Read Online The Tin Star by J. L. Langley - Free Book Online Page B

stepped into the store. “Well, come on.”
    All the things Jamie had put the floor were now on the counter. Melissa smiled at them. “So, Jamie, how is Julia? I heard she’s working at University Hospital in San Antonio.”
    “Yes, she is. She seems to like it. I talked to her yesterday and she was tired but doing good, otherwise.”
    “Good, good. You tell her I said hi and to call me sometime.”
    “I will.”
    Melissa grabbed a business card off the counter and started writing, then looked up again. “Now, Ethan, you’ve been coming here forever. I’d sure hate to lose your business. What if I give you this --” She slid the card across the counter. “-- and you call me directly to place your orders. That is my cell phone number and my home number. I’ll make sure that I’m here when you come in to get them, too. What do you think?”
    Ethan tipped his hat. “That would be perfect, Melissa, thank you. Go ahead and put my order in and give me a call me when it’s ready.”
    “I certainly will. Thanks for the second chance, Ethan.” She winked again and started ringing stuff up.
    Jamie looked at Ethan, who was grinning. He caught Jamie looking and smiled wider.
    Oh, damn! The man was just too sexy for words! Jamie’s cock jerked to attention, stiffening. He couldn’t wait to get back home. He was pretty sure where he’d be sleeping tonight, given Ethan’s easy acceptance in the truck earlier. And that thought was enough to give him butterflies in his stomach. He closed his eyes, willing his prick to behave. He damned sure didn’t need to be walking through town with a boner. With the attitudes he’d gotten so far, the townies would probably string him up. Either that or they’d run a mile in the opposite direction to avoid getting near him.
    Melissa cleared her throat. “All right, Jamie, I gave you fifty percent off the saddle and twenty-five percent off everything else. How’s that sound?”
    His eyes shot open and he stared. He was about to tell her that that was too much when Ethan said, “Thank you, Melissa. That is very kind of you.”
    Jamie looked at him.
    Ethan dipped his chin ever so slightly. Those brown eyes peered out from under the straw cowboy hat, one eyebrow arched. Just enough to communicate that Jamie should accept graciously.
    “Thank you, Melissa. That’s very generous of you. I appreciate it.”
    “You are very welcome. It’s the least I can do.”
    Jamie grinned and pulled out his bank card and paid while Ethan picked up the saddle and blanket.
    Melissa smiled at him, eyes twinkling. “You sure you’re gay, honey?”
    Jamie blinked. “Uh, yeah.”
    “Oh, well, a girl can always dream.”
    She looked over at Ethan. “I do believe he’s even prettier than John.”
    Ethan laughed. “Yes, he is, Melissa! And a whole lot less ornery, too.” Ethan winked at him, and Jamie felt his cheeks heat.
    Ethan thought he was pretty? Wait a minute ... “Men aren’t pretty!”
    “ You are.” Melissa dug around behind her, then put a large box on the counter.
    Ethan took the opportunity to give him a good once over from head to toe, practically undressing him with his eyes.
    Dang it! There went his cock again. He sighed, loudly. Something told him that getting his libido under control with Ethan around was a lost cause. He wondered how many more errands they had to run and if Bill and the guys would notice if they spent the rest of the day in the house. Hell, he hadn’t even gotten to see Ethan naked yet. That just wasn’t fair. He was going to have to rectify that as soon as possible.
    Melissa put the rest of his tack in the box and said goodbye, apologizing again for Tom’s behavior. Jamie thanked her once more for the discounts, then followed Ethan out to the truck.
    Ethan put the saddle in the back seat of the quad cab, so Jamie stuck his box there, too. “Damn, Ethan! That was a hell of a deal. It was way too much.”
    “It’s called good business. Besides,