Stubborn Heart (22 page)

“So sweet.” Trevor smiled and ran his fingers along Mark’s jaw. He pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street to follow as Kyle’s car drove by.

They parked the car, and Mark hastily changed into his T-shirt while Trevor pulled off his outer shirt. They spotted Jeff and Kyle, and the four of them walked together to the bar. The door and windows were covered with a reflective material that prevented passersby from seeing inside. The music, although muffled, could be heard from the street. A doorman checked their IDs and they went inside. The lighting was low, and a techno beat thumped in the background.

“First things first,” Mark said as they approached the bar. “I need a big glass of water so I can process the wine from dinner.”

Trevor cupped his hand around his mouth and turned toward Kyle and Jeff. “Can’t hold his liquor.” He pointed at Mark.

“You do realize that I can still hear you?” Mark asked, lightly punching Trevor in the arm. Everyone laughed. They ordered drinks and found a table near the dance floor. They stood around the table, watching the dancers.

“I think it is time to work off dinner,” Kyle said loudly over the noise. He reached over and cupped Jeff’s ass cheek with one hand. Jeff giggled and then nodded. He placed his drink on the table and followed Kyle onto the dance floor.

Mark turned to watch them. He moved closer to Trevor. Trevor wrapped his arms around Mark’s arms. Trevor leaned forward and kissed Mark lightly on the side of his neck. Mark hummed his approval and nuzzled against Trevor. He closed his eyes briefly, then jumped as he felt a sting to his ear.

“You bit me!” he yelped in surprise as he turned to face Trevor.

Trevor had the most wicked grin on his face. “I was only playing. Come back, Mark.” He placed his hands on Mark’s waist and tried to pull him closer.

“You don’t get off that easily, mister.” Mark laughed. He placed both hands on Trevor’s chest, pushing back to maintain distance between them.

“Okay. I’m sorry!” Trevor said, his expression anything but contrite. “You can bite me back, if you want,” he offered.

Trevor tugged again, and this time Mark relented, allowing himself to be pulled into Trevor’s embrace.

“Come on,” Mark said as he tugged at a belt loop on Trevor’s jeans. “Dance with me.”

Trevor followed, and they wove their way around the other dancers until they reached Kyle and Jeff. They joined in, and the four of them danced together in a small circle. Mark tried to talk to Jeff, but it was too difficult to hear each other over the music. One song flowed into the next one. After a few minutes, Kyle motioned that he and Jeff were going back to their table. Mark nodded and moved closer to Trevor.

Trevor reached out and placed his hands on Mark’s hips. He slowed their movements until they were rocking gently, swaying in rhythm together. Mark placed his hands on the taller man’s shoulders. He looked up into Trevor’s eyes, and everyone else faded away into the background. They slowly moved back and forth, making small circles as they danced.

Trevor tugged at Mark’s belt loops, guiding him out of the main crowd. Gradually they made their way to the side of the dance floor, out of the path of the flashing lights. Trevor moved them to a place less crowded than the center area. They continued moving together, unhurriedly, hardly even aware of the music playing around them.

Mark moved his hands down to Trevor’s waist and snaked them under the shirt, running his hands over the skin beneath.

“Yeah, that’s nice,” Trevor murmured his approval. He reached up and pulled the shirt over his head, and then looped it through his belt behind his back. He tugged at Mark’s shirt and slipped it over his head. Then he reached behind Mark and shoved part of the shirt into the back of his jeans.

“I can’t believe you have me out here dancing half naked.” Mark grinned, looking around.

“Come here, baby.” Trevor placed his hands on Mark’s shoulders and pulled until they were chest to chest, swaying to the music.

Mark hooked his fingers into the waistband of Trevor’s jeans. “This is so hot,” he whispered into Trevor’s ear. “I love the way it feels when your hair rubs against my skin.”

“I can tell.” Trevor smirked as he tweaked a rock-hard nipple.

“Fuck!” Mark hissed, but he didn’t pull away. “You are so going to get it later,” he vowed.

“God, I hope so,” Trevor growled as he cupped Mark’s ass.

Trevor leaned down and covered Mark’s lips with his own. He gently prodded Mark’s mouth open, his tongue seeking out Mark’s. Nothing existed except for the two of them, kissing and moving together in perfect harmony.

A touch on his arm brought Mark back to reality.

“You two are starting to attract a lot of attention,” Jeff said with a snicker.

Mark looked around, and sure enough, several people watched as they danced. He smiled at Trevor, and they kissed softly one more time. Mark slipped his shirt back on. The three of them walked over to join Kyle at their table.

“You boys certainly raised the temperature in here a few degrees,” Kyle said with a laugh as they sat down.

Trevor chuckled as he shrugged his shirt back on. “They started playing a slow song. What was I supposed to do?” he asked innocently.

“Slow song, my ass.” Kyle smirked. “That was the same techno crap they’ve been playing since we got here. The only slow song playing was the one between your ears.”

“Must have been playing pretty loudly.” Mark smiled and winked at Trevor. “Because I could hear it too.”

“You boys were practically making out in public.” Kyle rolled his eyes in mock disgust. He reached over and pulled Jeff toward him. The two men smiled and looked into one another’s eyes. Kyle kissed Jeff lightly on the lips.

“Looks to me like someone still has some more celebrating to do,” Trevor teased and nudged Kyle in the ribs with one elbow.

“It is getting late,” Kyle agreed. The look he gave Jeff left little doubt about his intentions for later.

“Mark, go and get me a hose,” Trevor teased. He draped one arm over Mark’s shoulder and hugged him close. “And just a minute ago, you were giving me grief for one innocent little dance. I think I got burned from standing too close to the heat you two are putting off.”

“Okay. I’ve definitely seen enough of you for tonight.” Kyle laughed, jabbing playfully at Trevor. “Time to go.”

The two couples left together, laughing and talking as they made their way to the bar’s entrance. On the street, they parted and went their separate ways. Looking over, they waved to one another once they reached their cars.

Chapter 22

“T
HIS
has been a crazy day,” Trevor said as he carried his plate of food to the table. He sat down to join Mark and Derrick. They had filled their plates and sat down ahead of him. “I received calls for three potential job offers today.”

“What kind of positions?” Derrick asked. He spread his napkin over his lap and then looked up, waiting for Trevor to continue.

“Two of the positions combine teaching and clinical supervision of surgical residents. The other one is a full-time surgical practice,” Trevor said as he sliced off a piece of baked chicken and put it in his mouth.

“So where would these positions be located?” Mark asked. He took a sip of tea and set the glass back on the table.

“The teaching jobs are here and San Diego. The hospital-based position is in Boston, part of my old medical school.”

Mark took a deep breath and looked directly at Trevor. “So which one are you thinking about?” he asked hesitantly.

“All of them,” Trevor answered with a shrug of his shoulders. “It’s really early for me to say for sure which one I’m most interested in. But from everything I’ve heard so far, the position in Boston will offer me the best opportunity to improve my surgical skills.”

Mark felt his stomach churn. He placed his fork on the plate and covered his mouth with his napkin. He swallowed hard as he felt bile rise up in his throat. He stared down at his plate.

“What’s wrong, Mark?” Trevor asked, concern in his tone. He put down his fork and looked over at Mark.

“Nothing,” Mark said quickly. He waved a hand dismissively, but didn’t look up from his food.

“Something is wrong,” Trevor replied. “You look like you’re about to be sick.”

Mark exhaled deeply. He looked at Trevor accusingly. “I guess I was expecting some kind of warning.”

“Warning about what?” Trevor’s eyes widened. He was totally confused by Mark’s behavior.

Mark shrugged. “I just wasn’t expecting you to tell me that you were leaving so soon.”

“Who said anything about leaving?” Trevor asked, eyes wide with surprise. “I said I received some calls today. That is all.”

“Well, it sort of sounds like you’ve already decided,” Mark retorted hotly. He immediately regretted his tone and took a deep breath to calm himself. But it wasn’t working. He couldn’t seem to control himself right now. He felt his face flush red.

“Of course not, Mark,” Trevor said, shaking his head. “This is not a decision I can make all by myself.”

“Well, who else do you think is going to decide it for you?” Mark asked sarcastically. “This is about you. This is about your future. It doesn’t concern the rest of us.”

“Mark,” Derrick said softly as he reached out to place his hand on Mark’s arm. Mark jerked his arm away.

Trevor stared at Mark, disbelief in his face and voice. “How can you say it doesn’t concern anyone but me? It concerns both of us.”

“This is about your future, Trevor,” Mark said through gritted teeth. “Your decision has nothing to do with me.”

“How the hell can you say that?” Trevor raised his voice angrily.

“Trevor.” Mark sat up straight and placed both hands on the table’s edge. His voice was calm and even. He slowly exhaled. “We both knew when you came here that it was only temporary. I was overreacting. And I’m sorry. You just took me by surprise, that’s all. I’ll be fine.”

“No!” Trevor roared, slamming his fist on the table. His face turned bright red. His eyes were bright pools of anger and pain, threatening to overflow with tears at any moment. “You do not get to do that. You can’t just talk like we don’t matter, like there is no us.”

“Trevor,” Mark started. “Be realistic. Why did you come to Atlanta?”

“You know why I came here,” Trevor answered, hurt and confusion causing his voice to crack.

“Did you come to Atlanta planning to stay here?” Mark asked calmly. His face was a blank, carefully controlled mask.

“That’s hardly a fair question,” Trevor replied hoarsely. He brushed a hand over his face as a tear ran down his cheek.

“Did you?” Mark pressed, his tone cold and even.

“No,” Trevor answered sharply, steeling his voice. “I came here for a job.”

“Exactly!” Mark shot back, cutting off Trevor’s response.

“Fine!” Trevor yelled as the last of his self-control left him. “If that’s all you want to hear, that’s fine. This relationship means nothing to you, so why don’t you just fucking leave!” He shoved his chair back from the table and stormed out of the room. A few seconds later, his bedroom door slammed shut.

Mark put his head in his hands and sighed. After a couple of minutes, he looked up and realized he was alone at the table. He walked into the living area and found Derrick sitting on the sofa. Mark flinched at the look Derrick gave him. He walked toward the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Derrick asked, his face red and angry.

“You heard what Trevor said,” Mark snapped. “I’m going home.”

“It there anything inside that pretty head other than air?” Derrick shot back.

“I’ll focus on the pretty head part and not get totally pissed off at you,” Mark said sarcastically, returning Derrick’s glare. “I’m tired, Derrick. I don’t have the energy for another fight today.”

“That’s just too fucking bad,” Derrick retorted, his voice cold and steely. “Sit down. Maybe you won’t exert yourself too much if you just shut up and let me do the talking.”

Mark stared openmouthed at Derrick. He was completely taken aback by the venom in his tone. Reluctantly he sat on the edge of the sofa. He exhaled and looked over at Derrick. “Listen,” Mark started, willing his voice to remain calm. “I’m sorry I overreacted. I should have kept my mouth shut and discussed my issues with Trevor later. Instead I let myself get out of control. Trevor and I got into an argument in front of you and that was completely inappropriate. You shouldn’t have to listen to the two of us carrying on. It doesn’t concern you.”

“Mark, you couldn’t be more wrong,” Derrick said. His tone was forced, and it was obvious he was trying to control his emotions as well. “Two people I love are behaving like idiots. It damn well does concern me.”

“You just don’t understand.” Mark sighed in a defeated voice.

“No. I guess I don’t. But here’s how I see it,” Derrick said. “Trevor loves you. Hell, he worships the ground you walk on. But he’s afraid that if he says anything or makes any demands on you at all, you’ll bolt like a scared deer.”

“I know he loves me,” Mark protested weakly.

“Shut. Up,” Derrick said slowly through clenched teeth. “I’m not finished. You’re completely missing the point.”