Flashes of memory from the entryway and stairs flooded his brain—Robert pinning him to the wall, teasing him with deliberate drugging kisses. Those brief moments seared into his soul. He’d never been so needy and taken with another man. They had abandoned their clothes, in various places as they’d made their way to the bedroom. Surprisingly, he spotted his jeans draped over a chair along with his dress shirt. His shoes were neatly placed right underneath.
He shouldn’t be too surprised; thoughtful consideration fit the doctor’s personality to a T. Landon walked barefooted across the room, going straight for his cell phone in his back pants pocket. Standing in the room naked, he sent a text to the rehab facility, letting them know he’d be a couple of hours late. His stomach grumbled as the smells grew stronger. He gathered his clothes and headed to his room to take a quick shower.
Even with the aggravation of the cast, Landon made record time showering and dressing. He didn’t go for his ABUs. Instead, he wore a pair of jeans and an Air Force T-shirt, tugging it over his head while taking the stairs down two at a time. He heard music playing quietly in the kitchen and the homey sound of dishes being washed in the sink.
Maybe it wasn’t Robert in there after all. Could be a housekeeper. That thought slowed his steps. Disappointment lanced his heart. Maybe Robert had left earlier and gone back to wherever he was staying… He scrubbed a hand down his face. He was an idiot. He wasn’t thinking clearly. His heart was making decisions, which meant his brain wasn’t thinking logically. He needed to find a new place to stay. Robert was back in DC, so of course he’d want his place back.
Landon pivoted on his heel to head back upstairs, his decision made. A male voice stopped him mid-step. His heart sped as he listened to Robert Adams quietly singing along with Shinedown’s “Breaking Inside.”
He lingered at the base of the stairs and listened to the sexy doctor singing the all too real words to the popular tune. He too loved that song. His earlier freak-out had taken a backseat to his sudden eagerness to see Robert singing in person. Landon headed for the kitchen.
He rounded the corner to find Robert elbow-deep in sudsy water. It looked like he was washing his last dish. Several pans lined the cooktop and held a variety of what looked and smelled like a smorgasbord of delicious breakfast dishes warming on the stove. There was so much food and no one else around, at least he didn’t think anyone was around. The normalcy of the whole scene struck him. Well, except for the amount of food and the doctor washing dishes.
The sight of the rich, highly educated man actually doing dishes after cooking a meal—correction, enough food for his squadron—made his heart do stupid things. Domesticity was something he’d never have thought Robert Adams did so easily. In fact, the doctor looked amazing, and just for a split second, he let himself get lost in the image.
“Good morning,” he finally said. The dish in Robert’s hand dropped back into the water, causing the suds to bubble over the side of the sink as he reached for a hand towel. Robert dried his hands as he moved toward Landon. The intensity in the doctor’s eyes held him still as their gazes connected and that deep want spread selfishly through him. He wasn’t sure he’d even blinked as the domesticated doctor stepped into his personal space and crowded him.
Landon closed his eyes seconds before their lips touched. Robert gave him a sweet good-morning kiss before attempting to pull away. Landon wasn’t near done, so he cupped the back of Robert’s head, holding him in place, and pressed into the kiss. Robert hesitated, putting a hand on his chest, keeping a little distance between them.
“I’ve been sampling our breakfast.”
“Mmm…” He nipped at Robert’s lips and said, “And you taste amazing.”
He locked his casted arm around Robert’s waist and drew the suddenly shy man back to him, certain he’d never get enough of moments like these. He deepened the kiss, and Robert finally gave in, surrendering to him. Landon was growing to really like that move. No one had ever made him feel so wanted. He slid his tongue over Robert’s lips and made himself break from the kiss before their breakfast could grow cold.
“It smells great,” he managed, tilting his head toward the stovetop.
“I’m a little rusty, and I got carried away. I’m just really happy this morning,” Robert replied with a sexy, sheepish grin.
Landon shifted, keeping Robert close as he glanced over at the breakfast selections.
“Looks like you made enough to feed an army. What all do we have?”
Robert moved with him, staying close as he explained.
“Let’s see. This is a recipe my father made while we were still eating meat. It’s an Italian bread with brie, prosciutto, eggs, tomatoes, and topped with a secret-recipe olive oil blend. It was my dad’s favorite. Over here I made something we would eat every time we traveled to Australia. It has a zucchini base. It’s delicious, and I made some for you with the different cheeses. Then I remembered a crostini, pear, and honey snack I used to love. I made that too. I got carried away.” Robert reached for the oven door and pulled out a stack of photo-worthy pancakes. “I kept waiting for you to
