“I’ll bring dinner.” He grinned. “Be good. Great to meet you, Solomon. I think you’re exactly what he needs today.”
“I’ll make sure he relaxes. No worries.”
God, could Solomon sound more Colorado?
“Thanks, man.” He patted Troy’s leg. “Love you.” He turned and left the room feeling better that Solomon was there.
Now he just had to face Emma. And work.
26
Troy woke up at four a.m. convinced that Saul was hurt, was bleeding, was needing him.
The monitors started going off, alarms warning everyone that his heart rate spiked, even as he flailed to find his phone.
Someone got in his way, fought with his hand, pushed him back down into the mattress.
“Stop, Troy. Hey! You’re okay, baby.”
“Saul! Be careful! I’ll get you help!” He loved Saul; he wouldn’t let him bleed out in the arena.
“Troy. It’s me. I’m fine, baby. You’re dreaming. Look. Look at me.”
He tried to look but the lights got bright all of a sudden making him squint.
“Mr. Finch?”
“He’s dreaming. I think if I just—”
“Mr. Finch, I need you to take a deep breath for me. Can you do that? A deep breath.”
“Saul.” He sucked in a breath, the lights sparkling in his eyes.
Saul took his hand. “I’m right here, boy. I’m fine. It was just a dream.”
“He needs a sedative—”
“No. Pain meds yes, but all he does is fight the sedation. He doesn’t need it. Shut the lights off, please.”
“Sir—”
“Shut the lights off, I’ve got this.” The grip on his hand grew tighter. “Boy. Relax and breathe. You’re fine. I’m fine. It was a bad dream.”
“Oh. Oh, you were hurt, Sir. You were hurt.” He focused on Saul, on that sure gaze.
Saul spoke slowly, reassuring him over and over. “I’m not hurt. I’m totally fine. We’re in the hospital, remember? You have to calm down, or these ladies are going to sedate you again. Deep breath. We’re okay.”
“I love you. I thought… Terrible dream. It was so real.”
Saul glanced over at the nurses. “Better, right?”
“Better. He’s got another hour before he can have anything more for pain.”
“We’ll call you. Thank you so much for coming running.”
Saul waited as they left the room and then turned back to him. “Do you want to talk about it? Tell me what it was about?”
“You were bleeding out on the arena floor, and I couldn’t save you.” He held on to Saul’s hand, feeling himself tremble uncontrollably.
“Oh God. How scary.” Saul leaned closer and looped an arm around his shoulders, hugging him carefully. “I’m so sorry, baby. You’re not gonna lose me. I’m not going anywhere.”
He leaned over, breathing in the now-familiar scent of his lover.
Saul held him quietly, patiently until he wasn’t trembling anymore and then released him. “It must have worried you, being alone today.”
“I just… I’m ready to go home, to sleep with you in our bed.” Surely he wasn’t that bad, that he couldn’t be left alone for a minute…
“Soon. I want that too. I really do. You have to meet their criteria though. I don’t want you home too soon. You don’t want to end up right back here again.”
“I never want to be here again. I’ve been in the hospital enough.” He leaned harder, stroking Saul’s arm, belly. “My granddaddy called it the horse pistol.”
“Horse pistol—oh!” Saul laughed. “That’s great. I like it.” Saul looked at him. “Suppose you slide over and make some room for me. You think we could fit?”
“I know you could.” He scooted over, the tape over his chest pulling and irritating his skin, but it didn’t matter. He needed Saul with him.
“Awesome. I’m coming in.” Saul smiled at him and climbed up, settling on one side, sharing his pillow and resting a hand on his belly. “Hey, this is pretty good.”
“It is.” He could hear Saul’s heartbeat, the sound steady and strong, like music. “Do I get to go home, soon?”
“Didn’t you tell me Monday? It’s Saturday, so yeah. Soon. Then you’ll just need to build your stamina back up. I’m looking forward to working on that with you.” The suggestive tone in Saul’s voice was a little dirty.
He laughed. He actually laughed, and it felt so good. Like he might not be permanently broken.
Saul laughed with him. “You like that idea? Me too. Who says physical therapy can’t be fun? I’ll be your favorite therapist. Dedicated, creative, attentive. You’re gonna love it.”
“I already do.” He twined his fingers with Saul’s, taking another deep breath. “I bet you’re way more fun than Sylvia the Torturer.”
“I bet I’m better looking too.” Saul sat up on one elbow, smiling. “I’ll give you a sample.” Saul kissed Troy, tongue sliding along his lips until he opened.
Oh.
A part of him—a huge part, really—had been afraid that this part of his life was fucked up, was gone. Stupid, but he’d had a ton of stupid shit in his brain in the last week.
Geoff swore it was just the drugs.
Saul’s kiss was deep but not demanding, offering and not asking for anything in return but his focus. When they parted, his Master smiled at him. “I’m not going anywhere. Okay? If I’m not here, it’s always just a matter of time before we’re together again. I promise.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. You have to be so tired of me.” Such a needy titty baby.
“No. I’m not. And I won’t get tired of reassuring you either if that’s what you need.” Sir drew a finger across his cheek, voice patient, kind. “We’ve made some promises to each other haven’t we?”
“Yes, Sir. More than some. I’m yours, full stop.” He turned his face, kissed Saul’s fingertip.
“Mine.” It was Saul who took the deep breath this time. It might be four in the morning, but that smile lit up his room. “Thank you, boy. I… needed to hear that.”
“I needed to say it.” He traced Saul’s lips, feeling decadent and lazy, the horror from the dream all fading away.
“Time to sleep. I told them not to sedate you again, so you better prove you don’t need it.” Saul chuckled. “And I have the dreaded Saturday shift at the bike shop in a few hours.”
“Sleep. Day after tomorrow we’ll be in our own bed. I’ll make you French toast.”
“You’re on. Goodnight, baby.” Saul settled next to him, relaxing easily, and was off to sleep in minutes.
He sighed softly, kissing Saul’s forehead. “Goodnight, Master. Sleep well.”
Soon he’d be doing this in his own bed.
27
Saul’s eyes popped open wide and he sat up in bed. It was Monday morning, a bright sunny day, and he was bringing his boy home.