"Then what the hell do you want me to do?" Noah shouted. "I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. You want me to stay, yet there's a chance I can't keep you. That sounds pretty damn selfish to me, Jed."

Why did the guy have to say his name? Jed leaned his forehead into the wood of the door. "I don't know, Noah. I just don't..."

"I left because I'd rather hurt myself now than have you hurt me later."

The words were spoken softly and Jed could hear the utter despair in Noah's tone. The man was right. This was a tricky situation with no clear-cut answer. Jed wanted the man with every fiber of his being, but there was a chance he'd find his mate, and where would that leave Noah?

He was between a rock and a hard place. Jed didn't want anyone but Noah. But he knew that if his mate came along, his bear would pursue the man.

Taking a seat on the twin-size bed not ten feet from the door, Jed rested his face in his hands as a hollowness began to fill his chest. The bed dipped when Noah sat beside him. "Don't hate me, Jed. In the long run, you'll see that separating was the right thing to do, even if it hurts worse than death right now."

And it did. Jed had never felt his level of pain or anguish. It was a hundred times worse than when Morse had broken his heart. It actually felt like Jed was dying. He stopped fighting what he was feeling and reached over, grabbing Noah and pulling the man close. Jed rested his cheek on Noah's thick, dark hair and inhaled the man's scent.

Letting Noah go was going to be the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.

"We can still be friends," Noah said but Jed knew that for the lie it was. If he did find his mate, he hardly believed that Noah would smile and congratulate him. He knew that this was it. They would probably never see each other again, and if they did, it would only be in passing.

"You stay away from that trailer park," Jed said as he pressed his lips into Noah's hair. "It isn't safe for you there."

"That's kind of hard when my dad still lives there."

"Then go during daylight hours." It killed Jed to think that he wouldn't be there to protect Noah if the man was attacked again. But come hell or high water, if Noah was assaulted, Jed was going to kill the bastard who'd done it. Just because they weren't going to be together didn't mean his love for Noah would dissipate overnight.

He doubted it ever would.

And if Noah ever regained his memory of what had happened the night he'd been whipped so badly that he barely survived, Jed would be the first person there, waiting on a name.

"I guess this is it," Noah said, but he didn't pull away. Jed knew he should tell Clayton that he and Noah were fine, but he couldn't bring himself to let the man go. If he did, he'd never feel the guy's softness again.

Noah's hand slid up Jed's chest, stopping right over his heart. Jed pulled back, staring into those gorgeous pale-blue eyes. They were like sparkling diamonds, blazing with passion and wildness.

"One more time before we part?"

Noah bit his bottom lip. "We shouldn't."

Jed gave a quick nod. "You're right. We shouldn't." And then he lowered his head, breathing Noah in before their lips touched and a firestorm ignited inside of him. Jed crushed Noah to him, gripping the man's hair as he began to lower Noah to the bed.

Noah whimpered, twisting to lie on his back before pulling Jed closer as the man maneuvered around until he could wrap his legs around Jed's waist. The hunger inside of him was like nothing he'd ever felt before. He wanted to devour Noah. There was nothing slow about their movements. The two of them tore at each other until they were partially undressed.

Jed moved lower, sucking one of Noah's nipples into his mouth, licking at the man's chest while using his hands to pull Noah's pants from his body. Noah's hands tugged at Jed's hair as Jed yanked his own jeans free.

When their skin touched, it was like fireworks. Jed sighed into Noah's body, feeling as if he'd finally come home, as if this was where he was meant to be.

Noah kicked and moved until he had Jed on his back. The man sat atop him, looking like a debauched angel. Jed reached up and skimmed his knuckles down Noah's face. "I love you."

Tears sprung to Noah's eyes as his head jerked in a quick nod. "And I'll always love you, Jed."

Jed wet his fingers in his mouth before shoving them deep into Noah's ass. The man cried out as he fell forward, his hands splaying across Jed's chest. He moved his body sensually as Jed stretched him, his fingers working as their lips collided. Jed could feel the heartache in that one kiss, the pain they both felt at what they had to do.

He didn't want to let Noah go, but knew the man was right. They couldn't build a life together knowing Jed had a mate out there somewhere. That wasn't fair to Noah or the mate Jed knew nothing about. This was going to be their last time together, and Jed was going to make sure he showed Noah just how much he loved him.

Forcing himself to slow down, Jed rolled them again, placing Noah under him before he pulled away, heading into the small kitchen to find something he could use for lube. There was a tub of lard in one of the cupboards.

It would have to do.

Jed took the tub back to the bed and scooped his hand into the soft grease before lathering his cock. Noah lay there, watching him closely, as if memorizing Jed's features so the man wouldn't forget him, wouldn't forget this moment.

Lying on his back, Noah hitched his legs over his arms, spreading himself wide as Jed settled between the man's legs. He leaned down, feathering a light kiss over Noah's lips as he worked his cock into the human's body. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling, never wanting to forget what it was like to be with Noah.

When he was fully seated, Noah circled his arms around Jed's neck, pulling him close as Jed started to move, thrusting as he slid his hands under Noah's head, bringing their lips together.

It was the most bittersweet moment Jed had ever experienced. He buried his face in Noah's neck, taking in the man's scent, praying to the fates for some sort of miracle in which he could keep Noah.

He drove his cock deep before pulling his head back and wiping Noah's tears away with the pads of his thumbs. "Don't cry, baby."

"I can't help it," Noah said as his breath hitched. "I don't want to let you go."

Jed kissed each eyelid before wrapping his arms around the love of his life, holding on to the man, knowing exactly how Noah felt. He was no longer sure if he could walk away, but he knew he had to. He never wanted to hurt this man, but he would someday if he didn't garner the courage to leave Noah now.

Jed held his own tears in check as he made sweet, sweet love to the man. His movements were slow, sensual, and he made sure he touched every part of Noah, doing his own memorizing so he would never forget a single inch of the guy.

Noah threw his head back and cried out, his seed spilling between them as Jed thrust harder. His canines elongated and Jed couldn't stop himself as he bit into the man's shoulder. He held on for dear life as his body exploded and his climax tore through him.

His movements began to slow as he withdrew his teeth, lapping at the wound before kissing the mark that he'd made.

Jed hugged Noah even tighter, feeling as if he were dying in the man's arms.

Chapter Eight.

Jed walked into the office at the ranch, gathering the paperwork for the sale of Justice when the phone rang. "Triple-B."

"Jed?"

His breath left his lungs at the sound of Noah's voice. He hadn't heard it since they'd been at the cabin three months ago. Jed was finally starting to move on. Although he thought of Noah constantly, the ache had dulled somewhat. "Noah."

He couldn't think of anything else to say. His mind was trying to come up with a reason why Noah would be calling him. They had both reluctantly agreed that it was better they parted ways and never contacted each other again. It would make the healing process go more smoothly.

It had sounded like a good idea at the time, but truth be told, Jed was miserable as hell. But he wasn't going to tell Noah that. The phone call could be harmless. After all, Jed owned the only service station in town. Though Noah knew how to work on his own car, so that couldn't be the reason he was calling.

"I think we need to meet up."

Jed sighed as he took a seat, trying to bolster his resolve. "I don't think that would be a good idea, Noah."

The line was silent for a moment before Noah said, "Okay, sorry to bother you."

Before Jed could ask why Noah had called, the man hung up. He sat there for what felt like forever, staring at the desk as he remembered their day at the creek. It had been the most perfect day of his life.

Jed hung up the phone and took the paperwork outside where the new owner was waiting. "Here you go." He plastered on a smile, all the while his mind working overtime on why Noah had called.

"He looks like a fine gem," the man said as he took the manila folder from Jed. "I can't wait to start breeding him."

Jed half listened to the conversation, frustrated at not knowing what was going on with Noah. He finally took in a deep breath and then slapped the man on the shoulder. "Justice was a fine choice."

He walked back over toward the corral, pushing Noah from his mind.

Noah laid his cell phone on the counter, looking over at his dad. "He doesn't want to meet with me."

The man's jaw clenched tight as he tried to get up with his cane. Jack had suffered a stroke and Noah had moved back in to take care of his father. But that hadn't been the only reason why. It was hard to keep working at the diner and hide his pregnancy.

"I'll cut the man's balls off."

"No." Noah fidgeted where he stood, trying to find a degree of comfort on his swollen feet, pressing his hands into his father's shoulders. "To be fair, I didn't tell him why I was calling."

"Why not?" Jack asked. "He has a right to know he's gonna be a daddy."

That was true, but it wouldn't be fair to Jed that Noah was now responsible for his father. He had no right to ask the cowboy to take on that burden. The guilt ate away at Noah and he knew he had to tell Jed about the baby.

"You're right," Noah finally agreed. Just because he was having the man's child didn't mean they had to live together. Noah could stay here and take care of his father while raising the babe. Jed could come by to see his son or daughter and spend time with him or her.

He just couldn't leave the house. Not when he looked like he'd swallowed an oversized watermelon. Hell, it was bigger than that. Noah could barely move because he was so big.

Driving was out of the question. He wouldn't be able to fit behind the steering wheel and there was no way his dad could drive. An idea struck him and Noah picked his phone back up.

"Who ya callin?"

"Clayton," Noah answered. After the incident at the cabin, Clayton had given Noah his phone number and said to call if he ever needed anything. Well, he needed Jed.

"Yo, what's up?"

"Clayton, this is-"

"Just kidding. Leave a message after the tone."

Noah growled and hung up. What he had to say wasn't something he could leave on voice mail. He waddled over to the counter and grabbed the phone book, looking up the number for the Ugly Broad Saloon.

"Now who ya callin?"

Noah loved his father to pieces, but the man was chatty as hell at times. He didn't blame the guy. After living alone for so long, the man finally had someone to talk to. And Jack was making up for lost time. He'd talk about anything from the weather to the gossip around the trailer park. The man had once had an hour-long conversation about squirrels.

"I'm calling the bar that Clayton and Harland own."

"Smart thinking," his father said. "Order me some wings while you're at it. I hear they have the best in the tri-county area."

Noah's stomach grumbled at the mention of food. All he seemed to do was eat these days. The good thing about being pregnant was the fact that he could use his belly as a tray table. Maybe he would order one dozen...or four.

"Ugly Broad," Harland said when he answered the phone. He wasn't the person Noah wanted to talk to, but Harland would do.

"I'd like to order four dozen wings, honey barbeque sauce, three sides of ranch dressing, and Jedediah Gibbs."

"Noah?" Harland chuckled. "The first items I can get you. I'm not too sure about the last one."

Noah had to think. "Then can you bring me the order?"

"Not a problem. It'll be nice to catch up with you."

Boy, was the guy in for a surprise. He gave Harland his dad's address before hanging up.

Damn, he forgot to order dessert.

"Wings," his father said with glee as he smacked his lips. That was a feat considering once side of Jack's face had been affected by the stroke, but Noah smiled nonetheless.

"I get to eat three dozen of them," Noah said before bending over and grabbing the back of the couch, twisting this way and that until he was finally settled on the cushions.

Now he had to pee.

Noah groaned as he began to scoot to the edge of the couch, grabbing the coffee table and using it to lever himself into a standing position.

"Where you going?"

"Bathroom."

"But you just went ten minutes ago."

"Tell that to the baby pressing into my bladder," Noah said as he walked to the back of the trailer.

"If you ask me, you're having twins," his father called out. "Yep, there's two of them stuck in there. We just have to figure out how we're going to pry them out."

Noah cringed at the idea of twins. Not that he wouldn't love his babies, no matter how many he popped out, but taking care of one while tending to his father was going to be hard enough.

Unfortunately, these days, Noah had to sit in order to pee. He hadn't seen his dick in over a month and a half. His belly was that big. He was still worried about how he was going to give birth, but hopefully Harland would explain that to him.

After washing his hands, Noah walked back up front and struggled to sit back down. Not twenty minutes later, someone knocked on the door. He was too damn tired to get back up again. Instead, Noah grabbed the blanket on the couch and covered his belly. "Come in."

Noah had no idea how good it would be to see Harland. He grinned from ear to ear when the man stepped through the door. "My, you haven't changed a bit," Noah said.

Harland gave a low chuckle as he set the bag aside and walked over to Noah, pulling the man to his feet. Noah shouted, nearly tipping sideways at the quick launch from the couch.

Harland froze as he gaped at Noah's belly. The man stood there silently, his eyes never leaving the roundness. Finally, his gaze flickered up to Noah's face. "Does Jed know?"