Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Eli’s heart stumbled.
He could have said something clever. He could have teased.
In the end he did neither.
He simply whispered, “Okay.”
Noah’s breathing hitched, and his gaze dropped to Eli’s mouth. “Can I?”
Eli nodded.
And Noah kissed him.
It was soft at first, barely a touch, as though he was approaching a woodland creature and was trying not to startle it. His breath was warm, his lips pressed to Eli’s almost shyly.
Eli brushed his fingers over Noah’s jaw, a light, instinctive touch, and Noah inhaled sharply and leaned in.
The second kiss wasn’t tentative, but slow, deep, careful, and heady with want.
Eli let go and let himself feel. What filled his mind was a teenage crush rediscovered in brushstrokes and memory, a hand held in Home Depot, a quiet workshop full of sawdust and possibility…
Noah brought his hand to the back of Eli’s neck, his thumb grazing the skin behind his ear. Eli’s breath stuttered. He didn’t realize he was trembling until Noah steadied him, pulling him closer.
They kissed as if they were learning each other, as though they’d wanted this longer than either of them understood.
And something finally clicked into place.
They broke apart, but their foreheads remained pressed together.
Noah exhaled, his voice barely a breath. “Wow.”
Eli almost laughed. “Yeah. Wow.”
Noah’s fingers lingered on his jaw. “I’ve wanted to do that since Home Depot.”
He swallowed. “Same. I—I haven’t done that in a while.”
“Me neither.” Noah’s confession was a whisper.
Laughter shook him. “Wanna hear something crazy? I thought I’d forgotten how.”
“That’s not crazy. Me too.” Noah’s face glowed. “But apparently not.” Then he broke into a smile. “Want another?”
Eli didn’t hesitate for a nanosecond. “Yes. And just so you know… you don’t need to ask again, okay? Because the answer is always going to be yes.”
Noah kissed him again, warmer this time, their bodies closer.
Time didn’t stop, but it slowed enough that Eli could feel every heartbeat, every breath, every point of connection.
Then Noah’s hands found Eli’s hips, and Eli slid his fingers up Noah’s chest, warmth radiating through his sweater.
Their breathing changed, becoming faster, more ragged.
Eli’s heart hammered, loud enough that he was sure Noah could hear it. He hadn’t wanted anyone this much in years.
And how long has it been since I trusted anyone this much?
“I don’t want to rush,” he whispered, even as his body leaned closer.
“I don’t either.” Noah’s thumb stroked Eli’s waist. “But I don’t want to pretend I don’t want you.”
Eli’s breathing hitched. “Yeah. Same.”
“You shouldn’t walk back to the bakery in this,” Noah said. “Visibility’s terrible. The wind’s picking up. And River Road drifts like crazy.”
Eli shrugged in an attempt at nonchalance. “It’s only two blocks.” And why are we talking about me leaving? Right then that was the last thing he wanted to do.
“And two blocks in this weather could put you in a ditch.” Noah’s voice was tight. “Or worse.”
Eli blinked at the fear he heard in Noah’s tone.
“Okay,” he said softly. “So… what do you want me to do?”
Noah opened his mouth, then closed it. Color rose in his cheeks.
He tugged at the sleeve of his sweater. “My house is five minutes away,” he said at last. “In the opposite direction. The wind’s better that way.
And I—” He stopped. Swallowed. “I don’t want you out there alone. I want you to come with me.”
A raw breath caught in Eli’s throat. “You want me to stay the night?” Noah nodded, and it was enough to break something open in Eli’s chest. “I don’t want to say no.”
Noah’s shoulders relaxed, relief washing over him so visibly Eli wanted to reach out and touch him.
“Good. Because I don’t want this to end just yet.”
Eli’s heart stuttered. “Then don’t let it.”
Noah’s breathing caught.
Eli sat there in the soft amber glow of the workshop lights, his hair mussed, his cheeks pink, and his eyes warm and unsure in a way that made Noah want to touch him everywhere all at once.
Eli’s fingers curled into the fabric of his sweater. “Whatever you’re thinking? Yes.” He pressed closer, his hands sliding up Noah’s chest to his shoulders.
That was all Noah needed.
He leaned in without hesitation now, as if gravity was finally, blessedly allowed to do what it wanted. Noah kissed him, his tongue parting Eli’s lips. Eli’s soft moan encouraged him to deepen the kiss, and Noah cupped the back of his neck.
“Are you cold?” he whispered against Eli’s mouth.
“Not anymore,” Eli murmured. “Not with you.”
Heat between them rose slow and steady, filling the small space like a heartbeat.
Eli’s fingers brushed Noah’s jaw. “If we stay here, I’m not going to want to stop.” His voice trembled.
Noah’s breath caught in his throat, desire shooting through him so sharply he had to brace a hand on the arm of the couch.
“Then let’s go. My house. Right now, before I lose the ability to think straight.”
Eli pushed out a breathless laugh. “Too late.”
They bundled into their coats, Noah’s hands shaking, not from cold, but from adrenaline and want. He grabbed Eli’s scarf and wrapped it around him, his fingers lingering at Eli’s neck.
“Stay close,” he murmured.
Eli stared at him, his expression filled with so much tenderness it almost wrecked Noah. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Noah kissed him again, a fleeting brush of lips, and then they stepped into the snow which had thankfully eased up a little. There was evidence of recent efforts by the town’s snowplow. Noah’s heart pounded, and he pulled Eli close.
“I’ll go first. You follow in my footsteps.”
Eli smiled. “And if you fall, I’ll pick you up.”
The first thing Noah did when they got through the front door was to hurry into the living room to light a fire.
“Can I do anything?”
He glanced over his shoulder at Eli, standing in the doorway, removing his coat. “The kitchen is straight ahead. There’s hot chocolate in the cabinet, and—”
“I think I can manage. You keep doing what you’re doing.” He grinned. “Although it might take me a while. The gloves are staying on.”
Noah chuckled. “I’ll have this roaring in no time.
” He reached into the basket next to the hearth for the logs he’d placed there the day before, thankful he’d taken the time to chop wood and bring it in from the log store.
Within minutes, flames licked at the wood, and the sound of crackling filled the air.
He took the blankets from the couch and spread them on the rug in front of the fire, then added the cushions. By the time Eli appeared with two steaming mugs, warmth had already begun to creep through the room.
Eli joined him, sitting cross-legged on the blankets, his hands wrapped around the mug.
Noah laughed. “We must be crazy to even think about coming here in this weather.”
Eli stared into the fire, the light playing over his face. “Oh, I don’t know. This is definitely a bonus.” He stilled. “But if I am staying, I’d better let Aileen know.” He glanced at Noah, as if for confirmation.
Noah leaned in and pressed his lips to Eli’s, loving the soft sigh that escaped them. “I want you to stay,” he murmured.
Eli smiled. “Only if we can sleep in front of the fire. I always wanted to do that when I was a kid.”
“There’s plenty of wood to keep it going all night long.” The thought lent itself to other ideas that sent heat racing through Noah, but he tamped them down.
He doesn’t want to rush, remember? Noah was more than happy to go at Eli’s pace.
They sat facing each other, drinking hot chocolate
“Tell me something you haven’t told anyone in a while,” Noah said between sips.
Eli sighed. “I used to think Mapleford didn’t want me,” he said slowly. “Or that I didn’t fit here. That something about me was… off.”
Noah stared at him. “Eli—”
Eli pressed a finger to Noah’s lips. “I know that was mostly in my head, but when you grow up feeling different, or quieter, as though you don’t take up the kind of space people expect you to…” He swallowed. “It’s hard to come back.”
Noah didn’t speak immediately, but reached over and took Eli’s hand, threading their fingers together.
“You fit here,” he said in a gentle voice. “You always did. You were just too busy trying to disappear to see it.”
Eli locked gazes with him, his Adam’s apple bobbing sharply. “Your turn. Tell me something real.”
Noah thought for a moment.
“I haven’t brought anyone here since my ex.” The statement was quiet and heavy.
Eli blinked. “No one?”
“No one,” Noah confirmed. “I never brought a date here to cook him dinner. No one has sat on that couch with me since…” He glanced at their surroundings.
“It’s been just me in this space.” He took Eli’s hand and squeezed it.
“You’re the first. Oh, don’t get me wrong.
There have been a few dates, but they never made it back here.
In fact, I haven’t… done anything since…
since Tyler left. And tonight….” Noah lowered his voice.
“You felt like someone I wanted to keep close.”
Eli’s breathing quickened. He placed his mug on the hearth, then leaned his forehead to Noah’s. “I’m glad I came back.”
“Me too,” Noah whispered.
Their noses brushed, and he slid his hand up to cup Eli’s jaw. Eli kissed him, slow and deep, the taste of the hot chocolate still on his lips, his fingers buried in the soft wool of Noah’s sweater.
When they parted, Eli shivered. “Something I have to ask. Do… do you still…want me?” He swallowed.
Noah’s heartbeat lurched into a higher gear. “Yes.”
Eli rose onto his knees, his eyes shining in the firelight. “Best news I’ve heard all day.”
Noah joined him, their bodies pressed together, his hand stroking Eli’s nape, Eli’s arms looped around his neck as they exchanged leisurely kisses. Noah slid his hands down Eli’s back, cupping his ass, molding Eli’s body to his, rocking gently.
Oh God, he’s hard.
Eli’s breathing caught. “Can we be practical for a sec?”
Noah paused. “I’m on PrEP, which means I get tested regularly, even though—”
“Even though you haven’t been with anyone in a while,” Eli finished for him. He chuckled. “A situation I am very familiar with.” He smiled. “So we’re good to go?”
Before he could reply, Eli pulled up the hem of Noah’s sweater and slid his hands up over Noah’s chest, Eli’s fingertips brushing his nipples through his cotton shirt.
Noah groaned. “How did you know?”
Eli’s eyes gleamed. “They’re one of my hotspots, so I figured I’d start there.” He tweaked the nubs, and Noah’s dick reacted instantly.
“Can we go back to being practical for a minute?” Noah managed to croak.
Eli’s hands stilled.
Noah shuddered out a breath, ignoring the urge to divest Eli of every inch of clothing he was wearing. “Before we go any further…I’m vers.”
Eli grinned. “Me too. And seeing as I’m your guest…” He moved one hand lower to where Noah’s cock strained against the zipper of his jeans. “I want this first.” His voice was rough, his hand gentle.
Noah almost choked. “I’ll be back in a moment.” He leaped to his feet and made a dash for his bedroom.
Next time, keep some lube in the living room, Carter.
Right then he was praying there would be a next time.
They undressed each other and knelt on the blanket, Eli’s dick rising as if to greet Noah’s hand.
They stroked and tugged, their lips colliding.
And when Eli lowered his chest to the blanket and took Noah into his mouth, Noah had to fight hard not to come.
He watched, mesmerized, as Eli rocked back and forth, Noah’s gaze focused on the muscles across Eli’s shoulders that rippled as he moved, the slope of his back, the narrow waist, the swell of his ass and the downy layer of hair that covered it.
Noah couldn’t stop touching, stroking, caressing. And when the lure of Eli’s rigid cock grew too great to ignore, he flipped Eli onto his back and took him deep, Eli’s groan filling the air, drowning the crackle of the flames.
Eli reached for him, and Noah lay between his thighs, Eli’s hands resting gently on the back of his head, cradling it as they kissed and rocked, feeding each other moans and murmured words.
Noah grabbed a cushion and stuffed it under Eli’s ass, hugging Eli’s right leg to his chest, his ankle against Noah’s shoulder.
He slicked up a finger and slowly penetrated Eli’s tight hole, loving Eli’s wide eyes and parted lips as he moved in and out of him.
“More,” Eli whispered.
Noah nodded and added another. When Eli was writhing constantly beneath him, he gave his own solid shaft a slick coating before pressing the blunt head to Eli’s entrance.
Eli held his breath as Noah eased into him, releasing it with a drawn-out moan of pleasure when Noah was all the way home, his cock sheathed in tight heat.
“You feel so good,” Eli whispered.
“You too.” He kept his movements unhurried.
I want to make this last.
Eli wanted time to slow down to a crawl.
He wanted to savor every second, to burn them into his memory.
He wasn’t sure what he loved most—Noah above him, driving into him, each thrust interspersed with frantic kisses, or riding Noah, his hands on Noah’s chest, teasing his nipples, his own dick slapping against Noah’s body with a dull smack each time Eli bounced on that glorious cock.
Except he knew it couldn’t last. They switched positions one more time, Noah covering Eli with his body as he filled him over and over, Eli tweaking Noah’s nipple with one hand, the other tugging on his shaft.
Eli cried out as he shot his load, his body racked with violent shudders as his orgasm jolted through him, jagged and raw.
A heartbeat later, he felt the throb inside him, and Noah claimed Eli’s mouth in a fervent kiss while warmth flooded him, his body clenched around Noah’s cock.
They stayed like that, locked together, their kisses growing less frequent until at last Noah lay on top of Eli, their movements gentle, their breathing back to its normal rhythm.
Eli cupped Noah’s cheek. “Who needs a fire? I think we created enough of our own heat.” He pressed his lips to Noah’s. “I also think I can’t move right now.”
Noah smiled. “That’s fine, because we’re staying right here.” He returned Eli’s kiss. “And maybe later…”
Eli matched his smile. “I get my turn? Sounds fair.” He wrapped his arms around Noah and held him close. Outside, the wind had picked up, and snow battered the windows.
Inside was nothing short of heaven.
Then he remembered. He had to text Aileen: if he didn’t, she’d make his life hell.
Even the thought of Aileen’s wrath couldn’t spoil his mood.