Page 71 of The Professional
“What happened?”
“I’ll let you know later. Right now I need to get back to Forrest. If you have any issues, you know where to find me.” Rourke was about to walk away, but stopped again. “And Terrance, there’s an ice-cream store down the street. Forrest loves it.”
Terrance smiled. “Yeah, I know which one that is.”
“Bring Forrest a bucket of ice cream.”
“You got it.”
Rourke patted Terrance on the shoulder as thanks before he shifted past him down the hallway and back to Forrest’s room. By the time he walked in, the maids had finished laying down new linen, but he couldn’t see Forrest.
“Where’s—” He didn’t even finish his question before one of the maids pointed to the walk-in closet. “Where’s the doctor?”
One of the maids answered, “He went to get some painkillers, sir, and said he’d be back.”
“Thank you.”
Rourke opened the door to the closet and stepped through. He found Forrest curled up on the green bench inside, his knees pressed to his chest and his head bowed. The sight made Rourke’s heart ache. He’d never seen Forrest this defeated, and Rourke hated this side of him. The confident and flirty Forrest was easier to handle.
“Are you okay, baby?” Rourke took a seat on the bench beside Forrest and laid a hand on his knee.
Forrest rested his chin on the back of Rourke’s hand and smiled. The bruise on his left cheek had darkened quicker than the rest, and the horrible contrast between the mark and Forrest’s natural skin color made Rourke’s inner demon stir. “You like saying baby now, don’t you?”
Rourke laughed. “I’ve definitely got used to it when I’m with you.”
“I like hearing you say it. It makes me feel safe. Is that stupid?”
“No.” Rourke squeezed his knee.
“What happened keeps replaying in my head again and again, and I keep thinking what I could have done to stop it. I could have kneed him in the balls, but I was so fucking worried about what you’d say if I hurt a VIP.”
“Forrest—”
“I know, it’s stupid. I’m worth more to the Virtue than that.”
“You’re worth more tomethan that.” Rourke shuffled closer and kissed him on the lips. “Don’t pretend you don’t know how much you mean to me. You met my mother, remember? And you survived. That makes you worth keeping.”
Forrest chuckled, dropped his knees and hooked them over Rourke’s on either side of the bench. He wriggled closer until their crotches nearly touched. “She’s sweet.”
“As sweet as someone who doesn’t know when to mind her own business can be.”
“She cares. It’s more than I can say for most of the people in my life.” Forrest touched Rourke’s hair and carded his fingers through it.
“What did the doctor say?”
Forrest flinched. “He said the injuries aren’t anything to be concerned about. Sprains, maybe, but it doesn’t look like I have broken bones. The bruising will go down, but I have to keep an eye on any severe swelling. He’s gone to get some stronger painkillers from his office. He said he’ll talk to you when he gets back.”
Rourke sighed in relief. “I’m glad it’s nothing serious. We’ll keep an eye on you.”
“Tell me more about your childhood. About Shay, even.”
Rourke cocked his head. “Why?”
“Why not?” Forrest asked. “I want to know more about you.”
Rourke rarely talked about his childhood to anyone. He’d always believed reliving things was pointless, and the past should be kept in the past. Except, he’d tell Forrest everything he wanted to know. The thought of what could have happened to him made fear swell inside of Rourke, and the realization that if Angel hadn’t come to get him…. Rourke shook his head. “Let’s go lie on the bed and, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
Forrest’s happy grin made it all worthwhile.
