Sweet Topping CV3 (8 page)

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

43

happier. What happened to Kyle had sucked, but he felt with this shower, they’d made a huge leap in their relationship.

“You doing okay?” Gill asked as he finished fixing the small motor.

“I’m fine,” Kyle yawned.

“I’m almost done and then I’ll take you back to your place and tuck you in before fixing the elevator.”

Kyle shook his head. “It’s late. Why don’t you fix it in the morning?”

“Then how would you get around the kitchen? It’s okay. It shouldn’t take long and I’ll have your chair next to the bed when you wake up.”

“Will you stay with me?”

“Of course, although, would you be offended if I brought over the queen size bed from my spare room sometime?”

“Not as long as you promise to sleep with me in it.”

“Deal.” Gill set the finished motor inside a cardboard box and went to wash up.

By the time he had his hands cleaned and the box loaded in his SUV, Kyle was sound asleep, slumped over in the chair. Turning off the main lights, Gill picked Kyle up out of his desk chair and carried him outside. As he buckled Kyle in for the short drive, Kyle began to awaken.

“Shhh, go back to sleep. I’ll get you tucked in.” He drove half a block and parked in front of the bakery. He unlocked the front door and went back for Kyle.

“Okay, you’re home,” Gill said, lifting Kyle out of the seat. Kyle’s arms immediately went around Gill’s neck as he nuzzled his face in the crook of the bigger man’s shoulder and neck.

He found himself squeezing Kyle a little tighter as he made his way up the staircase with his precious cargo.

After laying Kyle on the bed, he quickly removed his clothes. Knowing what his little man needed to prepare for bed, Gill went into the bathroom and returned with one of Kyle’s condom catheters and the glue that helped keep it in place.

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

44

“Baby? Can you wake up enough to put this on, or do you want me to do it?” He didn’t mind doing it, of course, but Kyle would be mortified in the morning. “Kyle?” Kyle’s eyes struggled to open. “I can do it.” Gill bent and gave Kyle a kiss before handing him the needed supplies. “I’m going to get started on the elevator. I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”

“Okay,” Kyle said, fumbling with the catheter.

Gill looked at Kyle one last time before leaving the apartment. What would’ve happened had he not come over when he did? What if Kyle was left in that busted elevator until someone worried enough to investigate? The thought chilled him to the bone.

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

45

The bell over the door signalled someone’s arrival. Kyle quickly dried his hands and looked towards the front of the store. “I’ll be right there,” he called.

“No hurry,” Nate called back. “I’m just looking at your goods.” Chuckling, Kyle wheeled to the front. “You’d better watch that, Gill will be on you.” Nate puffed up and wiped the side of his nose with his thumb. “Bring him on.” He laughed and gave Kyle a wink.

“So, tell me what happened with the elevator. Gill rushed us in and out so fast, I didn’t get the story. And were you really in there for over three hours?”

“Yeah,” Kyle rolled his eyes. “I was going up to get showered so I could head over to the garage and the damn thing just stopped half-way between floors.” Nate pointed towards a turtle brownie and Kyle grinned and opened the case. “So why didn’t you have your phone? You always have that thing with you.” Kyle handed Nate the decadent dessert. “That’s the same thing Gill asked.” Kyle wondered if he should confide in Nate. “I didn’t tell Gill the reason. I just told him I’d left it on the work counter, but truth is, I left it there after a huge fight with my father.” Nate’s brows rose as he licked the caramel from his fingers. “Why didn’t you tell Gill?”

“He was the subject of the argument.”

“Your parents don’t approve? I take it they’re not football fans,” Nate grinned and stuffed the last of the brownie in his mouth.

“No, they aren’t fans. They don’t want me seeing anyone, because they’re afraid it will keep me from going back to Irvine. Hell, they’ve already lined up a top-notch physical therapist.” Kyle drummed his fingers on the glass case. “It doesn’t seem to matter what I want.”

“What do you want?” Nate asked, leaning his arms on the counter.

“Gill. He’s foremost in my dreams. After Gill, I guess walking, but Gill comes first. If this town had a decent therapist, I’d be set, but I can’t maintain a long distance relationship.”

“He’d wait, you know.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right, but without him my heart wouldn’t be in it.”

SWEET TOPPING

Carol Lynne

46

The door opened and Wyn stepped inside. “When is spring due to arrive?”

“Not soon enough,” Nate answered. “How’re you doing, buddy?”

“Quite well, thank you. I happened to see you come in here from next door and wondered if you’d do me a favour?”

“Sure, you know that.”

“I know you live out by The EZ Does It and wondered if you’d drop off Mr. James’

special order?”

“Special?” Nate seemed to perk up at the words. Everyone in town knew Nate loved nothing more than fine clothing. “What did he order? Something from New York?” Wyn clucked his tongue and crossed his arms. “I doubt that Mr. James would have a clue about New York fashion. No, I had to order in some new jeans and shirts. He’s the only one in town who wears size triple x giant.”

Kyle had seen the brief peck Ezra had given Wyn on Christmas Eve. He wondered if that was the reason Wyn didn’t want to venture out to the ranch.

“I can take the stuff by, Wyn, but why don’t you just call him and have him come in and get it himself? That way you could ogle each other some more.”

“I do not, ogle. Will you take the clothes or not?” Nate held his hands up in front of him. “I will, geeze, you’re touchy. Something happen between the two of you? I thought maybe you’d start sparkin’ before long.”

“I don’t want to talk about Mr. James any longer. I’ll get the clothing bagged up and you can drop in after you leave.” Wyn started to leave, but Nate stopped him.

“Wait, I’ll walk over with you.” Nate turned back to Kyle. “Can you box me up a couple of those brownies? I think my guys would like to nibble on some of those after dinner.” Nate made his brows dance in that funny way he had when he was thinking about sex.

“Will do. Give me a couple of minutes.”

“I’ll be back.”

Nate followed Wyn out the door and Kyle started folding one of his bright green boxes.

He chuckled as he thought of anyone referring to Ezra as Mr. James. Ooh, Wyn must have it bad to be that pissed off.

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Carol Lynne

47

“Hello?”

“Hey, Hal, it’s Gill. I was wondering if you could do me a favour.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

Gill switched the phone to his other ear and handed George Manning his change. As he watched him walk out of the station, he continued. “I need to run over to Sheridan later to pick something special up for Kyle, and I was wondering if I could get you to ride along. I, um, need help picking his Valentine’s Day present out.”

“Let me get this straight.
You
need
my
help? What happened to the man I used to know? He’d never have taken my advice on something so personal.” Gill rolled his eyes and sighed. “If you don’t want to, just tell me.”

“Don’t get pissy. It’s just a nice change of pace. I was kidding.”

“Well?” Gill asked. He was starting to lose his patience with his best friend.

“What time? I’m free around two but pretty booked until then.”

“Two’s fine. The Withers kid should be here by then to watch the register.”

“I’ll come by the station since it’s on the way out of town.”

“Sounds good, thanks, Hal.”

“Oh, you’ll owe me, but maybe I can find something for Casey at the same time.” Gill hung up the phone and looked down at the sales flyer on the counter. He hoped he wasn’t jumping into the fire prematurely.

He picked up the phone again and called Kyle.

“Brynn’s,” Kyle answered.

“Hey, baby.”

“Hi,” Kyle said in a seductive voice.

“I need to run to Sheridan this afternoon to help Hal with something. I thought maybe you could call Casey and see if he wants to meet you at Canoe for dinner? Hal and I should be back around seven, so we could meet up with the two of you there.”

“Yeah, sounds fine to me. I’ll give Casey a call and let you know.”

“Love you,” Gill whispered into the phone as a customer walked in.

“I love you, too. I’ll call when I know something definite.”

“Okay, talk to you later.” Gill hung up with his heart a little lighter. Talking to Kyle always had that effect on him.

* * * *