Naked sounded like the most perfect state.
He wanted a lot of up-close and personal dual nakedness with his very own bear.
Race just squinted at him, seeming incredibly suspicious. Nolan tried for a really bright smile because dammit, he loved his brother and he didn’t want to have to punch him in the face or drug him or something and knock him back out.
Race glanced past him to look at Ryder, his eyebrows going up. “Can I talk to you for just a second, Nolan? I know you’re fixing to be all busy, but I need to chat with you just briefly.” Race stepped back, holding the door open for him, giving him a pointed glare.
Nolan sighed, rolling his eyes, and he tried not to be all pouty about it. “Okay, but like two minutes.”
“Thanks. Be right back.” Race closed the door and walked into the room with him, pulling him away from the door by the arm. “Are you sure this is wise?”
Nolan crossed his arms over his chest, tugging his limb out of Race’s grip. “Am I sure what is wise?”
“Hooking up with Ryder. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the one who sent Ryder your way and sent you to Quin, but you’re kind of?—”
“I swear to God if you say on the rebound, I will ball up my fist and punch you in the nose.”
Race held up his hands in a placating gesture. “No, I didn’t mean on the rebound. I know that’s not what you are. You didn’t care about that asshole at all. In fact, you wanted to escape him desperately.”
“I did.” Nolan tilted his head. “I want to be here with Ryder.”
“Okay, but you’re not just being with him because he’s safe, and he makes you feel like you don’t have to worry about your ex coming after you, right?” Race waved his hands in the air. “I mean, I can get you someplace safer if you want. Someplace where there’s no drones or darts or ex-assholes.”
Nolan pressed his lips together and stared. Then he took a deep breath again because he wanted to just scream, but that wasnot nice. “The drone came after you.”
Race’s expression went stricken. “I know. I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lead them right here to the door.”
“I know you didn’t. But it just seemed like a prudent thing to say to get you to slow down and understand what I’m saying. I think Ryder and I are mates. For real mates.” He thought Race didn’t really believe in that, like in the whole “it was fate” sort of way, but…
“Uh-huh. Yeah, whatever. Look, I’m just trying to protect you. It’s— I don’t want you to be like frying pan-into-the-fire guy.”
“I don’t feel like I’m in the fire, and I appreciate you. I do, but I’m not going anywhere.”
“Maybe you should come stay with me for a couple of weeks,” Race tried.
Nolan shook his head. “Not gonna happen. Listen to me when I speak to you. Please.”
He knew he was the younger brother. He knew that he was the one who was mostly unreliable because he had allowed the situation with the Herschel to overwhelm him, so he guessed he deserved to be doubted.
You do not.That was Ryder, so sure, so definite.You are brave, and strong, and if Race isn’t making you feel that way, then you can just walk out and say, “I’ll talk to you later, okay?” There’s no shame in that.
You’re right. He looked at his brother and smiled. “I know you have to think I’m a nut, but I’m not crazy. I’m just into Ryder, deep.” He sighed. “I need you to trust me. And if you can’t, I understand. But I’m still going to do this my way.”
Race waved his hands. “I don’t think you’re a nut. I just think you’re my little brother, and I worry about you. But Ryder is agood man, a good bear. I trust him, and I do believe without question he’d be good to you. So if you want to move really fast, I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks. I love you. I kinda feel like I know what I want for the first time in my life.”
Race beamed at him, snuggling in for a hard hug. “I’m glad for you, kiddo. Really I am. I just…I worry. I can’t help it, you know?”
“I do.”
They held each other for a good long time, then Nolan let go. His mate was waiting.
“Is he right outside the door?” Race asked.
He nodded. He could feel Ryder, solid and sure behind the door.
“Then you’d better get with the program and let him in before he breaks it down.”
