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Chapter Seven

  “We should talk.” Garrick uttered Rain’s three least favorite words as he held up a hand, effectively making Rain sag back into the hot tub seat opposite him.

  “We don’t have to talk,” Rain countered, not wanting to hear some big proclamation that they couldn’t do that again. “That can just be...a fun commercial break so to speak. No need to make a big deal out of it or you to go all guilt stricken over it.”

  “I’m not. I like sex, and it’s not something I make a habit of feeling bad about as long as you feel good about what happened.”

  “Me? I’m fantastic.” Rain made himself grin even as he still didn’t like Garrick’s serious face. “If you’re not feeling terribly guilty, then what would be so wrong with a little harmless making out next? Let me make you feel as good as you made me feel.”

  “I don’t... Fuck, this is hard. Maybe you’re right. We don’t need to talk about it. That was hot as fuck. Thank you for letting me see that.” Garrick sounded oddly stiff and formal, thanking Rain for the single sexiest experience he’d had.

  “Feels like I should be thanking you, what with your sexy-ass voice. I love it when you get all growly and commanding. And I’m totally down for letting you watch again sometime. Anytime you want.”

  “Rain...” In all the different ways Garrick had for saying Rain’s name, this one was the most pained, like he wanted to say more and couldn’t. Fuck. Maybe they did need to talk.

  “Maybe I should be the one feeling guilty. I kinda...came on strong. Did I steamroller you into something you’re...not ready for? Not like a guilt thing but something else?”

  “God, the last thing I want is you feeling guilty. No. You didn’t take advantage of me. I loved it.”

  “Good. But I sense a but there...”

  “I...ah...haven’t been with anyone in a long time. Since before the accident.” Garrick looked over Rain’s head at the patio lights, cheeks going pink even as he avoided eye contact.

  “I see. And you think it matters to me? Your injuries? Because it really doesn’t. You’re sexy as hell, exactly as you are.”

  “It matters to me,” Garrick ground out, and Rain couldn’t tell whether he was more frustrated with Rain for pressing or with himself. “I can’t... A lot of things I could do before... I can’t now. And most of the time I’m okay with that. But sometimes it fucking sucks, especially when I don’t even know all my limitations, can’t predict what will work and what won’t.”

  “Ah.” Rain finally got enough subtext from all Garrick’s dancing around the issue to have a better idea what they were talking about. “The neurological part of your injuries...it’s affected your cock in some way? Fuck. Now I feel like we should have talked more first, if you couldn’t enjoy it.”

  Garrick made a frustrated sound. “I told you. I loved it. I enjoyed every moment of watching you, I mean that. And as for the spinal injury’s effects, it’s...weird. Like I got super turned-on watching you, and my cock got hard at a couple of points, but I just know from...uh...playing on my own that it doesn’t always stay that way. Or...cross the finish line every time, if you get what I mean.”

  “What does your doctor say? Like the meds they have for that, they don’t work on your sort of injuries?”

  Garrick mumbled something unintelligible while studying the bubbling water. “Haven’t asked. No clue on meds.”

  “Okaaaay.” Rain drew out the word, because if it were him, he’d be calling the doctor right away at the first sign of difficulty. But maybe that wasn’t fair—it was a personal issue, and he got where a big, tough guy like Garrick might be embarrassed admitting to a problem. “So, that’s where you start.”

  “You make that sound so easy. ‘Hey, Doc, about my dick...’” Garrick made a dismissive hand gesture, sending droplets of water Rain’s direction.

  “Actually, exactly like that. You think you’re the first guy with a misbehaving dick? I’m sure they’ve heard it before.”

  “Not from me.”

  “You could message your doctor if you don’t want to bring it up face-to-face? Like that’s how I handle getting tested on the regular—I just use the scheduling app and never actually talk to a person. I go in, get the blood drawn, and the results show up online.”

  “That’s actually not a bad idea. My neurologist’s office does have one of those apps. I just... I fucking hate the idea of needing...help getting it up.” He made another frustrated gesture, this time sending water Cookie’s direction and making her bark before settling back down. “Sorry, Cookie. And sorry to you too. You’re sexy as hell and the last thing you need is a guy with a...how did you put it? Misbehaving cock. The old me would have had a hard time not shooting, watching your little show.”

  “The you right now is pretty darn awesome,” Rain said firmly. “And you said you felt good? You enjoyed it, right? I mean, I’m sure an orgasm would be great too, but if I made you feel pleasurable things, that’s cool. And it’s a start.”

  “But you see now why we can’t do that again. A repeat would be a bad idea.”

  “Nope, don’t see that at all.”

  “I can’t guarantee I could get off no matter what we tried. At the risk of TMI—”

  “Please. Give me all your TMI.” Rain scooted close enough to bump shoulders with Garrick. “Seriously, dude, I’m not put off by this, and the more information you give us to work with the better.”

  “Ah. Okay. Well, it’s...unpredictable. Sometimes it works fine. Others, not so much, and it’s not a matter of a tighter grip or sexier porn or heated lube—all things I’ve tried, mind you. Or like toys versus no toys. That sort of thing.”

  “You’ve experimented. That’s good. You can report all that to the doctor.”

  Garrick made a gulping sound. “I might need to get out of the tub before I drown one of us accidentally. And trust me, after you help wrestle me out of the tub, you’re not going to want any more sex talk anyway.”

  “Okay. Let’s get you out. But not before...”

  “Before what?” Garrick asked, turning toward Rain, giving him the perfect opportunity to ghost his lips over Garrick’s. Not a deep kiss or even a particularly sexy one, but a kiss nonetheless, one that left a lingering impression of Garrick’s soft, wide mouth, stubbly cheeks and surprised intake of air.

  “That. Because I’m not done with the sex talk. Or you.”

  “Tell me that when you’re all cold from the night air.” Adorable blush sweeping across his cheeks, Garrick rubbed his mouth like he was trying to believe Rain had actually kissed him.

  “I saw the fireplace in your room. I’ll wear my new sexy-ass robe, and you’ll warm me up, and we’ll keep talking. Now enough excuses.”

  “Okay, okay.” Garrick explained how to position himself to best help, and working together, they got Garrick dry, into his robe, and back on his crutches, limbs wobblier after the long soak.

  Rain grabbed a towel to dry himself enough for the robe to not stick to his damp skin.

  “Fuck.” Garrick took a fast seat on the lounger next to Cookie. “Damn it. Hadn’t thought about the water turning my legs to soggy breadsticks. Might need the chair.”

  “Coming right up. And I’m gonna flip that fireplace on when I dash in.”

  “I can’t decide whether you’re damn determined to get in my bed or simply cold,” Garrick said once Rain produced the chair, and they made their way across the patio to the double doors to Garrick’s room.

  “Can’t both be true?” Finally drier but still cold, Rain slipped the satiny robe on and stood near the fireplace. Cookie gave him a snort and went and hopped up on the big bed.

  “Hey! What about her bed?” Rain pointed at the almost-pristine princess bed in the corner.

  “She likes it. Promise. And she sleeps there some. But somehow she decided her place is the other side of the bed.” Garrick shrugged
as he transferred to the bed.

  “You’re too nice.”

  “As evidenced by the fact that I’m not sending you home like I should.” Garrick groaned as he stretched his legs out in front of him. “Cookie, go lay down. Rain wants your spot.” Shooing the dog off the bed, Garrick patted the place she’d vacated. “This isn’t like a...seduction. Swear I’ve got better game than this, but if you were serious about wanting warmed up, you can come over here under the covers. I might even manage some of that talking you’re so keen on.”

  See, this was what Rain really liked about Garrick. He never stayed truly grumpy all that long, and he had a generous nature.

  “I don’t think you’re trying to seduce me. Your bedding on the other hand...” He dove under the covers to come up near Garrick, buried under a pile of downy blankets and comforters. “Forget you, I’m going to make out with my new robe and these sheets. Damn. Which ex was into the high thread counts? I want to thank them.”

  “You’re such a hedonist.” Garrick gave him a fond pat on top of the covers. “And my sister got me new sheets that fit this bed—the base is split adjustable so it took different sheets than my old setup. She said she wanted to spoil me.”

  “Damn. Write that woman a thank-you letter.” Rain whistled low as he made a show out of getting comfortable. “You can do it after you email the doctor.”

  “I guess I kind of need to, don’t I?”

  “Yup.” Rain flopped his head onto Garrick’s shoulder. “Even if it’s not for me. Dude, it’s clear that you loved sex prior to the accident. Don’t give it up if you don’t have to. If it’s as easy as some pill or maybe a gadget...”

  Garrick started coughing. “Not sure about gadgets.”

  “Hey, you said you owned toys. It would just be one more thing to play with. I’m sure you could find some way to still be all bossy and badass while ordering me to use it on you...” Giving a shaky laugh, he shifted against the sheets. “And okay, now I’m all turned on again. Which was not my intent. But damn. Anyway, yeah. My dick is making the point for me—any of that can be sexy if it means we get to get off together.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll message the doctor tomorrow. But uh...” Garrick made an awkward gesture between them. “Us dating or whatever is probably still not the best—”

  “Or whatever.” Rain cut him off before he could go too far down that unhappy trail. “We’re friends. Friends who work out together. And friends who are going to figure out how to get off together. Because that would be fun. And maybe if you’re really nice to me, the sort of friend who gets to see more of my underwear collection. And oh, feel free to order me to jerk off again sometime. That was fucking hot.”

  He was intensely aware of wearing nothing under the silky robe, memories bombarding him.

  “God. Keep talking like that and my nerve endings might spontaneously decide to cooperate. You’re something else, you know that?”

  “Too much?” Rain asked carefully. He’d been told that a lot over the years—too loud, too colorful, too femme, too silly, too fun.

  “Just right.” Garrick pulled him close enough to kiss his head. But when Rain cuddled closer, intending to kiss his mouth again, Garrick gently pulled back. “Not that I don’t want to kiss you. I do. God, I do. But I don’t want my mouth writing checks my body can’t cash and frustrating us both.”

  “Sex isn’t just orgasm count for me. Sometimes kissing and not getting off is fine by me. Ignore my hard-on and give me a good-night kiss. Please?”

  “Good-night? You’re going?”

  “My grandma will probably be home soon.” That and Rain didn’t want to overstay his welcome. This had already been a damn near perfect evening, and he could tell Garrick was tired, like actually physically worn out, not just tired of the talking. There would be time enough for Rain to show Garrick that not all make-out sessions required orgasms for either of them. “I don’t want to stay out all night and worry her, not without telling her—”

  “Fuck. Somehow I forgot about Shirley. She’s going to kill me for fooling around with you—”

  “No, she won’t. And I’m not planning to sneak around. She knows we’re friends and thinks it’s great. Now exactly what type of friend, that’s between us, but I’m not really into being some dirty secret. Been there, got the T-shirt, not going to go there again.”

  “Fair enough.” Garrick scrubbed at his hair. “I’m not planning on hiding anything either. I don’t ever want to make you feel bad, Rain. I mean that.”

  “Appreciate that.” This time when Rain leaned in to kiss him, Garrick let him, and it was a sweet, sweet kiss that felt like the cementing of a deal. At first it was Rain kissing Garrick, a soft press of their mouths together, but then Garrick groaned and deepened the kiss, nipping at Rain’s mouth until he let him in, tongue making Rain’s toes literally curl against the impossibly soft sheets. They kissed long moments until they were both breathing hard when Garrick released him.

  “Oh, damn. I’m supposed to get dressed after that?” Rain both groaned and laughed as he hefted himself out of the bed, determined to keep his promise even if he wanted more of what Garrick had on offer, like years and years more kisses like that, yes please.

  “Don’t strangle your dick.” Laughing like a teenager, Garrick flopped back against his pillows. “Rain?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m glad we’re friends. Lock up when you leave?” Garrick yawned.

  “I’m glad too. And I will.”

  And as he locked up and left, Rain’s cock might have been aching for another round or seven, but his heart and footsteps were light. He couldn’t help but hope this was indeed the start of a great friendship, and that he could convince Garrick more naked time was exactly what they both needed.

  * * *

  Garrick almost spit water across the break room when he glanced at his phone’s newest text message.

  How’d it go at the dick doctor? :) :)

  Rain’s text was about as unsubtle and direct as the rest of him, and it made Garrick laugh out loud to the empty room, which was undoubtedly Rain’s intent. He’d been doing a lot more of that since Rain came into his life, laughing and feeling light and hopeful, and he loved it. He was, however, glad he was alone in here for the message and not at his desk out in the main office. So far it was day three on the new job. His had been the fastest government hire Garrick had heard of—application last Wednesday, a day after talking to Fred, and here it was, the following Thursday. Most of what they had him doing right now was all the new hire paperwork and required trainings and reading of manuals, so he was understandably taking his time on this break, eating his snack and composing a fast response to Rain about his neurologist appointment that morning.

  Neurologist is referring me to a urologist—an actual dick doctor, fucker. I’ll tell you more when you come over tonight. Are you eating with Shirley? If not, I saw a recipe using lentils as taco filling we could try.

  They’d been eating together some nights, and Garrick found he looked forward to seeing Rain more each day. He’d seen the recipe in a cooking magazine in the doctor’s office and taken a picture of it, and simply thinking of Rain had made him relax, temporarily forget the reason for the appointment. Because of damn course it hadn’t been as easy as a single email, and his doctor had wanted to see him in the office. Which had meant a lot of talking to the posters of spines and nerves in the exam room, avoiding looking directly at his doctor, a matronly neurologist who made him feel like he was trying to discuss his sex life with his mom.

  But thinking about Rain had helped. They’d had a few more kisses in the past week, each sweeter than the last, and simply hanging out reminded Garrick why he needed to have the talk with his doctor. Not that Rain pushed or even teased that much, letting Garrick have space to sort out the whole doctor thing, but he was so damn sexy and fun, even when he wasn’t trying t
hat hard to be. They’d moved their workouts to earlier to accommodate Garrick’s new schedule, and even bleary eyed, Rain was still the cutest wakeup call Garrick could imagine.

  Right as he finished his snack, one of his coworkers came in.

  “Another day of training videos?” Tucker Ryland was something of a friend, a local who’d been ahead of Garrick in school, and while they’d both started on engine crews, Tucker had quickly gone the Forest Service route, working as Burn Boss on controlled burns and helping manage unexpected wildfires too. More of a family guy than Garrick, he commanded a ton of respect in the firefighting community. And honestly, his word had probably meant as much as Fred’s in getting Garrick hired so fast. He’d been Garrick’s ride in that morning as well, and as much as Garrick disliked needing favors, he was good company.

  “Yeah. That and lots of reading.”

  “It will get easier when we have more for you to do. I’ve got a scheduled burn coming up, and you’ll be helping me with coordination.”

  “Sounds great.” And it did. Anything more active would be awesome, make him feel more a part of a team again.

  “First though, I’ve got my own paperwork—stacks of the applications for entry-level forest technicians. It’s harder than you’d think to find people wanting to do grunt work like digging line and mop-up duty. Everyone wants to be on a hotshot crew these days.”

  “True facts. I’m training someone right now who wants a place on a frontline crew. But...actually this might be a good fit for them. It’s another temporary seasonal gig?”

  “Yeah. Variable hours, like most of these openings. Competition for full-time hours, that’s fierce. But I’ll do what I can to get people plenty of work. Your rec, that would mean something to me. And it’s good, honest work out there in the field. I’d put in a good word for them if a spot opened up on an engine crew or something else with more action.”

  Another thought crept into Garrick’s mind as he mulled over talking Rain into trying for the job. “So...uh...you or someone on your level would technically be the supervisor, right? I wouldn’t want any...issues with continuing to train with this person. We’re...friends.”