“You sneaking out?” a familiar voice cut in.
Axel’s head snapped up, finding Sam leaning against the side of the house, a cigarette between his fingers. It took a second to find his voice, the magic that changed him from one shape to another prickling beneath his skin. “I didn’t realise you were out here,” he said, his beast’s attention pinned to the dark silhouette.
Sam’s irises were reflective against the moon, the amber glowing. His hair was a straight curtain, draped over his shoulder with his back slightly arched. He lifted the cigarette to his lips, taking a long drag before releasing the smoke in an ethereal cloud. “I can’t sleep.”
Axel closed his eyes, Sam’s voice calming his anger to a simmer.
“So, are you sneaking out?” Sam asked once more.
Axel stood to his full height, the movement jerky. He wasn’t going to fall, even if the craving was violent, taking over his thoughts. His beast growled in agreement, releasing some of the tension that strained his shoulders. “I’m not on my way to get high, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Sam’s attention dipped to the red lines on his arms. “So you’re what… enjoying the night air?”
“Why are you hiding outside?” Axel asked instead, trying to hide the already fading marks.
Sam shrugged. “This isn’t my house.”
“No, but it’s safe.”
“Is it?” Sam cocked his head, and Axel’s heart raced for reasons other than anger. “Is anywhere really safe?”
“You’re protected –”
“Sure.” Sam’s chuckle broke him off. “I feel like I’ve lost everything.” Carefully stubbing out his cigarette he straightened. “Everything I’ve built, it’s crumbling around me.”
Axel licked his dry lips, and Sam’s attention dropped to the subtle movement. “All I can think about is shooting up,” he admitted, uncomfortable with the vulnerability. “And do you know what? I’m not even in pain.”
“When’s the last time you used?” Sam asked, voice soft.
“Not long enough for me to be craving something so soon.” Axel tipped back his head, staring at the night. “Even now, I feel my control slipping. I almost lost it inside, all because I’m stupid enough to believe brimstone would help.” He may have started the drugs to help with the growing pain, but he had long ignored the signs of addiction.
“Let me distract you,” Sam whispered.
“Distract me?” Axel pulled his attention from the sky, finding Sam only a few feet away, the air thickening between them. “How would you distract me, exactly?”
“Any way you want.” Sam reached over, his hand brushing against Axel’s shoulder. “Let me make you feel good.”
“Sam…” Axel ended with a silent curse as Sam’s hand drifted lower. The distraction was working, his entire being pinned on the fingers that teased at the edge of his jeans.
“Let me do this.” Sam stepped closer, his heat wrapping around Axel in a welcoming caress. “It’s the only thing I have left.”
“Bullshit, you have more to offer people than sex.”
Sam’s body tensed, muscles rigid. “Then helpmeforget.”
Axel took a second to reply as Sam managed to slip his fingers beneath the denim. “Forget?”
“Help me forget that I’ve lost everything.”
“You’ve not lost everything.” Axel moved to grip Sam’s wrist, stopping him from exploring any further. “How can I show you how amazing you are? You’re not some body to warm beds, you’re this amazing male that lights up every room he enters.”
“Stop it,” Sam growled, a vibration low in his throat. “This is just sex.”
“Of course it is, because that’s all you want,” Axel said, surprised by the slight resentment.
Sam nodded, just a shallow dip of his head. It brought his lips closer, but neither of them closed the distance. “You’re making this complicated. I don’t want complicated; I want to fuck and be fucked so hard that I forget my father’s come back from the dead. That I’ve lost my home, and that from tomorrow I’m going to have to rebuild with the knowledge that I’ll probably never be free from him.”
“Would you find someone else if I said no?”
