~Chapter Four~
Jesse had Noah half undressed before the front door even shut. Hands were everywhere, delving into his pants, squeezing his ass cheeks, sliding up his back and settling into his hair. And all the while, Jesse kissed him hungrily. The ache in his balls and prick reminded Noah that he hadn’t had sex from the moment he’d first laid eyes on Jesse Salvatore.
They stumbled down the hall, clothes coming off and littering the floor.
They hit the bed and bounced. Jesse wrapped his legs around Noah’s waist and attacked his mouth. Noah’s dick filled, making even a light touch unbearable. Jesse’s mouth was an aphrodisiac; Noah couldn’t get enough of him. He’d waited for this moment for so long, and then realized nothing had changed.
Noah broke from the kiss, panting. Jesse’s lips were swollen from the kisses. Damn, the man was beautiful.
“We can’t do this like this.” Noah searched Jesse’s face.
“You want me on my stomach? I can do that.”
Noah caught Jesse’s hand as he began to turn over.
“No. I mean we can’t be together like this. I told you — I don’t want to make love to you in secret. When we make love, it’ll be with no secrets hanging over us. No more hiding Jesse.”
Noah took a deep breath. That had come out a lot faster than he’d intended. Jesse’s brows rose and Noah swallowed hard.
“What?”
“You said ‘make love’,” Jesse grinned, wiggling under Noah.
“Yes, I did.” Noah leaned in and nudged Jesse’s nose with his own.
“Are you going to let me stay all night?”
Noah narrowed his eyes. “Yes. Why?”
“Are you going to sleep with one foot on the floor?” Jesse nearly giggled.
Noah gently ran his fingertips over Jesse’s jaw. “I’m going to spend the night with you, in this bed.” Jesse opened his mouth and Noah pressed their lips together. “Fully dressed.”
Jesse let out a groan of frustration.
“You have no idea how much I want you. What I feel for you, Jesse — it’s never happened before.”
Jesse searched Noah’s eyes. “I feel the same way.”
“You do?” Noah pulled away a little.
“Yes, that’s why I can wait. But let the record show that I’m not happy about it — ”
Noah laughed. “Trust me; I can’t believe I uttered those words.”
Jesse framed Noah’s face in his hands. “The fact that you want this to be special, that you’re not just trying to get into my pants — it means a lot to me. I didn’t get it before. I get it now.”
Noah brushed his lips against Jesse’s. God, he loved his lips.
“I could kiss you all night.”
“Could you fondle me, too?” Jesse cracked a grin.
Noah groaned.
~*~
Sunlight passed over his lids and Noah opened one eye. Jesse had one leg thrown over him and an arm across his chest. Noah smiled and kissed Jesse’s forehead. They had kissed most of the night. It had taken everything he had not to touch more of Jesse, to run his fingers against that smooth skin.
Noah moved a tad, and stared at the sleeping face of Jesse Salvatore. He’d had relationships before — well, one-night stands — but Jesse? Jesse was different. Something about him made Noah want to hold him and protect him from everything and everyone. He’d never felt for anyone what he felt for the man in his arms.
After losing his parents, Noah and Ross had relied on each other to get through everything. Then, when Hayden arrived as a werewolf, the three of them had bonded. All of them had lost their parents to rogues.
Noah leaned in and kissed Jesse’s lips softly. Blond lashes fluttered and then green eyes gazed into his.
“Hi.” Noah ran his fingers through Jesse’s blond hair.
“Hi.”
“Hungry?”
Jesse eyed Noah’s crotch. “Yup.”
Noah kissed Jesse’s nose. “Stop that.”
“I can’t help it,” Jesse mock-whined. “You have such a juicy nether region and ass.”
“Juicy?” Noah raised his brows.
“Mmm hmm.” Jesse buried his face in the crook of Noah’s neck and inhaled. “God, you smell so fucking good.”
The hairs on his arms and neck jumped straight up and Noah’s dick became very aware of Jesse’s body pressed to his own. He raised Jesse’s face to his with his fingertips.
“Good morning.”
Jesse inched back and covered his mouth. “I have to brush my teeth.”
“Nope.” Noah grabbed Jesse and pinned him to the mattress. Swooping in like a hawk on its prey, he caught Jesse’s lips. The kiss was instantly feral, and Noah tried hard to gain control of himself.
He pulled away, gasping. “Can’t!”
“Blah, blah.” Jesse rolled out of bed and sauntered to the bathroom. He stopped just inside the door and looked over his shoulder. “How about a shower?”
Noah looked down at his dick, and then looked back up and shook his head slowly.
Jesse threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. “Ugh!”
After slamming down coffee and toast, the two rode to headquarters in silence in Noah’s car. Living in Seattle had taught him one thing, have a back- up vehicle. Noah took Jesse’s hand and threaded their fingers together.
Jesse eyed him sideways.
“Are you sure you should be doing that? What about my reputation?”
Noah grimaced. “You’re mad.”
“Nooo.” Jesse turned and looked out the window.
Noah sighed. He wanted this to be right. He wanted all of Jesse. And to have that, he wanted Justice’s blessing.
“Jesse…”
“What?”
“I want you. You have to know how much.”
“Can we just get there?”
Caden’s building came into view and they took the ramp down to lower level parking. Headquarters had been set up in the basement of Caden’s office building; it was soundproofed steel and concrete. After parking his car, Noah took Jesse’s hand and held it firmly as the other man tried to yank his away.
“Stop being a baby,” Noah grinned.
“Fuck off,” Jesse muttered. He knew why Noah wanted to wait; didn’t mean he had to like it.
Nope.
Not one damn bit.
The elevator doors opened and Noah stepped in, still holding Jesse’s hand.
“You know Justice is going to kill you for touching me.” Jesse locked eyes with Noah.
“It’ll be worth it.” Noah pulled Jesse into his arms. He caressed Jesse’s jaw, which had turned ugly shades of blue and black. “I should have gotten there sooner.”
“I held my own.” Jesse lifted his chin.
“You shouldn’t have to.”
The doors opened and Seth Ralston was waiting for them. A pack member of the California werewolves, Seth Ralston was massive. He was a member of Seattle’s SWAT team. He and Jacob Steele — also a werewolf of the California pack — were happily mated to Kory Maguire and Will Cooper, humans who knew all about werewolves.
“Morning, guys.” Seth held his hand out to Noah.
“How’s the asshole?” Noah shook Seth’s hand.
“Whining.” Seth cracked his knuckles and looked Jesse Salvatore over. “He came after you last night.”
Jesse nodded. “Yeah.”
“Well, Jaxon and Justice have taken a great deal of pleasure in questioning him,” Seth chuckled.
“I bet.” Jesse’s brows lifted.
“Come on down to the interrogation room.” Seth walked down the hall.
Jesse looked around as they made their way down the hall. There was nothing particularly significant about the place. The walls were white, no pictures, and the tiled floor was white as well. It reminded him of a hospital. The door at the end of the hall opened and Jacob stepped out with a smile.
“Anything new?”
“No, but God, it’s been fun watching the Salvatore brothers take out their frustrations.”
“Is he conscious?” Noah raised his brows.
“Barely,” Jacob chuckled.
“Is that Noah?” Justice’s voice boomed.
Jesse scowled. “I’m going to look around. I’m not going to deal with him right now.”
Noah caressed Jesse’s cheek with a grin. “I’ll deal with your brother. Just give me a few minutes, okay?”
“Sure,” Jesse grumbled.
Jesse went back down the hall until it branched into two hallways. They looked the same, so Jesse went right.
Numbered doors lined one side, and Jesse wondered what was kept in them. The first door had claw marks on it. Jesse raised his brows, then shrugged and opened the door.
The room looked like a small apartment. A kitchen was on the left, with a small table and two chairs. On the other side were a TV and a couch. Another door across the way must have led to a bedroom and a bathroom because seconds later a toilet flushed. Jesse stood his ground as the door opened. A dark-haired man walked out, adjusting his green camo pants. He stopped and looked up; his eyes narrowed and he bared his teeth.
“Who the fuck are you?” he ground out.
“I’m Jesse Salvatore. Who the fuck are you?”
“Zack Duran.” Zack sniffed the air. “You’re human.”
“I take it you’re not if you’re sniffing me out.” Jesse eyed the man. “What exactly are you?”
Zack took a defensive stance. “I’m a wolverine shifter.”
Jesse snorted.
Zack leaned forward, crossing his arms. “Something funny?”
“Really? A wolverine? Aren’t they kinda small?”
“You want to find out exactly how small I am?” Zack snarled.
Jesse grinned and did his best National Geographic voiceover. “The wolverine is a solitary animal; it has a reputation for ferocity and strength and is known for taking down animals much bigger than itself.” Jesse smiled as Zack’s lip twitched. “I’m not afraid of you, sorry. I don’t do fear. I was a SEAL for four years.”
“I was in the Air Force,” Zack blurted. Shit. He wasn’t going to engage in conversation with the human.
“And?” Jesse prodded.
“What? When I turned twenty-one, all of a sudden I was shifting. The government decided I needed some looking into.” Zack’s lips pursed. “I was held captive for three years. Then that guy came along in Siberia and let us out.”
“Us?”
“Yeah, there’s a panther and a polar bear, too.” Zack blinked. “Go away.”
Jesse chuckled. “No problem. I’m just killing time avoiding seeing my older brothers laying into my soon-to-be boyfriend.” Jesse stood up. “Later, Wolverine.”
“You’re gay?” Zack spluttered.
Jesse turned with a frown. “Yeah? What of it?”
Zack had to chuckle. Hostility was pouring from Jesse Salvatore. He was about six feet tall, with blond hair and light green eyes. He wore a tight-fitting T-shirt with jeans and combat boots. Zack almost laughed as Jesse glared at him.
“Nothing.” Zack waved his hand in the air. “Shoo! Get out.”
“Gladly, asshole,” Jesse threw over his shoulder as he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
~*~
Noah sighed in frustration. Once again, Justice was shitting a house. There was no ‘thank you for helping my baby bro, Noah.’ Oh no, it was ‘what were you doing at the club.’ Yeah, like half of gay Seattle wasn’t there every night. Noah narrowed his eyes as Justice went on and on.
“Shut up, Justice,” Noah snapped.
“What did you just say to me?” Justice crowded Noah. “Jesse doesn’t need to be around werewolves! He’s fucking human!”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed,” Noah deadpanned. “I did, however, notice that you have taken quite an interest in Skylar Foxx. So, it’s okay for you to check out some human kid, but I can’t be with your human brother?”
Justice growled. “I’m protecting him!”
“Suure you are,” Noah drawled. “Please! We can all see how you look at the guy!”
“Justice, the man’s got a point,” Jaxon added.
“You stay out of this!” Justice pointed a finger at Jaxon.
“No, I won’t!” Jaxon pushed his brother away from Noah. “Noah has real feelings for Jesse! It’s too late now anyway — Jesse’s got a damn bull’s eye on his back! He needs protection from rogues and the two of us are already pulling bodyguard duties with Skylar and Elijah!”
“I don’t want him hurt!” Justice shouted.
“By who? Me? I fucking love the guy!” Noah practically screamed.
“You love him?” Jaxon spun around to face Noah.
“Of course I love him!” Noah sighed in frustration. “You really think I’d stick around this long, put up with all Justice’s hostility, just for a roll in the hay? Face the facts, Justice: all of us have feelings for humans and that alone puts them on Petey’s damn radar. I just don’t know why the hell he wants Jesse so badly, though.”
“Because he’s a Salvatore brother, that’s why.” Justice sat down and heaved a large sigh. He knew he was losing the battle. Noah had true feelings for Jesse, and if he knew his little brother, Jesse was in love with Noah. Dammit, why couldn’t things ever just be easy?
“Look, Justice — I know you love Jesse. But he’s a grown man, and I swear on my life I’ll protect him.” Noah put his hand out to Justice.
Justice looked up. The room had gotten extremely quiet and Seth and Jacob were looking at him with their eyebrows raised. The rogue in the corner gurgled, and then laughed.
“You think you can protect Jesse Salvatore?” he laughed hysterically. “When Petey wants something, he gets it. Baby Salvatore’s payback for all the deaths you other Salvatores caused in Arizona.”
Noah’s claws flared and, before he could stop himself, he tore the rogue’s head off with one swipe. The head hit the wall, and then rolled to a stop — the eyes still open in surprise.
“Bastard!” he spat.
Justice stood up and extended his hand. “Promise me, Noah.”
“I promise.”