Travis tilted his face so they could kiss. Dry lips closed over his, and Micah sighed with relief.
“I’m so sorry, Micah.” Travis held him tighter, and Micah relished in the massive embrace. Home.
“I’m okay, Travis.”
Travis tucked his face between Micah’s neck and shoulder and kissed the spot several times, then spoke softly.
“It shouldn’t have happened. I should’ve been able to protect you. I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing happened. He’s gone.”
Lifting his head, Travis searched Micah’s features. Micah tried to smile, but the lingering fear in Travis’s eyes made him ache.
“How do you feel?” Travis asked softly.
“Safe.” That one word had an immediate effect on Travis. The lines on his forehead and around his lips relaxed. Relieved, Micah continued. “He was there when you bred me. And I know it might be insignificant in reality, but it feels like he has no power over me anymore. He’s gone from my life forever.”
Travis hugged him, clutching him tightly. It was strange. Micah was the stronger one now. This huge, seemingly invincible man now curled into his arms, so starved for comfort he trembled all over. In the beginning, Micah had been dependent on Travis, but now it was Travis who clung to him.
Something important had changed between them. The dynamic of their relationship had shifted as if it were Micah’s task to protect Travis now. From what? Why was Travis hurting? What was he afraid of?
“Thank you,” Micah whispered. “You gave me my freedom back.”
No reply, just ragged breathing. Micah wanted to help, wanted to make Travis feel the same relief he felt. He wanted to ask what the matter was, but something stopped him. Not now. Later.
They lay entangled in silence, and Micah soothed Travis with gentle kisses until Travis’s hold on him loosened, and the tension in Travis’s muscles subsided. When Travis finally spoke, he sounded calm.
“The sheriff will need to speak to you, but I told him he has to wait for a couple more days.”
“Where’s Peter now?”
“Birdsview jail. Breaking and entering, kidnapping, attempted rape. He’s not getting out. They’ll transfer him to Dalton City during the week.”
What would Micah’s father say about his beloved friend’s actions? However, the outside world had to wait. Micah would deal with it later. He was still in Travis’s arms, and he had no intention of leaving his perfect refuge until he had to. Quietly he played with the dark hair on Travis’s chest. How much time did they have together? Two days? Maybe only one last heat wave? Chest aching, Micah kissed over Travis’s breastbone while Travis’s fingers weaved through his hair.
“You must be starving. You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”
When Travis said it, Micah was almost dizzy with hunger.
“Yeah. We probably need to get up.”
Yet neither of them moved. They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, and Micah closed his eyes, fantasizing about the future. Peter was gone from his life. Gone forever. The idea felt surreal, while at the same time, Micah knew it with certainty. He was his own person now, and he owed it to Travis.
Travis had claimed him—in front of Micah’s father and Peter—and he hadn’t done it to put Micah into a different cage. He’d done it so Micah could be free, and Micah would always be grateful for it.
What if they stayed together? Would Travis still treat him like a treasure, even when Micah didn’t need him to? Could Travis really love him? And was Micah ready for a relationship with a man fifteen years older than he was? Someone who’d want forever—marriage, family, a child. Micah imagined Travis as a father, and his heart throbbed. As caring and loving as Travis was, he would be a great parent. But what about Micah?
I’m nearly twenty-one. I have school to finish, a job to find. Would Travis wait for me?
Finally, Micah’s stomach growled loudly enough for Travis to drag him out of bed.
They kept touching all the time, and the sense of happiness blended with melancholy in Micah’s mind. Travis brushed kisses on his temples and forehead when they prepared lunch, and they hooked their feet under the table while they ate. It was understood, as a matter of course, that they had to stay connected at all times. Sometimes, the fear that hadn’t been there just a couple of days ago flickered in Travis’s gaze, but more often, Travis smiled at him with warmth. He held Micah’s hand when they walked the short distance from the chalet to the park border, just to stretch their legs and