Franco: Flashover (Raging Fire #3)

Chapter One

Franco Giardano wished Rico Donati hadn’t been chosen to team up with Angelina in catering his brother’s wedding. As much as he’d loved reconnecting with his best friend from high school in the past couple of years at family gatherings, being near him and not touching had been impossible. His desire for Rico had only ramped up with this latest Giardano wedding celebration.

Thankful to get some time away from the sight of Rico, Franco wandered off to the side of the barn to tie some tin cans to the back of the buggy Dakota and Matteo would use momentarily to make their getaway. Tony was supposed to help—always the jokester, this was more Tony’s kind of thing—but Franco had been the only one to show up. He was nothing if not punctual.

Who should round the barn instead but Rico? Was this accidental or intentional? Why else would Rico be this far away from the food tent unless he’d followed Franco?

Dream on, man.

Once again, Franco found himself in close proximity to Rico but unable to do a damn thing about it. Today, surrounded by the love and romance with his brother’s wedding, it nearly killed him.

“You did a great job on those steaks,” Franco said, making small talk while attempting to appear unaffected by the sexy man’s nearness. “Can honestly I’ve never had one deep-fried in a vat of oil on the end of a pitchfork before.”

Rico laughed. “I left the price tags on the pitchforks to assure everyone they hadn’t been used in the barn first.”

Franco couldn’t help but share the laugh. Then thoughts of having a secret rendezvous with Rico in a haystack flitted across his mind, and he sobered. He sighed as he picked up another lidless tin can and tied twine to it before securing the can to the bumper, or whatever they called that piece of wood on the back of a buggy.

“You Giardano brothers rocked those cowboy outfits today—well, except for Rafe.”

Did Rico think Franco looked particularly good in his western attire? He had to say this was the first time he’d ever worn Wranglers, a bolo tie, and a cowboy hat. Did the look turn Rico on?

Don’t be thinking about what turns the man on. You can’t have him.

Rico was merely making a general comment about the three brothers. Change the subject.

“Rafe’s always marched to the beat of his own drum.” His brother had performed the ceremony and had chosen to wear his dress firefighter uniform.

“Not that Rafe’s uniform wasn’t hot,” Rico said with a grin before cocking his head. “I guess you have one of those too.”

Franco nodded. Rafe’s had more stripes showing his higher rank. Would Rico also find Franco hot in his Class A uniform?

Who cares? Why do you keep torturing yourself like this?

Rico, who’d never lacked male companionship, had no interest in him that way. Even if he did, Franco couldn’t be himself around Rico and his family, not unless he told them his secret.

After tying a can to the buggy, Franco decided he needed to rejoin the reception. Fast. Maybe just one more. He picked up a final one as his thoughts turned to him and Rico and him.

They’d gotten to know each other well after Rico joined the track and field team in high school. He was a freshman, Franco a senior. Franco had suspected his friend might be gay even before Rico came out, but they hadn’t really talked about it back then.

Seeing how Rico had been bullied by their teammates after he’d made his bold announcement, Franco had stuffed back down any questions he had about his own sexuality.

Now almost thirty-five, Franco had yet to come out to anyone from his earlier life in Aspen Corners and later Leadville. He’d been solely fixated on convincing himself and others he was straight back then. He’d even dated girls but never felt anything remotely sexual toward them.

First and foremost, Franco hadn’t wanted to disappoint his devout Catholic parents, so he’d never told anyone in his family either. Two years ago, when it became too difficult to live the lie on a daily basis, he’d moved to Denver. That decision had made it easier for him to live life the way he wanted, but he regretted he couldn’t be his authentic self around his siblings and Mama. More and more, he felt like an outsider, but deep down, he knew that feeling was of his own making.

Would Papa have approved or rejected me, if he’d known?

No way did Franco intend for Mama to find out. It would crush her dream of having each of her kids marry and provide her with grandkids. Not that he saw marriage or kids in his future. He’d leave the baby making to Angelina, Dakota, and Carmella. They should be able to provide Mama with all the grandbabies she wanted.

“You’re awfully quiet today,” Rico remarked.

“Hmm?” He paused from tying the last can to a string and glanced at Rico, seductive as ever leaning against the barn with the sole of his right cowboy boot flush against the foundation. He looked damned hot in his cowboy hat and jeans too. Did Franco have a cowboy fantasy he hadn’t been aware of?

“Sorry, Rico. I’m just…” What? Wondering if you think I’m hot? No, he wouldn’t ask, although Rico’s knowing grin made him want to.

Franco glanced down at the can in his hand, and figured he’d fulfilled his duty as best man. Time to get back to the reception—and away from Rico. After quickly attaching twine to the bumper, he turned to find Rico had moved closer and stood less than two feet away. His spicy scent wafted on the breeze to Franco, who inhaled deeply while making unblinking eye contact before letting his gaze slip to Rico’s full lips.

What would it be like to kiss you?

“Do you ever get tired of playing it straight, Franco?”

His gaze lifted quickly to Rico’s eyes, where he glimpsed a definite twinkle. “I’m not…” Not what? Gay? Interested? Straight?

Tired of pretending you don’t turn me on?

“When are you going to start being truthful with me, your family, and everyone else who cares about you?”

Franco wasn’t going to talk about this now. He turned to head back to the reception tent when Rico grabbed his ass cheek and squeezed. Franco’s cock stirred, and his breath caught in his throat. Pivoting around to face Rico again, he met his friend’s gaze, staring for a long, hard moment.

Emphasis on hard.

After a quick glance toward the front of the barn to make sure no one was watching, Franco’s attention returned to Rico. He placed his hands on Rico’s shoulders and pushed him up against the barn, pinning him there, groin against groin. Rico’s gaze burned into his soul.

“I need to kiss you, Rico.”

“’bout damn time.” He tilted his head back, and Franco lowered his face until their lips touched. Long-suppressed sparks ignited and exploded between them. Rico’s lips, firm at first, opened to Franco, and his tongue accepted the invitation and dove inside, exploring and tangoing with Rico’s.

Franco ground himself firmly against Rico’s rigid cock. Lowering his hands to Rico’s buns, he squeezed them. Talk about buns of steel. He tried not to think about Rico naked and in his bed—or wherever.

Stay in the moment while it lasts.

Rico threaded his fingers through Franco’s hair then held his face tight against his.

“Oh! Sorry to interrupt, guys!”

Dakota!

Franco released Rico as if he’d been playing with fire—which, of course, he had been—and turned to find his new sister approaching the horse that had been hitched to the buggy. Fuck! What was he doing kissing Rico on his little brother’s wedding day? Dakota seemed as surprised as Franco, but she recovered more quickly.

“Please, don’t mind me,” she said, reaching for the horse’s reins or lead or whatever the damned thing was called. “I just came for the horse and buggy. Then I’ll get out of your hair. We’re getting ready to head out soon.”

She didn’t seem disgusted by what she’d interrupted, but Franco felt he owed her some kind of explanation. He glanced at where Rico had been standing, but he was gone.

A little too late to hide now, Rico.

The coward ought to face the music with him, but he apparently intended to let Franco deal with this alone.

And maybe it’s time you were honest with your family, you hypocrite.

The only coward here was Franco.

Of course, he’d certainly clued Dakota in today. No doubt she’d say something to Matteo. Then it would only be a matter of time before everyone knew. Nobody could keep a secret in his family—well, except for Franco. Until today when he couldn’t keep his hands—or lips—off Rico.

How am I going to fix this?

He could hear Rico chuckling from behind the barn. The man finding humor in this situation pissed him off. But this wasn’t his friend’s problem; it was Franco’s. Rico knew that. Rico had never tried to hide his sexuality from anyone.

Franco glanced behind Dakota, half expecting to see that Matteo or someone else had followed her, but no one else appeared from that direction. Running his hands through his already mussed hair to try and tame it again, Franco closed the gap between him and Dakota.

“Need any help?” Would ignoring the obvious and pretending she hadn’t seen what she’d obviously seen work?

Avoidance much?

She cocked her head, seemingly dubious he’d be of any help. She knew he wasn’t a horse person. At least he thought that was the reason for her skepticism and not that he was trying to avoid the issue with the kiss.

Then she smiled at him and said, “Sure, that would be great.” Not certain what to do, he took the reins to make sure the horse didn’t bolt on her while she took care of what needed doing. “Thanks, Franco.”

He stared at her while she went to work, trying to decide what he should say to explain what she’d happened upon. “Listen, Dakota, about Rico.”

She held up her hand to cut him off. “Nobody else should bother you out here once I am on my way. You can pick up where you two left off.” She grinned and waggled her eyebrows in a suggestive way that dumbfounded him. Dakota didn’t seem upset about the kiss at all. She simply smiled at him. “I promise not to say a word until you two are ready to tell your family.”

Franco relaxed. She seemed to understand how monumental this incident had been for him. Did she think they’d been together a while, though? He almost wanted to explain the situation, but this wasn’t the time to talk about it. He didn’t want to keep her from picking up her groom and setting off on their wedding night.

“I appreciate that, Dakota. My little brother’s one helluva lucky man.”

“Oh no! I’m the lucky one. Not only did I gain a husband but also brothers like you and an entire family!”

She leaned in, placing her hand on his chest, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before stepping back, taking the reins, and holding out her hand to let him help her into the buggy seat.

With one last smile in his direction, she clicked her tongue and the horse trotted off toward the party tent. The tin cans bounced jauntily, causing Dakota to turn back toward him in question. He shrugged with a grin; Dakota shook her head and laughed as she rode away.

He wished he had set up some kind of warning at the front of the barn that would have alerted him of someone’s approach. But why would he? He hadn’t volunteered for this duty with the intention of a tryst, much less a kiss, from Rico.

At least she’d promised not to “out” him to their family. While he didn’t know her well yet, given the whirlwind courtship with Matteo, he believed he could trust her.

Still, what had come over him to act on impulse like that with Rico? Normally, he had no trouble keeping his feelings and urges in check. Was he feeling left out of the wedded bliss that seemed to be running rampant through his family these past few years? Only Rafe and Franco remained single. Not that wedded bliss was something Franco aspired to, despite the Supreme Court ruling last month that made same-sex marriage legal. Just because it was legal didn’t mean the rest of his family would accept it.

Not to mention that he wasn’t even close to finding someone he’d want to make a lifelong partner.

“Dakota’s all right.”

He turned to find Rico had come out of his hiding place. Franco cast him an irritated glance. “She is. Oh, and thanks for all the moral support.”

Rico laughed. “Who said I had any morals?”

Bullshit. Rico was one of the kindest, most generous people he knew.

But this wasn’t the time or place to list the man’s virtues. “We’d better get back to the party before anyone else comes looking for us.”

Turning toward the front of the barn, Franco was surprised when Rico grabbed him by the arm. Meeting his gaze, which had become uncharacteristically serious, Franco waited for him to speak. Or do something.

Another kiss perhaps?

“Just so you know, I have no regrets about what just happened. Anytime you’d like to continue where we left off, you know where to find me.”

Franco stared at him long and hard, sorely tempted but ultimately pragmatic. “Forget about that kiss, Rico. Never should have happened, especially not with my family around.”

Rico winced as if he’d just been slapped, then narrowed his eyes. “Suit yourself, Franco. I hope someday you’ll stop running from who you are.”