Page 25 of Tempest

Cash rolled his eyes and followed him outside, Ore lingering next to the couch. As soon as the front door was shut, he muttered, “I’m not grumpy.”

“I know,” Pops said, slowly descending the porch steps. “You’re just too serious for your own good.”

Frowning, he watched as Pops used his cane to navigate the uneven ground. “I have a serious job and?—”

“No one is saying you don’t.” Pops opened the door to his sedan but turned to Cash before climbing in. “But protecting the pack can’t be your whole life.”

Cash reared back. “I’ve worked hard to become an Enforcer. I don’t want to give that up.”

Pops cupped the side of his face, his smile soft and a little sad. “I’m not suggesting you give it up. I’m suggesting there ismoreto life. Don’t miss out on something wonderful because you think you can’t have both.”

He stared at his grandfather, not sure what to say. It was no secret what—or rather,who—Pops was talking about, but he was wrong. Cash couldn’t have both. Even if Ore wanted to stay once his memories were back, that didn’t mean he’d be able to.

And then where would that leave them?

He stood on the front porch, watching until the taillights disappeared, and then took a steadying breath. It was getting late, around the time he and Ore usually headed to bed. A shiver of heat ran down his spine, and his cock twitched in his pants.

He tried not to think about what happened at night during the day. Neither of them brought it up, and he’d convinced himself that if he acted like it was normal, then it wasn’t a big deal. But he knew, without a doubt, that if he let himself think about the fact that the bed in the downstairs bedroom now smelled like both of them, then he’d be walking around with an erection all day.

The first night hadn’t been that bad. He’d figured that Ore was just scared and disoriented and needed another body nearby, so he’d let him get in bed with him. He’d still been awake when the little bird had scooted up behind him, but he hadn’t actually touched Cash. He’d been surprised that his cat had been okay with having a stranger so close to his back, but if anything, his panther had beentoopleased with the development.

The second night, he’d felt the tips of Ore’s toes and the brush of his nose, but that was it. That was the only places they touched, so he’d told himself it was fine. Maybe Ore got cold and needed the extra body heat from Cash.

He should have known the sweet little bird was just biding his time.

Last night, Ore hadn’t even bothered to wait until he thought Cash was asleep to move closer. The second he’d slid into bed and turned so he was facing the door, Ore’s small body was plastered against his back, his face smooshed between hisshoulder blades. He’d sighed like it was the best feeling in the world and passed out almost immediately.

It had taken Casha lotlonger to fall asleep.

Their weird game of snuggle chicken was bad enough, but what was worse was the fact that each morning, Cash woke up wrapped around Ore. That morning, he’d had Ore flattened on his stomach on the mattress, most of his considerably larger bulk thankfully off to the side. One of his legs had been thrown over Ore’s and one of his traitorous hands trapped under him. His fingers had been right over Ore’s delicate collarbones, and Cash just knew that if he didn’t figure out how to stop his sleep groping, he was going to wake up soon with his palm cupping Ore’s throat possessively.

Thank the goddess, he always woke first and was able to slip from the bed before Ore realized how handsy he got with him while unconscious.

He told himself they needed to stop, that Ore needed to sleep upstairs by himself, but he knew he’d never actually tell him that. Fuck, a part of him was excited to see how far Ore would push that night. Would he wrap an arm around Cash? Would he ask him to turn around?

Would Cash have the strength to say no?

Snorting, he turned to face the door, the glow from the lights inside welcoming.

If he turned over in the bed to face Ore while they were both wide-awake and his alluring floral scent spiked with citrusy arousal, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from reaching over and getting his hands all over him.

His panther was growing more frustrated by the day, demanding he take action and growling in annoyance every time Cash turned away when Ore smiled up at him. Or lightly touched his arm while they were on the couch together. Or softly thanked Cash for every tiny thing he did for him.

Goddess, those thank-yous slayed him every time.

Cash had to stop his chest from vibrating with a loud purr every time he did the most basic stuff for the little bird, his cat so pleased with them for taking care of him.

He knew what these things meant. He wasn’t an idiot, and he wasn’t oblivious, but he also knew it couldn’t mean anything. He’d dedicated his entire life to his pack, had worked hard to become an Enforcer and someone his alpha could trust.

They didn’t allow non-cats to join. That was it. End of story. So there was no reason to acknowledge the pull between them out loud. It was in both of their best interests if they never acted on the feelings because the fallout… it would be catastrophic.

There was no point. Not unless he was willing to leave everything behind and go with Ore once he remembered where he belonged and was asked—politely but firmly—to vacate their territory.

A week ago, he’d have snarled in the face of anyone who’d even jokingly suggested he’d consider giving up everything he’d ever worked for.

But now?

He couldn’t say he wasn’t at least a little tempted. As he lay in bed next to Ore, he’d let himself imagine the future they could have, the images playing in his head as Ore’s heat and scent sank under his skin and wrapped around his heart.

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