by Megan Slayer
“You’re both right, but don’t tell me I’m not that important to the hospital that I can’t leave. I know. I can. I stopped to see Matt and stayed longer than I’d planned.” He stepped into the car with Colin. “But why didn’t Del tell me this himself? He’s got higher seniority and knows damn well I’ll listen to him.” He hated feeling so irritated. Colin hadn’t done anything wrong and neither had Del.
“He could’ve, but like I said, he thought I’d be more convincing. Plus, I needed to see you, so I offered to help him out and relay the message.” Colin shrugged. “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”
“Oh.” Now he felt sheepish. “Sorry. What did you need?”
“We’re having a party at the house. The support group, past and present members, as well as special guests are invited. Mostly, I’m trying to get rid of the tons of extra food left over from the wedding reception. I’m up to my eyeballs in cold cuts.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry. When is it? If it’s tonight, I’m booked.”
“You’ve got a date? Does Matt know?” Colin asked.
The bell dinged and the elevator opened. Aiden stepped out first, then tugged Colin over to the curving set of steps. “I’m sleeping with my blanket and pillow.” Yeah, not a hot date.
“Sounds reasonable.” Colin winked.
“Del is right. I’ve tried to do too much and it’s kicking my ass.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I can’t seem to get out of here most days. Today has been a long one, for sure.”
“Well, the party is Wednesday at six. Bring your appetite, your willingness to answer questions…and Matt.” Colin stuffed his hands into his pockets. “We’ve got a new member, Ian, and his son has lots of questions. I guess Ian’s partner left him last year and they’ve both had a hard time adjusting. Payton would probably like to know he’s not alone.”
“How old is he? I’d think Gage would’ve made friends with him.”
“He’s sixteen, and while Gage has tried, Payton’s quieter. It just doesn’t work.” Colin shrugged. “I bet Ian would like to have someone to talk to, too. He’s going back to school, working at the library full-time and trying to raise a teen. He’s about as crazy busy as you are.”
“Sounds like.” Confusion filled his brain. Was Colin trying to set him up with Ian or convince him to stick with Matt? He and Matt had only had a few conversations, but there was a spark between them. Aiden sighed. He could be reading too much into the chat. “I’m not dating Matt. It’s talking.” Not fucking, although he’d like to after Matt healed. “Besides, I’m not sure he can make it. He’ll probably be working. Matt said something about trying to get the shop open again after the shooting.”
“So soon? He was shot. Shouldn’t he be resting? They haven’t caught the shooter.” Colin’s eyes widened. “Jordan isn’t supposed to talk about it, but I can tell. He’s tense and he can’t talk on the phone in anything but a shout.”
“I’m sorry.” He tried not to laugh, but he could just see Officer Jordan Hargrove practically yelling into the receiver. “As for Matt, he’s like you—he owns his own business. If he’s closed, he’s not making the money needed to stay open.”
“True enough.” Colin rocked on his heels and nodded. “If he can’t make it, I’ll have you take him a plate. You’re not getting off easy.”
“If I’m off, then I’ll be there.” Aiden twisted his watch around his wrist. “I’m not that great of a speaker, but I’m willing to help.”
“We appreciate it.” Colin walked with Aiden out to the parking lot. “I’ll see you Wednesday. Be there.” He waved, then climbed behind the wheel of his car.
Aiden watched as Colin drove away. He shook his head and navigated through the lot to his own car. Late-day sun glittered on the hood. He trailed his fingers over the fender. Del and Colin were right. The hospital would survive if he wasn’t there. Still, he loved his job and helping people. His drive kept him working long after his shift ended. He opened the car door and plopped behind the wheel. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Annoyance crept into his brain. He didn’t want to listen to the voice mail. Truth be told, he didn’t want to do much of anything. Instead of grumbling, he tugged the phone from his pants and checked the screen.
“Restricted number,” he murmured. “Wonderful.” He tapped the icons to bring up the voice mail, then switched to the speaker setting.
“Hey, Aiden. It’s Lucky. I haven’t talked to you in forever and I missed you. Are you working?” Lucky chuckled. “You’re always working and I’m babbling. Well, hon, call me back. You’ve got my digits now. I’m waiting…and horny.”
Aiden bit back a gag and deleted the message. He wasn’t calling his ex-boyfriend back—the number had come up restricted. Lucky hadn’t been much of a charm but more like a curse. The only time he wanted Aiden’s attention was when he needed something…like all the time. Lucky craved cash, privilege and to be taken care of without giving much back in return. Aiden hadn’t been able to give Lucky what he wanted from the relationship. He hadn’t been rolling in money or the time to spend with his boyfriend, so Lucky had left. Unfortunately, he also came back every so often and, although Lucky wasn’t a catch, Aiden struggled with letting go.
Aiden drove home and, along the way, considered his options. Lucky was bad for him. Horrible. He used people and didn’t care who he hurt. The sex had been decent. But would Matt be any better? Aiden kept thinking about the tattoos and piercings on Matt’s body—his appearance could be a turn-off for some, but the modifications intrigued Aiden more than anything. Despite the fascination, he barely knew Matt. The pain thing, the quick connection and Matt’s eagerness to spend time together bothered Aiden a little. When he moved too fast, he tended to get burned. But he and Matt hadn’t fucked. They hadn’t gone on a date or even kissed. What if they didn’t connect outside the hospital situation? They’d get into the real world and his tendency to find flaws in everyone would pull him and Matt apart. Everyone had flaws and they always showed them at the worst time.
He pulled into the garage and parked the car. He needed to stop analyzing the situation with Matt and Lucky. Christ, he could barely keep his eyes open.
Aiden trudged into his townhome and stripped along the way to the master bathroom. He switched on the shower and stood nude in the room as the steam built. His brain ached and wouldn’t shut off. He thought about what Farin had said. ‘Cedarwood is for gay lovers.’ He’d met Lucky in Cedarwood and that relationship hadn’t worked out all three times they’d tried. Lucky’s neediness had been too much for him to handle. He eased into the stall and rested his head on the tiles. Water slid down his face. The spray stung and relaxed him, but the tiredness in his bones threatened to overwhelm him. He should hurry through the shower so he could crash. Instead, he scrubbed himself and took his time to wash away the stress from the hospital. He slid his hand over his dick and stroked. Most of the time he preferred solitude, but right now he wished he had someone to join him.
When he closed his eyes, he pictured Lucky with him in the shower. Being with Lucky hadn’t been awful. They’d fucked often and Lucky hadn’t minded switching roles. He opened his eyes. The only good part of his time with his ex had been in the sack. Why did he want the arguments, the pouting and the hassle back into his life? I don’t.
His erection wilted. Well, shit. Aiden ducked under the water again to rinse the soap down the drain. Instead of thinking about Lucky or even Matt, he finished the shower. He’d never get any rest if he were still upright.
Aiden turned off the water, toweled himself and wandered into his bedroom. He collapsed on the bed and buried his face in the pillow. The scent of his fabric softener comforted him. Having a soft, safe place to land was better than a gigantic paycheck. He dragged the blanket over his body and sighed as he succumbed to sleep.
* * * *
Aiden jerked awake and sat up. He scrubbed both hands over his face, then glanced over at the clock. Four in the morning. Shit. He need
ed more rest. He flopped backward onto the bed and yawned. His dick formed a tent in the sheets. Great. He had a boner from the dream. The vision in his brain wasn’t going to fuck him…but the moment he’d shared with Matt had felt real.
Sleep sounded like a good idea, but when he closed his eyes, he couldn’t nod off. Damn it. Aiden slapped the bed for his phone. Maybe if he engaged his brain, he’d be able to go back to sleep? Who am I kidding? He knew the science behind blue screens and their effect on the brain. He’d make the situation worse. Still, he left the warmth of his bed and retrieved his phone. He checked the icons. Two missed calls—one from Colin and another from a number he didn’t recognize—no voice mails, fifteen emails—all things he could deal with later. Plus notifications from his various social media sites. He swiped the reminders away. He wasn’t in the mood to be social.
Aiden abandoned his phone on the nightstand and crawled back into bed. He stared at the ceiling. He’d counted the swirls in the ceiling paint the hundred or so times he’d been desperate for sleep but couldn’t settle down enough. According to the clock on his phone, he’d nabbed seven hours of sleep. Too bad he needed more to refresh. Christ, his muscles ached and if the hospital called him in now, he’d probably lose his shit and his job, he’d been wound so tight.
He shoved the sheets out of the way and slid his hands over his dick. He closed his eyes, allowed his subconscious to take over and imagined Matt there. He might as well embrace the fantasy.
* * * *
“Stroke yourself.” Matt grinned and stretched out beside Aiden. The sheet covered Matt from the waist down. The barbells in his nipples glinted and the tattoos on his chest flexed as he propped himself up on his hand.
Aiden rested on his back and planted his feet. He wrapped his fingers around his cock and stroked. He grunted and a shiver slid down his spine. His thoughts blurred as he increased his speed. His nerve endings sizzled and fever racked his body. He gasped. “Oh fuck,” he murmured.
“That’s right. Faster. Get dirty. Come. You want to, and I want to see it.” Matt splayed his hand on Aiden’s belly. “Come for me.”
Shit. He’d never last. Not now. He gritted his teeth and palmed his balls with his free hand. His belly tightened. “Matt.” He arched his back and his stroking turned frantic. “Matt,” he said, drawing the man’s name out.
Matt rolled onto his back and tweaked his nipples. “Yeah. That’s so hot. Makes me want to climb on for a ride.” He slid his palms over his abs but didn’t move the sheet out of the way. “I want you to come apart.”
“Uh-huh.” He focused on Matt. He caressed his cock with one hand and massaged his balls with the other. A groan ripped from his lips.
“I want you to play doctor with me,” Matt said. “I’ve been bad and need the doctor to take care of me. Check my vitals, give me mouth-to-mouth and cool my fever.”
“Oh fucking fuck.” Aiden opened his eyes and stopped stroking. Cool his fever? Even in his fantasy, he couldn’t turn off his job. He closed his eyes again and resumed fucking his hand. Sweat prickled on his skin and the tingles flooded his veins once more. His movements turned frantic. He slid his hand up to his chest and pinched his nipple hard. He grunted. No holding back now.
“Fuck yeah. Come for me,” Matt said. “Do it.”
* * * *
Aiden didn’t need any more encouragement. He grunted again and the orgasm overtook him. Cum splattered all over his hand and streaked across his belly. A laugh bubbled in his throat. He settled in the sheets. Having Matt there would’ve been better. Still, he’d always said he’d rather come alone than not come at all.
God, he sounded so lame. Still, he laughed. He needed to get out more.
Aiden snagged a shirt from the floor and dried the cooling cum from his body. He tossed the article of clothing out of the way. Leaving a mess wasn’t his style, but he wanted sleep. He’d put things back in order once he woke up.
The post-orgasm slumber hit Aiden hard. He dragged the blankets over his body and nuzzled the pillow. If he wasn’t careful, he’d sleep his life away—at least the life he had while he wasn’t at the hospital. If he couldn’t be with someone, then he’d be happy on his own.
Aiden woke four hours later, refreshed and happy. Orgasms tended to help his mood. He’d prefer a good climax to nothing at all. At least he couldn’t let himself down if he was the one stroking his dick.
Once he’d gathered his bearings, he showered. Not just a rinse-off, but even shaved, too. The water stung his face and the scent of his soap kicked his senses into working order. He dressed in a T-shirt and sleep pants then, phone in hand, headed into the kitchen.
When he grabbed the box of cereal from the cupboard, he laughed. Lucky would’ve made fun of him for his penchant for having cereal in the morning instead of just coffee like other adults, as Lucky put it. Kids ate cereal. Adults had regular breakfast. He amused his coworkers at the hospital with his habit and, last Christmas, the nursing staff had bombarded him with mini boxes of cereal as snacks. He’d loved not having to buy cereal for the next six months.
He flipped the switch on his coffee maker and, while the java brewed, dumped milk into his bowl of corn flakes. His phone flashed.
Aiden eased onto one of the stools and swiped his finger across the screen. He ate and checked the icons again. He’d missed another phone call. At least it wasn’t from the hospital. He played the voice mail and continued to eat.
“Hi. It’s Matt. I wasn’t going to bother you, but I had your number. It was on the invoice. I promise I’m not stalking you.” He paused. “I’m not… Shit. I’m still figuring the whole dating thing out. Damn it. If you’re not too wigged out by me being forward, call me back. My number is 555-8026.” He paused again. “Oh shit. You’re probably wondering if I’m okay. I’m fine. I don’t need a doctor visit, but I’d like one so we can talk again. Fucking hell. I’m not good with this kind of phone call. I’ll stop talking now. Bye.”
Aiden laughed and wiped his mouth. He’d made Matt uneasy? Wouldn’t Matt be happy to know the feeling was mutual. He’d assumed Matt was more composed. The new info pleased him. He didn’t want to be the only one struggling. He twiddled with the phone and dialed Matt’s number. Eating while talking on the phone wasn’t his idea of polite, but he wanted to finish the cereal before it turned soggy. He switched to the speaker setting while the call rang. After six rings, he reached for the phone to disconnect. Matt must be busy. He’d try later.
On the seventh ring, Matt answered. “Are you still there?” he puffed.
Aiden swallowed his cereal and laughed again. “I called you. Yeah, I’m still here. I got your message. I was crashed out for—I’m not sure how long, but my phone says it’s Tuesday. How are you feeling? What’s your level of pain?”
“You can’t shut off being a doc, can you?” Matt chuckled. “I can’t not diagnose what’s wrong with an engine, so I get it.”
“Yeah, I’m not good when I’m not at work.” He gripped his spoon. Jesus, he sounded so smooth.
“To answer your questions, I’m feeling good. Sleeping helped. My body needed time to recharge. My level of pain is low. I’ve had tattoos that hurt more than this. Sure, my shoulder aches and my bruises look gnarly, but I’m still here.”
Aiden abandoned his cereal bowl, left his stool, poured himself a cup of the coffee then leaned against the counter. “Good. I’m glad. Don’t strain yourself. Trust me, if you try to do too much…you’ll do more damage.”
“Yes, Doc.” Matt laughed. “I’ve got my tablet and went to the shop this morning. Aaron and I are working well together considering.” He paused. “Doc?”
Aiden hated the nickname most of the time, but coming from Matt, he didn’t mind. “Yeah?”
“When do you go back on duty?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m on a twelve-hour shift. Six to six at night.” Just saying his schedule tired him out. And he was supposed to be at Colin’s dinner after work. He groaned.
; “I don’t know what’s making you grumpy, but I’d love to go for a walk. Would you like to go with me?”
“Yeah, I would.” He wanted a date—it would be the easiest way to find out if things between them would fall apart before it got going too fast.
“Because you want to keep an eye on me?” Matt asked.
Smart man, but not the exact reason. “I’d be lying if I said no. I mean, yes, I do, but I’d like to spend time with you.” He finished his coffee. “Give me fifteen minutes. I’ll be there.”
“I’m at the shop. Make it half an hour.”
He stopped short. “I wasn’t kidding about taking time off.”
“All I did was sit at the desk and counter. I did a lot of the paperwork and made phone calls. No lifting or straining,” Matt said. “Trust me. I’m pissing off Aaron as we speak. He says I’m too needy but not in the right way. I just want to keep my business running.”
“Men.” Aiden chuckled to mask his true emotions. He shouldn’t be annoyed, but he kept getting the feeling Aaron was more of a pain than he was worth. “I’ll probably annoy you too.” He placed the bowl and his mug in the sink, then snatched the phone from the counter and switched back to the regular setting. “I can’t turn off who I am.” He headed upstairs and kept the phone tucked between his ear and his shoulder. Being a doctor tended to be the flaw everyone else found in him because he spent so many long hours at the hospital.
“That’s expected. You’re not pissy because I don’t want to date you. You’re doing your job. I’d be angry if you didn’t check on me. You’re the one I want worrying about me.”
Aiden shrugged out of his T-shirt but paused. “Wait…what?” He had to be hearing things. Matt wanted him around? He’d said as much before, but until now, Aiden had dismissed it.
