Judd shrugged, loving that Colin felt comfortable enough to poke fun. “Most of the time. You saying a spreadsheet is polite?”
“Certainly better than your craptastic handwriting.”
“I was taught by lady spies. What do you expect?”
“Were you really? Cool. Well, it is practically code.”
“Exactly why I avoid computers, too easy to crack.”
“Barbarian Luddite,” said Colin, voice warm. Then he started really looking over the list. He indicated a few he too had encountered and found suspicious or had additional information on. “I think that one is on the East Coast. That one is deployed. That one is actually a stooge. She’s on mother’s publicity team or something. Could even be that stylist you notice always with her, Risa. Or possibly her manager or what have you.”
“How do you know that?”
“Just from the way the user talks about mother’s schedule. Also the way they ask questions of the group. They try too hard to keep interest going, rile up the fans. The user seems intent on making certain the algorithm stays engaged.”
Judd nodded and made notes next to each name.
They continued that way for a while, Judd happy to have Colin there, next to him, sharing his space. His own, small ginger-flavored miracle.
“You trying to distract yourself from homework?” he asked at last.
Colin nodded. “Yeah, a bit. This epistemology stuff is super dull. You wanna use my laptop for your research and keep me company in the den? More comfortable and we can spread out a bit.”
Judd jumped at the chance. Colin was basically inviting him into his territory. This was an even bigger deal than joining Judd in the office. Sure, it was a bit less private, but it was also a space that Colin felt secure in. Judd wanted him safe.
So Colin loaned Judd his laptop and they shared one of the big couches. Judd sat normally, facing the coffee table. Colin curled sideways and, greatly daring, allowed his feet close to Judd’s leg. Eventually, almost as if he didn’t realize he was doing it, Colin had wormed his sock-covered toes under Judd’s thigh. For warmth, of course.
Judd pretended not to notice. But the joy that simple touch brought him was ridiculous. Absurd how much he hungered for and savored the tiniest scraps of this beautiful man’s affection.
Finally, Judd closed the laptop. He picked up his notes to examine them closer, identify any patterns. He had about two dozen suspects. For half of those, he had real names. Three lived locally. He thought that was pretty good for a night’s work from a barbarian Luddite. He picked up the contract. He’d printed it out, because of course he had. The job started tomorrow night. He would take point because Kevin was going to hang him out to dry on this one as much as possible. Which was fair.
The pack house was quiet. Even though werewolves were instinctively nocturnal, by midnight everyone who was going to be out working was out working, and everyone else was asleep.
Judd felt nested in Colin’s cozy little world. Lights twinkled across the bay through the big windows. Otherwise, the den was surrounded by the tops of trees. They were alone with the smell of earth and ocean and pack. They sat, lit only by two low lamps as the coals in the fireplace faded to red.
Colin’s toes wiggled under Judd’s thigh. It tickled. Judd put down the contract and looked up at him. That had been intentional, designed to attract attention.
Colin’s big green eyes were regarding him, heavy lidded. Sexual, but also nervous and full of questions.
“So I was thinking,” he began, voice fractured and vulnerable, “and maybe this is a really stupid idea. And you should totally say no if it’s something you’re not into. If I’m something you’re not into. But… I do really love the way you smell. And I did like that hug up in my room a lot. So I’m wondering if you might be interested in me. Like, you know, interested in showing me, uh, stuff.”
Judd was shocked. Colin could have knocked him over with a feather, or a foot wiggle, for that matter. He was also thrilled, and honored, and skin-pricked with joy and terror at the responsibility.
Colin petered out. For once, he lacked precision in his speech. He held perfectly still. His chest barely moved with his breaths. His desperate eyes were fixed on Judd as if Judd were about to kick a puppy. Or hand Colin a puppy. One of