Read Online With Caution by J. L. Langley - Free Book Online

know.”
    “There isn’t much to tell.”

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    J.L. Langley
    “According to my source there’s a lot to tell.”
    Shrugging, Remi walked off toward the kitchen. “Not really. It didn’t have anything to do with Dirk.” He opened the refrigerator, withdrew two beers and tossed one to Jake.
    Jake caught it and set it on the coffee table. “Remi.”
    Remi sprawled on the couch, propping his feet on the table.
    Jake hadn’t seen the posturing in the last two days. The smug air was back. Whatever happened, Remi had no intention of letting on that it bothered him. Jake knew damn well this was Remi’s way of keeping his friends at bay, but it pissed Jake off anyway. Maybe Remi’s distance was due to the kiss last night.
    Remi didn’t say a word.
    When Remi finally looked at him, Jake sat there, holding Remi’s gaze. Jake was not going to let Remi hide from him. Maybe it was selfish but he wanted everything, the bad and the good.
    Fidgeting a little, Remi turned away. He set the beer on the table so hard some sloshed out, and he ran his hands over his face. “Billy and I were on our way back home from the movies. We got jumped crossing a field. That’s all there was to it.”
    “By who? Did you see who attacked you?”
    “Don’t know.”
    “You didn’t know them? Or they didn’t catch them?”
    “I don’t remember. I got the shit beat out of me. All I remember is waking in the hospital, with Simon, Bobby and Chay around me. Dirk had work to do like he always did and my mom was taking care of Sterling, who had just been born.”
    Jake closed his eyes, getting his emotions under control. He couldn’t imagine not having a family to count on. Before his parents died, they’d been wonderful. They’d been strict at times, sure, but there was never a doubt they’d loved Jake and Tina. It was amazing that Remi had the relationship he did with Sterling since he certainly had nothing to compare it to.
    Opening his eyes, Jake found Remi staring at him, bottom lip held between his teeth.
    “Did your father even try to find out who did it?”
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    With Caution
    Remi shook his head. “I don’t know. Dirk never had me questioned. I was in the hospital for most of the investigation. Not that it would have mattered, I didn’t remember the attack. Still don’t.” He looked down. “I just remember…” Taking several deep breaths, he rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, keeping the tears at bay. He finally turned back to Jake and smiled. It was a sad smile, full of sorrow.
    It made Jake’s heart hurt. He wanted to haul Remi into his arms and comfort him, but he didn’t dare. Remi wasn’t telling him something and Jake needed to find out what that something was. He had a feeling it was very important. “What do you remember?”
    “Doesn’t matter. I don’t recall anything useful. I can’t even remember the movie we went to see, or why we were in the field.”
    Standing, Jake caught Remi’s arm and pulled him up. “I need you to trust me.”
    “I do trust you. I trust you so much it scares the hell outta me.” Remi’s voice was soft, awed.
    The honesty and faith went straight to Jake’s head and his cock, which had never fully softened. He stared into Remi’s beautiful eyes, watching as they shifted. “I’ve been needing to kiss you since the moment I got here.”
    Remi’s eyes widened, then he sighed and closed his eyes.
    It was all the invitation Jake needed. He never even stopped to think what he was doing. He just took what his mate offered, tugging Remi forward and slanting his mouth over Remi’s. Without wasting any time, his tongue traced the seam of Remi’s lips.
    Remi opened, kissing back. He let Jake explore his mouth, following Jake’s lead.
    Panting, he pulled away and held Jake’s gaze as he slid to the floor. Resting his head against Jake’s thigh, he closed his eyes again. “Jake.” His voice was strangled, a raspy plea. The war