Page 32 of Boy Issues

Donovan swiped a hand over his mouth. “Would it be weird if I told you that remark didn’t entirely turn me off?”

“Did it turn you off at all?”

“Not even a bit.”

The moment hung in the air between them, Silver waging an inner battle to keep himself in control, to keep from launching himself at Donovan and shoving his tongue down the man’s throat while rendering him helpless to resist. Donovan needed a hot shower and some rest. Deep, passion filled kisses could wait for another day.

Or at least until the morning.

“I’ll have to remember that.” Donovan’s features fell, and while Silver wouldn’t go back on his resolve, from this moment forward, he’d reassure Donovan that he wasn’t been cast aside as if he were nothing. “I promise that when you’re rested, I’ll explain what it means when I talk to you that way.” He squeezed Donovan’s hand. “But so you know, it’s a good sign.”

“Yeah?”

Silver handed Donovan the towel and toothbrush. “Yeah. Very good. Now go clean up and I’ll see you back upstairs when you’re done so I can redo your bandages.”

Donovan nodded. “Okay. I won’t be long.”

Silver wagged a finger at him. “Take your time, let the hot water relax your muscles. I won’t go anywhere.”

Donovan ducked his head, chuckling, almost shy in his reaction. “I will.”

Silver quickly turned and made his way back up to the apartment, his erection wanting to take charge and destroy Silver’s resolve. Hopefully, Donovan would stay in the shower long enough that he could regain control.

Silver went through the motions of moving everything around to make a space, then lowered the frame of the futon. He grabbed some bedding and an extra pillow, the fulfillment he only ever received when looking after another man taking over.

He was doing the right thing.

After he was satisfied that the futon was ready, he glanced over at the air mattress and frowned. He wanted to embrace his boy so bad, to wrap him in the strength of his arms, remind Donovan he was worth being cared for. Yet, if he held him close, what message would he be sending? Donovan’s initial interest in him had only been sexual. Once Donovan got past whatever was plaguing him, would the walls go back up, would he return to the flirty, affected man who pretended he hadn’t a concern in the world?

Silver dragged his fingers through his hair. If he didn’t trust that Donovan was ready for the type of relationship Silver wanted, then how could he expect Donovan to trust him either? No, he had to either go big or go away and leave Donovan alone. He couldn’t half-ass and second guess. They’d never stand a chance if he did, and it would be up to him to set the tone of their relationship

But, he also wouldn’t force himself on Donovan if he wasn’t ready. Heavy boundary-pushing, yes. Complete coercion? No bueno.

With that in mind, Silver reluctantly pumped air into the mattress, then arranged his own bedding. He placed the mattress up against the wall on the opposite side of the door from where Donovan was.

“Hey, I see you’ve gotten everything ready.”

Donovan padded into the room, the bath towel wrapped around his slim hips, his dark hair dripping water over his white-as-milk shoulders. He clutched the spot where he’d tucked one edge of the towel into the other.

Silver swallowed, his lips clamped shut as he sucked in air through his nostrils. “I forgot to get the robe before we went downstairs, sorry.”

Donovan’s mouth quirked into a lopsided smile. “I wasn’t thinking either.”

Silver turned away before the bulge in his jeans became even more prominent, then yanked the curtain aside that guarded his closet. He retrieved the blue terry robe he’d purchased ever since moving into the garage, for when he took his own showers. Having to charge naked up the stairs and grab some clothes if someone knocked would suck.

Silver handed Donovan the garment then pretended he wasn’t interested in looking as Donovan threw on the robe and cinched it closed. Silver noted that while the robe offered him plenty of room to wrap around his waist, it ended way above his cute, knobby knees. Donovan tugged the towel loose from beneath the robe then held it up.

“Where should I leave this?”

Silver accepted the cloth from him, struck by how Donovan hadn’t tried to tease, or be seductive. The man kept on surprising him.

“Turn around.”

Donovan obeyed him immediately and Silver reached up to ruffle Donovan’s hair dry with the towel. He detected a quiet moan, followed by a sigh as Donovan accepted Silver’s attentions. Silver could go on for hours if he could draw those sounds of pleasure from Donovan over and over.

Silver sensed that the lack of touch in Donovan’s life explained a lot about the man and his snotty attitude. Silver grinned as he continued to vigorously rub Donovan’s head. So much fun lay ahead if Donovan would agree to allow Silver to take over.

“There.” Silver tossed the towel into the laundry basket he kept next to the closet. “Don’t want you catching a chill.” Silver allowed his palm to drift down to Donovan’s nape, then brushed the exposed skin with his thumb before drawing his hand away. He didn’t miss Donovan’s slight shiver.

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