by C. W. Gray
Zed smirked and signed his words. “I’m cooking dinner tonight.”
Noah smiled slowly. “You really want me?”
“More than anything.” It made him sad that Noah thought, even for a moment, that he was too much trouble.
“I don’t know, Z. I’d rather have you as a friend, then not at all. What happens if you do get frustrated and leave?”
Never gonna happen, Zed thought and pushed back a sigh. “We don’t have to rush. Let’s just move slow and see how it goes. Okay?”
Noah gave him a doubtful look. “You won’t leave?”
“I promise.” Zed hadn’t lied. He had time and patience enough to convince Noah that they would work. “We’ll have dinner and talk, just like we do every night.”
Zed pulled the stallmat from Peanut’s stall and handed it to Noah to spray clean. They worked together quickly and ran through the final chores for the day while Zed pretended not to notice the shy looks Noah sent his way.
By the time the horses were fed and Peanut back in her stall, the storm had gotten worse. The short walk to the house, took quite a bit longer. The roar of the creek was muted by the snow, but the old waterwheel still turned.
Zed shivered and took off his outer gear in the mudroom. It was a familiar routine.
Noah’s house was Zed’s favorite place to be. The high ceilings and open spaces appealed to him. It could use more plants, he thought. The little aloe plant he’d given Noah looked lonely on the windowsill across from the kitchen.
It wasn’t just the nice house that Zed liked. The company was the best part of each of Zed’s days. Zed really had meant it when he’d told Noah he’d enjoyed their time together over the past few weeks.
Noah didn’t mind that Zed was a bit of an overactive perfectionist. He just patiently waited while Zed took a while to clean stalls or sweep the barn as thoroughly as possible. He didn’t complain when Zed washed the dishes by hand or fluffed the couch cushions after they spent the evening playing video games.
Noah smiled softly and handed Zed the mop so he could quickly clean the mudroom floor. Yeah, he gets me.
After cleaning up, Zed washed his hands and gathered a few things from the freezer and refrigerator. He was always surprised Noah had so much home canned and frozen vegetables, though he shouldn’t be. He knew all about the Wilsons from Janelle and Abel.
He looked at Noah. “Do you like gumbo?”
Noah gave him a puzzled look, so Zed pulled the recipe up on his phone and showed it to him. “You have shrimp in the freezer. It’ll be good.”
Noah watched him, eyes bright with interest. “You like taking care of people.”
Zed made sure he faced Noah as he started cutting vegetables. “I always have. Mom was… She wasn’t mother material.” Noah nodded his understanding, eyes focused on him. “I had to take care of Griff.”
“Do you miss it?”
Zed smiled, nodding his head. “Yeah. Griff is grown up now and can take care of himself.” He paused, hands stilling. “I meant to tell you that Griff and Bea are moving in with me.”
“To save money for the new baby?”
Zed nodded again. “Luke is going to support them as much as possible, but Griff is stubborn.” He made a face. He hated that he sometimes liked Luke. The damn alpha really cared about Griff, even if they didn’t love each other.
Noah bit his lip, eyes narrowed in thought.
Zed didn’t wait to be asked. He went ahead and repeated himself, taking a moment to sign stubborn.
Noah nodded. “The house has three bedrooms, so that will work in a pinch.”
Zed resumed cutting the okra. “They have a cat that likes to chew on my plants.”
Noah chuckled. “Uh oh. Eugenia and Maude are in trouble. At least you’ll be able to coddle Griff like you want to.”
“True.” Zed grinned. “I love my honey bee too.”
Noah’s smile faded. “You really want to date me?”
Zed nodded. “When you’re ready.”
“If we do date,” Noah said slowly, “will you tell Griff and Justin?”
“I can’t keep it from them for long.” Zed didn’t like secrets. He never had. He’d keep this one for Noah only if he had to. “They keep trying to set me up on blind dates.”
“Meddling and matchmaking could be a problem.” Noah leaned back, shoulders tensed. “I don’t want to have to show up on all your dates. People will start talking.”
“Then I guess you better start soul searching, handsome. I’m more than ready to be yours.” Zed put the pan of gumbo on the stove to cook. “Now, are you ready for Mario Cart?”
Noah cracked his knuckles. “Time to kick your ass.”
A few hours later, they sat on the couch, bellies full, and watched Chopped. That’s another thing about Noah, Zed thought to himself. He doesn’t mind my obsession with cooking shows.
Zed leaned forward, arms braced on his knees. “Damn it, don’t overcrowd the deep fryer.”
Noah watched him instead of the T.V., face full of amusement. “You’re as bad as Reuben.”
Zed smiled nervously. “Reuben likes Chopped?”
Noah’s eyes narrowed. “Why does Reuben make you nervous?”
Zed leaned back and stretched an arm across the couch. “Nothing bad. I just admire him.”
Noah smiled widely. “You have a crush on Reuben.”
Zed flushed. “He cooks really well. He’s creative and innovative while still keeping everything delicious.”
“I only caught half of that, but you definitely have a bro crush.” Noah laughed. “This is great. I’m texting Ernie in the morning.”
Zed pulled Noah over his lap. The younger alpha was pure, solid, compact muscles and heavier than he’d thought.
Zed covered Noah’s mouth with his own, cutting off the laughter. He sank into the kiss, savoring Noah’s taste and the feel of his lips.
Noah moaned and grabbed Zed’s shirt, tugging him close. His ass felt so damn good, grinding against Zed’s hard dick.
He slid a hand over Noah’s hip, then cupped the other alpha’s hard, covered dick. He traced the length. Zed couldn’t decide if he wanted Noah’s ass or dick first.
Noah grunted and arched into Zed’s touch.
“Is this okay?” Zed asked, voice rough. He didn’t want to hold back from Noah, and there were plenty of ways to show him they’d be good together.
“It’s been a while.” Noah wiggled around, eyes full of need. “Please.”
Zed fumbled for a moment but managed to stand up with Noah in his arms. He strained a bit at his weight, but managed to make it as far as the stairs.
Noah watched him, heated eyes full of amusement. “Gonna try to carry me up the stairs, he-man?”
Zed snorted and set him down. “I’m trying to be romantic.”
Noah cupped his face and kissed him, tongue swirling with Zed’s. He leaned back. “I don’t need to be swept off my feet. I need to be fucked into the mattress. Then I want you riding my dick.”
Zed groaned and pulled Noah upstairs. He had yet to see the rest of Noah’s house, and the upstairs was roomier than he expected. He saw five closed doors and a hall closet. “Which one is your room?”
Noah ran a hand over Zed’s throat while he talked, then tugged him toward the first door on the left. “The others are three bedrooms and a bathroom.”
The master bedroom was large and open. Noah didn’t have much furniture in it, and Zed’s eye twitched when he saw the unmade bed.
He forgot all about it when Noah grabbed a bottle of lube from his nightstand and kissed Zed again. “I’m negative.”
Zed struggled to form words. “Me too.”
Noah helped him out of his clothes, eyes scanning Zed’s bare skin. Zed knew he wasn’t the most handsome man in the world – his ears were too big and his face too broad. The only thing he had going for him was his body.
Noah didn’t seem to mind one bit. He traced his tongue over the tip of Zed’s ear,
then pressed small kisses all over his face.
Noah’s hands smoothed over Zed’s bare shoulders and over his chest. He leaned forward and licked first one nipple, then the other.
Zed tugged at Noah’s clothes, wanting to see the other man. Where Zed was definitely imperfect, Noah was gorgeous. His light brown skin was smooth and warm, his muscles supple and firm. His beautiful round cheeks and gap-toothed smile made Zed’s heart beat too fast.
Finally, Noah stood naked, and Zed took his time looking him over. He noted each freckle on his shoulders and his lean waist. He paid special attention to the long, hard dick standing to attention. Yep, I want him in me, he thought, licking his lips.
He pulled Noah to the bed and sat, pulling the other alpha on top of him.
Noah straddled him and pressed against him. Noah reached down and wrapped his calloused hands around their dicks, holding them together and stroking them.
Zed’s head fell back, and he lost himself to Noah’s touch. The heated pleasure increased with each stroke, and he knew he would come if they didn’t slow down.
He lifted Noah and pressed him back on the bed. “Want to come inside you.”
Zed started at his neck and slowly kissed his way down Noah’s body. He kissed the alpha’s broad chest and tight, pink nipples.
Noah’s groans filled the air, and Zed smiled against his stomach. He liked the sound a little too well.
Noah hooked his arms under his legs, and Zed enjoyed the view for a moment. “Damn, that’s a nice sight.”
He stroked Noah’s dick and slowly pressed a lubed finger into his hole. He took his time stretching him, then slowly slid inside, setting a steady rhythm.
Noah panted beneath him and watched Zed with heavy-lidded, heated eyes. Zed remembered his earlier words – Fuck me into the mattress – and increased his pace. He slammed into Noah’s ass, shuddering as he tried to control himself.
“Don’t hold back,” Noah said, reading Zed too clearly.
Zed growled and let go. He pounded into Noah, lost in the heat and pleasure of the moment. Noah’s moans grew louder, and he came hard, splattering against Zed’s stomach. The heat of his cum was too much and set Zed off. He came, deep in Noah’s ass, shuddering and falling against the other alpha.
Noah wrapped his arms around Zed and rolled them over to their sides. “Damn, Zed. Why didn’t we do that the day we met?”
Zed chuckled and cupped Noah’s cheek. “I don’t know.”
“Stay the night?” Noah asked, voice sleepy.
“Of course.” He pulled Noah close, their bodies fully entwined. There was nowhere he’d rather be.
A low moan woke Zed. His eyes opened, and he looked around Noah’s bedroom, automatically checking for danger. It took him longer than it should have to notice Noah’s body shaking in his arms.
“Fuck,” he said, automatically keeping his voice low. The moonlight fell on Noah’s pale, damp face.
“Please, no more,” Noah muttered, fighting to break out of Zed’s embrace. He let Noah go immediately, and Noah’s breathing evened out.
Zed gently shook Noah’s shoulder, and his eyes popped open. He looked around, frantic, body only settling when he saw Zed.
“I’m sorry. Did I wake you up?” Noah asked, voice rough from sleep.
Zed leaned over and turned the lamp on. He sat up and made the sign for dream. “You were dreaming.”
Noah looked away. “I’m sorry.”
Zed placed a finger under Noah’s chin and turned him back to face him. “Please, talk to me.”
Justin had told Zed that Noah’s parents were assholes that had extorted money from the Wilson family for years. That’s not what’s giving my man bad dreams. Noah had mentioned a mental hospital when they first met. Zed hadn’t pressed him then, but things were different now.
Noah swallowed hard. “I don’t remember the attack that cost me my hearing. It was my first deployment, and I was only there for a week.”
“A week?” Zed winced. “That’s bad luck.”
Noah nodded and smiled half-heartedly. “I joined the army to get away from my parents. Dad has a gambling problem, and Mom is a first-rate con artist. Life with them was unbearable, and they pulled me into everything they got into.”
Zed frowned. “Why didn’t you come here?”
Noah shrugged. “I didn’t realize Elijah, Gramps, and Grammy would have taken me in. I had only visited them a handful of times. If I would have known, I would have come to Uncle Marco. I didn’t know though. So, I joined the army. They couldn’t reach me there.”
Zed rubbed Noah’s bare arms. He could see Noah as a soldier. He was young but had an assured way about him.
“After the attack, I was medically discharged.” Noah blew out a breath. “The VA hospital wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. My doctor did what he could, but the damage was too much for even a cochlear implant.” He pointed at his ear. “One of the nerve thingies they need doesn’t work anymore.”
“That had to be rough,” Zed said thoughtfully. “Going from hearing to silence so quickly.”
Noah nodded. “I’ll always struggle with it. Elijah and the others… They help. It’s not just that they try so hard to make things easier for me. They don’t let me dwell on it. Now, it’s just a part of me.”
“Every part of you is beautiful.” Zed barely kept himself from pulling Noah into a hug. He wanted to promise to always take care of Noah. To always be there to offer support. He didn’t think Noah would believe it right now. He’ll see we’re the real deal soon enough.
“My parents came and picked me up from the hospital.” Noah gave him a bitter look. “I thought they were worried about me. I needed help to adjust, and I thought that for once in my life, they were there to take care of me.”
“The mental hospital?” Zed asked softly.
“They got one of their lawyer friends to declare me incompetent with the state. We left the VA hospital and went straight to St. Mercy’s Psychiatric Hospital. They pushed through the psych evaluation needed, so my parents could start claiming my VA benefits on my behalf.”
“What the fuck?” Horror filled Zed. He had known it was bad, but he hadn’t realized it was that bad. “How is that possible?”
“Mom has a lot of shady connections.” Noah’s laugh was hoarse. “All that work for a modest monthly check.”
“Noah,” Zed whispered, giving in and pulling the alpha into his arms.
Noah shuddered, then wrapped his arms tightly around Zed. “It was bad, Z. I fought back at first, so they drugged me and kept me strapped to a bed. It was… I could see what was happening around me. I just couldn’t talk or move. My mind was all muddled.”
Zed kissed Noah’s head and stroked his back. If those assholes show up here, I’ll fucking kill them.
“Then Elijah came.” Noah leaned back, voice full of emotion. “I remember thinking he was just a dream at first. He brought Carter and some others, and they saved me. I remember Juan carrying me out of there, and I couldn’t say anything.”
Zed buried his face against Noah’s neck, body trembling with anger. There was nothing he could do about any of it now, so anger wouldn’t help anything. His body didn’t care what his mind thought.
“Sometimes, I’ll dream about being there again.” Noah laughed harshly. “I don’t dream about the attack, just that fucking horrible place. In my nightmares, no one knows where I’m at, so they can’t come save me, and I can’t move or talk. I can’t save myself.”
Zed leaned back. “That will never happen, Noah.” He cupped Noah’s face and made sure his man was watching him. “I’ll always find you, no matter what. I have your back.”
Chapter 9
Later that week, Noah put his truck in park outside of Zed’s house. The Wilsons had been called in to help Griff move, so instead of spending Sunday spoiling his horses with Jake’s help, he had a load of boxes in the back of his truck.
Jake sat in the passenger seat. He smirked tow
ard Noah. “Your man is here.”
Noah cleared his throat, flushing slightly. “So he is. Did you get around to talking to your parents?”
It was Jake’s turn to flush. “Yeah. They said they’ll love me no matter what.” He smirked again. “How much… set you up with Griff?”
Noah gave him a sour look. “I’m glad I only understood half of that.”
Jake laughed, then jumped out of the truck.
Noah opened his door, stepped out, and looked around, noting who all had come to help get Griff and Bea settled. He saw Marco and Bennett, as well as most of their kids. Ray and Mateo were already moving furniture in, and Carter was with Doc Grover. Wait. Carter was with Doc Grover.
“Oh, shit.” Noah hurried toward the two men. They looked far too pleased with themselves. “What did you two do?”
Noah’s brother-in-law hugged him, then gave him an innocent look. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Griff already has a cat.” Noah glared at Grover. “Zed has the sandwich club. They don’t need more pets.”
Carter shrugged. “It’s not our fault Griff and Justin think Zed gave the miniatures to you. He’s had more than one chance to build a barn.”
“Carter.” Noah growled after he pieced together what the man had said. “What did you do?”
“One of our neighbors moved away and left a cat behind. Justin said he knew just who to give it to.”
Grover smiled widely. “I checked her over, and she’s healthy. Olive is giving her to Zed now.”
“Fuck.” Noah ran toward the house, ignoring everyone and everything around him. It was a known fact that no one could tell Olive no. She was too damn cute.
He dodged passed Caden and Yeo and ran toward the kitchen. Zed would be guarding his plants from Griff’s demon cat.
He pushed Justin out of the kitchen doorway and skidded to a stop when he saw them. I’m too late.
Olive looked up at Zed, her brown eyes huge and shimmery. She held up a fluffy, grey and white cat with a long, bushy tail.
Zed made a face but took the cat, letting Olive prompt him to hold it on its back like a baby. The cat lay passively in his arms, watching Zed with big grey eyes.