Neither of them moved.
Michael licked his lips, unaware of what he’d done until a low rumbling growl filled the air.
Aaron’s eyes, dark and hooded, promised things they couldn’t have. “Michael.” Even his name sounded like a growl. “Please go now. I want to kiss you so badly I—”
“Fuck it.” One more kiss tonight couldn’t possibly make things any worse. Two steps forward and Michael had Aaron in his arms, finding his lips a moment later. As soon as they connected, his whole body relaxed, as though just touching Aaron calmed him.
Aaron shuddered under his hands. Maybe it was the same for him? Whatever that meant, Michael had no idea and chose not to think about it. This was the last time they could do this for a while, maybe forever, because who knew what might happen in the future. So, for now, he’d just enjoy the fuck out of it.
Aaron wrapped his arms tightly around Michael’s back. All that coiled strength held back so he wouldn’t hurt him. Unable to stop the images from flooding his mind, Michael wondered what it would be like if Aaron let go and kissed him like he would another shifter.
Would it be much different? Could he handle it?
The hunger that swept through him, the need to find out took him by surprise, and he put his hands on Aaron’s shoulders, gently pushing him back. “Ineedto go.”
“You do.”
Aaron’s sad smile made him feel like shit.
He shouldn’t have done that. After everything Aaron had just told him, he’d gone and made it worse. “Sorry for that.” He gestured between the two of them, hoping Aaron understood.
“Don’t be.”
“It was cruel—telling you one thing, then doing the opposite. But it really can’t happen again.”
Aaron walked backwards down the pavement until he was a few feet away, wry smile in place. “I feel how I feel, Michael. One kiss isn’t going to make it any worse, just like I can’t make it disappear in an instant.” His smile widened, reaching his eyes this time. “Besides, I’m glad I got to kiss you without having two of Smith’s men checking their watches in the other room.”
Returning his smile, Michael walked over to Frank’s car and unlocked it. “So am I,” he said.Even if it makes me want you more than ever.
Hopefully, that was just leftover adrenaline mixed with the afterglow of sex. It would fade overnight. Especially if they didn’t see each other over the weekend. Would that be the same for Aaron? He wanted to ask but wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer.
Deciding against it, Michael opened the car door. “Have a good weekend, Aaron.”
“You too.”
“See you next week sometime.” He got in the car without looking back.
SINCE HE’D worked all day Friday and Friday night at the fight, Michael technically had the weekend off—barring any dead bodies turning up.
Frank, however, was working Sunday, and when Michael’s mobile went off with an all too familiar ringtone before nine o’clock, he knew it wouldn’t be good news.
Accepting the call, he dispensed with any pleasantries in favour of, “Fuck, not another body?”
“No.” Frank’s amused tone immediately eased the tension in his shoulders. Clearly nothing too bad.
“Why are you calling me at the crack of dawn then?” He yawned hugely as if to prove his point.
“I’ve been in work two hours already, you lazy bastard.”
“It’s my day off,” Michael protested. “I’m supposed to have a lie-in.”
A huff was all he got in response and then, “Do you want to know why I called or not?”
Michael rubbed a hand over his face, trying to wake himself up. “Come on then. Spill.” He yawned again. “It’d better be good.”
“We got a call from Crossford’s friend, Gavin Foster.”
It took a second or two for the name to register. “Oh?” Interest thoroughly piqued, Michael sat up and propped a couple of pillows behind him.
