Noah followed Elijah back to the cellar, and he was keenly aware of the P.I. and the Captain’s stares on his back. He felt like someone had painted a target there, and he wanted to turn around and shout at them that he wasn’t their man, despite how bad it looked. There were over fifty people with access to that cellar, and it was technically open to the public if it was never locked. There was no use arguing his case though. Like with any good crime drama, he figured hard evidence would win out and prove that he was innocent.

Noah decided to turn his attention on Elijah, having decided up in the bedroom, when he stepped inside the lush and opulent space that this was the man he was going to target. Except, for a very different reason than to steal from him. He might steal his innocence to be sure, of that fact he was absolutely certain. It had been evident in the hot tub, and the memory of it made Noah groan.

They had walked around the back of the farm, and Elijah worked to prepare the tub. Noah helped him remove the cover, and it didn’t take long once the jets had been turned on and the bubbles began to foam for the temperature to also reach its ideal. Elijah had grabbed some bathrobes and towels from a small, sealed cabinet next to the tub and handed some to Noah. They had been placed probably for the retreat, and Noah felt special being given preferential treatment before everyone else. The material was soft, and he knew putting it on would be like wrapping himself in a cotton ball. That’s when he noticed Elijah set his on the table next to the tub and his own wine and then look nervously at him and at the tub.

Noah could guess at what gave him the jitters, so to reassure him, he asked, “I assume that the no fibers in the tub rule applies here?”

“Um, yes. The lint and strings clog the drains and pump and can cause damage to the motor. I hope this isn’t an issue?”

Noah grinned at him. “Not at all.” He popped the buttons on his shirt and folded his jacket neatly over the table on his side of the tub. Seducing Elijah was going to be fun, if not a bit tortuous for himself in light of these circumstances. Hot tubs were meant to be enjoyed sans clothing as far as he was concerned, and he had no cause for shyness regarding his own body. He was thoroughly enjoying the red creeping up Elijah’s cheeks, though.

He made short work of his clothes, making sure to turn and bend over casually as he removed his shoes, socks and pants. When he stood back up, he caught Elijah pointedly not looking at him, although it was apparent he had gotten an eyeful. He had also cheated, something Noah was certain he would require him to make up for later when he decided to take him to bed. He was already naked and in the tub, safe under the line of foam and bubbles. He had stolen Noah’s opportunity to appreciate and admire, but he was a patient man and would continue to play his cards to his advantage. It was apparent Elijah had very little experience with men, if any at all, but that was fine with Noah.

He made it a point to take his time getting in the tub, and he made no effort to hide his erection. Maybe that wasn’t batting fair on his part, but he figured he had the right to cry foul over Elijah’s swift sneakiness.

He sank into the warm water and sighed, letting the stream from the water wash over him. He reached for his wine, sipping the sweet ambrosia, which had a slight bite to the aftertaste. It gave him a heady feeling as the alcohol reacted with the heat. He gazed at Elijah through the haze and noticed the flush creep up his neck. He wondered if it was the same effect he was having due to the water and the wine, or if it was for other reasons that he was so flustered. He hoped for the latter.

“What’s the plan for this weekend?” He glanced casually at him, and Elijah looked over with hooded, sleepy eyes. Maybe he just needed to take him to bed. Noah winced at the implications of that. Of course, he wanted to take him to bed, but it wouldn’t do him any good to think of that right now. Not after he had sworn to himself he wasn’t going to go for gold this weekend. His libido had other plans, though. The traitor.

“It’s a fairly relaxed weekend, I think. There will be a tasting tomorrow morning and introductions, and then a tour of the vineyard and the formal dinner that Elise has arranged to be catered tomorrow evening. Sunday will be another tasting and then more leisure time before closing goodbyes, I suppose. Of course, anyone is free to do as they please after tomorrow’s introductions, but I do hope people will take the opportunity to become acquainted with one another.”

“That sounds like a reasonable plan.”

“What are you looking for the most from this weekend?” Noah was hesitant in asking, but he wanted to establish where Elijah was emotionally. Was he vested in finding a relationship? Was he just looking for a fun fling weekend? Based on the men who were coming, he knew they were most likely the latter of the types of men who had been invited.

“I think, I am looking to make a connection with someone. I want to see if there is anyone I think I could become romantically involved with, but I am also not opposed to letting physical intimacy happen if it feels right. This is the twenty-first century after all. Sex is synonymous with our culture, I think.”

“I partially agree with you. I do think there is some merit to having a physical relationship with someone who you are developing feelings towards. However, in some ways, I think it might mean more to both participants.”

“You speak like you know this from experience, Noah.”

Noah winced. He had divulged more than he usually did with most men. Somehow, he didn’t feel like Elijah was judging him, though. He felt like Elijah was just expressing a mild curiosity. He didn’t want to scare him off, however, so he chose his words carefully.

“I have experienced both, which is why I’m not saying one way is better than the other. I think it’s just important for people to recognize their own intentions and what they seek from the outcome of a physical relationship that may or may not develop.”

“And what are you looking for this weekend, Noah?” He should have expected the question, it was foolish not to have, but he did feel slightly jarred by it. What did he want? He knew coming out here he wanted Elijah, but for what? Was he willing to chance a physical relationship and then see if it developed? Or was he solely looking to conquer and then let Elijah down as gently as possible so that he didn’t get hurt?. It was the first time he had needed to truly answer the question.

“I think I agree with you. I’m looking for a connection with someone.” He purposefully withheld his intentions regarding physical intimacy. He supposed it would be brazen to clearly put out there that he wanted nothing more than to take Elijah up to bed. A statement like that might just get him kicked out.

“I am glad you say so. I feel like we might have begun developing just that. Do you agree?” Elijah’s eyes were closed, and Noah thought about it a moment.

“Mhmm,” he murmured and then began to slowly inch his way around the tub. He moved slowly and deliberately, and Elijah didn’t realize he was moving until he was sitting right next to him and whispering in his ear. “And lucky me, I get first introduction and chance to impress you before everyone else tomorrow.”

Elijah’s eyes flew open just as Noah dropped his lips to the column of his throat and nibbled his way down to his Adam’s apple. There was no hiding the reaction, despite Elijah trying to pass the moan off as a cough. His whole body jerked, and he practically jumped out of the hot tub, but Noah didn’t try to touch him further, other than to let his tongue flutter back up his neck to his earlobe. He nipped it gently and then backed off, waiting for Elijah to make the next move, or urge him on. He wouldn’t take him to bed, but he decided anywhere else was fair game.

Elijah’s head swayed toward him, and Noah took the opportunity to seal his lips over his and give him a deeper, more intense kiss than he had earlier. Elijah moaned into his lips, and he took the chance to slip his tongue in between them while he placed a palm flat on Elijah’s chest and began to rub back and forth, slowly caressing his nipples. Elijah began thrashing in the water as they became lost in the taste of wine and each other, and Noah rose up, partially out of the water so he could position himself in front of Elijah.

He let his other hand run up the back of Elijah’s head who was gazing up at him, panting, and then he cupped the back of his head, running his fingers through his hair. He slowly lowered himself, pressing them together, and the contact felt like instant sparks running between them as they slipped and slid along one another.

He couldn’t help the groan that mingled with Elijah’s surprised cry when their erections bumped and slid along each other. He reveled in pumping his hips back and forth, rubbing up against Elijah, teasing him. The friction was torture for himself, and at least Elijah wasn’t telling him to stop. He knew he was pushing a lot and quickly, but he couldn’t help but enjoy the small sounds of ecstasy he could hear when he dropped his head to Elijah’s neck and continued his soft kisses along his neck.

Noah wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up. He had every intention of stopping and letting Elijah plead with him to continue. He wanted to make sure this reaction was because Elijah truly wanted him, and not because he needed solace for the theft of one of his most prized possessions. Noah was saved from reaching the point of no return, just by rubbing up against Elijah alone, by the sound of doors slamming in the front.

“Shit!” he cursed and quickly rose up off Elijah.

“What? Wait, where are you going?” He whimpered.

“Someone’s here.”

“Noooo!” The moan was so earnest there was no doubt in Noah’s mind how badly he wanted him to continue what he was doing.

Noah got out of the water and wrapped the towel around his waist, wincing as he did. The once soft material he was certain would feel incredible against his skin was an irritant to his painfully hard erection. He held out a hand as Elijah groaned and helped him out, handing him a towel. He finally spared a glance at Elijah and found his current state of arousal as prominent as his.

He cursed under his breath, wishing he could drop to his knees and finish Elijah off in his mouth to spare him the discomfort of this state, but he supposed a few hours more would only heighten the inevitable pleasure he was going to give him. He would ensure that Elijah’s first moments of pleasure would be by his ministrations, and not anyone else at the retreat.

Noah grabbed his wine glass and downed the rest of the rich liquid and then pulled his pants on, stuffing himself in and zipping up. He was careful not to catch anything important that would put a damper on the mood for later, and he wrapped the robe around him as he turned to wait for Elijah. The doorbell sounded at the front of the house, and it was muffled, but it was the second time it had been rung.

“Come on, Elijah, I think it might be that detective you called.”

“Yes, it probably is.” Elijah fumbled with his own pants and bathrobe, and he too finished off his glass of wine, perhaps in hopes it would dampen the intensity of the mood. He rounded the tub toward the back door, and Noah caught him in his arms as the doorbell rang the third time. He gave him a swift hard kiss and then looking in his eyes said,

“We will continue this…conversation later.” Elijah nodded, lips parted and ready to finish it now, but Noah was feeling territorial and wanted him to know that he was staking his claim.

They made their way back to the front of the house and Elijah answered the door. The detective, Raymond Knott, and his partner were older than Noah had expected, knowing that he had been in school with Elijah, who was a few years younger. Detective Knott must have studied later on in his life, but Noah supposed that didn’t matter. He was very astute with his questions. He was also very leading, and Noah could see why he and the Captain would be suspicious of him, which is why he gave them the opportunity to question Elijah when the proposition was made to go and move his things into the other room. He had no intention of letting Elijah sleep on the couch, though. He looked around the spacious room and realized it was exactly as he had imagined it would be.

This was the most personal room of Elijah’s. It was probably, apart from his office, the one he spent the most time in. Yet it was almost as void of decoration as any of the other rooms. Elijah had redone the rest of the house and rooms to be warm and welcoming, or he suspected, his assistant, Elise, had. But what Noah realized was missing from the personal spaces in the house was pictures of family. It was an odd thought to strike him, but he realized it was the touch that so many people took for granted. They hung them on the walls and then forgot about them until the one person who relished such things asked, “Who is this?” Elijah’s home held none of those pictures. Not even those awkward rectangular Christmas themed pictures of Aunts, Uncles and cousins who you can’t remember the names of.

Noah looked around the beige and burgundy room, and there wasn’t a thing out of place. He put his bag next to the sofa and walked around, glancing at the large king-sized bed, the en suite bathroom with the massive jet tub, and the walk-in closet that was twice the size of his own. Elijah’s room seemed to scream of the need for open spaces and freedom. Noah opened the back door to the balcony that joined his room, and he looked out over the vineyard. He couldn’t help himself, but he began to fantasize about being here with Elijah. He fantasized about how he would introduce him to his mother and then maybe bring her out for a weekend visit. She would love the vineyard. He felt like a silly school girl who was crushing hard on a guy and then writing every variation of their name mixed with his as they sat day dreaming about the future. The only thing he was missing was a notebook where he could sit and write Noah Montgomery-St. James over and over.

Noah shook his head, shutting the door and thinking they had enough time to discuss his early presence. He wondered if he should just come clean and confess that he had arrived a day early on purpose out of curiosity. He had been racking his brain to figure out who might have taken the bottle. It bothered him that Elijah was so upset about it. His urge was to go out and buy the most expensive bottle he could find, but that would be stupid given that he was in a vineyard already. He made his way downstairs, not bothering to put on any other clothes. He was guessing that both men were skirting around each other and the way they felt about one another. He had observed them both looking at each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking, and he could surmise that there were either feelings or history between the two of them that they hadn’t dealt with. It didn’t matter to Noah, as long as neither of them made a pass at Elijah.

They all made their way out to the cellar so that Ray and Liam could have a look around. Noah slipped his hand into Elijah’s, as he could sense the tension in his shoulders while he described the rack and where the bottle was. Both Liam and Ray paused before going in, getting a full assessment of the scene before they made their way into the small alcove. They had to hunch over, and Liam procured a small kit from his pocket and began dusting for fingerprints around the rack, and even on the bars of the door and around the keyhole. He also snapped photos of the keyhole and commented to Ray that, “It doesn’t look forced. There are no tool markings on the outer edges that suggest it has been picked either.”

Ray nodded and then held up a piece of cloth between his two fingers. It was black, and the material type and make was hard to distinguish because the swatch was so small.

“That’s it? That’s all you have to go on?” Elijah’s voice quavered, and Noah felt his fingers tighten in his own.

“It’s a start.” Ray told him. The older man tried to give him a genial smile, but the scar on his face made it look like a grimace.

“Is there any more that we need to do here, gentleman?” Noah wanted to get Elijah up to bed. He looked dead on his feet, and he would be upset if he wasn’t on his best form for his party tomorrow. Noah was anxious to meet Elise, and he guessed the detectives were as well. He was hoping, if she was as good as Elijah claimed, she would help pick up the slack were Elijah might have had an oversight in the details. He knew how important this weekend was for him, just because it must have taken a lot for him to open up and admit that he wanted to share everything he had built.

“I think if we can just get some elimination prints from Elijah, then we will have quite a bit to start with.” Liam told them. Noah wondered why they didn’t ask outright for his prints, but maybe they were being polite and giving him the benefit of the doubt. Or they were trying to cover up that he was their number one suspect. Noah didn’t care. He was sure they were smart enough to find his prints some other way if they really wanted them.

Once Elijah was done, and he had washed his hands in the upstairs sink, Ray told him he and Liam wanted to look around the cellar a little more before they went up to bed. Noah could feel the grit in his eyes, and he just wanted for the evening to be over so he could go upstairs. Elijah gave them free reign to go wherever they pleased, but said he was going to bed. Noah wouldn’t have been so lenient. He liked to be in control of things, but he suspected Elijah was at his breaking point, and he wanted to just be done with it all. As he steered him to the door, he glanced back over his shoulder and found the two men with their heads bent over the scrap of cloth, already discussing the case.

Noah guided Elijah back to the house, and they climbed the stairs to the bedroom. As they stepped inside, Elijah looked between the bed and the sofa.

“I promise to behave.” Noah whispered as he stepped up behind Elijah and wrapped his arms around his waist. Elijah seemed to fidget a little in his arms, clearly indecisive as to what to do. After a few moments, he took a deep breath.

“OKAY.”