Page 13 of Finding Shelter
Ledger didn’t wait for the other shoe to drop. He threwit. “Who’s Ajax?”
Kash moved his way. Ledger was almost distracted by the way his body held so much confidence—the way he moved like a predator. “General Ajax is head of the Royal Guard for Prince Noir Antonsen of the Republic of Serveno. That’s who I work for.”
“Oh.” Ledger knew he sounded as clueless as he was.
Kash sat on the hood of the car and held Ledger’s stare. “Noir lives in the U.S. as a diplomat for his country. He was sent here to be a symbol of trust, unity, and alliance with the United States. Since Noir is too far down in the line of succession to ever be king, his life is here.” Kash hesitated.
Ledger pressed. “You can always talk to me.”
Kash’s mouth lifted in one corner. “I know. That’s the problem. I can tell you anything. Sometimes not knowing is what keeps you safe.”
Ledger growled. He couldn’t stop the sound. “I don’t like you being cryptic. You act like you intend to stay here and be a part of my life. If you’re doing something that I could go to prison for, ignorant of those doings or not, I’d prefer to know. For fuck’s sake, I haven’t called the cops or told you to hit the road yet. I don’t want to be with someone who keeps secrets. Secrets ruined my whole goddamn life. You were there for it. I would rather spend the rest of my life never hearing from or seeing anyone else than fall in love with someone who lies.”
Ledger was so angry, he didn’t even know what he said anymore, nor didhe care. Since the moment he saw Kash again, everything he had suppressed and hidden away came rushing back and everything was choking him—the same as it had done back then. He had survived a terrible marriage, losing his son to fame, and watching this man—who had been his best friend, sad as that might be—vanish into the night without a word or goodbye. Ledger didn’t want to go through any more heartbreak. He was tired. “You already—”
Ledger scrubbed his hands through his hair. His frustration was frustrated. He wasn’t supposed to feel anything for Kash. It was wrong on so many levels. He didn’t want this, but he did, and what did that say about him? Ledger headed for the truck. Kash could use all thesecrets he had to find a way home. Ledger couldn’t do this.
He didn’t make it three steps before he found his back shoved against the wall.
Kash didn’t look angry. He looked downright terrifying. “Say it.”
Ledger couldn’t breathe. The harder he sucked air into his lungs, the less oxygen he got.
Kash didn’t let up. He shuffled closer, boxing Ledger in even tighter, creating a bubble only they existed in. “Say it, Ledger. Finish that thought. If you can’t say it to me, then you’re the one with secrets. I left to save you from this. Don’t lie to yourself or me and say you didn’t know it. So tell me nowor set me free.”
Ledger realized he clung tightly to Kash’s shirt. Two handfuls of the material were in his grasp like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to pull Kash closer or shove him away.
Kash managed to move an inch closer.
Ledger’s body begged to have Kash pressed against it. “You already left once, and you’re supposed to be mine.” He didn’t get a chance to regret anything. Kash’s mouth covered his. He was everywhere. They were the same size, and still somehow Kash made Ledger feel like he would always protect him. The way Kash kissed him had Ledger’s entire body lit. His kiss was all-consuming. He licked and sucked while Ledger hung on for the ride. Their bodies just fit together.
Kash’s kiss slowed and softened.
Ledger's eyes burned from the sweetness of it. There was no right or wrong in Kash’s arms. They simply existed for each other for a moment sliced from time. Tears rolled down Ledger’s cheeks. It took him a second to realize they weren’t his.
Ledger jerked his head backward.
Kash swiped his cheeks before resting his forehead against Ledger’s. “I gave up.”
Without thinking, Ledger’s hands found their way beneath Kash’s t-shirt. He had to touch bare skin. He needed the heat and flesh between his hands so he knew this wasn’t a dream. “I’m here.”
Kash reclaimed Ledger’s mouth in a sweet kiss. Their lips lingered, clinging. He felt the shiftbetween them like a physical thing. This was happening. There was no going back.
Chapter Seven
ThefirstfreemomentKash had, he called Ajax. While he had lived in Atlantic City, he had made the mistake of doing collections and making drops for the biggest drug lord on the east coast. Noir ran Atlantic City with an iron fist. Not to mention, the guy was certifiably insane. He didn’t send anyone to do his dirty work if he wanted someone dead. It was rumored he had once stabbed a man to death, leaving behind enough holesto make anyone else drop in exhaustion. People said the coroner gave up trying to count them. Noir wasn’t one to be fucked with. Ajax guarded a psychopath. What did that say about what he was capable of doing? The absolute dumbest thing he had done was leave Atlantic City as if he planned to return. He hadn’t covered his tracks and led this entire mess straight to Ledger’s door. The only defense he had was that he hadn’t expected to see Ledger and have every feeling rush back to him like he had been kept in stasis since they last saw each other. Kash hadn’t experienced more than lust for anyone since walking away from this town. There was no way he could’ve known there was a reason for that. It turned out Ledger had beenmore than a temporary, secret obsession; he had stolen Kash. He couldn’t see anyone else.
Kash sat on hold for longer than necessary. He knew Ajax did it on purpose. Kash had once flirted with the man Ajax had been head over heels in love with for years. He had not made any friends in that one.
“You’ve been dodging me.”
No hi or checking to see if Kash was actually on the line. “I’m sorry you see it that way. I spoke with Noir before leaving town. You two know where I am. That’s not dodging. My life just doesn’t revolve around you.” It was a calculated risk, feeding Ajax attitude, but he wouldn’t let Ajax think he was some weak-ass bitch he could push around.
A moment of silence lingered. Someone spoke in the background. Ajax released a loud, put-upon sigh. “You’re lucky my man likes you.”
He was lucky he had dirt on Ajax’s man. Kash was the only person who knew he had given Lucas an out card, in case he ever needed to leave Ajax.
“I like him too.” Kash ensured he poured as much sexual promise into the words as possible.
