Worth The Risk

by Carly Marie

  Kathryn sounded relieved that we didn’t have plans, and we had a short conversation about our schedules while I dried and dressed myself. Before I left my room, I glanced back at my freshly made bed and a small smile danced across my face. Slight embarrassment from cumming, mostly in my sleep, aside, that had been an amazing orgasm.

  When I got to the kitchen to make breakfast for the kids, I found Thomas had already done so. He and Eli were sitting at the table eating bagels with cream cheese while watching a cartoon on a tablet. I went through my morning routine of making coffee, switching over laundry, and coaxing the kids to dress, and all the while my mind was fixated on the pile of gifts in my bedroom. It wasn’t that I’d spent a fortune, but there were so many little things that each needed to be wrapped.

  Kathryn had barely left with my boys, and I had my phone in my hand, hurrying to stuff my feet into shoes so I could get to the store for wrapping paper and tape.

  Why did I think moving over Christmas was a good idea?

  It wasn’t until I was sticking my phone onto the mount in the car that I noticed the voicemail icon on my screen. I let the phone connect to Bluetooth, then hit voicemail. I was shocked when the voice that filled the car wasn’t Kathryn’s.

  “Hey, Mark, it’s Jeff. I was just calling to, uh, see how you were settling in at your house and see if you needed help with anything. I know you said you’re particular with how things are set up, but I figured I’d offer. Sometimes it’s easier to have a friend in your space than family. Anyway, just know the offer stands.”

  If anyone saw me grinning like an idiot in my car, they would have thought I was nuts. I loved everything about the voicemail. From the fact that Jeff had even bothered to call, to him sounding nervous and unsure of himself. He was so sweet I couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t necessarily want more help unpacking boxes. If I really dissected it, I had a suspicion it was more my pride talking than anything else. However, if Jeff was offering, I could really use help wrapping gifts.

  I connected the call before I could talk myself out of it.

  “Hello?” Jeff questioned between laughs. In the background, I could hear kids hollering and laughing. It sounded like a three-ring circus.

  “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  The noise faded; Jeff must have walked away from whatever was going on. “No, not at all. Seth wanted to string colored popcorn for the Christmas tree. They’re trying to pop red and green popcorn right now, and it’s a disaster.”

  I felt like an ass for interrupting his morning. “Is that a family tradition?”

  Jeff barked out a laugh of surprise. “Oh, hell no. He and Jenna decided it would be fun to try to dye popcorn. When I told them no, they decided to try a different tactic and asked if they could dye it red and green and put it on the tree. You caught us as the first batch came out of the pan… and wasn’t green in the least. They’ve promised to clean up. And I think Jenna’s going to owe me a new pan. How much do you want to bet that’s going to be my Christmas present this year?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. The three of them seemed to have numerous funny stories and I suspected this would be no different. “Nothing says Merry Christmas like a burnt pan?”

  Jeff was still chuckling. “Pretty much. So, what’s up?”

  There was no way I was going to interrupt his day. “Oh, nothing. I just got your voicemail.”

  “Great. Sorry I called so early. I forget that not everyone is on Mechanic’s Hours. I’m usually at the shop before seven. What are you up to?”

  “Honestly? I’m heading to the store right now. My sister-in-law just picked up my kids and I forgot all about wrapping their gifts. My nanny used to help me out with it, and it totally slipped my mind.” I was a terrible parent. I forced an uncomfortable laugh. “At least I didn’t remember at midnight when I went to put the gifts under the tree?”

  “The convenience store and the grocery store were sold out of gift wrap last night when I was shopping. You’ll have to go into the city to find gift wrap at this point, and that’s insane.”

  I groaned. Just what I needed. I began to adjust course as I drove, heading northbound to get to the next city, almost fifteen minutes farther away.

  “I’ve got oodles of gift wrap and probably ten rolls of tape. Why don’t I bring it over to you instead of you fighting the stores today?”

  He had to have thought I was the worst parent ever. “I can’t ask you to do that. It’s Christmas Eve and your kids are home.” Even though that was exactly what I’d planned to do five minutes earlier.

  “Seriously? I’ve been home with my kids for over two days now. If I don’t get some space from them, there is a chance we may all end up dead by tomorrow. I’ll be over in half an hour—let me just make sure they aren’t going to burn the kitchen down while I’m gone.”

  I didn’t know what to say. It had been so long since I’d had someone willing to drop anything to come help, it left me speechless. “I, uh, thanks.”

  I turned down the next road and headed back home. At the very least, I could have something on hand for lunch. Though that would probably require a trip to the store as well. I was beginning to look forward to the day when I had my shit figured out and was back to a normal grocery shopping trip once a week. Hopefully, once the kids started back to school, my life would feel more normal.

  Exactly thirty minutes after hanging up the phone with Jeff, he was standing at my front door. A giant bag stuffed full of rolls of gift wrap and a box filled with shirt boxes, tape, and scissors were balanced at his right side, and in his left he had three grocery bags filled with sodas and chips.

  “I came prepared,” he mentioned as he walked into the house. I tried to help him lighten his load by grabbing the two shopping bags while he toed his tennis shoes off in the entryway.

  “You didn’t have to do this.” It was a lot, especially for someone who was a new friend.

  “Nonsense. I remember when my kids were younger and this was the most hectic time of the year. Christ, if it weren’t for Annie and the guys at the garage, there were years I wouldn’t have had a single thing wrapped. The first three Christmases with the kids, Annie and the guys took turns wrapping gifts during their lunch breaks. The first Christmas, I was so frantic, I’d totally forgotten it was Christmas until Annie posted the schedule and had us closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. By that night, there were wrapped gifts piled up in my closet. Everyone had pitched in and helped me out. It’s just what friends do. I’m glad to finally be able to pay it forward, at least a little. If bringing gift wrap and supplies is going to help, I’m honored to be the person to help you.”

  My mouth opened and closed a few times, but there was little I could say because I’d become unexpectedly emotional. Maybe this was what small town life was. Maybe this was what friendship was. I didn’t quite know which it was, but whatever the case, I was touched to have Jeff standing in my living room ready to help.

  If he noticed my emotional reaction, Jeff didn’t let on. Instead, he nodded to the gift wrapping supplies. “So, lead the way. Those gifts aren’t going to wrap themselves.”

  “Oh, right. Uh, let’s go to the dining room. We can set up in there. My table should be plenty big enough for both of us to work on.”

  Jeff began laying supplies out while I hurried to my room and started bringing gifts down. As we worked, I was acutely aware of every time our bodies touched. Shoulders bumping together, a brush of his body against my stomach as he reached for something across the table, even our fingers touching as we passed the scissors or tape to one another. Every touch left me with tingles and an elevated heart rate. I’d had to discreetly adjust myself in my jeans twice after Jeff had leaned over to grab something and ended up ghosting a breath along my neck.

  Two hours later, there was a pile of gifts hidden in the coat closet, I was still half-hard in my jeans, and my stomach had begun to rumble twenty minutes earlier. We’d snacked on the trail mix and chips Jeff had
brought with him and I’d drank my weight in soda and coffee, but actual food had been lacking and my stomach was protesting.

  “I don’t have a lot in the house. This whole grocery shopping thing has been eluding me since I’ve been working five days a week now. I used to do it when the kids were at school on my days off. I haven’t found my groove yet. But I did pick up some stuff at the store today. I could make us burgers if you’d like.”

  Jeff’s stomach growled even louder than mine. “I think that sounds great. What can I do to help?”

  I looked around the dining room that had been completely cleaned up since our marathon gift wrapping session. “You’ve done enough. Grab a drink and take a seat in the kitchen while I throw together some lunch.”

  “You drive a hard bargain, Dr. Murray.” Not even five minutes later, Jeff was sitting on top of the counter like he belonged there. I liked the feel of him in my space, even sitting on my countertop. I could imagine him doing the same at his house while talking with his kids. Some people might have found it off-putting to have someone sit on their countertop, but I found it quite the opposite. I liked that he felt comfortable enough to make himself at home.

  Jeff told me that he and Seth had gone to the garage the day before and found a bad fuel line on his car that they had been able to replace easily. His laugh felt like it filled the house as he told me how relieved he was that it was a simple fix. He explained that Annie had been giving him hell for refusing to give Louie up, but after he’d explained the connection he had to the car, I couldn’t blame him for not letting it go. I had nothing from my grandparents, and Jeff’s life had been shaped by his grandfather.

  When the burgers were made, we stood shoulder to shoulder eating, both too hungry to bother pulling up chairs or going to the dining room to take a seat. We didn’t speak while we ate, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Though it did give me more than enough time to think about what was going on with us. I knew I was feeling something between us, but flirting was a foreign concept to me. Did forty-year-olds flirt? How did men who were rapidly approaching middle age even go about expressing their attraction? I could admit to myself I was attracted to Jeff. Everything I knew about him told me he was exactly what I would objectively be attracted to in a partner.

  But what did that mean for us? Hell, what did it mean for me? I hadn’t been with a man since college, damn near twenty years earlier. I’d just moved to town and had taken over the clinic. As much as I hated to consider my job and my personal life together, I had a brand new thirty-year mortgage that had to be paid. Sure, there had been a rainbow flag on the door of the bar, as well as other local businesses, but could the town be that accepting? Jeff might have said they were, but how would they feel if the new doctor was in a relationship with a man?

  I’d taken a risk by moving my little family to Fairview, and so far it seemed to be paying off. My parents and brother were nearby, and the boys were bonding with their grandparents and cousins. I liked my job and I liked our house. Of course, looking around, the more boxes I put away, the more I was reminded of the remodels it would need before I could truly say I loved it. And I’d met Jeff. And there I was, back to being confused.

  Jeff put his plate in the sink and looked over at me bashfully. “I hate to eat and run, but I really should get back and make sure the kids haven’t burnt the house down or permanently dyed my kitchen with food coloring.” The smile that played across his lips while he talked about his kids, even while they were driving him nuts, made me that much more attracted to him. This man could understand what it was like to be a single dad. Not only did he understand it, he’d lived it for fifteen years and seemed to be enjoying it. I could see myself spending a lot more time with Jeff.

  “I get it. I should probably see if my sister-in-law is ready to rip her hair out with four kids in the house today. Thank you for the help. You’re a lifesaver.”

  Jeff headed to the front door and pushed his feet into his shoes. “Have a great Christmas. See you Thursday?”

  The basketball game. “Yeah, wouldn’t miss it. Thomas is excited to see his teacher.”

  Jeff hesitated a brief second. “Sorry, I’m awkward at goodbyes. I’m a hugger, and most men aren’t, and I hate those one-handed, half-hug things.” A light blush spread across his cheeks as he rambled.

  I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable, so I held up my hand to stop him. “A hug is good.”

  “Oh, good.” Relief flooded his voice before he pulled me into a hug.

  His embrace was just as strong as I had expected it to be. There was no mistaking that a man was hugging me. I could feel his pecs and biceps moving, and as we went to pull back, I turned my face and brushed a light kiss over his cheek. I wasn’t sure what had possessed me to do it, and I hadn’t actively thought about it before I’d done it. My breath caught in my throat, hoping I hadn’t overstepped.

  Jeff’s face showed a moment of surprise, and his fingers went up to brush the spot where my lips had been. My lips tingled from the scruff on his cheek. A bashful smile was on his lips, and he ducked his head slightly. “Thanks,” he almost whispered as he turned to leave. “I’m looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.”

  Before he managed to get turned around, I glanced down and saw a bulge in the front of his jeans that I was certain hadn’t been there a few minutes earlier. Yes, I’d glanced down at his crotch more than once that day, especially as my dick had half-filled a number of times, wondering if he was feeling the same things I was.

  Wasn’t moving out of the city supposed to make my life less complicated?

  CHAPTER 9

  Jeff

  Lips against my cheek. My sister kissed me on my cheek daily, my kids, hell, a few of the guys at the garage were affectionate enough to kiss my cheek from time to time. Paul—the guy I’d been with while going through the foster parent process—one night stands, and even the few boyfriends I’d had in the last dozen years had all kissed my cheek. Not once had I ever blushed like a teenager or still been able to feel the spot he’d kissed three days later.

  What the hell was that kiss?

  I’d told Jenna and Seth that Mark wasn’t going to be interested in a relationship, and I’d been certain of it at the time. Harmless flirting, if it could even be called that, was just that, flirting. I’d been able to brush off my attraction toward him easily enough. Knowing that he had no interest in a relationship had also made the comment about me looking good in Daisy Dukes easily brushed off. A kiss on the cheek, though? I wasn’t sure what to make of that.

  You’re an idiot. I chastised myself as I got dressed in the bathroom. A simple goodbye would have been acceptable, but I had always been more affectionate than that. After spending the morning and early afternoon working side-by-side with Mark, I felt like we were beyond a simple goodbye. A handshake was way too formal, though, and like I told him, that awkward back-slap, bro-hug thing was just uncomfortable. Hugs were better all around.

  But then he’d kissed me.

  So I spent the rest of the day Monday thinking about what it meant. I had taken my cock in hand as I got ready for bed that night and cum all over my bathroom counter thinking about the kiss. Could it even be considered a kiss when our lips hadn’t touched? It felt good, dammit, but good enough to get hard and stroke myself off to it? I thought back to the last time I’d had any sex at all. When I could only come up with a sloppy blow job in a club in Nashville sometime the previous winter, I decided my reaction was because it had been so long.

  That helped me get through Tuesday and Wednesday, but as the hours ticked by on Thursday, I started thinking about every interaction I’d had with Mark since I met him Friday night. It had been a week, and we hadn’t even texted more than a Merry Christmas since Monday evening. We were both busy with our families and our kids, so it didn’t surprise me. But that gnawing disappointment told me I was more wrapped up with him than I should have been.

  I’d finally buried myself in an engine rebuild at
the shop on Thursday and had managed to not think of Mark for a few hours. But my concentration went to shit when Annie yelled out the office door. “Hey, little brother, you’re getting texts!”

  I put my socket wrench down and wiped my hands on a rag as I headed into the office to find the phone. As I unlocked the screen, Mark’s name and three texts were awaiting me.

  Hey, six tonight, right?

  And where is it again?

  Have you had lunch? I’m at Marie’s, I thought I could bring you something and you could tell me where the game is.

  What perplexed me was the text below it, sent from me. Well, not me, but my number. I read it then narrowed my eyes at Annie.

  He hasn’t eaten. He’s bad about taking lunch. Marie’s meatloaf sandwich is his favorite though. ;-)

  It had been sent fifteen minutes earlier. The pain in my ass had waited until she knew I couldn’t stop what was about to happen before she even told me about the texts. “Annie,” I growled at her just as the chimes above the front door dinged.

  I hadn’t told her anything about what was going on in my head, but she’d always been able to read me like a book. And taking those texts out of context, she probably thought we were going on a date.

  Annie glanced over at the door and got a devious gleam in her eyes. “Lunchtime, guys! Boss man told me to take the credit card and treat you all!”

  The sound of wrenches being dropped at workstations was almost deafening.

  She turned to me and winked. “I had no idea the doctor was gay, but he’s gorgeous.”

  “He’s not gay,” I hissed at her. He’s bisexual. I wasn’t going to deny that he was gorgeous. I’d seen him nearly naked; he could have easily been an underwear model. Damnit, I needed to get that thought out of my head.

  “Go get him,” she whispered as she grabbed her purse from the desk drawer.

  I shot her the hardest glare I could muster. “He wanted directions to Seth’s basketball game tonight.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “And I need to change my phone password. How the hell did you figure it out anyway?”