Page 18 of Shock & Awe

Kelly made a disgusted sound. “What’s normal anyway?”

Nick chuckled. “I wouldn’t be any kind of friend if I let you make decisions with a bottle of painkillers and a fresh bullet hole in your back.”

The disappointment spiked, but Kelly should have known Nick would be reasonable and levelheaded. Nick was the first person willing to jump, but he’d also be the one making sure you had your parachute on. “What about you?” Kelly asked, his voice hoarse.

“What about me?”

“What will you do while I’m getting better and rubbing the shine off things?”

Nick smiled crookedly. “Hopefully I’ll be getting rubbed a little too.”

They both laughed, not looking away from each other. Kelly liked how bold Nick was; it was completely at odds with his nonchalant attitude. He’d seen Nick in action, of course, but he’d never been the target. He understood the attraction now. Completely understood.

He moved impulsively, grabbing for Nick’s shirtfront and pulling him into a kiss. Nick moved with him, turning into him. He picked Kelly up by the backs of his thighs and set him on the railing, crowding in close between his legs as they kissed. Kelly didn’t even have time to register how weird it felt to be manhandled. He didn’t worry about falling backward off the railing. It was natural to trust Nick to hold him, to wrap his arms around Nick’s neck and squeeze his knees against Nick’s hips.

The kiss was rough and consuming, just like Nick. Just like everything Kelly loved about Nick.

Nick took Kelly’s face in both hands when he pulled away. He pressed his forehead to Kelly’s cheek, his breath harsh against Kelly’s neck. “Put your feet on the ground,” he said, voice gone hard. He gripped Kelly’s arms to keep him from tilting backward, but he stepped away too.

Kelly fought the urge to grab him and stop him from backing off.

“We need to take that walk,” Nick grumbled.

“I’d rather climb the stairs.”

Nick smiled weakly. Kelly gave him a small tug, but Nick resisted. He didn’t break eye contact, but he looked like he desperately wanted to. He shook his head instead. “I was wrong, I can’t do this.”

“Nick.”

“I’m serious, Kels. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Baby, I got two Percocet in me, I’m untouchable right now!” Kelly drawled, giving Nick’s arm a tug.

Nick put a hand over his eyes. “Please don’t remind me that you lack clear decision-making skills right now.”

“What?”

“Percocet. That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“Is this about you and Aidan?”

“No. Sort of. No,” Nick stammered. He ran his hand over his face. “I just, this feels dangerous to me, Doc.”

“I know what this is,” Kelly grumbled.

Nick laughed bitterly. “I doubt that, because even I don’t know what this is. So let’s just leave it at this and go take a walk.” Nick moved away, leaving Kelly leaning against the railing trying to catch his breath.

“This is your fear of commitment cropping up, huh? Isn’t that usually like a fifth date thing for you?”

Nick stopped short and turned to face him.

“I call bullshit,” Kelly said. He crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly.

“Are you really psychoanalyzing me right now?”

“I know the gears in your head by name, bud. You’re not going to pull any of this shit with me.”

Nick worked his jaw and looked away.