Read Online Edward Unconditionally Common Powers 3 by Lynn Lorenz - Free Book Online Page A

blinked, trying to focus, but the man's face was in shadow. “Who is it?”
    “Don't tell me you forgot about me that fast? Why, I'm crushed,” a soft voice drawled.
    “Edward?” Shit. He did not need this. Not right now. “What do you want?” he barked.
    The man jerked back, as if Jack's hard words had a physical effect.
    Winston came out of the kitchen at a trot.
    Woof. Woof.
    “There's my boy!” Edward knelt, and Winston tried to climb into his lap. The dog licked him once, then struggled to get down. Edward gave him a scratch behind the ears and stood.
    “Are you all right, Jack?” Without being asked, Edward stepped inside. “You don't look good.”
    Jack leaned back against the wall as Edward barged past. “I've just got a headache, that's all.”
    “Must be one hell of a headache. The same one from earlier today?”
    “Yeah. It's a bitch.” Jack walked back into the living room and sat. Edward followed. “Why are you here? Checking on your dog?” Just then, Jack noticed Edward carried a brown paper bag. “What's that?”
    “I figured you wouldn't stop at the store and get Winston his dog food, so I did it myself.”
    “You came all this way to bring me dog food?”
    “No. I came all this way to bring Winston dog food,” Edward corrected. “I came to see you because you've still got my bags in the trunk of the cruiser.” He walked into the kitchen and put the bag on the counter.
    “Shit. I forgot about that.” Jack sat on the couch.
    “Me too.” Edward came back into the living room and sat on the coffee table in front of Jack, their knees just inches apart. He stared into Jack's face. “You don't look good. You're squinting. Are you having trouble seeing?”
    “Go away, Edward.” Jack did not need this. He hadn't planned to let anyone know about this weakness. “I can deal with it myself.”
    Edward sat back and crossed his arms. “Oh yes, I can see how well you're dealing with it. Have you seen a doctor?”
    “No, and I'm not going to.” Jack shook his head, then grimaced as the pain throbbed. He didn't want Edward to be concerned for him. Didn't want Edward to become involved in his life at all.
    “Jack. Let me help you. I can make the pain go away.”
    “No. I don't believe in any of that touchy-feely shit.”
    “Are you scared to let me touch you?”
    Jack sat back, lips a thin line, forehead creased. His resolve wavered under the weight of his pain.
    “I'm only going to touch you with my thumb.” Edward held up his thumb. “See? Nothing else. If I touch you, it doesn't make you gay, you know. It's not contagious.” Edward didn't hide his hurt, in his voice or in his dark eyes, and something deep inside Jack tugged hard.
    “I know it's not. I just don't like anyone touching me.” Jack frowned at the young man across from him. Did he really think he could make this pain stop?
    “You've just gone too long without being touched. It's really quite nice, you know, if the right person does it.” Edward smiled.
    Jack rubbed his eyes. He didn't want to think about Edward touching him, but what if he could take the pain away? Right now, he'd let monkeys dance on his back if the pain would just stop.
    “Okay. But just your thumb.” That should be safe enough.
    Edward slapped his thighs. “Good.” Jack watched as Edward rubbed his thumb against his forefinger and his middle finger, as if smearing oil over them. “It's going to be warm at first and gradually heat up.” He moved so that his knees were between Jack's knees, but not touching.
    Jack nodded.
    “Close your eyes.”
    “No.”
    Edward sighed. “I'm not going to do anything to you. Can't you just trust me?”
    Jack blinked, and for a moment, his vision cleared. Deep brown eyes that hid nothing looked back at him. They were open and honest and incredibly beautiful.
    He wanted to trust Edward, if only to be rid of the pain. God knew Edward had trusted him with his dog and had trusted all Jack's promises.
    Damn sure