“I have a great idea!” Quick’s jovial voice broke into Cayson’s exhausting thoughts.
Cayson smiled a little brighter. Of course he does. I hope he’s full of great ideas. “What’s that?”
Quick rounded Clifton Road and pulled into a reserved parking space for physicians at the main entrance of the hospital, killing the engine. Quick turned in his seat, giving Cayson his full attention. Quick just watched him for a few seconds before he leaned over the large center console and kissed Cayson gently on the lips. “Good morning.” He beamed. Those gorgeous green eyes gleaming with all kinds of delicious mischief.
Cayson fully laughed this time. It felt good. Real good. “Good morning, Roman,” he replied breathlessly, absently licking his lips. Quick tasted just as good in the morning as he did at night.
“Duke texted me a moment ago. We have a bounty this afternoon. Usually I go and unwind somewhere after we’re finished, but I’d like to unwind with you... um, wait.” Quick’s eyes widened slightly. “Not unwind like that… you know… like I want in your pants… unwind, ya know… like go to a—”
Cayson put his hand on Quick’s hard shoulder, still chuckling at the big man’s fumbling. “I know what you meant.”
“Good. I’m still trying to redeem myself with you. I know last night was a clusterfuck.”
“No, our date wasn’t. The dinner was special to me and I enjoyed it very much. What happened with Joe was not your fault at all. Besides. You were right. He came back, pissed off and out of control. Things may have ended differently if you weren’t there. Joe wouldn’t’ve left. Not without a police escort.”
“I wasn’t concerned with being right. I was concerned about you.”
Cayson’s head swam with emotions. Was Quick really for real? He hoped so. But he’d already hoped for so long. He needed to be about the actuality. Meaning, he would judge on actions alone. No more fancy words or empty promises. Walk the talk or get the hell out of his face was his new motto. It seems Cayson thought of a new slogan each day. The fact of the matter was, Quick had been there for him. Told him he would be and then he came through for him. “Thank you for being there.”
“No thanks needed.”
“Yes, there is.” Cayson was feeling lightheaded and slightly tired, but at least he’d gotten five hours of sleep thanks to Quick, so he’d make it through the day. Thank god, it was Friday. He needed a couple days of reprieve.
“Well then, you can have dinner with me tonight as thanks, since you insist.” Quick slowly kissed the inside of Cayson’s palm while looking up at him through his dark brown lashes. No man ever did that to him. What did Quick see in Cayson’s hands anyway? It was the second time he’d done that. As if he read his thoughts, Quick spoke.
“These hands saved my best friend’s life. My son’s life.” Quick turned Cayson’s hand over, and began to sensually kiss and flick his thick tongue at each fingertip. “So soft,” he whispered, massaging Cayson’s palm now.
If Cayson didn’t leave soon, he was going to walk into the hospital with a mad hard-on that wouldn’t be concealed behind his dark gray slacks. But he swore that if he’d had no appointment scheduled right now, he’d probably be eyeing the space capacity of Quick’s backseat. Shaking away his lust, he responded to Quick’s request, when he finally remembered what it was. “You want to cook again?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m a terrible cook. I might can boil water, but who knows. Never had time to learn,” Cayson confessed.
“Of course, you didn’t. I couldn’t imagine that much college,” Quick admitted.
“So you want to come back to my place?” Cayson offered begrudgingly. This conversation brought up all the times he’d wanted to go out but Joe didn’t.
“I was actually hoping to take you to a little place I love downtown. It’s quaint. Nice atmosphere, terrific food, and they have live music on Friday nights. It’s a hidden gem I found a while back.” Quick ran the backs of his fingers down Cayson’s freshly shaved jaw. His eyes clouded with doubt. “What d’ya say, huh? You want to go out on the town with an uncultured ruffian like me?”
Cayson was ecstatic. Out! Out on an actual date? He kept his poker face, he refused to gush, and blush like a teenager. The way Quick worded his last question, Cayson didn’t feel right beaming in the man’s face when he looked to be doubting himself. Did Quick honestly feel he wasn’t good enough for Cayson? It was nuts, because Cayson had been thinking the opposite. It was a boost to his ego, especially after Dr. Joe had demolished it mere hours ago. “Sure. I’d love to go out with you. That sounds like a real nice place.”