Logan slipped his fingers inside the waist of Tate’s jeans. Then he mumbled, “Sure, laugh it up,” as he crouched down, taking the denim and boxers with him.
When he was at Tate’s feet, he sized up his naked body and was more than satisfied with the healing progress he was making. The horrendous bruising that had discolored Tate’s ribs was starting to fade, and the incision where the tube had been was almost healed.
As he let his eyes continue up to the ones staring down at him, Logan tapped Tate’s ankle. “Lift.”
Tate lifted, and as Logan pulled the pants away and repeated the move with the other, he asked him, “Truth or dare?”
As he stood and faced Tate, who was now completely naked, he shocked him by saying, “Dare.”
* * *
Tate didn’t take his eyes off Logan as he continued to carefully study him. When Logan looked up at him from his feet and his eyes zeroed in on his bruises, he wondered what he was thinking. Would he ever see him the way he used to? Enter my stupid decision of a dare.
Really, when it came to Logan he should’ve known better. The guy would always find a way to come out ahead of the game, and of course, he managed to pick the most difficult of things—even when on the surface, it appeared to be the easiest.
“I dare you to keep your eyes open, and on my face, when I take off all my clothes.”
That arrogant ass, Tate thought as he looked over Logan.
Considering that this was the first time they’d been truly alone for close to two months, that particular request seemed like the most impossible thing Logan could’ve asked.
But Tate was determined. He was the one who’d started this, and he’d be damned if he cracked first. “Easy.”
“So confident,” Logan said as he reached down and drew his shirt over his head.
Tate swallowed and watched him toss it on the counter.
“Should I tell you what I’m doing?” Logan asked, lowering his eyes over him. “Oh, would you look at that. I don’t think you need me to tell you. You’re imagining it all on your own.”
Tate shut his eyes, but Logan was quick to say, “Uh ah, no cheating. Eyes open, Tate.”
“Fuck you.”
Logan removed his boxers and jeans, and when he was standing back up, he took a step toward him and grinned. “That is exactly the kind of strenuous activity I was referring to. See? You are the one who needs to behave himself.”
Tate grit his teeth as he continued to look Logan in the eye. This close, he could see the dark flecks of blue around his pupils. He really did have the most amazing eyes Tate had ever seen.
“I did it,” he answered stubbornly.
“Yes, you did. So I believe it’s your turn.”
Tate let his eyes rove all over Logan, soaking in the sight before him. He was fucking beautiful, and Tate wanted to touch him. But the game was not over yet, so he asked, “Truth or dare?”
And quick as a flash, Logan answered, “Truth.”
“Will you ever see me the way you did before?”
Tate held his breath as Logan’s eyes darkened. He hadn’t realized how important this question was to him. But ever since he’d woken up, Logan had acted…perfect. He’d handled him with the utmost care, and as he raised his hands to cup his cheeks, Tate discovered he was scared. Scared that Logan would forever see him as damaged.
“No,” Logan finally said, and Tate felt his heart sink. “I’ll never see you that way again. Because before this, I didn’t know you were essential for me to feel alive.”
Tate let out the breath he’d been holding and brought his hands up to cover Logan’s as they stood there in the bathroom—stripped of their clothes and baring their souls.
He closed his eyes when Logan’s lips caressed his in a kiss so sweet that Tate’s toes curled against the tile floor. Then Logan’s mouth curved and he said, “But don’t think for a minute I’m not counting the hours until that follow-up visit. However, until then, you’re off-limits. So quit being so fucking sexy, okay?”
Tate’s laugh rumbled out of his throat, and Logan released him to walk over to the tub. He held a hand out for him to use and steady himself, and as Tate climbed in, he groaned. The hot water felt amazing.
Logan stepped in behind him, sat with his back against the tub, and invited him with a crook of his finger to sit down between his legs. “Come here.”
He should’ve looked ridiculous amongst the mountains of bubbles, but as Logan smiled up at him, Tate thought he looked incredibly inviting.
Carefully, he lowered himself down and nestled between Logan’s thighs. As he rested his head against Logan’s shoulder, he felt him twine his legs over his. Then Tate closed his eyes, luxuriating in the safety of the body surrounding his.