High Heat (Hotshots 2)

“Why wouldn’t I want to take you?” Garrick frowned, but Rain’s stomach did a happy flip at how easily Garrick included him. “You’re the one who told me you don’t want to be something secret.”

In Rain’s limited past dating experience that request wasn’t always honored, but he nodded. “I don’t. I just meant if it was...easier.”

“Honestly, having you along, that would be easier. Introducing you around, that sort of small talk, it’s better than a bunch of questions about how I am and when I’ll be back and hearing endless stories about how the season is going.”

“Point taken. And I’m happy to be that kind of buffer.” And he was happy, period, to be Garrick’s date, to be someone he was so willing for people to assume he was in a relationship with. It had meant something when Garrick had asked him to go back with him at the doctor’s office. He might be deeply uncomfortable discussing his present sex life, yet he was far more secure in his pansexuality than Rain would have guessed, and it made Rain all warm, being with someone like that.

For the rest of the meal, he tried to keep that cuddly feeling close, bask in how good being with Garrick felt. It couldn’t last—nothing ever did—but while he had it, he was determined to fully enjoy it. After the food, they leisurely made their way to the store Garrick had mentioned, window-shopping along their way back to the car, ducking into a pet boutique for a new type of chew for Cookie, and collecting cupcakes for later at a bakery.

On the edge of downtown, the adult store had an unconventional, funky vibe—part lingerie, part sex toys, and part an impressive array of head shop items amid assorted Oregon kitsch in an older log-cabin-style building. The aisles were narrow, not necessarily laid out for a wheelchair to navigate, but Garrick, who had clearly been there before, managed, leading him to the cases of sex toys in the rear of the store. A curvy younger woman with cat tattoos up both arms and a trio of nose rings was working the counter and took an immediate interest in them. Or rather in Garrick’s biceps, which she couldn’t seem to stop staring at.

“We’ve got a bunch of buy two, get one sales right now. And let me know if you need anything unlocked. I’m here to help!” She smiled directly at Garrick’s pecs and ignored Rain completely.

Garrick, though, seemed oblivious to her flirting, waving her away, posture stiff like it had been in the pharmacy. “We’re fine. Just browsing.”

Once she was back behind the register, though, Garrick relaxed considerably, joking with Rain and pointing out different sexy options while Rain looked at egg-shaped vibrators that had the right frequency. He’d pick something out for himself as he’d promised, but he wanted to make sure they also purchased some things that might help Garrick.

“Hey.” Garrick crooked his finger, motioning Rain closer, so he could whisper. “You like the black thing the mannequin is wearing over there?”

“Uh-huh.” It was a sheer short robe over matching silky panties that would feel amazing on his cock, and simply admiring the outfit had his blood rushing south, more so because Garrick supported his kink. He’d had partners before who seemed to get off on Rain’s like of lingerie, but Garrick seemed to appreciate it on a more intimate level than he was used to. He shared it but also wasn’t a chaser or some other type of user just out for a walk on the wild side with no regard for Rain as a person.

“Add it to our basket. It can join your other robe at my place.” His filthy grin had Rain regretting his tight pants again.

“Okay. Sure.” He was trying to get better about the whole present thing. Maybe he had absolutely no use for a sugar daddy, but Garrick was simply trying to have a little fun, and he didn’t need Rain’s whole emo thing of making this more than what it was. It was a nice gesture, not a commitment, and Rain needed to remember not to get attached merely because Garrick enjoyed being generous. And even if the way he seemed to understand him was absolutely swoon-worthy, Rain would do well to keep his healthy sense of self-preservation.

But all the inner lectures in the world were futile when a still-grinning Garrick pulled him close when he deposited the outfit in the basket on Garrick’s lap. Fuck. Even his touch alone made Rain’s knees rather literally wobbly. Swoon-worthy indeed.

“I can’t fucking wait to see you in that. Might not even need—”

“Hush now. You can take your meds while I get changed. Deal?”

“Guess it would be a waste of a copay not to try it.” Garrick’s mouth twisted as he absently toyed with the end of a leather whip.