Page 2 of Silent Fire

Tomas’s chuckle settled between them, warm and intoxicating, as though it belonged there all along. “Let's just say I’m enjoying your company, cariño. Wouldn’t mind getting to know you better.”

A current raced under Noel’s skin. This was dangerous territory. The smart thing would be to politely decline and get the hell out of Dodge.

But he couldn’t deny the spark of excitement Tomas’s words ignited in his belly. The reckless part of him, the part that had grabbed the gun in the first place, wanted to explore this.

Explore Tomas.

He must’ve read the conflict on Noel’s face. He reached out, hooking a finger through Noel’s belt loop and tugging him a step closer.

“Stay,” he murmured. “Just a little longer.”

Noel secretly inhaled, the spicy scent of Tomas’s cologne filling his nose. This close, he could see the faint stubble lining the man’s strong jaw, the pulse beating in his throat. He knew he should pull away, knew he was playing with fire. But Noel had always been drawn to the flame.

“Okay,” He heard himself say. “I can stick around for a bit.” He smiled tentatively.

Tomas’s answering grin was blinding. He clapped a hand on Noel’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Great. Let me just finish up here and we can head inside. I’ll even buy you a drink.”

Noel ducked his head, feeling his cheeks warm. “Sounds good.”

As Tomas turned back to his bike, Noel released a shaky breath. What was he getting himself into? Shoving his hands into his front pockets, he scuffed the toe of his shoe against the pavement, reminding himself not to get caught up in this place.

In Tomas.

He needed to just walk away like he’d planned, but his feet wouldn’t budge. It was like Tomas was a magnet keeping Noel right there with him.

Tomas secured his saddlebag and made his way toward the tavern door.

Noel didn’t move.

One sneaker stayed planted on the pavement while the other angled toward the street where the air felt fresher, quieter, holding a silence he didn’t completely trust.

His hands fidgeted in his pockets, tightening once. Slip down the sidewalk and make a clean break while Tomas went inside. Just because the guy wanted him to stick around didn’t mean Noel had to. Freedom was just ten feet away. Away from Sin’s. Away from Tomas. Away from desires he shouldn’t want.

“Noel?” Tomas held the tavern door open, his look saying he understood Noel’s struggle.

One drink wouldn’t ruin his plans, just delay them.

Noel took a deep breath, forced a smile, and joined Tomas to enter the tavern he’d just escaped from. He headed straight for the bar, gripping the edge to steady himself. Some song with a sultry beat played.

He felt Tomas before the guy even touched him. Heat sliding in behind him, fingers hooking right back into Noel’s belt loops, breath ghosting over the back of his neck.

His heart raced, mouth suddenly dry, while resisting the urge to lean back into Tomas and feel those powerful arms around him.

“What’ll you have, florito?” Tomas murmured, lips grazing Noel’s ear.

Trust in humanity, but that’ll never happen. “Rum and Coke.”

Tomas signaled one of the bartenders. “Miguel, over here.”

A handsome guy with scars on one side of his face sauntered over to them, a bar rag slung over one shoulder. “Make it quick,” he said. “Gotta lot of people to serve.”

Miguel shot Noel a smile before turning back to Tomas.

“Rum and Coke and a shot of the devil,” Tomas replied.

Miguel nodded once and started on their drinks. Noel glanced up at Tomas. “What’s a shot of the devil?”

“A blend that’ll knock a novice flat on his ass.” His chuckle curled around Noel like wisps of smoke.

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