CHAPTER NINETEEN

Noah was on the back deck when Coop got home. He'd spent most of the day working outside and had just finished his shower before coming back out. "I heard about the fire. Everything's okay?" he asked , as the man leaned against the deck.

"No one was hurt , if that's what you mean."

It was partially what he meant but not all of it. He had no doubt Coop knew that , too. A big fire close to the anniversary of his parents' death, couldn't be easy for his friend.

"I don't feel like talking about it righ t now. I had the craziest conversation with Braden today. He fucked your friend the other night."

Noah's cell almost tumbled out of his hand. "He's gay?"

Coop shrugged. "Bisexual, I guess. I didn't know until today. He wants Wes's number. I said I'd see what you thought. The guy bailed on him while Braden was sleeping."

Noah didn't reply to that. He wasn't sure what to say. He could usually tell when someone swung his way, and he'd had no idea about Braden. And Wes had given Noah his number that first night, even after he'd pretty much kicked him out because of Coop. If he'd wanted Braden to have his number, he would have given it to him.

"I'm tired." Cooper rubbed a hand over his forehead before licking his lips. "I'm going to go shower. I'll be back in a few."

When he walked by Noah, he grabbed his wrist. "Come here."

Cooper's blue eyes held a stormy haze, sadness and thought. Still, he came easily, bending toward Noah so he could take his mouth. Noah kissed him slowly, teased Cooper's lips with his tongue before delving inside. Cooper moaned into his mouth before their tongues dueled.

When Noah pulled away, Cooper leaned his forehead against Noah's. "I needed that."

"There's more where th at came from. Go take your shower. I'll be here when you get back." His already throbbing erection begged him to go follow Cooper upstairs. To join him in the shower and show him exactly what he needed, but more than that, he knew his friend…his lover… He knew Coop needed some space right now. Otherwise he wouldn't be going upstairs to shower, when he'd obviously had one at work.

When Noah let go of Cooper's hand, the other man walked away. Christ, he was in over his fucking head here. Noah wouldn't put a word to the emotion spreading through his chest but he knew it was there. It had always been there, because he'd always cared about Coop in ways he didn't anyone else. But now? Now it pulsed through his veins, giving life to his lungs. He'd never really had to fight to hold his emotions in check before. Noah knew what he wanted out of life. He wanted companionship, loyalty, and incredible sex. Interspersed with that, was his need to keep that cage around his heart. It had always come easily to him, but then, he'd never been with Coop before either.

"Hey, you in there, man? I asked if you wanted a beer." Cooper's hand came down on his shoulder.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Yeah…me neither." Cooper stood beside him, freshly showered in a pair of low-slung shorts with no shirt. Noah's watched those sinewy muscles move as the other man stretched. Fuck, he was sexy as hell.

"The place looks good. I feel like shit that you're out here working on my house without me." Coop's eyes didn't veer Noah's way.

"Keeps me busy. I miss working with my hands. I miss making things. I need to figure this shit out before I go crazy."

At that, Cooper turned, peering over his shoulder at Noah with a sexy as sin smile on his face. There he was. The storm in his eyes had been washed away. "I got something to show you."

"What is it?" Noah crossed his arms.

"Get off your lazy ass and come see." Coop took the few stairs leading off the deck. Curious, Noah stood and followed, as Cooper walked around the side of the house. He headed toward the edge of his property, to that old building he'd spent so much time in, alone.

"I had an electrician come and check everything out before I started." Coop's feet crunched in the leaves that had just begun to fall. "He had to make a few upgrades , but nothing major."

A surge of energy zipped through Noah. Had Cooper done what he thought he had?

Before he could ask, Cooper unlocked the door. He stepped inside, with Noah right on his heels. "I didn't know exactly how you'd want things set up. I guess I should have asked but… fuck, I'm not even sure if I knew what I was doing this for, when I started."

Noah cased the room with his eyes. The freshly sanded counters, the benches. A few cabinets that looked like they'd been newly painted, hung on one of the walls, with another, unfinished set on the ground that needed to go up.

Cooper had even thought to put a sawhorse and racks for tools. Yeah…he was really fucking lost over his man.

"It's not perfect, and I know it still needs some work. It's not a store , but it's yours if you want it. It gives you a place to get back to, work at home… Or hell, make all your stuff here. Then you can check into that shop in town we saw. It might be a hassle hauling stuff back and forth, but we have my truck. You can use it whenever you need."

Each of Cooper's words did two things to Noah: made his cock hard, and made that feeling in his chest, the one he didn't want to name, expand and grow until it damn near took him over.

He turned. Cooper was rubbing the back of his head, his arm bent, those shorts riding so low, making Noah want to trace the spot where they met his skin with his tongue.

"You don't let anyone drive your truck." He wasn't sure why those were the words to come out.

"I said I didn't trust anyone enough to let them drive her. Maybe I do , now." Coop dropped his arm.

So many damn questions exploded inside Noah. What did this mean? Was Cooper saying he didn't want him to go? All he knew was this; what Coop had done, took a lot of thought. It was putting himself out there, and he'd done it for Noah.

Noah didn't reply. Couldn't. He just stared at Cooper as Coop did the same to him. His whole body buzzed with need. Want. Desire. And that stupid fucking emotion he didn't want to name.

"This counter is pretty long. I figured you'd need a lot of space." Cooper walked over to tabletop he spoke of. "Maybe , put the other cabinet above? I'm sure you're going to need a whole hell of a lot more shit, but that's on you. I already worked my ass off enough." Cooper laughed. Noah wasn't laughing. He was heading straight for Cooper.

Holding Coop's face in his hands, Noah slammed his mouth down on his. His mouth opened as Noah's tongue took over. The kiss was fast. Hard. Noah's body was stiff with overwhelming need. "Christ, what you do to me, Coop. Do you have any fucking idea?"

"I have to ask you the same question."

Noah smiled at that, liking the idea that they were in this together. "Turn around." He told Cooper, while at the same time, pushing the other man to do as he said. Coop went easily. Noah wrapped his arms around him, hugging his bare chest, pushing his chest to Cooper's back.

"I want you all the time." He bit the muscle where Coop's neck met his shoulder. "I let you inside me. Fuck, I like you there." He kissed the red mark from his teeth before moving to the other side. He ran his hands up and down Cooper's chest, feeling and pushing him tighter and tighter against himself.

"None of my rules matter with you. I want to burn anything to the ground that keeps me from having you." His teeth dug into Cooper's skin again.

"Ah, fuck . That feels so good. Everything you do to me, feels so fucking good."

And Noah wanted more.

He dropped to his knees behind Cooper. Rubbed his cheek against the other man's ass. "Let me make you feel good, baby. I promise you'll like it." He palmed one of Cooper's cheeks. "Let me taste you here."

And then he prayed like hell, Cooper told him yes.

***

Coop's nails dug into the wood beneath his hand. His body froze up, stiffened.

But it was in there too… He felt it. That low buzz of energy and desire, that was curious about what Noah asked. He felt it dig its way to the surface as Noah squeezed his ass again.

"We'll start with my tongue. And that's all if you want. I won't try to fuck you. Not yet."

Coop's knees actually buckled, his grip on the counter and Noah's hands what held him up. He wanted this. Holy shit did he fucking want this.

"Yes."

"Thank God." Noah chuckled but his hands were already moving. He pulled Cooper's shorts, and boxer-briefs off. He slapped his hand down on Coop's skin, before kneading. "You have such a hot ass." One of Noah's hands slid in front of him, and wrapped around his dick. "You're hard for me. You want this. Tell me you really fucking want it, Coop."

He ached. Looking down Coop saw pre- come leaking from his slit. He thrust his hips, so Noah stroked him. "I want it. I so fucking want it, Noah."

He growled when Noah let go of his cock.

"Gimme a second, baby. I'm not leaving you hanging. You're going to like this just as much."

As if it had a mind of it's own, Coop pushed his ass out and toward Noah.

"Bend over the counter a little, okay? And spread your legs for me."

Cooper did as Noah said. He felt both Noah's hands on his ass again before he spread the cheeks wide.

Coop seized up at this, his body flushed. Noah was looking at his asshole—a part of him he never thought anyone would see. He moved his feet, ready to pull away but then Noah spoke. "Don't. Don't be embarrassed. You are so fucking sexy there."

He flinched when one of Noah's fingers brushed over his hole. He didn't have time for anything else before a wet, tongue took the place of the finger.

Pleasure popped and cracked inside him. "Fuck…oh fuck. Do that again."

And Noah did. Over and over he ran his tongue over Coop's hole. Fast, slow. Hard, soft.

Cooper had never felt anything like it. One of his legs went weak but he locked it at the knee , to continue to hold himself up.

"You're as good as I thought you'd be. I'll never get enough of you." Cooper shivered with Noah's words.

Noah spread his cheeks farther, buried his face between them as his tongue licked, and pushed at Cooper's hole. He didn't know when he'd started, but he was moving against Noah's face now. Smiling at the feel of the days-growth of facial hair as he rubbed his skin.

"I'm gonna put a finger in, baby. Just one, okay? Wanna fuck you with my tongue. This will make it easier."

Fear or embarrassment couldn't find their way in around the pleasure. "Do it."

He heard Noah spit, then felt the probe of one of his fingers. "Bend a little more. That's it. Right there. I want my tongue inside you so fucking bad."

"Me too… yes…fuck, Noah, I want that."

Noah's tongue joined his finger, saliva making him wet. That's when he felt Noah push. Coop tensed up.

"Relax for me." As soon as the last word left Noah's mouth, his tongue was back to work at Cooper's hole, as he probed with his finger again.

"Fuck…fuck, fuck, fuck."

Coop felt it when Noah's finger was inside him. It was…he didn't even know what to call it …a little uncomfortable.

Noah spit again, making it easier as he slowly pushed and pulled with his finger. "I am such a prick for doing this without lube. We're keeping some in here from now on. In every room of the house, and spread all over the property."

He was trying to distract Cooper. He knew that. And, damned if it wasn't working. His asshole loosened, Noah's finger fitting more easily inside.

And then it was gone and Noah's tongue took is place.

"Fuck! Noah. That feels so good. More."

Noah spread his cheeks, his tongue fucking Cooper. It was like his whole body suddenly came alive. He was a live wire, surging with electricity. "More," he gasped, again. God, he couldn't believe how incredible this felt. How much more he wanted.

Noah's tongue pushed into him again, before pulling almost all the way out. His tongue went slow and deep, fucking Cooper.

"I wanna come. Need to come so fucking bad."

Coop felt empty when Noah's tongue left him.

"What—Oh God." Noah's finger pushed into him again. He went deeper this time, touching his—"Fuck!" That quickly, come shot out of Cooper's dick. But Noah kept going. Kept rubbing inside him and Cooper just kept coming. It was intense. Like his whole body was being pleasured by a hundred people at once. "Noah…fuck... Holy shit." He could hardly breathe. Hardly speak. Could hardly think.

When Coop had been wrung dry, his legs went weak. Noah was there, holding him. He pushed to his feet and wrapped his arms around Cooper from behind again. "I've never…I haven't… I've never felt anything like that. What the hell was that?"

Noah kissed the side of his neck. "That, my friend." He moved to the other side, kissing it too. "Was your prostate. It's a man's best friend." And then he chuckled. "I told you you'd like it."

Cooper leaned back against him. Noah's hand played with is softening cock, rubbing his semen all over.

"Like isn't a strong enough word. I know I should get you off right now, but I swear to fucking God, I think I'm dying. I don't know if I can move."

Noah laughed again. "It'll be your turn to play with me later. That was for you , although hearing you come like you just did almost had me doing the same. This place…it means a lot to me, Coop."

Cooper shrugged, closing his eyes. "Don't want you to go. Figured I'd do what I can to make you stay."

Noah hugged him tighter. "Can you get a couple days off the weekend after this one? I wanna go somewhere. Somewhere no one will bother us, and we can lay around and fuck each other for days…"

Coop took a deep breath. "And that's all you want?" But , he knew it wasn't.

Noah shook his head. " Wanna help you forget. Wanna make you feel so fucking good you won't have space for guilt. Or if you just wanna talk about them, we can do that. Whatever you want." Those last words were everything Cooper needed to hear. Completing him, sealing the deal on this thing between them. No one would care about him like Noah. No one would 100% get him and what he needed the way Noah did. He supposed a part of him always knew that. From the second Noah came back into his life, on some level, he'd known.

Cooper turned and faced him, saying the only truth he had. "The only thing I want, is you."