Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
How was DJ being so nonchalant about something so serious? “This has happened before? Are you sick?”
“No, no, it’s nothing like that,” he said soothingly, as if Seamus was the one who was hurt.
“Then what it is?”
He pressed his lips together and looked at him appraisingly, as if weighing his options, and then he loudly breathed out. “The loan shark was in town today. He wasn’t happy and he…” He bit his lip.
Mind racing, Seamus put the pieces together. “He punched you so hard he injured your kidneys.” He flipped DJ around, lifted his shirt, and almost collapsed when he saw the bruises forming over his lower back and flank. “We’re going to the hospital.” He hunched down and took DJ into his arms, cradling him against his chest.
“Holy fuck,” DJ said breathlessly, his eyes wide. “You are mad strong and this is so hot.”
Seamus jolted, that reaction taking him off guard. “I can’t believe you’re making jokes.”
“Oh, I’m definitely not joking,” DJ insisted. “And I suggest you put me down or I might get the wrong idea.”
“You’re hurt.”
“Yes,” DJ conceded. “But I know my body, and I promise, I’ll heal on my own. I’m not going to the hospital.”
He tightened his grip, bringing DJ closer.
“Seriously, I’ll be fine. I’ve had worse and I heal quickly.”
Heart racing, Seamus considered the implications of that statement.
“Hey.” DJ cupped his cheek and looked into his eyes. “Are you scared?”
“Of course I’m scared! Have you seen what he did to you?”
“I’m sorry. How about this? If I feel anything serious or if the blood doesn’t clear up by the end of the week, I’ll see a doctor.”
He hated that plan but he strongly suspected it was the best one he’d be offered. “You take off work and rest until that happens and you have a deal.”
“I can’t not work,” DJ said, panicked.
“You’re allowed to call in sick. People do it all the time.”
“Well, I don’t. And I need the money,” he said stubbornly.
Seamus wasn’t bothered by much and he generally let things roll off his back, but not this. “You do now. And I’m going to help you figure out your money situation. We’re going to talk about it at home.” He carefully evaluated DJ’s face. “Tomorrow. Tonight, we’re getting you cleaned up and then you’re going to sleep. Text Brewster and Tanner and Brent right now.”
DJ jutted his chin out in protest.
Two could play at that game, so Seamus arched his eyebrows and stared him down.
“Fine. But you have to let me go so I can get my phone.”
“Where’s your phone? I’ll get it.” He walked out of the bathroom, DJ still in his arms.
“It’s in the front pocket of my tight jeans, and I swear to God, Seamus, if you try to get it yourself while you’re holding me bridal style, you will be giving me a very specific message.” He searched Seamus’s eyes. “I usually find your cluelessness about all things romantic charming but I need you to understand what I’m saying.”
His heart was racing and his mind was all over the place. “You’re hurt,” he said again, ignoring what he very much understood DJ was saying.
“That is actually not my primary feeling right at this moment.”
Seamus stared at him, and after several long seconds, DJ sighed.
“Alright, I’ll take your deal. Put me down, I’ll text everyone and tell them I’m taking a few days off, and then we’ll go to your house where I’ll imitate a sloth under house arrest.”
It was what he had asked for, but still, he struggled to take that first step, every molecule in his body protesting at the thought of letting DJ go.
“Seamus? Do you want to put me down?”
No, no he did not. He really, really didn’t.
Chapter 9
“I’ll help you shower and then I’ll get you into bed,” Seamus said as soon as they entered his house.
Very slowly, DJ turned to the side and looked at him, trying to gauge whether he was serious.
The worried but guileless expression on his face indicated that he was. “Seamus?” DJ said patiently.
“Yes?”
“If I’m going to live here without one of us being uncomfortable, I need you to think about what you’re saying to me.” His husband was sweet, generous, caring, fun to be around, interesting, and hot as fucking hell. DJ was already half in love with him, so it was a struggle not to jump him even without the inadvertent sexual innuendos.
“What’d I say?”
“I worked a full shift today. I’m perfectly capable of cleaning myself. An act that requires me to take all my clothes off and lather my entire naked body.” He looked at Seamus expectantly, hoping that spelling out the steps involved in a shower would make him snap out of his anxiety-fueled daze and realize the implications of what he’d been suggesting.
Instead, Seamus just stared at him. A thirty-six-year-old man who had spent his entire adult life working in bar shouldn't be that adorably clueless and DJ didn’t have the energy to explain it any further.