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around Ryder and led him to the EMS room. After
getting him a cup of coffee, Nelson promised,  I just
need to finish some paperwork and then we can get out
of here.
At the same moment Gladys came in. Taking the
seat next to Ryder, she gave a wave to Nelson,  Go
ahead and get your stuff finished. I ll sit with him.
Ryder blinked at her.  Are they cleaning her up
now?
Putting an arm around his shoulders, she said,
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Blamestorming
 Lucas is taking real good care of her. They will have
to perform an autopsy. After that, her family can claim
her body for a funeral.
Ryder nodded, although it was obvious the words
barely registered. Nelson frowned. His medic was
suffering and damned if Nelson knew how to make it
better.
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Stephani Hecht
Chapter Seven
yder spent that entire night curled up in Nelson s
R
arms. While he didn t sleep any, Ryder took so
much comfort in knowing that Nelson cared enough to
take care of him during his time of need.
Ryder sent off a few texts to Jensen, who replied that
he was staying with some of his fireman buddies and
that he didn t know when he d be home, if ever. Ryder
couldn t find it in him to get angry at his foster brother.
Since Jensen had an even crappier life than Ryder,
Jensen didn t take loss well. Even so, Jensen had
offered to temporarily come home if Ryder needed him,
but when Ryder replied back that he was staying with
Nelson, that had seemed to please Jensen.
When the sun began to shine through the windows,
Nelson woke up and stretched. Gazing over at Ryder,
he said,  It s so good waking up with you in my bed.
 I like it, too, Ryder replied.
Caressing Ryder s hair away from his face, Nelson
asked,  How are you feeling this morning?
 Okay, thanks to you.
Ryder meant it, too.  If it hadn t been for you, I
would have spent all night, curled up in a fetal position,
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Blamestorming
having a real emo moment.
 I m just glad that I was here for you this time.
Pressing their lips together for a kiss, Nelson added,
 I ll be there for you from now on, too.
 You know what? I m actually beginning to allow
myself to believe that.
That was a shocking revelation, too. Outside of
Jensen, Ryder had never been willing to lower his
shields to anyone. Not when he knew how much it hurt
to be rejected. But with Nelson, Ryder somehow knew
that he could let go and trust.
Who am I kidding? I love him, Ryder thought.
He only hoped that someday Nelson might just
return the feelings. After all, he d already done so much
for Ryder. No guy did that for another man unless there
were some pretty strong feelings involved.
Oblivious to Ryder s inner debate, Nelson gave him
another kiss, then said,  How about we take a shower,
then have some breakfast? What time do you have to be
in today?
 I have second shift.
 So do I. We can have dinner together when we both
get out.
Ryder sat up.  Not to be boring, but would it be
okay if we just stayed in and had some pizza?
 Sure, what movie do you want to watch?
 Cheaper by the Dozen, of course, Ryder grinned
up at him.
They went in and took a shower before Nelson took
Ryder back to bed.
 We re going to be late, Ryder warned, even as he
stretched out on his back.
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Stephani Hecht
 I just need to show how much you mean to me,
Nelson whispered as he climbed up and pinned Ryder
to the bed.
 I guess we can take breakfast bars with us today,
Ryder teased.
He reached out for Nelson, but the doctor obviously
had other plans. Pulling away, just enough to dodge
Ryder s hands, Nelson began to kiss every inch of
Ryder s front. Nelson started at Ryder s face, then
slowly kissed his way down to his toes. Once there,
Nelson ordered,  Roll over.
By that time, Ryder s mind was so ruled by lust that
he obeyed without protest. He heard the snick of the
lube cap opening before a cool finger was pressed at his
hole. Nelson began to kiss his way up Ryder s back,
still using the upmost care and tenderness, and even his
fingers were gentle as they stretched Ryder out.
Soon, Ryder was trembling with need, but he didn t
even have to ask for relief. Nelson grabbed a condom
and ripped the package open. After he rolled it on, he
whispered to Ryder,  If you only knew how much I
love you.
Ryder gasped but didn t have a chance to answer
until Nelson had thrust in. Pressing his head back
against Nelson s chest, Ryder replied,  I love you, too.
Then Ryder allowed pure joy to overtake him.
Nelson didn t just care, he actually loved Ryder, despite
all the baggage Ryder brought into their relationship.
Now free to say it, Ryder kept repeating the words as
Nelson made gentle love to him. While they both knew
they didn t have much time, this moment still seemed
so intimate so important so life-changing.
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Blamestorming
When they finally came it wasn t with shouts of
pleasure, but rather soft words of love and endearments.
Ryder felt so complete and happy that he never wanted
to get out of the bed again. He could have easily spent
the rest of his life right there with Nelson.
Even after they finished, they still lay there, neither
one getting up.
 You know nobody would blame you for calling in
sick today, Nelson finally broke the silence.
Ryder craned his neck to look back at Nelson.  Can
you call in, too?
Nelson frowned.  I wish I could, but the hospital is
already short staffed as it is.
 I understand.
Although Ryder didn t have to like it. They got out
of bed and cleaned up before getting into their
respective uniforms.
 Do you want me to drive you to work? Nelson
asked.
Ryder soooo wanted it, since it would give him a
few more minutes with his lover, yet he didn t want
Nelson to get in trouble for being late.  Are you sure
you have time?
 Yes, now pack a lunch, and let s go.
Ryder ran into the kitchen, making them both
sandwiches, adding some fruit and other snacks. As he
handed the bag over to Nelson, Ryder almost laughed at
the doctor s confused expression.
 You packed me one, too.
Ryder nodded.  I ve had some of the food in the
hospital cafeteria. It should be a crime against humanity
to even serve that junk.
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Stephani Hecht
Nelson gave him a kiss on the top of his head.  You
treat me so well.
And I intend to keep doing so, Ryder thought.
As they made the drive to his work, Ryder s
thoughts kept drifting back to Mrs. Wilson and how
she d looked the previous night. His chest grew tight as
he realized, yet again, that he d never get to see her
again. It all seemed so damn unfair.
Nelson reached over and put a hand on Ryder s
knee.  Are you sure you re going to be okay? Nobody
would blame you if you needed to take some time off.
Ryder smiled at his thoughtfulness.  Thanks, but I
think it will help to keep busy. If I just sit at home and
wallow in my misery, I ll become the boy version of
Adele.
 That may not be so bad. I think a couple of
Grammys would look great on our mantel.
Ryder rolled his eyes even as his heart warmed over
the fact that Nelson had said our mantel. Then Ryder
reminded himself not to get overly excited. Sure, they [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]