Tash burst out laughing. “Listen to Jordan. Chill out and sit down already, and I’ll explain what to do.”
Reluctantly Luke returned to the couch to sit by Jordan’s side. He folded his arms. “Go on. I’m listening.”
Jordan nudged him with his elbow. “Don’t be rude.”
Tash dropped into the chair opposite them. “It’s fine. I don’t blame him for being concerned.” He turned his attention to Luke. “I’d never leave Jordan if I didn’t think you could take care of him. He’s already finished with his dosages for the day, and he seems to have made it through them without many issues.”
“But he had some?” Luke glanced over at Jordan, who outwardly seemed relaxed and unconcerned. Who the hell knew what time bomb ticked inside of him?
Tash nodded, and Luke appreciated the fact that the man wasn’t sugarcoating his speech. “He’s slightly pale, and his pressure is a bit low. Not anything to be concerned about, but it’s something to keep an eye on.” He took out a different blood pressure cuff from his bag. “This is an automatic blood pressure machine. You’ll take it every four hours to see if it stays steady. I’ll show you how to use it before I leave later.”
Luke never took his eyes off Tash, drinking in every word he said. As far as he was concerned, Jordan’s life depended on it. “Okay, I’ve used them before at the gym.” He turned to Jordan and glared at him. “You aren’t going to give me a hard time about this, right?”
“No, Warden, I promise.” Jordan smirked at him, but Luke still wasn’t laughing, so his expression turned serious. “I promise, Lucas.” Then he grinned, blue eyes dancing. “I always wanted a hot male nurse taking my vitals.” He stood up and swayed a bit. Luke jumped to his side and held on to him.
“You all right? Go on, lean on me.”
A fine sweat beaded on Jordan’s forehead. Though he attempted to laugh, the grimace on his face, coupled with the look of panic, let Luke know things weren’t as perfect as Jordan would like. “What’s wrong?”
“I think I’m gonna throw up.” Jordan gripped his arm. “Shit.” He stumbled, and Luke half led, half carried him to the small bathroom by the kitchen. As Jordan fell to his knees, retching miserably into the toilet, Luke smoothed the hair off his face and rubbed his back.
“Take it easy, darlin’. It’ll be okay.” He patted Jordan’s sweat-dampened back, but Jordan rolled his shoulders and pushed him away.
“Go away,” he rasped. “Leave me alone.” He breathed heavily but wasn’t sick again.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Let me help.”
“I said get out,” Jordan lashed out. “Stop hovering over me like I’m an invalid.”
Wise to Jordan’s temper and not wanting to upset him any further, Luke backed out of the bathroom but stood in the hallway. Sasha sat by his feet and whined.
“Yeah, I know, sweetheart. But his bark is worse than his bite.”
After several minutes of waiting, Luke heard the toilet flush and the water run in the sink. The door opened, and a disheveled-looking Jordan stepped out. Hollow-eyed and worn, he leaned against the doorjamb and rubbed his hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I hate people seeing me weak and out of control.” Sasha let out a short bark, and gingerly, Jordan squatted down on his heels to pet her.
“I know you do. But you need help, and that’s why I’m here and Tash as well. You’re going to get through this, but you have to work with us.”
Glancing up at him from petting the dog, Jordan flashed a rueful smile. “Bet you didn’t think you’d end up as my nursemaid.”
“I’m not. I’m your lover, and I care for you. So you’re going to let me and your doctor do what’s best for you. Got it?”
Instead of letting loose with another outburst, warmth kindled in Jordan’s pale blue eyes. After giving the dog one last pat, he stood and wordlessly took Luke’s face between his hands and kissed him. Hard. He tasted fresh, of mint and clean water, but his tongue was hot, slick, and needy. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Luke heard a throat clear and then a cough.
Kissing Jordan one last time, Luke opened his eyes. Over Jordan’s shoulder, he saw Tash standing in the hallway, a surprisingly sad look on his face. Unexpected sympathy for the man welled inside Luke, making him more generous in spirit than he normally might be. “I think you need to get some food inside you, Prep School. All you had was a bagel this morning.”
Jordan made a face. “I can’t even think of eating.”
“Luke is right, though. You need something inside your stomach to settle it. How about some toast and scrambled eggs? I can make that for you.”
Jordan opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Luke was certain he was about to protest, but weak as he was, Jordan couldn’t take care of himself. “Fine.” They trooped into the kitchen, and after Jordan sat down at the table, Luke and Tash busied themselves getting a light lunch prepared. They talked as they worked, and Luke’s earlier misgivings melted away in the face of the obvious concern Tash had for Jordan.
He placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of Jordan. “Here you go.”
Jordan placed a forkful in his mouth, then pushed the rest of the food around on his plate.
“Not hungry, huh?”
“Not at all. I’m tired. I want to go to bed.”
