High Heat (Hotshots 2)

“Do that. Want you...” Summoning the last of his energy, Rain got into it, moving against Garrick as he raked his fingers down Garrick’s chest again, more deliberately now. Garrick was tense under him, even the tendons of his neck straining, and Rain couldn’t resist leaning forward for a well-placed nip.

“That’s it. Like that.” Garrick stiffened further, face somewhere between pleasure and agony, voice rough. “You... Perfect... Fuck.”

Oh, that was it. Shuddering, Garrick slowly went slack, all that tension rolling away, leaving them breathing hard together. Rain made a halfhearted attempt to swab at the come on Garrick’s chest with his underwear before he collapsed against him, head settling on Garrick’s shoulder.

“See? Closer to comatose.” He didn’t even have to fake his yawn because damn that had worn him out in the best possible way. “We did good.”

“Damn right. Fuck. I didn’t think I was going to be able to... And then it just kinda...happened.” Garrick sounded both amused and amazed.

“I’m so glad. Not that it’s...like a requirement or something, but damn, I love getting you off.” Rain pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Same.” Groaning, Garrick held him close as their breathing gradually returned to normal. “That...that was what you like?”

The vulnerability was back in his voice, an uncertainty he seldom had that hit Rain square in the chest. God, the things this man made him feel...

“Oh yeah. You are what I like. Everything about you.” And then, because that was way heavy, he had to laugh and add, “And the sex doesn’t suck either.”

“Gee. High praise. And right back at you.” Garrick smiled at him, a tenderness in his eyes Rain wasn’t sure he’d had from anyone before. “You... You’re special, Rain. I hope you know that.”

“I do now.” His voice was soft, and he had to hide his face in Garrick’s neck, not wanting to reveal quite how much those words meant to him. Garrick made him want, made him dream, things he’d thought weren’t meant to be his. All the things he’d told himself that he didn’t want, now those dreams came crashing back into him, one after another. It was almost too much, that kind of hope requiring a bravery he wasn’t sure he possessed. And he could tell himself those feelings weren’t real, that it was only good sex and friendship, but right then, all he wanted was to hold Garrick close and pretend if only for a while that this was real, that Garrick was his, and that all those impossible things were within reach.

Chapter Thirteen

“I suppose we have your neighbor to thank for today’s good mood.” Garrick’s father chuckled as he unloaded Garrick’s wheelchair and crutches from his truck. He wasn’t wrong. Garrick was in a good mood, had been for weeks now, maybe more so this morning because Rain had slept over again last night. They’d played another round of Rain’s favorite game and made popcorn and talked late into the night, like kids at a slumber party. Okay. Maybe an adults-only party, because there had been sex too, but that hadn’t been the whole focus of the evening nor was it why he’d been all smiles on the way to his PT appointment.

“Rain did a personal best in pull-ups this morning.” Because they’d had to park farther back in the lot, he settled himself in the chair with the crutches in their holder.

“In actuality or is that some sort of newfangled slang?” His dad seemed more amused by Rain’s presence than anything else. He could get a little awkward around Rain, as if he wasn’t precisely sure what to make of him and his role in Garrick’s life. The way Rain disarmed him was sort of cute as his dad was a stout pine tree normally, unflappable and confident, a natural people person and leader.

“For real. It was a good workout. We barely made it back before you showed up. Thanks for that, by the way. Rain had to get to work or he would have given me a ride. I’m off today, but he’s on brush hauling duty.”

“He sure is a helpful...friend. Almost makes your old dad expendable. Along with your friends too. I keep hearing from people that they’ve barely seen you.”

“Oh, I’m never getting rid of you.” Garrick laughed as they made their way toward the building. “And I’m seeing people tomorrow actually. Birthday party for Jacob out at Linc’s. Great chance for Rain to meet folks and for me to prove that I’m still alive and kicking and not purposefully ignoring anyone.”

“Ah. Never would have figured Linc for...” His dad shook his head. “Never mind. Hope it’s a good party. You got a present for the birthday? I got some nice belts in last week. Or I could do up a gift card.”

“Gift card is a good idea. Thanks.” His dad might be old-school Western to the core, but he was trying, and Garrick wanted to give him credit for that. He also wanted to reassure his dad more that Rain wasn’t about to shove him out of Garrick’s life, but then they had to pause to let a group of people pass through the wide double doors of the medical complex and the moment passed because his dad was clapping him on the shoulder, already moving away.