Bindings and Books by CM Corett Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: CM Corett
Ash’s hospital room.
Was their emotional connection deep enough to remember? On the radar of Ash’s life, their relationship was just a tiny blip.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
His eyes searched the sparse white hallway for something to count.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
He took a step toward the door.
He would take the doctor’s advice. He would not rush in and confuse Ash with kisses or too much information. Damn but it would be difficult! He wanted to scoop Ash up and take him away from this place.
On the threshold, he paused and drew in a deep breath. Right. He had to think of Ash. He needed to take it slow.
He pushed the door open.
A SH TURNED to the man who entered his room. He was… beautiful—like a movie star! Wait! What? Where had that thought come from?
The man perched on the chair by the bed. “Hi, Ash.”
The stranger reached out toward Ash’s hand until their fingers almost touched.
His breath caught. “Hi.”
The man quickly pulled his hand away and returned it to his lap. “Do you know who I am?”
Frowning, he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I….”
“It’s okay. I’m James. I’m your…. We are… close friends. You’ve been living with… staying at my place for a while now. Sort of unofficial roommates.”
“James.” He tested out the name to see if it triggered any memories. No, nothing. His eyes ran over James, noting the slightly ruffled dark hair, concerned eyes, broad shoulders, and chest.
His heart rate increased.
Despite the man’s hesitancy, there was something compelling…. His gaze slid away. He was so big, so beautiful. His heart thundered. Why am I thinking such crazy things?
James leaned closer. “The doctor said you should be able to come home soon where I can look after you.”
The blood pounded through Ash’s head. “You will? Umm. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you… or anything.” Did he want this stranger taking care of him? But he’s not a stranger. He said we were close. Audibly exhaling, he closed his eyes.
James placed a hand on Ash’s upper arm. “I’ll let you get some rest. I’m so glad you’re all right, Ash.”
The contact of James’s lingering hand sent warmth radiating through his arm. With his heartbeat slowing, the tightness in his chest eased. The hand and the warmth were good. It was… right. Opening his eyes, he stared at James.
James opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. Giving his arm a gentle squeeze, James smiled. “I’ll see you later.”
And then he was gone.
Staring at the closed door, Ash shifted restlessly in the bed. An emptiness filled his chest. He wanted James to come back. Better to feel confused by his presence than this… aching hollowness.
Chapter 9
L IKE A comforting warm blanket, the elusive scent wrapped around Ash. The forest? A certain type of wood? Yes, but also something else, something familiar. What was it? A gentle brush against his cheek. A whisper of air. A fleeting warm pressure against his lips.
Ash clutched the sheets. He wanted more. He needed to feel the heat of James’s skin against his own.
James! On a guilty gasp, his eyes shot open.
In a large bed, in an unfamiliar room, a dark green quilt cocooned him. James sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over him. His heart hammered in his chest. Had James just kissed him? Drawing in a deep breath, he pushed away the crazy thought. No, calm down. Of course not. It was merely a crazy dream.
James leaned back a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Would you like something to eat and then take a shower?”
With his heartbeat easing a little, he struggled to sit up. Arms encircled and supported his back, as James bodily lifted him into a sitting position. His head swam as that same delicious, intoxicating aroma surrounded him. He wanted to bury his face in James’s neck and inhale.
Oh God! James was a friend. A male friend. He had to get a grip before he embarrassed himself and
Was their emotional connection deep enough to remember? On the radar of Ash’s life, their relationship was just a tiny blip.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
His eyes searched the sparse white hallway for something to count.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
He took a step toward the door.
He would take the doctor’s advice. He would not rush in and confuse Ash with kisses or too much information. Damn but it would be difficult! He wanted to scoop Ash up and take him away from this place.
On the threshold, he paused and drew in a deep breath. Right. He had to think of Ash. He needed to take it slow.
He pushed the door open.
A SH TURNED to the man who entered his room. He was… beautiful—like a movie star! Wait! What? Where had that thought come from?
The man perched on the chair by the bed. “Hi, Ash.”
The stranger reached out toward Ash’s hand until their fingers almost touched.
His breath caught. “Hi.”
The man quickly pulled his hand away and returned it to his lap. “Do you know who I am?”
Frowning, he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I….”
“It’s okay. I’m James. I’m your…. We are… close friends. You’ve been living with… staying at my place for a while now. Sort of unofficial roommates.”
“James.” He tested out the name to see if it triggered any memories. No, nothing. His eyes ran over James, noting the slightly ruffled dark hair, concerned eyes, broad shoulders, and chest.
His heart rate increased.
Despite the man’s hesitancy, there was something compelling…. His gaze slid away. He was so big, so beautiful. His heart thundered. Why am I thinking such crazy things?
James leaned closer. “The doctor said you should be able to come home soon where I can look after you.”
The blood pounded through Ash’s head. “You will? Umm. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you… or anything.” Did he want this stranger taking care of him? But he’s not a stranger. He said we were close. Audibly exhaling, he closed his eyes.
James placed a hand on Ash’s upper arm. “I’ll let you get some rest. I’m so glad you’re all right, Ash.”
The contact of James’s lingering hand sent warmth radiating through his arm. With his heartbeat slowing, the tightness in his chest eased. The hand and the warmth were good. It was… right. Opening his eyes, he stared at James.
James opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. Giving his arm a gentle squeeze, James smiled. “I’ll see you later.”
And then he was gone.
Staring at the closed door, Ash shifted restlessly in the bed. An emptiness filled his chest. He wanted James to come back. Better to feel confused by his presence than this… aching hollowness.
Chapter 9
L IKE A comforting warm blanket, the elusive scent wrapped around Ash. The forest? A certain type of wood? Yes, but also something else, something familiar. What was it? A gentle brush against his cheek. A whisper of air. A fleeting warm pressure against his lips.
Ash clutched the sheets. He wanted more. He needed to feel the heat of James’s skin against his own.
James! On a guilty gasp, his eyes shot open.
In a large bed, in an unfamiliar room, a dark green quilt cocooned him. James sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over him. His heart hammered in his chest. Had James just kissed him? Drawing in a deep breath, he pushed away the crazy thought. No, calm down. Of course not. It was merely a crazy dream.
James leaned back a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Would you like something to eat and then take a shower?”
With his heartbeat easing a little, he struggled to sit up. Arms encircled and supported his back, as James bodily lifted him into a sitting position. His head swam as that same delicious, intoxicating aroma surrounded him. He wanted to bury his face in James’s neck and inhale.
Oh God! James was a friend. A male friend. He had to get a grip before he embarrassed himself and