Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 147789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“I’m not mad. I’m disappointed and confused.” He glanced up into Kreed’s stormy eyes, his hands fisted in Kreed’s shirt, and his dick implored him to change Kreed’s mind.
“I am too.” Kreed sighed and leaned even farther into his personal space. His proximity, heat, and scent made coherent thought impossible. Aaron put his hands on Kreed’s shoulders, resting them there for a moment before taking a deep breath and shoving the man away. Kreed released him and Aaron took several steps back as he pushed his fingers through his hair. He was sure the disheveled mess he’d created was symbolic to the chaos running through his body. Thought, reason, even speech, were almost impossible to coordinate at the moment. Kreed had gotten him so worked up, so ready. Hell, he would have blown him right there, but instead, Kreed had dumped him on his ass. That shit wasn’t cool.
Finding a semblance of calm, Aaron reached inside his jeans and adjusted his dick. Stupid traitorous thing wanted Kreed’s hand to be doing all the touching and caressing right now. He ignored that and willed himself to settle down. It wasn’t going to work, but he had to try. He’d ignited at Kreed’s kiss and could only imagine the flames he’d have gone up in if they had done more. Fuck, he wasn’t sure he could jack himself enough to make this right.
He sensed Kreed hovering close behind him. He hadn’t touched Aaron since he’d released him, but that damn cologne enveloped him like a caress, and he had to take another step away, then another. Aaron didn’t think it would work, but he rolled his shoulders and tried to shake off the embrace of that alluring scent. He needed a workout, something to burn this energy off before he did something stupid like beg Kreed to fuck him.
No, he couldn’t do that.
“I wish you wouldn’t’ve started this,” he said quietly, looking down at his shaking hands. He clenched his fists tight and closed his eyes, working on evening out his breath.
“I don’t. You were making me crazy. Now at least I know that when we get the information we need, I’ll get more than just a taste.” Kreed stood directly behind him again and gentle hands came to his shoulders. Aaron immediately moved out from under the touch, swiveled around, and headed toward the door. He combed his fingers through his hair, hoping to settle the pieces back down. There was no way to get the style back, but at least he could appear to have his shit somewhat together.
With the doorknob in hand, he looked back over his shoulder at Kreed. “We need to leave. It’s already past midnight.”
“Don’t be like that,” Kreed said, coming toward him. No way could he have that. Kreed needed to keep his distance at all cost. He extended a hand as he jerked open the door and moved out into the foyer.
“No… Just no.” He always wore his feelings in his eyes for anyone keen enough to see; he’d been told that before by a few very observant people. But most people never saw past themselves, otherwise they’d know exactly what he was thinking. Of course Kreed would see. He’d read Aaron like an open book from the very beginning. That was why he’d tried so hard to mask his feelings and hide his true self.
There wasn’t much privacy at this point, but Aaron looked around the open space leading inside the living room, all eyes were on him. Shit. He turned on his heel and went toward the bathroom off the kitchen. He needed a minute before he got inside the car with that man who still hovered too close. He could feel Kreed behind him. Man, Kreed needed to learn the lessons of personal space.
Whatever, Aaron thought, somewhat defeated. It wouldn’t matter if he did know those boundaries. If Kreed was anywhere in the vicinity, he’d sense him, and shit, if that didn’t make this whole situation harder.
~~~
Kreed stood by the front door, holding both his and Aaron’s jackets, waiting for the kid who was most definitely not a child but acting like one right now, to come out of the bathroom. Mitch was in his face, talking low and quietly, with the rest of the party silently keeping their distance. Somehow he and Aaron had squashed the vibe of the entire gathering. They had become the sore spot, and with the tension floating off him in waves, he got why. They needed to split.
Damn it, he’d managed to kill the fun with one impulsive action. He didn’t regret kissing Aaron, not even a little bit, but he should have had enough control to wait. Aaron made him weak. He was more pissed at himself for fucking up the balance that he and Aaron had created, possibly jeopardizing the outcome of this case, than he was at anything else. Well, except Knox, who wouldn’t leave him the fuck alone.
“Don’t come at me, Knox. Get the fuck out of my face,” Kreed said menacingly. He didn’t need the ‘we-have-a-lot-at-stake’ speech right now. Kreed knew what the fuck he was doing; it was the reason Aaron wasn’t bent over the desk in that office right this minute.
Mitch did what he did best. He not only moved, but he also slightly bumped Kreed in the chest when he did. It was classic Mitch. He was diverting attention, giving Kreed something to think about other than Aaron’s sweet lips. Knowing what Mitch was doing and responding accordingly didn’t seem to go hand in hand at the moment. Kreed lifted his gaze and stared with blazing eyes into Mitch’s equally angry glare. Kreed was pissed at Knox for trying to warn him off Aaron. He lifted both palms and pushed at the guy’s chest. Mitch barely budged.
“Wait, guys, wait!” Colt yelled out. Out of his peripheral vision Kreed saw Colt bounding over the sofa, running toward them. “Hang on. Not in the house!”
“I’ve got this, Michaels,” Mitch said, his face right in Kreed’s.