Fearless (Pier 70 #2) (24 page)

Dare swallowed, compressing the head of Noah’s dick. “Oh, fuck. Yes. Like that.”

Noah pulled back out, allowing Dare to catch his breath before he did it again. It was almost as though he were punishing Dare. Noah wanted more than this, but if this was all Dare was willing to offer, he was going to take every damn bit he was capable of giving.

“Suck me, Dare. Don’t… Ahh, yeah … don’t stop.” Noah wasn’t ready to come yet. He craved the way the wet heat of Dare’s mouth caressed his dick, b
ut he wanted more.

Pulling out of Dare’s mouth, Noah fisted his cock, stroking slowly. “Suck on my balls.”

Dare took one, then the other, then both into his mouth, making Noah moan. He was relying on the tree to hold him up, because the sensations were exquisite, causing his knees to weaken.

Once again, Noah slid his hand in Dare’s hair and fed his cock back into his mouth, fucking slowly at first, still maintaining control.

“Fucking suck me,” he growled as the intensity overwhelmed him. He was going to come. “Faster.” He continued to pump his hips forward, feeding every inch into Dare’s willing mouth. “So good… Aww, shit… Dare. I’m gonna come. Gonna come in your mouth. Don’t stop.”

Dare didn’t let up, taking everything Noah gave him until there was no holding back. He came hard, his hips bucking forward as he spurted his seed into Dare’s mouth. He watched as Dare swallowed, the sight sending an additional tremor through him.

Thirty

Sucking Noah off was one of the hottest things he’d ever done. The way the man couldn’t control the emotions that flitted across his face made it so intense Dare was ready to do it again. However, he didn’t have time, because he needed to get back to the office to cover the phones. They didn’t have a lot going on today, but Roan had been helping Hudson since Teague was noticeably absent. And since Dare had taken a couple of hours off already, he hated leaving everything to Roan.

Getting to his feet, Dare took Noah’s mouth again, helping Noah fix his clothes while he did. He had to ignore the painful erection tenting his shorts while he was at it. If he’d had more time, he would’ve asked Noah to return the favor. Hopefully they’d get that opportunity sometime in the near future.

Nibbling Noah’s bottom lip, Dare smiled. “I have to get back to work.”

Noah pulled back, confusion burning in those deep brown eyes. “That’s it?”

Dare smiled. “What? You want to return the favor?”

Noah frowned but then pulled away. “Is that why you asked me to come out here?”

A spark of anger ignited in Dare’s gut. “What? I sucked your dick and now you’re bitching about it?”

What the hell?

An unidentifiable emotion crossed Noah’s face, and for a brief moment, Dare felt like an asshole. He considered what had happened since Noah had arrived, and okay, maybe he’d lacked a little in the romance department, but Noah shouldn’t be complaining. Not like he would be sporting blue balls for the rest of the day.

No, Dare was the one who’d be doing that.

“I’m not looking for this,” Noah blurted, waving his hand toward Dare. “That’s not why I came out here.”

“Then why did you?” Dare was truly baffled. He’d made Noah come in his mouth, and now the man wanted to pick a fight.

“To see you.”

Dare shook his head. “Well, you saw me.
And
your dick saw my tonsils. You happy now?”

Okay, yes, he was being an asshole on purpose. The way that Noah made him feel… He didn’t want to feel that way. Ever since they’d stepped off the plane yesterday, Dare had continued to tell himself that this could only be sex. He’d thought he had successfully convinced himself of that, too. Right up until he’d laid eyes on Noah in the parking lot. Then that strange feeling in his chest had ignited in full force, but he had managed to push it away, focusing solely on giving Noah pleasure.

That was the way it had to be. Dare didn’t want anything more right now. Maybe not ever.

It was true, he didn’t want to only be friends with Noah. He wanted more… He wanted this. The sex. For as long as it could last. But he thought Noah of all people would understand that. After all, that was the way it’d been between them before.

“Why are you doing this?” Noah was breathing hard, pinning Dare in place with his hardened gaze.

Dare shrugged. “Not sure what you think I’m doing.”

“You’re…” Noah’s hand waved again. “Why is it all about sex with you?”

“What the fuck else do you want from me, Noah?” Dare didn’t bother to hide his frustration. “We had a few good days on the ship, and now you want … what? I don’t even know what you want.”

Noah was shaking his head. “You know what? Fuck you.”

Dare stood there as Noah spun around and stormed off.

He had to give Noah a little credit. He had lasted longer than most of the guys Dare had dated in the last fifteen years. Usually they gave up after the second date.

Noah was so fucking pissed he had a hard time focusing on the road. There was a red haze clouding his vision and a painful ache in his chest. Sure as shit, he’d been right about Dare, and now Noah was the one running away.

He hated that they’d somehow made it back to the same place they’d ended years ago, only they’d traded places. Dare was the one pushing him away and Noah was the one running.

Shit.

Oddly, he wished his father were there so he could talk to him. Since he wasn’t, Noah opted to go to the cemetery. He found it strangely comforting during times like this when he needed someone to talk to. Since he’d never been that close with his mother—at least not when it came to talking about his feelings—Noah had always relied on his dad for those heart-to-hearts. Before and after he’d died.

Half an hour later, Noah was sitting on the grass in front of his father’s headstone. The cemetery was growing dark now that the sun was going down. He wouldn’t be able to stay long before someone would come around to shoo him off, but he would sit there for as long as he was allowed.

He glanced at the headstone, the familiar ache in his chest returning as it always did. His dad was only forty-six when he’d been ripped from this earth, taken away from all the people who had loved him.

“Hey, Dad.” Those were the only words he would say aloud because Noah wasn’t interested in sharing his feelings with anyone who might happen upon him, so he lay back in the grass and stared up at the darkening sky while he thought about all the things he would say to his father today if he were alive.

He broke my heart again, Dad. But I can’t really blame him this time. I should’ve seen it coming. Dare is different now. He’s more guarded. Not the same carefree kid who loved freely and openly before. I miss that guy. I mean, I really, really miss that guy.

The past week has been chaotic. I’ve dealt with a lot of emotions. And it comes down to the fact that I still love Dare. I don’t know how it happened, how I managed to fall in love with him twice in my lifetime. I didn’t see it coming, and there was nothing I could do to stop it once it started, either. But I can’t do this to myself again. I won’t do this again.

I understand why he’s pushing me away. It’s the exact same thing I did to him back then. I kept him at arm’s length, scared to get in too deep. And now the tables have been turned. I’m the one with the broken heart; I’m the one running away.

Ironic, isn’t it?

Noah knew what his father would say in return. He would want to know
why
Noah was running away. He would want to know why Noah wasn’t standing up for what he wanted. It was how he’d been raised. Stay and fight. That was his father’s motto. Fight for the things that were important; let the small stuff roll right off.

Unfortunately, Noah wasn’t strong enough to fight this time.

He wasn’t sure he ever would be again.

Thirty-One

Saturday, June 11
th

Six days later

“Holy shit, man. You got a little sun.” Dare smiled when Cam walked into the office on Saturday morning, a huge, shit-eating grin plastered across his face.

“Not sure we spent any time inside the whole time.”

“No sex for you, huh?” Dare teased.

“Oh, let’s just say the beach was secluded.”

Of course it was. “I hope you put sunscreen on that husband of yours.” Gannon did not have the same complexion Cam did and would’ve burned to a crisp.

“Trust me, I took care of my man.”

“I’m sure you did,” Dare told him, grinning. “And I damn sure don’t want the details.”

“So what the hell’s goin’ on around here?”

Dare looked around the office. “Nada. Did the trip affect your eyesight?”

“Okay, smart ass. You know what I meant. Things good?”

“Oh, yeah.” Dare nodded toward the appointment book on the counter. “We’re busy. Glad you’re back to help out.”

“Not sure how much I’ll be able to help.” Cam frowned, glancing down the hall toward his office. “I’ve got some accounting to take care of first.”

Dare knew how much Cam loved that shit. About as much as having his fingernails ripped off one by one with a pair of tweezers. It was a good thing he did it, though, because Dare damn sure wasn’t good with numbers. Okay, he was really good with numbers; he merely didn’t want anyone to know that because accounting… He’d rather poke his eyeballs out with Q-tips.

“I’m sure we can handle it until you get caught up. Teague’s back, so it’s easier now.”

“I heard about that.” Cam leaned forward, facing Dare, his forearms resting on the counter. “He was sick for four days?”

“So he claims.” Not that Dare had any reason to doubt Teague. The kid had been one of the most driven people he’d known ever since he’d showed up looking for a job back when he’d been in high school.

“Things still weird between him and Hudson?”

“Define weird.” Dare chuckled. Things had always been weird, so he wasn’t sure what Cam meant.

“They not talking to each other still?”

“Not that I know of.” But that wasn’t surprising. Teague had always avoided Hudson whenever possible. Somehow, they made it work. Dare had to believe that was due to Hudson more so than Teague, though.

Cam looked at Dare. “Think I should talk to him?”

Dare shrugged. “Not sure what good it’ll do.”

“True.” Cam glanced down at the appointment book, then back up at him. “Oh, and if you see Hudson before I do, let him know the apartment’ll be ready for him by tomorrow night. Gannon’s making sure everything’s out by tonight and he’s cleaning it tomorrow.”

“Will do. You talk to Roan yet?” Dare figured Cam had since the two of them were close, but with the shit Roan was having to deal with right now, it was possible Cam hadn’t seen him yet.

“Yeah. Last night. I called him. He told me about his sister.” Cam sighed. “He’s moving in with her to keep an eye on her.”

That was what Dare had heard, too. “What’re you gonna do with his apartment?” It wasn’t necessary for them to rent the apartments out, but it did help to have them occupied so someone could keep an eye on the place at night.

Cam shrugged. “Teague showed some interest at one point, but with Hudson moving into my old place…”

Yeah, who knew how that would turn out. “You gonna offer it to him?”

“Of course. If he wants it, it’s his. I know he’s been staying with a buddy of his for a while.”

“You want me to mention it?” Dare wasn’t sure it was his place.

“If it comes up, feel free. If not, I’ll talk to him later.”

Dare nodded. Cam was much better suited to have that conversation with Teague than he was. Since the kid had an issue with Hudson, Dare would rather stay out of that one altogether.

“How’re things with Noah?”

Dare backed away from the counter and headed for his iPad. He could talk about the marina business all day, but this was a conversation he didn’t intend to have with Cam or anyone else. Ever since last Monday, when Noah had walked away—or more accurately
run
away—Dare hadn’t heard from him. He hadn’t attempted to reach out to him, either.

“Man, you’re seriously gonna ignore me about this?”

Dare frowned, still not meeting Cam’s gaze. “Nothing to talk about.” And there wasn’t. Dare didn’t want to think about Noah, much less talk about him.

“Tell me somethin’,” Cam prompted.

Dare looked up but didn’t say anything.

“Did you love him? Back then?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love him now?”

“No.” Dare was surprised at how easily that lie rolled right off his tongue.

“Liar.”

Apparently it hadn’t been a
good
lie.

“I don’t love him.” Dare hated that they were having this conversation, but it was hard not to. Cam was his closest friend. If anyone knew Dare better than Grams, it was Cam. He didn’t share much of himself with anyone, but he was sure Cam knew the important parts.

“You mean you don’t want to love him.”

Whatever. Dare was not going to concede on this. No, he didn’t want to love Noah. Yes, he possibly did, but if he ignored it, he would get through this.

“I’m your friend and I hope you know that. But I think you’re being an idiot.”

Dare didn’t look at Cam. “Tell me how you really feel.”

“I remember back when Roan and I had our little falling-out. You were the one sticking your nose in my business back then. I’m merely returning the favor.”

“I don’t need any favors.” What he needed was for Cam to drop the subject.

Cam stood tall and threw his hands up. “Fine. Do whatever you wanna do. When you’re old and gray and you can’t get your dick up, don’t come bitching to me because the only ones there to listen to you moan and complain are your twenty cats.”

Dare laughed. “Fuck you.” The words were said halfheartedly. He was a dog person. He would have twenty dogs, thank you very much.

Cam slapped him on the back. “I’ll leave it at that. You’ll figure it out. Sooner or later.”

He would. He just wasn’t sure whether he would like the answer that he came up with.

Noah had considered canceling on his mother, but he couldn’t do it. Having dinner with her and her husband on a Saturday night wasn’t his idea of a hot date, but at the moment, it really was the only offer he had.

As usual, he got in his truck and headed over a little early. When he pulled down the street, he realized tonight was going to be one of those nights. Milly’s car was sitting in the driveway, which meant his stepsister would be sharing a meal and likely a dozen stories tonight. Not for the first time since he’d gotten behind the wheel, he was tempted to turn around and go back home.

Something made him stay. Noah figured he would be sorry for that decision later, but now, as he stepped into the house, there wasn’t anything he could do about it.

“Hey, you!” Milly called out from her spot on the couch. “Sit. We’ve got wine.”

Wine.

Just what he needed. Something with ridiculously little alcohol content. Maybe ten glasses would help. Before he could refuse, Milly was pouring him a glass and passing it over, urging him to sit beside her.

“Where’s my mother?”

Milly smiled. “She’s in the kitchen with my dad. Said she needed help with something.” Her mischievous grin widened. “They’re probably making out.”

Noah shook his head. “That’s a visual I definitely don’t need.”

Milly shifted so that she was facing him, her legs tucked underneath her. “So, how are you?”

“Good.” It was a sufficient answer as far as he was concerned.

“You went back to work yesterday?”

Noah nodded. “At the station, yes.” He didn’t have another roofing job until midweek, so until then, he was going to be struggling without anything to keep him busy.

“Cam and Gannon got back last night,” Milly informed him. “Have you seen them yet?”

Noah sipped his wine, using that as an excuse not to answer. Obviously Milly hadn’t heard about his falling-out with Dare.

“Okay, I know that silence.”

Noah laughed, choking on his wine. “How do you
know
silence? There’s nothing to know.”

“With you there is.” Milly leaned forward. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Rather than sip his wine, Noah downed the rest and held out his glass for a refill.

Milly obliged.

“Did something happen between you and Dare?”

Technically, no.

“Noah…” Milly dragged his name out into far too many syllables as she handed back his glass. “What the hell happened? You two looked so cozy on the airplane.”

Yeah, well. “It’s not gonna work out between us. Let’s leave it at that.”

Milly’s nose scrunched, and Noah knew she wasn’t going to leave it alone.

“I thought I heard you in here,” Noah’s mother called from the doorway, her timing impeccable. “Come on. Dinner’s ready.”

Getting to his feet, Noah helped Milly up, then followed her into the dining room, where dinner was laid out. His mother was a fantastic cook—a trait he’d never picked up, really—which meant there was more food than the four of them would be able to eat in a week.

“Sit.”

Noah glanced at Milly, wondering what the bossy comment was for. Rather than argue, he sat.

“So, tell me about this cruise,” his mother prompted.

Noah busied himself filling his plate, not wanting to talk about the cruise. Not with his mother, not with Milly … not with anyone, actually.

“You should’ve seen Noah with Dare,” Milly stated. “They were so cute together.”

What the fuck? Really?

The woman was crazy. He couldn’t believe Milly was going there. She couldn’t have led with how the weather was, or how cool it had been to see the beach, or hell, even how work was since she’d gotten back? As he stared at her in disbelief, he felt his mother’s eyes on him.

“Did you get to spend a lot of time with him?”

Noah knew his mother’s question was directed at him, but he wasn’t going to answer. Unfortunately, Milly opted to fill in the blanks.

“They did.”

Noah glared at her again. This time, she turned to meet his gaze, a smile on her lips.

Two could play at this game. Peering down at his plate as he prepared to take his first bite, Noah said, “Milly had an overnight guest. Why don’t y’all ask her about that?”

He heard Milly’s sharp inhale, and he knew he’d effectively dodged the bullet. Apparently she hadn’t shared that tidbit of information with them yet.

“Is that true?” her father asked.

“Noah was holding hands with Dare,” Milly blurted.

Noah choked on his first bite of baked potato. He managed to swallow, then chugged more wine. He didn’t know how to respond to that. They sounded like teenage kids attempting to place blame on the other.

Then again, they were attempting to place blame on the other because the last thing either of them wanted to talk about was any significant—or insignificant—other in their lives.

“Who was this overnight guest?” Larry asked, his undivided attention now on his daughter.

Noah knew he would likely get out of this one for the simple fact that Larry was not fond of Milly dating, much less her spending the night with a guy.

Unable to help himself, Noah chuckled as he began shoveling food into his mouth, not looking up from his plate.