Read Online Ropes and Dreams by Bailey Bradford - Free Book Online Page B

know if pulling anything off or up or whatnot would change that. It didn’t matter, he supposed, since Ian was looking him in the eyes.
    “If there’s a problem because of it—”
    “There won’t be,” Drake interrupted. “Carlos, Troy and Will left us alone for a reason.”
    Ian nodded. “All right then. I’d better go, unless you’d like help with the dishes.”
    Drake somehow doubted that would be Ian’s preferred way to end the evening. In fact… “What about you?” A glance showed him that Ian’s cock was still tenting his pants. “You want me to—” Do what? I don’t know what to offer anymore!
    Ian growled and Drake quit his silent panicking. “I want you to quit worrying. Tonight was about you, giving you something I don’t usually give anyone else. It was about bringing you pleasure. I’m a big boy, Drake. A hard-on isn’t going to kill me. If it was, I’d have been dead when I saw you last night, standing outside with that puppy bouncing all over the place.”
    “Oh, okay.”
    “And don’t think it’s because I’m scared, or don’t want you touching me. I do.” Ian sighed, and some of that stern exterior softened. “You said this guy, Rigo, called you a couple of weeks ago. You’ve been tested how, since then?”
    Drake wished they weren’t having to discuss this, but they were and he needed to step up to the plate. “The first was just the mouth swab. The second was a blood test. They were both negative, but the doctor said it could take up to six months to be sure.” Drake had to look down then, because he couldn’t keep the words back. He bent and grabbed his underwear and pants, pulling them up as he stood upright again. The condom he’d deal with later even if it was messier then. Right now, the conversation between him and Ian was more important—and Drake couldn’t keep back the admission that was pushing its way out. “I’m so scared.”
    Ian pulled him into a hug that felt even better than the blow job had. “I know, but you have friends here, and if you let me, I’ll be here, too.”
    Oh, oh, dang it all. Drake tried to keep it back, but the sob tore through him, so powerful it left his throat feeling raw.
    “It’s okay,” Ian murmured. Drake turned his hips away as he was brought up against Ian’s body. He didn’t want to risk getting any of his sperm on Ian. “Drake, it’s okay. Let it go, I’ve got you.”
    Drake only cried harder. His entire body shook with the power of his fear, his anger, his grief. Ian held him through it all, whispering about being there and other tests he’d take Drake in to get, saying he’d pay for them himself.
    No one had been so kind to Drake since he’d been a child. Once he’d come out to his mom and grandma, the physical affection had stopped. Oh, they’d said they still loved him, despite him choosing to be gay. He’d never been able to make them understand it wasn’t a choice. He’d rather have kept their hugs and kisses than to be someone untouchable.
    “What the fuck did you do to him?” Drake heard Carlos snap sometime later. Ian tensed but didn’t release him.
    “Er, I think that’s called cathartic crying,” Will said. “Seriously, Carlos, you’re dangerously close to frothing at the mouth.”
    Carlos grumbled, and footsteps retreating told Drake what his swollen eyes couldn’t, that Carlos and Will had left them alone again.
    “We’ll do the dishes tonight,” Will yelled a moment later. “Keep cuddling with Officer McStudmuffin!”
    Ian made a choked sound.
    “Oh geez,” Drake whined, burrowing his face against Ian’s chest. It was a very nice chest, not too muscled or broad. Just the right size, Drake decided. “I’m sorry,” Drake rasped, throat aching from crying.
    “I…” Ian rubbed his back. “Actually, I don’t guess I have a problem with that nickname. God knows I’ve been called worse.”
    “I try really hard not to cuss because Rigo would go crazy on me when I did,