He put a finger under my chin, lifting it until we were looking into each other’s eyes. “They’re not people…not human anyway.”
I sighed and kissed him when he leaned down, then slid my hands up and over his back, feeling a raised bump. Tracing the two-inch line, I realized it had to be another scar that I dared not look at. He straightened but framed my jaw with both hands as he stared into my eyes. “It’s another scar, Wes, and it’s not the only one.”
I felt the tears prickle my nose and he smiled sadly, reaching up to brush them away with both thumbs before pulling me close. “You have such a soft heart. Did anyone ever tell ya that?”
I wrapped both arms around him, burying my face in his midsection as I shook my head. “No.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head as the tears slid from my eyes. We stood that way for a minute or two before I let go and leaned back, sniffling as I reached for a tissue. “Sorry,” I said, wiping my nose. “So not sexy.”
He smiled again before leaning down to kiss me and stepping back. Holding out his hand, he said, “Come on, luv. Let’s make those steaks.”
I stood, patting my belly. “I think I actually can eat again and you’re gonna need your energy.”
“Laddies first,” he said, sweeping a hand out to the bathroom door. Though I couldn’t be sure, the thought that maybe he didn’t want me to see his back, crossed my mind as I complied, walking out to the bedroom first. He followed me out and then surprised me when he walked over to his chest of drawers, turning his back to me as he dug for clothes. I stifled a gasp as I caught sight of multiple scars all over his skin from neck to waist, dipping below the towel. Someone had taken a bull whip to this sweet, dear man, shredding the skin of his poor back…over and over again. I turned away so that he wouldn’t catch me staring.
I heard him stop rummaging around and then turned as I heard him coming toward me. His expression was sad. “It’s ugly, I know.”
I opened my mouth to say something but realized nothing was coming out. “Sorry,” I croaked.
He came close and slid his arms around me.
“I survived and I’m okay now. It’s taken years of therapy, but I’m okay.” He reached up and slid a hand behind my neck, bringing me down and kissing me softly. I closed my eyes, holding him so tightly, I never wanted to let go. Eventually, he did break the kiss. “Come on now. I need to feed my man.”
I stepped back. “Okay.”
After he got dressed, I walked into the living room behind him and glanced around. It was just as I’d left it this morning, homey, serene, a refuge from the outside world. I was safe here with Patsy. I felt very much at peace in his space which was beginning to feel like mine as well. I shook myself, remembering that this situation was temporary, Patsy was not my boyfriend, he was just a guy who’d stepped in to help me because he was a really nice man. I followed him with my gaze as he went to the fridge and pulled something out of it, shutting the door before coming back. He held out a bottle of Gatorade.
I took it gratefully. “Thank you.”
He nodded and opened his bottle, putting it to his lips and drinking deeply. The way the muscles in his throat worked as he swallowed, made me think all kinds of dirty thoughts. I couldn’t help but smile around the lip of the bottle and Patsy grinned at me before stepping forward. “Ya know yer very easy to read.”
“Yeah?” I chuckled. “What was I thinking?”
He shrugged. “Ya were watching me swallow.” His eyes glittered.
“Guilty as charged,” I laughed. “Let me get started on those steaks.”
“Let me do it. You’ve had a hell of a day, Wes.” When I hesitated, he pulled me in for a chaste kiss and then stepped back. “How about we do it together?”
“You really are the most stubborn man I know,” I muttered.
“I’m Irish.”
I laughed. “Fine.” I knew there was no point in arguing with him, so we began preparing our dinner together. In less than half an hour, the table was set, complete with small bowls of salad and the leftover cheesy, garlic dinner rolls from last night. I walked into the kitchen as Patsy looked up from the plates where he was forking our steaks. A saucepan with mashed potatoes sat on the counter. I smiled as he leaned in for another kiss. I couldn’t get enough of his lips.
It was soft and sweet, but I pulled back quickly. As much as I wanted to throw him over my shoulder and drag him back to the bedroom, I didn’t want to ruin the beautiful dinner we’d made by letting it get cold. “Those steaks look amazing. I’ll dish up the potatoes,” I said, opening a drawer and pulling out a large serving spoon.
“Thanks,” he replied. “I hope you like your steak medium rare. I should’ve asked.”
“Medium rare is perfect.” I scooped the potatoes onto the plates as he retrieved a bottle of something from the fridge. He held it up.
“HP Sauce.”
I must have looked confused because he laughed. “Like A.1. Steak Sauce but better. Culinary delight, it is.”
I grinned. “How’d you know?”
“That ya liked it? Ya look like a meat and potatoes kinda guy.” He reached out and ran a hand slowly over my belly. I was slightly shy about my body, but after what had happened earlier, I was convinced that Patsy was attracted to me, so I only smiled.
“I like steak sauce and butter and everything else I shouldn’t eat.”
