Page 109 of Defiance
Michael shrugged. “A trail has been left that should lead them elsewhere for the time being. If they come here, there are places we can hide. Or we can leave. But for now, I suggest we eat, get some rest, then reconvene in the morning. We have much to discuss, I know. But it’s been a long day, and I, for one, need to sleep.”
Cole and the others might’ve napped in the car, but Michael had driven them here. Probably been up for about twenty-four hours by now. “Food and bed. Sounds like a good idea to me.”
Aaron coughed, and Cole’s mind caught up with his words.
This would be the first time since that first full moon that he and Logan would be spending the night together. Assuming he wanted to, of course. Cole bit his lip, heat crawling up his neck.
Logan’s hand found his under the table, and as their fingers slotted together, the tightness in his chest dissolved.
“Right,” Isaac said, clapping his hands and moving towards the huge fridge in the corner of the room. “Let’s see what we have to eat.”
* * *
With full stomachs,the lack of sleep suddenly seemed to catch up to everyone and the number of yawns around the table was getting ridiculous.
Isaac laughed. “Please go get some rest. You’re making me start to feel tired and I have a day’s work ahead of me. A few hours’ sleep and then some sea air will do you the world of good.” He stood, chair scraping across the tiled floor. “Come on, I’ll show you all to your rooms.”
Logan took Cole’s hand as they stood to follow, Smudge trotting along beside them.
“She’s so cute.” Cole glanced down at her, smiling. “Aren’t you worried about her getting outside and running off?”
“No.” Logan bent to fuss her head, and she chirped happily. “She’s not fond of going outside. And if she does decide to venture out, it won’t be for long. The outside world hasn’t been kind to her.”
Cole didn’t blame her. Staying inside and hiding away from the rest of the world seemed an excellent idea.
One by one, Isaac showed them to his guest rooms on the first floor. Smudge had chosen to go in with Aaron, much to his delight. “She knows she’ll get no sleep in your room,” had been his reply. Much to Cole’s embarrassment.
Isaac hesitated in front of the last room on that floor. “There are more guest rooms if you’d prefer—”
“This is great, thanks,” Cole said at the same time as Logan’s, “No, this is fine.”
Isaac laughed. “That’s what I thought.”
He left with Michael, and Cole wondered what room they’d be going to. Then Logan tugged him inside and closed the door.
“Hey,” Logan murmured, stepping into his space.
“Hey.” Cole leant against the cool wood, needing something solid behind him because his legs were quickly turning to jelly with the way Logan was looking at him.
“I’ve thought about this moment every day since we left here. Wondering when I’d get to touch you again, hold you in my arms, and kiss you without worrying that someone might find out.” Logan’s eyes bored into his, a darker blue than he’d been used to seeing, and Cole felt the heat in that stare light a fire inside him.
“Me too,” he whispered, grabbing Logan’s hips and drawing him closer. “It almost doesn’t feel real.” This time yesterday he’d been training with the HRU of the McKillan pack. Now he was over a hundred miles away in a house by the sea.
Logan pressed against him, hands on his shoulders and the firm length of his cock digging into Cole’s hip. “Does it feel real now?”
Cole barked out a laugh. “Oh, yeah.”
His laughter soon faded as Logan ducked his head and buried his nose in the crook of Cole’s neck. He breathed in deep, warm air tickling Cole’s skin as he exhaled. It sent a shiver down his spine, and Logan chuckled.
“You smell good.”
Cole huffed. “Pretty sure I don’t.”
“Familiar,” Logan whispered. “Like home.”
Warmth filled Cole’s chest, and he wrapped his arms around Logan’s back. “You smell like home too.” But then he wrinkled his nose and laughed, couldn’t help it. “But you also smell like Aaron and Smith and a whole host of other shifters that I’d rather not be reminded of right now.”
He felt Logan smile against his skin. “Shower?”
