Page 10 of Silent Fire

Noel glanced at him. “Let someone do what?”

Tomas growled a bit louder, and Noel snatched his hands back. “Good boy?”

“Not gonna say a word,” Cesar told the wolf. “Go get your bike. I’ve got food to cook for a pint-sized blackmailer.”

Something odd was going on, aside from men transforming into animals, and Noel was determined to find out what Tomas didn’t want Cesar to spill.

Chapter Three

The rumble of an approaching motorcycle made Noel’s pulse race. He turned to see Tomas pulling to the side of the road behind Cesar, now fully clothed and carrying Noel’s backpack. Thank god. Noel was relieved to see Tomas had grabbed his belongings. At least now he wouldn’t have to go back to that creepy farmhouse.

Tomas killed the engine and swung his leg over, boots crunching as he walked toward them. “Ready to head back?”

“On that?” Noel eyed the motorcycle warily. He’d been so preoccupied with Tomas’s transformation, the thought of how he would get back to Sin’s hadn’t crossed his mind.

“No.” Tomas tucked Noel’s backpack into one of his two large saddlebags. “I was thinking about letting you run beside me since you’re so fast.”

Cesar chuckled. “I’ll meet you adorable kids back at Sin’s.” He eyed Noel. “Try not to go looking for any more rare bugs. I’ll take care of that stomach as soon as you get there.” He took off before Noel could say a word. Not that he could think of anything to say.

“Never ridden on a motorcycle before?” Tomas asked, watching him closely.

“Sat on one once. Does that count?”

Tomas smirked. “Was it moving?”

“Okay, so it was one of those rides outside the grocery store and I was five. Dang thing scared me.” He pursed his lips. “I think something mechanical was wrong with it, because it jerked me around like I was riding a bull.”

Noel remembered bawling his eyes out that he wanted to get off of it, but his asshole stepdad had told him that a ride like that helped to build character. Noel had never begged to ride it again.

A slow grin spread across Tomas’s face, unaware of the dark memories that had surfaced in Noel’s mind. “Don’t worry, florito. I’m always careful when it’s someone’s first time.” He winked, voice dropping to a low, playful growl.

Sweet mercy. Even as Noel’s cheeks flushed, he rolled his eyes, trying to play it cool. Nope. He wasn’t secretly thrilled at the blatant flirting. Not one bit. Noel wasn’t flustered at the way Tomas gazed at him or the way Tomas made butterflies erupt in his stomach.

“You can’t pop wheelies, can you?” It was a childhood trauma. Sue him. Some things just stuck with a person, no matter how old they were.

“It’s way too heavy for tricks.” Tomas headed back to his motorcycle and got on. “It’s as steady as they come, florito. I promise.” He gestured to the spot behind him. “If it’ll help, I’ve got some bungee cords I can use to secure you to me.”

“Not funny.” Noel strode over to him, eyeing the gleaming chrome beast. It was big. Heavy. The kind of machine that looked like it could chew through the road and not even notice. Black seat, wide handlebars, thick tires that meant business. Even in the dark, it looked dangerous. Like if it could talk, it’d growl.

Noel puffed out his cheeks, trying to psych himself up. He could do this. This motorcycle wasn’t like the one from his past. It was safe. Tomas was safe.

Placing his hand on the leather seat, he tried to hop on, but it didn’t go smoothly. After three attempts, he gave up. “I’ll just walk.”

“Try using my shoulders.” Tomas patted his right one. “Gotta grip it tight.”

“You watched me struggle and didn’t say anything the entire time?” Noel started walking, annoyed with the whole night and in no mood for Tomas’s bullshit.

The motorcycle roared to life, disrupting the quietness, but Noel didn’t stop. Tomas rode up beside him, feet moving slowly along the road. “I’m sorry. I was being a dick.”

Without breaking stride, Noel flipped him off.

“Please, get on, florito. I promise to behave.” Tomas revved the throttle. “I can have us back at Sin’s in ten minutes.”

Noel got why Tomas was acting this way, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. “You’re still pissed at me for leaving in the first place. I don’t need this, Tomas. Not after what I just went through.” Damn it! He clenched his jaw as tears started to form. It was just because he was exhausted and hungry, not because he cared. He definitely didn’t care.

“That still doesn’t make it right,” Tomas said, reaching for Noel. “I really am sorry. I let my feelings get in the way.”

Noel stared at the extended hand, hesitating. He didn’t want to share anything about himself. Didn’t want to like Tomas. That would just complicate things when Noel eventually moved on.

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