” Wyatt tilted his head toward Trent’s place. “He’s waiting for you in the barn.”

“For me?” he asked, wondering if Trent had asked specifically for his help.

Wyatt gave him a funny look. “I told him I’d send over a hand.”

“Oh, right, of course.” Easton wanted to smack himself in the head for saying such a silly thing. He really had wanted Trent to request him, but it seemed the man was true to his word. He wasn’t interested.

* * * *

Trent Weston poured himself another cup of coffee as he stared out the kitchen window, watching as the sun rose up from the horizon. His ranch foreman and a few of his employees had gone off to sell some of the livestock, leaving him alone at the ranch. With so many chores, he’d called Wyatt to send him someone that could give him some assistance for the next couple of days.

Taking a deep breath, Trent hoped like hell that Wyatt wouldn’t send Easton. The young man was far too sweet and innocent for someone like him. He knew that if Easton showed up, he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself. He only had so much self-control and each time he was around Easton, he wanted to reach out and touch.

Finishing his coffee, Trent placed the mug in the sink before heading out to the barn.

He’d dated men like Easton—soft, sweet, and innocent. Over time, the men seemed to change right before his eyes. They lost themselves, leaving their true identities behind. Shaking his head, Trent pushed his past away. He hadn’t had a relationship in years and he needed to remember why. He had to keep reminding himself why he needed to stay away from Easton.
Sweet, beautiful Easton.

He heard the cowboy before he ever laid eyes on him. Closing his eyes briefly, he said a silent prayer that it wasn’t Easton before looking up and capturing the man’s doe-like brown eyes.
Fuck.

“I’m here to help,” Easton said simply.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem,” Easton looked around, avoiding direct eye contact. “Where do you want me to start?”

“There are some repairs that need to be made before the weather changes. Over the next couple of days, we’ll do what we can before my foreman and other hands return. We also need to move the cattle to another part of the property for grazing.”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “I have enough experience to help with whatever you need.”

Trent groaned internally. He had a lot of needs and he wanted Easton desperately, but he couldn’t have him. Working side by side with the young man would test his strength. He wondered briefly if he should just send the cowboy home and do the work himself, but decided against it. He knew that he’d hurt Easton’s feelings at the barbeque. It was evident on the man’s face before he’d turned around and walked away.