Consolation Prize (Forbidden Men 9)

My mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”

He would’ve said more—his lips were parting to say more—but he darted a look over my shoulder and immediately shut down. I glanced around to find Colton joining us.

My poor boy was utterly spent of all energy. I was afraid he’d pass out any second as he closed his eyes and leaned into me to rest his forehead on my shoulder. “The cop just released us,” he reported. “I want to go home now.”

He was so drained, he slurred his words. I pulled back, instantly worried. “Are you sure you’re okay? You weren’t this tired a few minutes ago.”

Opening half-lidded eyes, he mumbled, “I’m fine. I just want to go home.”

The asshole paramedic who was still standing there holding Colton’s ice pack had been the one to initially check him. I narrowed my eyes on him now. “Are you sure he doesn’t have a concussion? I mean, you checked, right?”

Or maybe he just hadn’t been all that concerned about the white guy who was dating the black girl.

When I gave him a death glare, letting him know he’d better double check my man or he was going to suffer, he sighed and pulled a pen flashlight from his front pocket.

But Colton winced and held up a hand, shaking his head. “I’m fine. Really. Just crashing after the adrenaline rush.”

His gaze turned beseechingly to me, so I nodded.

“Okay, we’ll go,” I said softly. Wrapping my arm around his waist, I sent the paramedic one last defiant glare and then led Colton away.

Once we were away from the hoopla of emergency vehicles with their flashing lights, he sighed and leaned more heavily against me. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to take you out to eat.”

“Oh, stop,” I chided. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You defended me and that kind of makes you my hero right now.”

“I don’t think he broke my nose.” He reached up to dab tenderly at the side of it. “But it hurts like a motherfucker. I’m going to down about half a bottle of painkillers when I get home.”

I looked up at him, worried anew. “Are you sure you don’t have a concussion?”

“I’m fine, baby doll.” He kissed my temple. “Just ready to go home.” Pausing, he sent me an uneasy glance. “Would I be a total dick if I went home now?”

My apartment building had just come into view and I could see where he’d parked his truck from here. My instinctive answer was to clutch him tighter and beg him to stay. I didn’t want him to leave…ever. Plus, I wanted to keep watch over him in case he really did have a concussion.

But I nodded and said, “Go home, baby. Get some sleep.”

He nodded, looking like he might fall asleep before he made it there. “I’ll see you to your door.”

But I resisted. “No. Your truck is right here. You don’t have to walk me all the way back inside and out again.”

“But—”

“Colton.” My voice was stern. “You’re in pain. Go home.”

After a reluctant sigh, he nodded and closed his eyes briefly. “I’ll text when I get home to make sure you made it safely inside.”

I smiled and rolled my eyes, but said, “Okay, thank you,” because I wanted to make sure he made it home all right, too.

We paused at his driver’s side door and he hugged me, resting his cheek on the top of my head. “I know this probably won’t make you feel any better, but I don’t think everyone is like that drunk douche or those gossipy bitches at the restaurant. Most people weren’t bothered at all by us being together.”

I sighed and stroked his arm. “I know,” I answered, but yeah, it didn’t really make me feel any better. Not tonight anyway.

“I think putting up with a couple assholes is worth it, though,” he said quietly enough that I could barely hear him. “Because this is going somewhere,” he added before pulling away and opening his door.

I lifted my head and gaped at him as he climbed into his truck and started the engine. He finally glanced at me through the window and blew me a kiss. Then he backed out of his parking spot and drove off.

Still in a daze over his admission, I walked blindly to my apartment. After I unlocked my door and went inside, I touched my lips as if he’d physically kissed me goodbye with those words and I could still feel the impact of them on my mouth.

It was more than just sex for him too.