Page 35 of Primary Seduction
Max could tell Logan was in full investigation mode now. “Yeah.” Max rolled his head to look at Trent and was silent for a moment. “I crossed a line I shouldn’t have crossed…” Max turned back to Logan, “and I needed to find my feet again.”
Logan looked between Trent and Max several times before he nodded slowly, obviously reading between the lines of his words. “Do you know who beat you up?”
Max looked him squarely in the eye and lied. “No, I have no idea.”
Logan stared at him for a moment, then bit his lip and nodded. “Most people, when they’ve been beaten within an inch of their lives, are spewing information left, right and centre, hoping that any piece they give will help the investigation. You, on the other hand, I have to pry information out of. Usually, that means you’re hiding something.” Logan paused to let that sink in. “All I’m going to say is that you need to think carefully about what you’re not saying. I can only help you so much, then my hands are tied.”
Max locked gazes with him and nodded. Something passed between them, but Max was unsure exactly what. It was as if they both had similar secrets.
A ringing phone broke the silence and made Trent jump to sitting, then groan as he grabbed at his neck. The noise stopped after a moment.
“Have a nice nap?” Max teased. Trent’s gaze flew to his, and he saw his eyes light up. He wished he would look at him like that every time. Max’s heart pounded, and he was glad he was not linked up to a heart rate monitor. Trent stood from the chair quickly, wincing again.
“Serves you right for sleeping in such a comfortable position,” Logan quipped sarcastically.
Trent glared at him, then the ringing began again. Max realised it was Trent’s phone when he pulled it out of his pocket. The grimace on Trent’s face identified the caller without any words. He pressed a button and pocketed it again.
“How are you feeling?” Trent asked. He sat on the edge of the bed, hesitantly. Max really,reallywanted to put his hand on Trent’s thigh, which was so close to him, but he refrained. Just.
“I’m all right. A bit achy, but I’ll live. Thanks for—”
Trent’s phone rang again, and he cursed. “Sorry. She’ll just keep calling if I don’t answer. Let me take it outside, I’ll be back in a minute.” He reached forward and squeezed Max’s hand, then left the room.
Max was shocked that Trent had touched him like that after their conversation last night, even something so basic.
“I don’t know what’s happening between you both, but I know how you feel about him.” Logan’s voice came closer as he headed to the bed. Max refused to look at him. “He’s a little lost, Max. I have no idea what’s going on in his head at the minute, but you need to give him time. I’m not saying he’s gay or bi or straight. I have no idea what he is right now. My best advice would be to just be there when he needs it, when he doesn’t, when you need it. Just be around him and let him figure it out himself. Pushing won’t do anything. And it may, in fact, make it worse.”
Max did look at him then. He could see the sincerity in Logan’s eyes and the camaraderie. “Thanks,” he whispered.
Logan nodded and walked to the door. “Oh, one more question. Are you worried about your safety?” Logan pinned him with his gaze as he asked the question.
Max bit his lip. The medic had told him he needed to be with someone, but he didn’t think that meant he needed protection. He shook his head. Logan stared at him for a moment, then nodded again. “See you soon.” Then he left.
A nurse came in not long after, Max could still hear Trent outside his door on the phone. The nurse took his obs, chatting generally about things. Trent came back in looking sour faced.
“Everything okay?” Max asked, worriedly.
“Yeah, just Trish being Trish.” He winced. “I am going to have to leave for a couple of hours though. Will you be okay?”
Max was disappointed but understood that Trent had his own life to live. “I’ll be fine. I have the nurses to keep me company.” He smiled at the nurse, and she blushed.
Trent rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you do. I’ll be back in a couple of hours then. Your phone is in the drawer next to you if you need it.” He hesitated.
“Trent, I’ll be fine. Go.” Max shooed him away, withholding a flinch at the harsh movement.
He nodded and turned for the door.
“Mr Walker?” The nurse called his name, and Trent turned to her. “You can kiss your boyfriend goodbye, I won’t mind.”
Max choked as he repeated, “Boyfriend?” and looked at Trent. He saw him clench his teeth and finally realised how Trent had managed to get them to let him in here. With Logan’s words ringing in his ears, he decided to let him off the hook. “It’s okay, he’s not big on PDA’s. I’ll see you later. Sweetheart.” He couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his lips when he tacked on that last word. He couldn’t resist a little dig.
Trent blushed but stood staring at Max. Then he walked slowly over to the bed, looking down at him. Max could see him chewing on his lip and was confused what he was thinking about. Max’s eyes widened as Trent’s face lowered towards his. He scanned Trent’s face for any indication of what he was thinking. Then he felt Trent’s soft lips against his own in a brief caress before he pulled away again. Max gasped, eyes closed from the unexpectedness of it. When he opened them, he saw Trent was still close, looking at him. “Wha—” Max tried to talk but was stopped by Trent’s lips against his own again, this time a little harder and a little longer. Max wanted nothing more than to grip the back of Trent’s head and plunder his mouth, but he restrained his urge. This was more than he could have ever hoped for, even if it went against Logan’s opinion.
Max took a chance. He opened his mouth a little and stroked his tongue across Trent’s lips. Trent paused, then opened a small amount. Max’s heart rate increased exponentially, he couldn’t believe he was kissing Trent—or rather Trent was kissing him. Their tongues touched, and Trent deepened the kiss a little more. It was only when a groan fell from Max’s mouth that Trent pulled back and stared at him.
He could read shock and panic on his face. Max pushed up, ignoring the pain, and pressed one last kiss to Trent’s mouth. “Go,” he whispered, feeling his lip begin to bleed again.
Trent turned around and left.
