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“Um. Do you mind?” Cayson raced up the steps and snatched the card from Quick’s hand, flipping the blank envelope over while unlocking his front door.
“Does good ole Joe have a key to your place?” Quick hated to ask that question, dreading an answer he didn’t want to hear, but it was necessary.
“No. He doesn’t. Only to the gate.”
“Get it back,” Quick ordered.
Cayson looked at him like he’d lost his damn mind and Quick rushed to back-pedal. Cayson didn’t need to be told what to do; he’d probably gotten enough of that from previous partners. “I’m sorry. Too much. I mean, he doesn’t need his key anymore, right?”
“Right,” Cayson confirmed, letting Duke and Quick in behind him.
Quick looked around, satisfied that no one had been inside. Everything was exactly how they’d left it that morning. Cayson’s half-eaten bagel and Quick’s coffee cup sat side by side on the kitchen island.
Duke set the obvious flower box on the living room table, standing back from it. Quick and Duke’s eyes met over Cayson’s head while he opened the box, revealing two dozen long stem red roses. More expensive than the bouquet he’d purchased. Cayson opened the card, and Quick was shameless when he leaned forward to read the almost unintelligible penmanship over his shoulder.
I’ve changed. I miss you.
J.
“Motherfucker!” Quick bit out. He was well aware now that red roses meant love.
“Calm down, Quick,” Duke said cautiously. “Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.”
“I don’t want competition,” Quick grumbled.
“Not up for the challenge?” Cayson asked nonchalantly, tossing the entire box of flowers in the kitchen trashcan along with the note.
“I don’t mind putting in the work, Doc. But I won’t be made a fool of.”
“Fair enough,” Cayson agreed.
“Duke. Can you wait for me in the truck?”
Duke nodded and left after saying a short goodbye to his doctor.
“Cays. Come’re.” Quick took Cayson’s hand and led him back over to the couch. He was going to wait to give this to Cayson after their date but it suddenly felt appropriate right now. The unease he felt in his stomach was his instincts. Hair didn’t raise on his neck or arms when he sensed danger. No. Quick felt it in the pit of his stomach. Apprehension about leaving Cayson right now felt like lead weight in his belly. He couldn’t treat his doctor like a child. He was a man. A man who could handle his own affairs. As his hopefully future boyfriend, Quick’s job was to back him up, not push him aside and take over his life for him. Obviously, he’d done fine all this time without Quick. If he wasn’t careful, Cayson would continue on without him.
Quick pulled out the military sports watch and showed it to Cayson.
“Are you giving me a watch?” Cayson was smiling, but he looked confused, too.
“This watch is exactly the same as mine. It’s a tracking device.”
Cayson blinked incredulously. “Excuse me?”
“Easy. Let me explain.” Quick put a calming hand on Cayson’s thigh, rubbing absently while he explained all the features.
“I’m not trying to keep tabs on you, babe. I just want you to have a way to contact help immediately, if you need too.”
“I can simply call.”
“Emergencies don’t always happen around a phone.”
“I’ve never needed anything like this, Rome. I have no enemies.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well, if you’re thinking of someone in particular. I’d still say no. I’m not afraid of Joe.”
“Being careful doesn’t have a damn thing to do with being afraid. We all have the same ones on our wrists.” Quick unhooked Cayson’s elegant watch and replaced it with the new one. One he hoped he’d never have to use. If Quick was nothing else, he was cautious. He refused to take second chances. Not with Cayson, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.
“The last button here only alerts me. If you push and hold it, your location will flash across my watch. If you push this one, you’ll have five men barreling in your direction within seconds.”
“God, no. Okay, so never hold that button down. I’m only wearing it because it’s kinda James Bondish. I like the pearl and gold. But I know I won’t need it.”
“That’s all I want.” Quick hooked his arm around Cayson, their thighs pressed next to each other. Quick dipped down, seeking out Cayson’s mouth. “I gotta drop Duke off and get home to change. I’ll be back in a couple hours.” Quick spoke against Cayson’s temple, kissing him gently there and on his forehead before he stood and walked back towards the front door.
“Okay,” Cayson replied softly.
Six o’clock couldn’t get here fast enough to suit Quick. He needed uninterrupted time with his new man. Time to show him how much better life would be with him at his side. Someone that’d be proud to show him off. Dr. Cayson Chauncey was too wonderful to be someone’s secret lover.
