Page 34 of Overeager
“How are you feeling?”
It was a good question, given Eli’s state the night before. He could answer in a number of ways. He could say that his headache had already receded, thanks to Noah’s refreshing ocean scent and the coffee he’d made. He could mention that he’d be hungry eventually but wasn’t quite ready to risk food. He could admit he was still feeling slightly embarrassed and yet at the same time grateful Noah hadn’t left.
Or he could be bold.
And for once, Eli was feeling bold.
He set his mostly empty cup down on the counter and pressed himself into Noah, giving in to the impulse he’d had all morning and rubbing his nose into the alpha’s T-shirt. Noah had clearly worn it all night, and it was drenched in his scent.
Eli sighed happily when Noah tentatively wrapped his arms around him. “Thank you for getting me home. Sorry if I ruined your night.”
“You didn’t,” Noah told him, his voice hoarse.
“And sorry if I got … handsy.”
Noah let out a husky chuckle. “Believe me, I didn’t mind. I just didn’t want to, you know, take advantage.”
He hadn’t, of course. Eli remembered that he’d been a perfect gentleman. Which was all well and good, but until now, Noah had been making all the moves. Inviting himself into Eli’s hot tub, suggesting Eli take his virginity, approaching him in class and asking to talk at the bar.
If Eli really wanted this, it was his turn to show it. It was madness, sure, and it might blow up his life in a horrible, horrible way. He might even regret every minute of it.
But he’d regret it even more if he never tried.
“And did you mean what you said last night?” he asked, his voice muffled by the cloth of Noah’s shirt.
“Can you, uh, be more specific?”
“That you want this,” Eli clarified. “That you wouldn’t mind keeping it hidden.”
“Yes.” Noah’s arms tightened around him. “Yes, I want it.”
Eli tilted his head back to peer up at him. “And what about the part about doing whatever I wanted this morning?”
Noah’s pheromones swelled richly. “Fuck, yes.”
“Hey, Noah?”
“Yes?” Noah was holding himself so incredibly still. Like he didn’t dare move, didn’t dare break whatever spell had been forming between them.
That was okay. Eli would do it.
He batted his lashes, feeling a little ridiculous but figuring he might as well go all out. “I’m going to take a shower—I’m pretty sure I’m giving off toxic gin fumes at this point. Would you like to join me?”
Eli would have loved to be able to take a photo of Noah’s expression at this moment and keep it in his pocket for the rest of forever. The mix of surprise and hope and desire was really something else.
“Fuck, yes, I would.”
Eli smiled up at him. “Good.”
Eli’s boldnesslasted until they were actuallyinthe bathroom, and then his nerves decided to make themselves known. A fluttering started in his belly, half anxiety and half arousal.
Noah wasn’t helping, uncharacteristically quiet again as he watched Eli turn the taps in the shower with the same intensity he’d watched him drink the coffee he’d made.
“Well?” Eli whirled to face him, cocking a brow with false bravado.
Noah’s wide mouth curled up on one side. “Well, what?”
Eli let out a frustrated breath, then gestured to Noah’s clothes. “You’re going to shower fully clothed?”
