In His Sights Read online

Noah’s stomach clenched and bile burned up the back of his throat. It’d only been a dream, but the pain it caused felt real.

  The door squeaked as Mason opened it. Noah’s body stiffened. Mason came up behind Noah and put his hands on Noah’s shoulders. “Hey. What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.”

  “Needed a little fresh air.”

  “Are you all right? Still thinking about the dream?”

  “No, I told you I couldn’t remember anything.”

  * * * *

  Mason wasn’t going to argue. It was obvious what had caused Noah’s nightmare—it didn’t take a brainiac to figure out. And if Noah didn’t want to talk about it, Mason would give him a break.

  Mason rubbed Noah’s shoulders as he focused on Noah’s heartbeat, erratically pulsing through his neck. Noah was still on edge, and Mason would make it his mission to calm him to the best of his ability. The fact Noah wasn’t bothered by the cold chill in the air, wearing only a T-shirt and boxer briefs, was a testament to how much the dream had affected him. More than something he couldn’t remember would.

  “Why don’t you come back inside?” Mason asked.

  “Can’t sleep.” Noah leaned his head forward, giving Mason more room to work his hands.

  “We can go in and sit on the couch. Watch a movie if you don’t want to talk.” Mason had to try.

  “A movie sounds good.” Noah spun around, and Mason took him into a tight hug.

  “Come on. Let’s go inside, out of the cold.” Mason slipped his hand in Noah’s, and they walked inside. Mason’s body absorbed the heat immediately.

  “Do you want something to drink?”

  “Double scotch.” Noah laughed.

  Mason knew Noah was only half kidding.

  “Too early to start the coffee?” Noah asked.

  “Never too early.”

  Noah released Mason’s hand. “I got it. Why don’t you go pick something out?” Noah left the room and headed toward the kitchen.

  Mason padded into the living room. He knew the exact movie to watch. An action comedy. Something he hoped would lift Noah’s spirit. With the movie set up, Mason sat on the couch and waited.

  Noah stepped in the room and looked as if he planned to sit on one of the chairs.

  Mason patted the seat beside him. “Come sit here next to me. It’s more comfortable.”

  Noah’s body seemed to release some tension as he walked over to the couch and sat. Their bodies touched from toe to shoulder. Perfect.

  “What’d you pick?” Noah situated himself behind Mason.

  Mason leaned back until he rested against Noah. “Bet you’ll guess as soon as it starts.”

  “Challenge accepted.” The music played, and Noah shouted out the title. “This is perfect. Exactly what I need.”

  “Good.” Mason scooched around and gave Noah a quick kiss. Before he could turn back, Noah grabbed Mason’s face in his hands and let his tongue break through the confines of Mason’s mouth. Mason twisted his body to face Noah, allowing him to be more of an active participant in the kiss.

  Noah wrapped his arms around Mason, pulling him close as his tongue ravaged Mason’s mouth. Mason hummed, enjoying the flavor and texture of Noah’s mouth. Mason grasped Noah’s head, his fingers running through Noah’s hair. Noah, still in control of the kiss, glided his hands down to Mason’s ass and squeezed. Noah’s manhood hardened between them as Mason’s own did the same.

  Unable to stay still any longer, Mason rutted against Noah, trying to gain as much contact as possible. Noah’s hands, still on Mason’s ass, shoved him, harder, faster. If they didn’t stop, Mason would come in his underwear. Something he’d rather not do. He tried to pull his mouth away from Noah’s, but Noah wouldn’t let him, he moved along with Mason. The next time Mason tried, he held Noah in place, just far enough from the other man that Mason could talk. “Need to get naked. Now.”

  That seemed to be all Noah wanted to hear. He released Mason’s ass, and went right for Mason’s clothes. He tugged Mason’s boxer briefs down, then his own, followed by their T-shirts. Mason let out a moan when skin met skin. The chill from before was long gone and replaced with a fiery inferno burning from within.

  Mason fell back on to Noah, who was able to work his hand between them and squeeze both of their cocks. Instead of pushing Mason away from the edge, which he thought Noah tried to do, the feel of Noah’s cock against his own had Mason slipping into the abyss.

  Mason cried out, “Stop. Please.”

  Noah stopped immediately. His gaze, filled with confusion, locked on to Mason’s.

  “You need to let go of my cock, or this is going to end right now.”

  Noah quickly released both cocks and slid his hand out from between them. “Sorry. Not ready to come yet.”

  “Not yet,” Mason agreed as he repositioned himself, trying to relieve some of the weight on his cock. Noah urged Mason up and over Noah.

  “What are you trying to do?” Mason asked.

  “Want you to move up—over me—lay over the arm of the sofa.”

  “Huh?” Mason couldn’t imagine the full picture.

  “Want your cock at my mouth,” Noah explained.

  “Oh.” Mason smiled. He was definitely on board with that idea. He quickly changed position so his arms sat on the armrest, and his cock hung over Noah’s expectant mouth.

  “Now I want you to fuck my face,” Noah growled.

  Mason’s hips answered of their own accord. He rammed them down until his cock hit the back of Noah’s throat. Mason closed his eyes tight and cried out as Noah swallowed him. Mason pulled back out until only the tip of his cock touched Noah’s lips, then he shoved back in, relishing the warmth surrounding him. Mason tried to keep an unhurried pace, just enjoying the feel, but suddenly he was on the verge. His hips became frenzied, humping Noah’s mouth at a chaotic rate. Noah gagged a few times, but Mason couldn’t stop, and Noah’s hands on Mason’s hips encouraged him on, giving the impression Noah didn’t want him to back off. With three, maybe four more thrusts, Mason teetered on the perch. Then he flew over. Tingles raced up his back, his body stiffened, and white stars flashed behind his tightly closed eyelids. He may have called out, but couldn’t hear a thing over his pulse thumping in his ears. It was only seconds, but felt like eons. When his body went slack, he needed to move or suffocate Noah. He bent his legs, careful not to knee Noah in the face.

  “That feel good?” Noah licked his lips.

  “You have no idea.”

  “Think I kind of do.” Noah leaned in and gave Mason a kiss. Mason caught his own flavor in every nook and cranny of Noah’s mouth, causing his cock to twitch.

  Mason withdrew from the kiss, keeping his gaze locked on Noah’s.

  “My turn. What do you want?” Mason asked.

  Noah petted Mason’s hair. “We can rest.”

  “We will. After you’re taken care of.”

  Noah’s eyes lit up. “I want to fuck you.”

  Mason shivered. “How do you want me?”

  “Stand up and lean over the back of the couch.”

  Mason stood in a flash, with his legs spread. Noah saddled up behind Mason and kicked Mason’s legs further apart.

  “Stick your ass out.” When he did, Noah added, “You look amazing like this.” Noah kissed Mason’s back. With one hand, Noah turned Mason’s face and took his mouth hostage, the kiss rough and sloppy. While still in the throes of the kiss, Noah stuck a finger in their mouths, then popped it out. His hands slipped down to Mason’s ass, his finger seeking entry. With the tip, he circled outside Mason’s hole, passing over the middle in a teasing fashion. Mason couldn’t hold still. He drove his ass back, trying to force Noah’s finger inside him.

  “You used to be a patient guy.” Noah laughed.

  “Not when you have me like this. Come on. Put your finger inside me.”

  Mason’s words knocked Noah into action. He forced his finger in, the slight burn exactly what Mason needed. Not giving N
oah time to think, Mason moved, fucking himself on the finger. Noah caught on, quickly popping two fingers from his other hand in his mouth then in Mason’s ass. It didn’t take Noah long to find Mason’s magical spot.

  Chills raced through Mason’s body. “Oh fuck.”

  “Yeah, baby. Fuck my fingers.”

  The word baby sent a flash of warmth through Mason. He pumped his hips with wild abandon, not caring if he got off again before Noah made it inside him. Everything felt too good.

  But before Mason realized what happened, Noah jerked his fingers out.

  “Need a fucking condom,” Noah growled.

  Mason wanted to say forget it, the words rest on the tip of his tongue, but something held him back. He wanted the moment they went bare, which he had no doubt would come sooner rather than later, to be special. And although whenever they fucked was special, Mason wanted Noah to realize how much the experience meant, and how much Noah meant to Mason.

  “Inside the end table. Should be at least one.”

  Noah took a deep breath and opened the table. “Jackpot,” he yelled with a smile on his face.

  “Well, hurry up over here and use it.” Mason felt ready to come again. He was as impatient as a fourteen-year-old with his first dirty magazine.

  “Shit. There’s not much lube left.” Noah grumbled.

  “Let me see.” Mason twisted his body to get a look. “There’s plenty. Want to feel you anyway.”

  “You sure?” Noah didn’t sound convinced.

  “Yes.” Mason stroked his dick. “Hurry up.”

  Noah suited up in record time, then poured the lube in his hand and rubbed his cock. Before Mason realized, Noah pushed inside of him.

  The burn this time, more intense, felt fabulous. Noah gave Mason just enough time to adjust, then he slid in and out. His hips drove in and out faster each time. Mason’s body crashed up against the couch with each thrust. He held back a scream, thinking maybe Noah would take it as Mason’s need to stop, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. Noah needed this—needed to exorcise his demons—and Mason was more than willing to be an active participant.

  “Oh fuck. You feel so good, Mas. You keep taking me. So good. So fucking good.”

  Mason fought to catch his breath. “You, too, Noah.”

  With Noah’s body pressed up against him, strong hands gripping his hips, the fingers digging in, Mason couldn’t do anything but feel. The friction from the couch had his cock hard and leaking. He’d just come, but was quickly working his way up to explode again.

  “You’re too good. I’m going to come again,” Mason warned.

  “Me, too.” Noah’s grip stiffened, and his movements went out of control. “Now. Fucking now.”

  Mason couldn’t hold on, he went over with Noah. His body tightened around the pulsing cock buried deep inside him. The spasms persisted, taking all of Mason’s strength. His body fell against the couch. He felt cocooned in Noah’s warmth and didn’t want to move. But all too soon, Noah straightened up and dragged his cock free.

  “I’ll be right back. Going to get rid of this.”

  Once Noah left, taking his heat with him, a chill wrapped itself around Mason. He stood up, careful to keep as much of his cum from messing up the couch as possible. About to sit down, Noah came back with a washcloth in hand.

  “Let me clean you up before you sit.”

  “Thank you,” Mason said. Or at least he thought he might have. His head remained in a fog, and he wasn’t too sure. Noah carefully wiped him down, the warmth of the washcloth soothing.

  Before Noah could head back to the bathroom to put the cloth away, Mason stopped him, “Leave that on the floor, and come lay down with me.” Instead of settling on the couch, Mason tossed some of the pillows along with two blankets onto the rug. Once he had a makeshift bed set up, he lay down, holding his hand out for Noah to join him. Noah sat down in seconds, pulling Mason into his arms. It was perfect. Mason rubbed his body up against Noah’s, burrowing in for a little snooze.

  Mason’s body fought him to stay awake.

  Chapter 23

  Mason woke up, taking a second to remember where he was. He stretched his body, suddenly realizing he was alone and not supposed to be. His stomach dropped. Had Noah taken off? Mason peered around the living room, checking for evidence Noah hadn’t left. There was none. He listened, hoping to hear movement from the rest of the house, indicating Noah’s presence. Silence answered him. He called out for Noah, and again the silence roared.

  Mason stood, grabbed his underwear from the couch, and put them on. He headed to check out the rest of the house. The bathroom and the kitchen both stood empty. He was about to head to the bedrooms when out the corner of his eye he spotted something at the front door. Noah’s boots. Since he wouldn’t have left without them, they meant he was somewhere nearby.

  Mason walked down the hall, planning to check the guest room, when the front door creaked open. He turned around in time to catch Noah coming in the door. He wore Mason’s sweats, his own black T-shirt that clung to his torso, showing every muscle, and Mason’s extra running shoes. Mason’s dick twitched at the sight.

  Not sure what type of mood the man would be in, Mason stood still and said, “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Noah stopped inside the door and looked up.

  “You went for a run?”

  “Yeah. You were passed out, and I didn’t want to wake you.” A smile formed on Noah’s face. “Figured if you want to go, I’ll go again with you.”

  Noah’s attitude, acting as if nothing had transpired, caught Mason off guard. He wasn’t sure what he expected, but it hadn’t been this. He’d half thought Noah would be gone when he woke up. And now with Mason standing and staring at Noah like a jackass, Mason might end up scaring Noah away. Mason needed to pull his head out of his ass. “That sounds great.”

  “Is it okay if I take a shower before we head out? I’d like to wash off some of the old sweat.”

  “Absolutely. We don’t have to go now. How about I make us some breakfast?”

  “Thanks.” Noah headed for the bathroom.

  Mason padded toward the kitchen, feeling lighter than he had since he’d woken up. Ideas for the talk they needed to have filtered through his mind. With Noah’s current mood, Mason felt a little less trepidation.

  Mason took out the bread and eggs. Planning to make stuffed French toast, he also pulled out strawberries and cream cheese. Then he grabbed three bananas, too.

  Mason’s heart hurt for Noah and for what he’d gone through. Even though Noah had refused to tell Mason about his nightmare, it’d obviously been brought on by the fact Noah had shared his secret with Mason—told Mason his reason for leaving the SEALs. Mason had no doubt been the first person Noah had told his secret to, and that fact had to be laying heavily on Noah’s heart and conscience.

  Noah came into the kitchen as Mason put the first piece of bread in the pan. Perfect.

  “Can I help?” Noah asked.

  “Have some coffee or juice. This will only take a couple of minutes.” True to his word, Mason cooked quickly, then finished stuffing the toast with his banana concoction and covered them with strawberries. Noah set out plates and silverware as Mason brought over the food.

  A feeling of rightness washed over Mason. He could get used to this.

  Both men ate in silence, except for a few hums of approval. Mason ate less than usual. His nerves ran rampant thinking of what he wanted—no, needed—to say to Noah. The discussion would be hard on Noah, but Mason hoped their talk would help lessen some of Noah’s pain. Mason would start right after breakfast, so they could put the previous day’s events behind them.

  When Noah finished his second plate, he stood and reached for Mason’s empty plate. “Are you finished?” Noah asked. “I’ll clean since you did all the cooking.”

  “Why don’t you put that down for a second? I want to talk first.” Now that the ideas of exactly what he intended to say rolled through Mason’s m
ind, he didn’t want to wait.

  Mason’s stomach filled with dread as the color drained from Noah’s face, and his smile faded. Dammit. “It’s not that bad,” Mason assured Noah. “I promise.”

  Noah shook his head, his focus on Mason’s plate instead of Mason’s eyes.

  “Please, Noah. I have a few things I want to say, then I’ll let it go. I promise.”

  It took Noah a second, but he finally looked up. The fear in his gaze had Mason second-guessing what he meant to say. But deep down inside, Mason knew it was the right thing—it was all he could think of that would help lessen Noah’s pain and clear his mind.

  Mason took a deep breath. “You need to get in touch with them, Noah.”

  “What?” Noah actually looked as if he didn’t know who Mason was talking about.

  “Your team. You need to reach out to the guys from your team.”

  “Not going to happen.” Noah stood up, turned, and walked away.

  Mason ran his fingers through his hair. He pushed too far, too fast.

  Noah turned back around. Mason startled and let out a soft sigh. Noah was pacing, not running away. The seconds ticked by as Noah continued to take measured steps across the room.

  Mason took a deep breath. They weren’t finished. “You need to give them a chance. Let them know your fears. Maybe you’ll be surprised.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think so. I don’t think I could bear hearing their true feelings. Learning how much they hate me.”

  “Are you kidding?” Mason tried to keep his voice calm, but he had trouble. “You already believe they hate you. What do you have to lose?”

  Noah stared at his feet. Mason wasn’t even sure if he was listening. Mason stood up and moved right in front of Noah, blocking his path.

  “Listen to me. Maybe you’re wrong. Not that they’ll be pissed. I think they will be. Pissed you didn’t give them a chance to have your back. Pissed you left without a word. But I also think they’d get over that. You need to contact them. Go see them.”

  The only clue Mason had Noah was listening, was Noah’s body going tense.

  If only Mason could make this easy for Noah, but it was too late for that. Now the only chance Noah had to get over his pain was to man up and make contact with his team.