Bastian smiled sweetly at Hudson. It was obvious that he cared for Carter’s brother. “You don’t have to go to the bakery. Aaron grabbed your donuts and the coffee.”
Watching the way Bastian stroked down Hudson’s back and held him close, Carter had to admit that he approved. Hudson was a touchy-feely guy and not all his partners liked that. Seeing Bastian already catering to Hudson’s needs and not hiding him even in public moved the guy up on Carter’s list of those who deserved respect. Okay, this might not be so bad after all.
Hudson glanced at Carter with his cheeks a little pink, as if Hudson was embarrassed. Carter winked.
Hudson seemed shocked before happiness started to radiate from him. Carter needed to remember that Hudson could make his own decisions and he liked this guy. It was Carter’s job to support his brother. Sometimes it was hard being an observer and not being able to take control of Hudson’s life. Carter had to remind himself of that often. He might have some control issues. So sue him!
“There’s Aaron now.” Bastian nodded behind Carter.
Carter turned, spotting an attractive man in fitted jeans and a button-down shirt heading in their direction. He had shoulder-length blond hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. It was the eyes that Carter mostly remembered. A unique green that Carter had never seen on another person. Carter had seen him, askedaround, although he was new to the area as well. Not much was known about him yet.
“I didn’t do it, officer,” Aaron said cheerfully. “But if you need to break out the handcuffs, I totally understand.”
Hudson giggled as Carter rolled his eyes. Handcuff jokes? Why did guys always go for handcuff jokes? “Like I haven’t heard that one before,” Carter said. Trying to show the attractive man that he wasn’t impressed. That it took much more than corny jokes to impress him. No matter how much Carter wanted to move closer to this guy who was apparently Aaron and bringing Bastian and Hudson donuts and coffee.
“You haven’t heard it from me,” Aaron pointed out.
That was true and Carter hadn’t found anyone in town, man or woman—he wasn’t picky—that had caught his attention. Until he had spotted this cute guy. More than cute. There was something about Aaron that caught his attention and made his protective instincts come to the surface.
“Could you stop hitting on Hudson’s brother, please,” Bastian grumped. “It’s kind of disturbing.”
“Brother?” Aaron’s face lit up. “A firefighter and a policeman in the same family?” He shoved the boxes and cup holder into Bastian’s hands.
Bastian scrambled to keep everything from toppling over as he growled. Not that it appeared to matter to Aaron. He was too busy eying Carter like he was on the menu.
This boy had trouble written all over him. Carter might be interested in Aaron’s kind of trouble if it came with that pretty smile.
Aaron wiped his hands on his dark pressed jeans. “Hello, brother! I’m Aaron. I’m an Aries who loves long walks, candlelight, and getting handcuffed.” He held out his hand. “And of course a man in uniform.”
Carter knew the moment he touched this guy that his world was going to be turned upside down. He just knew it. His gut was already telling him that Aaron was going to…be something. Good or bad only time would tell. He took Aaron’s hand into his bigger one.
An electric shock startled him, sending tingles up Carter’s arm as Aaron jerked like he’d been jolted by a taser. Aaron’s eyes rolled back in his head, showing only white. Fuck! Was he having a seizure?
“Fuck!” Bastian spat. “Catch him!”
Aaron started to go down but Carter was trained for situations like this. He stepped forward to allow Aaron’s body to fall against him. Aaron was quite a bit shorter than him and although he was solid, Carter had no problem slipping an arm under Aaron’s knees and lifting him up.
“What’s going on?” Hudson shouted as Aaron convulsed in Carter’s arms.
“Vision,” Bastian replied.
“Vision?” Carter barked. What the fuck? What foolishness was Bastian talking? Did they need to call a paramedic?
Bastian sighed as he tilted his head toward the office door. “Bring him inside. We have something to tell you.”
Now? They wanted to talk? What about the guy seizing in his arms? What was wrong with these people? This was a medicalemergency. He glanced around, hoping to find someone else willing to help. Where had everyone gone? The streets were never this empty.
“Come on, baby.” Bastian nudged Hudson with a shoulder. “Can you get the door?”
Carter figured it was better to follow behind his brother and Bastian. He walked up the steps with Aaron in his arms, just wanting to get the guy someplace safe. He’d call the damn paramedic himself if he had to.
Hudson rushed up the steps and yanked the door open too hard and it rattled. A pretty young man came running from around the reception desk.
“Can you take these to the break room?” Bastian passed off his load to the young man. He turned toward Carter. “We can lay Aaron down on the couch in his office.”
Whatever. Carter headed in the direction that Bastian had indicated. Aaron had stopped convulsing but now he was mumbling. About rainbows. And flowers. And…puppies. What the actual fuck?
Carter placed Aaron carefully on a long black leather couch as Aaron started to mumble about mates and pretty men. Was he dreaming? Did he have that thing where someone could fall asleep anywhere at any time. Carter forgot what it was called but had seen a show about it once. Except Aaron’s ramblings were…just strange.
