Rise Again by L.J. Hamlin

Author:L.J. Hamlin [Press, Less Than Three]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay, contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2017-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

"My parents will pick up the stuff. We just have to pack it in suitcases and leave it by the door," Arkady calls to Cade from his bedroom, where he's gone to find something he can wear that will hide the ugly bruises on his neck.

"I found your kindle where you said it would be," Cade says, walking into Arkady's bedroom.

"You know, not many men have been in this room," Arkady says thoughtfully as he grabs a few more t-shirts to put in a bag.

"I'm guessing you just didn't bring them home? Too worried they'd get attached?" Cade asks, but he doesn't sound like he's judging Arkady for his past.

"Partly that. And Lou doesn't like everyone, and some people are scared of him. So it's easier to go to the guy's place or hook up at the club, whatever. I'm not a dirtbag, though. They all knew what was going on, that it was a one night thing." Arkady doesn't want Cade to think badly of him, but he's not ashamed of his past. He was young and single. He enjoyed himself.

"You let me come to your place, and I was supposed to be here while Lou was the other day. I'm not fishing for compliments, but what makes me different? Being disabled doesn't mean you have to settle down, if that's not your style," Cade says hesitantly.

"I can't say my accident hasn't had an impact on me. It made me re-evaluate my life a little. I stopped sleeping around; it wasn't something I wanted to resume doing. I wasn't even thinking about dating till I met you, and I don't know, you get me, and you're hot as hell," Arkady replies.

Cade moves closer, and he puts a hand on Arkady's hip. Arkady's heartbeat speeds up in his chest, just from the simple but intimate touch. Cade's fingers slip beneath Arkady's shirt, his fingertips pressing into the soft skin of Arkady's waist. Arkady feels like his body is on fire, and he can't remember the last time he felt like this from a simple touch.

One night stands didn't feel like this. They were fun, but those men didn't affect him the way Cade does. Arkady has been smiling like an idiot at every text message ever since he met Cade for coffee, and Arkady doesn't think he's ever texted one guy so much, even a guy he wanted to hook up with. There's just something about Cade. It's like, when he looks at Arkady, he sees right into Arkady's soul.

"Are you putting the moves on me, Cade?" Arkady asks, surprised by how rough his voice sounds.

"Little bit. I just… the last time I was in this apartment, just a day ago, you were dying. I feel like I need to grab hold of you to make sure you're really still here."

"I'm still here. Nothing's going to happen to me. The cops will catch the psycho who attacked me, and it'll all be fine. But if being close to me makes you feel better, I don't have any objections.

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