In Strange Woods - Claire Cray Page 0,15

up at the ceiling, listening to the rain drumming on the trailer and the wind howling through the trees. Out here in the middle of the woods, sheltered in this small, warm space, he finally felt like he’d pulled off an escape.

Of course, this was just a temporary blessing, a momentary delay in his stumbling around. Just pure dumb delirious luck that it turned out to be such a pleasant interlude. It wouldn’t matter in the morning. Soon enough he’d be in his car, headed back to Brooks. Soon enough he’d sink back into his waking nightmare and run for the nearest drink.

But right now…

James closed his eyes. For the first time in months, he felt safe.

Even from himself.

Chapter 6: Out of the Mud

Hunter slipped quietly into the shower and closed his eyes under the hot spray, going back over the events of last night in his mind. It had been so surreal to find James Worthington Crane walking alone on the darkest stretch of River Road, less than a couple of miles from his house, that he’d briefly, sincerely thought he was hallucinating.

What the hell was James doing in Woodstock? His vague answers were obviously bullshit, but he’d seemed so tired and wary Hunter had left it alone. Anyway, there was plenty else to be intrigued by without prying into his business. Like, well…everything about him. James was cool as hell, from his subdued style to his job to his taste in music. Sophisticated, too, with a languid, careless poise that oozed wealth and culture despite his down-to-earth attitude.

The darkness he’d sensed that night on the seafront was still there, clouding those beautiful gray eyes at seemingly random moments. But under the gloom, James was disarmingly warm and present, with a curious gaze that seemed to savor every detail of whatever caught his interest. Being the focus of his attention was downright intoxicating. Didn’t hurt that he looked like a goddamn dream, either.

Hunter sighed at the thought of James stretched out along the sofa just outside, all long limbs and silky hair and pink lips, and slid a soapy hand down to give his rapidly hardening cock a few idle strokes. Jerking off while a guest slept innocently in the next room wouldn’t be his proudest moment. But he always ran hot in the morning, and hell, he was only human. He tightened his grip and worked himself in a slow, steady rhythm, building up the tension until every beat sparked a hot bloom of pleasure.

How long since he’d been with someone? A year? Close enough. Some real estate developer visiting from California back in January had persuaded him to stop by his Port Orton hotel for a blowjob. Guy in his early fifties, clean-cut, professional—not at all his type, but fuck, he got so pent up sometimes, and it wasn’t like he was drowning in options here. If he tried to hold out for the type of guy he wanted or the kind of sex he wanted, he’d probably die celibate. What was he supposed to do? Sit around and wait for someone like James to fall in his lap?

That was the type of guy he wanted. Sexy, thoughtful, with an edge of mystery. Different. And those sultry eyes, heavy-lidded and intent…

Hunter bit his lips to stay silent as he worked his fist along his thick length, heat and urgency coiling between his hips. Last night he could have sworn he caught those goddamn eyes drifting down his body. That would be too good to be true—but what if…?

A low groan slipped out of his chest, lost in the rush of the water hitting the tiles. God, what he’d do to James. Run his hands over every sleek inch of him. Suck on his juicy lips, taste the hidden contours of his body. Find out what made him moan, tease him until he shook, until that velvety voice was whimpering his name. That was the kind of sex he wanted.

Hunter came with more force than he anticipated, his thighs shaking as he shot against the tiles. He rested his forehead on his arm, taking deep, carefully controlled breaths while his blood settled down. At least now he had a better chance of making it through the morning without a hard-on.

Jesus, that was where he was at, huh? All these years spent convincing himself he could live without it, only to devolve into a horny dumbass as soon as he got close to a beautiful man…

Once he was dressed,