Page 24 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

“They are.”I’d gone to school with Noel and had no clue Kendra was into motorcycles.But she was much younger than me.“Look, this is a pleasant conversation, but we need to get you stripped and into the shower.Or maybe a bath.”I really needed to google heat exhaustion.I didn’t even know what his core temperature was.

Interestingly, Spike’s apartment was the mirror opposite of mine, and his bathroom was on the outside wall of the building.Always too cold during the deepest winter months.

Where Spike’s differed from mine were the luxurious appointments.He had a separate shower and tub, two sinks, and a nice, pretty toilet.And, to top things off, a lovely, frosted glass window.

When I indicated the toilet seat, he sat acquiescently.I turned on the water, carefully gauging temperature.I wanted to cool him down, but I didn’t want to shock him with cold.We weren’t at that stage.

At least I hoped not.

A hand touching my back startled me.Still crouching, I pivoted back.

“I’m really okay.”He rubbed his forehead.“Truly.”

“Well, that’s great.We’ll get you cooled down, and then I’ll decide if you’re really okay.”I snagged the hem of his T-shirt and, with a little help from him, managed to get it over his head.

My breath caught.

Yeah, I’d suspected he was good-looking.Okay, I suspected he was gorgeous.

My imagination hadn’t done him justice.Apparently working in a repair shop and riding a motorcycle left a guy ripped.Or he worked out on top of everything else.Man, the guy was perfection.

I, on the other hand, was softer.I walked, listening to audiobooks, but I didn’t spend any time at the gym.He hadn’t seen me earlier when we’d been fucking, so he didn’t know.Maybe he wouldn’t find me attractive.Maybe all he cared about was my cock.

Get your head in the game.

The tub was just about full, so I shut off the water.When I reached for the button on his jeans, though, he stilled my hands.“I can do this.”

“I’m sure you can, but you’re going to let me help.”

“Dickens, I—”

I glared.

He relented.

After unbuttoning his jeans, I coaxed him into standing.I unzipped his jeans and dragged them, along with his underwear, down his legs and to the ground.Of his own volition, he stepped out of them and over to the tub.Within moments, he was lowering himself into the chilled water.

He hissed.

“Suck it up.It’s the quickest way to cool you down.”

Once I was sure he’d stay and also wouldn’t pass out and drown, I left him to it.Had I noted the pretty cock nestled in the thatch of dark curls?Absolutely.I wasn’t blind.Did I shove that thought aside as I called Dr.MacCauley?Yes to that as well.

“He’s on his lunch break,” his very officious receptionist informed me after I introduced myself.

“It’s kind of urgent.”

She chuffed.“Well then, you should go to the urgent care clinic or the hospital.Or you could call the nurse’s hotline.”

All reasonable suggestions.But I wanted to speak to someone I knew.“Please.”I wasn’t above begging.

Another chuff.Finally, at length, “Hold, please.”

Tinny muzak came through the speaker, and I made a note to tell the doctor that he really needed better hold music.Another day, though.

“Hey Dickens, what’s up?”

The relief was instantaneous.“Hey, uh, sorry to bother you.”

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