Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 2

because you can barely move," Dan said firmly. "You are coming to stay with me for a couple weeks. Your cracked ribs need some time to knit back up and you have deep tissue bruising. When you can sit and stand by yourself and reach for things without too much pain, you can go back to your place."
    "I thought your place only had three bedrooms?"
    "It does. You can have my bed and I'll sleep on the couch."
    Rico shook his head, "I can't do that to you. I can't put you out of your own bed."
    "Look," Dan sighed. "If you don't stay with me, I am going to be popping over to your place several times a day to check on you. Think for a moment Rico. You can't make your own meals yet or even get to the bathroom on your own. Don't you think I would be much more comfortable sleeping on my couch than having to go from the bar or my house to yours multiple times a day? It would certainly be more convenient for me to keep you close at hand."
    "Oh." Rico was still a bit muddled from his pain medication and couldn't think of a good argument.
    "The doc said he wouldn't be here for about an hour. If you like, I can run over to your place while we're waiting for him. I'll grab some clothes, your toiletries and anything else you want me to pick up. Then, when the doc releases you, we can go straight to my place and get you settled in. Okay?"
    "Could you bring my laptop back with you? The case and all the accessories are next to my desk, in the study. Oh, my keys are in that little baggie under the stand that's holding the water pitcher." Rico pointed with his chin.
    Dan grabbed the keys, then reached out and patted Rico on the leg.
    "I'll be back before the Doc gets here. Practice being a good little patient while I'm gone."
    Rico glared at Dan, who smirked at him before walking out the door.
    "Sometimes he is just so… annoying," he complained to the room in general. "Like a little cactus needle just under the skin."
    Mickie barely choked back a laugh. He ducked his head to hide the huge grin on his face.
    "So, Rico, tell me about your laptop."
    ****
    Rico was lightly dozing when Dan walked into the room. He opened his eyes and saw Dan with a medium sized bottle in his hand.
    "What's that?"
    "Emu oil."
    Dan held out the bottle so Rico could see it.
    "One of the ladies who comes to the bar regularly is a pharmacist and she said this is really good for bad bruising. She said if I put a layer over the bruises and cover them with bandages it will speed the healing process."
    Rico eyed the bottle. "Aloe and vitamin K too, I guess it can't hurt to try it."
    He carefully lifted his hands from the bed to unbutton his shirt while Dan went to get a towel for him to lie on. No sense getting oil on the bedclothes.
    Rico snorted softly as he looked down at the top he was wearing. He couldn't lift his arms enough to use a t-shirt, so yesterday, Dan had picked up a couple of tacky, touristy, Hawaiian shirts for him to use so he wouldn't ruin his dress shirts. He was sure Dan had deliberately picked the most hideous patterns he could find.
    Dan helped Rico up and slid the shirt off his shoulders. He tossed it across the chair he had brought in earlier and laid a large beach towel on the bed.
    Rico could feel Dan's eyes traveling over his body as Dan helped him settle back onto the bed.
    Rico had no body issues even though he knew his look wasn't all the rage. He wasn't bulky or ripped. His pecs were lightly defined, his stomach flat. He had strong arms, shoulders and legs and he was easily able to do his favorite outdoor sports. He was happy with that.
    Dan had squirted some of the oil into his hands to warm it and shrugged when Rico gave him a look.
    "I'm trying to be nice and keep you from tensing up with cold."
    Rico closed his eyes in pleasure and sighed as Dan carefully rubbed the oil onto his shoulder. Dan's hands felt so nice, tracing gently over skin. When Dan moved to his chest and side, Rico's nipples hardened.
    Rico felt his face flush.
    "It's all right," Dan's lips crooked. "It's a perfectly natural reaction."
    Dan finished with the oil and wrapped Rico's ribs with some cloth, then re-taped them. The entire time he worked, he offered gentle, feathering touches to the skin that was still bared.
    Rico's cock was starting to take notice of all the attention. Dan was looking right at him and ran his fingers along Rico's leg.
    "Let me take care of you?" Dan asked.
    Dan's expression was soft and earnest. Rico nodded.
    Dan touched his hair, then