Ignite (Unbreakable Bonds 7)

But there should be more images of them as a couple. They’d been together for more than two years, building a life and memories.

Noah had hung a lot of the pictures of Mel, so they obviously didn’t bother him, but still…did they make Noah feel like he came in second to Mel? Rowe needed to fix this.

JB didn’t say anything. He turned and slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans, still looking around. Rowe and Noah recently had the kitchen remodeled, and it looked nice with the dark cabinetry and granite countertops. Rowe had bought the house after his wife’s death, and Noah had moved in here with him. This three-bedroom house had all they needed, especially since it had a large backyard for the dogs, which Noah took advantage of then, leading the reluctant trio out when they were much more interested in checking out the newcomer.

“Thanks for letting me stay here,” JB said once Noah was outside, his voice low as he looked at Rowe.

He wanted to say it hadn’t been his idea, but the man was safer here. Instead, he found his tongue getting away from him. “You and Noah have a past.”

JB’s mouth twisted up in one corner. “Not much of one, so don’t worry. I’ll respect what he has with you. I can tell you’ve made a nice home here together.” His gaze strayed again to the picture of Rowe with Mel. This one showed Mel in her usual state—head back and laughing. The woman had spent the majority of her time laughing. He still missed her. Always would.

“She was my wife,” Rowe said. “She died three years ago.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“I’m sorry for yours,” he answered, speaking of Chris and Paul.

JB’s lips tightened, but he didn’t say anything else as Noah came inside with the slobbering trio. Daisy, the German shepherd, ran up to Rowe and stuck her nose in his hand. He stroked her soft fur, wondering if she felt the awkwardness that filled the room like a thick fog.

“Come on,” Noah said as he hefted up JB’s bag. “I’ll show you to the spare bedroom.”

Rowe watched the two leave and headed for the cabinet where they kept the hard liquor. He didn’t know how to feel when faced with someone Noah had been intimate with. The shot of whiskey did little to help, though it did burn in his stomach and make him feel a bit more grounded.

JB was a very attractive man with his tight, lean build and dirty-blond hair. He could definitely see why Noah had been interested in him. He frowned and poured himself another shot, his mind going to their story about the ambush in Afghanistan. At least they had a little to go on. He’d put Gidget on it in the morning.

Noah strolled into the kitchen and lifted an eyebrow at the shot in Rowe’s hand.

“Want one?” Rowe asked, nodding toward the bottle.

“Nah. JB is going to shower and hit the bed. Why don’t we head that way ourselves, see if we can make heads or tails of what’s going on in the morning?”

He eyed his boyfriend, seeing the welcome in his gaze and had to smile. Yeah, he’d be taking Noah up on that invitation.

They reset the security system, made sure the dogs had everything they needed, and shut off all the lights. He followed Noah. Hearing the shower running in the guest bathroom, Rowe was brought back to when Noah had arrived years ago and the night when they’d talked in that bathroom. So much time had passed and now, they were a tight unit that meant the world to him.

Noah tugged off his T-shirt when they got to their bedroom and turned to face Rowe.

Rowe shut the door behind him, then backed Noah into the wall and leaned into his body, loving the delicious slide of all those hard muscles against him. Noah was built big and tall, his shoulders wide, his waist narrow. Soft, crinkly hair covered his pecs and narrowed into a silky trail under his belly button. Rowe ran the backs of his fingers over that hair, stroking down to the low waist of Noah’s jeans. He dipped his fingers behind the material and butted them into the head of Noah’s cock.

Noah sucked in a breath, blue eyes glittering down at Rowe. “You really don’t have anything to worry about,” Noah whispered.

“I know. Just want you.”

“Then have me.”

Fuck, the man made him crazy with lust. He could feel it ramping up in his body, making every nerve tingle to life with anticipation. The tip of Noah’s erection was already wet, and he smoothed his fingers through it, touching around the soft head. He slowly unzipped Noah’s fly with his other hand and wrapped his hand around that gorgeous cock.