A Restored Man

by Jaime Reese

  "Ty, Ty, snap out of it. Wake up," he yelled, his voice shaking with fear.

  Ty was so cold. He begged and prayed it was a result of the cold rain falling on him. He stroked the wet hair and tried to feel for a pulse at Ty's neck. Relief poured through his body when a strong, steady rhythm thumped against his fingertip. He looked at Ty's body—no blood, no limbs in awkward positions.

  "Fucking open your eyes," Cole yelled with more desperation in his voice than he had ever felt in his entire life.

  Ty moaned and shifted his head slightly.

  Cole lifted Ty's upper body and pulled him against his chest. He needed to feel him, to know that he was okay. "Say something. Talk to me. What the hell are you doing out here? Shit, you're fucking freezing."

  Ty's hand reached for Cole. "Had to get the sign down. Too much wind."

  Cole withdrew, holding Ty by the shoulders. He looked at him, perplexed.

  "I'm cold," Ty mumbled.

  "No shit. And apparently that's frozen your brain. What the hell were you thinking? That sign is too big. One person can't do that alone."

  Ty dipped his head.

  "We need to get inside," Cole said, shifting his arms, one below Ty's knees the other tightly around his back.

  "I can walk," Ty said with more fire in his voice than usual.

  "Fine, then fucking walk, but move your ass now."

  Cole stood and extended his hand, offering support. Ty glared, but grabbed his hand and stood. Ty was visibly shaking. Cole didn't say another word. Something was going on in Ty's head but he knew better than to push after their earlier argument. He leaned into Ty and wrapped his arm around his waist to steady him as they walked into the shop.

  "What about the sign? I need to get it down," Ty said, looking over his shoulder.

  "Fuck the sign," Cole said, pulling Ty's arm over his own shoulder to offer more support.

  He hauled Ty to the office and began unzipping the coveralls.

  "I can undress myself," Ty said, his teeth chattering.

  "Then take that wet shit off now before I rip it off," Cole said. "What day is it?"

  "Thursday. Why?" Ty responded.

  "I need to make sure you didn't hit your head too hard," Cole asked. "What was the ticket number you were working on earlier?"

  Ty scowled. "1569884. And most people wouldn't remember that even without hitting their head."

  "Good point but you're still not off the hook. Finish undressing," Cole said before storming out of the office. A hot shower was probably better to heat up faster but he remembered some of the research he had done about the scars and wasn't sure the hot water would be good for Ty's skin.

  Cole opened the supply closet and grabbed a few fresh towels as he cursed under his breath. He didn't want to think of what would have happened if he hadn't shown up when he did. He couldn't let his mind go there. He tucked his hand in between the towels and realized how cold his hands were. "Shit," he mumbled to himself. Fucking Florida. Sunshine State my ass.

  He walked back into the office just as Ty finished peeling his socks off. He stood there, trying to control the tremble of his body.

  "All of it," Cole said, pointing to Ty's underwear. "Your balls will shrivel up if you leave them on."

  "No, they won't," Ty said weakly as he tucked his thumbs under the waistband. He stopped and looked at Cole.

  Cole rolled his eyes. "Really? You're freezing your ass off and you're going to get shy on me now? Fine," he said, dropping the towels on the desk and quickly stripping down to his underwear. He hooked his thumbs in his underwear and pulled them off. He shivered. He wasn't sure if it was from the cold, the wet skin, or Ty's slow perusal of his body. As much as he wanted to stand there and let Ty drink him in, it wasn't the time or place. "Take them off," he said firmly, trying to hide the worry in his tone.

  Surprisingly, Ty didn't argue. He stripped the final bit of material off and stood quietly as if waiting for the next command. Even through the shivers that racked his body, Ty stood—with his arms wrapped around his torso, a fierce expression on his face, and a raging hard-on—staring at Cole.

  Fuck, that was hot.

  Cole grabbed the towels and quickly opened them, wrapping one around Ty's wet hair and another around his shoulders. "Get on the couch." Couch, bed, it didn't matter. That was where Ty slept, based on the pillow he saw lying there most mornings. "Now."

  Ty didn't hesitate. He lay on the couch, wrapping the towel tighter around his shoulders and hiding his head under the other towel. Cole rubbed the towel in Ty's hair to wring out the excess water and pitched the moist towel to the side. He grabbed another dry one and folded it under Ty's head then reached for the knitted throw resting on the back of the couch. He positioned himself against Ty's back, bookending him between himself and the back of the couch. He pulled the throw over them and snuggled closer to Ty.

  "You're naked," Ty said quietly.

  "So are you."

  "You've got a hard-on," Ty said.

  "So do you." Cole wrapped his arm around Ty's waist and pulled him closer.

  "What are you doing?" Ty asked, not fighting the tight hold around his waist.

  Cole pushed his face closer to Ty's neck. "Body heat. It's better than any fucking towel I can get you," he said, snuggling closer. "Survival 101."

  "Your nose is cold," Ty mumbled.

  "And you're freezing." Cole rubbed his cheek in Ty's damp hair. He brushed his lips against Ty's shoulder and upward, stopping at the crook of his neck.

  "Did you just sniff me?"

  Cole leaned into Ty. "It's your fault. You smell good." He couldn't help it. Ty did smell good and felt great now that he was thawing a bit. Cole tugged Ty closer and wrapped his leg over his thigh. "Just relax. That'll help you warm up faster." He rubbed his hands up and down Ty's arms, hoping the friction would bring some heat to Ty's skin.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you," Ty said.

  "I'm sorry I walked out on you."

  Ty looked over his shoulder. "But you came back."

  "I'll always come back to you." Cole leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Ty's almost warm lips. His chest tightened as he lost himself in those whiskey brown eyes that held so much emotion.

  Ty turned his head and pushed back, nestling more closely into Cole's embrace. "I want there to be an us. Don't let me screw this up."

  Cole snuggled closer to Ty, clasping his hands. He willed his mind to slow the pace of his thoughts, to focus on the man he held and how Ty was now safe and warm in his arms. He couldn't let his mind wander to the what-if scenario had he not turned the car around. His stomach twisted as he fought the dark thoughts that raced through his mind. He tightened his hold around Ty and reveled in the heat that slowly began to envelop him as he drifted off.

  * * * * *

  Ty woke sometime later and tried to move but was firmly barricaded on his couch. He looked over to the clock on the wall. They had managed to grab a few hours' sleep.

  "You should get up," Ty said over his shoulder.

  "I already am up," Cole said then chuckled softly.

  Ty huffed a laugh. "I mean you should get off the couch and get your dick out from between my ass cheeks."

  Cole snuggled closer. "Hey, it's happy there."

  "I'm not sleeping with you," Ty said, thankful he could hide his smile.

  Cole tightened his hold around Ty's waist. "I hate to break it to you, but you napped, so technically, we've slept together."

  "I'm not having sex with you," Ty said, teasing.

  "Yeah, and you thought you weren't going to sleep with me either," Cole said, nuzzling Ty's neck. "Turn around so I can kiss you."

  Ty didn't hesitate, he was thankful as hell Cole hadn't abandoned him. He immediately turned to lie on his back and Cole quickly took advantage of the shift in position.

  Cole hovered over Ty, his hands braced on the couch at each side of Ty's head, holding his weight up. He looked down at Ty, an intense expression on his f
ace.

  Ty reached up and touched Cole's face. Cole closed his eyes and leaned into Ty's hand then kissed his palm. He opened his eyes, his gaze clearly communicating his want for more. Ty reached up and pulled off the beanie. Cole's hair spilled out in a beautiful disarray of thick waves and length. Cole bent his head down slightly and closed his eyes, the strands of hair swaying over his face. Ty ran his fingers through the thick, black, silky, soft hair.

  "Why do you keep it tucked away in the cap?" Ty asked. He was mesmerized, watching the dark black strands weave through his fingers.

  "I can't control it. It does what it wants and it gets in my way. I did a buzz cut once but I couldn't stand the itch when it grew back," Cole said in a hoarse voice. "I let it grow out on the top so it looks straighter but I don't know how to style this crap. It has a mind of its own."

  Ty cupped Cole's face. "Don't ever cut it too short." He combed his fingers in the hair, enjoying the silky thickness brushing against his fingers. Cole kept the hair at the back of his head shorter than the rest so it barely touched the nape of his neck. But the sides were slightly longer, enough for the curls to cover his ears and mix with the top's much longer length of straighter, weighed-down curls to frame his face. "I love the way it tries to come down over your eyes, then this wave," he said, smiling as he pulled a strand of hair. "It curves just before it hits your eyes to prevent them from getting covered."

  "Kiss me. You can dick around with my hair all you want afterward. But I need a kiss right now," Cole said.

  Ty smiled. "So kiss me."

  Cole leaned down and pressed his lips gently against Ty's. He licked Ty's lips in that teasing way he did that drove Ty desperate with need. A whimper rose from within and he gripped Cole's hair. Finally, he could grip his hair and twist the strands between his fingers. He could swear Cole's lips tightened into a smile against his. He opened his mouth and Cole immediately deepened the kiss, driving his tongue to explore. Cole groaned and pressed his muscled body harder against Ty's. Ty broke the kiss to gasp for air, fighting the current slowly building at the base of his spine.

  Cole dipped his head into the crook of Ty's neck as he pushed his body against Ty's in slow sweeps. Ty gripped the silky strands tighter in his hand and arched his body. He wrapped his other arm around Cole's back, pulling him closer as Cole's thrusts deepened.

  "I want to fuck you," Cole said, his voice thick with need as he pushed his hard, heated shaft against Ty.

  "What? No romance?" Ty teased, barely able to catch his breath and keep his thoughts straight. He dug his fingers into Cole's back with the upward sweep of each thrust.

  "I can talk dirty to you if you like that kind of stuff."

  "I can't imagine that mouth of yours gets any worse," Ty said breathlessly. "Oh God, don't stop."

  Cole reached between them and gripped their shafts together in one hand.

  Ty's body arched into Cole's touch, reveling in the pressure and rhythmic friction.

  "You're killing me. I'm not a saint," Cole said, moving his hand up and down in a steady, slow rhythm. Cole dove in with greater force for another kiss.

  Ty moaned when Cole pulled his head back by his hair, then peppered a trail of kisses along his neck. He couldn't control the whimper that escaped when Cole shifted his hand and pressed his thumb against the tip of Ty's shaft.

  "I love it when you do that. That sound. It drives me crazy," Cole whispered thickly in Ty's ear before licking the outer edge.

  "Ty!" he heard yelled.

  "Fuck," Cole hissed as he withdrew the hand between them.

  Ty opened his eyes and tried to breathe and think through the fog of need clogging his mind. "What—"

  "Aidan's here," Cole said with a hint of a snarl.

  Shit. For some reason, Ty's first instinct was to grab Cole's beanie off the ground. Cole looked over his shoulder just as the office door swung open.

  "Who the hell are—" Aidan yelled then stilled. "Sorry, I didn't recognize you without that shit on your head."

  Ty grabbed Cole's head and pulled him down. No way was he letting anyone else get a look at his Cole's hair. Cole turned to face him, his brow lowered in confusion. Ty reached up, pushed his hair back and put the beanie back on his head. He leaned up and gave Cole a chaste kiss. "That's only for me," he whispered.

  Cole smiled and dipped his head at the side of Ty's neck.

  "I am standing right here, guys," Aidan said.

  Ty wrapped his arms around Cole, not caring for the scowl that deepened on his brother's face. "Why are you here?"

  "You weren't answering your phone and I got worried with the storm. Julian called me and asked if I could pick up Cole," he said, looking at the floor and the scattering of clothes. "Cole, why don't you get your cartoons back on and let's go."

  Cole immediately withdrew and shot visual daggers at Aidan. "They're superheroes, asshole."

  Aidan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Get dressed."

  Cole sighed heavily. He looked back at Ty and gently kissed him then stood from the couch, wearing nothing but his beanie and a hard-on in full force.

  "Put that fucking thing away," Aidan said.

  Cole grabbed his underwear and slipped them on at a leisurely pace, unfazed by Aidan's presence.

  "Why didn't you answer your phone?" Aidan asked, leaning against Ty's desk.

  Ty was mesmerized, watching each ripple of Cole's muscles flex as he pulled his pants up.

  "Ty?"

  Cole looked over to Ty and half smiled. Tease. Cole knew exactly the type of effect he had on him. Ty tried to pay attention to his brother and ignore the perfectly carved abs that shifted and disappeared under the T-shirt that was pulled over them.

  "Ty!" Aidan said.

  Ty scowled. "What?"

  "Why didn't you answer your cell phone?"

  Ty reached for his coveralls but couldn't quite make it. Cole immediately picked up the coveralls and underwear off the ground. He grabbed another towel off the desk and handed it to Ty. "Use this instead. Your clothes might still be a little wet."

  "Aren't yours wet too?" Ty asked.

  "What the hell is it with the two of you? It's as if nothing else exists but your little love bubble," Aidan said with obvious irritation in his voice.

  Cole looked at him with a sideways glance. "Do you really want to go there? I know who you want in your little love bubble so back the fuck off."

  Aidan straightened and quieted.

  Ty had obviously missed something along the way. He squeezed the pockets of the coveralls and pulled out the radio but his phone wasn't there. "It must have slipped out when I fell."

  "Wait. What? You fell?" Aidan asked.

  "Long story. I'm fine," Ty said, sitting up on the couch and tugging the throw over his body. Cole might be fine sporting a hard-on in front of Aidan but Ty certainly wasn't.

  Aidan knelt on the floor in front of Ty. "Are you okay?" he said.

  Ty nodded. "I'm fine. I'm lucky Cole drove back and found me."

  Aidan turned his head slowly toward Cole.

  Cole crossed his arms. "What?"

  "You were driving?" Aidan asked with an arched brow. "You're not supposed to be driving."

  Cole rolled his eyes. "Did you see me driving? Focus on the real problem here."

  Ty reached out and placed his hand on Aidan's shoulder. "I'm fine."

  Aidan looked at Ty, the tension easing from his shoulders. "It's flooding everywhere outside, so if your phone fell out there, you can assume it's shot. You'll need a new one. When you fell, did you hit your head or hurt your back?"

  Ty shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but I think I'm fine."

  Aidan took a deep breath. "How about you come and stay at my place tonight. Just so I don't have to call you every hour. Because you know I will."

  Ty smiled. This was the old Aidan again. Always worried about his little brother and not trying to hide behind some bullshit excuse. "I'm not thrilled about sleeping on your crappy couch."

>   "I've already moved out of the studio. I'm living at Hunter's old place," Aidan said.

  Ty had forgotten. When Aidan's best friend, Hunter Donovan, entered the WITSEC program with Cameron, he had left his house to Aidan.

  Cole grabbed Ty's hand and entwined their fingers. "Please. I'm not crazy about you being here alone if you did hurt your head or something else."

  Ty hesitated for a moment. He knew they were worried. Hell, he was worried. He wasn't an idiot and knew he wasn't made of rubber. He felt fine but wasn't stupid enough to risk it so he nodded.

  "Thanks," Aidan and Cole said in unison. They looked at each other and scowled.

  Ty chuckled. He went to stand and both Cole and Aidan stood with him. "Seriously, guys? I'm not made out of glass."

  "No, but you've probably still got a hard-on which I don't really want to share with your brother," Cole said.

  Aidan's eyes rounded. "I'll wait outside," he said, exiting the office.

  Ty and Cole quietly laughed. "I think you've scarred my brother," Ty said. "He's trying to play it off but I think he'll have nightmares about your angry hard-on attacking him."

  "Serves him right for screwing this up for us today," Cole said, pulling Ty in for a kiss.

  Ty wrapped his arms around Cole and pulled him closer, the throw dropping to his feet.

  Cole stepped back, his gaze slowly tracing every inch of Ty's body. He ran a finger from the base of Ty's neck slowly down his torso, past his abs, and along his fully erect hard-on. Ty inhaled sharply when Cole cupped his arousal, his fingers slowly kneading the delicate skin underneath. "Yeah, you still got them."

  "I told you, I don't need the Dr. Renzo checkup," Ty said, his pulse racing.

  Cole chuckled. "I'll give you a break and wait outside while you get some dry clothes on."

  Ty smiled. "Thanks. I'm having a hard time concentrating when you're looking at me like that."