doubt hearing Travis’s heavy steps and smelling Micah’s cum, but the restraints held.
Travis forbade himself to acknowledge Peter in any way. He sank into the armchair in the corner where his laptop and phone lay on the coffee table. Micah barely stirred. He only sighed softly in his sleep when Travis repositioned them so Micah could rest comfortably, straddling him. He stroked Micah’s hair and dialed Sheriff Callaghan.
“Travis! What can I do for you?”
“Hi, Blake. I have an intruder in my house. I incapacitated him, tied him up with cables. He had a gun. You might find it on the lawn.”
“What? Slow down. You have a what in your house?”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. He was talking to Blake Callaghan while his swollen cock was up Micah’s ass. He had no patience for this.
“A man broke into my chalet, threatened me with a gun, and attempted to rape my partner. He’s tied up on my living room floor. Come and get him. The door is open. I’m going to bed.”
“Sure, go take a nap. We’ll make ourselves at home,” Callaghan grumbled. “Shit, Travis, you’re a national treasure.”
“Sorry, Blake. It’s just paperwork for you. I’ll buy you a keg.”
“You better.”
Eyes on Peter’s limp body, Travis waited in the living room, stroking Micah’s back comfortingly. After barely fifteen minutes, tires crunched on the gravel outside. He brought a sleeping Micah to the guest bedroom, his legs protesting on the way, his arms burning. His knees almost buckled underneath him when he reached the bed. He sat and rolled, holding Micah to his heart. He lay there with him, petting him, kissing his temples and his hair, breathing him in. When the knot receded, he disentangled himself, zipped his jeans back up, and changed his T-shirt. He covered Micah with a blanket and went to find Blake.
Tablet in hand, Blake stared at the broken chair, shaking his bald head. “You were lucky as hell, Whitehall.” He snapped a picture from another angle. “Where’s your partner? I need to have his statement.”
“Not now, Blake.”
“Travis, you’re not above the law, you know. I need to talk to him. Where’s he?”
Blake Callaghan was an omega, and Travis knew he’d be discreet and understanding. He quickly checked that they were alone—Callaghan’s deputies were outside—then leaned with his hip on the counter and looked at the sheriff.
“My partner, Micah, and Peter Cunnings were to be engaged at the insistence of Micah’s father. Micah broke it off before he met me, but Cunnings didn’t take it well. The reason he broke into my home is that Micah is in heat. He wanted to rape Micah under my nose.”
Blake blinked, and his throat bobbed. “Fuck.”
“So, you see, I can’t let you talk to Micah. He’s asleep now, and I won’t disturb him. He’ll call you in two days.”
Shaking his head, Blake gestured to Travis with his tablet. “That’s why you’re all jittery, hopping up and down. Go to him, for heaven’s sake. He’ll panic if he wakes up alone.”
“Thanks, Blake.”
“I’ll remind you of the keg.”
“Please, do.”
“Go!”
Blake waved him off. Travis nodded gratefully and swiftly left the kitchen.
He found Micah still asleep. He stripped off his clothes, climbed into bed, and wrapped his naked body around Micah.
His precious darling was safe and healthy. Peter hadn’t touched him, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t hurt Micah deeply. Holding him now, Travis was helpless, just like he’d been when he’d sat bound on the kitchen chair. He couldn’t wipe the events of the past day from Micah’s memory. He couldn’t force Micah to love him back. And he couldn’t stop Micah from leaving in a few days.
Travis had no doubts anymore. His love for Micah was real. Of course, it would outlast the heat; it grew stronger every second. It would outlast Travis himself.
Twelve
Micah
Waking up felt like stumbling around through fog. He could have been afraid, but he knew Travis was near. He belonged to Travis now. He just had to find him. Limbs heavy, he wandered around in the milky darkness. Patience. He’s here. Micah put his hand over his belly. He’s with me all the time.
He reached out and found skin. Immediately, he turned, trying to get closer to the familiar warmth and scent. He shifted, stretching to mold himself against Travis. His mate met him halfway, enfolding him in his arms until they were intertwined, naked skin on naked skin, holding on to each other.
Micah brushed his lips where he could reach, the base of Travis’s throat, under his jaw, and