Page 55 of Survival Game

“Just drop the knife on the floor,” Eric said as he moved toward her warily. Aaron made a sound behind him but Eric ignored it. The knife fell harmlessly to the floor and Eric let out a breath of relief as he reached her.

“Great, now let’s sit down and—”

At first, the sharp pain in his left side didn’t register. It was only a split second of agony followed by a sudden breathlessness as the shock of being stabbed hit him. He reeled backward, hearing Aaron’s agonised cry and Jessie’s peal of cruel laughter.

She must have had another knife somewhere. Shit, I need to see what the damage is. I hope she didn’t hit an artery. His paramedic mind in full throttle despite the pain, Eric staggered backward, wondering why the room was growing dim and fuzzy, his eyes losing focus. Between his fingers, copious amounts of blood seeped in puddles onto an already blood-spattered floor.

He was aware of someone bending over him—not Aaron, another uniformed man. He tried to keep his eyes open, see if Aaron was safe, but it was just too much.

His last thought before he succumbed to unconsciousness was of violet eyes and a warm smile.

“Hey, baby. I’m not sure if you can hear me. The nurse says you can, so I hope so. You’re doing okay. The doctor says the knife hit a blood vessel, but Aaron got you all fixed up quickly. I guess that’s the one benefit of having a paramedic and a truck on call, right? Anyway, Aaron said to tell you he’s fine and he needs his partner back because the one he’s got now is driving him fucking crazy.”

There was a soft giggle followed by a sniffle. “That’s his words, not mine.” There was the sound of rustling. “I bought you some grapes, because everyone knows that’s what you bring to a hospital, right? And I also got you a beautiful bunch of flowers, only the hospital wouldn’t let me bring it in because apparently, it’s not healthy. And the sister on the ward didn’t stop sneezing. It’s a pity ’cause I chose them myself and did the arrangement. I had to take them home again.” Kyle sounded terribly peeved.

Eric tried to laugh but it was too painful. He felt as if he’d gone three rounds with a heavyweight boxer. But the insane boyfriend babbling was adorable and he wanted to kiss him.

“Oh my God, you can hear me? Eric, open your eyes, love. Please open your eyes.” The desperation in Kyle’s voice energised Eric into finally doing what he was told. The first sight that greeted him was Kyle’s face, anxious and pale, with red-rimmed eyes. Eric had never seen anything more welcoming.

“Hi,” he croaked, throat burning. His eyes watered with the bright light of the room. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Kyle loomed over him, fussing with his pillows to raise his head up. “Where else would I be?” he asked waspishly. “You decided to go and get yourself stabbed. This is generally where those people end up, with the people who love them worrying over them.”

Despite the snark in the comment, Eric heard the vulnerability beneath. And the roundabout declaration of love that made his heart race.

“Come here,” he instructed, raising one arm carefully so as not to dislodge whatever drips were in it. “I need to hold you. Just be careful. I have been in the wars with a knife-wielding maniac.”

Kyle leaned down and buried his face in Eric’s neck so close it was as if they were joined by damp skin. “I thought I’d lost you, you bastard,” he whispered tremulously against Eric’s skin. “I was so worried about you.”

Eric gave him a one-armed hug, as strong as he could manage. “I’m here,” he murmured, stroking Kyle’s hair. “You think I’d go anywhere without you?”

“Well, okay,” Kyle retorted, his words muffled. “I wouldn’t want to have followed you down there.” He waved a hand at the floor. “But I’m good with anywhere else.”

Eric grinned. “What makes you think I would have gone to Hell?” he said teasingly.

Kyle looked up, a smile in his eyes. “Duh, don’t all sexy bad boys go there? I think it’s the law.” He cupped Eric’s face in cool hands. “God, when they told me you were here, I didn’t know what to do. Ryan kicked me out of the club, told me to stay here until I was sure you were okay.”

“So how long have I been out? And what happened from the time I hit the deck?” Eric shifted uncomfortably. His whole body ached and his left side burnt like hell.

“Two days. They brought you in on Wednesday. Today’s Friday afternoon.” Kyle scowled. “The crazy bitch that stabbed you was taken down by the police who’d already been on route. She had another knife on standby it looked like, hidden on the mantelpiece.” He scowled. “What is it with people and knives in this country? Anyway, the poor old lady screaming on the phone to Social Services as her head was bashed in generated some warning bells.” He grimaced. “They called the coppers and they arrived in time to save your arses. Aaron did his magic and you were rushed into surgery. And poof, here you are.”

Eric leaned back on his pillows, exhausted. “I’m going to be okay then? Nothing vital damaged?”

Kyle nodded. “The doctor says you’ll be fine. Just need rest, and a lot of sex.”

Eric gaped. “What?”

Kyle’s face was mischievous. “Oh, yeah, he said I was the cutest guy he’d ever seen and as long as I gave you loads of love and sex, your recovery was guaranteed. I couldn’t let the best advice of the medical profession go to waste so I wrote down a plan, see?” He held up a calendar with red crosses all over it. Hardly any of the page could be seen.

He pointed at one line. “This is where we have butt sex, me on the bottom. This one,” he dragged his finger along, “is sixty-nine sex. This one here is a blowjob for you, and here again we have—butt sex. You on the bottom this time. I have your medical recovery programme all planned out.” He looked pleased with himself and Eric choked as he laughed.

“This is what you’ve been doing while I’ve been lying here unconscious? Did you perhaps do anything more personal while I was out?” He lifted his covers with difficulty. “I look as if I’m intact. No cock cage or anal beads up my arse. I think.”

Kyle reached over and pressed warm lips to his. “I might have peeked now and then, just to see you were still functioning.” He chuckled against Eric’s mouth.

“God, you are so crazy, but I love you.” Eric yawned, wondering why Kyle’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped. He was also becoming dizzy and floaty.

“Do you think you could ask the nurse if I could have some water or something? I’m parched.” His voice sounded slurred and he frowned.