Zack didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. For the first time in years, he felt like he belonged somewhere.
They rode until the scenery blurred from green to gold and back again. Colton eventually slowed, easing them to a stop near an overlook, and cut the engine. The sudden quiet left Zack buzzing with life, heart still racing. He kept his arms wound around Colton, afraid to let go.
“You alive back there?”
“I’m so alive right now. Possibly too alive. My body may never recover.”
Colton patted Zack’s hip. “Want to stretch your legs?”
More than you know, Zack thought, but didn’t say it. Instead, he clambered off the bike, stumbling a little. Colton steadied him with a big hand at his waist, squeezing gently. Zack melted into it, breathing hard, legs like jelly.
They stood at the overlook, staring down at Crimson Hollow. All the shops and the curve of the river in the distance, the traffic so tiny it barely mattered. The sky carried that washed-out blue, sunlight sharp enough to cast crisp outlines on the pavement. Zack wiped sweat from his forehead and tried to catch his breath.
Colton watched him, every so often glancing at Zack’s face like he was searching for something.
When the silence stretched too long, Zack filled it. “If you ever want to kill a guy with a motorcycle ride, that’s the way to do it. Good job, A-plus, would recommend.”
A short laugh rumbled from Colton. “You did fine, Blue.”
“Did I?” Zack’s hands trembled when he tried to dig his fingers through his tangled hair. “Because I’m pretty sure my soul left my body half a mile back.”
Colton reached out. His palm dwarfed Zack’s, thumb brushing gently along the bruised wrist. “You stayed on. Didn’t scream, didn’t puke, didn’t pass out. That’s a win.”
At the touch, Zack unspooled a little, the adrenaline shuffling off. “Is this thing really safe?”
“Safe as it gets,” Colton promised. “Wouldn’t risk you for anything.”
That did something embarrassing to Zack’s insides. He looked away, staring at the chrome where it glittered in the heat. “You probably do this all the time, right? Take guys for rides, watch them fall off the back?”
Colton shook his head. “Nope.” He stared right at Zack, letting the truth hang in the air. “You’re the only one to ride at my back.”
For once, Zack didn’t have a sarcastic or witty reply, so he just clung to the edge of the bench and willed himself not to blush. Colton just sat there, sun flashing against the muscles in his arms, brown eyes tracking Zack the way a man watched something precious.
Then he scooted closer, sliding a gentle but possessive hand over Zack’s hip.
“Wanna keep going?”
Zack nodded. “Yes.”
Climbing back on was easier this time. Zack swung up behind Colton, arms wrapping around his waist without hesitation. The leather seat was hot, but all that mattered was warmth of the man in front of him.
Colton fired up the bike and steered them back toward the main road, a little faster this time. Zack didn’t even care. He held on, pressed his cheek to Colton’s back, and let the world fall away.
Everything else—the job, the rent, Craig and his threats—all of it, vanished.
Chapter Five
The bruise on Zack’s wrist hadn’t been there yesterday. Colton wanted to find the son of a bitch who’d put it there and tear out their spine. As badly as he wanted to demand answers, he held back. Zack appeared relaxed, and he didn’t want to ruin their outing. For now, he kept his hands open and gave Zack space to just enjoy the afternoon, but that bruise on his mate’s wrist hadn’t left his mind. He watched it every time Zack reached to brush sweaty hair off his forehead. The bruise was recent—and angry, already purpled around the edges.
When his mate flashed a smile, Colton let the tension out through a slow exhale. It was either that or grab the next guy who even looked at Zack funny and fold him in half.
They made it back to Cyril’s, grabbed another coffee. Colton had barely tasted his drink. Most of his focus had been on listening for any twinge in Zack’s voice, any tiny hitch that meant the wrist hurt worse than he let on. His panther prowled restless in his gut, wanting to pick up Zack and wrap him up until nothing could touch him again.
Outside the café, Colton moved in close, making sure to walk curbside, just in case. Yeah, it was a nothing town with low crime, but he’d seen too much shit over the years to ever pretend random crap couldn’t happen. Buildings hunched along the street, sun flashing in the glass. Zack turned every few steps just to check if Colton was paying attention.
“You sure you’re not tired of me yet?” his mate asked. “I know I talk a lot. My brother used to say I could talk a glass eye to tears. He’s a dick, but he’s not wrong.”
Colton bumped his mate’s hip with his, steering Zack around a loose stone on the sidewalk. “Nah, I like it. Your mouth’s my favorite thing about you.”
