Emerson’s smile grew. “Youmost certainlydid.”
Dash rolled his eyes.
Emerson dragged him over, capturing his lips. Dash fought him—for a matter of seconds—before he wrapped his arms around his mate, another round of heat hitting him hard. After their third round, they collapsed together, their limbs a tangle. Emerson squirmed a little closer, kissing his forehead before passing out.
Dash chuckled… and followed the man into slumber.
26
The next time Emerson awoke, he didn’t feel Dash’s heat clawing into him. Nor did he sense Dash nearby. His eyes closed, he searched the bed with one hand—until he noticed the shower going. Emerson was utterly exhausted—and he knew Dash had to be, as well. Yet his omega was up and showering alone? He forced himself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom.
A humid wave of steam hit him in the face when he opened the door. Once the fog lifted and his vision cleared, he found Dash scrubbing his body, seemingly fine.
Just a single night? Heats were supposed to bedayslong. He’d been looking forward to more time.
Emerson knocked on the glass door.
Dash spun, wide-eyed.
“Aren’tIsupposed to handle aftercare?” Emerson asked, one brow rising.
He asked that as if he remembered the instructions for what to do with an omega after a heat. Most of it was basic care for anyone after a semi-traumatic experience. A warm bath to soothe the body. Making sure they ate a small amount ofsomething easy on the stomach. Massages for spent muscles. Plenty of rest.
“You looked too peaceful to wake,” Dash said. “And I need to get into the office.”
“We’re out in the middle of the bay.”
Dash shrugged. “I’ve driven a boat before. Go back to bed. I can take us in.”
“We should stay here.”
“Why?”
Emerson scoffed. “You’vejusthad a heat.”
“You’d need not remind me,” Dash said, brushing his teeth as he turned off the water. “And if you don’t mind, can we keep this news between us?”
Emerson frowned. “As if I’d run through the streets, roaring it?”
“I more meant your brothers,” Dash said, opening the shower door.
“Oh, I already sent out a group text,” Emerson said, grinning.
Dash’s gaze whipped to his.
“I’m kidding,”Emerson said as he handed Dash a dry towel hanging beside him. “But they already know we’re together.”
“And that’s more than enough,” Dash said, continuing to dry himself.
Emerson stood watching, sensing he wasn’t going to win this argument. He wasn’t ready for Dash to leave. He’d anticipateddaysof intimacy with his mate, not a single evening.
“It’s only been hours, not days,” Emerson said.
“My heats are typically mild. And brief. If you’re not going back to bed, can you bring us back into dock while I get dressed?”
Emerson didn’t answer. Once Dash finished drying his hair, he looked into the mirror at Emerson.
“We’re not leaving until I know your heat is over and it’s safe for you to return to shore.”
