“I was told we aren’t allowed to eat dinner in the living room. I might have to tell on you.”
A laugh sat on the sidelines but he didn’t have the energy to get it out. “Don’t go getting me in trouble.”
They were mostly quiet while Wes ate. He wondered why Braden stayed, but then realized he didn’t mind the company and didn’t mention it. When he finished eating he set the plate down and tossed a crust to Jock, who caught it. “I am so fucking tired.” He dropped his head back and closed his eyes. “We lost the patient. It was a MVA. I always...” He sighed, knowing he wouldn’t finish that statement. Motor vehicle accidents were tough for him, especially when they lost the patient. He always pictured his mom.
“Anyway, I ran a few minutes late from that, and then someone needed a ride home and they were a little out of the way. Sorry again for being late. I owe you one.” He owed him more than that if he would admit it.
“Do you want me to go so you can get some sleep?”
Wes opened his eyes, rolling his head to the side so he could still lean back against the couch but could see Braden, too. He had his leg pulled up, his ankle resting on a knee. He had on a long-sleeved shirt, but like most of what he wore, it was pulled taut across the hard planes of his body. His dark hair looked like he’d run his hand through it over and over; Wes realized it pretty much always looked like that. He hadn’t had his hands in that hair enough the night they spent together.
“I’m tired as hell but can’t seem to relax enough to go to sleep. I toss and turn half the night.” He shut up there and hoped Braden wouldn’t ask why. Wouldn’t pry into things Wes would rather not talk about.
And thankfully, Braden didn’t ask. He just looked at Wes with an expression in his eyes that Wes didn’t understand. No, that was a lie. He knew what it was. Lust.
Braden stood, walked over, and sat on the coffee table in front of him. Arguments and words teased his tongue but he didn’t let any of them out, just continued to lean against the couch and look at Braden.
“When was the last time you’ve done anything for yourself? The last time someone has done something for you?” Braden didn’t move closer as he waited for Wes to answer.
“Why? What does that have to do with anything?”
“You work extra hours when you’re exhausted to help someone else out. You give someone a ride when we both know you just wanted to be home. And that’s just what I know about from today. What do you do for you? What do you let someone else do for you?”
Plenty of people in his life had made sacrifices for him—Chelle, Lydia, his mom. “Don’t try and make a hero out of me. And you watched my niece for me tonight. You watch her every week, so I could say the same thing to you. You do something for me every week.”
Braden shook his head. “Nah. I don’t do that for you. Jessie’s cool to hang out with and you’re nice to look at. I’m here for me.”
The air in the room thickened. Wes’s body began to overheat. He wanted to feel something, something besides worry and stress and fear.
And Braden was more than just nice to look at. He had a dimple below his mouth that Wes suddenly wanted to taste. Wanted to put his hand in the hair he’d been admiring and fist it tightly there.
“I want you.” Braden pushed toward the edge of the table.
“I have nothing to give right now.” I never do... When Alexander walked out on him, when he hadn’t been enough, he’d decided he’d never try to be again.
“I’m not asking you for anything. Well, except for you to let me get on my knees and blow you.” He went down to the floor between Wes’s legs and reached for his sweats.
Wes’s hand shot out, wrapping around Braden’s wrist. “Not here.” His voice sounded gravelly, even to his own ears. “Not where Jessie could come out.” Because no wasn’t even a possibility. How could he turn this down? Braden had fucked him before. He’d almost been with Noah. Sex was just sex, and he was tired of fighting it. It had been different when Chelle was still alive. Different right after. But damned if he didn’t need this right now.
“Hell yes.” Braden stood and Wes was right behind him. He followed Braden to his bedroom, closing and locking the door behind them. As soon as the lock clicked into place, Braden went back to his knees again. “Jesus, it’s been killing me not to have my mouth on you.”
He put his forearm against Wes’s stomach and pushed him backward, against the door. “I didn’t get to suck your cock last time. I’m warning you right now, I’m good at this.” He looked up at Wes and winked.