“Girlfriend?”
“Definitely not. I love women but they just don’t do it for me.”
“Brothers? Sisters?”
Daniel closed his eyes. “No. I… I have no family left. Just me.”
“I’m sorry you’re alone, too. My family is gone, as well.”
Daniel cuddled closer. “I have my coworkers. They’re kind of like family.” He lifted his head and grinned. “And I like good sex. A lot.”
“We’ve certainly been having that.” Aaron stroked his hand down Daniel’s bare back.
Daniel propped his chin on his hand, trying to make Aaron’s expression out in the darkness of the room. “Two orphans, huh? It’s probably the only thing we have in common.”
“I wouldn’t say that. I wish I could be here longer, so we could discover all the things we have in common.”
The pang Daniel felt with his words went deeper than he would have expected after only knowing this man a few days. But they’d been a hell of a good few days. His sore body could attest to that. Their eyes had met in a bar, and Aaron had walked right up to him to boldly state that he was only in town a short time but that he’d like to spend it with him. Bold and gorgeous with a sort of restrained strength that highly appealed to Daniel. He’d said yes right away.
He let out a sigh and moved his hand to rest his cheek on Aaron’s chest. Crinkly hair tickled his cheek, and he rubbed against it. “You feel it too, don’t you?” he whispered.
“Yeah, Daniel, I do.” Aaron tightened the arms he had around Daniel before stroking his hand up and down his spine again.
“Maybe we could meet sometimes. I like to travel, and Virginia is nice.”
“Unfortunately, I’m hardly ever there or in one place for long. My job takes me all over the country.”
Daniel lifted his head. “Then we could meet other places. This doesn’t feel like a mere hookup. I know I probably sound crazy, but chemistry like we have is pretty damned rare.”
“I’ve never felt chemistry like this.”
“Then meet me.” He leaned up and softly kissed Aaron’s lips.
“I will,” he whispered back before he pressed his lips harder to Daniel’s…
Daniel sat up in bed, his heart aching. “Fuck this.” Aaron, or Noel, had never called again after disappearing later that night. He couldn’t help but wonder if any of their intimate conversations had been based in truth. Now, he was back and just expecting to pick up where they’d left off. For all Noel knew, Daniel could have a boyfriend by now. It would serve him right.
He didn’t, though. There was actually nothing but fear keeping him from being with the man. One who was more than likely his soulmate.
Daniel threw on a pair of sweats and left his bedroom to get a drink. The whole time, he cursed himself for several things. The memories, the desire simmering inside his body, and even the very thorough shower he’d taken. What the hell? Despite how he was feeling, he’d still readied himself just in case. He was a fool.
He was just grabbing a tumbler when his doorbell rang, and his breath stopped. He knew exactly who was on the other side of that door. Had known Noel would come. He hesitated. Thought of pretending to be asleep. But he’d turned on lights, so his being awake was obvious.
And he was no damn coward.
Just kind of…weak where Noel was concerned.
Their explosive attraction to each other hadn’t waned in all these years. He doubted it ever would.
A knock sounded. “Come on, Daniel. I know you can’t sleep either. Know you’re in there listening.”
Daniel strode to the door and when he opened it, it was to find Noel with his hand raised to knock again.
Noel dropped his arm and all he said was, “Daniel. Are you ready to talk?” Then his gaze dropped to Daniel’s bare chest and those blue eyes went molten.
Daniel, driven by years of longing, just gave in. He moved first.
He retracted his claws and wrapped one hand around Noel’s neck, slamming their mouths together. The relief was instant, lasted one second, before he was flooded with the kind of lust that obliterated everything else. He tugged Noel into his house and kicked the door shut behind him. They ate at each other’s mouths as Noel bent his knees and hauled Daniel up into his arms. He grabbed his ass tight, carrying him to the couch, then pressed him down into the cushions. He came down on top of Daniel, who spread his legs so Noel could fit closer against him.
