Chapter Five
Keegan’s hands shook as he pulled his T-shirt off.
Not because he was afraid but because the act of undressing reminded him of seeing Kerry’s naked, sweaty chest. He’d somehow stayed busy enough not to dwell on the interaction all day long.
His reprieve ended when he arrived at the Feisty Bull early to get a tour and a basic rundown on his game plan before his shift started.
Most new hires began in specific positions, but he was there to learn all aspects of hospitality.
Keegan didn’t know where they’d start him, but he’d hoped it would be in the kitchen so he wouldn’t gawk at Kerry all night long and remember his bare, slick skin and all those intriguing tattoos.
His fingers itched to trace the dark lines and follow them wherever Kerry allowed.
The restaurant manager had handed him black slacks and a red dress shirt with the Feisty Bull logo embroidered in black.
It was the uniform for the front of the house, though some wore it better than others.
Keegan ran his fingertips over the fabric and recalled the way Kerry’s shirts stretched over his powerful chest and thick arms. He imagined stripping the fabric off him and letting it fall to the floor.
And then what? Would he ever be brave enough to physically go where his mind frequently traveled?
Keegan would never claim to be an expert at relationships, but even he’d recognized the desire burning in Kerry’s dark gaze that afternoon.
He’d expected Sven to razz him about it, but he’d been too distracted by the surprise visitor.
Any attempt to learn more about Dom was met with grumbling responses Keegan couldn’t decipher, which only made him more curious.
Sven seemed like a completely different person around Kerry’s friend.
His flirty, devil-may-care attitude disappeared in an instant, and Sven became more antagonistic, especially when Dom turned his charm in Keegan’s direction.
It had taken a solid hour for Sven’s fabulous attitude to return.
It was clearly a sore spot, and he wasn’t about to poke it, though his friend wouldn’t offer him the same grace.
Sven wasn’t the only one rattled by Dom’s flirtations.
The glower Kerry had sent his friend made the thundercloud expression from the bar look like rainbows and sunshine.
Desire and jealousy meant Kerry wanted him.
Keegan would admit that, at least to himself, but that didn’t help him figure out what to do with the knowledge.
His new thrive mentality didn’t come with an instruction manual.
This was when Keegan needed to think like Sven.
He’d know when to push and when to pull back to achieve the desired reaction.
A knock sounded on the employee changing room door just as Keegan pushed his jeans down his thighs.
“Hey, Kee. You in there?” Kerry’s voice made Keegan’s breath catch.
The gasp was audible in the small room, but could Kerry hear it through the door?
The silence stretched on for only a few seconds, but it was long enough to trigger an avalanche of emotions, each one gaining strength as they tore down the mountain.
Lust, longing, loneliness, and fear jockeyed for who’d come out on top when they reached the bottom. “It’s Kerry.”
As if his identity needed clarification.
That delicious voice came to Keegan in his sleep and whispered the wickedest things.
Lust was the victor when the landslide ended, burying his doubt and willingness to play it safe.
Keegan knew exactly what to do. “Give me a sec,” he called out as he shoved his jeans down his legs and kicked them aside.
A quick glance at his body made Keegan extremely proud of the muscle and definition he’d added since moving to the ranch.
His gaze landed on his white socks, which were the furthest thing from the sexy impression he wanted to make.
Keegan stripped them off, then crossed to the door before he or Kerry could change their mind about this impromptu meeting.
He took a deep breath for courage as he unlocked the door and pulled it open.
“Hey. You’re here early.” Keegan’s casual voice made it seem like he greeted people in his underwear all the time.
“I, uh…” Dark eyes devoured the bare skin on display.
Keegan placed his hand on the doorframe and let the big guy look his fill while he studied the reactions his near nudity triggered in Kerry.
That big, beautiful body was pulled tight enough to snap, and a dark blush dusted Kerry’s cheeks.
Full lips moved but formed no words, and Keegan momentarily worried he’d gone too far until those wicked, dark eyes snapped up to meet his again.
“Did you want to talk to me?” Keegan prompted.
“Talk?” Kerry’s raspy voice hinted that talking wasn’t the action on his mind.
Keegan had come too far to give up, so he doubled down by stepping back in invitation for Kerry to enter the small room. “What else could you want me for?” The teasing lilt in his voice was new, but he loved the reaction it got.
Kerry swallowed hard and even shook his head a little, as if to pull himself together, but his gaze remained dazed and ravenous. “Uh, talking. Sure. That’s what I want.”
Keegan let go of the door, turned his back, and sauntered farther into the room.
Kerry’s options were to catch the door and come in or wait in the hallway until he finished dressing.
Keegan’s actions said he didn’t care either way, but his pounding heart betrayed the truth.
Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long to find out which option Kerry chose.
The door thudded against Kerry’s hand, and Keegan glanced over his shoulder as Kerry pushed it open and stepped into the small space.
At best, three normal-sized people could get dressed in the room without bumping into each other.
With Kerry inside, it felt like just enough space for them to grind up against each other.
Keegan waited to feel the press of Kerry’s body against his, but it didn’t come.
He turned and found the man leaning on the far side of the locker row.
Pity, but Keegan was on a roll and had no intention of easing up on the gas.
He reached into his borrowed locker and turned to face Kerry. “So talk.”
Kerry crossed his arms over his chest, the action making his biceps bulge beneath his red dress shirt.
Keegan wanted to wear that one instead of the shirt hanging up in his locker.
It would be warm and smell sexy and smoky like Kerry.
Rueben had talked about wearing Seth’s shirts occasionally and the closeness it evoked.
Keegan could pretend it was a hug and not a simple piece of fabric.
That thought teetered on desperation, and he clawed it back before it could kill his vibe.
Keegan wanted to seduce Kerry with a glance, not remind him of an ASPCA commercial of a pitiful puppy in need of rescue.
“Get dressed.” Kerry’s voice sounded thicker, harder, not unlike the reaction it triggered in Keegan’s black boxers.
Tilting his head to the side, Keegan curved his lips into what he hoped was a seductive smile. “You didn’t want me to return the favor?”
Black brows knitted over a hungry gaze that traveled the length of Keegan’s body once more. “Favor?”
“I got to ogle your body today, so it’s only fair you get to see mine. Keeps the playing field level.”
Kerry’s eyes snapped back to meet his as he straightened to his full height and stalked a few steps closer. Unfortunately, he stopped before he got within touching range. “Playing? Is that what we’re doing?”
“Is that what you want to do?” Keegan asked.
Kerry’s nostrils flared with a deep inhale. “Fire. That’s what you’re playing with.”
Flames of lust licked a path up Keegan’s body until he was fully engulfed.
An alarm went off in his brain, cautioning him not to provoke someone as large as Kerry Hart, but Keegan shut it down.
Kerry was nothing like the monsters who’d hurt him.
The knowledge added fuel to the fire instead of dousing it.
“Why? You said you just came in here to talk.” He took a few steps toward Kerry, daring him to back up.
The big guy held his ground, but Keegan saw the indecision in his expressive gaze.
So, he stopped again but well within Kerry’s reach.
Then, he lobbed a verbal volley back onto his side of the court.
“Is there something else you have in mind?”
Kerry’s arms fell to his sides, and Keegan stiffened with anticipation. Maybe he misunderstood Keegan’s reaction because Kerry shoved his hands in his front pockets. “What I want to do and what I will do aren’t the same thing.”
Insecurity clawed through his newfound confidence and made him want to reach for his clothes.
The last thing he wanted to see was pity or disgust in Kerry’s gaze.
The urge to lower his eyes was strong, but he forced himself to maintain eye contact.
Brendan taught him how to view situations with his eyes and not the perceptions he projected onto everyone.
It was challenging to do at the best of times, but practicing the technique nearly nude with Kerry felt impossible.
Yet, he dug in and forced his own perceptions away and relied on his senses.
Kerry’s chest rose and fell with fast breaths, and his pulse hammered against his neck.
His masculine scent was stronger in the cramped space, either from the internal heat making Kerry’s eyes sparkle like black diamonds or because he’d put cologne on before coming to work.
“What do you want to do?” Keegan took the few remaining steps to bridge the gap between them, stopping just a few scant inches from Kerry’s body.