Sweet Topping CV3 (3 page)

That’s when it really hit him. He needed Kyle as much as Kyle needed him. He’d walked away from professional sports because he was tired of lying to himself and everyone SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

13

around him about what he wanted out of life. What good were money and your face on a trading card if you were alone at the end of the day?

He’d managed a few very discrete affairs, but they all ended the same way. His partner always wanted more than Gill was able to give. It wasn’t his career that had held him back, although that was what he’d always used as an excuse. No, the reason was he’d never felt enough emotions for any one individual to capture his interest for long.

Kyle was different though. He didn’t need to date the man to know the way he felt about him already.

His eyes roamed first the man and then the room. It appeared two bedrooms had been joined to create one large space. Aside from Kyle’s normal bedroom furniture there was a small weight machine and another piece of exercise equipment Gill wasn’t familiar with.

Standing, he approached the equipment to further inspect it.

“It’s a Flexiciser,” Kyle said in a soft sleepy voice. “It helps keep me in shape by moving my legs.”

“Cool,” Gill said before going back to Kyle’s side. He sat gingerly on the edge of the bed next to Kyle’s hip. “How’re you feeling?”

“Fine. Stupid. I can’t believe I acted like such a spaz Ryan had to call Doctor Browning.” Gill reached out to run his knuckles up the side of Kyle’s face. “It’s not stupid. Someone tried to break-in. Anyone would be a little freaked out, especially someone with mobility problems.”

Kyle smirked. “Is that what I have? Mobility problems?”

“How ’bout I make you a deal. You stop being such a smartass and making fun of everything I say and I won’t pick you up and put you across my knee.” Gill’s voice was stern but he ruined the effect by ending the statement with a wink.

Looking sombre, Kyle reached up and covered Gill’s hand where it still rested on the side of his face. “Why do you act like you care so much?”

“Because I do,” Gill stated honestly. “I know I made you angry by doing the research that I did, but I wanted to go into a relationship with my eyes wide open.” Kyle’s brows rose. “A relationship? We’ve skipped the dating part and went straight to a relationship?”

Gill shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed. “I already care about you. It makes sense that if I get the chance to take you out, my feelings will only deepen.” SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

14

“I have no control of my penis and I very rarely ejaculate.” Wow, Kyle kind of threw Gill for a second by blurting that out. Still, he wasn’t fazed.

“That’s fairly normal for someone with T10 paraplegia. But there are things that we can try together that can be just as pleasurable.”

“Better than fucking?” Kyle shook his head in disbelief. “Nothing’s better than a good screw, well except maybe catching a good wave.” Gill smiled. “A surfer boy were you?” He quickly sobered and bent over to place a chaste kiss on Kyle’s lips. “Give me the chance to show you how much feeling your body still has. Say you’ll go out with me Friday.”

A yawn stretched Kyle’s jaw before he slowly nodded. “Okay. Will you stay until I get back to sleep?”

“I’ll stay all day if you need me to.”

“Can I ask one more favour?”

“Anything.”

“Lie beside me and hold me. It’s been so long.” Without a word, Gill took off his work boots and stretched out next to Kyle. Instead of trying to move him, Gill curled himself around the smaller man in a protective embrace. He kissed Kyle’s cheek. “Get some rest. It looks like you could use it.” SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

15

Checking himself out in the mirror, Kyle tweaked his hair a little more before rolling his eyes. “Enough already.”

He knew he was acting like he’d never been on a date before, but his nerves were definitely getting the better of him. As the minutes ticked away, Kyle’s hands began to sweat.

He enjoyed Gill’s company, too much. He hoped he wasn’t setting himself up for a fall.

The ringing phone took his attention away from the mirror just as his hand reached up to fiddle with his hair again. Shaking his head, he chuckled as he dug into the small pouch he kept around his waist for the phone.

“Hello?”

“Kyle? Its mother, how are you doing, dear?”

“Hi, mom. I’m fine. How’s everyone there?”

“We’re missing you terribly. Why don’t you stop this nonsense and come back home where you belong? You know what the doctors said. With intense physical therapy, you could have the chance to walk again.”

Kyle took a deep breath. It was an ongoing argument and was getting really old. “I’ve told you a hundred times. I need my independence. When I’m home, people hover and refuse to look me in the eyes. In Cattle Valley, no one knows me from before the accident.

The friends I have don’t dwell on my paralysis. I like it that way. This is my home now, mom. Please accept it.”

“You and I both know that will never happen. We’ve the resources at our disposal to try and get you walking again. How can I just turn my back on that possibility? I miss the boy you used to be.”

“Mom!”

“Oh calm down. I’m not talking about the son who used to walk. I’m talking about the son who didn’t mind relying on his family.”

“I was a sponge.” Kyle shook his head. “Looking back, I don’t like the man I was before the accident, and I hope I never go back to being that selfish prick.”

“Kyle!” Now it was his mom’s turn to sound shocked.

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

16

“Sorry, but I’m a good baker. I’ve always had a passion for it but you and Dad always said it was beneath a Brynn. Here, I don’t have to try to live up to the family name. I can be me, and I like me.”

“We’ll buy you your own bakery if you come back home. You could open a chic coffee shop. They’re all the rage you know. Then you could bake your little doughnuts and brownies to serve on the side and still have the therapy you need.” The doorbell saved him. “I gotta go, mom. I’ll talk to you next week.”

“Where do you have to go that’s more important than talking about your future?”

“On a date, and I have a future, right here in Cattle Valley that doesn’t involve spending hours in a hospital every day.”

“A date? Kyle, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You know what the doctor told you about the possibility of a sex life.”

“Okay, stop. I’m not about to discuss my personal life with you, especially my sex life.

I’ll talk to you later, mother.” Kyle hung up and put the phone on the dresser. If he knew his mom she’d demand his father call him back.

Wheeling towards the elevator, Kyle grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair.

Pushing the button on the intercom, he greeted Gill. “I’ll be down in a second.” Hopefully Gill was a patient man because the elevator, though practical, took forever to descend.

Finally making it to the door, he unlocked it. Maybe he should give Gill a key. That would save him from having to come downstairs every time. Kyle rolled his eyes at himself.

Here he was planning many return visits and they hadn’t even started their first date.

“Hey,” he said opening the door.

“Hi,” Gill replied. He leaned down and gave Kyle a quick kiss. “You ready?” The ringing phone from upstairs could be heard through the heating vents. “Yep.” Gill surprised him by waiting beside the door for Kyle to wheel through. Most people took it upon themselves to try and push his wheelchair whenever they accompanied him.

Kyle was happy Gill had known it wouldn’t be welcomed unless asked.

“Do you want to take the van?”

Gill stopped beside him. “Will it be uncomfortable for you to ride in my Explorer?”

“No, although it’s a little high off the ground so you might need to give me a boost.”

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

17

Grinning, Gill ran his hand down the side of Kyle’s face. “You mean I’d have to put my hands on you? Damn, what a shame.” He winked and led the way to his maroon SUV.

Gill was a little taken aback by Erico’s fussing as they arrived at the Canoe. He personally escorted them to a table in the corner with only one chair present.

Funny, Gill didn’t remember telling them when he made the reservation who would be joining him, but they must’ve known. It was nice for Kyle though not to have to wait while the chair was removed.

His face must’ve given his puzzlement away because Erico chuckled in that seductive way he had. “I stop into the bakery every morning for one of Kyle’s lemon squares and to pick up the deserts for the day. I’ve been trying to seduce him into joining forces with me here at the restaurant. We could always use an onsite pastry chef.” Gill’s eyes narrowed as he studied the oh-so-smooth Latin man. “Just make sure that’s all you try to seduce.”

Erico grinned and winked at Kyle. Gill knew the growl escaping from his throat was audible but he didn’t care.

“Of course, Gill. I’m only interested in Kyle’s…buns.” Erico chuckled and headed towards the kitchen.

His gaze slid to Kyle who was trying to hide a grin behind his glass of water. “Does he talk to you like that often?”

“Eric? Come on, Gill, its Eric. He talks to everyone like that. He doesn’t mean anything by it.”

Gill didn’t know whether to feel glad or insulted. “He’s never talked to me like that.” Kyle choked and coughed. “I don’t think you’re his type.”

“See,” Gill said pointing towards Kyle. “He doesn’t do it to everyone, just those that are his type. What is ‘his type’ by the way?”

“Young, small. I don’t know, let’s change the subject.” Deciding that would be a good idea, Gill nodded and reached across the table and took Kyle’s hand. “Thanks for coming out with me.”

“You’re welcome.”