Page 5 of Stealing His Human

Nedrick continued, obviously not interested in her answer, turning his attention back to Brett. “And with how pale you suddenly got and started some deep breathing exercises, along with the way you gripped your wrist...” His lips curved into a smile that appeared understanding. “I figured you weren’t going to do it yourself, so I decided to help you out.” Reaching out, Nedrick rested his hand on Brett’s shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Not so good with blood, mate?”

Clearing his throat, Brett shook his head. “Not so much.” He took a chance and peered at his hand since the throbbing had ebbed drastically. “Huh.” To his surprise, the gash didn’t look nearly as bad as he’d originally thought, and the bleeding had already stopped. “Well, that’s—”

Before Brett could finish withstrange, Nedrick squeezed his shoulder once more and asked, “Feeling better now?”

“Yeah, actually, I—”

“Well,Istill think it’s disgusting,” Karissa cut in, reasserting herself into the conversation. She gave his forearm a little squeeze, reminding Brett that she continued to clutch him. “Are you going to be okay to hike?”

“Yeah, of course,” Brett replied, frowning when he watched Nedrick turn and grab the tire. “My hand’ll be just fine.”

“Oh, good.” Karissa beamed at him as if he’d just given her the best news ever. Peering at him from beneath her lashes, she whispered in a sultry tone, “Because I can’t wait to enjoy some nature with you.”

The loud sound of the tire slamming on asphalt drew both their attention. Out of the corner of his eye, Brett noticed Karissa’s narrowed eyes and annoyed expression. He began to think she saw Nedrick as competition, but he couldn’t understand why that would be.

Brett watched as Nedrick flashed a smile his way before wheeling the tire around the side of hisEnvoy. “Where are you planning to hike?” he asked, glancing back at him. “I’ve been all over these mountains. Is there some sight you’d like to see?” Lifting the tire into place—the flat one was already off to the side—Nedrick made it look easy, and he kept talking. “Waterfalls? Meadows? Wildlife? Expansive views? We got’em all here.”

Realizing he was letting Nedrick change his tire and he wasn’t even helping, Brett pulled from Karissa’s clingy grip. “Uh, well, we’ll be here through all next week, so we’re hoping to enjoy all that,” he admitted. Grabbing a lug nut from the ground, he offered it to Nedrick when he began looking. “So, yeah. Any advice on trails would be great.”

Nedrick took the nut slowly, sliding his thumb over Brett’s in the process in a move that felt surprisingly like a caress. “I’ll do you one better, mate,” Nedrick told him with a warm smile. “I’ll show you all that and more.”

Did that sound suggestive?

Naw, that can’t be right.

“We have a map of the trails,” Karissa claimed, teasing her fingers through Brett’s hair. Her touch caused a shiver to work down his back, and the hairs on his neck stood on end, and not in a pleasant way. “So I think we can find our own way, thanks.”

Nedrick flicked his gaze up to where Karissa threaded her fingers through Brett’s hair before refocusing on Brett’s face. His eyes appeared to twitch for just an instant. Then he shrugged, took another lug nut from Brett, and focused on fitting it to the tire.

“Well, the offer stands,” Nedrick stated.

“Ned, what are you doing here?”

Brett turned and stood, spotting Preall McCollins approaching. The large, blond-haired man held the hand of his fiancée—Trina Truollo. He’d met Trina his freshman year in college when they’d shared a couple of classes, and she’d introduced them. Brett had been surprised at the apparent age gap between her and herboyfriend—who looked to be in his thirties while Trina was only eighteen at the time—but it hadn’t taken him long to realize they were a solid couple. Trina was also the reason they’d chosen to camp in the mountains near Stone Ridge. She’d raved about the area, which was where she’d met Preall and had been encouraging them for the last couple of years to come check it out.

“Hey, Preall,” Nedrick greeted with a grin, rising to his feet. He reached over and clasped Preall’s hand, and they shared a quick, one-armed bro-hug. Stepping back and releasing him, Nedrick indicated Brett. “Just changin’ the tire of my new mate, Brett, here.”

While Preall nodded slowly, the corners of his lips quirking just a smidge, Brett noticed that Trina’s eyes widened quite a bit. She even looked up at Preall, who met her gaze with a smile. Then the big man lifted their twined hands and pecked a kiss to the back of hers before returning his attention to Nedrick.

“Well, that’s awful nice of you, Ned,” Preall stated, glancing at the tire. “You’ll have to join us hiking while our friends are up here.”

“I’d enjoy that,” Nedrick replied with a grin. “You know I always enjoy hiking.” Then he glanced toward his buddy, Rierdon, and added, “And I was actually here to check out Rierdon’s truck. It broke down.”

Preall smiled at Rierdon. “Hey, man.” After offering Rierdon the same greeting as Nedrick, he grimaced and said, “Sorry to hear about your truck.”

Rierdon’s smile appeared wry. “It’s fixable.”

With a nod, Preall returned his attention to Nedrick, who’d returned to changing out the tire. He’d lowered the jack and picked up the four-way wrench once more. After giving each lug a couple more twists, Nedrick picked up his jack and straightened.

Nedrick tucked the jack under his left arm, holding the iron in that same hand. “I’ll see you again before too long, Brett,” he claimed, holding out his hand to him.

Not wanting to appear rude and wondering about the undercurrents that were passing between these guys, Brett took Nedrick’s hand. “Sure.” He felt the other man squeeze lightly while rubbing his thumb over the back of his hand twice before releasing him.

Then Nedrick nodded at Karissa and the others, saying, “Nice to meet y’all,” before patting Rierdon on the shoulder. “Come on, Rier,” he urged, heading toward hisJeep. “Let’s go get that dolly and get your truck to the shop.”

Rierdon opened his mouth before snapping it shut just as quickly and following Nedrick to his vehicle. After the guy had put away his tools, he climbed behind the wheel, and Rierdon joined him in the passenger seat. He fired up the engine.

“I’ll keep you posted on where we’ll be,” Preall told him with a wave. “Trina and I’ll set up camp, then decide.” He pointed at the campsite right next to where Brett and the others were.

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