by SF Benson
“Roommate? This is news.” Interest colors her voice. “When did this happen?”
“It’s a guy I met last night.” I push my hair off my forehead and lie back. “He’s new in town and needed a place to stay.”
“Taking in strays again?” She pauses for a moment. “Jeremiah, how many times do I have to tell you about saving people? Are you looking for redemption?”
“Trust me, this isn’t about redemption. It’s temporary until he can afford his own place. His father’s a jackass who’s been making life hard for him. When Colton proves he can stand up for himself, maybe his father will let him be.”
“Did you say Colton? What’s his last name?”
I think about the lie he told earlier and choose to weave my own. “Haven’t asked. Why?”
“No particular reason.” She exhales. “You have to admit that’s not a common name. Is he one of us?”
“I don’t think so, but I get the feeling he’s not human.” The possibility nags the hell out of me.
“Interesting. What makes you think Colton might not be human?”
“It’s a vibe I keep getting. Nothing particular other than a sense he’s hiding something.”
“Mmm… Maybe I should meet him? You know I’m good at discerning.”
“Let me handle it, Az.”
“Is that what you were doing earlier in my shower? Handling it?”
My face gets warm. Before I left for work, I stopped by Azaria’s apartment downstairs. “I didn’t know you were home.”
“I came home while you were in the bathroom. When I heard that sound, I left. There are some things even best friends shouldn’t hear. You know, when I gave you a key to my place, it wasn’t for jerk-off sessions.” She pauses for a moment. “As far as Colton goes, you really should find out who he is. But Jeremiah, don’t go thinking he’s The One. You’ve been down that road before.”
“Az, I know.” The Prophet’s words still ring in my head like it was yesterday.
The ancient guardian, surrounded by golden light, shifted on his seat. “One day, Jeremiah, you will meet a person and fall almost immediately. There will be a strong, undeniable attraction between the two of you—an obvious connection that you will try to hide from. Overwhelming temptation will present itself. You will struggle against it. Mind you, the path to The One won’t be easy, but you are a fighter. Question is, will you fight for this love, your destiny, regardless of who it comes from? Be ready for what is waiting for you.”
It was our one and only meeting before that fateful night when I left home. Would the Prophet think Colton is who I’ve waited for all these years?
“I’m serious, Jeremiah.” Azaria’s voice brings me back to the present. “When given the choice, you left instead of being someone you could never be. You’ve been fighting for your right to live as you see fit. But you can’t think every man you meet is the one the Prophet meant. Want my advice?”
A grin crosses my face. Azaria has never minced words. We’re two of a kind, and I’ll always love her. “You know that’s why I called.”
“Go get laid,” she says without hesitation. “How long has it been for you?”
“Az, don’t you think that’s personal?”
“Fuck your sensitivity. It’s time to get real.” She pauses and lowers her voice. “Maybe you should fuck this new stray pup and get it over with.”
“And how will that help me?”
“One, you’ll take care of the itch that needs scratching. Second, if he’s indeed The One, your feelings for him will grow. You won’t have ruined a thing.”
“And if he’s not The One?”
“You can stop masturbating in my shower and go find yourself someone else.”
I laugh. “Thanks, Az.”
“You’re welcome.” Her smile shines in her words. “You know I only speak these words because I love you.”
“I know. Good night.”
Maybe there’s a grain of truth in what Azaria said?
It’s still too damned early to be up, but I can’t sleep. Perhaps I should just start my day early? Reaching for my jeans, the stale aroma of stale cigarettes and booze lets me know a shower is first priority. Still in a daze, I shuffle toward the bathroom, completely forgetting about the person occupying my sofa. As I open the bathroom door, however, reality gives me a firm reminder.
Colton, naked as the day he was born, stands at the sink. His back is toward me. Damn. My dick stiffens while my fingers yearn to touch him. Gleaming skin and sleek muscles are better than any cup of coffee. And his ass…tight, round, and oh so tempting.
Maybe you should fuck this new stray pup and get it over with…
Azaria’s words infiltrate my brain. I know I shouldn’t, but the temptation is too great and I’m weak—another reason why I left home. Before Colton turns around and my courage disappears, I walk up behind him, place my hands on the counter, and trap him against the sink. His damp, heated skin against mine feels so good. A delicious shudder shoots through me.
“JJ?” Colton’s panicky gaze meets my smoldering one in the mirror.
Pressing myself against him, I rub my cock over the crack in his ass and sigh. This is a game I shouldn’t be playing, not with him, but I forge on, even going as far as nuzzling his neck. His breath quickens while my pulse races.
“Stop,” he mumbles.
The husky plea only turns me on more. My hand grazes his upper thigh before fondling his balls. “Why?” A quick mental check—there’s lube in the cabinet below the sink. “Isn’t this what you want?”
Who wants this more? You or him?
Colton’s chest rises and falls as his breathing becomes more erratic. It won’t take much to push him over the edge. Leaning into him, I wrap my hand around his stiff dick and rest my lips near his ear. The scent of orange and myrrh, my soap, rises from his skin.
“If you want me to fuck you, I’ll do it right now,” I say in a voice thick with emotion. “I promise you I’ll enjoy every single minute of it. I’ll fuck you so deeply you’ll never want another man.”
He sucks in air, and it takes everything in me to stand my ground. Who am I kidding? I want this. It’s been a long time.
Regardless, do you really want a random fuck? Haven’t you had enough sex with men who won’t stay for long?
The sobering notion forces me to reconsider my actions. Whispering against his cheek, I ask, “But Colton, will you stick around after?”
My body, however, has its own plans. Stroking Colton’s dick, I watch as his eyes flutter shut. I can’t stop myself from running a finger over the ridge. His body trembles, and we both groan.
“Will you stay with me?” Kissing his neck, I grind against his ass. “Will you take the time to get to know me? Or will you walk away? Forget about me?”
Colton’s head drops back against my chest. His hips rock as I pump his cock. “I d-d-don’t know.”
“Then as much as I’d love to fuck the taste out of your mouth, I won’t. Not now.” I drag my slick fingers off his heavy dick, wipe my hand on a towel, and back up out the room.
Colton’s moans reach me through the closed door. He’s not the only one needing a little relief.
I grip my coffee mug a little too tightly. My mind and body are still trying to come to terms with what happened in the bathroom. What I allowed. What I desperately wanted. I sip the warm liquid, too lazy to get up for a refill.
I shouldn’t have done it. Teasing Colton wasn’t my intention. Taking a shower is what I planned. An ice-cold burst of water to numb my senses and soften my dick.
Go apologize. Or at least see if he’s okay.
Pushing away from the kitchen table, I stick my cup in the sink and head to my room. Opening the door, I find Colton pulling his clothes from the closet.
“What are you doing?” Fear grabs my heart and squeezes.
“Leaving. I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
“Have I said you overstayed your welcome?” I shut the be
droom door with my foot.
“Not in so many words.”
Apologize.
“If this is about earlier…” I let my voice trail off. I won’t apologize for what I want. It’s not too much to ask this man for an honest emotion.
“You know it is,” he grumbles and removes a shirt from a hanger.
Where the fuck is he going to go? He doesn’t even have luggage. I take the shirt from Colton’s hands. “You’re a real piece of work. Because we’re not progressing the way you’d like, you choose to leave. When are you going to stop running?”
“I’m not running,” he insists.
“Like hell, you’re not.” I glance up at the ceiling. “Wait. I get it. You made up with dear-old-Dad and you’re headed home.”
Colton tries to take the shirt from me. When I won’t give it up, he grabs another one from the closet.
I don’t stop. I won’t risk him walking away, especially if he might fulfill prophecy. My voice rises. “You’re so full of it, you still believe your own fucking shit!”
“You know nothing,” he says with his back to me.
“I know you want to always be in control. In life, sometimes you have to follow others.”
Colton swings around. “You don’t get it. Never will.”
“I know your type. Good looking men who never get turned down. Ever. Guess what, you self-centered ass, it happens. You walk around in a grown man’s body, but you’re a child. A child who gets pissed off and runs when things don’t go his way.”
He drops the shirt he’s holding. Colton’s fist and jaw clench simultaneously. “You have a lot of fucking nerve saying that shit to me. Do you know who I am?”
I fold my arms across my chest. “No. I’m still waiting to find out. Want to enlighten me?”
His mouth opens and closes, but nothing comes out. I was right when I guessed no one’s ever called Colton out on his bullshit.
“You think you know me so well,” he grumbles.
“No. I never said that. I’m still trying to learn who you are. For the record, my friend, I didn’t reject you. I offered myself to you, and you refused me.”
Anger flashes in his dark eyes.
I let the shirt I’m holding fall to the floor. “I bet you’ve never stuck around after sex. One time and you’re done. Am I right?”
Colton swallows hard. “As soon as I find a job, I’ll be out of here.”
“Can’t handle the truth? What’s scaring you? You claim to come here to find yourself. I don’t think you can do it.”
He stalks forward and slams into me hard, knocking my ass to the floor. Colton stands over me, looking down. “You don’t know shit about me. I’ve seen and done things you can’t even imagine. I’ve put up with a ton of shit from someone who is an expert at torturing souls. Don’t you dare think you know what I can handle.”
I tilt my head back and resist the urge to rub my throbbing shoulder. “Those are probably the most honest words you’ve said to me yet. The way I see it, you have two choices. Either rise above that shit and do something worthwhile with your life or wallow in it and let it take you down.”
Colton stalks across the room and stands by the window.
His tirade appears to be over, so I rise to my feet. “I only said to leave if you couldn’t deal with my terms. Honestly, I’d like you to stick around. I don’t have many friends, and I’d love to count you as one of them.” And here comes the hard part (no pun intended). “If anything else happens between us, let it be organic. Don’t try to force the issue for the sake of a good fuck.”
He doesn’t say a word.
“By the way, I forgot to tell you I spoke to my boss last night. He wants to meet you.”
Colton’s head rocks up. “When?”
“Tonight. The club is having an amateur night. Call it a chance to audition.” I approach Colton with my hand out. “Start over? My name’s Jeremiah Jones. People call me JJ. And you are?”
Colton shakes my hand. “Colton Roberts. People call me Colt.”
My heart sinks when he sticks with the lie. Eventually, I’ll find out whatever he’s hiding. “Nice to meet you, Colton. I’d like to take you to dinner this evening. Say around seven before we go to the club?”
“Sounds nice.” Colton picks up a pair of sweats. “If you’d like, you could join me for a run.”
“Can’t. I need to work on a song for tomorrow night’s set. I’ll see you when you come back.”
I’m starting to think letting Azaria meet Colton might be a good idea. Maybe then I’ll find out what he’s running from.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Colt
On the elevator, JJ’s words are on repeat in my head. Yes, I’m running, and I don’t need him to point it out. Blame my father or maybe the accident of my birth. It’s merely another fact of my fucked-up world.
“Hold the door!” a woman shouts, and a manicured hand slips through the shiny doors.
Before they can close, I push the button to hold the elevator for her.
“Thanks,” says a beautiful female with café-au-lait skin. As she enters the confined space, the lights brighten. She’s the quintessential image of perfection—a radiant smile, golden hair, and a body with pleasing curves.
“If you snap a picture, it’ll last longer,” she says with a hint of humor in her voice.
“Huh?”
“You’re staring.”
I shake my head and blink a few times. “I’m sorry.”
Her plump lips curl up. “Quite all right. I haven’t seen you around here before. Did you recently move in?”
“I’m staying with a friend.” Her beauty astounds me. Despite my inability to focus with her around, I’m not aroused in the least bit. And that surprises and confuses the hell out of me. I have always had an appreciation for beauty. So what’s changed?
She leans against the wall. “Who? I might know her.”
“You assume it’s a she. How do you know it’s not a he?”
“You got me there, but tell me, am I wrong in my assumption?” She lifts an eyebrow.
“Yes, you are.” Damn, I could get lost in her twinkly midnight-blue eyes, reminiscent of a starry night. Vastly different than the ocean-blue gaze I left behind. The ones I’d like to drown in. “His name is JJ.”
“Oh, Jeremiah. Everyone knows him. I’m Azaria, his best friend.” She holds her hand out.
“I’m Colt.” I take her hand in mine. If I had a friend like Azaria, I wouldn’t have to look elsewhere to satisfy my hunger. The female is exquisite. She reminds me of a succubus—captivating, powerful, and… Now my dick takes notice. Fuck!
“Pleasure to meet you.” A mischievous smile appears on her face as her eyes drop to my crotch. “Looks like we’re both headed downstairs. Are you going for a run?”
Her hand is still tangled with mine. I let go and notice the spandex leggings and the tight jacket. She’s too fucking perfect to be human. “A run. Planned on a run.” I’m blubbering like an idiot. “And you?”
“I’m definitely running.” Her gaze is still locked on me. “Join me? I’ll show you my favorite route.”
The elevator doors open on the lobby. I step to the side and let her leave first. “Please lead the way.”
Maybe this making-friends thing isn’t so difficult?
Existing as a supernatural isn’t easy. We have our challenges just like humans, but this human life is a helluva lot harder. As an incubus, I could always tell if someone had an ulterior motive. When it comes to Azaria, I can only make educated guesses—she’s too damned beautiful to be a mere woman. What is she, and what’s her game?
Azaria and I cut across Mt. Carmel Place and head toward the park. Before we enter the gates, she stops and faces me.
“What’s up?” My gaze surveys the area, looking for signs of danger.
“How did you meet JJ?”
Her question is intrusive. Why does it matter to her unless she means more to him than merely a friend? A more re
asonable explanation is Azaria is looking out for him. “I was at the bar where he performs. We talked, and he offered me his sofa.”
“Interesting.” She folds her arms over her big breasts. “JJ has a bad habit of picking up strays.”
The hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Is this woman attempting to piss me off? “I’m not a stray. JJ offered friendship, nothing more.”
