Clouds and Rain

deep breath before answering. “I thought it would be good if you sold some. I‟m sure you could use the income.”
    “Don‟t worry, you‟ll get paid.”
    Flynn threw the last potato in the pot for dinner and paused before speaking again, for no reason other than to gather his thoughts and prevent himself from lashing out at the miserable mood Gable was in.
    “You told me I would get paid and I trust you,” he said calmly. “Hunter just seemed like a really nice guy and he was pretty eager about getting first pick, so I thought he might pay a little bit more than what you would get at auction. Besides, it would save you the transport costs as well.”
    Flynn took the heavy pot and turned around to cross the kitchen toward the sink. He barely saw Gable coming as the older man took two large steps to bridge the distance between them. One more step and he was pushing Flynn against the wall. The force with which Flynn hit the hard surface, combined with the feeling of a hand on his throat, made him release his grip on the pot, and it fell to the ground with a loud clanging noise, the uncooked potatoes rolling all over the kitchen floor.
    Before he could gather his wits, Flynn saw the predatory look in Gable‟s eyes and then felt the older man‟s mouth against his in what became an aggressive, invading kiss. At first, Flynn resisted. The abruptness of it, combined with the fact he had nowhere to run, made his flight reaction kick in, but then, as he realized he was being held against the wall by his boss‟s sinewy frame, his body reacted. Flynn kissed Gable back, trying to convey that he wanted this too. It was what he‟d dreamed about, more than once. Okay, maybe not exactly this. He was used to taking the lead, not being smacked into a wall and devoured, but he found he didn‟t mind at all, despite the pain that was 21

    Zahra Owens

    slowly making itself felt at the back of his head. He simply pressed his tongue between their mashed lips and battled for dominance, dancing around Gable‟s tongue. Flynn could feel Gable‟s hardness pressing against his hip and he finally allowed himself to touch Gable, grabbing his buttocks and pulling him closer.
    Gable seemed to hesitate for a moment, pulling back and looking Flynn straight in the eye. They were panting, hard, and Gable‟s icy-blue eyes were now dark with lust. He leaned his forehead against Flynn‟s for a moment and then pulled away completely, hobbling out of the kitchen.
    Flynn leaned his head back and was reminded of the smack he‟d received earlier, so he rubbed his hand over his hair to sooth the pain.
    He then wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and realized he‟d split his lip.
    Flynn looked at the state of his surroundings. He had no idea what had sparked Gable‟s reaction, but Flynn knew he wanted more. He was confused, though. Should he follow Gable outside? He didn‟t know Gable that well yet, simply because Gable never let him get close, but he did know that Gable calmed down best when he was left to his own devices. So instead of confronting him and asking him what this was all about, Flynn decided to give him a few minutes. He picked up the pot and started gathering the scattered potatoes before continuing toward the sink to wash them. He licked his lips, still tasting Gable combined with the iron taste of blood, and then replayed the last few minutes in his head again. Suddenly it dawned on him. Was Gable jealous of Hunter? Flynn couldn‟t help but smile. It certainly made sense, despite Gable‟s clumsy way of making his feelings known.
    Flynn put the potato pot on the stove, ready for tonight‟s dinner, and wiped his hands, then made two big sandwiches and put them on a plate each. He poured two cups of coffee, added plenty of sugar to both, and walked outside with his peace offering.
    He wasn‟t surprised to find Gable on the porch, staring sullenly out at the paddocks, his leg up on the footstool. Flynn walked into his view and silently held out the food and drink. Gable looked up momentarily and then turned away, never changing his expression.

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    “Listen,” Flynn sighed. “You kissed me. I didn‟t mind one bit.
    Get over it.”
    This time Gable looked at him a little longer, then accepted a plate and a mug of coffee.
    Flynn decided he‟d pushed Gable far enough for now and silently settled on the porch step to eat.

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    Zahra Owens

    Chapter 4

    THAT afternoon, Hunter