With one final look of approval thrown Quick’s way, Cayson overcame the urge to touch the big man and walked back behind his desk. Duke was here in a professional capacity, so he’d act as such. He gestured for Duke and Quick to get comfortable. Duke sat down in his usual chair in front of Cayson’s desk and Quick sat on the couch, crossing his leg and resting his boot on the opposite knee. Yes, the same couch he’d been reclining on just last night when Quick rubbed the tension from his shoulders. Blinking, he cleared his throat, not wanting his hard dick to get to the point of painful.
“I hadn’t planned on bringing company, Doc, but someone insisted on tagging along.” Duke didn’t look behind him, so he didn’t notice Quick’s middle finger aimed at the back of his head. He really was a roughneck. Cayson didn’t mind the character trait at all. He made it feel so right to do something bad and wrong. True, Quick was a law-abiding citizen, but dressed like he was, Cayson felt it okay to indulge in a few fantasies.
Cayson was able to get through Duke’s appointment quickly since they were only going over his lab results from his last visit. The man was in his prime and extremely healthy. His kidneys were functioning well, and looking through Duke’s journal, he saw very little documentation of any complications. He was supposed to document any pain or even twinges he felt during his everyday routine. Cayson squinted at one particular entry, two weeks ago. “Are you still experiencing numbness in your right leg, Duke?” Cayson asked.
“No. I think it was a onetime thing. I may have been sitting too long.”
Cayson watched Duke for a moment. “You sure?”
“Yeah. I’m good. I haven’t felt it anymore, and even then, it only lasted a few minutes.”
“Alright, then.” Cayson closed the worn notebook and gave it back to Duke. His was a classic fairy tale story. Vaughan swept in like a white knight and saved Duke’s life, in hopes they’d have a future together. Cayson was glad he’d got to be a part of that. It made all that time in isolation at medical school and residencies worth it. “If it happens again, please call. Don’t wait until your next appointment. I’ll want to get another MRI and see if there are any new developments.”
Duke stood and clapped his hands once. “Sure thing, Doc.” He turned to Quick. “Ready to go, buddy?”
“Sure.” Quick stood and stretched his back. “I’ll meet you out front.”
“Good to see you, Duke. Everything looks fine. Make sure you see Nania to schedule your next appointment. You know the drill.”
“Sure do.”
When Duke closed the door behind him, Quick didn’t waste a second before he had his arms around Cayson’s waist, pulling him into him. Quick held him, caressed his back, his neck, dipping down, he placed a sugary sweet kiss on Cayson’s cheek. “How’d your surgeries go this morning?”
Cayson adored that question. Smiling in the safety of Quick’s arms, his cheek pressed against the hard steel that was Quick’s chest, while he recalled his day. He absently fingered the gold bounty hunter star clipped to Quick’s thick belt. He was enjoying their current position, so he took his time answering.
“It was good. It was routine, no complications.”
“My brilliant surgeon.” Quick kissed his forehead in praise, continuing his light massage.
“I-I actually had Dr. Joe as the anesthesiologist for my biopsy.”
Quick stiffened before he pulled Cayson back, concern etched all over his gorgeous face. “What happened? Did he hurt you? Did he say some shit to you?” Quick wasn’t yelling, but his posture shouted how upset he was.
“Nothing happened. No, he didn’t hurt me; he didn’t utter a word. Matter of fact, Joe acted like he’d never seen me before. I think he was more terrified than anything.”
“Terrified?”
Cayson rubbed his hand over his chin, thinking about Joe’s abnormal behavior. He should’ve known Cayson wouldn’t out him. For years, they’d been civil, but mostly friendly colleagues. “Uh-huh. He came into the OR looking pale and sick. I gave him a curt nod, ya know. Kinda saying hey. But he ignored me and turned around. He kept his back to me for the entire forty-five minute procedure.”
“Fine. As long as he doesn’t step out of bounds, I don’t care how silly he acts.” Quick pulled Cayson back to him. He loved how Quick used touch to express himself. Cayson was the same way. He loved being embraced, moved, and even manhandled. Quick tilted his chin up. “I thought about you today.”
“You did?” Cayson grinned. Hell. He really shouldn’t be that happy about such a very broad statement. Quick could’ve thought anything about him, and here he was prematurely celebrating. Straitening himself he asked, “What did you think?”
“Well, I made the preparations for our date tonight, and I couldn’t help but picture you happy and leaning into me all night while I wine and dine you.” Quick’s smile was amazing. Behind those full lips were pretty white teeth, although the bottom ones were a little crowded. Cayson felt it gave Quick more character.