Page 74 of The Broken Hearts Club

When she joined her family on the blanket, Scotty and Allie excitedly showed her the masks they’d made. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could tell by Jeannie’s big smile and animated expression that she was gushing over them, much to her kids’ delight.

It warmed my heart to watch them. Jeannie was a great mom, and she and her children clearly adored each other. It sucked that Brad had all but abandoned them, and they had to be hurting, but I really believed they were going to be just fine in the long run.

Jeannie and Collie had a short conversation, and then he picked up the cat and brought her inside. He was wearing a sparkly black cat mask, which was very cute, and probably a tribute to Kate. “I’ve been ordered to take a nap,” he told me, “but I’ll only go to bed if you come along and cuddle with me.” He put the mask on the table and took off the cat’s harness, and she jumped onto a kitchen chair and glared at me for literally no reason.

“Like I’d ever say no to that.”

We went upstairs, and once we locked the guest room door behind us, Collie grabbed my hand and towed me to the bed. Both of us kicked off our shoes, and he playfully pushed me onto the mattress and climbed on top of me.

He was wearing my favorite sweater, the one with a little pink heart on the chest. I liked it because it was soft to the touch, and because it was slightly cropped, exposing a tantalizing inch or two of skin above his waistband. I slid my hands under the sweater and up his back as he dotted kisses along my jaw.

When his lips met mine, a rush of desire shot through me. He deepened the kiss, but then he left me wanting more as he tilted his head and lightly bit my earlobe.

He sat up and tossed his hair to one side, and I ran my hands up his thighs as I murmured, “You’re incredibly sexy.”

“I never felt sexy,” he said, as he traced my lower lip with his fingertip, “but somehow, you make me believe it.”

Collie’s hair brushed my cheek as he leaned in for another kiss. My heart was racing, and my entire body responded as he slipped his tongue between my lips.

I was absolutely aching for him by this point. He rocked his hips, rubbing his cock against mine through our clothes. I desperately wanted to strip him naked and caress and lick and kiss every inch of him. I wanted Collie more than I’d ever wanted anyone in my entire life, but we couldn’t do this. Not now.

It took every shred of self-control I could muster, but I managed to say, “We have to stop.”

He mumbled, “We really don’t,” before licking my neck.

I took a ragged breath and reminded him, “Your doctor hasn’t told you it’s okay to have sex yet.”

“Technically, no,” he murmured, as he nuzzled me, “but I’m sure she would have cleared me if I’d made it to my last appointment.”

My head was spinning, but I had to hold firm for his sake. “I doubt it. After open-heart surgery you’re supposed to abstain from sex for six to eight weeks.”

“Why do you know that?”

“Because I looked it up.”

“See?” He sat up and exclaimed, “You want to do this as much as I do!”

“Of course, but we can’t. Not yet.”

Collie climbed off of me, and I sat up as he said, “I know my sternum is still healing, and it’s a little achy, so you probably shouldn’t pound me into the mattress. But what about a blow job?”

“The restriction applies to sex in general, not just fucking.”

He frowned at that. “You’re being way too cautious.”

“That’s because I care about you.” He started to pout. I gently brushed his hair back as I told him, “The first time we have sex, I want it to be perfect for you, because that’s what you deserve. And I want us both to be able to relax and enjoy ourselves, without the constant worry of doing something that’s going to affect your recovery.” I caressed his cheek and said, “Please let me take care of you, Collie.”

The line between his brows softened, and he leaned against me. “Okay, fine, we’ll wait. I can handle the blue balls if you can.”

Collie wove his fingers with mine, and I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed his knuckle. After a pause, he said, “While we’re on the subject of sex, I should mention that I got tested four months ago. It was negative across the board, and I haven’t had sex since then. Actually, it’s been like, ten or eleven months. If you’ve been tested too, maybe we could skip the condoms.”

“For sure. I got tested twice in the last year, because I didn’t put it past Bruce to cheat on me. And he’s the last person I slept with, so it’s been even longer for me than it has for you.”

“This is none of my business,” he said, “but I have to ask anyway, because I’m nosy. When you and Bruce were together, who topped who?”

“He always bottomed.”

“Hmm. Interesting. I couldn’t quite picture you two doing the nasty. And actually, I don’t want to. He’s just so… ew.” I grinned at that, and he asked me, “Was that what you wanted, to top all the time?”