Page 45 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

“You didn’t have to do all that.”

“Snacks while healing are necessary.”

“True.” Jamie can’t take his eyes off the beautiful man. Junk food may be the enemy, but he’ll consume a few extra calories to show his appreciation.

Nathan stands next to the sofa. His eyes scan Jamie. “How’s your leg feeling?”

“It’s alright actually. I’ve got to change the dressing later on.”

“I can help.” The nurse is in.

Jamie flushes pink, forgetting Nathan’s occupation and mentioning the task might provoke him to offer. Hasn’t he already seen enough of this body to run yet? “I can manage it. Not a big deal.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m happy to help. That way it gets done right,” he’s not going to let the patient do it themself. “Where are your supplies?”

“Right now?” Jamie isn’t prepared.

“Yes.” His eyes search the room. “Are they still in your room?” His eyes ask for permission to go get them.

“Yes.” Jamie surrenders. Just get it over with.

Nathan heads down the hallway. Returning with the big paper bag in his arms. He reaches in and starts pulling supplies out, setting them on the coffee table one at a time. Gauze, tape, magic spray, padding and cleansing wash. Without notice he lifts the blanket off Jamie’s lap.

“Take your pants off.”

“Huh?” Jamie chokes.

“I can’t work with them on you silly.”

“Right.” He shifts his body and slides the sweats down, off one leg and pulls them back up over the other.

Nathan sits on the edge of the sofa, practically between Jamie’s thighs.

Jamie stiffens. He breathes the scent of fresh soap off Nathan. Holding the air in his lungs until he remembers to exhale again.

Nathan unfolds a pad, lays it on the table to catch drips of sanitizing solution, poured onto his hands and rubbing it around thoroughly. He peels the tape away that holds the old gauze wrap in place and unwinds it from Jamie’s thigh.

His scent wafts under Jamie’s nose with each reach forward over and under the leg. He feels the nurse's body heat covering him.

Jamie closes his eyes and breathes it in.

“Am I hurting you?”

Nathan is staring at Jamie’s face when he opens his eyes again.

“Not at all.” He blushes.

“Good.” He goes back to work. “Let me know if I am. Okay?”

Jamie nods.

Nathan’s t-shirts lifts up his back with each reach. The crack of his bare ass peeks out from the gray sweatpants. Does he never wear underwear?

Jamie swallows the pool that’s collecting under his tongue before it can escape the edges of his grin.

Nathan drops to one knee on the floor, so he can get a better angle to care for the wounded leg. His shoulder muscles flex and bulk under the faded black t-shirt. Dark curls shine in sunlight from the windows flanking the decorative fireplace.

Jamie has to pull the blanket over his waist to cover the swelling that’s about to be obvious.

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