“You’d still lose what you’d built.”
Dash nodded. “To a degree.”
“And that doesn’t take away the prospect of prison.”
“I realize that,” Dash said. He moved closer to Emerson, pressing his body against the alpha’s. “But you were right. I’ve been denying myself. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
He lifted a hand to cup Emerson’s cheek before he rose on his toes. He pressed his lips to Emerson’s, desperate to close the gulf between them.
Emerson didn’t move at first. His lips remained still. But after a few seconds he returned the kiss. His hand slid to the back of Dash’s head, holding them closer. Dash opened his mouth, urging Emerson’s tongue to swipe across his. Dash tangled his fists in the front of Emerson’s t-shirt, starving for more.
A loud cough made them both jump apart.
Dash’s shame-filled gaze flew to the pier as he straightened his hair with one hand. They’d been kissing out in the fucking open, for fuck’s sake. They knew better.
Heknew better.
A man lurked on the pier, only a halo of light at his back from a security light on the next pier over. Panic clutched at Dash’s chest.
They’d already fucked up.
The man leapt on board. Harrison stood watching them, mouth agape, with a six-pack in one hand. After a few seconds, he pinned his gaze on Emerson. “I guess you forgot I was coming over tonight, hmm?”
Emerson scoffed. “Sorry. My head was elsewhere.”
“Clearly,” Harrison said. He handed Emerson the six-pack. His gaze moved between them. “Are you twotryingto get caught?”
“Our brains don’t seem to work well when we’re alone together,” Emerson said, eyeing Dash.
“While I’d love to stay and play chaperone, three’s a crowd.” Harrison paused, laughing. “Well, inthiscase, three’s a crowd.”
Dash wanted to laugh at Harrison’s little joke, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins hadn’t had enough time to calm.
“Enjoy the beer,” Harrison said. “I’d suggest enjoying it inside where no one can seehow muchfun you’re having.”
“You don’t have to leave,” Dash said. “You two had plans. I showed up unannounced. I’ll go.”
“No,”Harrison said, holding up his palms. “I wouldn’t have intruded had the circumstances been different, but I didn’t want someone else to catch you. Otherwise, I’d have been gone and neither one of you would’ve known I was even here.”
“Thank you for that,” Dash murmured, cheeks growing warmer. “I don’t know what we were thinking.”
Harrison watched him closely.
Dash squirmed under the man’s knowing gaze. “I don’t want to get in the way of a brothers’ night in. I’ll go.”
“Dash… I see Emerson at work nearly every day.” Harrison smiled. “I sense he’d prefer your company to mine anyway.” Harrison gazed past him to Emerson. “See you Monday?”
“Yeah, Monday,” Emerson murmured.
Dash saw shame in Emerson’s expression. He could barely look at his brother. Dash’s impetuous kiss had caused that.Hewas the dangerous one—not Emerson.
Why the fuck had he kissed the man out in the open?
After a few seconds, when the sound of Harrison’s footfalls faded, Dash sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Wait here,” Emerson said, his tone devoid of emotion.
Emerson leapt onto the dock and strode away, chasing after Harrison.
