Page 32 of Saved By the Pitcher

Mike shook his head. “I wish I could go back in time to try to protect you, James. Please don’t be angry with me. I’m still learning about you. I’m not a perfect man.”

James nodded, and Mike could see the defensiveness leave his body. James even attempted a smile of his own. “Well, you may be as close to perfect as a man can be.”

Mike approached James and pulled him into an embrace. He kissed the side of James’ head and stroked his arms. “Isn’t this better? I like having you in my arms—not you using yours to push me away.”

James’ sigh sounded more like a whimper of surrender. He let his body sag into Mike’s, holding the man around his waist. Mike continued to kiss the top of his head and stroke behind one of his ears.

“I’m sorry,” James whispered.

“Shh,” Mike soothed. “Don’t be. At least you called me your boyfriend during your tirade.”

“Did not.”

Mike chuckled. “It was implied when you said your father would destroy me like he did your last boyfriend.” James grunted in protest, but said nothing. “Anyway, maybe your father will destroy me, but I meant what I said to you before. You’re worth the risk. Maybe we can figure out something together. Maybe you, me and Billy, huh? I just know I like being with you, James. I’m not ready to let your father tell me I can’t be.”

James pulled away from Mike, his expression sad. “You want to eat?”

Mike grinned. “I enjoyed what you fed me in the bedroom.”

James laughed out some of his stress. “Christ, give my ass a break, will you? I mean actual food.”

“Let’s go out.”

James shook his head with alarm. “Too reckless.”

Mike crossed his arms. “Nope. We’ll go incognito. I’m putting my nondescript baseball cap and sunglasses back on, and you’ll do the same. This is New York City. People don’t pay attention. Come on. Getting some fresh air will do you good,” Mike pleaded.

James contemplated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, but we don’t eat at any place where you have to sit in a closed space.”

“I was thinking we could grab something from a food truck, then I’ll take you to my favorite ice cream place nearby,” Mike informed.

“Jesus, how do you keep that body of yours?” James wondered.

Mike shrugged. “Lots of exercise. And since I missed my routines today, you’re going to have to give me a workout later in bed.”

James laughed. “One-track mind.”

Mike grinned. “Mmhmm, and that track leads right back to your sweet tunnel.”

James played along. “Tacky. And what is your dick? The engine that thought he could?”

Mike snickered. “Oh, he knows he can. And he will. He’s been on a mission to park in that pretty little spot for quite some time.”

James went to his closet to retrieve some clothes, not bothering to look at Mike with his next retort. “Well, if he’s just going to park, the tunnel’s owner is going to evict him pretty quick.” He pulled out a shirt, shut the closet door then looked over to Mike, who was at a loss for words. “That little fucker better plan to practice forward and reverse maneuvers in that tunnel, and test his ability to do it at increasingly accelerated speeds.”

Mike gulped. “I’ll make sure he gets the message.”

Chapter Eleven

James admitted that the outdoor air was a refreshing change. It was a beautiful early summer day, and there was a breeze with low humidity. His mood was lighter as he and Mike walked through his neighborhood. He laughed when Mike took him to a food truck and ordered his dreaded hot dog. James settled for a baked pretzel. It wasn’t the most nutritious thing to eat, but it seemed healthier to him than the rest of the vendor’s offerings.

James rolled his eyes when Mike bit into his frankfurter then licked his lips, moaning with pretended ecstasy. James finished half his pretzel, then handed the rest to Mike, who sucked it down like a human vacuum.

“Come on. Here’s the ice cream parlor I was telling you about,” Mike announced, pulling James into the shop.

“Are you going to be able to eat ice cream now?” James teased.

“Always room for dessert,” Mike replied in a matter-of-fact tone, rubbing the palms of his hands together. “And this place has the best ice cream flavors, mix-ins and toppings.”