what it's worth," he paused as if to consider. Riley tensed as

he waited. "Christex won't be pulling out of the syndicate." Tension unknotted in Riley's chest. With that

cleared there was only one thing to worry about—the

government board assessing the bids. They talked for a

long time and the coffee kept coming.

"We would need to approach the board and file a

change in financing," Riley said. Tapping his pen against

the papers, he considered what to say next. "We'll need new

contracts drawn up—"

"Already on it," Jim said quickly. He didn't hang

around.

"Then I guess we have nothing else to say, we just

need to start doing," Riley said. He looked at his watch.

The darkness outside the windows of the room indicated

nighttime but he hadn't realized it was that late. "We need

to formally dissolve the relationship with Josiah." "And you probably need something to eat." Riley looked up and blinked at the apparition in the

doorway. Jack with a large box of Chinese food containers.

He wasn't sure what he was more pleased to see, Jack in his worn jeans and pale blue shirt with a smile across his face

or the food that scented the room.

Nah. There was no choice to be made. Quickly he

pulled Jack into a hug and released him immediately. He

wanted a kiss but he was in a room of businessmen. Jack

smirked and then placed the containers on to the conference

table. When everyone had a carton and they were eating,

Riley glanced around at these men in their thousand dollar

suits with their Rolexes and the air of authority that

pervaded. Memories of Gerald and Jeff or not, Riley felt at

home here. The shit would hit the fan when Josiah realized

they had all sided with Riley—he was sure of it. But

everything would be okay.

Especially with his mom and dad and Jack in his

corner.

CHAPTER 16

"Robbie?" Eli had almost tiptoed up to Robbie in the hope he wouldn't see him coming and thus would not be able to avoid him. Three days now and Eli's cowboy was evidently nursing a grudge as big as Texas. Robbie didn't turn from what he was doing, but he did pause midmovement with a huge steaming pile of horseshit on his shovel. For a second Eli winced. He could imagine him throwing the whole lot at him and Eli would deserve it. Robbie continued on to scoop the shit into a wheelbarrow but didn't acknowledge Eli.

"Robbie? Can we talk?" Eli said. He was trying for patience but if Robbie didn't say something soon then Eli would throw himself in the shit just so Robbie had to take notice of him.

"What about?"

Okay so that was a start. Right? At least Robbie was recognizing his presence. Now if only he could get Robbie to halt shoveling then that would help Eli stop focusing so much on the pull and stretch of worn jeans over Robbie's gorgeous ass and the play of muscles in his naked torso. Him not wearing a shirt should be outlawed here. What if someone else saw Robbie like this? All bare and slick with sweat?

"I got some of the cowboys from the rodeo to agree to a shoot here," Eli said firmly.

"I heard." Still shoveling.

"Will you stop that for a minute?" Eli's voice was maybe a bit more strident than he was aiming for but at least Robbie ceased moving. Instead he placed the shovel carefully on the floor and turned to face Eli. Running the back of his hand over his forehead was poetry in motion— the muscles and the skin, and the tattoo that marked his arm, and the chest definition. Eli swore he squeaked but Robbie didn't comment.

"Yes, sir," Robbie said instead.

What the hell? Sir?

"Robbie, don't—"

"Don't what?" Robbie's voice was deceptively calm but the glitter of anger flickered in his eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry."

"About cowboys coming here for a photo shoot?"

Was Robbie being deliberately dense? "About the other night."

"We're fine," he said. His voice was flat.

Eli took a step closer. No more than three feet separated them and Eli was close enough to see how damp Robbie's hair was. The air was humid today and a storm threatened. Eli loved the crash of thunder and the spears of lightening and at least if it broke the thick heated air then the ranch would be clean and cool tomorrow for the shoot.

"No, we're not fine," Eli offered. "You're right to be angry. I didn't think. That's half my problem, I never do. I shouldn't have even said you should go in that house and meet Michael, let alone have him pawing you."

"Glad to hear that," Robbie drawled.

Eli's dick was hardwired to that curious mix of drawling cowboy and Australia. He willed the damn thing to settle down but fuck if he wasn't hard the minute he looked at this man. He took another step forward. Maybe a foot in distance now, and Robbie didn't step back. Instead he reached out and placed a hand flat on top of Eli's, which was against his chest. Just like Riley had a few days before.

"Are you okay?" he said. Concern laced his voice.

Eli shook off his hand. "What is it with people asking me that?" Consciously he removed his hand from his chest.

"Because you do that thing." Robbie waved at the hand. "You push against your heart." His blue eyes held concern and for a second Eli considered playing on the unease. Was that the way to get through to Robbie? Maybe he should faint again like a freaking girl? Get big, strong Robbie to help him to bed?

"I'm fine," Eli said.

"You looked very pale for a second."

"I said I was fine. I was just contemplating fainting."

Alarm flashed on Robbie's face and this time his hand reached out but not in a gentle touch. Instead there was a strong grip to stop Eli from falling.