Ricochet (Out for Justice Book 1)

by Reese Knightley

  Their mouths met in a tangle of tongues, nipping lips rubbing together, parting and then brushing again. Mac aligned their cocks and started a slow grind until Noah was writhing beneath him.

  “Mac,” Noah groaned.

  Easing back on his knees, Mac lubed up two fingers and ran them slowly through Noah’s crease before taking Noah’s mouth. Sinking a finger into the man’s channel, Mac swallowed Noah’s gasp and paused.

  “Don’t stop,” Noah ordered with a groan.

  “I won’t, baby,” Mac said happily, inserting two fingers, stretching, slicking, and brushing against the bundle of nerves he found. Noah gasped again, whiskey eyes flying wide, and Mac smiled softly, running his mouth along the pulse at Noah’s throat.

  “Please, now, Mac!” Noah’s voice was caught in a snarling growl, like an angry tiger that needed to be satisfied.

  Reaching down, Mac grasped his own cock and pushed past the ring of resistance. He gave Noah a moment to adjust, then slid in slowly until he was balls deep inside his man. Lifting his head, he held Noah’s gaze.

  When Noah nodded, Mac lowered his head, caught Noah’s open mouth, and slipped his tongue inside. The kisses were like a drug to Mac’s soul, and he started a hungry rhythm with his body. Without a doubt, there was more than just need between them. It was love. It hung in the air and sizzled when they touched.

  The rightness of finally being with Noah sent his heart soaring. No more being apart, no more excuses. They were finally together.

  The tightening of Noah’s body engulfing his cock carried him to the edge. Sweat dripped, wetting his hair and his chest. Mac captured Noah’s cock between them, his palm closing around and gliding over and over with each of his thrusts.

  “Mac,” Noah moaned.

  “Love,” Mac breathed against Noah’s mouth as the man came apart beneath him. Noah’s heated spill was between them, his body convulsing, and Mac let himself go, following Noah over the chasm. Spasms racked his body until he collapsed, covering his lover.

  Chest surging, he struggled to breathe. A few moments later, he felt Noah stretch and Mac eased onto his side. Noah handed him a tissue, and Mac tied off the condom, wrapped it in the paper, and tossed it into the bedside trash.

  Getting back in the bed, he turned on his side, facing Noah. Their eyes met and held. Noah was smiling, and Mac couldn’t help but smile back.

  “No regrets?”

  “Oh, hell no,” Noah said, scooting closer, and Mac drew him in tightly. “I’m in this for life, Mac.”

  Mac could only chuckle and brush his lips against the top of Noah’s bright head. “I love you.”

  Mac heard Noah’s deep voice speaking to someone over the phone. Entering the kitchen, he held up his empty coffee cup and pointed to the pot.

  Noah smiled and waived him in.

  “I know, it’s going to take some time for both of us.”

  Mac poured the coffee and added cream before turning to the window and the view of the beach beyond. This was the second phone conversation between Noah and his father. It would take some time to mend fences, but his lover wanted to try, and Mac would stand behind Noah’s decision. Mac wanted this for Noah, and it appeared Noah’s father wanted to reconnect with his son, badly.

  The last conversation between Noah and his father, Giovanni Rossi had tried to take all the blame, but Noah wouldn’t let him. Lies were told, loved ones were killed, but Noah assured his father that if they wanted to be part of each other’s lives, they should try.

  Mac was fiercely glad that he put it all on the line with Noah. He couldn’t remember ever being this happy, this content.

  He startled when strong arms came around him, breaking him out of his musings, and smiled.

  “Hey, baby,” Noah purred against his neck. “What do you say we test out the new couch?”

  Mac chuckled, more than willing to take Noah up on the offer. Lifting a hand, he caressed Noah’s shadowed jaw and turned his head to kiss the man. “Man after my own heart.”

  Noah

  It was Christmas time in San Diego. The smells of cinnamon and cloves drifting through the house and the ocean air mingled together. Jingle Bell Rock played through the speakers that piped sound into the yard.

  Noah stood laughing as Jake tried to help Scott string a pair of lights along the fence because Noah had bought them but had yet to string them up. Mac’s boss had insisted that they call him Scott from now on. Well, he added, only when they were out of the office. Jake still struggled at times and stuttered over the man’s name, which Noah thought was cute as hell.

  Jake still couldn’t lift his arms over his head because of his injury, so all of his lights were below the fence line and all of Scott’s were above. They’d each started on one end and ended up meeting in the middle. Scott took one look at Jake’s display and scowled.

  It was funny watching the pair, and Mac and Noah spent many evenings debating over why Scott and Jake argued so much. Mac assured Noah Scott was just that way, but Noah told Mac he thought the boss had a crush on Jake. To which Mac had snorted and laughed, and then stuck to his story that Scott Buller was straight, through and through. Poor Jake.

  The argument between Jake and Scott escalated from there and Scott ended up stomping off to the barbecue where Mac and Seth were standing.

  Mac’s aunt, Leslie, moved through the crowd, smiling and kissing cheeks. She was lovely, and Noah adored her. She was currently staying in the guest room for the holidays. Auntie, as she insisted on being called, had become fast friends with Betty Mae.

  Allison came out of the house, laughing with Becca. He was glad to see the two getting along. Becca was important to Mac, just as Allison was to him. Wild hadn’t been able to make it, but sent his best. Betty Mae and Carl had hit it off and were showing family pictures to each other, go figure.

  Mac’s marshal friend from Ventura, Sterling, had driven down, along with Page and her new boyfriend. FBI agent Roscoe Burns show up with a pumpkin pie. Storm had stayed a few minutes and disappeared. Noah held off on having Allison and Becca make more snacks.

  Allison shoulder-bumped him, and Noah turned, relieving her of one of the platters of snacks they’d prepared. Stuffing a chunk of cheese and pepperoni into his mouth, he set the plate on the table.

  “I would have helped.” Noah smiled at Becca and dropped a kiss on Allison’s cheek when she sidled up to him and looped an arm around his waist. Noah hugged her tight.

  Becca smiled at them. “It was no problem.”

  Allison agreed, but added, “We didn’t want to take you away from ogling your man.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  “You did seem to be in oh la la land,” Becca said, laughing as she headed across the yard toward Kane.

  Noah rolled his eyes, but they were both right; he did love to admire Mac. Just looking at the sexy marshal sent chills down his spine and a heat racing to his heart.

  “I love him, Ally.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” She hugged him tight. “So, you all moved in?”

  Noah nodded, yanking his gaze from Mac’s jean-clad ass to smile down at her. “Yeah, I didn’t have much to move.” He sobered. “I told Stefano to cut back on my missions to foreign countries.”

  Allison snorted. “How’d that go over?”

  “He gave me two weeks of vacation and then told me to have my ass into the ‘new’ office by then.” Noah smirked. The man had looked like he hadn’t even wanted to give him that much time, so Noah took what he could.

  “Well, duh.” Allison smacked his arm. “Who the hell would we get in the team to do what you do?” She shook her head, her look as if he were crazy.

  Noah smiled. “Any number of people.”

  “Yeah, but still, there’s eight of us for a reason.”

  “Seven most of the time,” Noah said, still worried about Lash.

  “True.” She searched his face. “He’ll come out of hiding eventually. You know he will.”

  “Mamma Bear!” Seth ca
lled.

  “Damn kids,” Ally laughed, and then skipped away when Seth motioned to her.

  “That’s funny. You’re as young as Seth is,” Noah called after her.

  “Yes, but wayyyyyy more mature than any of you,” she tossed back over her shoulder. Noah watched her go fondly. Allison didn’t mind the nickname, in fact, she loved it. She had told him once that they were the closest to siblings and kids she’d ever have. He didn’t question her on why she didn’t want her own children someday. BFF’s or not, somethings he thought better left for her to bring up.

  Scott and Jake were at the lights again, and Kane headed over. From where Noah stood, it looked like Kane was trying to mediate the argument between Scott and Jake and was waving Seth over to help. Seth, in turn, was motioning Allison to go with him.

  Noah laughed and turned toward the house. He found Mac in the kitchen getting steaks and chicken ready for the grill. They were a bunch of meat-eaters, but managed to make a vegetarian casserole just in case. He stood leaning against the doorjamb, his favorite place to stand and watch Mac. “I love that you’re cooking,” he teased.

  Mac glanced over, his icy blue eyes filled with humor. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “Well–” Noah started, but was interrupted by the doorbell. He frowned. “Were we expecting someone else?”

  “No,” Mac said, and they headed to the door together.

  Noah opened the door, smiling when he found Stefano. “I didn’t think you could make it.”

  Suddenly, Noah was jumped by a dark brown, massive bundle of fur when Havoc set his paws to his shoulders and slobbered on his face.

  “Havoc!” Noah crooned to the dog, who spent another minute licking him, then dropped down to check out Mac with his tail wagging a mile a minute.

  “I didn’t either, but something came up, so I managed. I figured you’d want your dog back,” Stefano said, handing Mac a bottle of cabernet sauvignon.

  Noah gave the man a quick, grateful hug and stepped back, noticing another man standing a bit behind Stefano.

  “Oh, you brought company,” Noah said.

  “Yes,” Stefano answered with a quick nod.

  Noah smiled and offered his hand to the dark-haired, mid-fortyish-looking man who’d stepped up beside Stefano.

  Their hands met, the shake firm, and Noah gazed into the man’s tired and hopeful golden-colored eyes. And he knew, without a doubt, who this man was standing before him.

  Noah felt Mac’s hand on his back for support. The man’s eyes shone, and his mouth shook as if holding back some great emotion.

  So, Noah did the only thing he could do, he followed his heart. “I’m Noah,” he said, and drew the man into the house.

  “I know,” the stranger replied on a choked breath. “You look so much like your mother.”

  Noah let the emotion he’d been holding back show in his gaze. “I have your eyes.”

  His father stepped closer, and Noah felt engulfed in the man’s strong hug. His own arms came up, and for the first time in his life, he hugged his real father. They stood like that for a long time before easing apart, and then Noah drew the man into the quiet living room where they spent the better part of an hour getting to know each other.

  “Your man, is he good to you?” Giovanni Rossi asked.

  “Very good.” Noah smiled. “I love him.”

  “I see it in your eyes when you look at him.”

  “He’s my world.”

  “I think he’s waving at you.” Gio pointed to the window. Noah turned and laughed when he saw Mac waving the spatula at him.

  “Come on, we better rescue him,” Noah said. Shaking his head, he made his way out the back door with his father. Gio went toward where Stefano was standing talking to Allison, and Noah headed over to Mac, who was just taking the meat off the grill and piling two platters high.

  “Hey, babe,” Noah mumbled as he nuzzled along the raspy edge of Mac’s jaw.

  “Hey you, how did it go?”

  “It went great; he’s nice. A bit secretive, but nice,” Noah said. He knew it was going to take some time, but they’d agreed to keep in touch and talk. His dad said his work kept him away most of the time, but the phone or Skype worked for Noah. He very much wanted to get to know the man who’d loved his mother.

  Mac smiled. “I’m so happy for you, baby.”

  Noah nuzzled Mac one last time and then lifted his head to reach for one of the platters before giving Mac a kiss on the lips.

  A shadow at the corner of the house drew Noah’s gaze and across the distance, his eyes met and held a blue gaze.

  “I’ll be right back,” Noah said, and squeezed Mac’s hand when his lover gave him a curious look. “That’s Frost. Hopefully, I’ll bring him back with me.”

  Noah didn’t go into detail and headed to the side yard where Frost had disappeared. Coming around the corner, he found the dark-haired man leaning against the side of the house, smoking a cigarette.

  “Those things will kill you,” Noah pointed out, taking up a lean against the wall as well.

  Frost snorted and blew out a billow of smoke. “There’s a hell of a lot more out there that will kill me sooner than these things.”

  “You got my invitation,” Noah said.

  Frost shrugged and motioned towards the out-of-view party. “I almost didn’t come.”

  “Have you seen Lash?”

  “No.”

  “Are you starting to worry?”

  “Yeah,” Frost admitted.

  “Me too,” Noah said. Lash was the wounded one of the unit. He carried his scars on the inside and the outside, and kept his distance from even them. Noah wondered how long it would take to heal Lash’s wounds, if ever.

  “I’m sure the chief is in contact with him.”

  Frost was right. Even though Lash had been MIA with the team, it didn’t mean that their boss didn’t know where he was.

  Frost looked longingly toward the party.

  “Come on, visit.”

  Frost shook his head and dropped the end of his smoke to the grass and stepped on it. “Not my thing.”

  “You could try,” Noah pointed out.

  “Nope.” The man turned away, moving toward the back gate that led to the street.

  “Frost?”

  “Yeah?” Frost answered, pausing to glance over his shoulder.

  “Merry Christmas.”

  The man nodded and disappeared just as quickly as he’d come. Noah turned back toward the party and Mac.

  “Everything okay?” Mac asked, looking past Noah’s shoulder toward the side yard.

  “Yeah, he couldn’t stay,” Noah said with a shrug.

  “Who couldn’t stay?” Seth demanded from behind Noah.

  Noah turned to Seth. “Frost.” Noah slipped his arm around Seth’s shoulders for a short squeeze. Seth nodded before hugging him back. A few moments later, Seth slipped away, walking back over to Allison, who had a heated conversation going with Becca and Kane.

  Noah exchanged a look with Mac. “Let’s get this party started.”

  Mac reached for him, and Noah went into his lover’s arms. “Yeah, baby, let’s do it.”

  Noah let out a loud whistle to the group near the fence. It was a talent Clair had taught him, and Noah used it every chance he got. He wished she could have seen them now, and not a day went by that he didn’t miss her in their lives. She’d been the best mother a young man could have hoped for, and Noah vowed to do her proud with his life.

  People responded to the whistle and Noah felt Mac’s hand rub lightly on his back. The group headed over to grab plates and find chairs to sit and eat. Noah settled into a chair by Mac’s side. He’d changed since coming back. While a part of him would always be the cold, lethal operative that killed people when necessary, a part of him had softened beneath the love of the man sitting at his side. The white scar that ran along Mac’s face drew Noah’s lips in a soft kiss. The marshal stilled, but Noah wasn’t worried becaus
e Mac knew there wasn’t a part of him that Noah didn’t adore, and he knew the feeling was mutual.

  Reaching for his drink, Noah lifted his glass and gazed around at the faces. The group suddenly grew quiet and reached for their respective drinks.

  “I want to thank you.” They started to protest, but Noah shushed them. “Give me this.” They quieted and waited. “You are very special people. I know that some of you would say you were just doing your jobs, but your job doesn’t include being here at our home, being one of a group of friends that I love dearly. You’re here because you are family to Mac and me. I just need to tell you that each and every one of you has touched my life. You all know that I only have one blood relative.” Noah tipped his glass toward Gio and smiled when the older man tipped his head.

  Noah swept his gaze over each and every one at the table. “But blood isn’t the only thing that defines family. And I want you to know that I cherish every one of you.”

  Noah gently squeezed Mac’s fingers and lifted them to his lips for a brief kiss. He held Mac’s gaze, a gaze so filled with love that he couldn’t imagine a life without this man in it.

  After a moment of silence, everyone clinked glasses and shouted.

  “Cheers!”

  “Now it’s Mac’s turn for a speech!” Allison shouted and ducked behind Seth when Mac gave her a mock scowl.

  Everyone laughed and turned to Mac, and the big, sexy marshal froze. His man wasn’t one for attention, but he took a deep breath.

  “You all know how I feel,” Mac grumbled to the group amidst good-natured laughing.

  The group grew quiet when he lifted a hand to brush Noah’s cheek with loving fingers. It was then that Mac lifted his own glass, holding Noah’s gaze.

  “To the love of my life. Here’s to forever.”

  A collective wave of “awws” went through the group, along with a good deal of teasing when their lips met in a soft, heartfelt kiss.