Page 37 of Primary Seduction
His gaze followed over his body one more time, then he removed the harness and placed it back in the wardrobe. He was still half hard. Trent was sure there was something bad about getting hard and soft so many times within a short period. His emotions were doing almost the same thing, up and down.
He glanced at the clock and realised he’d been away from the hospital longer than he’d planned to. Trent quickly got dressed again and grabbed the bag with clothes for Max and some magazines and books, then picked up his keys and headed off to the hospital.
****
Trent heard voices just as he pushed his way into the hospital room. His gaze went straight to Max and saw that he sat a little more upright against several pillows. Max turned to look at him, a smile lighting his face.
“Hey, you,” Max said. “I knew you’d be back sooner rather than later.”
“Well, what can I say, I can’t keep away from you,” Trent answered sarcastically, at least that was the tone he tried for. He saw Max’s eyes widen slightly and flick to the side. That was when Trent remembered he had other people in his room. He turned to the visitors and saw Sean, Asher, Zak and his son sat watching them with almost identical grins. He felt his face heat but smiled, ignoring them. “Hi, guys. How are you?” He set the bag he’d brought next to the bed; he’d tell Max about it later.
“We’re good. We heard you’ve had an adventure,” Asher answered, the concern in his eyes belying the lightness of his words.
Trent glanced over at Max, seeing him give a slight shake of his head, which Trent assumed meant he hadn’t told them the specifics of the previous night. He sat himself in the seat he’d occupied this morning and decided to keep the tone light. “You keep telling me I need to get out more.”
“Yeah, but hospital visits were not in the plan.” Sean raised his eyebrows at him, daring him to quip a remark.
Trent pointed at Max. “Blame him.” He turned his gaze to Zak’s son. “Hey, buddy. What’cha got there?” Dane looked at him, frowning for a second, then jumped off his dad’s knee and ambled over to him, chatting in the way only two-year-olds can, but holding out his toy to show him. It took him back to seeing Jocelyn and Harper being like this, small chubby legs walking as fast as they could across the floors, mumbling and chatting along the way. He frowned, wishing he had more photographs of them at that age, but Trish had them all. A fresh wave of anger spread through him, but he pushed it down to deal with another day. He’d had his fill of thinking about her today.
Dane trotted back across the room to his dad, and Trent concentrated on the conversation around him.
“—did Logan say? Has he found anything out yet?” Sean asked Max.
Max sighed and rubbed his forehead, chuckling gently. “Sean, Logan left like three hours ago, give him a chance. I know he’s good, but I don’t think he’sthatgood.”
Sean blushed—Trent wasn’t sure whether it was from anger or embarrassment—and sat back in his chair. “I know. I just…” He blew out a breath, and Asher curled his arm around his shoulders. Trent watched as he comforted Sean, whispering in his ear, and Sean leaned into him. Envy burned through him unexpectedly. He hadn’t felt that in a long time. After his breakup, he’d been glad to be alone, and it had held him steady for the past five years. Now though, things were changing, and he wasn’t sure if it was for the better or not.
****
Chapter 8
Max
Max watched as a gamut of emotions passed over Trent’s face as he stared at Sean and Asher. He wished he knew what Trent was thinking at that moment. It was almost longing, but Max wasn’t sure. Trent turned and caught Max looking—he wasn’t going to hide it. That kiss earlier had done a number on him, and he was all kinds of turned around. He cleared his throat.
“Everything all right in the outside world?” he asked, wondering if Trent would tell him what he’d run off to sort out.
“Yeah,” he said with a sigh. “All sorted for now.”
Max raised his eyebrows at his vague answer, and Trent chuckled.
“Trish. Being a pain in my ass, as always,” he explained.
Max nodded but frowned. He didn’t like the sound of that woman. Everything he’d been told about her, from Trent and the other guys, was awful. She sounded like a bitch who only cared about herself. He hoped he’d be able to control himself if he ever met her, but he made no promises.
“Has the doctor been in to see you yet?” Trent asked.
Max nodded. “Yeah. They’ve said it’s mainly bruising. My ribs are the worst, deeply bruised. They have said I can go home when I have someone to stay with me for at least three days.” Max rolled his eyes and sighed. “No one will put up with my shit for one day, let alone three!” He chuckled.
“You can stay with me,” Trent said, then his eyes went wide as if he hadn’t meant to offer.
Max would love to take him up on that offer, but he wasn’t sure it was in Trent’s best interests to have Max there with him. Luckily, Max could dissuade him because he had to work.
“Thanks, but you’ll be working. I’ll figure it out. Even if I have to stay here for a day or two.” He didn’t like the idea of it, but it was better than nothing.
“It’s half term. I’m not working this week.” Trent shrugged. “The offer stands.”
“It’s a good idea, Max. I’m rammed with appointments this week, and Asher has all the kids for the holidays so we can’t do it. And…” Sean glanced at Zak, “I’m sure Zak has enough on his plate with his little one there. Ethan’s at uni all week, and you know full well, Logan will be working too.”
