 “Could you be any more obnoxious about this?” Nick had a headache, a big one that was roughly Todd sized. Todd stopped in his tracks and pretended to be deep in thought before saying, “Yes.” Then he started walking toward the pier once more. “Of course you could, what was I thinking?” Nick grumbled and trailed behind his mate, reminding himself yet again that Todd was his world, the love of his life, his everything. Right now, that everything was getting on Nick’s last nerve. They walked along the boardwalk that led to the pier among an absolute crush of people. Being around so many strangers was giving Nick’s nerves a serious jolt and making him more irritable than Todd ever could. Their luggage had been taken right from the train they’d traveled south on to the section of the pier where their riverboat was boarding passengers. Todd had wanted to walk to get the full “experience.” Nick could have done without any experience just fine. Nick had to admit his mate cut a very dashing figure in his crisp black suit, white shirt, narrow black tie with the silver clasp, and wide-brimmed black hat. Glancing at the river, Nick wondered, if he grabbed that hat and threw it just the right way, would it sail clear to the other side? “Oh, come on, we have to check this out before we board!” Todd grabbed Nick’s arm and hauled him along faster. It was the third vendor they’d just had to check out. Nick sighed and stood behind Todd as best he could while Todd looked over the selection this vendor showed off. At least it was weapons, guns and knives, so more interesting to Nick than the dice, fake lucky charms, and playing cards of the previous place. Todd tolerated Nick’s fascination with finding books everywhere they went, so it was only fair Nick returned the favor. He simply wished there weren’t so many people brushing by them. When the proprietor gave Nick a sour glare, Nick huffed out a breath, rolled his eyes, and dropped to one knee, arms crossed over his other knee. He rubbed his temples while Todd chatted happily with the merchant. “Oh, Nicky, look at this, it’s just like the one Jack James had.” Todd held a small gun with a pearl handle under Nick’s nose while Nick grumbled the words “Just like Jack James.” “And check this out. It’s got the spring strap for under my jacket.” “Are we hunting chipmunks now? Is it loaded?” “Oh, right, good thought.” Todd turned to the proprietor and asked, “Do you have ammo for it?” “Damn, not loaded,” Nick muttered. “Probably doesn’t have enough power to pierce my skull, anyway.” Todd finished paying for his purchase and looked down at him. “Huh?” “Nothing.” Nick smiled up at Todd. His bangs flopped in his eyes, the picture of innocence, doting mate and slave. “I do love you. Always remember that.” The simple fact was, however, if Nick heard the words “just like Jack James” one more time, it was distinctly possible there weren’t enough bullets manufactured--anywhere—to slow him down, let alone stop him. Shaking his head, Todd hooked a finger under Nick’s slave collar and gave a very gentle tug. “Let’s go, we’ll miss our boat.” “‘Cause I was the one stopping every three feet,” Nick said and smiled.    
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