Chapter 8

The moment he pulled into the station house's parking lot, Hoyt cursed himself for being a fool. All the brave talk he'd given himself while he'd fixed the starter and then given every system of the vintage car a checkup had been just that—talk.

He'd worked up until the minute he knew Noah would be ending his shift. Fearing he'd miss him, he arrived a little early. Seven sharp. Noah's crew would be handing off to the new shift. When he walked out of the open bay, would he want to see Hoyt here? Would he be embarrassed?

Hoyt began to twist the keys in the ignition to start the car and leave, but then he saw two burly guys stride out of the firehouse and make their way toward him. Both wore expressions that didn't bode well for him. Their brows were lowered, and their jaws were tight.

Hoyt let go of the keys, opened the door, and stepped out.

"Nice ride," one of them said. Only it didn't sound like a compliment. It was a challenge.

"It's not mine."

"Say that again," the other muttered.

"I own Freeman's Repair. Noah dropped the Camaro with me." He raised a hand. "Name's Hoyt Freeman."

The two firefighters lost their hard expressions. One reached out to shake Hoyt's hand. "You a friend of his?"

"I am." Much more than a friend, but they didn't need to know. "Is he still here? I was hoping to catch him before he left his shift."

The two shared a glance and then gave Hoyt a look that had him stiffening. "Something happen?" he asked.

A minute later, Hoyt peeled out of the lot, leaving the two firefighters with the smell of burned rubber in their nostrils.

Noah had been struck by a vehicle. Was being treated at Methodist's Trauma Center. Hoyt floored the gas pedal, then cussed and let up. Noah was being treated. They hadn't said how bad it was. No need to panic. Not yet.

After checking with the information desk, Hoyt headed to the elevator. They hadn't been able to tell him how Noah was doing, just that he'd been moved upstairs. That was a good sign, right? He wasn't in surgery. He drew deep breaths to calm his racing heart. The moment the elevator chimed, he waited impatiently for the doors to slide open. He found the nurses' station. "Noah Turner?" he barked out.

A nurse jerked and pointed down the hallway. He found a line of firefighters, half in and half out of their turn-out gear, lining the hallway outside one room. One of them glanced his way and then nudged his buddy. Soon, all gazes turned his way.

Hoyt didn't give a crap that he probably looked like a crazy man. "Where's Noah?" he asked, his voice rasping.

One with dark hair and blue eyes tilted his head toward an open door. "The LT's with him now."

Hoyt didn't stop. He walked past them and into the room and then stood staring at the bed. White sheets, the smell of disinfectant. Both so familiar they hit him square in the stomach. But the face that turned his way wasn't pale and emaciated. Noah had a bruise on the side of his jaw and a bandage on his head, but he looked…alive. His color was good. So was the happy sparkle in his eyes.

Noah gave him a crooked smile. He pointed at the bandage wrapped around the top of his head. "The nurse was flirting, I think. All I have is a goose egg." He tried to straighten in the bed but winced and lowered himself again. "Ribs cracked," he said, his voice hoarse.

"You were damn lucky," the man standing next to the bed said.

Hoyt noted his tall frame and flinty-gray gaze. He turned fully to Hoyt.

"You must be Hoyt." He reached out his hand. "I'm Knox Triplett. Noah's one of my men."

Hoyt raised an eyebrow, confused how the man knew his name.

Noah wrinkled his nose and blushed. "I think I may have asked them to tell you to keep the Camaro."

Hoyt frowned. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I never passed out before. Thought I was dying." Noah's grin didn't reach his eyes. He stared at Hoyt. "I'm gonna be fine. They kept me for observation. Soon as the doctor clears me, I'm going home."

Hoyt shook his head. "Who's gonna look after you?"

Noah shrugged. "I can take care of myself. I'll have plenty of Percocet to numb the pain."

"I'll take you home," Hoyt growled and then scowled because he hadn't meant to sound angry.

The LT cleared his throat. "Guess I'll leave you both to talk." To Noah, he said. "Take as much time as you need. But check in."

Noah nodded. "Will do."

When the lieutenant left, he closed the door behind him.

Hoyt shifted on his feet, unsure why he was even here. The minutes since he'd heard Noah was hurt had passed in a blur. He hadn't been able to think, just react. And his instinct had been to come straight to Noah's side.

His shoulders fell.

"Hey. You didn't have to come," Noah said softly. "I know being in a hospital at another man's bedside can't be easy."

Hoyt pursed his lips and let out a long, slow breath. "I was scared."

Noah patted the arm of the chair beside his bed. "Have a seat."

Hoyt blew out another breath, letting it billow his cheeks as he lowered to the chair. Sitting didn't make him any more relaxed. His boot tapped the floor as he tried to look anywhere but at Noah.

"How'd you find out I was hurt?" Noah asked, his tone even this time.

"Was gonna drop the Camaro at the firehouse. Finished it last night."

"Ah. Must have been a shock to hear I was in the hospital."

Hoyt knew Noah was leading him, trying to help him calm. It reminded him of how Jason had always tried to reassure him. "I don't fucking need this."

Noah's expression grew shuttered. With a nod, he said, "You don't have to be here. I can pick up the Camaro as soon as I can drive."

Hoyt leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. He knew he was acting like a bastard. "I'm a fucking coward," he whispered. "I should be asking you how you feel and what you need."

"You're being human, Hoyt. You suffered a loss. The thought of opening yourself up to something like that again has to be… unnerving. But guess what? You don't have to. You can end it now."

Hoyt lowered his gaze to Noah. A wave of relief washed over him. Yeah, he could just leave. Walk out of here and give the keys to one of Noah's buddies. No harm, no foul. It wasn't like either of them was in love.

Then his gaze locked with Noah's. Noah's last thought before he'd lost consciousness had been about him. He was every bit as lost as Hoyt was. The thought warmed away the chill that had gripped him from the second he'd heard Noah had been hurt.

He leaned forward and reached for Noah's hand. "You're coming home with me. I know it's too soon to say this, but I want you with me."

Noah's eyes filled with moisture, but he blinked it away. "I'm a firefighter, Hoyt. I can't promise I won't be hurt again."

"I know." He squeezed his hand. "But as much as that scares the shit out of me, I can't let you go."

Noah's eyelids lowered. "Is it that hard to find a good sub?"

"You aren't a good sub," Hoyt said, a smile tugging at his mouth. "In fact, you're lousy at it."

"I'll try to be better."

"No, you won't. But I'm okay with that." Locking with Noah's gaze, he said, "Come home with me. Let me take care of you."

Noah pulled on his hand.

Understanding what Noah needed, Hoyt rose and bent over him, gently cupping the unbruised side of his face. He kissed his firm mouth, even as tears leaked from his closed eyes. When his firefly's mouth opened, Hoyt swept inside.

The mattress lowered behind Noah. He opened his eyes to the darkness and smiled. "Sue finally leave?"

"She insisted on doing the dishes," Hoyt said in his sexy rasping voice. "Said we both looked worn out."

Noah snickered. "She knows better. I'm nearly well enough to go back to work. You haven't been watching over me twenty-four/seven for a week."

"Still haven't had a full night's rest."

"Whose fault is that?"

Hoyt chuckled behind him and eased closer, resting a hand on Noah's hip rather than his side because he was still being gentle with him.

But other than a twinge now and then, Noah felt great. He could take a full breath without grimacing, and the doctor had said his ribs were knitting together just fine. In another week, he'd be cleared for duty.

The thought left him feeling a little hollow. Yes, he missed the work, missed the guys, but the time spent alone with Hoyt had been amazing. Hoyt had seen to his every need. And once Noah had felt well enough, he'd slept beside Hoyt in his big, cozy bed. On more than one occasion, Noah had woken to find himself spooned against Hoyt with Hoyt's hand gently loving him.

Hoyt's willingness to sacrifice his own pleasure to see to Noah's was beginning to grind on Noah.

Despite the fact he'd reassured the other man he was ready for more, Hoyt stoically denied himself. Even now, he smoothed his hand over Noah's side and slid it between his legs.

Noah's breaths shortened. His balls tightened. The feel of Hoyt's warm chest against his skin was both comforting and arousing. There was no denying Noah loved being the center of Hoyt's devotion. However, getting fisted into oblivion wasn't what he wanted most.

"I wore the number five plug during dinner tonight," he whispered.

Hoyt's grip tightened on his shaft, and Noah hissed a breath between his teeth.

Hoyt let go of his cock and rolled away. When he left the bed and then the room, Noah went to his back. More was eating at Hoyt than simple concern for Noah's well-being. Noah got up and went to the bathroom. He searched through the drawers there and found the harness Hoyt had used on him the first time he'd brought him to his place. He stood in front of the mirror and eyed the fading bruises on his chest and side, now a pale yellow. He was ready for sex—ready for something more strenuous. And he'd be damned if Hoyt denied him.

He stroked himself into full arousal and then closed the straps around the base of his cock and his balls. They jutted lewdly forward. Then he picked up the small box and selected the last plug. After lubing it well, he raised a foot to the toilet seat and slowly inserted the device. The stretch was delicious. It burned and aroused. And if he hadn't had his dick ringed, he might have lost it right then and there.

Prepared, he left the bathroom. Hoyt wasn't going to turn him down. Not this time. He was ready to take the next step. Ready to lose his virginity to the man he now understood he'd loved from the moment he'd met him.

Still naked, Hoyt roamed the playroom like a caged tiger.

I wore the number five plug during dinner tonight.

Didn't Noah know he was holding back his lust by a very thin and fraying thread? All the time they'd spent together while Noah healed had been sheer torture. While he'd worked his way through accepting those images of Noah flying through the air, nearly being killed by a careless driver, Hoyt had grown surer of his deepening feelings for the man.

He hadn't wanted to fall in love. He'd hoped that being in close quarters would actually help him realize that, while he was attracted, his feelings weren't so deep he couldn't let Noah go when the time came for him to go back to his life.

Instead, he'd felt a deepening dread. What if Noah didn't want to remain with him? What if he just wanted a partner to play with, casual hookups…friends with benefits?

Hoyt wanted Noah here every night he wasn't at the station house. He wanted to make him breakfast, take road trips, see movies, and plant a garden with him—domestic things that should have made him restless but instead made him…hopeful. For his own future.

He heard the door to the playroom open but kept faced away. He curled his hands into fists and leaned against the cabinet.

He listened as Noah's steps approached and then heard Noah clearing his throat from lower than he expected.

Slowly, Hoyt turned. Noah was kneeling with his hands on his thighs and his head bent.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm here to serve you, Sir."

Hoyt eyed the harness and felt a thrill of lust surge toward his balls. "I don't need a sub."

"And I'm not a very good one. I know." Noah lifted his head, and his green eyes shone with emotion. "But I'll be whatever you need me to be, Hoyt. And right now, I think you need to be in charge."

"You're not ready for this." Hoyt tightened against the urge to pounce. Noah wasn't ready for him to take him the way he craved.

"The paddle might still be too much for me, but the flogger won't hurt me."

Hoyt knew Noah was trying not to eye the proof of his lust. His cock was unruly, filled to the point the skin felt ready to burst, too heavy to lift high from his groin. Staring at Noah's mouth, he felt his will begin to unravel. Maybe if he fucked his mouth, he wouldn't be tempted to flip him and take his ass.

But first, Noah wanted to play sub. And Hoyt needed to ease some of the rawness that filled him. "Go to the spanking bench."

The corners of Noah's mouth curved, and he pushed up from the floor and padded to the bench. As he folded himself over the bench, Hoyt saw the base of the black plug protruding from his ass—and he knew what Noah wanted. Hoyt's cock jerked.

He turned to the cabinet again and took down his favorite flogger. When he stood behind Noah, he looked at the glass mirror opposite the bench and took in the sight of the two of them. Noah, with his head raised, color rising to fill his cheeks. He, with his cock jutting, thick and strong from his groin.

He raised his arm and lashed one side and then the other of Noah's buttocks, watching the other man's expression closely for any signs of distress, but as he laid more lashes, all he saw was Noah's pleasure in the lazy dip of his eyelids and the deepening of his breaths.

Hoyt applied harsher strokes to the tops of his buttocks, to his thighs, and then he aimed upward strokes to strafe his balls. Still, Noah held steady, his eyes gleaming. Again, the plug drew Hoyt's attention. He tossed away the flogger and slowly pulled the plug free. He strode to the sink and dropped it there, then reached into a drawer for a condom and cloaked his erection.

When he turned back, Noah's gaze widened.

Hoyt lubed his cock, squeezed a dollop of gel onto a finger, and went back to Noah. He lubed his asshole and thrust his finger inside, feeling the easing of the muscles and the welcoming pulse as Noah constricted and released around his finger.

"Are you sure?" he asked Noah. "Don't do this if I'm going to hurt you."

"Please, Sir. We've both waited too long for this."

Hoyt closed his eyes for a second, tamping down his raging need to give Noah the first experience he deserved. "Go to the bed, firefly. I want you on your knees or bent over the edge. Whichever is more comfortable for you."

Noah rose, walked quickly to the bed, and climbed onto the mattress, going to his hands and knees.

With his heart pounding, Hoyt went to him and reached between his legs to give his cock a gentle stroke. He bent and placed a kiss against his spine and nuzzled his skin. "I've been going crazy with need, firefly. I've been in hell waiting for this moment."

"I'm here. Ready now," Noah said, placing his hand over the one Hoyt used to stroke him. "I'm yours."

Assured Noah was every bit as aroused as he was, Hoyt traced a finger down his crack and played with his hole, circling it and dipping inside to swirl and thrust.

Noah's thighs trembled, his breathing hitched and shuddered.

Hoyt's own breathing grew labored, and he straightened and nudged Noah's knees wider until the height of his entrance was just right.

Then Hoyt gripped his cock, just beneath the head, and placed it at Noah's entrance. "Tell me if it's too much."

Noah shook his head.

"I mean it, baby. I don't want to hurt you."

"You will anyway, but Jesus , Hoyt, I want this."

Hoyt removed his hand and nudged forward, groaning as Noah's tight ass slowly eased around his crown. Once the tip was inside, Noah's sphincter clamped tight. "Easy, baby. Easy. There's more."

Noah let out a harsh laugh. "No control. It burns. So. Fucking. Good."

Hearing an edge of delirious pleasure in the other man's voice, Hoyt pushed a little deeper, gritting his teeth against the sensation of all that heat and pressure closing around him. He pulled away and plunged a little deeper, careful to gauge the depth, careful to enter him in gentle increments.

But Noah surprised him, surging backward with a loud moan and then pulsing forward and back.

Hoyt took his cues from Noah's quickening backward thrusts and met them stroke for stroke, euphoria overtaking him. Noah was so hot and tight. His dick felt squeezed and stroked. When he was deep inside, his shaft was massaged by the tightening and easing of Noah's muscular ring.

"Harder. Fuck me harder!" Noah shouted, battering backward, forcing Hoyt deeper.

Hoyt couldn't resist his plea. He powered into Noah's ass, faster and faster, his balls banging against Noah's as he gave a final shout, come jetting in hot surges.

His motions slowed just enough for him to regroup. He pulled free, rolled Noah to his back, and bent over his cock. He tugged at the harness's snaps and freed him, then latched his lips hard around Noah's shaft and took him deep into his throat.

Noah clutched Hoyt's hair, pulling hard as he sank and rose and dove again. When Noah's hips jerked upward, Hoyt welcomed the splash of come against the back of his throat and swallowed it down. After he'd finished, Hoyt was still reluctant to let him go, suckling gently, licking the sides of his slackening shaft until Noah slid his fingers from Hoyt's hair and collapsed against the mattress.

Breathing like he'd run a marathon, Hoyt raised his head. Noah was staring at him with shimmering eyes.

Hoyt crawled upward, careful not to give Noah his weight but needing to be closer to kiss him. Their mouths met in a long, deep press of lips and lingering tongues. When he drew back, Hoyt caressed one side of his face. "You okay?"

Noah's smile was wide and blissful. "Never better. I love you."

Hoyt felt a pang inside his chest and kissed Noah again. When he broke away, he mumbled, "I love you, too."

Then, because he knew he'd exhausted his lover, he went to his side and spooned Noah's body against his. "I love you," he said, kissing the top of his shoulder. Silently, he promised never to doubt himself again. He could do this. Cherish the time they had together, for however long they both lived.

Noah placed his hand over the one lying on his belly. "We should call Sue."

"Mom already knows. She told me you were a keeper, remember?"

"Will I be overstepping if I say I want to move in with you?"

Hoyt laughed. "Be kind of hard to fuck you every chance I get if you're not here."

"So now, I'm just a convenience?"

"Firefly, that's the last thing you are." Hoyt sighed happily. "You going to tell your friends?"

Noah chuckled. "Don't think I have to. LT's not stupid. He left us alone in that hospital room. And Gage and Coop already knew. Then there were the guys from the other shift who said you looked like a hammer had hit you when you heard I was injured. I'm pretty sure everyone knows we're a…thing."

"Partners?"

"Sounds too businesslike. I like lovers."

"I do, too. Will it bother you, having people know about us?"

Noah turned inside his embrace and slid his arms around Hoyt. He slipped a thigh between his and moved closer until their cocks rubbed together. "I know it's not going to be easy living together here in the South. But I won't give you up. So long as you love me, I'm right where I want to be."

Again, because kissing Noah was addictive, Hoyt melted into his embrace.

Maybe riding bitch on the back of Hoyt's Harley wasn't the most discreet way to mark his return to the firehouse, but Noah didn't really care. Hoyt balanced the bike with his firmly planted feet and looked back as Noah slid off.

Noah knew what he was thinking. He wanted to kiss him again. They'd both risen early so Noah could shower after they made love. He thought maybe he'd surprised Hoyt by asking him to take him to the firehouse. "You coming inside?" he asked.

Hoyt frowned but set the bike on its stand and slid off. "You sure?"

"Stay for breakfast. You'll get to meet the guys. The sooner, the better, since you'll be coming to Saturday's game anyway."

Hoyt grimaced. But because they both knew that sooner or later all their friends were going to know anyway, he let Noah lead him inside.

Noah led Hoyt to the locker room, where he patiently waited while he changed, and then he trailed him into the rec room. Both shifts were still loitering. The two LTs were sharing news. Coop and Gage greeted them both with wide smiles, and the rest gathered around Noah and Hoyt while he made introductions.

Everything went smoothly. There were no funny looks, even from the guys from the previous shift. Noah was sure Coop and Gage had something to do with that. They had probably threatened to leave boots filled with shaving cream if they didn't behave.

Luke announced breakfast was already underway and invited Hoyt to stay. Hoyt shrugged and followed Luke to the kitchen area.

Coop gave Noah a man-hug and stepped back. "You look great. You milk that sick leave to stay in bed all day?"

Noah grinned. "Funny you used the word milk. "

Coop laughed and made a face. "Yeah, Moira prefers cream . Guess we'll have to be nice to you, or your biker boyfriend will kick our asses."

Noah looked over at Hoyt, who gave him a wink. Glad he felt comfortable among his friends, Noah waggled his eyebrows. "Only ass he's going near is mine."

Gage bent at the waist as he laughed. "Hope it's not catching."

"What, gayness?"

Gage shook his head and eyed Noah and Coop. "No. Fucking commitment."

"Yeah, we're committed to fucking," Coop said, slinging an arm around Gage's neck. "We'll just have to work on finding you someone to rub bellies with."

Gage shook him off and wrinkled his nose. "I'm fine. Please, don't do me any favors."

As Gage escaped, Coop turned to Noah. "This the real thing for you?"

"Does it bother you?"

"Really? You've known me how long?"

"Yeah, I guess if you let Anton handle your junk…"

Coop shook his head. "Glad you didn't bite it at the crash. Would have sucked."

They both shared a moment, thinking about Danny and how much they missed him.

"Come and get it! The eggs are getting cold."

They turned to glare at Luke but laughed because he was wearing an apron over his pants.

Breakfast was a lighthearted affair, unmarred by any tones calling them to fires.

After the table was cleared, Hoyt stood. "Guess I better head to work. It was nice meeting you all."

Noah cleared his throat. "I'll walk you out."

They walked outside to Hoyt's bike and lingered there for a moment. Neither wanted to say goodbye.

At last, Hoyt lifted his chin. "See you in the morning."

"Yeah, just in time to see you off to work."

Hoyt shrugged. "It is what it is, but I'll tell Sally I'll be in a little late."

Noah smiled, reached out, and tugged on Hoyt's ponytail, bringing him in for a kiss.

"Woohoo!" Catcalls and whistles followed, muffled by the glass. Noah raised his middle finger to the guys staring through the rec room window.

"I like your friends," Hoyt said, arching a brow.

"Good thing. You'll be seeing more of them at La Forge whenever we go."

Hoyt nodded and stepped over his bike. "Later, Firefly."

As he rode away, Noah felt his chest expand. Somehow, he knew Danny was looking down on them. Maybe he'd had a hand in all this.

"Miss you, buddy."

He turned and strolled back toward the firehouse, toward his crew, thinking about the fact life was funny like that. Taking something away but giving back if you waited and stayed open to change and love. He had more than he needed—in his friends, in Hoyt. And he wasn't going to feel a moment's guilt over the fact his well was full.

The blare of the loudspeaker announcing another fire had him rushing to the engine. The guys all spilled into the bay, stepping into their turnout gear and boots. Coop gave him a wide grin. "Ready to roll?"

"Ready as ever," Noah said, swinging inside the truck.