“Not like it’s hard to find a meth dealer around here.”
“Oh, Ian.” The dismay on Josh’s face hurt Ian deep in his chest.
“Don’t worry.” Irony dripped from his voice. “Apparently, I suck as a criminal. I was in the back alley behind a biker bar out on the edge of town, cold hard cash clutched in my sweaty hands and ready to deal with a redneck named Harley—yeah, that’s what he called himself—when we were rudely interrupted by the sheriff’s office.”
“You went to jail?” And miracle of miracles: instead of backing away, Josh reached for Ian’s hand and wound their fingers together.
Never in his life had Ian been happier to say, “No.”
“No?”
Oh, the man was hanging on every word. Lord, his eyes were gorgeous, shining and dove gray in the soft morning light. Poor Josh had up and forgotten all about his mad, he was so into the story. Although the memory of that incident still filled him with shame and regret, Ian had to admit he was enjoying telling the tale to a wide-eyed Josh.
“Guess who was in that sheriff’s car?”
Josh’s jaw dropped. “Not Deputy Bob?”
“Yes indeedy. I’m still not sure if it was coincidence or if Lucia sent him searching for me because I missed work again. Bob had quite the crush on Lucia all through high school.”
“You’ve known him that long?”
“They were both a couple of years ahead of me, so I didn’t know him well. Saw him moping after her though. But she had her eye on Tommy even back then, so he was pure out of luck.”
“But what did he do when he saw you?”
Ian winced. “Turned his brights on us and lit up that alley like the second coming. Harley was damn quick. He was outta there before you could say boo, but me? I froze like a deer in those headlights and then . . .” He rubbed his jaw reflexively. “Well, let me tell you. Bob has a damn fine right hook.”
“He hit you?”
“He beat the hell out of me, threw on the cuffs, and tossed me in the back of his car. I thought that was it.”
“Ah.” Josh relaxed. “But he didn’t take you in. He took you to Lucia.”
“He took me to Lucia, and he didn’t take off the cuffs until everybody, including my parents, had a chance to have their say to me. That’s how they found out . . .” He swallowed.
“What? About the asshole Army doc?”
“That I’m gay.”
“You’re kidding! They didn’t know?”
Ian took a shaky breath. “That’s one of the reasons I went into the Army to begin with. I think Lucia always knew, but I didn’t want to have that conversation with them. And I was tired of avoiding my mother setting me up with the daughters of her church friends. So I ran away.”
“But—but they seem—”
“Sure, they seem fine, don’t they? But they’re Greek Orthodox. They have a hard time reconciling my actions with their faith, but with all my other problems, I guess that one sort of got buried at the bottom of the pile. They didn’t say much about it, just made arrangements for me to go to rehab in Miami.”
“In Miami? Why? So no one would know?”
“Tommy told the captain I had mono, the bastard. And then the flu. Anyway, I think the captain knew the real reason I was out for weeks, but he never said a word.”
Squirming around until his back was against the headboard next to Ian, Josh stretched his legs out, their sides brushing. “Well, that’s a helluva story. And it sounds like you were damn lucky.”
“I was.” Ian turned his head until they were facing each other, noses almost brushing. “I was lucky that I had people who cared about me. Not everyone has that.”
Josh ran a thumb down Ian’s neck, the light touch raising goose bumps, and yet somehow leaving a trail of heat. He stopped when he reached the neck of Ian’s shirt, lifting the chain. He examined the medallions, rolling them in his fingers.
“My mother gave me the St. Ephraim’s medal after I completed my first year.” Ian caught Josh’s hand, covering it with his and looking him in the eyes. “Josh,” he whispered. “Josh, do you think you can see past my—”
“Ah hell.” Josh sounded helpless. “What am I going to do?”
Ian wanted to jerk him forward, plaster him to the bed, but this had to be Josh’s choice. He waited, his heart racing so fast he thought he’d have to add a cardiac event to his list of ailments.
After a long, tense minute, Josh wrapped his other hand around their joined fingers and raised them to his lips, kissing Ian’s knuckles. Then he stood. “I have some work to catch up on. You go back to sleep for a little while.”
Dinner that night was a quiet affair. Ian felt in limbo, and Josh seemed preoccupied. Thinking? Yes. Josh must be thinking about things. Where Ian tended to jump right into a situation, Josh needed a while to think. The uncertainty was hard, but Ian had to respect Josh’s desire for some space.
The quiet ended when Josh changed Ian’s bandages.
“Holy—” Ian grabbed a kitchen towel and bit down on it.
“I told you to take a pain pill.” Josh had spread a clean cloth across the surface of the table, and had water, new bandages and ointment ready to hand.
Ian shook his head mutely. His arm was on fire, but he wanted no more pills. Not only because he didn’t want to waste all of his time in Josh’s apartment sleeping, but because he wanted to prove to Josh that he didn’t need pills of any kind.
What a stupid idea.
“What the hell was that?” Josh peered at the skin around his wound. “A cat? The burn goes straight across the back of your upper arm. All that’s left of that tattoo is a fluffy tail.”
“Aww. Trixie. She was the best cat. Kept me company when I was small and afraid my head would start spinning.”
Josh snorted. “What the hell were you doing watching The Exorcist at your age?”
Knowing Josh was using the banter as a distraction, Ian willingly played along. “Lucia wanted to see it, but not alone.”
“Did she have nightmares?”
“Never.”
And finally, it was done. After Josh finished wrapping the clean bandages and had disposed of the soiled ones, the fire weakened to a bearable level. The ointment contained a topical anesthetic that took a while to kick in, but when it did, oh what blessed relief.
Josh settled on the couch and gestured him over. “How’s your head? Do you want to watch a movie or do you want to lie down?”
If Josh was sitting on the couch, Ian was sitting on the couch. “My head feels fine.” He sat with Josh on his right, close enough for their thighs to brush.
Josh cast him an amused glance but didn’t move away. He picked up the remote. “Let me guess. You like action movies.”
See? You do know me. Ian didn’t say it out loud. Too pushy, right? “And mysteries.”
“Marvel movies? Doctor Strange? Or we can see what else is on Netflix.”
“Any Marvel movie is good.”
About halfway through the movie, Josh slumped against Ian’s side, which called for Ian to loop his arm around Josh’s shoulder, just to get that arm out of the way of course. Hey, Josh had started it.
Ian turned his head, resting his forehead against Josh’s hair. God, he smelled good, like shampoo and sleepiness. Ian was about to suggest they go to bed, when he noticed that Josh’s eyes were open, watching the show, so he couldn’t be that tired.
Ian contented himself with nuzzling Josh’s hair, then worked over to his ear, then farther down his neck. He brushed a kiss down Josh’s throat, and Josh shivered.
Josh kept his gaze on the TV, but a small smile played around his lips. Oh, so that was how he wanted to play it.
Ian breathed against Josh’s neck, letting the puffs of air brush the sensitive area over Josh’s carotid artery, then peppered it with light kisses. He moved his hand from Josh’s shoulder up to cup the side of his head, burying his fingers in soft hair to knead Josh’s scalp while holding him at exactly the rig
ht angle for Ian to kiss the skin of his throat. Warm, sweet, and a little salty . . . The taste made Ian desperate for more, and he had to pause for a deep breath. Much as he wanted to drag Josh to the bedroom, that wasn’t what tonight was about. Tonight, he wanted—he needed—to show Josh how important he was becoming to Ian.
His other hand drifted along Josh’s side, stroking his ribs, pausing as he brushed the edge of scar tissue. Deliberately, he stroked the scar, his fingers worshipful as he tried to let Josh know without words that he was beautiful, and brave.
A tiny gasp showed that Josh was not unaffected, even if he still pretended to be. Ian left the scar, working his hand across Josh’s belly. Ian spread his fingers flat on Josh’s stomach, feeling the muscles fluttering and jumping under the smooth skin.
Something else was jumping, clearly demonstrating Josh’s interest.
Ian’s interest was also quite evident. Achingly so.
He tangled his fingers in Josh’s hair and pulled him around for a kiss. Josh met him with an open smile and a sparkle in his eyes that made Ian’s heart jump. And then Josh’s mouth was on his, devouring like a man starved. He squirmed closer, and Ian half pulled him on top of his lap, trying to melt into him.
“Josh,” Ian mumbled. “Josh, please . . .” His hands roamed, brushing and teasing. Josh moaned into his mouth, his groin thrusting against Ian’s thigh. Heat flared, and Ian was ready to push him to the floor right then, but Josh broke the kiss and rose, holding out his hand. Ian took it, letting Josh pull him up and lead him toward the bedroom.
God, he wanted to pick Josh up and throw him on the bed, but didn’t think he could quite manage it tonight.
“Be still.” Josh stood in front of Ian, his hands flat on Ian’s chest.
Ian waited, his heart pounding, while Josh ran his hands down Ian’s shirt and then tugged at the bottom. Ian lifted his arms and Josh carefully pulled off the shirt, working around the bandaged arm.
Not breaking eye contact, Josh gripped Ian’s waistband and fell to his knees, bringing Ian’s pants down with him. Ian stepped out of them, staring down into Josh’s smiling eyes.
God, so hot. A shudder ripped through Ian, and he resisted the urge to jerk forward and bury his dick in Josh’s throat.
Instead of using his mouth, Josh continued the slow torture, fondling Ian’s balls, gripping and kneading his butt cheeks, stroking his thighs. Breathing out a long, hot gust of air across his weeping head.
“God,” Ian choked. “Josh . . . please . . .”
Josh shifted his gaze away, staring at the erection in front of his face. He swiped his tongue down the underside of the shaft, and then up again. Ian thrust, unable to stand the teasing.
When Josh finally swallowed him, Ian’s knees almost went out. He leaned a hand against the wall, legs trembling, but didn’t dare move. His eyes closed as hot pleasure shot through him and Josh kept working him, using his talented tongue, his fingers, and lips to drive Ian crazy.
And then he was gone. Ian grunted in protest, but when he opened his eyes and saw Josh stripping out of his own clothes, the objection died. Josh looked so hot: naked, hard, and beckoning Ian toward the bed.
Ian couldn’t move fast enough, and Josh seemed to feel the same as he left his clothes scattered and then jumped onto the bed, once again beckoning Ian impatiently. Shifting to the right to avoid putting pressure on Ian’s left arm, Josh managed to stretch out on top of him and grind against him as soon as Ian lay down.
Another long kiss and then Josh said, “Want you in me. Do you—”
“Oh hell yes.”
“Thought you might.” Josh leaned over to the bedside table and pulled an unopened bottle of lube and a box of condoms from the drawer.
Putting a condom aside, Josh opened the lube and then straddled Ian, his bottom brushing over Ian’s shaft. Reaching behind, he used his lubed fingers to stretch himself.
Ian groaned at the sight. He was going to combust before he ever got inside.
“It’s been a while.” Josh’s face twisted in concentration.
“Do a good job.” Ian watched Josh’s cock bob as he moved his fingers inside himself. “Oh yeah. Be thorough.”
“If I’m any more thorough, this show will be over.”
“But it’ll be a great show. Maybe we can do that sometime.”
“You want to see me get myself off?”
Ian squeezed his eyes shut at the image and thought of icy cold showers. He took a deep breath. “Do you want me in you or not?”
Josh slid down to slip the condom on Ian, then paused, his face holding a hint of concern. “You sure you’re feeling up to this?”
“Um.” Ian looked down at himself, waving like a flag at attention. “Yeah. I’m pretty up.”
Josh snorted a laugh. “Ass.”
“I sure want yours.” Ian gripped Josh’s hip with one hand, guiding him until Josh was positioned over Ian’s groin.
Then the long, slow slide into heaven. Tight, hot. “You okay?” He forced out the words.
“Um-hmm.” Josh’s eyes were half closed as he worked himself downward. He had control in this position, so Ian stopped worrying. If Josh were uncomfortable, he’d back off.
When Ian was fully engulfed, and Josh’s bottom rested against his groin, Ian clasped the back of Josh’s neck and pulled him forward, careful not to strain Josh’s back or hurt him. But Josh lowered easily, and their mouths met for a deep kiss.
Then Josh sat upright, lifted, and slammed down. Ian cried out. He gripped one of Josh’s hips to help steady him, but it was Josh doing all the work. He rose and fell, rocked and did this twisty thing with his hips that had Ian’s eyes rolling back in his head.
The sight of Josh’s cock rising and falling in front of him with no attention had his mouth watering, but no way was he that bendy. He reached for it with one hand, and Josh leaned forward, grabbing Ian’s good shoulder—riding him in earnest as he thrust into Ian’s snug grip.
“Ian,” Josh gasped. “Ian, I’m—”
“Do it, baby.” Ian stroked harder, swiping the head and struggling to hold off his own orgasm. He wanted to see—that. Josh spurting, Josh crying out, Josh losing it as he convulsed in pleasure.
Ian followed him over, drowning in an intense wave of heat.
When he eventually managed to open his eyes, he’d slipped out of Josh, and Josh was splayed on top of him. He appeared to be as boneless as Ian. Simply lying there, catching his breath.
Josh rolled his head until his chin rested on Ian’s chest and he looked him in the eyes.
Ian returned the gaze solemnly. “You’re fucking awesome. Have I told you?”
Josh appeared to consider it. “I don’t believe you have.”
“Well, sir, that is most assuredly an oversight on my part.”
“A fact you might want to keep in mind for the future.”
“Should I? I mean . . .” Ian took a deep breath. “Can I plan on this again?”
Josh squinted at him. “Um, not tonight.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” He rolled over to stare at the ceiling. “We have some things to work out.”
“Oh.” Disappointment crushed Ian’s postorgasmic mellow. He had enough uncertainty in his life right now, so it would have been nice to hear something a little more positive. Once again, at least it wasn’t an outright Hell no. Persistence had gotten him this far, but how long was he supposed to keep pursuing Josh? And how long until Josh got tired of being pursued?
After an early morning quickie and another nap, Ian finally rolled out of bed midmorning. Pausing to listen, he heard the shower running. Reassured that Josh was in the apartment, he considered joining him, then stared sourly down at his bandages. That wasn’t happening; at least, not without a lot of plastic wrap. Having to do all that prep kind of took the spontaneity out of shower sex.
When Josh had finished in the bathroom, Ian took his turn cleaning up and then, dressed in the jeans and
T-shirt from the overnight bag Lucia had brought to the hospital for him, he strode into the kitchen.
Josh looked up from the stove with a smile. “Eggs this morning. I think you can stomach them. Your color is a lot better.”
Ian slipped his arms around Josh from behind in what was fast becoming one of his favorite positions. Josh turned his head to smile up at him, then got back to work with his spatula.
God, Ian could so easily get used to this. “Have you ever had bougatsa?”
“No.” Josh glanced at him, clearly curious. “What is it?”
“The best pastry you’ll ever eat. I’ll make it for you sometime.”
“Sounds good.” Josh turned back to the stove. “My mom taught me to cook the basics, but I’ve never gone much beyond that.”
Ah, family. Josh knew a bit about Ian’s, but Ian knew nothing about Josh’s. “Where is your mother? If she’d been in New York, you would have stayed with her instead of your nurse friend, right?”
“Yes. She actually is in New York. She and my dad have a GI office in Manhattan. They decided to go off on vacation to New Zealand right before all this happened, but they came home as soon as they could and now they’re back at work.”
Huh. “You didn’t want to join them in their practice?”
He shook his head. “That’s a bit too much togetherness. I’d have to go back for the specialty, and anyway, I loved being a . . .”
Being an emergency doctor. That was what Josh had been going to say.
And he came from a family of doctors. For the first time, Ian felt a twinge of worry about not having anything to offer. If only Ian could give Josh a reason to stay, some bright vision of their future together . . . But he didn’t really have any ambitions beyond working his job and getting the clinic on solid footing. Even if Josh stayed, could that be enough for someone like him?
He kissed the back of Josh’s neck. “They must be proud of you.”
Josh flipped an egg with an expert flick of his wrist. “I suppose.”
His hesitancy made Ian ask, “Why wouldn’t they be?” Oh . . . “Is it the gay thing? They give you a hard time?”
“The gay thing,” Josh repeated, amusement in his voice. “I never made a secret of it, and they’ve been okay. No, it’s more the dumping-a-perfect-boyfriend-and-running-away thing.”
The Doctor Takes a Detour Page 17