Cross kissed him and Rusty tried to put those words into the kiss. He wasn’t ready to say them, not first, just in case. But he could make his man feel it. Cross hugged him back as he deepened the kiss, the strength of those big mostly-upper-body-workouts arms squeezing the breath from Rusty. That was cool. That was good. Ever since he’d figured out what his dick was for, Rusty had dreamed about a strong guy giving back everything Rusty could deliver. Maybe his dreams would change a bit in the details, but not in the essence.
“Hell, yeah,” He murmured against Cross’s mouth. “And maybe pineapple and anchovies on the pizza.”
Cross snorted and bit Rusty’s chin.
Chapter 27
Cross stuck out his foot, eyeing the bulky plastic boot he wore, while waiting for his ride home. How sad that this was progress, being right back where he’d started two months ago. And yet, the doc was right that the pain had eased faster this time around. He tried to be hopeful.
Rusty pulled Cross’s Highlander up at the curb in front of the hospital and jumped out. “Happened to be in the neighborhood. Need a ride, dude?”
That made Cross laugh. “What are you doing here?”
“They cancelled camp for the rest of the day. The storm this morning brought down the powerline to the center, and until they fix it, we’re taking a break. So I told Arthur I’d come get you.”
“He should’ve cleared that with me.” Cross wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or pissed that his driver listened to Rusty. Sure, he’d told everyone Rusty was staying with him and to be treated like family, but there were protocols.
“He cleared it with your scary security lady.” Rusty lost some of his good cheer. “Unless you’dratherride with Arthur.”
“No. God, no.” Cross almost reached for Rusty, remembering at the last moment that this was a busy hospital parking area and he could see at least one person with a cellphone out.I’m going to come out to the team and the fans. As soon as this thing is off my foot, I’m done hiding.He tried a joke. “A drive with hockeyconversation or talking about golf? No contest.” When Rusty didn’t smile, he added, “That’s a joke.”
“Let’s get you in the back with your foot raised.”
“Let’s get me in the front like a normal person for a change. I only have to elevate half the time now.”
That did make Rusty look happier. “That’ll make life easier.”
“No kidding.” They’d made out in bed yesterday, and ended with him giving Rusty a blow job lying on his side, his head pillowed on Rusty’s thick thigh, his bad foot up on a pillow. It wasn’t his favorite position, although lying flat for the massage he got in return hadn’t been a hardship.
Rusty had come in Cross’s mouth, although it’d taken a while. Cross wasn’t sure how much was the awkward angle, and how much was lingering uncertainty. He’d insisted he didn’t need the massage, didn’t need payback, sucking Rusty off was fun for both of them, not some kind of transaction. Rusty pouted and asked why he was taking the massage class if Cross wouldn’t let him practice and Cross said of course, he could practice. Rusty’s strong, if still inexpert, hands had melted Cross’s muscles down into relaxed mush, and they’d spent then next hour dozing and lazily making out. A good ending, but he figured they still had work to do to get comfortable with their newly established dynamic.
Whatever it takes.That hour of being with Rusty, hands and mouths, no pressure, no goals, just the man he loved and skin on skin, was the best he could ever remember feeling.
“What should we do with your day off?” he asked as Rusty boosted him into the SUV passenger seat and stowed his crutches behind him.
“I don’t know.”
“I have some interesting ideas.” Cross put a little heat in his tone and Rusty gave him a sideways look that became a faint grin.
“Yeah?”
Before he could take it further, Rusty’s phone pinged with an email chime. Rusty pulled out of the exit lane into an empty row of stalls and put the SUV in park. “I should check. Maybe the community center got power back faster than expected.”
“Sure.” Although Cross hoped not.
Rusty dug out his phone, checked his email, and froze, staring.
Cross couldn’t figure out the look on his face. “What? Bad news?”
Rusty shook his head and passed over the phone. The email on the screen came from the Tacoma Tornados organization.“Your invitation to attend development camp with the Tornados July 1 – 5.”
The body of the email told Rusty he would participate in skills testing and assessment for strength, range of movement, and aerobic capacity. Attendees would receive personally tailored nutritional advice, leadership training, and a media workshop…
“That’s excellent!” Cross grinned. “I knew your season with Eugene would’ve impressed them.”
Rusty took back the phone with unsteady fingers. “They’re going to give nutrition advice to guys living off ECHL salaries.”
“Quit bitching and send back your acceptance.” Cross bopped Rusty’s thigh with the heel of his hand. “Go on.”
