In His Sights Page 22

  “No. Take the bike. You won’t have to wait around for me. You can head over when we’re done instead of waiting.”

  “But I don’t mind.”

  Noah half expected Mason to yell, but instead he kept his voice calm and said, “There’s a good chance I’ll get held up. It’s better if you take the bike.”

  It hadn’t mattered; Noah couldn’t miss Mason’s tense posture as he spoke. He obviously didn’t want Noah with him, and if everything he’d told Noah the other night rang true, which Noah didn’t doubt it did, he understood Mason’s reason for not wanting Noah to tag along.

  So instead of continuing to push, Noah conceded. “That’s great. If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  That ended their conversation. They silently finished their food.

  “That was delicious.” Mason stood up and leaned over to pick up Noah’s plate along with his own. “I’ll clean these, then head out.”

  Noah stood, too. “Let me take care of that. You go, so you can finish.”

  “It’ll only take two seconds.”

  “Please, just go.”

  Relenting, Mason passed the dishes to Noah, then headed toward the front door.

  Mason came back in the kitchen with his shoes. He sat down and proceeded to put them on. “I’ll meet you at the range as soon as I’m done.”

  “I think I’ll take a run. Missed it this morning.” Chills raced down Noah’s back with the memory of why Noah had missed his run earlier. Mason’s smile said his mind traveled to the same thoughts.

  “And I need to check over my work schedule. Why don’t you call me when you finish, and I’ll head out then? That way we’ll arrive at the range about the same time.”

  “All right. I don’t expect to take more than an hour, hour and a half. I’ll give you a call when I finish up.” With both shoes on, Mason stood. “You remember the directions?”

  Noah finished cleaning everything they’d used, then turned around as he dried his hands. “I have the address, I’ll be fine.”

  Mason put his arms around Noah, but stood rigidly, broadcasting how he felt about his mission for the day. Noah tugged Mason in close before Mason tried to pull away. Mason’s gaze met Noah’s, and Noah pounced. His open mouth landed on Mason’s, and Noah’s tongue eagerly probed Mason’s lips for a way in. It didn’t take long for Mason to grant Noah access. Mason’s tongue found its twin and circled it, then went on to familiarize itself with each nook and cranny inside Noah’s mouth.

  Someone sounded out in pleasure, the moment too intense for Noah to tell whether it was him or Mason. Noah’s tongue continued its rotation as his hands rubbed up and down Mason’s back, continuing to hold him close. Noah’s dick twitched up against Mason’s hardening cock. Noah was half surprised either could get up after their earlier time together.

  The second moan definitely came from Mason. Before it’d come completely out, Mason pulled back slowly from Noah. Noah leaned forward, his mouth automatically following Mason’s. Mason allowed for a quick peck, then he took a step back and out of Noah’s reach.

  “I need to go, or I’ll never get there.”

  “Is that such a bad thing?” Noah winked. “We can stay and continue where we left off.”

  “No. We can’t. I need to take care of something.”

  “Can’t it wait until Monday?”

  “No.” Mason’s word came out sharp. He was back to being abrasive, and it was Noah’s fault. Why did Noah need to push? He’d known Mason’s reason for going to the office was important, or he wouldn’t take the risk of showing up. And instead of letting Mason go, get in, and get out, Noah fought him, prolonging the agony. Noah couldn’t help himself; his worry caused him to act that way.

  Smacking himself mentally, Noah smiled at Mason. “Check to make sure you have my number, and I’ll put yours in my phone. We always seem to leave without it.”

  Mason’s attempt at smiling came out strained. “Thank you. I didn’t put your number in my phone last time. I would have definitely forgotten about it until I called you.”

  Mason read off the numbers as Noah punched them into his phone.

  “That should be it. I’ll call you as soon as I’m finishing up. And if you’re ready before I call, don’t wait.” Mason put his phone in his pocket. “Head over, and I’ll catch up with you.” Mason leaned in and gave Noah a quick kiss and hug.

  “Okay. And be careful.” Shit.

  Mason gave Noah a strange look. Where the hell had Noah’s head been saying that? As if Mason had anything to be careful about heading to his office.

  Way to keep it on the down low that you don’t know anything’s happening with Mason and his job. Stupid ass.

  Noah must have kept his face clueless enough Mason didn’t suspect anything with what Noah said. Mason simply smiled at Noah, then turned around and headed for the door.

  Chapter 25

  Noah stood by the window and watched as Mason pulled out of the driveway, still surprised Mason headed to his office. Unfortunately, Noah wouldn’t know what was happening. It wasn’t any of Noah’s business, and he’d just have to accept that fact. Unless he wanted to open up the whole thing of what had happened that night and tell Mason exactly what he’d let slip while he drank. And then what? Mason would open up and tell Noah exactly what was going on? Doubtful. Noah would just have to live with not having his curiosity satisfied.

  Instead of sitting around dwelling on it, Noah would take his free time and go for a run; getting out would do him some good. Noah’s mind flashed back to exactly what had kept him from his morning run. His cock thickened. He could’ve stayed in bed all day with Mason—if only Mason had been there when Noah had woken up—he had some ideas of his own on how they could have spent the day together.

  Noah walked into his room to change into some sweats and saw his computer sitting on the dresser. Hell, before he headed out, he should really check his email. He’d ignored his life since arriving at Mason’s. It was time to get back to reality. Time for him to get his shit done.

  He took the laptop, moved into the living room, and sat on the couch. He turned the computer on and logged in. He had a page full of emails, half looked to be from his boss. What the hell? He opened the first, then second, then continued until he’d opened all. It seemed his boss had marked him to receive information on any open ships for the next six months.

  Looking through the trips first, he saw two, one to Oman and the other to United Arab Emirates, which seemed to be right up his alley. He’d act as part of a full security detail on the first trip, then one of three security personnel on the second. Both would take him away for a month each. Damn. There was a tug at his heart. He would miss Mason. He would miss him once he went back home. The thought caused an ache in Noah’s chest. What was he thinking? It wasn’t like they were in some kind of relationship. Hell, no. They were just fucking. And he was sure when he left, Mason would go about finding someone new to fill his place. Or maybe he’d hook back up with his guy from Vermont. Bile burned the back of Noah’s throat.

  What was his problem? He’d go home and do what he’d been doing, too. One offs with guys in dark alleys whose names he’d never know. A hollowness filled Noah’s chest and chills racked his body. What the hell happened to him? And when had he fallen for Mason?

  He fell back against the chair and gave it some thought. He really liked Mason, might actually love the man. Just when their relationship became something he not only accepted but also wanted to invest time in, it was about to end. Because really, how would they do the long-distance thing? They were too old for that. Too old to kid themselves that the two of them living so far apart would work.

  And with the way their schedules worked, it would be an almost moot point. Him, at least for the rest of the year, away for a month at a time, and Mason busy with the Bureau, there’d never be time for the two of them to get together. Never any reasonable time for them to get together, anyway. So was he thinking? He needed
to get his head out of his ass and focus on figuring out what he would do with his life. Working security on these cargo ships wasn’t really what he wanted. It was the perfect hold over until the thing with THE Company came through. But there was no guarantee it would. Then what?

  He thought about the SEALs, something in the past months he tried to avoid since before he’d talked to Mason, and all his thoughts came to one conclusion. He missed it. A lot. And he’d never get it back. He needed to get over the pain of the loss and live in reality. The reality of what he could do. How he could live his life.

  With the SEALs on his mind it automatically went to his friends. Family. The other members of his team. The guys who’d had his back for a lot of years. The guys he’d left without saying goodbye to. He missed being a part of them, and he simply missed them. Mason had tried to get Noah to call them—tell them he was okay—but as much as Noah wanted to, he was too scared, scared of what they’d say, how they’d act, and what they’d think of him for leaving, but most of all, for him being gay.

  Anyway, what would he tell them? What was his reason for leaving? For just disappearing? He had nothing, and he knew they’d never accept that. So, yeah. It was best if he just stayed away, lost to them forever.

  Noah closed the computer. He would check the rest of the emails when he got back. Then he stood and shook off the feeling of hopelessness that washed over him. Things were good for him. Better than they’d been for the past year and a half. Hell, he had a good job. Someone who cared about him, worried if he was okay. A lover. What more could he want? What more could he ask for? Nothing. He needed to stop acting greedy.

  He walked into the bedroom and grabbed the sweats hanging on the chair. He pulled them on, then put on a shirt. Then he slid on the sneakers Mason had lent him. He’d head out on his run and sweat out all his troubling thoughts. Once his body got moving, the fresh air would clear his head out.

  He ran through the neighborhood, pushing himself hard. The cool air and his burning lungs reminding him he was alive, and he should be grateful. How ridiculous was it that he was worried about not having a relationship with Mason, when he’d only just recently admitted he was gay? And only barely. He was a jackass. As he rounded the last corner, he sprinted to Mason’s house, all the noise in his head pushing him forward. He came up to the door and bent over, his lungs heaving. He needed to get out of there; the place felt too much like home.

  Once inside, he went straight for the shower. When he finished, he put on a pair of jeans and one of Mason’s black Henley T’s. Back downstairs, he went over to his computer. He needed to check out the rest of the emails, then he’d head out, still no closer to figuring out where his life went from there.

  He read the note once, then again, his body tensing from the message. It was as if a higher power had intervened. A ship was leaving Maryland in seventy-two hours, and his boss needed him to be on it. “What are the odds?” The urge to slam his computer closed overwhelmed him. But instead, he sat there staring at the words. The trip would have him back just in time for his next cruise. He would need to haul ass out first thing in the morning. Well, it seemed the universe had made the plans for him—not the first time, and unfortunately, probably not the last.

  Maybe it was for the best—it’d get him away from Mason before his feelings made it so he wouldn’t want to leave him. He’d say goodbye to Mason tonight.

  * * * *`

  Mason had hated leaving Noah at home. He would have loved to stay in bed all day with the man. But he couldn’t. There was a clock ticking in his head. He only had a few days left to figure out who the hell was behind the bombings he’d been investigating.

  He peered at the clock on his dashboard and checked the time. He hoped, since most people either didn’t go into the office on Fridays or they cut out early, he wouldn’t run into anyone who knew he wasn’t supposed to be there. He didn’t have a choice but to risk being seen.

  Mason slowly pulled into the parking garage, taking a minute to drive around and search out whose cars were there. He recognized a few, but didn’t think any of their owners were in a position that would be aware of Mason’s status. He checked the reserved spots and was happy to see they were empty. That meant none of the men directly responsible for forcing his leave were going to be there. Thank God. Just in case, he parked a few rows away from what would be considered a good spot and send up one more quick prayer.

  He planned to say he’d forgotten a pair of prescription sunglasses in his office if anyone saw him. The only problem with that story was that he didn’t wear prescription sunglasses. He’d worry about that another day.

  As he walked toward the glass building, he was momentarily taken by its enormity. Today the structure seemed more intimidating. Or it could be the extreme consequences Mason could face by someone spotting him on the property that caused his emotions. He walked through the glass doors and was pleasantly surprised when a security guard he didn’t recognize stood up behind the desk. It only took a second for Mason to detect the guy was either new or temporary. Either way, it was good for Mason.

  “Hello,” Mason said and waved his badge toward the gentleman.

  “Hi. How are you?” the man returned.

  “Good, thanks,” Mason responded as he walked toward the bank of elevators. He pressed the button, and the door immediately opened. Inside, he turned around. Back facing the man at the desk, Mason leaned over, hit the button to his floor, then said, “Have a great day.” The doors slid closed, and Mason let out the breath he held.

  When the elevator opened on Mason’s floor, the hallway stood empty. His jaw relaxed, and his hands unclenched. Instead of heading directly to his desk, Mason headed to the room where he knew he’d find the file he wanted. It was the only file Mason hadn’t had a personal copy of. The main file, the one he wanted, would be in Michael’s office. It’d be there, because Mason had put it there just minutes before he’d reported to his boss’s office for that fateful meeting. And he knew Michael wouldn’t have even known it was there, because when Mason had dropped it off, Michael had been out of his office. Mason hadn’t had time to bring it back to his own office, so he’d stuck it between two books on Michael’s bookshelf. Mason had thought he’d have a chance to go over it with Michael after his meeting instead of being asked to leave the building immediately.

  He hoped he hadn’t missed Michael’s car in the parking lot, putting him in his office. Mason wouldn’t worry about that yet. He still had a maze-like track he needed to take just to get there. At the end of one hallway, and en route to another, everything was still quiet. He was surprised he couldn’t hear a soul. Not even off in the distance. As Mason finally moved closer, it was easier to see Michael’s office was dark and vacant. Perfect. Mason quickly made his way into the room. Not bothering with the lights, he headed over to the bookshelf and pulled the paperwork out from right where he’d put it the week before. He’d only stashed it there because Michael was a slob, and he’d known if he’d just left it on Michael’s desk before talking about it, it would have probably ended up filed away with some other paperwork that had nothing to do with it.

  Mason took the file and tucked it in his pants, then pulled the sweat shirt he wore over it. He felt ridiculous but knew the cloak-and-dagger was necessary.

  Mason’s next stop would be his own office, where he could sit and go over what he found and compare it to the notes he had written and had been smart enough to copy and save in his desk. Just before making it to the row his office was on, voices headed his way broke through the silence. Mason ducked into the restroom.

  He listened at the door until they passed by. Once he decided they were far enough away, Mason opened the door, peered around the area, then made his way back toward his office. He made it there without further incident.

  Mason sat down at his desk. He quickly glanced through the file he’d just grabbed. It looked like everything was there. Good. He took out the key to his desk and unlocked the bottom drawer. He
opened it and his stomach dropped. It was empty. There was nothing in the drawer except the green hanging folders. What the fuck? He quickly unlocked the next drawer, hoping he’d made a mistake as to which drawer he’d put his notes. That was empty, too, except for the one folder that held the instructions to all his electronic equipment. What the hell was going on? Who’d have gone into his desk to touch his personal files and why?

  His thoughts went right to his boss. When he’d sent someone to get all the paperwork on the case Mason had been handling, had he told whomever he’d charged with the work to go into Mason’s locked drawers and take whatever was in there, too?

  It didn’t make sense. Copies of everything Mason created would be in the Bureau’s files. Why would someone come looking in Mason’s desk? Mason wasn’t going to be able to find anything without his files. What could he do now? He wasn’t giving up. This just made him want to prove he was right more than anything.

  He’d have to try again to go into the Bureau’s mainframe with his computer. Then he’d re-print all the files. To do that, he’d have to stay at the office longer than he originally planned. But he didn’t care, as long as he had access.

  He turned on his computer and waited for it to boot up. It didn’t take long, then he typed in the information he needed. While waiting for the computer’s reply, he looked around, trying to see if there was anyone nearby. The area was still clear and would hopefully stay that way until he was done.

  He glanced back at his computer screen, surprised by what he saw. He’d accessed the mainframe, but there was something else wrong. The computer said it was unable to find the case. Mason ran it again. It came back with the same response. Fuck. He spent over an hour trying to look up the files using different parameters and still found nothing. All the files he and his team had worked on for the last year and a half were gone, as if they’d never existed.

  Mason checked his watch and let out a sigh. He was going to be late meeting up with Noah. He’d call him and let him know.