“I can pretend to still be asleep, and you can get out of the bed and pretend this never happened.” I always felt that an honorable man should make sure the other person kept their pride female or male. Honorable, the military would argue about what made one honorable.
His hand traced the knife wound on my chest. “You’re going to have to tell me about this.”
Normally, I shut down when someone saw the wound and asked me about what happened. He was right I was going to have to tell him because like it or not, he and I were headed for a relationship or a one-night stand as he called it.
I flipped him over so I could kiss him. His mouth opened for me. He tasted so good. I knew the exotic taste of him was his alien-ness, but I also knew I would never get tired of tasting it. His tongue dueled with mine. I pressed my hips against his as my hand caressed down his neck. I desperately wanted to be in him. That thought stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t know how… I knew how but not anally. None of my girlfriends were ever into that, and I never pressed it.
“You’re worrying for no reason.” He whispered in my ear.
Did that mean we would never get to that point, or he would tell me what to do? I pinned him with a stare, but he simply chuckled and got up.
“I’ll take that shower now.”
I put on my clothes while he was in the bathroom. I took the car and went to the closest store. I was able to get a large cooler, orange juice, apple juice, and tea. Then I went to the diner and picked us up some breakfast sandwiches.
When I got back, he was standing in the middle of the room with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair cascading over his shoulders. I needed him to give me a chance to breathe.
“I got drinks, no soda since you frown on it and breakfast sandwiches. Two for me and three for you.”
“Noah, you can’t keep feeding me.”
“Are you a gremlin?”
“A what?”
“They are these cute little… never mind. You have to eat Cole. If I’m eating, you’re eating.” He didn’t say anything. He just grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom. When he came out, he was fully dressed. He sat at the table with me and reached for a sandwich.
“You keep doing things like this; I'll think you want to keep me.” He rubbed his chest, and I wondered if he was feeling the same things I was.
“If I keep you, then you’ll have to make sure I have a roof over my head, and I come with a cranky parent.” I shot him a grin because his words had hit too close to home.
He gave me a knowing look. We finished breakfast so we could get an early start on the day.
“Who’s target number four?” I asked him.
“Guy by the name of Seth Hill.”
I nodded and turned on the radio as I opened my phone to get a good look at the guy and go over his stats. He was definitely a potential target. He was tall and muscular. I bet he played football in high school. A guy like that looked like he should have gone pro. Not that you can really tell from looks.
I was curious, so I googled him. What do you know, he was the tenth Seth Hill, I looked up. It turns out, he was good at football and even had a couple of talent scouts looking at him in high school. What happened?
“Something's not right with this guy.”
“What do you mean?” Cole frowned before running his hands through his hair. He was driving, so he didn’t turn around to look at me.
“I made him as a football player instantly. It turns out, he was, but he never went pro even though there were people interested in him. What college player doesn’t go pro if given a chance? Money, fame, girls. Girls, money and fame.”
“He had a different calling in life?”
“And that’s how I would know you weren’t from earth even if you hadn’t of told me. Listen closely, money, fame and a shit load of women throwing their panties at you and offering you what’s in those panties. You're twenty-something. You say yes and where do I sign.”
“Then what do you think happened?”
“Don’t know.”
We pulled down the street from his house. It was a beautiful two-story brick place. I grabbed a juice from the backseat where I kept a few extra. Cole and I would have to talk about his issues with soda. I was jonesing for one. Yes, I was completely addicted to the stuff. I figured if others could be addicted to coffee why couldn’t I be addicted to the bubbly goodness of caffeinated soda? Yeah, I needed to quit.
“Are you okay?” Cole asked me.
“Fine, thanks.” I took a swig of the juice and trained my eyes on the house. We sat there for roughly four hours before a car finally pulled up.
A couple in their late fifties early sixties got out of the car. I reached for the door handle. Cole’s hand was on mine before I could open it.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to talk to the cute couple that got out of the car.”
“I’ll go with you.”
I was shaking my head until I got a good look at his eyes. “I’ll be fine Cole. You’re right here close enough to get to me if anything happens.” His hand tightened on mine. I felt my heart rate pick up. He cared; I was wondering if this was a one-way street.
“Promise, I’ll be fine.” He reluctantly let my hand go, and I climbed out the car.
I crossed the street before I started walking down to them. “Hello,” I called out.
The woman who had taken a seat on the porch looked in my direction and waved.
“Hi,” I said as I got closer to them. “I hope this doesn’t come off as sounding weird. I was looking for Seth Hill. I used to know him in college, since I was in town, I thought I would stop past. Thing is I’m not completely sure where he lives.”
The woman was wiping her eyes. The man came over to pat her hand telling her it would be okay.
“We’re Seth’s parents.” The man spoke up. “He’s in Shady General. They think they finally have a kidney for him.”
I cursed myself a thousand times but didn’t let my smile falter. “I’m so sorry for barging in Mr. and Mrs. Hill.”
“Maybe you could go see him if only for a few minutes, he could use a friend.” His mother said.
“I’ll do that. Thanks.” I gave them a smile and a wave before walking away.
I could feel Cole’s eyes on me as I walked to the car. I got in and buckled up before I said anything.
“He’s in the hospital on a kidney transplant list. That’s why he never played pro.”
“We can cross him off our list.” He picked up the phone to call Angel. After he was done, he pulled off.
I was just sitting there. What could I say? It wasn’t part of my job to check up on people whose lives weren’t in danger. His was in danger but not from our perp.
I didn’t look up until Cole slowed down. He was pulling into a garage.
“Where are we?”
“Hospital.”
I should ask, but I didn’t. For one moment, I wanted to believe he had enough compassion to go see a sick guy who needed a friend. That was stupid because we had a life to save and a perp to catch. I followed him through the door and into an elevator. He never asked directions.
When we got to the room, I hardly recognized him from his picture.
“Hi, Seth.” I gave him a smile.
He turned his head. It was painfully slow.
“Do I know you?”
“We met a long time ago. Don’t worry if you don’t remember me.” I walked in and took a chair. Cole walked in and stood behind me.
“He your guy?” His eyes were locked on Cole.
I heard a longing in his voice that I couldn’t identify.
“How much longer do you have to be in here?”
“I’m next on the list. As long as nothing changes. I keep asking myself do miracles really happen? Is it possible for me to get a chance at a new life?” He went quiet and shrugged his shoulders.
“Doesn’t matter sometimes. I have no friends, but my parents need m
e.”
“Seth, how do you feel about aliens?” Cole asked him.
“I hate that word. Just because someone isn’t born here doesn’t make them aliens.”
“I agree. I have two friends, who may be able to help you. Would you mind if they came and saw you?”
“That would be nice I don’t get much company outside of my parents.”
“I’ll talk to them; I can’t promise anything. Their names are Nicolas Dare and Damon A’rouk.”
“Thanks. Can I ask why?”
“You touched Noah’s heart.”
“You love him,” Seth’s eyes closed.
“I don’t love you,” Cole told me when we left the room.
I didn’t answer because I wasn’t sure I deserved love.
We were silent as Cole maneuvered through the afternoon traffic. We were going to our last stop of the day which worked for me because all I could see was Seth in that bed. The image of him was messing with my head, and I really didn’t know why.
I wondered if his story was anything close to mine. Did he see his whole life in front of him? Was he sure of where he would end up, only to find that fate that fickle bitch was gunning for him? Did he do what he knew was right only to be punished for it?
Get over it Noah no one owes you anything, including life. I knew that I understood that. So why was I bitching and complaining? Because the unfairness of living was sometimes more than I could take. Then I looked over at Cole. I wondered who he would eventually love. Yeah for a minute I allowed myself to feel jealous.
Chapter Seven
Cole
We were sitting in front of Riley Marks house. Noah had been quiet since we left the hospital. No, he’d been quiet since I reminded him I didn’t love him. I still wasn’t sure what made me say that to him. It could have been dinner or breakfast. I knew I was lying to myself even as I thought the words. It was the vulnerability I felt and showed him last night. It was the way he was filling part of my heart, my soul.
It had to be a cruel joke because males like me didn’t get to be filled. We don’t find that part of ourselves that was missing. There was a whole story behind it. No one cared anyway. It was the new world order, although it had been this way long before my father, his father, or his father was born. Considering we have extremely long life spans, meant it had been this way for too long.
I looked over at Noah, but he was tuning me out like I didn’t exist. I deserved that, but it didn’t mean his silence wasn’t killing me. How could I already be used to his voice? The way he smiled when he talked. I was going to lose him anyway I reminded myself. It didn’t have to be today the voice in my head that kept me sane said.
“We’re here.”
Noah looked up. He took in the area, then once again closed me out. Yeah, I deserve it.
“I think this one is a kid. Although I thought the other one was rather young also. At times, I forget that earth years don’t correspond to Yenizen years.”
“Yenizen?”
“That’s what I am.”
“What are the males you told Seth about?”
“They're created. It means they were cooked up in a scientist’s lab.”
He nodded and went back to ignoring me. We sat there for over four hours waiting for Riley to show up.
“I think that’s him,” Noah said pointing to a bunch of kids walking up the street. “He’s a teenager. I think he would just make the weight requirement. He looks buff, and he’s not bad looking. He might not become the bachelor, but he’s not hard on the eyes.”
I understood about half of what he said. I got the general gist. I still thought the kid was too young for our perp. Although he might just make the weight limit, there was nothing to say that he was masculine or even pretty. There was no alpha quality to him. I wanted to call this one, but I’d let Noah make that call. We watched him for another two hours.
“I think we can cross him off our list. He’s still too young. The thing about youth is you never think you’ll die even when it’s happening. I don’t think that will give our perp the thrill he’s looking for.”
“I agree, will you call Angel and have him crossed off the list?”
“Sure.”
Five down and five to go. I almost wanted to go see the sixth target, but we had time. We would check on six and seven tomorrow. I took off, but I was driving around in circles. One look at the clock on the radio told me it wasn’t as late as I wanted it to be. The last thing I needed was to be stuck in the room with Noah.
“We still have some time. You can go do anything you need to do.” I was at a stop light. I could have turned to look at him, but I didn’t.
“Fuck you, Cole.” He reached for the door handle.
“What’s your problem, Noah!” I jerked the car so he would fly back in his seat before I pulled off.
“You’re my problem. If you want me to get lost, say it. I can get a different room, so you have the one we have all to yourself. Will that make you feel better? So, the hell that you showed me a moment. It made me like you a little. Good job you destroyed any possibilities of me desiring you or wanting to fuck you. Feel better?”
No, I felt like an asshole. “I was going to check on Ryan and talk to Nicolas. You can come if you don’t have anything to do.” That’s as far as I was going to go.
He didn’t say anything. I took his silence as acceptance.
Aran lived outside of the city. All his brothers did as well as their sons. They had enough land out there to make their own city. I noticed that much of it was unused. I even noticed a for-sale sign. None of that made sense to me, but I ignored it. I was getting good at that. Staying on the outside of anything that didn’t have to do with my job.
Did I really think I could keep a little boy until he grew up? It would only be six years at most, I reasoned. Then I could kick him out and never look at him again. It was more than my father did for me. I nodded liking my idea. All little beings needed were water, food and a safe place to lay their heads. I could do that. My place had water; I'd remember to buy food. I also had an extra bedroom. I wouldn’t even have to talk to him. Why did humans seem to have a hard time with little humans?
We were going through a small area now that had stores as well as some places to eat. It surprised me that it was close to where the created lived.
“Can we stop?” Noah asked me.
“Why?”
He ground his teeth together. If he didn’t stop, he wouldn’t have them for much longer.
“To get some clothes for Ryan and maybe a toy. Well, a cell phone or video game.”
“Why would we do that?” He turned those incredible eyes on me. I was once again caught up in his spell. My heartbeat picked up. I wanted to pull the car over and lose myself in the warmth of his arms. He made me feel safe.
I hadn’t felt safe since the day my father disowned me and cursed me to death. How could I feel safe with someone who I knew was physically weaker than I was?
“It’s part of taking care of someone Cole. You make sure they eat, and that they’re warm.”
His voice was soft. He leaned towards me; I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.
“You give them space when they act pissy.”
“Pissy?” I didn’t know that word.
“It means arrogantly argumentative. I could go on.”
“Children act that way?”
“The adult ones.”
He flashed me a smile, and I was sure he was talking about me. “You have to buy these things, clothes, and entertainment for boys?” How the hell was I supposed to know? When I was his age, I wanted food and shelter.
“Yes. The good thing about getting kids when they’re babies is it gives you a chance to figure out what they need. You can still figure it out even if they’re older when you get them.”
I was going to have to keep Noah around for a while. That way I could learn what he knew of children. How long could it take? Three maybe four days? My heart seized on any r
eason not to tell him goodbye.
I pulled into the parking lot of a store that seemed bent on servicing every being at once.
“Can we get what he needs here?”
“Sure. You might what to call and see what you should pick up.”
I gave Aran a call while we walked into the store. He handed me off to Rena and Amber. They rattled off so many items I had to tell Noah so he could make a note of them.
“They gave you sizes that way we don’t have to guess.”
“Why does he need so much? He was living somewhere without water or heat. He had the clothes on his back. There was nothing, and he did fine. Why does he need so much now?”
Noah didn’t say anything. Then I felt his hand on the base of my spine. His heat penetrated my shirt making me shiver. My mind called me a liar when I said he didn’t affect me. He directed me to a place where we could sit. Then he went to get us a drink.
When he slid it in front of me, I had to look up at him. "Why would I want that?"
“That’s a milkshake. You ever have one before?”
I knew what milkshakes were, but I had to shake my head no. I had never tried one before.
“Try it.”
He placed the straw in his mouth to suck. I watched his throat work as his cheeks hollowed out. My cock stood at attention. I wanted; no needed his mouth on me. He opened his mouth, and vanilla milkshake was over his lips and tongue. A loud sound of need that I couldn’t keep back came from me. It was the sound of laughter that made me control myself.
“Try it, Cole.” His voice was deep, and it went through me like a knife.
I kept my eyes locked on him as I placed the straw in my mouth and sucked. The flavor was rich as well as cold. A sweetness took over my senses. I liked the milkshake. I’d like it more if I was licking it off his skin.
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