Chapter Four #2
“Is the creep still here?” he whispered, only because Danny had asked him to keep his voice down. Five minutes ago, but better late than never.
“Ash told him to leave.”
Oh lord. Danny sounded both breathless and enamored.
The pull was working double time on this dork if those googly eyes and soft blush were any indication.
Isaac was not looking forward to that stage where all Danny would talk about was Ash.
Maybe he’d stop at the drugstore and stock up on shifter-grade earplugs. Too bad there was no such thing.
“Figures I missed the opportunity to release all this pent-up energy,” Isaac replied. He’d already scrubbed the apartment and still felt like he’d downed a four-pack of Red Bull. Restless energy was the worst.
“Kitchen could use a good scrubdown,” Ash chucked a thumb over his shoulder while actively fighting a smirk. “If you’re still looking to release.”
“Don’t push me, bear,” Isaac snarled, having no clue why he was being so aggressive. Jesus. What was wrong with him?
You know damn well what’s wrong. You want to sneak a glimpse of him.
He was going to smack his brain if it didn’t shut up.
Ash sniffed the air, his eyes glinting the moment he caught Isaac’s red panda scent. His smirked fully blossomed. “Pot calling the kettle?”
“What’re you two talking about?” Danny glanced between them. “Have you guys met before?” He turned toward Isaac. “You didn’t mention anything yesterday about knowing Ash.”
“Who said I knew him?” Isaac huffed, his defensiveness not helping matters. He needed to get out of there. Between a room full of predators, his clueless best friend, and the big bear wanting Isaac to do manual labor, his brain cells were glitching.
Taking a look around the room, Isaac wondered if there was anyone worth taking home to help with his excess energy problem then decided a wolf was the worst possible choice.
Danny narrowed his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me, Isaac?”
If it had been anyone else but Danny, Isaac would’ve used sass and attitude to deflect. But he didn’t have it in him to talk that way to Danny. “There’s a lot I’m not telling you, princess. Can you be a little more specific?”
“How do you know Ash?” Danny repeated with an irritated tone.
“That big guy?” Isaac jerked his head toward Ash. “Never saw him before. What is that amazing smell? Is that onion rings. Oh, did you just hear my stomach growl? I’m starving! Toodles.”
“Your stomach did not growl,” Danny argued.
“Can’t hear you over the loud grumbling. Peace out, bitches.” Isaac raced toward the counter, hoping like hell Danny didn’t follow. He would have to go into hiding if Ash didn’t spill the tea soon. Isaac didn’t want the responsibility of introducing Danny to the preternatural world.
No thanks. He refused to break the human’s brain.
That was Ash’s job.
* * * *
Danny knew that escape. Isaac was lying his ass off. But why? Wanting answers, he started to follow his best friend but pivoted and glared up at Ash.
“I hope you had your fun. Sorry I found out before you got to first base.” Danny spun around and rushed toward the door, uncaring how many people he bumped into. The collisions barely registered. Danny was too busy fighting to hold himself together until he at least made it outside.
Ash and Isaac clearly knew each other, and from the way Isaac had acted, intimately.
How could he have been such an idiot? Hadn’t he learned his lesson from Brad? It shouldn’t even feel this devastating, not when he’d just met Ash yesterday, yet it hurt like a son of a bitch.
As soon as he spilled outside, Danny wiped at his eyes then headed for the parking lot.
“Danny!”
No. Please…no. He didn’t want Ash following him. The guy would give him some bullshit story, thinking Danny na?ve enough to believe it. How many times had Brad done the same thing?
“Danny, wait.”
“Fuck off!” Danny snarled when he whirled around to face the bastard. “I don’t want to hear whatever lame excuse you think I’ll swallow.”
He hated the fact he cried whenever his emotions ran too high. It wasn’t something he could help and had been mocked relentlessly for, even when he was younger.
What the fuck is wrong with you? Why do you always have to cry whenever we argue? Grow up, Danny.
Clenching his jaw, Danny glanced away, praying the trembling subsided before Ash noticed.
“I have no idea what’s going on, honey bear.” Ash frowned. “Would you mind telling me why you stormed out and why you’re so hostile toward me?”
Danny scoffed. Playing dumb was worse, in his opinion. At least if Ash had tried to give him an excuse, he would’ve been admitting to what he’d done.
“You had me completely fooled,” Danny sneered. “You actually had me believing last night was real, that we had some kind of connection.” His laugh lacked humor. “Fuck, I’m an idiot.”
A few people walked past, but Danny ignored their curious stares as they headed inside the tavern. He didn’t even bother brushing aside the stray hairs in his face from the gentle breeze.
If he moved too much, he might lose his fragile grip on his control. The last thing he wanted was to fall apart on the sidewalk.
“Danny.” Ash reached for him but pulled his hands back. “I swear to you, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Last night was real. The best night I’ve had in a very long time.”
“We ate and fell asleep watching a movie,” Danny reminded him.
“And I’d do it a million more times, honey bear.” Ash’s light brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight as a few cars passed by. “Last night was perfect.”
Danny’s resolve weakened. It had been perfect for him, too. Except the running-to-the-bathroom part. Still, he found himself leaning toward Ash until he remembered why he’d left. “Nice try. Did Isaac fall for those soft eyes and words too?”
That’s what hurt worst of all. Isaac could’ve told Danny he’d slept with Ash yesterday when they’d spotted him in the store. Instead, he’d encouraged Danny to go on a date with the guy, knowing full well he’d already had a piece of Ash.
Why did the thought make Danny want to go back inside and beat the crap out of his best friend?
Ash stared at Danny in disbelief. “I don’t know where you got that idea, but I don’t even know Isaac, let alone fucked him. I saw him in the store and again just now. That’s it, Danny.”
Holding his breath, Danny studied Ash’s face for any flicker of deception in those amber depths.
His lungs burned with the effort of not breathing, matching the ache in his chest as he waited for the mask to slip.
But Ash’s puzzled expression never wavered, never cracked, and Danny found himself desperately wanting to believe him.
If only because his heart had started beating again after what felt like years of numbness.
Exhaling, Danny glanced at Ash’s chest, no longer able to hold his gaze. “I want to believe you, but—”
“But some jackass lied to you one too many times,” Ash murmured. “Yeah, I know the string of countless lies.” He glanced off into the distance as if deep in thought.
Danny didn’t want to get lost in thoughts of Brad. The man had already taken so much from him, and Danny refused to give him this tenuous moment.
“I can only give you my word, hon.” Ash’s gaze lingered on Danny. “I have no idea who your friend is.”
The sincerity in those words made Dany swallow roughly. “It’s just… Isaac’s reaction…”
“Isaac reacted that way because he knew I’d wring his skinny neck if he told you the truth.”
“See!” Danny gestured wildly toward Ash. “What am I supposed to think when you say shit like that?”
The smirk that surfaced on Ash’s handsome face made Danny want to punch the guy. A voice kept screaming in his head that Isaac wouldn’t have played him so dirty. The same guy who’d found Danny unconscious and bloody on their living room floor, so close to dying.
Isaac hadn’t left Danny’s side in the hospital and had played mother hen during Danny’s recovery. Isaac had curled around him in bed, holding Danny through his nightmares, had insisted on painting his toenails, and yelled at the television while watching his trash reality shows.
If Isaac was Danny’s type, he would’ve fallen head over heels for him. But he was like the brother Danny never had, and he couldn’t have asked for a better best friend.
Which was why Danny felt like shit for even thinking Isaac would do something so underhanded to him.
“You’re still smirking,” he said to Ash. “Not winning you any points.”
“Can’t help it.” Ash’s smirked turned into a wicked grin that left Danny completely undone. “You’re sexy when you’re all fired up.”
“I knew there had to be something wrong with you,” Danny scoffed. “Who thinks arguments are sexy?”
“I didn’t say arguments.” Ash shook his head, his smile never wavering. “I said when you’re all fired up. Did you know your eyes darken when your eyebrows scrunch together?” He made a low, rumbling growly sound. “Like stormy seas ready to drown those foolish enough to test the waters.”
Danny sputtered. “Have you taken a good look at me? I’m about as tough as Play-Doh.”
Leaning in, Ash’s lips and beard tickled Danny’s ear. “All I’ve been doing since I met you is look at you, darlin’.” He nipped Danny’s ear, causing him to inhale sharply. “Been dying to kiss you since you walked into my bar, handsome.”
When Ash leaned back, Danny’s gaze flicked to his face.
“And just because it needs to be said twice, you look fucking good in all black. Love how your hair stands at sharp points.” He touched one of the spikes, and the contact caused a shiver that made Danny want to moved closer. “Very pointy.”
Before he even knew what he was doing, Danny leaned into the touch, softly exhaling, hoping this was actually real and not some cruel dream that he would wake from, leaving him cold and alone once more.
“Wanna come back inside, cub, or would you prefer we take off?” Ash’s warm palm gently framed Danny’s cheek. “So fucking responsive.”
A car horn startled Danny into pulling away, remembering they weren’t somewhere private. “You have a bar to run.”
“I have a mate I want to get to know better.” Ash jerked his chin toward the curb. “We could go for a ride. No strings or pressure, honey bear. Just you, me, the sun and wind, and the rumble of an engine under us.”
Great. Ash thought of him as just a friend. Danny glanced toward the curb.
And holy mother of all things chrome and leather, what sat there wasn’t just a motorcycle. It was a beast. A monster. A two-wheeled middle finger to the laws of physics.
All sleek lines and raw power, the Harley gleamed under the afternoon sun, its chrome pipes catching the brightness like liquid metal.
The thing was huge, bigger than any motorcycle Danny had ever seen up close.
Black leather seat, silver studs running along the edges, handlebars that curved back like horns.
He’d never seen anything look so dangerous and inviting at the same time, all aggressive angles and powerful curves. The seat looked wide enough for two people, which made Danny’s stomach do something complicated.
“That’s yours?” His voice came out more like a squeak.
“That’s my baby.” Ash ran a hand along the gas tank with evident pride. His fingers traced some kind of tribal design that looked like flames or maybe wings. “She purrs like a kitten once you get her all warmed up.”
Why did Ash have to make it sound so dirty?
Danny had seen motorcycles before, obviously.
Had watched them roar down the streets of Crimson Hollow, all noise and speed with riders who looked like they’d never been afraid of anything in their lives.
But standing this close to one, knowing Ash expected him to actually get on it, his mouth went dry.
“I’ve never—” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to ride one.”
“You don’t have to know how.” Ash picked up the helmet, turning it in his hands. “That's my job. All you have to do is hold on.”
Hold on. Right. To Ash. While flying down the road on a death machine.
“What if I fall off?”
Ash stepped closer, helmet still dangling from his fingers. “You think I’d ever let anything happen to you? Not in this lifetime, honey bear.”
There was something about the way his voice curled around the words, like that promise extended beyond a bike ride.
Danny wanted to point out how nobody could promise that, how accidents happened all the time, how trusting people got you hurt.
But Ash said it like a fact, like the sky being blue or water being wet.
“It’s safe?” Dumb question.
“While I’m driving? Fuck yeah.” Ash held out the helmet. “What do you say? You ready for a thrill, sweetheart?”
Danny stared at the helmet. Black with a tinted visor, it looked expensive and shiny, just like the bike. And very tempting.
Pressing his lips together, Danny reached for it. The helmet was heavier than he’d expected, solid in a way that felt reassuring. He turned it over, examining the padding inside, the chin strap, buying time while his pulse picked up speed.
“How do I—?”
“Here.” Ash took it back then stepped behind Danny. “Tilt your head back a little.”
The helmet slid on easier than Danny had expected, Ash’s fingers brushing Danny’s chin as he adjusted the fit. Heat radiated from where their skin touched, spreading through Danny. The world narrowed to what he could see through the visor, everything slightly tinted but somehow clearer.
“Too tight?” Ash’s sultry voice was muffled but close.
Danny shook his head then realized that probably looked ridiculous with the helmet on. “It’s good.” He gave a thumbs-up, wondering if he’d completely lost his mind. His false bravado was going to get him splattered on some road.
Ash moved back around to face him. “Perfect.” A hint of seduction colored his tone.
Was he talking about the way the helmet fit? Somehow Danny didn’t think so.
Ash swung his leg over the seat, the machine groaning under his weight. “You coming?” A hint of a smile played at the corners of Ash’s mouth. A mouth Danny was dying to kiss, only longer this time.
Blowing out a deep breath, Danny climbed on but was unsure where to put his hands.
“Right here, cub.” Strong fingers guided Danny’s arms around Ash’s waist, giving a gentle squeeze before letting go, and with a swift kick, brought the beast to life. The loud roar of the revving engine and muffled rumble of the exhaust drowned out all other sounds.
“If I die, my ghost will never let you get another night of sleep,” Danny shouted, but was certain Ash couldn’t hear him over the noise.
Ash’s laugh rumbled just as deeply as the engine. “Just hang on, sweetheart. Lean when I lean.”
“How did you hear me?”
Instead of answering him, Ash tapped his ear where a Bluetooth had been inserted.
“Just remember this is my first time,” Danny grumbled.
His reminder only got another deep laugh from Ash. “Good to know I’m your first.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Good lord. The guy was massive. Danny’s arms stretched around so many muscles he was afraid his fingers would slip free as soon as they gained any kind of speed.
“Hold on, honey bear,” Ash warned before pulling away from the curb and merging with traffic, which consisted of three cars and someone riding a bicycle. Danny squeaked, trying to hug Ash even harder than he already was.
What had Danny been thinking? He needed a vehicle around him, not open air.
But so far, they were going at a reasonable speed.
Once Danny forced himself to relax, the ride wasn’t so bad.
He could do this. They were going no more than thirty through the streets.
It hadn’t slipped his notice that his legs were spread wide, bracketing Ash’s brawny thighs.
“This is nice,” Danny said through the built-in headphones. He even relaxed when Ash stopped at red light. “I could get used to riding if it’s this chill.”
“Not staying in the town limits,” Ash replied then took off from the light.
“What does that mean?” Danny got a bad feeling in the pit of his gut.
Making a right, they passed the town-limit sign, and before Danny could demand an answer, Ash twisted the throttle, the motorcycle effortlessly moving faster.
“Oh my god!” Danny shouted, his fingers digging into Ash’s rigid abdomen. Wow. He’d never touched abs so solid before, making him momentarily forget why he’d been freaking out.
“Relax, Danny.” Ash’s voice dropped an octave, smooth and husky like a late-night radio DJ. “I promise you’re not going to fall off.”
“Huh?” Oh, right. Danny was flipping out over the speed, not Ash’s body. He uncurled his fingers, pressing a little closer until his crotch was snug against Ash’s ass.
Then Danny sighed in contentment as the road rushed past them, daring to trust that Ash really would keep him safe, even after the ride was over.