“Which I wouldn’t even buy if you weren’t cooking it. I wasn’t blowing smoke when I said I wanted real food. A man can only eat so much Boston Market when he gets sick of burgers. I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve made for me. It might not seem like much to you, but I really appreciate it. And I’ve enjoyed having you here. It’s nice to have someone to come home to.” Hector stopped before he revealed too much. “You’re starting your new job soon. Which I didn’t help you get by the way. All I did was give you a number to call. You did the real work. And soon you’ll have income and be able to save for an apartment and a car. Then you’ll be able to pay me back. I know it seems like forever before it’s going to happen, but you will get your life on track. I promise. You were so excited when you got this job. Don’t let a minor setback bring you down. Okay?”
Miguel stared at Hector for several long seconds before nodding. “Okay.”
Hector got up from the bed. “Good. Now, come on, Peg Leg, let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”
Miguel finally smiled as he set the ice pack aside and slid his foot back into his air cast. “I do sound like a Scooby-Doo ghost villain stumping around with this boot.”
Hector laughed, glad to see Miguel trying not to dwell on his circumstances. He didn’t want Miguel to leave, so he was giving up on his plan of avoiding him. It had been a dumb idea anyway. And as he followed his friend into the kitchen, he determinedly refused to think about why it was so important that Miguel stay.
It was late. Hector had gone to bed several hours ago. Unfortunately, sleep didn’t seem to be on its way anytime soon. Although he’d joked to Miguel about the couch being lumpy, the cushions were actually soft and plush. The problem lay in the fact that it wasn’t big enough for him to get comfortable. He preferred sleeping on his side. But if he did, his feet were at an awkward angle up on the armrest. He rolled to his back, but that felt unnatural.
He ended up lying there, staring at the ceiling. Even though he wasn’t physically comfortable, he probably could have fallen asleep. Except his brain was super busy with its favorite new topic: Miguel.
Hector hated seeing him down after he’d been so excited to get his job. And he hated that he’d played a part in making him feel bad about himself. He should have talked to his friend about his confusion and attraction instead of avoiding him. All that had done was make Miguel uncomfortable and sad when that had never been his intention. Hector didn’t ever want to make Miguel sad. He wanted to make him feel happy and safe. To support him and hold him close and kiss him…
He restlessly shifted on the couch. What would Miguel’s lips feel like pressed to his? He could recall every detail of the way they’d felt on his cock. But he hadn’t experienced the intimacy of a kiss. Hector groaned. Thinking about kissing Miguel wasn’t helping his inability to get some rest. He threw an arm over his eyes, determined to block out thoughts of Miguel so he could fall asleep.
It took a while, but he was finally starting to drift into a light doze when he heard a door opening. He sat up to see Miguel balanced on his crutches in the open bedroom doorway.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. I was going to get some water. Sorry I woke you.”
“That’s okay. I wasn’t really asleep.”
“Oh. I thought you would be.” Miguel looked down at himself. He was naked except for a pair of white briefs. “That’s why I didn’t bother getting dressed.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.”
He watched as Miguel crutched into the kitchen to get a bottle of water. Hector had brought them because he figured they’d be easier than cups for Miguel to deal with during the day when he was home alone. Hidden in the semi-darkness, Hector let his gaze trail down the line of Miguel’s naked back to the enticing curve of his ass cupped by the tight underwear he wore. Hector swore under his breath. There was no confusion anymore. The box of everything he’d been reluctant to unpack was flung open, all his desires and wants spread out for him to see. He might not be ready to admit it to anyone else, but he couldn’t deny it to himself any longer. Not when he was sitting there, imagining himself walking over to Miguel and picking him up in his arms again so he could carry him back to bed and touch everything he was secretly running his eyes over.
Finished with his water, Miguel made his way back to the bedroom doorway. But he didn’t go inside. Instead, he stood there in the shadows. Hector waited to see if there was something he wanted to say.
“I feel bad about kicking you out of your bed.”
“It’s not a problem. Don’t worry about it.”
Miguel balanced on his crutches, staring at the floor. He was quiet for several long moments before he finally spoke. “It’s a big bed, Hector.”
Silence.
After that completely unexpected invitation, Miguel continued to stare at the floor. And Hector stared at him. He shouldn’t share a bed with Miguel. Not after that night and the sexual attraction Hector had just acknowledged not thirty seconds ago. But the couch wasn’t meant to be slept on by someone his size. He needed to be well-rested for work. And it was a big bed. With embarrassing speed, Hector finished rationalizing the decision he wanted to make and got up from the couch.
“Okay.” He grabbed the pillow but left the blanket there. He’d take care of it in the morning.
“I’ll put some shorts on,” Miguel said as he swung around. But he moved too fast and one of the crutches tripped up in the carpet instead of swiveling with him. He overbalanced and started listing to the side. Miguel flailed. He wasn’t wearing the boot so he ended up hopping on his good foot as he rushed to regain his balance.
Hector leaped forward to steady him with a hand on his waist. “I’ve got you.” His hand lingered longer than it should have, feeling the smooth, warm skin under his palm. When he took his hand away, his fingers trailed over that skin. Miguel shivered.
“Thank you,” Miguel said in the nervous, breathless tone that Hector remembered far too well.
“No problem.”
He followed Miguel into the bedroom. They didn’t look at each other as Miguel went to the side where he had pillows stacked at the end for his ankle. They didn’t speak as Hector went to the other side and got under the covers. Miguel pulled on a pair of shorts before he joined him.
The king-size bed allowed for plenty of space between them. But Hector would only have to reach out to feel more of the warm skin that he’d briefly touched moments before. Except, Miguel hadn’t invited him here for that. Had he? He’d put on a pair of shorts before getting in bed, a clear signal that nothing sexual was about to go down.
Unless he’d done so because he thought Hector wasn’t interested. Too bad his cock growing stiff with arousal proved his interest without a doubt. Hector tried to will away the erection. Miguel wouldn’t know what was going on in his pajama bottoms. But Hector felt like a pervert lying in bed next to him with a hard-on. This was a mistake. He should have stayed on the couch.