Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 165476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 827(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 827(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
He whistled his part of the Norwegian song as he approached, in a desperate attempt to show Cole they shared something no one else here had experienced. A few people cheered as he passed them, but the only person for whose reaction Ned cared was Cole, and he barely looked back, urging Thunder farther ahead.
Ned had to get rid of Craw if he was to have any kind of meaningful interaction with his estranged friend and knew just the way to do it. The dangling fruit of Tessa wanting Craw’s attention was enough to arrange a swap, and with the idiot off to the back of the caravan, Ned hurried to follow Cole, who was now way ahead of everyone else. Whatever this attempt might bring, at least they’d have the privacy to talk about things no one else should hear.
Ned’s heart trembled as he loped toward the familiar figure in black, so very worried what might happen yet also unable to deny himself the company. Unsure what he should say, he approached with the chirp of a nightingale on his lips. Cole always seemed to enjoy his bird call impressions so perhaps that might soften his heart?
And then, at long last, with the sun shining behind him as if this was one of the prints Aunt Muriel hung in the parlor, Cole lifted his hands, and the soft sound of the harmonica called Ned over.
Ned had Nugget match Thunder’s gait as he reached his friend’s side. “Heard you’re making new friends.”
It sounded more accusatory than he would have wished, but not having Cole at his side did something to him, and that something scrambled his brain.
The soft lips slid from the small instrument, and Cole looked over his shoulder at Tom’s wagon, which rolled at the front of the long train of vehicles and men on horseback. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face. Ned wished he could take that square of fabric and fall asleep with it spread over his pillow.
“Always on the hunt for new friends,” Cole said, watching the road ahead.
That stung. “One’s not enough? Or have you already set me aside?”
Cole’s face remained carved in stone. “Why are you here?”
Ned pulled on the middle button of his vest, twisting until it snapped. He held it out to Cole. “Hoped you could sew this one on for me?” he dared with a smile, but the stakes were sky high this time, and his heart pounded with the terror of impending rejection.
A muscle under the star-shaped scar on Cole’s cheekbone twitched, but Cole composed himself quickly, as if he were used to keeping up a facade. “You want a pervert to touch your things?”
Ned sighed, once again regretting his words. He shouldn’t have been so brash about condemning Cole’s ways. “Can we not put it behind us? Be friends?”
The scowl twisting Cole’s features said it all. “No, O’Leary, we can’t. Maybe… maybe once some time passes we could go back to what we were, but there’s softness deep inside this shell,” he said, knocking on his breast bone. “I’m not going to pretend I don’t remember the taste of your juices, or how you kissed me. And I’m definitely not pretending I can’t see how badly you want me back.”
Ned sucked on his lips, overwhelmed by how raw Cole’s confession was. An outlaw in the truest sense of the word, he would not deny himself the things he desired. None of them. But it was the last thing he said that hit the nail on the head. Their longing was mutual, and both of them could see it with the same clarity. The setting sun ahead bathed the world with its orange glow, transforming every color into something recognizable but different. The affection Ned had for Cole changed everything around them too, to the point where their companions noticed its presence despite not understanding how deep it ran.
“How would this thing even work?” Ned whispered. They were so far from the caravan yet he still feared someone might overhear what should never be spoken of. He tapped Cole’s foot with his in an effort to establish friendly touch. “Should I move into your tent, so we’d live like Tom and his wives? How would we explain that when I have a tent of my own?”
“Why the hell not?” Cole asked, his gaze coming alive as he met Ned’s. “Craw and Saul share a tent. And they’re not the only ones! Your tent is the problem? Burn the damn thing. If it’s not, don’t waste my time with excuses.”
Something pulled on Ned’s heart when Cole wouldn’t flinch and kept his gaze steady, demanding an answer.
“What would Tom say if he found out?” Ned asked, his head pulsing with worry, because the things he secretly craved for were too close, too easy to grasp. Cole still wanted him. Still wanted to suck him, lie on top of him naked, and kiss as their cocks met between their bodies.