“Lucky? Silence isn’t a comforting thing right now.”
“Oh, what?”
“I said you couldn’t think because I’d screwed your brains out.”
Not the best save in the world, but better than poking fun at Lucky’s lack of higher education. “I didn’t have much upstairs to begin with.”
Bo scooted across the tub and cradled Lucky’s cheeks in his hands. “Who said that to you?”
Where had those words come from? Oh, yeah, right. “My asshole of a brother, Bristol.” Not to mention Victor’s assorted kin. Them Lucky learned to ignore. His brother had been more vocal. And while he’d never bested Lucky in a fist fight, the weasel learned to use words as weapons.
Bo peered into Lucky’s eyes clear down to his soul and snarled, “If and when I ever meet him, I’m opening the biggest can of whoop-ass the South’s ever seen. Got that?”
“No need to humor me. I know I’m not as smart as you.” Or Bristol, with his college education, big house, and fancy bank job.
Bo gave Lucky’s head a little shake. “A stupid man wouldn’t have survived years working for a drug trafficker as ruthless as Victor Mangiardi. And he wouldn’t have tracked down more traffickers to avenge a sick girl. And he wouldn’t have survived the bullshit in Mexico to bring down Stephan.”
But a smart man wouldn’t have gotten involved with the likes of Victor and Stephan in the first place. “C’mon. Let’s get clean and go to bed since my brain’s no longer working.”
Lucky locked up while Bo fought to convince their pony-sized dog the bed belonged to the humans, finally tossing a chew toy on the rug to help Moose understand.
Cat Lucky settled between Lucky and Bo. Cats did as they pleased. If they locked him out of the room, he’d yowl all night and keep them awake. Picking battles. Yeah. And picking cat and dog hair off everything they owned.
Lucky spooned against Bo’s back in their bed as much as the cat allowed. “What did you mean when you said you’d tell me later?”
No answer, huh? The squirmy worms feeling began in Lucky’s stomach. Bo let out a sigh and rolled onto his back. “We’ve made it through our six-month window after the needles and blood exposure, but sometime soon a doctor might start asking you some very personal questions, if he hasn’t already. I don’t want you to have come this far to be turned down as a donor for having had unprotected sex with another man. Now I’m glad I stayed in character and used a condom that night at The Stallion.”
“We have to wait even longer?” No, no, no, no, no! “What damned business is it of the doctor’s?”
“Charlotte may have some pull since she’s representing the family, but the doctor might make a big deal out of you being gay as it is.”
Good point. A sore one, based on the opinions of idiots. “And we can’t let anything stop us, right?”
“Who else is there if not you?”
Who else, indeed? Being someone’s only hope put a lot of pressure on a man. “So, we’re back to gloving for the loving?” Damn it. They’d come so far, gotten over Lucky’s weird-assed hang-up about barriers between them, only to have to use condoms again. The waiting period was over! Now they’d have to wait again?
Bo nodded. “I’m afraid so. We could both take PrEP, but I’m not so sure if the doctor will accept that. We won’t give him any reason to turn you down.”
Once more, Bo talked sense when Lucky didn’t really want him to. Parts of his body might not be his much longer. It wasn’t just himself he made decisions for. “Okay, but when this is over, I don’t want to find another damned condom in this house.”
“Yes, sir.” Bo snickered. “Now, get some sleep. You need your rest.”
Easier said than done.
The clock read eleven, then twelve, then one… Lucky wrapped a towel around his waist and headed back out to the deck.
No use keeping Bo awake. He needed his sleep too.
Chapter Six
What a long day, especially running on three hours’ sleep. Lucky got off the elevator and staggered down the SNB hall toward the gym. Couldn’t let Bo know he hadn’t slept last night.
Lisa sat at the reception desk, typing on her laptop. She stopped and glanced up with wide eyes. Well, he’d spent years cultivating his asshole reputation, even if she’d been to his house and witnessed his softer side.
Oh, who was he kidding? He didn’t have a softer side unless one counted Bo. Best to keep up appearances, at least while asshole Keith leaned against the wall by the reception desk.
Keith frowned at Lucky and barked at Lisa. “Are you finished with my report?”
