Page 49 of Nightcrawler

I nodded quickly, overwhelmingly touched that even now, after everything, he still didn’t know how much the gifts he’d given me meant to me. The fact that he’d fired Ned after his outburst, that he’d stood up for me to someone who clearly thought he had a right to say what he’d said, meant more to me than I could convey. The fact that he’d allowed me to stay, made space for my only possessions, and given me food and pleasure…how could any of my feelings for him be in question?

Then again, the failing had been mine and mine alone. I hadn’t told him enough what his kindness meant to me or how I felt. I’d boxed all those things away with my clothes and a damned bottle of shower gel.

“I want that too, Sunshine.” When Raven smiled—looking only slightly embarrassed by the nickname—I kissed him, feeling his perfect body immediately melt against me. His submissive nature when he was in my arms was very hot. I had to admit he’d been right. I liked rough sex, and I liked topping, though, I wasn’t opposed to the opposite when the mood called for it. I’d liked forcing my cock to the back of his throat even though he’d gagged. Somehow, that alone, brought out the feelings of control I craved during sex. I had the niggling feeling we were on the same page with that.

When I finally broke the kiss, he batted long eyelashes at me, just making me long for more of the same. Judging by the fatigue on his face, though, he wasn’t ready for any of that, so I forced my desires to the back of my mind. I hoped there’d be time for all the things I wanted to do to him once he’d healed.

“Come on to bed then.” He reached for my T-shirt, and I stepped back, pulling it over my head to save him the extra movement which might hurt his wounds. He stared at my chest, smiling as he came forward, running his hands over my pecs, paying special attention to trailing long fingers slowly over my tattoo. I stood there feeling proud of my body, knowing that even at thirty-six, I was still in good shape. Fuck knows I worked hard enough at it, spending hours at the gym three times a week, and running five miles every morning to keep it that way. “You’re so beautiful, Miguel.” He kissed me again and I gave in to the incredible feelings for a minute or so before breaking the kiss. I was hard again but I deliberately ignored the stiff erection as I squatted to remove my boots. I could feel him watching me as I shed my jeans and then looked up.

“Let me help you out of your clothes.”

He capitulated, no doubt still sore around the middle as I gingerly pulled his T-shirt over his head. He winced only once, and I was relieved to note the clean bandages. He’d taken off the wrap Vonne had used. He slid out of his slacks, shedding his underwear and socks, and once again, I let my gaze wander over his golden skin. Raven’s body was beautiful. I knew he was younger than me by at least a few years. He was in great shape with a smooth, hairless chest and the rest of his body had very little hair, a contrast to my own furred chest. His cock was a work of art, a warm shade of brown and half hard as it stood away from his body.

I allowed him to take my hand again, leading me to the bed where I turned down the covers for him. He slid in first, positioning himself on pillows, and holding out his arms for me. I climbed in, moving close to him on buttery-soft sheets. His bed was luxurious, his pillows soft as clouds. This soft bedwas heaven compared to the cheap muslin sheets I owned…had owned.

He enveloped me in his arms, and I wrapped him up, always careful of his wounds. He kissed me softly and I let him, returning the kisses, knowing it would be only this for a while…at least untilhewas ready to take this any further. I’d promised myself this one night with him but somehow hoped there’d be more…manymore in the future. When he broke the kiss and laid his head on my shoulder, I rolled to my back, tucking him comfortably into my side, drifting into the first peaceful sleep I’d had in days.

I woke slowly to the sound of chuckling as I realized there was someone in the bed next to me. Raven was propped up on pillows with slightly damp hair, smelling freshly showered. He wore a ratty old T-shirt and shorts with an elastic waist. He looked unbelievably sexy and sweet as he sat there…with a paperback in his hand.Raisin in my Bumwas the title. The author sounded more pretentious than I’d ever heard. I basically stayed far away from anyone with names like Sir Nicholas Margate which was in bold type at the bottom of the cover.

I glanced at the books in the bookcase across from us, reading them over. I was surprised to see the ridiculous titles, one of which I recognized.To Kill or Not to Kill a Mockingbird.Huh. I’d read a review from Nightcrawler on Bestreads for that one and if I recalled, he’d almost liked it. Raven chuckled again and my attention was drawn back to my delectable bedmate as I lifted my arm out of the sheets and turned to look at him. I propped my head in one hand as I stared down the smooth length of his chest. He closed the book and put it on the table next to him before turning to glance over at me.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” He smiled at me and his face was warmer than the sun which streamed through the window in the comfortable bedroom.

I smiled back, sitting up in the bed, letting the sheets fall to my waist. “Not really. It’s just been a while since I’ve woken up cocooned in a bed as soft as feathers.” I cleared my throat, needing somehow to clarify. I ran my hand through my hair, clearing my throat again. “I…ah…was on a mission once…um…far away…where there was a bed this luxurious.”

I turned away, remembering the compound of a South American diplomat where my company had been invited to stay after a mission where we’d tracked one of his ministers who’d been kidnapped. I recalled that the minister had overseen all travel plans for the diplomat and had been captured and tortured for information before we got him out alive…and mostly in one piece. The diplomat had changed his travel plansandthe minister after the rescue, but we’d been invited to stay for a couple of nights.

“You’ll have to tell me about it sometime,” Raven said, twisting to face me. He didn’t wince and for the first time since he’d been shot, I noticed that he looked healthy with all the color back in his face. I was relieved as hell as I slid my hand under the back of the T-shirt and pulled him toward me. He came willingly, lifting his face for a kiss.

I sank into the exchange, remembering the night before and the languid kisses we’d shared. As before, his lips were soft and full of promise as I deepened the kiss. He went along, pushing his tongue into my mouth and sighing as our tongues danced. Judging by the position of the sun streaming into the room, I shouldn’t be in any hurry to get up and it seemed, neither was he. We lay there kissing for several minutes before he finally nudged me, and I broke the kiss. His eyes were filled with lust,but it was morning, and we did have a job to do. Pleasures would have to wait until later. I reluctantly pulled away.

Raven groaned, clearly thinking the same things. I grinned at him and then noticed for the first time, a short cat tree sitting in the corner of the room. Stanley was curled into a ball on the top of two tiers, sleeping. I looked back at Raven with a frown. “Was that here last night?”

He grinned, shaking his head. “No. I found it in the garage and brought it in this morning after showering and checking on Nana. Don’t worry. I left the guest room door open so he has access to his litter box.”

“Are you telling me you just randomly happened to have a cat tree?” I looked around, confused for a second, before looking back. “You don’t have a cat…wait, you showered?”

I pointed to the Tegaderm.

He nodded. “Oh, yeah. Anyway…the cat tree?”

“I told you my Nana loves cats. Her old tabby died about ten months ago. I brought Stanley in to meet her this morning and she’s already in heaven. She said it’s going to be wonderful to have a baby in the house again.” He smiled. “See? I told you.”

I sat up, running a hand through my hair and noticing that I didn’t smell nearly as fresh as Raven. I sniffed my pit and grimaced. “Shit. I need a shower.”

“Okay, why don’t you get up and do that while I make you an omelet.” When I opened my mouth to protest that I should be the one cooking forhim, he stopped me, holding up a hand. “I want to do this for you, Miguel. Please let me pamper you just a little bit. Besides, you could use that shower, and the nurse is expected to be here by eight. It’s just seven-fifteen, so that’ll give you lots of time to get gussied up.”

I snorted. “Gussied up? Who are you, Marshal Dillon?”

He laughed. “Gunsmoke,huh? I knew I liked you.” He clapped his hands as he slid out of bed. “Now, get your gorgeous ass up.”

I did as he asked. How could I not? The man was a force of nature—a phrase I’d heard Raven use but it suited him perfectly.

I went into the en suite bathroom which wasn’t as dinky as the one in my crappy, old apartment. There was a single sink sunk into the white marble countertop. The double-sized shower was lined with the same stone and with pleasure. I noted it had a detachable, chrome shower nozzle with a large head as well as the waterfall showerhead. The bathroom was designed with the same bamboo cabinetry as the bedroom and recessed can lights lit up the room brightly, so different from my own bathroom back home.

I turned on the shower, stepping under it a minute later. Raven had a luxurious shower gel which smelled like green tea and lemongrass, two scents I loved when combined. I soaped up and gave myself a nice scrubbing using a shower scrunchie I found hanging from the nozzle. I used his shampoo, some salon brand I didn’t recognize, and came out of the shower smelling like heaven and feeling very clean. The huge bath sheet was also an incredibly good quality and I dried off quickly, before wrapping it around my waist to step back out into the room.

As soon as I did, I heard raised voices coming from somewhere down the hall. I frowned and got back into the clothes from yesterday since everything else was packed in boxes currently sitting in Raven’s garage.