Page 22 of Finding Shelter
Kash:Never mind. I’m bringing home breakfast. Do not move from thatbed. I’m feeding you.
Ledger:I’m finished recording. You can stop hiding in the bedroom.
Kash: It’s not hiding if I’m working on a new comic strip. I get engrossed and forget time exists.
Ledger:I’ll come to you then.
Kash: I made you a cozy spot right next to me.
Ledger:Why do I get the feeling you won’t get anymore drawings done?
Kash:We’ll see.
Kash:I’m always throwing every soap and bead into this washer. Help!
Ledger:I’m on my way. This isn’t a trap, is it? We’ll actually be doing laundry, right?
Kash:*evil smile* Comefind out, my pretty.
Ledger: I love you.
Kash: I love you too. You know I’m right beside you on the couch, right?
Ledger:And?
Kash:You’re right.
From his spot on a lounge by the pool, Kash watched Ledger man the grill. His white hair captured the sun. A sheen of sweat coated his cut body. Fuck. He was beautiful. Ledger glanced his way and winked. Kash melted inside. He felt like a kid with a crush all over again. It never got old, looking at Ledger with stars in his eyes.
Ledger motioned his way with the spatula. “You look overheated. It’ll be a coupleof minutes longer on these burgers. Jump in the pool and cool off.”
Oh, he was overheated all right. Kash stood. “Sounds like a solid plan, since watching you has me hot as hell.”
The way Ledger smiled was everything. “Damn. Of all the times to forget to wear myKiss the Cookapron.”
Kash changed directions and overcame Ledger. Ledger laughed until Kash’s mouth covered his, cutting off the sound. Their kiss turned scorching before Kash could reel it in.
Ledger jumped back. “Goddamn it!”
Kash immediately went on alert as Ledger eyed his arm. “What happened?” An ugly red markappeared on Ledger’s arm. “Holy shit. Are you okay? What can I do?”
Ledger looked a little embarrassed. “I bumped it on the grill. It’s okay. I’m good.”
Kash was on the verge of hyperventilating. He couldn’t bear to see Ledger hurt. “Fuck that. Tell me what to do. Let me get your first-aid kit. Just tell me where it is? I’ve never noticed one. Shit. Why don’t you have a first-aid kit?”
Ledger cupped Kash’s face, forcing Kash to hold his gaze, as if centering him. “I’m fine. It’s not that bad. If you need to do something just to ease your mind,ourfirst-aid kit is in the cabinet next to the refrigerator.”
Nothing could have calmed him quicker than Ledger calling something theirs.Once he took one calming breath, the rest came smoother. It hit him. Kash never panicked. Not about anything. He had lived through a lot of traumatic events and simply carried on. But this was Ledger, and Kash couldn’t take it.
Kash blew out a slow breath. “Sorry. I don’t know what happened there. I’ll get the first-aid kit.” He tried to turn away.
Ledger stopped him from leaving. “Do you mind taking these burgers off the grill instead? The heat hitting this burn is worse than anything.”
Kash immediately jumped in to do whatever Ledger needed.
Ledger pressed his lips against the spot between Kash’s shoulder blades as he passed. “You’re the sexiest man I’ve ever set eyes on, and still you managed tosomehow look even hotter by worrying about me. I haven’t gotten much of that in my life.”
Kash’s heart melted and hardened at the same time. He couldn’t explain that one. All he knew was he loved knowing he brought something to the table no one else had, but Ledger deserved so much better than he had gotten.
