Sanctuary (New Reality Series, Book One) (2 page)

“How far?” Ethan met her gaze and she squirmed.

“I figure a few more days following the river. It’s taken longer than I expected on foot. And once I was out of the city, I avoided the roads for the most part.” She pressed her lips together in a thin line and inhaled deeply through her nose. After a moment, she shrugged one shoulder then reached forward to give the beans another quick stir. “Lucky me, the river is the best guide there.”

Ethan pulled the fish from the fire, poked the flesh with his finger, and deemed it done. He held a stick out to Grace, who shook her head.

“Aw now, none of that,” he drawled. “Eat up.”

“A little, I don’t need a lot,” she insisted, taking the offering. Once she’d peeled back the skin, blowing on her fingers periodically, she popped some of the white flaky fish in her mouth. Her eyes slid shut, and she hummed low in her throat.

Ethan fought the urge to close his own eyes at the sultry, almost sexual sound. He flicked his gaze to his partner and knew from Noah’s shifting, he was similarly affected.

“This is good.” She licked her finger and thumb. “Really good.”

Ethan followed the movement of her tongue sweeping over the digits and his cock responded accordingly. What the lovely Grace didn’t realize was, while he and Noah were together, committed to each other completely, both appreciated and were attracted to women. He glanced at Noah again and saw the slight shake of his head. He knew Noah was right—it sure as hell wasn’t the time to share that information, if ever. Grace clearly relaxed around them because they were a couple. He wasn’t about to do or say anything to ruin the evening.

Noah watched Grace enjoy the fish. He knew exactly what was on Ethan’s mind, and hoped his partner had gotten the message to keep it under wraps. It wasn’t worth complicating things, especially when they were going their separate ways in the morning.

“Where are you guys headed?” Grace asked.

“North, then west,” he said.

“Do you have family that way?” She nudged the pot of beans toward Ethan.

“Nope. We just figured the farther from the populated areas the better. Well, the once populated areas, I guess.” He shrugged. “The cities are a mess. The risk of disease is high—no one is taking care of the dead—and it’s just dangerous because of looters and anyone else looking to take advantage of what happened.”

She nodded thoughtfully then grinned. “And you chose to go north? Surely there are some rural areas in more moderate climates,” she teased.

“Oh sure, that’s just what everybody and their brother is going to be thinking. Better to go somewhere we have a chance to settle without much trouble and live a quiet life,” Ethan explained. “Besides, I’m a North Dakota boy; winter doesn’t scare me.”

“Did,” she hesitated a moment, “did you lose your family to the virus?” When neither answered immediately, she said, “I’m sorry; it’s none of my business.”

“No, it’s fine,” Noah assured her. He was just happy she was talking and comfortable around them. “I didn’t lose anyone. Well, I know people who died, of course. We all do, but my parents passed when I was in college, and I was an only child, so I didn’t really have any family lose.”

“My parents and sister got sick and survived.” Ethan said softly, and Noah took his hand, heart aching. “But they haven’t wanted anything to do with me for years now, so I’m not exactly leaving anyone behind.”

“Oh, because you’re…”

Even in the dark, Noah could see her cheeks pinken as she gestured between the men then let her hand fall to her lap.

“Yes, because I’m with a man,” Ethan confirmed.

“Surely after the flare, and the virus…” She shook her head. “Even after everything, they couldn’t accept your relationship?”

“Oh, they are firm in their beliefs. The end of the world itself couldn’t change their minds. It’s okay, sweetheart.” He sent a panicked look in Noah’s direction when tears clung to Grace’s lashes, glittering in the firelight.

She ran a hand over her eyes. “Sorry, I’m just tired. But,” she sniffed, “I’m so sorry they’re so closed minded. I would give anything to have my family back, and I definitely didn’t always agree with them.”

“Who did you lose, Grace?” Noah asked quietly. The pain in her expression was clear and affected him in a way he couldn’t quite describe. He just knew he wanted to make it better.

“My parents. My brother and his family. My little sister. Everyone who mattered.” Her voice broke and she swiped at the tears that escaped down her cheeks. She cleared her throat. “And isn’t that depressing? I was the first one to get sick, and I recovered, so when they didn’t recover, I couldn’t understand it. Why did I get better, but it took everyone?”

After a moment, she continued, “My dad held on the longest. I was so sure he’d beat it and be walking along this damned river with me. He told me I was lucky to be alive. Lucky, can you imagine? He had no clue just how bad things were getting, because lucky is the last word to describe surviving everything just to end up alone.”

Noah tossed the roasting stick into the fire and scooted close enough to rest his hand on Grace’s knee. Squeezing gently, he spoke. “I’m sure your father just wanted you to be all right. And you’re not really alone, or you won’t be much longer. The family you’re traveling to meet?” he added when she frowned at him.

“Oh, right.” She nodded. “Of course he was right. He always was. Forgive me, I was just feeling sorry for myself. I try not to do that too often,” she said with a harsh laugh. “I’m sure once I’m settled with…my family, things will begin to look a bit differently, and not so bleak.”

“When’s the last time you got a decent night’s sleep?” Ethan asked.

Grace let out a bark of laughter. “What’s that?” she joked. “I get enough.”

A wide, jaw-cracking yawn contradicted her words, and Noah chuckled.

“Why don’t you go lay down, rest? I’ll take first watch so you and Ethan can get a few solid hours in.”

“Oh.” She glanced between the two men. “I—”

“Take your things in the tent with you, including the rifle and your guard dog there,” Ethan urged.

“That’s not—” She stopped abruptly and sighed. “You need rest, too,” she said simply.

“I’m sure we’ve had more hours of sleep than you have since we had each other to take turns keeping watch. Go on. Sleep,” Noah insisted.

After a moment, she stood. “All right. But wake me in a bit so you can sleep, too. All right?”

Noah nodded once then watched as she made her way to the tent, the dog in step beside her. Once she’d ducked inside and closed the flap behind her, he looked at Ethan. His partner moved around the fire to sit beside him, and Noah wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“You should get your sleeping bag and stretch out,” he murmured against Ethan’s temple.

“I will. Once you tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.” When Noah didn’t answer, he nudged him gently. “I saw the way you were looking at her.”

“I find her attractive,” he admitted, keeping his voice low.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, and please, it’s not news. I know you well enough to know what gives you wood.” Ethan snorted.

“Then I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit.” Ethan straightened and pinned him with an intense stare. “She’s not a stray we can just take home, Noah. She doesn’t need you to fix her. She has family waiting for her.”

Grateful his lover was also keeping his volume down, Noah frowned at him. “Something’s off,” he said. “I’m not sure what, but… It’s not about fixing her, damn it.” He ached to wipe the smirk off Ethan’s mouth. “But how safe is she out here by herself?”

“She seems able to handle herself. She had that gun aimed at us in no time. The dog is one helluva alarm system, too.”

“Is that enough?” he asked insistently. “She obviously already ran into some kind of trouble. You didn’t miss that fact.”

“No, I didn’t.” Ethan traced his fingers down Noah’s cheek. “What
would
be enough?”

Noah sighed. “We’re headed in the same direction, essentially. Couldn’t we get her to her family and then go on our way?”

Ethan slid his hand around to the nape of Noah’s neck and leaned close. “Would that make you feel better? Ease your worries?”

“Yes,” Noah moved until their lips were a whisper apart. “And don’t even try to convince me you don’t have the same damn worries about her that I do.”

“We’ve known her all of two hours,” Ethan protested.

“And what does that matter?” Noah pressed a light kiss to Ethan’s mouth.

“Fine. Of course your plan is dependent on one major thing?”

Another light slide of lips. “And what is that?”

“That she agrees to it. Now, quit teasing, you bastard.” He took Noah’s mouth roughly.

Grace rolled over and sighed. Even though exhaustion weighed heavily over her, sleep eluded her. Callie already snored beside her, which gave Grace a bit of reassurance. The dog didn’t take to strangers easily. If she was sleeping when they were so close, she clearly didn’t view them as a threat. Not that Grace trusted them, by any means.

The sound of the men talking floated on the breeze, but it was hushed enough she couldn’t make out the words. Instead of wondering what they were talking about, she played the dinner conversation over in her head. Again. She couldn’t believe she broke down in front of them about her family. Hell, she didn’t even understand why she’d said anything. It had to be lack of sleep, and lack of human interaction. With only a dog to keep her company, clearly she was craving interaction that was reciprocated by something more than licks and barks.

Of course she hadn’t given them any real information. No, she’d lied through her teeth about the important things. She wasn’t stupid enough to tell two men who could easily overpower her that she was heading to her family cabin where supplies were stockpiled and could keep someone alive and fairly comfortable for some time. Oh, and that there wasn’t anyone waiting for her. At least she hoped not. It had crossed her mind that someone or someones might have come across the camp and supplies and taken full advantage of the situation. It was bad enough thinking about the lonely existence awaiting her, but if she had to fight her way into what was rightfully hers…

She tightened her jaw. Enough whining. These were the cards she’d been dealt, and she’d play them out. Just like she’d promised her father she would.

A log snapped in the fire, the sound pulling Grace from her musings. She realized the men weren’t talking anymore. Giving in to curiosity, she sat up slowly and peeked out the screened opening. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.

The men were wrapped around each other, their mouth mating passionately. Ethan shoved his hand beneath Noah’s shirt, and Noah let out a low vibrating groan. She wondered if Ethan was touching Noah’s nipples, pinching, pulling, teasing. Grace’s own nipples ached at the thought, and her clit pulsed.

Noah wrenched his mouth away and rested his forehead against Ethan’s. Their chests heaved as they caught their breath. Noah’s mouth moved as he whispered something. Then, Ethan withdrew his hands, dropped a quick kiss on Noah’s lips, and stood.

Frustration filled Grace, and she mentally chastised herself. What did she expect? For them to have sex right there for her to see? Of course they didn’t know she was watching. Surely that would horrify them and quell any desire they had.

Ethan unrolled a sleeping bag a few feet from the fire and stretched out on top of it. “Good night, you tease.”

Noah’s chuckle sounded clearly. “Night, love.”

Grace’s eyes burned as she lay back down. Something sharp and painful mixed with the disappointment she felt. It took her a moment to realize what it was. Envy.

Noah and Ethan had each other, and Grace yearned for that. Not the sexual aspect. Well, not only that. She yearned for companionship, being able to count on someone other than herself. She closed her eyes and swallowed past the lump in her throat. Since sleep clearly wasn’t going to come, she’d rest, pull herself together then go tell Noah she’d keep watch so he could sleep.

* * * *

A wet nose in her neck roused Grace from sleep.

“Okay, okay, I’m up,” she muttered, pushing Callie away.

When she opened her eyes, shock washed over her and she sat up with a start. Sunlight steamed in through the screen and washed the tent in a warm glow. She glanced at her watch as Callie danced around the small space. Eight o’clock? God, she hadn’t slept this late since… Well, she didn’t remember when.

“Okay!” she said again as the dog nudged her repeatedly.

Unzipping the flap, she couldn’t hold back the laugh that bubbled up as the dog bounded out into the crisp morning air. Grace grabbed her socks and boots and quickly put them on. Callie wasn’t the only one desperate for some relief. Once out of the tent, she turned and found Ethan sitting at the fire, cooking more fish. Which meant he’d been up for some time.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” she asked.

“Good morning to you, too,” he said cheerfully. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah,” she answered begrudgingly, looking around. “Where’s Noah?”

“Down by the river, washing up and refilling the bottles. Go take care of your business then come back and eat. Got a ton of fish this morning, and Noah found some wild blueberries.” He nodded toward the small bowl beside him.

“Okay,” she said.

Grace walked into the woods, deliberately moving away from the river to “take care of business” then returned to camp. Noah was still nowhere to be seen. She shook her head as she watched Callie beg for bits of fish from Ethan and chuckled when he gave in.

“There’ll be no living with her at meals now,” Grace warned as she sat across from the pair. “You’re spoiling her.”

Ethan lifted a brow. “I’ll ignore that since I saw you doing the same thing last night.”

She laughed and accepted the fish on a stick he offered. “Guilty.” After savoring a few bites, she found Ethan watching her intensely. “What?”

“Nothing, just thinking Noah doesn’t appreciate my cooking-over-a-fire skills as much as you do.” He winked.

“Well, to be fair, I’ve been living on mostly beans,” she pointed out. “I haven’t taken the time to fish or hunt for something fresh.”