Jordan pulled him close, loving the hardness of Lucas’s body against his. He brushed a soft kiss to Lucas’s lips. “I’ll tell you later tonight. Or better yet, I’ll show you.”
Remembering finally that Tash was waiting to start the treatment, Jordan took Lucas by the hand and brought him to the sofa to sit next to him. “It’s great that you’re going to be here every day. I’ll need all the support I can get.”
Lucas shrugged off his jacket and slipped his arm around Jordan’s shoulder as they sat on the sofa. “I’m always here for you. After all, Jordan should have the people around who know him best and care for him, right, Tash?” He turned a cool eye to Tash, and Jordan wondered what was going on.
Tash rolled up his sleeves, but Jordan noticed his jaw tighten and the lightness recede from his face.
“As long as they truly care for him. Jordan will need stability and the knowledge that he is loved and cared for. His anxiety levels have to be kept to a minimum.” Tash stood. “Are you ready, Jordan?”
Lucas squeezed his shoulder. “You got this, Prep School. Remember what you said to me the other night. Fucking own it and take control.”
Jordan nodded and, with an almost surreal detachment, observed Tash sliding the needle into his vein, then injecting the flumazenil into the IV. After adjusting the drip, Tash placed a small bandage on his arm at the site of the needle insertion.
“That’s it.” Tash smiled. “Now relax, maybe close your eyes for a while, and take a nap.”
Lucas carefully lay Jordan’s head down in his lap. “Here, Prep School, use me as your pillow.”
Jordan rested his cheek on Lucas’s heavy thigh, settling in with a comfortable sigh. The faint scent of citrus bodywash combined with Lucas’s underlying heat and musk both stirred and soothed Jordan. He closed his eyes, finally able to believe he’d begun to turn his life around.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Hey, Prep School. You awake?” Luke smoothed the blond waves off Jordan’s brow. For the past hour he’d been on the phone, conducting business, but managed to sneak in to grab quick glances at Jordan as he slept. Poor guy was exhausted. Luke knew how little Jordan had actually slept last night, and he was loathe to wake him, but Tash said he needed to eat something, as it was already after two in the afternoon.
“Why did you stop being my pillow?” Jordan scrubbed his face with his hands, then frowned.
That was more like it. Jordan was a perfect Oscar the Grouch, and Luke made a mental note to buy him an Oscar T-shirt. “You were out of it, and I needed to make some phone calls for work.” Lucas’s smile faded. He was so worried about the side effects. He should’ve known better than to go online and check those medical websites that made you believe you suffered every deadly illness known to man. “How do you feel?”
With some anxiety, Luke studied Jordan as he swung his legs off the sofa and sat up. Luke put a steadying hand on his shoulder, but Jordan shook it off. “No, I’m fine. I’m surprised but yeah. I feel good.” He glanced around the room. “Where’s Tash?”
“Here.” Lucas heard footsteps behind him from the hallway. Tash had a stethoscope around his neck and a blood pressure cuff in his hands. “I had to get these. I need to check your vitals, Jordan.”
Lucas held his breath as Tash performed the routine exam.
“Well? Will I live?” Jordan laughed and pulled down his sleeve.
Luke failed to appreciate Jordan’s attempt at humor. “Don’t joke, Jordan. Christ, you’re a doctor. You know anything can go wrong with these treatments.”
“I’m sorry. I was only trying to lighten the mood.” Jordan placed his hand on top of Luke’s, sliding their fingers together.
“I know, but I’m nervous.” Luke stared at their entwined fingers. “I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“He’s right, though.” Tash folded the blood pressure cuff and put it on the coffee table. “This treatment is still not favored by all doctors and has been known to cause seizures in a small percentage of patients.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lucas yelled and dropped Jordan’s hand. “I don’t remember reading that.”
Sasha came running down the hallway, barking her head off. Protective as always, she ran straight for Jordan, crowding against his legs. He spoke softly to her, rubbing her ears and praising her. She licked his hand while keeping a wary eye on the others. Though she loved Lucas, Jordan was her master and ultimately the one she adored above all.
After taking several minutes to calm his dog down, Jordan addressed Luke’s outburst. “I’m aware of the risk, and I still chose to do this. I need to get this poison out of my system as fast as possible.” He indicated the needle in his arm. “I did this to myself, Lucas. I have to do it my way.”
Luke remained standing, still unconvinced. “But why take unnecessary risks? That’s what I don’t understand.”
“I’m monitoring him with the utmost care, Luke.” Tash spoke up from his stance by the fireplace. “I know you’re concerned, and I appreciate that, as I’m going to leave him in your care this evening.”
Luke whirled, panic-stricken, fear thumping through his veins. “You can’t be serious. I don’t know what to do.” He paced the floor. “What if something happens? What if—”
“Lucas. Relax. Come over here and sit.” Jordan patted the cushion next to him. “It’s going to be fine.”
“No, no, it’s not. I’m not a doctor, for Christ’s sake. I’m a financial analyst. What am I going to do if he gets sick, sell his stocks?”
