Page 9 of The Murder Between Us
Cole rolled, checking the bedside clock. “Five,” he said, rolling back and kissing Noah’s knuckles. “What’s your day like today?”
Noah groaned. “I have workshops I have to attend, and I’m supposed to meet my friend for breakfast at our hotel. I’d rather stay here.”
Cole grinned. “I’d rather you stayed, too.” Another kiss, slow as molasses, and Cole’s leg slid up Noah’s, his ankle hooking around Noah’s knee. There wasn’t a part of them that wasn’t touching.
A curl of fear dug into Noah’s heart. His breath fluttered over Cole’s lips. “Is this goodbye?” Was the fairy tale over? Was this his one magical night? If it was, it had been more than he’d ever expected, ever hoped for. He’d be okay with it if this was all he got. He’d remember this forever. He’d remember Cole forever.
Cole gazed at him, those kind eyes searching, always searching, for something inside Noah. “It doesn’t have to be. Do you want to meet again tonight?”
“Yes.” Noah didn’t even breathe before he spoke, before the word burst out of him. “Yes, definitely.”
Beaming, Cole kissed the center of his forehead. “Dinner?”
Anything. “Yes. I’ll call you?”
“Put my number in your phone?”
Finally, they separated, and Noah dug his cell out from the pocket of his discarded pants, tossed aside on the carpet. “Damn it, my battery’s dead.”
“My phone is… somewhere.” Cole laughed, looking at the mess of clothes on the hotel floor. Their pants, shirts, jackets, socks, and shoes were scattered in every direction. “Here.” Cole grabbed a pad of paper from the bedside table and scribbled down his number. “Text me later today?”
Cole had a D.C. area code. Noah folded the paper and slid it into his pocket as he pulled on his jeans. He was sore, his muscles working in ways they hadn’t in years. Other parts of himself were aching, too. He hadn’t had a three-orgasm night in… maybe ever.
Cole helped him put on his shirt, kissing him with each done button until they were making out again, kissing like they needed to to live, holding on to each other as the sun finally peeked over the horizon and flooded the room in a golden desert glow.
Squinting, Noah blinked hard. “It’s been a few years since I’ve had an all-nighter like this.” Most of the time, a late night meant surveillance, squeezed into the back of a van with three other agents and cops, everyone inhaling coffee and donuts and trying to stay awake.
“Me too.” Cole smiled. Kissed him again. “I’m not complaining, though.”
“Me either.”
“I’ll see you tonight?”
“Definitely.” He’d make up an excuse to ditch the guys. He’d already spent half the week with them. And if James thought he’d met up with someone last night—met up with a woman—he’d be Noah’s biggest champion, encouraging him to head out and stay out for the rest of the night.
It took another ten minutes to leave, and another hundred kisses, but eventually Noah left Cole’s suite ten minutes before six a.m. He padded down the empty hallway. Giddiness filled him, made his steps light, as he called for the elevator. He was the only one going down.
Had that really happened? Did he… Noah fell back, collapsing against the wall. He could still smell Cole on him, all over him. In the reflection, his hair was mussed. Cole had finger combed it, but he still looked freshly fucked.
Noah stared into his own gaze, and, slowly, his smile grew so large and wide his cheeks ached. Yes, he did.
And helovedit. Every moment.
The sun was climbing as he stepped out of the Aria’s front doors, out to the sweeping drive and the grand entrance. The valet looked him up and down and offered to call him a cab. Noah shook his head. It was early, and his own hotel was only across the street. The morning air was crisp, and he wanted to soak everything in. Stretch this morning, this moment, out as long as he could. Every step he took, he could smell Cole—feel him, even. It was almost like they were walking together.
Easy. He had to pump the brakes a bit, mentally, emotionally. Possibly even physically. He’d met a man, had a great date with him, gone back to his room and had mind-blowing sex. But there was a lot of ground to cover between sex with a gorgeous, intelligent, kind, funny, fun, interesting man and… whatever lay beyond that.
It wasn’t like he was looking for anything beyond that, even. Not right now. Not with his life. He couldn’t.
But knowing. Finally. Reallyknowing.
It’s Vegas. It’s what you’re supposed to do here.He had two more nights left. If Cole was open to it, he’d spend them both with him. If not, well, he’d always have the memories of last night. And this beautiful morning. Heknew, finally.
His own hotel was less impressive than the Aria, the lobby more worn, the walls and carpet drab and starting to show signs of age. There was no private elevator to his floor, and as he waited, Noah tried to stand apart from the gaggle of elderly couples finishing up their early breakfast at the hotel’s buffet. He also kept an eye out for anyone he might recognize. It was too early for James to be up and about, but there was a chance some of the other guys could be out for a run. He slid into the elevator silently, hanging back, and, thankfully, his floor was deserted when he arrived.
First things first. Charge up his phone, take a shower, and get ready for the day. At some point, he’d need about a gallon of coffee. Exultation would only take him so far before exhaustion slammed in. For the moment, joy was still pumping through him, and he hummed in the shower as he soaped up, shampooed, and rinsed. His imagination ran wild, and he pictured Cole showering as well, the water running down his lean legs, his strong back, his chiseled abdomen. Unbelievably, Noah started to harden again, but a quick twist of the water knob cured that. With a shockingly frigid finish to his shower, he climbed out and wrapped a towel around his waist before he shaved.
While brushing his teeth, he padded out to his room, biting his toothbrush as he riffled through his clothes. Khakis and a blue polo, or khakis and a white polo? God, he was midwestern all right. Most people thought the FBI was interesting. He snorted. He was the very definition of boring.You have no idea how attractive you are. His eyes closed, and he smiled around his toothbrush.
