Page 10 of Simply Perfection
“Booth sounds good. How about the one in the corner?” He pointed to the far side of the room.
Trevor glanced at the glass case filled with sugary goodness as they passed. He was so going to get a big old bear claw. To hell with worrying about carbs and sugars tonight. He stepped up to the counter and placed his order. When Trevor reached for his wallet, Matt stopped him. Trevor was so taken aback by the feel of Matt’s hand on the right cheek of his ass he didn’t even notice the other man had placed his order and paid for both of them until the deed was done.
Trevor looked up at Matt as he collected his large coffee and snack. “Awfully presumptuous, don’t you think?” He grinned to take the sting out of the words.
Matt gestured to their selected booth. “Disappointed?”
Trevor slid onto the bench. “In the free treat? Or the cheap feel?”
Matt doctored his coffee without taking his eyes off Trevor. “Either?”
“Can’t say that I am.”
“Good. So if I can ask, how did you recognize the signs of Logan’s flashback?”
Trevor stirred his coffee for a few seconds, then blew on the steaming liquid for a moment before taking a tentative sip. The hot drink warmed his insides the way Matt’s coat, still encasing him, warmed his outside.
“My father. When I was a kid, he used to get them from time to time. He was a Green Beret. My mom used to yell and scream at him when they happened, but usually nothing happened until the flashback ran its course. I didn’t realize that that’s what was happening. I just knew that dad kinda flaked out for a while then got real angry.”
Matt placed his hand over Trevor’s. “I’m sorry. Did your father ever get help?”
Trevor shrugged. “Don’t know. He took off when I was seven. I haven’t heard from him since.”
He expected to see pity on Matt’s face, but found nothing but calm acceptance.
“Mom stuck around until I turned eighteen, then lit out for greener pastures. I get postcards from time to time. I think she’s in Colorado now. She never stays in one place for very long.”
“What did you do to support yourself when she left? Did she leave without notice?”
“No, nothing so dramatic. She told me when I was fifteen that after my high school graduation she’d be moving on. She gave me enough money for a couple of months’ rent, and I had already secured a job working full-time for a video production company, so I could pay my monthly utilities and stuff.”
“How did you go from video production to working for the police?”
“It wasn’t as big a leap as you would think. I applied and got the job as an A/V technician five years ago, then got my certification in forensic audio and video analysis. When the senior spot opened up, I applied, and since I was already familiar with all the equipment, it was a simple transition.” Trevorrealized he’d been talking non-stop. “Okay, obviously you’re very good at your job. It’s taken only twenty minutes, and you know my entire life story.”
Matt frowned. “It has nothing to do with my job. I enjoy talking to you. My reason for wanting to know you is purely personal. I’d really like to learn more. Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
Trevor saw the heat simmering in Matt’s eyes, and his heart went thumpety-thump. Well, maybe it was his cock, but the heart wasn’t far behind. He couldn’t believe that this older, well-educated man was interested in him. Trevor would not look a gift horse in the mouth, though. If Dr. Lincoln wanted to go slumming for a little bit, and Trevor got the chance to kiss those lush lips and feel that hard body rub against him, then that was fine by him.
“I get off work at six o’clock.”
“Perfect. Tomorrow is the day I finish with patients early. I should finish by five. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“That’s kind, but unnecessary. As long as we go someplace I can take the subway to, I can find my way to you.”
“You don’t have a car?” Matt said, surprised.
Trevor shook his head. “Too cost-prohibitive. I’ve been thinking about getting a used one lately. Then again, I do every winter,” he said, smiling.
Matt frowned. “How were you planning on getting home tonight?”
“The ‘T’ stop is only a few blocks away. It’s how I normally get around the city.”
Matt’s jaw dropped, and his hand tightened around his coffee cup. “You were going to walk several blocks in this weather? Without a coat? At this time of night?”
“The train takes me most of the way. Once I get to my neighborhood, it’s only another twelve minutes or so to my apartment.”
“Where do you live?”
