Page 45 of Secret
"Yeah. We'll talk about it soon, but tonight I just want to forget. I want to act like the world is right and nothing unhappy ever happens. I just want to hold you and forget everything else."
"Then let's get you to bed. The last thing you need is to be a zombie tomorrow." Kasey stood.
Noam got up and sighed. "I have to talk to a family tomorrow and let them know the grandparents were sexually molesting the grandchildren."
Kasey's face paled.
"Sorry, you probably could have gone your whole life without hearing something like that."
"No, it's okay. Trust me. I know what goes on out there. It just surprised me you'd be the one to have to tell them."
"They'll probably know before I get to them, and I'll have counselors with me, but it's up to me to give them the details. It's my job to make a case against them, though there is a pretty good one already built." Noam thought of the file the 'Castrator' left for them with all the images and information they could need. Whoever was doing this was doing the police's job for them. They had yet to lose a case that the 'Castrator' had left them.
"I don't know how you do it," Kasey said softly.
"Some days, neither do I. I just know someone has to do it, and I'd rather it be me than some jerk who doesn't have compassion for the families." Noam linked their hands. "Enough about that tonight. I want to forget about all that and just enjoy having you in my arms." He flipped off the light and led Kasey down the dark hall to the bedroom. Once there, he turned to him. "You're sure you're okay staying?"
Kasey nodded. "There's nowhere I'd rather be."
Noam blew out a relieved breath. Things were happening fast, but like Kasey had said, who were they to fight what felt so right? "Let me get you those sweats. You can use the bathroom there." He pointed to the one connected to his room before grabbing a pair of sweats for him. "Do you need a shirt?"
"No, this is good, thanks." Kasey kissed him softly before going in to change.
Noam sat down on the bed, making sure his alarm was set on his phone before setting it on the nightstand to charge.
Casper jumped up on the bed to lay in her spot.
"Not tonight. You've got to share." Noam pet her.
The bathroom door opened, and Kasey stepped out. It was the first time he'd seen Kasey without a shirt on and the view was better than anything he could have imagined. A thick patch of blond hair covered his chest, trailing thinner down his stomach and underneath the waistband of the pants. His hips were narrow, showing off how fit he was. Noam wanted to run his hands over every inch of bare skin and memorize it.
Kasey ran his hand down his chest. "You're going to make me self-conscious."
"No, you're perfect. You take my breath away." Noam stood, closing the distance between them. "Perfect."
Kasey blushed. "Thanks."
Noam stepped back and lifted his shirt from his body, tossing it to the chair near the wall before pulling Kasey close and bringing them chest to chest. "This is what I need. I want to curl up with you and feel your skin against mine. Feel your heartbeat under my palm." He placed his hand over Kasey's heart.
"Anytime you need it, it's yours." Kasey brushed his lips over Noam's shoulder.
"Then you'd never go home. We'd never go out."
"Sounds like a perfect life to me." Kasey smiled.
"If only." Noam sighed. "As much as I want to stay like this and trace every muscle on your body with my fingertips, I need to get some sleep."
"We'll have other nights to explore." Kasey tugged him to the bed. "Wake me when you get up. I have a meeting at ten. I need to go home and shower before I go." Kasey climbed into the bed, scooting over before holding the covers up for Noam.
After turning off the lamp, Noam eased in beside Kasey, moving closer, until they were only inches apart. "I could get used to this." He brushed a kiss over Kasey's lips.
"Me too." Kasey kissed him again before turning and pressing his back to Noam's chest. "Get some sleep, Noam. We'll have plenty of nights to enjoy this. Tonight, you need your rest."
Noam sighed as he wrapped one arm around Kasey, pressing his hand to his chest. He smiled as Kasey reached up and held his hand in place. "Goodnight, Kase."
"Night, Noam."
