Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,26

stepped back.

“Do you have a headache?”

“No.”

“Well, I think you’ve got some good internal bruising along the ribcage. Icing it and wrapping it will help. And a mild concussion,” Oliver announced when he was done and handed Liam some Tylenol. “If you get a headache later, take these and cut back on this.” Oliver snatched the whiskey from his hand.

“Hey!” he grumbled.

Oliver lifted one eyebrow, drank his splash of whiskey, then filled a new glass with water and handed it to him.

“What about the jacuzzi?” he asked, taking the glass.

Oliver grinned. “You should really ice it, but yes, the jacuzzi is fine as long as you don’t stay in too long and we’re all invited.”

“Blackmail,” Liam teased, but really, all he wanted was a quiet moment with Spencer. Not that he didn’t enjoy the company of his men, but it was Spencer he craved. His nearness, his voice, and his touch. His bicep from when Spencer had gripped his arm still tingled.

“Swimsuits still in the guest house?” Isaac yelled as he sauntered out the door.

“Yep.”

“Don’t be wearing that yellow one,” Zane griped, heading out the door after Isaac.

“Why?” He heard the snappy come back. “Going to be ogling my ass?”

“You fuckin’ wish,” Zane groused at Isaac. Laughter filled the hallway and Oliver chuckled.

“That’s my cue. I’m supposed to referee.”

“Why’s that?” Spencer looked quizzical at Oliver.

“I was assigned by the team to keep those two from either killing or fucking each other.”

Liam choked on his sip of water and coughed. He curled his arm around his waist when it throbbed like a motherfucker. Oliver laughed and Spencer shoved from his lean against the bar and strode to his side.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” he croaked and straightened up when the pain eased. “Just swallowed wrong. God damned men are going to be the death of me. If one more of them get into a relationship with each other, I’ll have to transfer them.”

“Really?” Spencer frowned at him.

“Well, no, not really.” He grinned, watching the smile suddenly light up Spencer’s eyes. “But it sounded good.”

“Come on.” Spencer held out a hand to help him up.

God help him, but Liam held the man’s hand longer than he should have and enjoyed the roughness of Spencer’s palm against his fingers. And the weird thing was that Spencer didn’t pull away until they were out of the office. At the end of the hallway, Spencer left him.

Some ten minutes later, Liam stepped out the back door and found Spencer standing just outside on the patio as if waiting for him. It brought a smile to Liam’s mouth that he did nothing to hide.

The teenagers were in the pool with Oliver. Zane was reclining with his drink in a lounger near the pool.

Isaac came out of the guest house wearing a minuscule pair of yellow briefs.

“You just had to go there,” Zane growled.

Isaac blew him a kiss and laughed when Zane flipped him off. Even though Zane acted all put off, Liam noticed the way the soldier’s eyes followed Isaac’s saunter to the pool. Isaac had a swimmer’s build, compact but ripped with muscles, and Zane seem riveted.

Slanting his eyes away from them, he found his own vision once again focused on Spencer and the miles of muscles and that tiny bird tattoo that was etched into the soldier. He’d give his fortune to trace the ink of that tiny winged creature with his tongue, or hell, even a fucking finger, anything to be able to touch him.

“You’re staring.” Spencer’s tease brought his head snapping up to see a smirking grin.

“Oops?”

Spencer shook his head and stalked to the edge of the jacuzzi that sat off to the side of the pool and lowered into the hot water.

Liam followed and tossed his towel aside. Climbing in was a bitch, his ribs hurt like hell and his face throbbed. He felt Spencer’s hands on his waist and just about popped a nut stepping onto the first step. Spencer’s strong grip guided him down the few steps it took before Liam could sink up to his torso beneath the water. He hadn’t needed the help, but stayed quiet and enjoyed Spencer’s attention.

“Okay?”

“Yeah, thanks.” He ran a wet hand through his hair, then played it up. “Not sure how I’m going to get out though.”

“I got you covered.”

Liam swallowed, thinking of Spencer covering him. Taking a deep breath, he eased it out and laid his head back to rest, letting his legs float outward.

A moment later, he felt a touch and cracked one eye