In His Sights Page 7

  “I guess I’ll try one.” Noah adjusted to push himself up.

  “Stop. I’ll grab them.” Mason stood before Noah could stop him.

  When Mason came back, he had the pills and another bottle of water. “Try to drink the whole thing. Those things will dehydrate you.”

  “Thanks.” Noah popped one pill and drank down the water. Then he sat back to wait.

  Focusing on the movie took Noah’s mind away from his discomfort. When the time came for another movie, his aches ceased, his muscles relaxed.

  Halfway into the new movie, Noah realized Mason’s breathing had evened out, and he’d finally stopped making comments on every other scene. The play by play could be annoying, but was somewhat endearing when Mason did it. It seemed as if he wanted to make sure Noah hadn’t missed something, and that Noah had the best time possible. But the chatter was also something that would keep Noah out of a theater with Mason in the future.

  Noah’s glance at his friend next to him lingered, and his skin warmed. He moved his body closer, trying to catch Mason’s scent, but then realized what he was about to do and pulled back. All he needed was for Mason to open his eyes and catch Noah doing more than simply ogling him. Fighting off the desire to stay in check was harder than Noah had anticipated. After seconds of debate, Noah came up with a plan. He took his hands from next to him and raised them over his head; he was stiff, but not too bad. The pain could have been attributed to planting the trees just as much as the fight earlier. Stretching, he rolled his head, back and around, and allowed his gaze to accidently fall on Mason.

  Mason lay with his eyes closed, releasing a little puff of air with each of his exhales. Noah lowered the television volume. He sat listening to and surveying Mason. With his features relaxed, Mason appeared peaceful. It was the first chance Noah had to take a peek, and he soaked it in. Mason was beautiful. The word should have been handsome, but in Mason’s case, he was so much more. His round face and square chin with a cleft, his bottom lip slightly plumper than his top, all begged for Noah’s attention. Noah’s cock twitched, and he hadn’t even passed over Mason’s face. Gawking at his body was a bad idea.

  Noah slid his hand into the waist of his pants to adjust himself and stopped mid-way when Mason moved. Caught with his hands down his pants was not something Noah wanted to explain. Noah’s skin burned. When Mason settled back down, Noah released his breath, then continued on his quest to reposition himself.

  More comfortable, he’d decided he had enough Bond for the moment and floated back to his own, homegrown fantasy. The pose Mason now lay in gave Noah a perfect view of his front. Mason’s broad shoulders and his muscular chest on display through his tight T-shirt held Noah captive for a few seconds. Noah’s mouth watered. He could practically count out Mason’s six-pack. Noah imagined Mason’s toned arms wrapped around him, Mason’s strong hands holding him down. His cock already filled to full girth, Noah debated whether to move on. Unable to stop himself, his gaze slid further down. As soon as they hit their destination, he realized taking a peek was a mistake. Mason’s tight pants accentuated each part of his lower body, telling Noah that Mason hung to the right and lay either half-hard, or huge. Noah’s ass pulsed.

  He stood up and twisted away from Mason. He’d come in his pants if he didn’t put a stop to his thoughts right then. He walked out of the room and fled to the bathroom. Inside, he debated if he should relieve himself or just get over it. He thought the first would be the easiest, but the thought of Mason waking up and catching him kept his cock locked away. He turned on the sink and leaned over, splashing cold water on his face. The spray cooled him off, but didn’t do much else. His cock poked up, still patiently waiting its turn. He brought his thoughts to a mission from the past. The reflection deflated his cock instantly. Back in control, he left the bathroom.

  Noah kept his gaze downcast, trying to avoid Mason as he walked into the living room. Once seated, he kept his stare planted on the television. For all of about thirty seconds.

  Mason let out a moan, and the sound traveled right to Noah’s groin. Without thought, Noah spun to face him. Mason’s cock acted as a magnet and drew Noah’s gaze. In Noah’s weakness, he couldn’t turn away. His body hummed, and his hands trembled again, wanting to reach out.

  Noah’s tongue slid across his bottom lip just as Mason slipped his legs to the floor and sat up.

  “You okay?” Mason rubbed his eyes.

  Fuck. “Yeah. You talked in your sleep.” Why else would I be staring at you?

  “Really? What was I saying?”

  Noah’s heart threatened to pound out of his chest. “You weren’t awake, trying to fool me?” Noah hoped to play up the reason for his staring as best he could.

  “Nope. Just woke up. If I said anything, it was while I was asleep. What did I say?”

  “Couldn’t understand, you were mumbling.” But your dick said look at me.

  “I didn’t share anything top secret?” Mason had a smile on his face.

  “Na. You’re safe.” But I’m not. Shit. Noah stood up. “You want a drink? I’m going to grab a water.”

  “I’m okay. Thanks.”

  Noah kept tight control of himself to stop him from running out of the room. Once in the kitchen he opened up the refrigerator. He moved in close, letting the cold air cool him off. His heart continued to race. Mason had caught Noah zeroing in on Mason’s dick. Holy fucker. What the hell was I thinking? He thanked God for giving him the talking in his sleep idea, and that Mason bought it.

  * * * *

  Holy crap. He was staring at my dick. The said appendage twitched. Mason listened to hear if Noah still stood in the kitchen. Hearing he was, Mason used the heel of his hand to press down on his cock, to try and get the thing under control. He’d thought something might be up the day before when he’d caught Noah glancing at him while they’d worked in the backyard. He’d been willing to write that off as wishful thinking—hell, Noah was hot, and Mason wouldn’t mind doing the nasty with him. But today, his imagination didn’t play a part in the program. When Mason opened his eyes, Noah appeared ready to eat Mason. The green of Noah’s eyes hidden by his dilated pupils, his tongue stroking across his bottom lip. Mason shook his head. He needed his mind to go elsewhere—this train of thought would keep his cock operational and ready for deployment. Fuck.

  He heard Noah coming back. Mason leaned over, grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch, and covered his lap.

  Noah walked back in, his stare focused across the room.

  Embarrassed to make eye contact. Interesting. “How are you feeling?” Mason asked.

  “I’m all right. Just a little stiff.”

  Holy shit. Down boy. Mason took a deep breath, fisted his hands, and dug his nails into his palms. He needed to get a grip. Fast. Or he’d knock Noah down on the couch, taking full advantage of him.

  If they were to get together, it would have to be Noah making the first move. And Mason knew that wouldn’t happen. Although, just the day before, he’d been sure Noah was straight, and now he knew how off he was there. So maybe…

  Noah made his way over to one of the chairs, avoiding both the couch and Mason.

  “You want to finish this movie or are you Bonded out and ready for something new?” Mason asked. Not wanting them to sit in awkward silence, he offered Noah an out. Still, if nothing came of what Mason had spotted, at least they’d be able to get back to the comfortable companionship they’d started with.

  “I’m fine with what we have.”

  Mason put the film back on. Then, five minutes in, Mason stood up.

  “You okay?” Noah asked.

  “Yeah. Thinking I’m ready for a snack. How about you?”

  “I can always eat. Want me to hit pause?”

  “Nah. I’ll only be a second.” Mason walked into the kitchen and opened the pantry. He took out two bags of popcorn and cooked them. About to take out two bowls from the cabinet, he had a better idea. He padded over to the center island,
pulled out a large party bowl, and dumped in the popcorn. Then he grabbed some water on his way back to the living room.

  He passed by Noah, continued over to the couch, and sat on the far end, on the opposite side of the chair Noah sat in. That made it necessary for Noah to move to join Mason on the couch if he’d like some popcorn.

  Mason finished getting situated and comfortable, then peered over his shoulder at Noah. “Would you like some popcorn?” He hated having Noah get up in his hurt state, but he wanted them to get back to being relaxed around each other, and this was the best idea he had. So, he went with it.

  “Yeah, sure.” Noah came over. To Mason’s disappointment, instead of sitting down next to Mason, Noah took a handful of popcorn and shuffled back to his seat. Ten minutes later, Noah came back over for some more.

  This time, Mason refused to let him get away. “Why don’t you sit over here? You can lay back and put your feet up?” Mason watched as Noah’s brain tried to come up with a way to avoid sitting next to Mason. But in the end, Noah couldn’t.

  Noah sat next to Mason, but not quite as close as Mason would have liked. When Noah reached over for more popcorn, Mason slid closer to him so he didn’t have to stretch.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” Mason smiled.

  Now they sat close enough that Mason could smell his soap on Noah. Maybe sitting near him wasn’t the best idea.

  Mason’s cock twitched. As Mason forced his focus back onto the television, his hand traveled back to the bowl, ready for more popcorn, at the same time Noah’s did. Their fingers brushed together, and a jolt of electricity shot through Mason. Noah’s muscles turned rigid, his breath hitched, and his mouth fell open, leading Mason to believe he’d experienced the shock, too. But Noah’s furrowed eyebrows had Mason believing Noah wasn’t sure what to make of the bolt. Mason couldn’t turn away. He gazed for a second too long; when Noah peered up, he locked on to Mason’s stare.

  Noah’s gaze still held confusion, but now it also held fear, hope…and what Mason would undoubtedly call lust. And sitting there, up close next to him, Mason couldn’t figure out what to do with that. His cock sat patiently, filled with ideas of its own. Down boy. Nothing to look at here.

  Mason wasn’t sure how long they sat there in a trance-like state, but Noah suddenly turned his head forward, pulled his hand from the bowl, and stood up, ending their gaze. The urge to ask Noah what was wrong washed over Mason. But knowing he wouldn’t get a true answer had Mason holding his tongue.

  Noah wouldn’t bring his gaze to focus on Mason. “I gotta use the bathroom,” Noah spurted.

  Noah walked much too quickly for his wounds. He shot across the room, and passing the main-floor bathroom, forged up the stairs. What was that about? Now it was true, Mason hadn’t known Noah that long. Or hell, he didn’t know Noah that well. But somewhere in their friendship, he thought he should’ve come across the fact Noah was gay. Or bi. Either way, after all their talking the other day, Mason thought that should have come up. If not during Noah’s story about whom he’d dated, at least when Mason admitted he was gay. A simple “yeah, me, too” would have sufficed. But hell. Nothing. And Mason held very little to no doubt Noah was hot for him. And Mason was in no way, shape, or form a woman.

  Mason tried, but failed, to ignore the clock while Noah was gone. He half expected the other man to remain upstairs. Or at least until dinner. Maybe until it was time for him to leave. Mason refused to let that happen. He had no intention of letting Noah hide. If he was gay, or bi, Noah needed to know Mason was okay with that. Hell, how could I be otherwise? And if for some reason, Noah wanted to keep his interest in men a secret, although not at all necessary, Mason was okay with that, too. After all, the way Noah swung wasn’t really Mason’s business—regardless of how much his hard cock would like Noah’s propensity to be to like men, it wasn’t.

  About twenty minutes had passed, and Mason tried to decide whether he should head upstairs, when the sound of the bathroom door opening stopped him. He settled back against the couch, put the popcorn back on his lap, and pretended to be engrossed in the picture on the television.

  Shit. The movie had finished. How the hell long ago had it ended? Mason jumped out of his seat and grabbed another DVD they’d chosen off the pile.

  Noah walked in the room as Mason stood, about to hit the play button.

  “What’s up next?” Noah asked, his voice sounding hesitant, more than the question would warrant.

  “Thinking another action flick is called for.” Mason took a quick glance at Noah and was relieved to see Noah’s body relaxed with Mason’s words. Was he afraid I’d bring up what just happened?

  “Sounds good.” Noah smile appeared less tense as well.

  As Mason moved around, a horrible thought popped into his head. Perhaps Noah hadn’t been in the bathroom because he had been embarrassed. Instead, he could’ve been hurting.

  “How you feeling?” Mason stopped halfway back to his seat and moved his attention to Noah. “It’s time for another pill if you’re hurting.”

  “I’m a little stiff. Pain’s about a seven.”

  “A seven. Are you kidding me? Let me grab you another pill then, before we go ahead and start the next show.”

  “All right. Thanks.”

  Out in the kitchen, Mason grabbed another water from the refrigerator. “Hey, you ready for something more to eat?”

  “If you are. Otherwise I can wait.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. Sit down. Let’s watch.”

  Mason sat, the smile back on his face. They were back to two friends hanging out—no awkwardness.

  For the next hour and a half, they both remained silent, their gazes glued to the television. The movie was one of Mason’s favorites, and from Noah’s laser-like focus, Mason believed if the film wasn’t before, it was now one of Noah’s as well.

  “That was great.”

  “Roger that.” Mason stood up, put his hands over his head, and stretched. He couldn’t stifle the moan that escaped. He liked not having to do anything other than lie around, making a snack here or there. “You ready for something to eat?” He glanced over at Noah, who now studied the pile of DVDs Mason had handed him to choose another one. A warmth rushed through Mason. He could definitely get used to this.

  Noah glimpsed up. “I could eat.”

  “Anything in particular?”

  “Surprise me.” Noah’s stared back down to the movies lying in his lap.

  Every part of Mason went on fire. Those were some dangerous words. Before something just as risky slipped out of his mouth, Mason bolted to the kitchen.

  Glancing around the pantry, Mason spotted the perfect thing.

  He pulled some provisions from the cabinet, then the refrigerator, and within minutes he had a platter of nachos ready for the movie marathon.

  Mason padded to the freezer to put the remaining chopped meat away. When Mason closed the door, he found Noah standing in the doorway watching him.

  Surprised, Mason shook his head. “You okay?”

  “Just checking if I can help.”

  “It’s all good. I’m finishing up.”

  Noah moved over toward Mason, his gaze glued on the platter of nachos. “Those look delicious.”

  “Good.” Mason’s smile grew to ridiculous proportions with the simple praise.

  Mason proceeded to pick up the platter, ready to bring the food into the living room. His gaze focused on the food, he walked into Noah. Shit. “Sorry.” Mason thought Noah had gone back into the living room.

  Noah didn’t say anything, and he didn’t move. Instead, he remained still, his gaze locked on Mason’s mouth.

  What. The. Fuck. Mason put the serving dish back down. “Here.” Then he grabbed the two drinks he’d poured and handed them to Noah.

  “Figured we had enough water.” As Mason spoke, Noah took the drinks from his hands and put them back on the counter.

  Confused, Mason said, “You don
’t have to have soda if you don’t want. Just figured alcohol wouldn’t work with your—”

  Noah’s kiss trapped the rest of Mason’s sentence in Mason’s mouth. Noah pushed his tongue between Mason’s lips.

  Chapter 8

  What the fuck is going on? About to ask just that, Mason caught hold of his senses, and instead of pulling away, shut down his brain and opened his mouth to greet Noah’s tongue with his own.

  The kiss was strange. Strange in the fact that Mason wasn’t even sure Noah was into guys. And here Noah was, devouring every nook and cranny inside Mason’s mouth, and not being gentle in the way he searched out the confined spaces, which was fine with Mason. But the whole thing had Mason thinking maybe Noah had done this before. It was a thought Mason would put off to another time. When he wasn’t so engrossed in what he was doing. For now, he’d just enjoy Noah’s flavor and the way his two-day growth scratched Mason’s skin.

  Caught in the euphoria, Mason’s head was fuzzy, the lack of oxygen only partly to blame. But still, he remained the submissive participant. Afraid if he did anything this would end, Mason let his hands and arms hang at his sides. It took Noah putting his hands in Mason’s hair to get Mason to do the same. Mason’s movements were slow and deliberate. He placed one hand on Noah’s shoulder, and the other in his hair.

  Something felt wrong, and Mason needed a moment to realize what. His hand landed on a goose egg-sized lump on the back of Noah’s skull. Mason went to pull away. But before he had a chance, Noah tightened his grip, not letting Mason escape.

  Mason hesitated and shifted both his hands to Noah’s shoulders. Focused on the kiss, Mason almost didn’t realize the slow and methodic movement of Noah’s body as he pushed Mason back toward the counter. Not wanting to squash Noah’s plans, Mason traveled with him. As Mason’s ass came in contact with the cabinets, Noah repositioned Mason’s head, taking the kiss deeper and letting out a moan. The sound caused Mason’s cock to jerk and harden. He still didn’t know what the hell was happening between them, but he sure was enjoying it.