Stubborn Heart (17 page)

“Why is it on the counter?” Mark asked, looking at the bottle, which had been left next to the sink. He picked up the bottle and walked toward the shower.

“I told you, I left it there,” Trevor repeated, his head still under the shower spray. “Can you hand it to me?”

“Here it is,” Mark said. He pulled the shower curtain to the side and reached in behind Trevor, where he was greeted by a splash of water in his face.

“What the hell?” Mark exclaimed as he jumped back. “You did that on purpose.”

“You need to wash my back, and I knew you wouldn’t do it unless you were already wet,” Trevor elaborated.

“You can wash your own back,” Mark huffed as he wiped the water from his eyes.

“Yeah. But if you wash my back, maybe I’ll let you wash my front too,” Trevor said as he pulled the shower curtain to one side. He thrust his hips forward, making his completely erect penis bob playfully in front of him.

“As long as I’m already wet.” Mark grinned as he pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor.

A
T
A
few minutes after seven, they rang the doorbell at Kyle and Jeff’s apartment. Mark wore a green polo shirt. Trevor wore a burgundy button-down oxford. Both men had opted to wear jeans. Mark reached up and fastened the lowest open button on Trevor’s shirt.

“What was that for?” Trevor asked comically.

“You don’t have to show off everything, Elvis,” Mark teased. “What’s in there is my business.”

“I like possessive Mark.” Trevor smirked.

Mark smacked him lightly on the rear as Jeff opened the door.

“Come inside. The neighbors don’t like it when we spank each other in public,” Jeff said with a laugh as he looked up at them. He was bent over, holding the collar of an excited Jasper. Jeff moved to allow them to enter. He closed the door and released his hold on Jasper, who immediately jumped up on Trevor. Jasper’s entire body shook from the tail wag as Trevor rubbed his head and back.

“Just push him away when you get tired of him,” Jeff told Trevor as he gave Mark a hug.

“I like your place,” Mark complimented, looking around at the dining area right off the front door. A round honey-colored table had been decorated with bright flowers and four place settings. The kitchen was immediately beside the dining area, and had a countertop bar that separated it from the main living room. The walls in the dining and living areas were painted a dark hunter green that gave the place a warm, cozy feel.

Kyle walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. He greeted Mark and Trevor, giving them each a warm hug. They chatted for a minute, and then Kyle returned to the kitchen area.

Jeff gave them a brief tour of the apartment, which was a two-bedroom unit built on a roommate plan. To the right of the living area was the master bedroom. The second bedroom had been converted to an office with two desks on opposite sides of the room. A collection of diplomas hung over each of the desks.

“Kyle calls them our walls of shame.” Jeff chuckled as he noted Mark reading some of the diplomas. “You’d think we were both professional students with all the colleges we’ve attended.”

“One of these days, I would like to go back to school to get my master’s degree,” Mark remarked as he continued to look at the diplomas.

“I have no interest in learning anything new right now,” Jeff said, only partially in jest. “I’ve only been out of school for two years, and it’s been nice earning a paycheck for a change.”

“I’ve been a nurse for almost eleven years now,” Mark replied. “I keep telling myself that I need to go back to school before I get too old. I just don’t know what I would want to focus on. Until recently, I’ve never done anything except direct patient care.”

“That’s right,” Trevor chipped in. “Since we last saw you, Mark is the big cheese now. He’s the nurse manager of his unit.”

Mark laughed and swatted one hand at Trevor.

Trevor jumped to one side, then grabbed Mark’s hand and held onto it. Mark didn’t pull away.

“Come on, you two.” Jeff winked and led them back into the living area. “I can’t cook, but I do make a mean cocktail.”

“Looks like you don’t need to know how to cook,” Trevor said as he looked in on Kyle, who was busy stirring something in a large pot. He sniffed appreciatively. “Something smells really good.”

“I’ll bet you’re going to love it!” Kyle called out confidently from the kitchen, never breaking his stride as he fussed with several dishes of food.

Jeff gestured for Mark and Trevor to sit on the sofa, then mixed each of them a drink. He passed one to Trevor, then one to Mark. Jeff picked up a third drink and walked into the kitchen. He leaned in behind Kyle, wrapping one arm around his midsection as he kissed the back of Kyle’s neck. “Looks like you could use one of these,” Jeff said as he held up the glass.

“Always.” Kyle giggled, wriggling his buttocks back against the shorter man. Jeff growled softly and nuzzled the back of Kyle’s neck with his nose.

Trevor and Mark watched the exchange from the sofa and smiled. It was fun to see two people who were very affectionate with one another and comfortable in expressing their love. Trevor reached over and took Mark’s hand again, which he squeezed lightly. Mark turned and looked at Trevor quizzically. Trevor smiled and looked back toward the kitchen. He didn’t let go of Mark’s hand. Mark scooted back on the sofa and settled his back against Trevor’s shoulder.

Jeff walked back into the living area. He picked up the remaining cocktail and seated himself in a chair near the sofa.

“You certainly know how to get the kitchen heated up,” Trevor said as Jeff settled into the chair.

“I have to,” Jeff whispered, nodding toward the kitchen. “I’m only allowed in there for loving and doing the dishes. Anything else and he bites my head off.”

“You do realize that I can hear what you are saying?” Kyle asked as he leaned over the counter.

“What?” Jeff shrugged innocently. Everyone laughed.

A few minutes later, Kyle began arranging the food buffet-style across the countertop. He asked everyone to serve themselves.

“How many people were you planning to feed?” Mark asked as he looked at the food lined up along the counter. There was sliced beef roast accompanied by potatoes, carrots, and onions, thickly sliced bread, and a huge bowl of salad.

Kyle grinned. “Four very hungry ones, I hope.”

Everyone piled their plates with food and sat at the table. Jeff poured wine into glasses and passed them around to everyone. He filled his own glass and placed the bottle on a small tray.

“To new friendships.” He toasted, raising his glass. Everyone clinked their glasses together and then sipped the wine.

“The beef is incredible,” Mark exclaimed as he took his first bite. “This is so tender, I hardly need a knife.”

Kyle murmured his thanks as he sampled his own food.

“Keep complimenting his food. You’ll have a friend and a full tummy for life,” Jeff said with a wink.

“I could definitely get used to Kyle’s cooking,” Mark agreed as he used a piece of bread to mop up the gravy.

“Mark is a really good cook too,” Trevor chimed in, looking over at Mark.

“Trevor just likes to eat,” Mark teased, smiling back at Trevor. “But I would love to have you guys over soon.”

Things quieted down as everyone focused on eating. Other than the occasional comments about the food, no one said much for the duration of the meal. Kyle beamed with satisfaction as everyone helped themselves to seconds.

After dinner, they retired to the living area. Mark and Trevor took their previous places on the sofa. Jeff returned to the chair he had been sitting in, as well. Rather than take the remaining chair, Kyle sat on the floor beside Jeff’s chair. He wrapped one arm affectionately around Jeff’s calf.

“I want to hear all about your new job,” Kyle told Mark.

Mark talked about the unit and staff he now supervised. He told them about learning to prepare schedules to ensure the right number of nurses were on duty to meet the patient-care needs of the unit. He talked about the classes he would be required to take on writing performance evaluations, preparing disciplinary actions, and a host of other administrative tasks he had never thought about that went into managing a patient-care unit. Everyone listened quietly, asking questions from time to time.

“So what about you, Trevor?” Jeff asked when Mark was done.

“My job is great,” Trevor answered with a grin. “I’m not the attending physician, so I’m not in charge. I’m not a resident, so I’m not really getting graded, either.”

“Maybe not,” Mark interjected. “But he does work hard, and he spends a lot of extra hours at the hospital.”

“Glad someone has noticed,” Trevor said as he wrapped one arm around Mark’s shoulder and gave him a gentle squeeze.

Mark smiled and leaned back, keeping Trevor’s arm around his shoulder.

“So what happens next?” Kyle prompted.

“I have to find a real job soon,” Trevor answered with a chuckle. “This fellowship will end before I know what’s hit me. I’ve been sending out application packages to several universities. I’m really not sure what’s going to happen after this fellowship is over. I have no idea where I’ll be.” He glanced over at Mark as he felt him stiffen after the last statement. Mark didn’t look at him.

The conversation changed to other subjects, but Trevor noticed Mark seemed a little subdued. Several times he squeezed Mark’s shoulder, but Mark never responded. He was pleasant enough, but Trevor could tell something was bothering him.

The conversation started to lag, and Trevor stifled a yawn. It was a little after 11:00 p.m. He offered to help with cleanup, but both Kyle and Jeff waved him away. Everyone stood and walked toward the door. Trevor placed a hand on the small of Mark’s back, but Mark didn’t acknowledge the gesture. At the door, Jeff hugged them both good night. Kyle’s much more exuberant sendoff was a kiss followed by a hug that would have made a boa constrictor proud. They promised to get together again soon.

M
ARK
said very little the entire ride back to his condominium. Trevor pulled the car into a parking space and walked around to meet Mark on the passenger side. Mark looked at him briefly, and for a moment, Trevor thought he was going to say something. Then he turned and started walking toward the building entrance. Trevor activated the car alarm and then caught up with Mark. He cupped a hand around the back of Mark’s neck.

“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked.

“Nothing, really,” Mark said unconvincingly. “I think I’m just really tired. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to go home?” Trevor asked, still rubbing Mark’s neck.

“No.” Mark shook his head. He looked up at Trevor and smiled. “Seriously, I’ll be better company in the morning. Let’s just get some sleep.”

They rode the elevator up and walked down the hall to Mark’s condo without saying anything. Once inside, they quietly undressed and cleaned up for bed. Trevor crawled into bed as Mark turned out the last of the lights. Mark slipped under the covers and moved close to Trevor. He propped himself on a pillow, and Trevor turned on his side. Trevor moved next to Mark and draped one arm across Mark’s chest. Mark reached his arm around Trevor’s back so that Trevor could nestle into his armpit. He rubbed Trevor’s back in small, circular motions.

“That feels really good,” Trevor moaned softly. He gently kissed Mark’s nipple that was closest to his face.

“Get some sleep,” Mark coaxed, still rubbing Trevor’s back. He listened as Trevor’s breathing became slower. He continued rubbing long after Trevor’s breathing had turned to soft snores. Mark wanted to sleep but his mind was too keyed up. He stared up at the ceiling, the conversation from earlier still running through his mind.

He knew why he was upset. It was because Trevor said he had been applying for jobs. He knew that was inevitable. But why hadn’t Trevor told him he had been applying for jobs? It was almost like he was keeping it a secret. Mark knew he was overreacting. He knew this was dumb. Of course Trevor was applying for jobs. He could not continue to work as a fellow forever.
And why should he tell me about it?
Mark thought.
Some things just don’t need to be discussed
. He shifted his anger toward himself. How could he let his feelings get out of control? He knew the rules. He understood that Trevor’s position was temporary. What he couldn’t understand was why the thought of Trevor leaving made him feel as if his heart was being ripped from his body.

Chapter 19

M
ARK
felt better the next morning. One definite benefit of having a boyfriend was sleepovers. Nothing like a little quality time between the sheets with Trevor to improve his temperament. After some pretty amazing wake-up sex, they had showered and dressed together.

Trevor set the table while Mark scrambled eggs and fried bacon. Over breakfast, Mark made it a point to ask about the universities where Trevor had applied. He mostly listened, but made a few comments here and there as Trevor talked about various hospitals and cities. Mark noted that Atlanta was not among the places Trevor was investigating.
At least I know
, he thought to himself. He said nothing about it to Trevor, but tucked away the knowledge to help him with his resolve to enjoy their relationship as long as he could. Nothing would happen for another few months, anyway. They still had plenty of time to spend together. Mark was determined not to let his feelings interfere with Trevor’s decisions, or to say anything that might spoil the time they had left together.