Page 23 of Lane

“We’re not on camera in here, are we? Or being listened in on?”

“No, I would never do that.”

“Just checking. Anywho…” He dropped his voice and leaned forward. “The other day, I was on a job with you know who and I might have called you and Raiden my boyfriends.” I did not think he’d say that. Apparently, I should expect the unexpected with Lane.

“Why?”

“Some asshole grabbed my wrist, and Raiden… Well, let’s just say Raiden didn’t take it well. I got in the guy’s face and told him my men don’t like to share. I also said people don’t fuck with you and Raiden.”

“I…” What the hell was happening? Part of me was beyond confused, and another was trying to refrain from asking who touched him so I could go find him. That wasn’t me. I wasn’t the guy who got possessive and had the urge to hurt another. I wasa doctor, for fuck’s sake. “Were you afraid?” Who knew why I asked that?

He scoffed. “Um, no. I don’t intimidate easily. You remember who I grew up with. You never met them but they were evil incarnate. Jack didn’t scare me.”

“Jack?”

“The guy. Anyway, I called you my boyfriend and thought we should talk about that. I violated a code of something.”

“A code?”

He groaned. “Why must you ask so many questions?”

“Because I’m confused as hell.” I stood, pushing the stool back so I didn’t trip over it. On the wall, I grabbed the otoscope so I could pretend to examine him.

Lane watched me, then leaned away when I tried to look in his ear. “What are you doing?”

“You’re here for an appointment. I should at least make sure you’re doing okay.”

“I’m fine. If you’d like to look me over, I have much more interesting places than my ear to offer for an examination.”

Sighing, I returned the otoscope to the wall. “You’re not making this easy on me.”

“I’m not sick.” He lifted his hand and traced his fingers along my tie. My breath stilled. “I like this look on you, but not as much as when you were relaxed on my couch. Why did you leave?” I shouldn’t have been surprised he brought it up.

“You were comfortable with Raiden. He would take care of you. I wasn’t needed any longer.” There was no reason to mention how right they looked together. I didn’t belong.

“Neither of us wanted you to go. You could have stayed and cuddled with us.”

I swallowed, as difficult as it was now with the vision of the three of us lying together on the couch was in my head, not that we’d fit. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”

“The truth.”

“I told you to be with Raiden. You don’t need me.”

“Need. Want. Desire.” His hand wrapped around my tie to pull me closer. “You belong, Al. Don’t make me beg.” Dear god, I could not get hard at work. Lane licked his lips. “You want to kiss me, don’t you? I’m no longer infectious.” He scrunched his nose up. “That was the least sexy sentence I think I’ve ever said.”

“I was afraid of us becoming more and me being rejected. Raiden… I don’t know what he wants or how to handle things with him.”

“That’s because he doesn’t use his mouth like he should. Okay, that sounded dirty, but I didn’t mean it that way. We need to talk. All of us. I’d say just you two, but I have a feeling if you were in a room together, neither of you would say anything and instead stare at the wall.” He wasn’t wrong. Even when I had Raiden on my schedule for an annual visit, our conversation was kept short and concise.

I took the stethoscope and put it in my ears. “I’m going to listen to your lungs.”

“We’re not done talking.”

“You had bronchitis. I need to make sure your lungs are clear.”

“Fine. Have it your way.” Lane reached for the hem of his shirt and lifted it over his head, revealing a smattering of dark hair on his chest, stomach, and down to where it disappeared into his jeans.

My mouth went dry. I couldn’t take my eyes off his body, off the muscles beneath that hair, or the ones in his arms.

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