Chapter 11 #2
He’d seen just how protective Emerson could be.
He’d proven to be an intelligent, quick-witted man who’d gotten them out of danger.
After, he’d been a slow, generous partner who’d been careful not to hurt him during his first time bottoming.
The strong, powerful man who’d tossed him about with ease could’ve done real damage, but once again, the protective hero had whisked him away from danger and kept him safe.
Emerson was a man he could fall head over heels for. A man Dash could stop pretending to be something he wasn’t when they were alone.
Too bad society made a relationship between them illegal.
“We shouldn’t have done this,” Dash whispered.
“Why not?” Emerson asked.
“We’re not done yet—but I already know one night isn’t going to be enough.”
Emerson grinned. There wasn’t a speck of gloating in it, just what appeared to be delight.
Dash shook his head. “The more we do this, the more we risk being caught.”
Emerson’s smile faded. “We can be careful.”
Dash held Emerson’s gaze. “I’ve brought down men who broke the law, all of them sure they were too careful to ever be caught. They were all wrong.”
“But they didn’t have what I do.”
Dash scoffed, laughing. “And what’s that?”
“An ex-Black Guardsman who I sense is way smarter than me and will know how to cover our tracks.”
“I didn’t do so well tonight.” Dash sighed.
Emerson’s hand lifted. He cupped Dash’s cheek. Dash told himself to pull away, but he couldn’t resist the gentle caress. Not after all the years he’d denied himself the simple pleasure of another man’s touch. He leaned into it instead, pressing his cheek into Emerson’s palm.
“You were out of your element,” Emerson said. “Vulnerable because you were allowing yourself to be the real you—which I sense isn’t something you often do.”
“Never do,” Dash corrected.
“Which means turning back into the facade you’ve created for yourself might’ve taken a few seconds,” Emerson added. “Don’t beat yourself up about that. I froze during my first raid, too.”
“I’m embarrassed. I’ve gotten out of stickier situations, but I wouldn’t have gotten out of there without you tonight.”
“I got lucky,” Emerson whispered before lowering his hand and pressing a gentle kiss to Dash’s forehead. “That’s all.”
“Don’t go back to the Dragon,” Dash said. “It’s too risky. That luck of yours will eventually run out.”
“If I have someone to regularly keep me company, I suppose I could stay away,” Emerson replied.
Dash lowered his gaze, thoughtful for a moment. “One night doesn’t make this a relationship.”
“No, but you already said one night wasn’t going to be enough. I happen to agree,” Emerson said. “What’re you doing tomorrow night?”
Dash rolled his eyes, but a hint of a smile refused to leave his lips. “You’re impossible.”
“Yep.” Emerson collected Dash’s chin and stole a kiss. “Impossible to let go of, I hope.”
Dash watched him for a brief moment. “We’ll see about that.”
They stared deep into one another’s eyes.
Dash’s heart quickened. Seconds before they kissed again, Emerson’s knot deflated.
He carefully withdrew from Dash’s body and stood.
Dash rose on his elbows as Emerson walked towards the attached bathroom, hating how much he already missed the thick claim of the alpha’s cock.
Dropping back onto the bed, he stared up at the ceiling, wondering if they’d manage a round two before he had to sneak off the boat.
Emerson returned with a washcloth and opened Dash’s thighs to wipe up the mess left behind, using the towels, too. After he finished, he crossed the narrow space and pulled a pair of pajama pants from a drawer, which he tossed over to Dash.
“Those might fit. They’ve got a drawstring to help,” Emerson said before tossing a t-shirt, too.
Emerson began dressing in his own pajama pants and tee before Dash crawled wearily to the edge of the bed.
“Hungry? I’m famished.”
“Thirsty more than anything,” Dash replied before fighting a yawn. He eyed the clock on the nightstand. It was only twelve, yet it felt like the wee hours as exhausted as he suddenly felt.
“Crashing from the adrenaline spike?” Emerson asked.
“Maybe,” Dash said, tugging the pants higher. A shiver rushed through him. “I thought I had nerves of steel but tonight proved I can feel absolute terror.”
“Same,” Emerson said.
“Yeah,” Dash said as he pulled the t-shirt over his head. “But you’ve been through a raid or two before, so you’ve gotten a chance to acclimate to that stress.”
“I’ve never been through one with you.”
Dash’s gaze lifted to Emerson’s.
“I was more worried for you than me.”
“Why?” Dash asked.
Emerson shrugged. “Dunno. I just got super protective for some reason.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I had to get my…” Emerson’s eyes widened for a split second. He cleared his throat. “My… friend… away from danger.”
My friend?
Why had it felt like Emerson had been about to say something else?
Dash sought Emerson’s gaze, but he stared at the floor.
They weren’t friends. They weren’t exactly enemies, though, either.
What were they?
One word whispered through his mind, and he immediately pushed it out of his head, refusing to let it take hold.
“Let’s get you something to drink,” Emerson muttered, heading for the door.
Dash sat on the edge of Emerson’s bed, staring dumbfounded as the alpha walked away from him.