Rising to his knees, Slade cupped his balls in one hand, frantically working his shaft. Head thrown back, eyes closed, he let out a low moan. His whole body shook as he rained pearly drops onto Noah’s skin. Beautiful. The artist as a work of art.
After a few more shudders, Slade flopped down beside Noah, breathing hard but extending an arm and clutching Noah close. Sweat flattened the curls on Slade’s chest. Noah moved the beard to place his ear over Slade’s heart.Thump-thump, went the steady rhythm, harder and faster than normal.
Like Noah’s own.
Slade pressed a finger against Noah’s chin, forcing his head up until their eyes met.
And then their lips.
It turned out they hadn’t needed the bottle of lube Slade retrieved from the Durango.
But a guy could hope.
They didn’t get their hike, though Noah didn’t mind, tired from shifting and sex. What they did counted as sex, right?
Whatever one called what they’d done, the encounter left Noah wrung out. They didn’t bother dressing as they made lunch, ate, and washed dishes.
Slade stayed quiet. Was something wrong? Did he regret what they’d done? Worrying over Noah’s confession of murder?
“Is everything okay?” Noah finally asked.
“What?” Slade jerked his head up from where he contemplated his plate. “Oh, yeah. Fine. Listen, I have to go out for a while later. Will you be all right?”
Sex, then leaving? “Are you sure everything’s okay?” Noah’s insides twisted. What if Slade thought him too much trouble and left? Hard to blame him if he did.
Slade gave a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, I’m sure. I got an opportunity to do some work while we’re here and thought we could use the extra cash.”
“I told you, I have—”
“Plenty of money in a bank account.” Slade held up his hands to stop any arguments. “We’ll dip into your savings if we need to, but bank accounts are too easy to track. So until I’m sure you’re safe, I’m going to act like everyone we meet is a threat, which reminds me. Can you shoot a gun?”
“Yes.”
“I’m leaving you my Glock. Don’t be afraid to use force if you have to.”
Noah didn’t remind Slade of killing people with his teeth. “I’ll be okay. I’ve got the books you bought me.”
“They’re okay, right? I didn’t know what you read or what level.”
“They’re perfect! I may not have gone to school, but I did pass a test to graduate high school. Paul made a pretty good teacher.”
“Really?” Slade’s brows reached for his hairline. “Have you ever given thought to college?”
Noah snorted. “Can you see me becoming a lawyer, wearing a suit and tie in the human world?” He shook his head.
“There are plenty of other majors out there—some for jobs in the woods. Besides, lawyers can change things. You can quietly work on keeping shifters safe. Think about it, okay?”
Was Slade trying to get rid of Noah by dropping him off at college? No. He wouldn’t. Would he?
Slade eased Noah’s doubts with a kiss every bit as fierce as any they’d shared, his beard scratchy against Noah’s face. Then Slade showered, dressed, and roared away on the Harley.
But where? At least leaving his truck meant he’d be back.
Right?
Chapter Twenty-One
Sladeplottedhiscoursebased on stores’ closing times. He’d checked Noah’s clothes, adding or taking away sizes based on the fit, and hit a superstore for underwear, jeans, a few shirts, and a sturdy jacket. He’d love to see Noah in leather from a Harley store.
