Love Is Always Write Volume 4

sabbatical from my firm."
    Parker looked curious, but he didn't ask any questions, so Dan kept talking. "Taking a look at your house is the least I can do, since you've rescued me from unruly pop-up campers, potential pneumonia, and eating a bologna sandwich for dinner."
    Parker gave him the grin he'd been hoping for. "That sounds about right."
    CHAPTER 3
    Dan popped open a second beer and took a swallow to soothe his dry throat and hopefully his frayed nerves. He'd been semi-hard ever since they'd arrived at Parker's cabin.
    While they talked about the house Parker was renovating, Parker moved around the small kitchen efficiently. He'd already put potatoes in the oven to bake and breaded the fish. Now he was chopping cabbage for coleslaw.
    Dan studied Parker's round ass which was perfectly outlined against the khaki shorts of his uniform. Then his gaze dropped to Parker's calves. The bulging muscles looked incredibly lickable. Dan wished he could explore every inch of the sexy ranger.
    "It sure is hot in here," Parker said, fanning himself.
    Yeah no kidding .
    Parker pulled his T-shirt off, and Dan choked on a sip of beer. Parker glanced at Dan as he threw the shirt into a laundry basket in the corner. "You ok?"
    Dan nodded as he tried to get his coughing fit under control. Parker's upper arms were covered with tattoos that accentuated the sculpted muscle. He wanted to touch them, kiss them, taste them. When Parker had turned toward him, Dan had caught a glimpse of the blond hair that covered his chest then narrowed into a darker treasure trail before disappearing into the low-riding waist of his shorts. Now Dan's cock strained to free itself from the confines of his pants.
    Dan was glad Parker was distracted by his chopping as he reached down to adjust himself. He needed something to take his mind off how hot Parker was. "Are you sure there isn't something I can do to help?"
    Parker looked over his shoulder. "I'm fine, really. You can just sit."
    But Dan couldn't sit, he was too restless.
    Before he had a chance to say anything else, Parker spoke again. "Actually, would you mind opening the door, so we can get some more air?"
    Dan walked over to the door, opened it, and let the light breeze cool his face. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough air in the world to get him breathing normally with a half naked Parker in the same room. "I really can help. I'm not normally as much of an idiot as I've been on this trip. I'm no chef, but I can chop carrots."
    Parker raised his brow. "I don't want any severed fingers. Not when we're about to have some of the best-looking trout I've seen in a while."
    Dan rolled his eyes. "No fingers will be severed. I promise."
    "Ok then." Parker pulled a second cutting board out and handed it to Dan. "These actually need to be grated. Grab the box grater from the cabinet next to you. The goal is all carrot, no bits of knuckle."
    Dan nodded and looked down, embarrassed. Parker must really think he was helpless. "Yeah, ok."
    Parker laid a hand on his shoulder, and heat seared into his skin. He told himself it was just a friendly gesture but his body reacted as strongly as if Parker had kissed him.
    "I'm just kidding you know." Parker's voice was soft, unusually tentative. "Thanks for wanting to help. I've gotten used to doing everything for myself."
    Dan looked up. A mistake. Parker's eyes were filled with an intensity that made him question his assumption that the man was straight. Parker hadn't moved his hand, and Dan reached up and covered it with his own. Parker's eyes widened slightly. Had Dan seen a flash of heat? Dan wanted to believe he had, but he also needed to protect himself.
    He'd been hurt by his family. He didn't need to get his heart broken by falling for a straight man on top of it. Chances were he was seeing what he wanted to see. He dropped his hand and turned back to the carrots. "No problem. You've seen me at my worst these last few days. I'm a little off-kilter."
    "What made you decide to come up here for the summer?"
    "Family shit. I… I just needed to get away." Anger at his family boiled up suddenly. How dare they make him feel unwanted?
    "Family driving you crazy?"
    "I don't want to talk about it," Dan snapped, his voice harsher than he meant it to be.
    Parker glanced at him then went back to chopping.
    Dan ran his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. It's not been a good year for me." The only man he'd ever gotten together with more than once on his trips to Savannah