Lane’s heart felt lighter. Mike was doing better since talking with their friends. They had a good week, and his bruises were fading. Sharron was confident Mike would respond well to the treatment if they kept at it.

Six days after the incident, a knock sounded at his door. He looked at Mike and shrugged. “You expecting anyone?”

“No, you?”

“Nope.”

Lane moved to the door and pulled it open. The cops who had shown up the week before were standing in the hall with coffee.

“Hey, we wanted to come by and see how things were going,” one of them said.

Lane stepped aside and opened the door more. “Come on in. I didn’t catch your names last time.”

“I’m Max Waller, and my partner is Charles Pritchett.”

“I’m Lane, and you’ve met Mike.” Lane held out his hand.

Mike hesitated, his face turning red. “We haven’t had any more issues.”

“That’s good to hear. Your bruises are fading nicely.” Max nodded at Lane as he spoke.

Lane moved to Mike and wrapped his arm tight around his shoulder. He wasn’t sure the cops showing up was a good thing.

“We brought some pastries too. Just black coffee though. We didn’t know how you liked it.” Charles set down the coffees and a bag of pastries. “Um, we wanted to chat with you two.”

“Mike is going to therapy,” Lane said.

Max nodded and pulled out a chair at their table. “Can we sit?”

“Sure,” Lane said. He held Mike’s hand, making sure his man knew he wasn’t ever going to abandon him.

Max cleared his throat. “We talked to a guy at our station. He served overseas. Had a rough go of it. Anyway, we mentioned the therapist, Sharron, to him, and he goes to her. Said it changed his life. We wanted to tell you we’re sorry we jumped to conclusions. We see a lot of domestic violence, and well, you know…”

Mike palmed the coffee but didn’t take a sip. “Thank you for coming by. I’m still seeing her, of course. Um, it’s going okay.”

Charles leaned forward and tapped the table. “If you want to talk to anyone, or if you guys do anything like pickup basketball or maybe if our days off line up we could hang out. I guess we just wanted to make sure you knew you had support.”

“Thank you,” Mike said.

“We really appreciate it.” Lane took a bite of one of the muffins. These two cops coming by and showing support was an interesting change to how they’d been that first day.

“So are you working tonight?” Max asked, nodding toward Lane.

“Yes, my shift starts at seven.”

Charles stood and reached out, shaking Mike’s hand first. “We don’t want to overstay our welcome, we just wanted to make sure you knew you could call and talk. And you have friends in the department.”

“Thank you for stopping by,” Mike said.

“Anytime you need something, just call,” Max said.

“You coming back and apologizing, it makes a difference. Thank you,” Mike said.

The cops left their apartment, and he turned to meet Mike’s gaze. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I think they meant it.”

“The world is starting to understand. I’m glad they stopped by.”

Mike moved close and held him. He closed his eyes, praying everything kept running smoothly. He had mostly healed, but the doctors and nurses were giving him shit for getting into a fight. He hadn’t told anyone at work his partner had done this. Hell, he hadn’t told anyone at work his lover was male.

For all his talk about encouraging Mike to open up, he wasn’t willing to be open with the people he spent so much time with. Mike needed his support, maybe more than either of them had realized. They were still fucking like monkeys, but most of their touches had turned into him holding Mike and kissing his forehead or cheek, not sucking his cock.

He sighed and pulled Mike closer. He had someone to hold now. Before, when he’d been going at it with people who were strangers, he felt hollow. Now he felt whole.

“I have about an hour before I need to leave. Can we go sit on the couch or lay in bed and let me hold you before I go?” Lane asked.

Mike nodded and took his hand, leading him to their bedroom. They stretched out on the mattress, and he wrapped his arms around Mike. After a few minutes, he realized he was at risk of falling asleep so he set an alarm on his phone.

He settled in close, resting his head on Mike’s shoulder. It was nice having Mike in his life. He couldn’t believe he was with a guy. It was strange but wonderful at the same time. Maybe having his friends and knowing how they’d dealt with the gay thing helped. He didn’t think his situation was weird. Before the other guys had gotten together, he wasn’t sure he would have been open to a relationship with a guy, now it seemed like the most logical thing in the world.

He did fall asleep and was thankful he’d set his alarm. He got up, and Mike rolled over. His heart squeezed, and he wished he could stay in bed with his man but work called. After a quick shower, he dressed in scrubs then took off. He grabbed a sandwich on the way and ate quickly, getting to work with about ten minutes to spare.

The ER was crazy. Someone had gotten in a knife fight with their bride-to-be. Both of them ended up in the ER instead of at the reception. They were talking shit about each other and security had to be called in. Then they were crying for each other. It was sad, and he understood how people could think Mike was a bad guy. Obviously, this couple shouldn’t be together, but they were a couple and wanted each other even though they’d tried to kill each other only hours earlier.

After four hours where he didn’t even stop moving, he went to the nurses’ station and grabbed a cup of coffee. One of the other nurses, Kylie, came over and shook her head.

“That was insane. I mean really, who would go back with a guy who stabs you in the shoulder?” Kylie asked.

His stomach turned. He’d stayed with Mike though he’d hit him. But there were circumstances. He wondered how many other couples had the exact same excuse. “Relationships are complicated.”

“Yeah, they are. So are you dating any hot girls?”

“Um.” His heart sped up. This was the perfect time to tell someone he was with a guy. Another nurse showed up, and he wasn’t going to say anything, but then he realized he wasn’t ashamed of Mike or dating a guy. “Actually my boyfriend moved in recently.”

Both women snapped their heads up and stared at him, but they didn’t have any time to say anything because another emergency rolled in. A few more hours passed before he could stop and eat more. Kylie came over and grabbed a snack, leaning up against the desk beside him.

“I didn’t know you were gay.”

He lifted his shoulders. “Well, I don’t think I am.”

“But you’re with a guy.”

He nodded then took another bite before he shook his head. “I may be with a guy right now, but it doesn’t mean I don’t find women attractive.”

“Do you find me attractive?”

“Kylie, I work with you. I’ve seen you at your worst.”

“What does that mean?” Kylie’s words were sharp, her lips turned down in a frown.

“You’re a friend, someone I work with and spend time with when we get a break. I don’t think of you that way. Plus, I know your husband. He’d be pissed at any guy who flirted with you at work.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course he would. So, have you ever had a real serious relationship with a woman?”

He shrugged. “Not since becoming an adult, so that would be a no.”

“How do you know you wouldn’t be happier with a woman?”

“I’m in love with Mike. He makes me feel complete. When I’m with him, life just seems to flow better.”

The sound of an ambulance rolling into the bay could be heard down the hall. He sighed and nodded towards the doors.

She shook her head. “Back to work. I’ll talk to you later. And I’m happy for you. I don’t care if you’re with a guy or a woman, just be happy.”

The number of people who did stupid stuff in New York in the middle of the night was mind-blowing. If people would just go to sleep, their lives would be easier. But this was New York, the city that never sleeps.

Mike was in his appointment with Sharron when Lane got off work. He sat in the cafeteria waiting for his man as he ate a bagel and drank a calming tea blend. About twenty minutes later, Mike texted him, and he grabbed the extra bagel he’d purchased and found Mike outside the hospital.

“Good session?”

“It was okay. I think I want the progress to go faster, but it’s just going to take time.”

“Do you have an appointment this weekend?”

“No, we’re waiting until Monday. I’m seeing the neurologist after my appointment with her.”

They caught the bus over to his place, and after washing the ER off his body, he climbed into bed and drifted off fast while he held Mike. He woke to an empty bed and an empty apartment. Worried about Mike, he picked up his phone, ready to call when he saw a text from his man.

Hey, I’m headed into the city for a meeting with a group who wants me to do security for them next month. I’ll be home by five.

He sighed and shook his head. He should trust his lover. He wasn’t worried Mike would cheat; instead, he was worried his man had freaked out. Monday was going to be a long day since he would have to work the night before, and he wanted to go to the appointment with Mike.

The key sounded in the lock at five, and he moved so he could see Mike come in. The sight of his man coming home still got to him. He drew in a slow breath and moved in close. Mike’s hands were full, but Lane didn’t care. He pushed Mike up against the door and delivered a very thorough kiss. Mike moaned and moved enough to set his things down before spinning Lane and pressing him up against the door.

They were grinding together, his hips pressing hard against Mike’s. He needed relief, and he wanted it now. He ripped his lips away from Mike’s and drew in air.

“Would you—I want to fuck you.”

Mike didn’t say anything, instead he trailed his lips over Lane’s collarbone then up to his ear, biting his earlobe. “So fucking good. You taste like heaven.”

Lane moaned and rocked his hips against Mike’s. He needed relief and soon.

Mike tugged at Lane’s shirt and he lifted his arm. Then Mike pushed at Lane’s pants while he kicked off his shoes.

“I know it’s going to hurt, but I want to try.”

Lane heated even more. “I’ll go slow and be gentle.”

Mike kissed his shoulder and then lower, trailing kisses to his cock. He watched as Mike opened his mouth and took him in. He loved having his cock sucked, and Mike was really good at it.

Mike ran his tongue down Lane’s cock and toyed with his balls. It felt so good, but he wanted to be inside his man, so he tugged him up and took him to the bedroom. Mike stripped off his clothes before dropping to the bed.

“Are you okay with this?”

Mike’s lips twisted into a heart-stopping smile. “You've done so much for me. So yeah, I want to do this. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He kissed Mike, letting his hands rove over Mike's muscles. His lips slid lower to the center of Mike’s chest and he sighed. It felt so good being with Mike. He reached for a condom and opened the package before rolling it on.

Mike was staring at Lane’s cock. He bit his lower lip, then his eyes slowly drifted up. Lane knew he was worried and totally understood the fear.

“I swear I’ll go slow.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you. You do realize how wonderful this is going to feel for me, right?”

“Oh yeah, it feels amazing every time I’m in you. It’s not so much the act, but that you allow me to do it. Do you know how special it is knowing you want me enough to let me fuck you?”

Lane lowered and brushed his lips over Mike’s. “I can’t believe you’re letting me do this. I feel honored.”

“That’s how I feel. I want you in me now because, babe, I really do feel like my whole life comes down to this. We’re supposed to be together. Nothing else matters. Just you and me, and I want to be connected to you in every way possible.”

Lane grabbed the lube and spread some on. He moved between Mike’s legs and watched as Mike grabbed his knees and lifted his ass. It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. He needed to be inside Mike.

He pressed forward, gasping as he slipped in. It felt perfect. Mike clenched and he slowed.

He fought the lust pumping through him that encouraged him to force his way in and ignore Mike’s pain.

“Is it too bad?”

Mike gasped and shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Just—God, you’re big.”

Lane didn’t move as Mike panted, trying to catch his breath. He was about to pull out when Mike’s gaze hit his.

“More.” The word was harsh, commanding, and Lane wasn’t going to disappoint his lover.

He pressed in and thought he was going to lose his mind. It felt amazing being inside his man. “Fuck, it’s good.”

Mike grunted and lifted his ass a little. Lane thought he was going to die. He gasped and struggled to keep his head from blanking. He wanted to remember every wonderful second he was inside Mike.

He rocked in deeper and gasped again. His gaze slammed into Mike’s. His body was shaking, and his world was spinning. He was going to come hard soon. Rocking in was the most delicious feeling he’d ever experienced. Mike felt so good he wasn’t sure if he would survive.

The heat, the tightness, all of it was so good, so perfect. Mike smiled up at him then rolled his eyes up as Lane slid in again. He could do this for the rest of his life.

“Mike!” Desperate for release, he clenched the sheets and lowered just a little, seeking out Mike’s mouth.

“Baby, come for me,” Mike whispered.

He pulled out then pushed in, which caused his eyes to roll into the back of his head. Mike felt so good, and he wanted this to last, but it wasn’t going to. Opening his eyes to stare at Mike was nearly impossible, but he did it as he ground in, pressing hard against his lover’s ass.

“So fucking beautiful.” Pressure built inside, and he started pumping his hips. Mike grunted and reached for his balls, holding them. Lane knew what it felt like, knew how awesome the pain and the pressure were. It was such a fucking pleasurable feeling having a cock in his ass, but this was beyond anything he’d ever experienced.

He stared down at his man, amazed that he would allow him this pleasure. He never wanted to be with anyone else. He had found perfection, and no one else could ever be like this.

Mike lifted up, squeezing his ass, causing Lane to lose it. He came, his breath stalling as a million starbursts fired in his body, sending tingles all over. When he recovered a little, he reached down and started stroking Mike’s cock. He was getting soft, so he had to stop stroking Mike and hold the condom as he pulled out.

Mike stroked himself and looked so blissed out, Lane had to watch. He had to see what Mike looked like as he came.

A few seconds passed, then Mike arched off the bed, his muscles clenching, his body so tight it looked like he was about to shatter. Then Lane lowered and put his mouth on the tip of Mike’s cock.

Mike stilled his hand and Lane sucked down, taking him deeper just before he came. They were both moaning as Lane swallowed his seed.

When he stretched out beside Mike, resting his head on his man’s shoulder, he felt like he’d gone to heaven. It was sweet and peaceful, and he was so in love he knew he would never recover.

“That was…I don't know what it was,” Mike said.

“It was your first time. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I am. I liked it. I think.”

“Did you really?”

“Yeah, I did. I don't think I would ever do that for anyone else.”

Lane snuggled closer. “I know one thing, you're it for me.”

Mike pulled him closer, wrapping his big arms around tight. This was exactly where he wanted to be. He might have grown up thinking he could only date women, but this guy was it for him. Maybe he would have started dating a guy, but probably not because not just any guy would do; it had only ever been Mike.