Chris’ beach house wasn’t right on the beach, but it was on a canyon hill that gave a great view of the ocean less than a quarter mile away. Vin was blown away by the view when he parked his Harley and took a good look around. There was barely any lawn, the driveway was dirt, and the ‘house’ itself, was about as big as Vin’s new apartment, which was to say not at all. The porch, which was on stilt supports built against the canyon drop, was bigger than the house.

The others were already there, from the amount of cars in the driveway, so Vin walked inside without knocking. Indoors was better than out by a surprising degree. It was au natural with plain, lacquered wooden walls, comfortable, if battered, furniture, and a massive television in the place of honor.

The kitchen was separated from the living room only by an island, and Vin found Josiah and Nathan struggling not to kill each other as the big men did something in the small confines. It didn’t help that Josiah was still trussed up in the sling, Vin was sure that the restraints placed on Josiah only added to the big man’s irritation.

Drifting over to them, he grinned at the argument.

“I said a teaspoon of that! What’re you trying to do, kill JD? The boy ain’t never had real chili!” Josiah exclaimed.

Grumbling, Nathan replied, “Do I look like a chef to you? And you said tablespoon, ya old coot.”

“The others out back?” Vin interrupted before blood could be shed.

“Buck’s drownin’ JD, Chris and Ezra are out back,” Nathan announced.

Offering a minor glare at Nathan, Josiah corrected, “Buck’s teaching JD how to surf.”

Vin snorted. “Drownin’s probably more accurate. Where’s the beer?”

“Out back,” Nathan informed him, grinning at the support.

Vin walked the short distance to the back door and slid the screen open to step outside. Ezra lounged in a chaise, eyes closed as he soaked up the sun, even in December, while Chris read the paper, looking up when the door opened. It was a comfortable sight and Vin greeted, “I here there’s beer around here somewhere.”

Chris smiled as he folded up the paper and replied, “You heard right. Ezra’s guarding it.”

Glancing over at Ezra, Vin just shook his head as he walked over and crouched by the cooler. “You do know that it’s only fifty degrees, right?”

Not opening his eyes, Ezra drawled, “Compared to the negative twenty I was in just three weeks ago, this is bliss.”

Laughing softly, Vin took out a beer and joined Chris at the table. “I guess JD’s enjoying the relative heat wave too?”

“Couldn’t talk him out of it,” Chris confirmed, offering the bottle opener. “And Buck got him some gear, so it should be okay. Assuming he doesn’t drown the boy.”

“He didn’t!” JD’s cheerful voice called out.

Vin looked over at the door to see a wetsuit encased JD and Buck trooping onto the porch, both with wet hair and shining suits.

“I damn sure tried, though,” Buck complained, grabbing JD in a headlock and giving him a noogie.

JD squirmed and yelped, “Hey! Leave off!”

Laughing, Buck let him go and flopped into the extra chaise beside Ezra.

“You don’t maybe want to change before you freeze your nuts off?” Vin asked.

Buck waved lazily at him and answered, “Nah. Too worked up to freeze anything off. Kid gave me a run for my money out there.”

“I told you boogie-boarding wasn’t all that different,” JD replied smugly as he sat next to Vin.

Vin shook his head and observed, “Y’all are crazy, no doubt about it.”

“Chili’s got a couple hours to simmer and the game’s about to start,” Nathan announced.

JD whooped in glee and hopped back up. “I’m gonna change and meet you guys in front of that kickass tv!”

Chris’ merry gaze met Vin’s as the blond said, “I get tired just watching him.”

Chuckling, Vin stood and replied, “Come on, old man, let’s stake out the couch.”

“I’ve got the recliner!” Buck announced.

“Over my dead body,” Ezra countered, finally opening an eye.

Buck smirked. “That could be arranged.”

“You’re not sitting wet in that chair. You want it, get changed first,” Chris ordered firmly.

“Damnit!” Buck swore, hurrying off the porch.

Ezra grinned and questioned, “How long do I have?”

“I’ve known Buck to get out of that gear in less than a minute, when motivated,” Chris replied.

“In that case…”

Vin watched as Ezra gracefully rolled off the chaise lounge and strode quickly inside.

“Guess that just leaves us,” Chris said softly.

Meeting his eyes again, Vin’s mouth dried as green because his world, mesmerized by the heat in the gaze. Vin swallowed with an effort and croaked, “Guess so.”

“C’mon, let’s watch the game,” Chris said, standing with a grin and following Ezra inside.

Vin blinked a couple of times, utterly thrown by the change, and drew in a shuddering breath. While he appreciated Chris taking his time, teasing like that just wasn’t fair. Then he snorted, remembering Chris’ words about not playing fair, and walked inside as well.

*  *  *  *

The game was still going in overtime, when the chili was dished up. The team was pretty evenly divided over who should win, and Ezra had taken bets from everyone save JD, claiming not to want to corrupt a minor. That had started a huff on JD’s part, but Chris had seen some kind of gleam in the young agent’s eyes that didn’t bode well for Ezra. He’d firmly told himself to keep out of it and dug into the big bowl of chili, which had been incredibly good.

He made as many excuses as possible to lean over, or on, Vin, kept their thighs in contact, spoke quiet enough that the shouting from the others had Vin bending his ear close to hear him. Basically, it was all-out warfare on those walls that Vin had so high in place against him. It was going to take more than one get together with the guys to make Vin comfortable with dating the boss, logically Chris knew that. But he had to start somewhere.

It helped that Ezra made openly admiring comments about the men in their uniforms, and the banter between Buck and Ezra bordered on flirting, when it wasn’t insulting. It helped even more that the others didn’t even comment on it, aside from JD’s exaggerated eye roll now and again. Chris could see Vin still trying to take it all in, to figure out his place, even though the whole team had only been in place two weeks more than Vin had been a part of it.

The whole afternoon flew by at an astonishingly fast pace and all-too-soon, it was over. Buck and JD volunteered to wash the dishes, since Nathan and Josiah had cooked. Or, actually, JD had volunteered himself and Buck, and Chris had accepted too fast for Buck to get out of it. The rest of them retired to the porch where Josiah lit up a cigar and Ezra surprised him by accepting one and doing the same. Nathan just shook his head at them and commented about cancer rates in older men, which Ezra took exception to, but Josiah just ignored with a grin and a smoke-ring.

Chris took out one of his rare cheroots and puffed on it in contentment. Between the brilliant stars over the ocean and Vin, Chris wasn’t sure which was a nicer sight and settled on a mental tie, then gave Vin the victory.

“I think we’d best be getting home,” Nathan announced. “It’s a long drive.”

Josiah nodded agreement and said, “We’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

Chris nodded his goodbye, while Ezra and Vin exchanged words with the other two. Buck and JD came out a few minutes later with the same news and Chris hid a smile at how drowsy the younger man looked. Of course, he knew from personal experience that surfing took a lot out of a body, even when you were used to it. For a newbie, JD was doing damn good to still be on his feet and coherent. Ezra took his leave with JD and Buck, so it was just Vin left by the time ten o’clock rolled around.

“You going to be all right, riding home?” Chris asked.

Vin nodded. “Haven’t had anything to drink for a few hours, I’m good.”

Shaking his head, mentally picturing Vin’s almost threadbare leather jacket, Chris replied, “I meant because of the weather. Damn cold not to be in a car.”

Lips twitching into a smile, as if knowing exactly what Chris was thinking, Vin repeated, “I’m good. Thanks, though.”

Standing when Vin did, Chris followed him inside, then locked the porch door. He made the rounds, making sure all the windows were latched and the stove properly disconnected. Once that was through, he walked outside with Vin to the Harley, waiting while the other got situated to say, “Drive safe, Vin.”

“I will,” Vin promised, smiling up at him.

Chris couldn’t stop himself from bending down to take those smiling lips in a slow, deep kiss. Vin groaned and opened to his tongue, which eagerly found a home exploring Vin’s mouth. It was heaven the likes of which he hadn’t had in over two years and Chris very, very reluctantly pulled back.

Dazed for a couple of seconds, Vin pulled himself together, clearing his throat to say, “Damn, Cowboy, you sure know how to kiss.”

“Never had any complaints,” Chris replied, grinning.

Shaking his head, Vin said, “This doesn’t change anything. I’m not…I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“I do,” Chris countered. “And none of the guys would care. I’m going to keep trying to change your mind.”

“Good thing I’m not one to make sexual harassment complaints.”

Chris grinned at the muttered comment, but then turned serious and informed Vin, “The day you look at me and seriously tell me to stop, I stop. I won’t press myself where I’m honestly not wanted, Vin.”

Looking shy and confused all of a sudden, Vin replied quietly, “I know, Chris. I’m just…it’s gonna take some time. I’m not, not used to anyone, you know, taking a second look at me. Not like this anyhow.”

Chris cupped Vin’s face, noting that it was a little too cool from being outside too long. “I’ve got plenty of time, partner, I’m not going anywhere. Now take off before you freeze your ass to the metal.”

A laugh escaped Vin and he nodded. “See ya tomorrow.”

Stepping back, Chris waited until Vin’s taillight was gone before turning to his SUV and climbing inside. He whistled happily as he started the car to head home. The beach house was good for little get-togethers during the winter, but not for living in. Besides which, he had the horses to feed because he hadn’t put on the timer before he’d left. He honestly hadn’t expected to be out this late.

The team was fitting together better and faster than anyone could have imagined, and he had leads on several things that they could start prep work for, since Josiah would be healed up enough for a new assignment in a week. Not to mention, Vin hadn’t outright turned him down again.

It had been a great day.