Playing The Hero (4 page)

“It’s always the shy ones.” Reid said softly as his hand slid over Carter’s shoulder and down his chest. Carter snorted and pressed a kiss to Reid’s lips before he pushed off of the couch and sat up.

“How about some breakfast?” Carter asked as he stood and reached for his shirt. Reid cringed as he buttoned the fly of his jeans.

“What time is it?” He asked as he sat up. Carter leaned and looked at the grandfather clock by the stairs.

“Almost 7:30.” He said as he fixed his jeans. Reid’s head snapped toward the window.

“Shit. I have to go.” Reid turned back to Carter and saw him frown as he looked away, toward the kitchen.

“Right. Call me later.” He mumbled as he pushed his hands in his pockets and stared down at his feet. Reid rolled his eyes as he stepped toward Carter and pulled him into his arms.

“I’m not blowing you off, I swear.” Reid said as he hooked his finger under Carter’s chin. He ducked his head and found Carter’s eyes. “And we’re going on a date tonight. You can’t take it back.” He brushed his lips against Carter’s and Reid felt him start to relax. “I have to get home, Sadie’s probably waiting for me at the door.” Reid explained. Carter’s head pulled back in surprise.

“Sadie?” His brows rose as he searched Reid’s face. Reid nodded.

“Sadie’s my baby.” Reid gathered Carter’s face in his hands and kissed him again before he turned to put on his shoes. Carter grabbed his arm, halting him.

“Wait! You have a baby?” He sounded rather alarmed. Reid grinned and held his hands up.

“Calm down, she’s a dog.” Reid stated and laughed at Carter’s relieved expression. “She’s the reason I have to live so close to the hospital. I run home and check on her whenever I can get away. On my weekends off I take her for a drive, we run a few errands, we go to the park and she gets a bath” He went to the counter and grabbed his phone and keys. Reid smiled as a planned formed. He went back to Carter and slid his hands around his waist. “Why don’t you spend the day with us?” He offered. Carter’s brows fell.

“You want me to spend the day with you, and your dog?” Carter asked carefully. Reid nodded.

“Yes. You’ll love Sadie, everyone does.” He promised as he leaned close and nipped at Carter’s lower lip. “Why don’t you do whatever you need to do and meet me at my place? There’s a cafe that I usually go to with Sadie. We can sit outside and have breakfast. Then, we can goof around town and hit the park. We can hang out until it's time to get ready for dinner. It’ll be great.” Reid insisted. Carter’s lips twisted as he considered.

“I don’t know, Reid.” He said softly. “Meeting the dog is a big step.” Carter’s lips tilted at the corners and Reid swatted his shoulder. Carter became serious. “Look, I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of you bolting right after we were done but spending the day together is moving kind of fast.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he chewed on his lower lip. Reid rubbed his thumb over Carter’s lip, freeing it from his teeth.

“If you don’t want to…” Reid looked at Carter expectantly and his cheeks puffed out as he exhaled.

“It’s not that. I do but I don’t want us to get carried away.” Carter’s eyes were searching and unsure. Reid waved dismissively and pulled Carter closer.

“I had a wonderful time last night.” He whispered as he pressed his forehead against Carter’s. “It was really special and this morning was amazing. I’m not ready for it to end, I don’t want to let you go yet.” Reid admitted. “Don’t overthink this, Carter. If this feels right to you too, just relax and go with it.” He kissed Carter, tenderly, begging him with his lips and tongue. When he pulled back, Carter’s lips clung and he moaned in frustration.

“Fine.” He grumbled. “I’ll take a shower and come over.” Carter scrubbed a hand over his face and glared at Reid. “I’m keeping your cardigan.” He stated and Reid raised a brow in confusion and his eyes flicked to the chair.

“Why?” He asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. He really wasn’t attached to the thing, he was just curious. Carter shrugged as he grabbed it off the chair.

“If things don’t work out, I’ll have something to remember you by.” He explained as he waved it in front of him. Reid felt something within him melt and he shook his head.

“You can hang onto it, but I don’t think you’re going to need it.” Reid winked as his hand wrapped around Carter’s neck and he pulled him close for one last kiss. “Don’t take too long, I’m hungry.”

Chapter 5

1428 was literally six houses down. Carter frowned as he stood in front of the house.
I should have known this would be him.
It was the only house in the neighborhood that didn’t have a perfect front yard. The grass would get just about out of hand before it would get mowed. The flower beds were a disgrace. It made sense now. Before, Carter used to scowl as he drove by. If he’d known that The Hot Doctor lived there and was clearly too busy to notice the state of his grass, Carter would have cut him some mental slack.
Please don’t let the inside be a disaster. That could be a deal breaker,
Carter snorted as he walked toward the front door.
Whatever. He could be one those hoarders that freak you out and you’d still let him have his way with you.
Carter cringed as he raised his hand to knock on the door.

He paused and looked down at his clothes and wondered if he should have worn something a little nicer. The Clash t-shirt, jeans and Sambas. It wasn’t a date but he probably could have put a little more thought into it. Carter’s mouth twisted as he looked back toward his house and considered changing. Carter shook his head, deciding he’d already kept Reid waiting long enough. Carter had spent twenty or so minutes pacing, trying to talk himself out of going and trying out excuses before he gave up and jumped in the shower. His palms were suddenly wet and Carter felt mildly appalled as he pushed them down his thighs before he knocked.

The door swung open a second later and Carter relaxed slightly. Reid smiled brightly, momentarily stunning Carter. He was wearing a white v-neck t-shirt, jeans and brown, leather sneakers. He stepped aside and waved Carter in. Carter stepped over the threshold cautiously and his neck craned forward as he slowly inspected the hallway and living room on his right. It was immaculate and bright. But mostly empty. There was a couch and a row of boxes lined up along the wall. There was a large flatscreen t.v. sitting on top of a box and a box was serving as a coffee table. Carter’s brows pulled together as he looked at Reid.

“Who’s your decorator?” He murmured and Reid laughed.

“I know. It took me two years to unpack last time I moved. I don’t feel very motivated to do it when I have time off. I’m either too tired or I’m desperate to be out doing something.” Reid explained. Carter shook his head in disbelief.

“You’re a disgrace as a gay man.” He teased and Reid laughed. Carter’s eyes swept down the hall, looking for Sadie. He raised a brow at Reid. “Where’s your dog?” Carter asked and Reid nodded toward the living room and Carter’s eyes followed.

Ok. If his baby is some dead, taxidermy monstrosity, you have to get the hell out,
Carter demanded before his eyes fell on what at first appeared to be a statue. Carter leaned forward and blinked. He’d never seen anything like her. Sadie was the most unusual shade of light gold, almost silver and she was so still, she blended into the boxes. She sat alert and patient on a thick, pink dog bed. Her eyes were the exact same shade as her coat and her ears were long and pointed. If it weren’t for the ears, Carter would have guessed she was a Weimaraner. A large one.

“Sadie, come say hello.” Reid said and she gracefully rose and glided across the room.

“What is she?” Carter asked as he held his hand out. Sadie sniffed his palm before she ducked her head and nudged into his hand.

“She’s a Doberman.” Reid grabbed a leash off a box and Sadie’s nub of a tail began to twitch excitedly. Carter pursed his lips as he stared at her.

“I’ve never seen a Doberman with her coloring.” He watched as she ran to her bed and produced a ball from beneath it.

“Bring it, girl.” Reid commanded and Sadie bounded across the room. She whipped her head up and tossed the ball. Reid caught it and jerked his head toward the door. “Go for a drive?” He asked and she dashed to the door, sat and stared expectantly. His hand wrapped affectionately around her snout as he pulled the door open and she ran out the door and leapt about the front yard before running to the garage door and posting. “She’s a fawn. I got her through a Doberman rescue when she was about a year old.” Reid locked the front door. “Fawn’s aren’t super common but they aren’t that rare. I guess it’s something breeders avoid encouraging.” He pressed the garage door opener on his key chain and Sadie became restless as the door rose. Carter’s eyes widened as he stared at Reid’s car.

“Is that an RS 7?” He asked. Reid nodded as he opened the door and Sadie jumped in.

“Back seat.” He commanded and she jumped over the console. Carter shook his head as he followed.

“What?” Reid asked as he stared over the roof of the car. Carter shrugged.

“You drive a hundred thousand dollar Audi and I have a Volkswagen GTI.” Carter mumbled as he ducked and sat in the passenger seat. Reid dropped into the driver’s seat and his brows pulled together.

“So?” He started the car and waited as Carter shut the door and buckled his seat belt. Carter shrugged as he stared at the sleek dash and all the red lights.

“It’s kind of like the metaphor, don’t you think?” Carter asked as Reid backed out of the garage. Reid stopped the car and frowned at Carter.

“What do you mean?” He looked confused. “You could pay cash for just about any car you want.” Reid said. Carter shook his head and laughed.

“That’s not it at all.” He waved between them. “Look at us. I’m barely an adult. I write books for teenagers, I dress like a teenager and I drive a teenager’s car. You have a real job and you drive a man’s car. Actually, this car is for a legit Sir.” He scrubbed his face with his hands and laughed again. “I still play World of Warcraft. You’re going to realize we have nothing in common and I’ll have to sell my house.” He jumped when Reid punched him in the arm. “What was that for?” Carter scowled as he rubbed his arm. Reid narrowed his eyes and pointed at Carter.

“Don’t do that.” He warned and Carter’s head pulled back.

“Do what?” Carter asked.

“Don’t belittle yourself. I’m not better than you because I drive a more expensive car or because I’m a doctor.” Reid finished reversing out of the driveway and put the car in Drive. Carter rolled his eyes.

“You’re so out of my league that it’s ridiculous.” He insisted. Reid snorted and shook his head.

“Really? I think you’ve got it backwards.” Reid argued and Carter looked at him like he just admitted he ate his own hair. Reid nodded. “You’re brilliant, Carter. How many people can say they’ve done what you’ve done? It’s a very small handful. Do you know how many doctors there are? I partner with six other neurologists.” He dared Carter to argue.

“I still dress the way I did in high school.” He pointed out. Reid smiled.

“I like the way you dress. And you don’t look like a teenager. I love the way some of your t-shirts cling to you and your ass looks amazing in jeans.” A slight blush tinted his cheeks and Carter blinked in confusion.
This is not right… Has he seen himself?

“I’m kind of lanky and average looking.” Carter said and it was Reid’s turn to look shocked.

“Are you kidding?” He asked incredulously. “You’re not lanky or average looking. You look like a model.” Reid said as he pulled up to a light. Carter chuckled as he turned to face Reid.

“You can’t be serious. Look at you, Reid. You’re barely real. Normal guys don’t have perfect cheekbones and jawbones, perfect teeth, perfect hair and a stupidly perfect body. Not all at once. And they certainly aren’t romantic, intelligent and super decent if they do. I’m a normal guy. Guys like you don’t go for guys like me.” He explained and Reid parked the car and turned to face him.

“You’re wrong. I’m not perfect and you aren’t normal. If you want, we can go back to my place and I’ll show you just how much a guy like me can go for a guy like you.” Reid winked and Carter’s heart was out of control as Reid grabbed the front of his t-shirt. “I am romantic, intelligent and decent but sometimes, I look at you and all of that goes out the window. I’m trying really hard to be those things because that’s what you deserve.” His lips hovered against Carter’s and the taste of hot mint teased Carter’s tongue. “Right now, I’m feeling pretty indecent and what I want to do to you has very little to do with romance.” Reid murmured and Carter swallowed as need slammed into him, his skin tingled and itched as the desire to feel every part of his body pressed against Reid’s overwhelmed him. He angled his head forward so that his lips brushed against Reid’s.

“Why are you telling me this now, while we’re parked in front of a handful of people eating breakfast?” His voice was gravelly as his hand wrapped around Reid’s thigh. He felt Reid’s smile against his lips.

“Because I don’t want to hear any more of this nonsense about me being out of your league or you being average or normal. Because the way I want you isn’t average or normal.” Reid angled his head and his tongue slipped between Carter’s lips and teased Carter’s for a moment before he raised his head. “Got it?” He waited until Carter nodded. “Great. Let’s go, I want waffles.” Reid announced as he released Carter’s shirt and got out of the car. Sadie followed, leaving Carter to stare, stunned and blinking until Reid tapped on the window.

The waffles were good. Probably. Carter was so rattled by Reid’s declaration that he could have eaten a bowl of dryer lint and he wouldn’t have noticed. He kept staring at Reid’s lips and his mind was stuck on the whole
“…what I want to do to you has very little to do with romance.”
thing. Carter was so tempted to ask what Reid had in mind and see if they could go back to his place. Carter was a lot of things but stupid wasn’t one of them. When a man like Reid told you he wanted to do indecent things with you, by God, you did them.

But Carter refrained. He did his best to keep up his half of the conversation and he found himself laughing and completely absorbed. After breakfast, they went to a dog park and Reid and Carter reclined on the grass, in the shade as Sadie romped about with her bff’s; a massive, brindle mastiff and a black lab. They went to Petsmart so Reid could pick up some shampoo for Sadie and a few new balls. One of the in-store trainers “just had to” meet Sadie and Carter took himself off to look at the fish while the dickhead flirted shamelessly with Reid. Staying would have resulted in Carter making an ass of himself.

“He seemed nice.” Carter lied when they got back in the car and Reid howled with laughter. Carter scowled out of the corner of his eye as he waited for Reid to get himself under control.

“Yeah. He was really nice.” Reid bit his lip as he started the car. “He asked if we’d like to join him for coke and a little light bondage later.” He said and Carter’s face twisted in horror, which made Reid laugh again.

“Whaaat? Is anyone even into that anymore?” Carter asked as he looked back in the direction of the store. “Oh, God… Ew.” He shuddered and Reid’s hand closed around his shoulder and he looked very serious for a moment.

“Are you telling me that you’re not open to latex and ball gags?” Reid asked carefully and Carter’s head pulled back in shock. His eyes widened as he tried to figure out if he’d missed some important signs.

“Umm… I… Latex seems like it would be very sweaty. It doesn’t strike me as being very breathable and I imagine it’s difficult getting in and out of. I’m not generally one to knock something before I’ve tried it but I’ve never really understood the whole dominance/submission thing. And I feel like I’d look like a complete idiot with a ball gag in my mouth, not that anyone’s ever looked attractive with one. I mean, not that I’m assuming you wouldn’t. I’m sure you’d look smashing with a ball gag. If you really wanted to wear one, I guess I could try…” Carter was grateful when Reid pressed a finger to his lips and laughed again.

“I was joking. I prefer as little clothing as possible. None, ideally.” He traced Carter’s lips and they parted and for some reason, Carter’s tongue flicked out and licked Reid’s fingertip. Reid hissed and his chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath. “And why in the world would I want to put a gag in this?” It was more of a low growl and Carter felt it in his groin. Reid’s finger pushed into his mouth and Carter sucked gently. Reid’s eyes flashed and he licked his lips. “My fingers, my tongue, my cock… but definitely not a gag.” He murmured as he pulled Carter close. “You have no idea how sexy you are.” Reid’s lips and tongue were demanding as they attacked Carter’s. Carter wrapped his hands around Reid’s face and moaned when he felt Reid’s hand slide under his shirt and splay against his back as he pulled Carter even closer. Carter wrapped his arms around Reid’s neck and he could feel their hearts pounding against each other’s chest. He was about to order Reid to take them back to his place when Reid’s lips pulled away and he exhaled loudly.

“Later.” He said before he pressed a quick kiss to Carter’s lips and released him.