by Jools Louise
Fly whimpered as he stared down at Noah, and lifted up, as though in a dream. He wore little boy shorts, in a bright green spandex that hugged his crotch lovingly. The material was damp now, and reeked of his recent climax. Noah moved him closer, so that Fly’s nether regions were in line with his mouth, and licked the damp material. Fly groaned again, lifting up onto his knees, watching avidly as Noah mouthed him contentedly.
Eyes locked together, they both pulled Fly’s shorts down, bunching them around his thighs, just enough to reveal his moist cock, smeared with cum. Groaning, Noah dipped in for a taste, and began licking his prize as though it was a lollipop. Fly’s hands gripped Noah’s shoulders, kneading them helplessly as he was pleasured.
“Hmmm, delicious,” Noah said approvingly, lifting Fly a little higher so he could sweep long, moist strokes along Fly’s genitals. “I love how you fit in my arms, and how you taste under my tongue. I could spend all day and all night, for hours and hours, sampling every inch of you.”
Fly began to rock his hips, in time with Noah’s lapping tongue, moaning wantonly. “You can sample me anytime you like, if it feels as good as this,” he said hoarsely. “Your mouth feels amazing.”
Noah gave a low chuckle, then rolled Fly’s balls around his mouth, enjoying the texture of the wrinkled sac, and the salty taste of the succulent baubles. “Is that a date, then?” he asked, holding his breath. He really wanted Fly to accept.
“That’s a hell, yes,” Fly retorted, then gasped when Noah popped off his balls and took his cock inside, swallowing it to the hilt. Working his throat muscles, Noah relaxed his gag reflex and felt Fly’s dick surge eagerly at the attention, filling quickly, surprisingly thick. The man was hung.
Staring up Fly’s body, seeing the flush of arousal on his smooth skin, Noah watched his lover come apart, crying out as a second orgasm ripped through him, and dumped a thick load of cum. Noah swallowed it greedily, bobbing his head as he continued to play. Fly’s nails clawed at his chest, raking at him in desperation.
“Too sensitive,” Fly gasped, his fangs gleaming, his eyelids fluttering, mouth agape as he panted.
With a final, erotic swipe of his tongue along the length, Noah popped Fly’s dick from his mouth, pulling his lover down for a smooch. They kissed hungrily, Noah’s hands cupping Fly’s taut ass, kneading the succulent globes like dough. He parted the man’s cheeks, his thumbs brushing the sides of Fly’s clenching rosebud, rubbing it insistently.
“Noah!” Fly groaned at the attention, biting at Noah’s lips desperately.
The bear shifter took pity, and gave a last squeeze, then tugged Fly’s sexy boy shorts back up before he flipped the man beneath him, and fucked him into the sofa. Noah was so hard, he was hurting, his dick throbbing with want. This was all about Fly, though, and besides, they both had to go to work. Noah didn’t want to be late on his first day, and Fly had some crow pie to suck up.
“I do love cream for breakfast,” Noah said audaciously, carefully putting Fly’s dick away. “But you need to get ready for work, honey.”
Fly sent him a wide-eyed look. “You are joking, right?” he said, looking shocked. “I’m a mess!”
“Then go fix yourself up,” Noah retorted unsympathetically, smacking his ass. “And quit fishing for compliments. You know you’re sexy as fuck. Which is why I’m not going to continue this interlude and fuck your gorgeous ass right now. I have a job, too, you know.”
“Yes, at the new burger place at the mall,” Fly said, frowning a little. “Will you be okay there? With your sore leg?”
Noah snorted, and lifted Fly up and off him, then got up, as well. “Fly, honey, I’m manning the cash register at a fast food restaurant,” he said dryly. “How bad can it be? I’m not trained for much else, and it’s a job. I need to work.”
“Well, I’m at the mall, too, so don’t you let anyone bully you,” Fly replied with a return of his usual sass. “If anyone makes fun of you, I’ll deal with them.”
“Yeah, because confronting a six foot four inch, three hundred pound bear shifter is bound to encourage people to laugh hysterically,” Noah shot back, feeling his erection deflate as his sense of humor kicked in.
Fly sent him a wry look. “Noah, honey, have you seen the uniform?”
Noah grinned back. “I love yellow,” he said, laughing.
Fly rolled his eyes, shook his head, and then headed to the bathroom, muttering about self-respect. Noah just laughed at him. The man was a walking fashion plate, after all, and bound to be offended by Noah’s indifference…Noah was just grateful to be working after so long.
Chapter Two
Fly walked to the mall, his senses totally attuned to the man striding beside him, enjoying the early morning quiet as they strolled through Sage, Wyoming. He was still reeling from their morning’s activities, and could barely keep the grin off his face. He did, though, because looking like a doofus was not his style…he was a style queen, not a clown. Grinning like an idiot didn’t really work for him…but he really wanted to smile. That had been the best blow job, like, ever.
“Something you need to share?” Noah asked with a wicked twinkle in his gorgeous brown eyes.
“With a yellow chicken? No thanks,” Fly drawled with a smirk, curling his lip.
“Hey!” Noah protested. “I do not look like a chicken. This is a vibrant and happy kind of uniform.”
Fly merely gave him a once-over, taking in the dark brown trousers, bright yellow button down shirt, and the little apron which had a flock of chickens decorating it. “No, sweetie, because even a chicken would have refused to wear that monstrosity.”
Noah gave a low chuckle and wrapped a big arm around Fly’s waist, then nuzzled his neck, causing Fly to squeal loudly at the public display of affection. “Darlin’, just think, you can unwrap this gorgeous package later on, if you like, as a reward for being seen in public with me.”
Fly regained his composure, and flicked Noah away briskly. “With all that grease coating your skin? I may just pass, thanks.” Not that he would refuse, but they were in the street, for goodness sake. People were watching.
Noah rolled his eyes as they neared the mall entrance and made their way around to the employees’ door. Outside, waiting patiently, were Noah’s new employers, two wolverine shifters called Shark and Oliver. The pair had been rescued at the same time as him and Fly, and had decided to stay in Sage. Their absolute favorite food was fried chicken, and they’d decided to build a new outlet, selling variations of the product, including burgers. Noah figured it was as good a venture as any, and he was happy to work for them. The guys had been pretty cool, and were a far cry from the usual variety of wolverine that Noah had met on his travels. He and his friends, Axel, Clifton, Louis, Doyle, and Nate, had run into a few, and none had been particularly friendly. Noah loved the Spirit Ink guys, Slug, Lash, Rage, and Charm, though. They were sarcastic and great fun to be around, wearing their laconic sense of humor like armor to hide the caring side they displayed around their mate, Ethan. Noah enjoyed their company. His employers idolized the four tattoo artists. Noah felt kind of sorry for the pair, who seemed to have found very little affection from their own families.
“Hey, Noah,” Shark said cheerfully, smiling at Fly.
“Hey, Shark, Oliver,” Noah replied as he reached the duo.
“That looks great,” Oliver said, clapping his hands as he viewed Noah’s attire. Fly snorted and rolled his eyes.
“Fly, honey, this is a fast food restaurant, we’re not planning on heading up London Fashion Week,” Shark said with a fair amount of attitude. Fly snorted again, but refrained from comment.
“We’re so excited,” Oliver said, his face glowing, ignoring Fly’s reaction. “This is our first day, and we’re hoping it goes well. Thanks for deciding to work for us. People have been a little lairy, given that we’re wolverines.”
“Has someone been mean to you?” Fly asked, sounding horrified and ready to do battle, ditching his attitude in a he
artbeat.
Shark shrugged. “We were kind of expecting it, given our clan’s associations with the criminal element…the ones who have hurt this town. Even though it’s a distant connection to those people, guilt by association still gives people an excuse to stay away.”
“You tell me who’s been mean and I’ll…” Fly began, then stopped, scowling as he searched for something to say.
“Don’t sweat it, Fly,” Oliver said, patting Fly’s arm gently. “We’re used to it.”
Noah frowned then, hearing the resignation in Oliver’s voice. “You shouldn’t have to be used to it.” He heard footsteps approaching and saw Cracker and one his mates, Douglas approaching. They ran the sweet shop in the mall. The two wolverines looked nervous as the others walked up, eyeing Cracker with genuine fear in their eyes.
“Hey guys,” Cracker said warmly, apparently not seeing the wolverines’ reaction, and acting as though they were friends. “Opening day, isn’t it?” he said. “If you need help, just holler. Douglas and I are looking forward to trying the merchandise. We love fried chicken, don’t we, Douglas?”
Douglas nodded, his sightless eyes shielded by dark glasses. “Do you need help with anything?” he asked the wolverines, tilting his head a little. “If you get any hassle, just let us know. Most people in town are okay, but there are a few douches knocking about, who don’t always listen. We’d be happy to take them out with the trash if you need us to.”
Noah frowned, watching Shark and Oliver carefully. They looked nervous still, exchanging looks. “I’ll be happy to deal with any trouble,” he said quietly. “Guilty by association is just the kind of bullshit that idiots thrive on to cause trouble. If I hear anyone giving you a hard time, I’ll throw them out myself.”
“Yeah, and I’ll claw their faces off,” Fly added valiantly, clenching his fuchsia tipped hands fiercely.
Shark and Oliver smiled at that. “Fly, honey, we’ll pay good money to watch that.” Oliver giggled, his hazel eyes twinkling merrily. “With Noah working there, though, we should be fine.”
“I only work part time, though,” Noah said, feeling concerned. “I can stick around, if you like.”
They exchanged glances again. Shark shook his head, and looked determinedly resolute. “Not necessary,” he said airily. “I’m sure we’ll manage. Now let’s go inside so we can get set up. There’s lots to be done.”
Noah followed them inside as they keyed in the code for access, and entered through the heavy security door. He was not going to be going home early today. He would hang around after his shift, just in case trouble started. He’d do more than claw at someone if people got hurt. Those wolverines had been through hell, as had he and Fly, and a bunch of others. It wasn’t fair that people were treating them like pariahs because of an accident of birth. Fucking douche bags of Sage better watch out. Behind the wolverines’ backs, he palmed his phone and texted his friends. If anyone could help, it was those guys.
* * * *
Fly left Noah reluctantly, wanting to follow him, rather than head to the salon and spa. He saw Kaden just opening up for the first client. It was just before eight o’clock, and Kaden had a customer already.
“Hey there, Fly, you okay?” Kaden called, his blond hair tied back today in a sleek ponytail, his jaw wearing a light coating of chin fuzz and a smile.
“Er, I just wanted to say sorry for yesterday,” Fly said as he walked up, trying not to scuff his feet.
Kaden’s eyes widened in surprise, then his face softened. “Fly, you apologized to the lady,” he said. “She came back later, after you left, and told us that she didn’t mean to get so upset. She knew you weren’t being intentionally mean, just honest.”
Fly blinked at that, and studied Kaden’s face. “She said that?” he asked, trying to recall the customer’s reaction. The lady was a regular, a woman related to one of the new teachers at the high school.
“She said that she’d be back today, for a full massage,” Kaden added, opening the door to the salon. “So get your station set up, she’ll be in at ten. Oh, and you have three other bookings…the first is in an hour. Mud mask and some kind of face peel thing…it’s on the pad, and a facial with eyebrow and beard trim.”
“I still have a job?” Fly asked, hearing the tremor in his voice.
Kaden smiled again. “Of course you do. We need you. You’re part of this place, whether you like it or not. Wouldn’t be the same without our sassy massage queen.”
“You and Alfie weren’t happy by what I said, though,” Fly said, fixing Kaden with a sharp look.
“No, we weren’t,” Kaden replied honestly, and Fly flinched a little at the man’s bluntness. “You overdid the critique, and upset a client,” Kaden added. “This place has been going for only three years, but we have a steady clientele. I’d like to hire more people, offer courses, like we discussed at the start. I’m not ever going to be happy with you for saying something that forces a customer to leave in tears.” He returned Fly’s stare unflinchingly. “I am happy that you apologized to her, though, which is why you aren’t fired.”
Fly flinched again, and ducked his head, gazing at his pumps, which were a bright golden hue, decorated with stars. They matched his jacket, which he wore over his professional uniform of black cut-offs and a white tunic top with short sleeves. “I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “I don’t usually take out my bad moods on clients. It won’t happen again.”
“I know,” Kaden replied, as though that was a given. “Now why don’t you tell me what’s got your tighty-whities in a wad while we get set up?”
Fly froze, and looked up into Kaden’s amused hazel eyes, which dared him to react to the comment about underwear. He wouldn’t even go near such a fashion nightmare. “Why don’t I get coffee, then we’ll discuss,” Fly said regally, tilting his head in a queenly fashion, then brushing past his boss, who was chuckling softly. He turned his head, meeting Kaden’s gaze again. “For your information, I usually go commando. Tighty whities are so macho, don’t you think?” He gave the big lion shifter one of his killer up-and-downers, then disappeared through the salon, to the kitchen to brew up, Kaden’s laughter following him. He smiled, then laughed, as well, as soon as he was out of sight. It looked as though he still had a job, and they were back to normal. He just had Alfie to contend with now…and Mrs. Simpson. He wasn’t sure which made him more terrified.
* * * *
Noah helped get the grills and fryers fired up, had a quick lesson on the cash register, and then spent the next half hour helping his new bosses get prepped. The grand opening for the little restaurant was at ten-thirty, right in time for the early lunch-late breakfast crowd, and he was looking forward to the day. Watching carefully, Noah learned about the two dozen options that were on the menu. That was just the burgers and flame-grilled options. There were desserts, too, plus drinks. Noah had his eye on the chocolate brownies, made by John Hastings at Café Anglais, plus some really delicious looking iced confections supplies by the ice-cream parlor a level below. Sales of these should be popular, giving extra money to both the café and parlor. The cash register was fairly simple, just hit the picture, then a couple more icons on the touch-sensitive screen, and presto!
The restaurant was festooned with balloons, and banners proclaiming the opening times, with some first-day special offers displayed in the large floor to ceiling windows at the front. The scents of food cooking began to permeate, and Noah inhaled hungrily, drooling.
“Here, Noah, why don’t you try this one, our signature burger,” Shark called, and Noah went to join the duo, who had been experimenting with the cookers while Noah played with the till.
On a plate, piled high, was a double-decker chicken burger. Two pieces of chicken, one grilled, and one fried in a special coating, sat on a hoagie. There were two types of sauce, salad vegetables, and the bun had been lightly toasted. Accompanying it was a large mound of curly fries, a side of coleslaw, another side of mini corn cobs, and yet another side
of a spicy dipping sauce. Noah’s mouth watered.
“Tuck in, let us know what you think,” Oliver urged excitedly.
Obligingly, Noah did as asked, and picked up the huge burger, taking a bite, and then closed his eyes in bliss as the flavors burst on his tongue. He demolished the meal in short order, then glanced up, flushing slightly, to see his bosses watching him, grinning widely.
“That was excellent,” Noah said, smiling as he wiped his mouth on a napkin, then rubbed his belly. “Best burger I’ve eaten in a long while.”
Shark and Oliver looked even more ecstatic. “Do you think you could pass the word?” Oliver asked. “Then maybe we’ll be likely to smash our opening day.” He shrugged. “I’m not so sure we’ll have any customers.
Noah eyed the pair. “Dudes, there’s no way you won’t get people coming here. It’s the only place like it, since we refused a couple of the larger, global franchises that wanted a stake hold in town, so I reckon you’re worrying over nothing.”
“You haven’t heard the things people have been saying,” Shark said dryly.
Noah frowned. “Like what?”
“There’s been talk that we’re involved with Flashpoint. That we helped Ghost set those explosives three years ago, when the first Two Spirit Tournament was on. Apparently, Shark and I, and our friends who were trapped at that mine with you in Colorado, are spies for the terror group.” Oliver shared a grim look with his partner.
“Are you?” Noah asked, seeing shocked expressions on both their faces.
“No!” they replied simultaneously, obviously horrified.
“Then perhaps the ones who are spreading those rumors are doing it for a reason,” Noah said. “What’s the best way to distract attention from what you’re doing? Deflect it onto someone else.”
They stared at him for a few seconds, then Shark nodded slowly. “Yeah, that would sound about right. We tried to find out who started all the talk. It only started fairly recently, when we announced we had leased this unit for the restaurant. Nobody seemed to have any concerns about us being here, but then all of a sudden, we were getting snubbed all over town, and people were making snide comments about us.”
