The best part of it all was the dare in his eyes. It was a silent conversation, but it was still blaring—“You’re in so much fucking trouble.”
Noah hadn’t had meaningless hookups, but from Val and Theo’s anecdotes, there was no way someone would behave like Kaj if they didn’t care.
Even with the distance between them in this dim, loud place, with flashing lights and people talking above the harsh beats of music, Noah heard Kaj’s jaw grinding in his mind when some of the patrons flirted with him. It happened a lot, like it was some sort of social requirement in these types of places, and it was a two-way street. As a customer, you could earn a free shot. As a bartender, you could get better tips. But it meant no harm. Still,Kaj was tense, and if glares could kill, he would have committed genocide at this point.
“And when’s the next tour coming for you?” Noah asked when his brain put Zach’s words together and made sense of them.
“They’re still on tour. The States this time. But I need to focus on college.”
“Yeah. I get that.” He nodded while pouring beers for a group of friends too caught up in their banter to notice the girls ogling them from a few meters away.Observation. It was a superpower Noah had developed during the months he’d been working here.
“I hope I’ll be jumping from city to city again next year.”
“You better bring me a gift or something next time, or I’m gonna get mad.”
Zach grinned. “What is it that the pretty boy wants?”
“A magnet or a mug. I don’t know. Something that shows you still think of me.”
“Of course I think of you.” He smirked. “And the things I’d do to you again.”
Noah quirked an eyebrow and slid the five beer pints across the counter, taking the money without looking away from Zach’s hazel eyes.
“I’m kidding.” He let out a resounding laugh. “I know you’re a one dude at a time guy, and by the way he’s staring”—Zach tilted his head in Kaj’s direction—“I’d say you two are fucking.”
“I...” Noah’s eyes flicked to Kaj for a moment, a wave of shame hitting him. “Sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say as guilt jammed his throat.
Zach shook his head, smiling. “Like I said a few months ago,it’s alright. No hard feelings. Besides, I’ve had my fair share of tits and dicks this summer.”
Noah scrunched his nose with a crooked smile. He had to admit that a tiny part of him twinged at that statement, but hefelt relieved. Like a weight he hadn’t noticed he was carrying lifted off his shoulders. “Should I congratulate you?”
“I’ve kinda surpassed my personal record.”
“Congrats!” He chuckled.
“Anyway, been here long enough. Gonna go back with the guys.” Zach pointed with his thumb. “Do you think it worked?”
“What?”
“Making him jealous.”
Noah snorted, glancing at the drummer again just in time to see him gripping his glass tighter than necessary. “I’d say yes.”
“Good. He needs to know he’s not your only option.” Zach flashed him a mischievous grin as he outstretched his hand for Noah to shake. “Just be careful, yeah?” His expression was one of affection and concern. He’d seen right through them.
Noah smiled, warmth spreading inside his chest. “I will.”
“Have fun then.” Zach winked at him and walked away.
Be careful.
Those words sounded heavier than they were, and Noah knew exactly why.
He knew what they were doing was wrong, no matter how honest Mads and Kaj’s relationship was. They were pretty solid from what Noah had seen, but the fact that Kaj was here now and had chosen to spend the weekend at his house—on top of everything else they’d been doing—instead of sleeping or doing something else, showed a clear shift in their dynamic. Whether Kaj acknowledged it or not, this was more than just sex for him, too. Bittersweet, ugly, and most likely borderline psychotic, but it was fucking thrilling knowing he stirred that possessive part of him.
While Noah had never considered himself selfish, with Kaj, the need to forsake all warning signs and succumb to his darkest needs prevailed over morality.
So, instead of cutting the strings binding them, he wouldtakeeverything he could from him. Every stroke, kiss, and bite. Every drop of hate and lust. Until they reached an imminent breaking point.
