Free Burning Bright by A. Catherine Noon Page A

think we certainly worked up an appetite.”
    It took Sasha a time or two to stand, but he managed it. Neal handed him a black cotton robe with the Factory logo on the breast and slipped into another one himself. They made it back to Neal’s room and the top locked the door. Sasha watched as he collapsed on his back on the bed, arms out to the side and a grin on his face.
    Sasha crawled onto the mattress and curled up next to him. Neal pulled the flannel sheet over them both and started snoring the moment it settled. It sounded like a rumbling purr, a deep sound that had a very slight whistle. Sasha smirked; it sounded cute. Dinner could wait. Sasha rolled into Neal’s warm body to snuggle on his chest.

Chapter Nine
    Not the Charger!
     
    Sasha woke alone in Neal’s big bed, but the sheets bore the heat of his lover’s skin. After eating, they’d slept the rest of the night entwined, Neal curled around his body like an enormous cat with one heavy leg over him. The big man’s body radiated warmth.
    He hadn’t slept so well in ages.
    He rolled over and inhaled against the pillow, pulling the big man’s scent into his nose. Neal smelled good, musky like expensive cologne. The door opened and Neal walked in.
    “Morning, sunshine,” he greeted.
    Sasha blinked at him from his nest, his morning wood rubbing pleasantly against the sheets. “Morning.”
    “What do you want with your eggs?”
    “My what?”
    “Eggs. Usually served with toast and, for more civilized types, bacon.”
    “Bacon isn’t civilized, it’s saturated fat that hardens the arteries.”
    “Uh, ew?”
    Sasha laughed. “I like all sorts of things in my eggs.”
    “Okay. Should we put strawberries and shrimp in them?”
    “Now who’s being disgusting?” Sasha yawned. “What are my choices?”
    “Pico de gallo, cheddar or brick cheese, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, onions or garlic.”
    “How about all of the above?”
    Neal chuckled. “That’s what I told Steve. He’s making them now.”
    Sasha’s head came up and he stared at his new lover. “What?”
    “You heard me.” Neal winked and got his robe, freshly laundered, and tossed it over Sasha’s body. “Come on, get up, lazybones.”
    Sasha rolled out of bed with fewer creaky joints this morning and examined his bruised ribs in the bathroom mirror. They seemed less discolored and definitely didn’t hurt as much. He took care of business and washed up, the smells from the kitchen teasing him. He slipped into Neal’s robe and stepped into the living room right as Steve served the bacon.
    “Smells good in here,” Sasha said.
    Steve grinned. “Have some coffee, it’s on the counter.”
    “I’ll get the toast,” Carlos offered.
    “Can I get anything?” Sasha asked.
    “A chair?” Steve retorted.
    Paul walked in from the hallway and pushed the door shut. “He says he won’t come in, Boss.”
    “Dammit,” Neal muttered.
    “TJ’ll come around when he’s ready,” Carlos murmured.
    “Who’s TJ?” Sasha asked, stirring the cream into his coffee.
    A short silence met his question and then Neal sighed. “He’s one of my men, but he had a rough time after Afghanistan and has trouble with strangers.”
    “Oh.” Sasha sipped, and added more sugar. Neal and Paul exchanged a look as he turned. Sasha frowned. What was it about this TJ that had them on edge?
    “Okay, guys, sit down.” Steve brought a huge skillet over and served them each a huge helping of colorful scrambled eggs and vegetables. Carlos passed around toast and they all dug in, concentrating on eating, and a lull fell on the conversation.
    Sasha offered to help with the dishes, and he and Carlos rinsed them and filled the dishwasher. Paul stepped out to check on something downstairs and Steve went with him to collect his laundry.
    “Is this the only apartment on the top floor?” Sasha asked.
    Carlos nodded. “Yeah. Me and the guys, except Mario, share apartments on the second floor.”
    “Who’s