Emerson stumbled back, his gaze pinned on Dash.
“Hurry!” Dash pleaded.
Emerson rounded the car. He pulled the files out and tucked them under one arm before returning to Dash’s side. He shoved his other arm under Dash’s and held on to his back, urging them both forward.
Together they staggered down the dock to Emerson’s boat. He wasn’t even sure how he got from the dock to the deck of the boat but was glad when Emerson finally got them inside. He slammed the files onto the kitchen counter before dragging Dash into his arms.
“What the fuck is this?” Emerson asked, his voice more growl than anything.
“I’m…” Dash shivered. “I’m going into heat.”
24
Emerson stared down at Dash in disbelief. He blinked a few times, his heart pounding in his chest like a raw toothache. Hecouldn’thave heard what he heard.“Heat?You mean rut?”
Dash panted, leaning his weight onto Emerson. “No… I meanheat.”
Emerson shifted his stance, supporting Dash’s flagging body, all while his mind raced.
How was analphagoing into heat?
It was impossible, but as the need to rut rose within Emerson, the ability to use logic grew thinner. He couldn’t ignore his reaction to whatever it was Dash had going on.
It’s just like when we first met… only stronger.
Emerson’s hands trembled as he grasped Dash by the waist.
Dash’s breathing grew even more erratic as he gazed up at Emerson. “Pull the boat out… so no one can hear.” Dash swallowed with difficulty, his eyelids drooping.“Please…”
Protect him!
The desperate need to shelter his mate cleared Emerson’s mind of the immediate urge to fuck, if only for a few seconds. Seconds were all he needed to shake himself of the pull. Withoutanother word, Emerson raced outside and unmoored the boat from the dock. He jumped all but one step up to the pilot’s deck and lunged for the controls. As soon as he turned the key in the engine, it sputtered… but didn’t roll over.
He turned the key again and got anothercrank-crank-crank.
Closing his eyes and lifting his head to the stars above, he sent out a prayer to whichever god would hear his plight and offer a little grace.
A mass of dark clouds moved away from the nearly full moon. Night turned to near daylight. Emerson smiled to himself. That brilliant, translucent light had to be a sign if he’d ever seen one.Allwould be well.
Emerson gave the key another try and…
Nothing.
“Fuuuuuuck!”he bellowed to the heavens above.
He turned his gaze down to the boat itself. “I’ve never asked for much, have I? Turnthe fuckover!”
Emerson gave it one more try.
The engine roared to life, sputtered and almost failed, but held on. Emerson let out a howl of victory, thrusting a fist over his head before plopping into the captain’s seat and hitting the throttle.
“Oh, baby,” he whispered to the wheel as he caressed it, grinning to himself. “How could I ever doubt you?”
Emerson pulled out into the bay, passing the lumbering giants filling the shipping lane, and farther out towards the bobbing buoys with their dull, flashing lights. He neared the spot where he’d anchored earlier in the evening—far from shore, but not too close to the seawall to beg inspection. As soon as they were in a safe enough position, he cut the engine, lowered the anchor, and ran back down to Dash.
When he opened the door into the living spaces, a thick wall of pheromones slapped him in the face and knocked the air fromhis lungs. He gripped the doorframe, a rumbling growl vibrating through him.
Claim him…
