Page 70 of More than Need

He emerged from his office and found Quinn and his partner, Grady, as well as two of his other detectives, Greer—who looked as he always did, a mixture of disgust and annoyance on his face—and his partner, Henry.

“Where is Gideon?” Riley asked, shooting the question at anyone who had the answer.

“Staff room,” Quinn answered. “He didn’t look that great, though. Think he might have caught whatever Ange has.”

Riley had been afraid of that. He searched Quinn’s face. Not even a hint of reprimand or judgement.Sebastian hadn’t told him yet.Trying to find the right moment, or giving Riley a chance to do it himself? Quinn deserved to have it come directly from the source and not through a third party. Still, Riley hesitated. The risk Riley took was his burden to bear, and he didn’t want to add that to someone else, or ask them to keep the secret.

Riley did an about-turn without responding.

Gideon sat at the table in the break room, a steaming mug in his hands. He looked listless, with closed eyes.

“Gideon.”

He jumped, tea sloshing over the side of the rim of his mug. “Fuck,” he hissed, leaning forward to grab a napkin.

Riley got there first. He dabbed at Gideon’s hand, studying him as he did. It was an understatement to call him a “bit” pale. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

“I look that good, huh? I was a bit restless; nothing I can’t handle.”

Slightly nasal. Riley finished wiping up the mess and moved the mug out of reach. He pressed the back of his hand to Gideon’s forehead.

“What are you doing?”

“Go home, Gideon.”

Gideon frowned. “I don’t think sleeping badly warrants going home, sir.” He’d used that honorific on purpose.

Riley sat on the chair next to him and forcibly turned him, trapping Gideon’s smaller thighs between his knees. “Don’t make me give you an order. You’ve visited Angela recently.”

“I took her some stuff and tidied her place. What does that have to do with anything?”

Riley checked Gideon’s hand. No burns. He lightly traced the smooth, warm skin. “Did you know that colds can be contagious?”

“I had no idea,” Gideon said, deadpan. “Where did you read that? You shouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet.”

“Pushing through because of sheer stubbornness gets you absolutely nowhere. Also, I cannot afford someone else in the department getting sick when we’re already down Angela—and now you. Pack up, and go home.” He curled his hand around Gideon’s neck and dragged him closer. He couldn’t afford to get sick himself, either, but he couldn’tnottouch this man. Had wanted to since he’d been in his early twenties, and he hadn’t quite shifted to the reality that he could now. That Gideon wanted him the same way.

If only his younger self could see him now.

“Please,” Riley said, the words feeling strange in his mouth. “Go home, rest. For me.” So much for not letting their relationship seep into their work life. They’d been kidding themselves if they thought that would really work.

Gideon pouted. “How am I supposed to say no to that?”

Riley kissed the corner of his mouth and pressed his forehead to Gideon’s temple. “The point is to ensure you can’t.” He ran his stubble over Gideon’s soft jaw and tugged on his earlobe. “Are you going to behave for me, Gideon?”

Gideon’s shuddered breath went straight to Riley’s dick. How much could he get away with before someone came in? A miracle they even had it alone right now.

“Yea—” Gideon cleared his throat. “I can. I am.”

Riley kissed under his ear. “Good boy.”

Hands fisted in Riley’s jacket, and Riley slanted their lips together. Hopefully, his moment of weakness wouldn’t result in his own bout of sickness. Gideon tilted his head, reaching for more, and Riley all but pulled him into his arms, gathering him close.

“Maybe if we both get sick, we can share germs and put the box of tissues between us in bed.”

“How romantic,” Riley said indulgently. “It’s time for you to go home, sweetheart.”

Gideon swallowed and nodded shakily. “Okay.”

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