Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Nico had come to Florida.

He was actually here.

To be with him.

Seeing Nico in his waiting area when he walked into the office was like a shot of adrenaline to his heart.

“I can’t believe you surprised me like this.”

Eyes sparkling, Nico squeezed him. “Two can play that game, Doc. I know you gotta work, and I’m fine sittin’ here.”

“I can’t make you wait here for four hours. That’s ridiculous.” Suddenly aware that his staff, Lenny, and Jose, as well as Mr. Rosenstein and his aide were all avidly listening, Ford pointed to the chair. “Have a seat for a little while, until I figure it out.”

He bypassed Lenny and Jose and addressed Mr. Rosenstein. “I’ll be with you in a few minutes. Sorry about the delay.”

The man waved a hand at him. “Don’t mind me. Who am I to stand in the way of true love? Take all the time you need.”

Ford laughed him off. “It’ll only be a few minutes.” He greeted the staff and entered his office. Footsteps sounded, and he grinned to himself, figuring Nico had followed him, wanting a more private hello.

Instead, it was an angry Lenny. “What the hell were you thinking?”

Ford checked his watch. “That I’m running behind and need to see Mr. Rosenstein, so if you’ll excuse me?” He crossed his arms. “And you’re supposed to have left the office already per our agreement.”

Lenny advanced on him. “You have a fucking lot of nerve bringing your hookup here. We’re a professional office.”

Ford’s jaw clenched, and he drew in a deep breath to calm his annoyance. “You are the last one to talk to anyone about being professional when you’ve screwed half of Florida and who knows where else.” He pointed a finger in Lenny’s face. “And do not call Nico a hookup.”

“What else is he? An extra for a new Godfather movie?”

“Shut up and get out of here. I have patients to see.”

“You’re fucking him, aren’t you?”

“What I do is not your concern. Now get out.” He trembled with the effort to keep quiet.

“How much is he for the weekend? A piece of ass that hot must be a fortune.” Lenny waggled his brows.

Ford shoved him against the wall. “Don’t you fucking dare speak about him like that. Nico is a better man at his age than you’ll ever be.”

“Don’t tell me you’re in love with him?” Lenny laughed. “Of course you would be. Don’t you know you’re only supposed to screw them? You’re not supposed to fall in love with them.”

Disgusted, Ford let him go. “Is that what happened with me?”

“You were so eager to please. Like a puppy. Plus, you were pretty to look at, so I didn’t mind.” Lenny straightened his tie and adjusted his monogrammed shirt sleeves. “But after a few years, it got boring.”

“You’re right. It was boring. You were boring.” Maybe it was petty and childish, but Ford was angry enough to stoop to Lenny’s level. “Now that I’ve been with Nico, I know how unsatisfying sex with you was because you’ve never made me feel like Nico does.”

Unfortunately, that didn’t have the desired effect.

“For enough money, he’ll tell you you’re fucking king of the world,” Lenny sneered.

“Get out. You’re a pig.”

Shaking, he turned his back and sank into his chair with his face in his hands. Dammit. Why couldn’t he ever get the best of an argument with Lenny? He rubbed his eyes. By the time Marisol knocked on the door, he’d regained his self-control.

“Are you ready for Mr. Rosenstein? He’s in Room 1.”

“Yes, thanks. And sorry about all that.”

She came into the office and shut the door behind her. “It’s okay. We’ve been talking to Nico. He’s so funny and sweet. He’s been telling us all these New York stories.” Her eyes danced. “And he’s really hot. You leveled up, Dr. St. Claire.”

He shouldn’t laugh, but he couldn’t help it. “Glad you approve. He’s a very nice person.” Feeling better, he rose to his feet. “All right. Let me see my favorite patient.” He walked into the exam room. “Mr. Rosenstein. I feel like I’ve just seen you.”

The old man’s eyes twinkled. “And yet look at all the news.” Ford helped him off with his shirt and began his exam while Mr. Rosenstein chattered away. “A very nice young man. He helped me when I dropped my cane. And a looker. I’m glad you took my advice.”

With no change from the last time, Ford didn’t like how Mr. Rosenstein looked thinner. “Are you losing weight?” He was afraid the man didn’t have enough money to buy food.

“Maybe a little. Sometimes I’m just not hungry. Jim makes sure I eat.”

Ford helped him off the table and with his shirt. When he reached the reception area, he walked Mr. Rosenstein to the chairs and beckoned to Jim. “Can I talk to you a moment?” He turned to Mr. Rosenstein. “Just a question I need to ask him.”

Nico met his eyes, and he tipped his head to Mr. Rosenstein. Nico immediately began to talk with the man about everything going on in the city, while Jim walked with Ford to the office.

“Is Norman okay? He looks thinner than the last time I saw him.”

Jim’s face drooped. “His prostate cancer has spread, and the doctors say there’s nothing more they can do for him. He knows he’s dying, but he didn’t want to tell you.”

Grief put a hand around Ford’s heart and squeezed. “Damn. I thought he’d beaten it after the surgery last year.”

Jim wiped his eyes. “Me too. He’s such a sweet man, you know? Never complains about anything.”

“Did they say…do they know how long?” Just saying it made him sick.

“Not long. I’m sure that’s why he came now instead of waiting. He really cares about you.”

“I care about him too. Please let me know how he’s doing, or I’ll call to check up. Can I get you a ride home?”

“No, but thank you,” Jim replied as they returned to the reception area. “Mr. Rosenstein has a meeting with a lawyer now. I think it’s about a medical power of attorney.”

They approached Nico and Mr. Rosenstein. Nico was still talking to the elderly man, who was all smiles. “Do you know this young man lives in the neighborhood where I grew up? Lillian and I moved to the city so we could be closer to all the museums and Broadway, but before that we lived in Bay Ridge too.” He sighed. “I miss home—not the weather, but everything else. Just listening to Nico talk brings back memories.”

“Norman, next time I come for a visit, I’ll bring you some of my mother’s cooking. You’d love it.” Nico rummaged in his overnight bag and pulled out a tin. “Here. She made some biscotti for Ford, but I know she won’t mind if I give some to you.” He put five in a plastic bag and handed it to Jim.

“Ahh, now this is better than any of that junk from the grocery store. Thank you.” He tried to stand but couldn’t on his own, and Nico and Jim helped him. “Getting old stinks,” he grumbled, and with Jim at his elbow, they left.

Ford watched them leave and sighed. “Thanks for talking to him.”

“I was taught to respect older people. He’s a sweet man.”

Ford leaned in close. “You’re sweet.”

“And you get to taste me later.” He winked, and Ford cursed himself that he had another three hours to work.

The afternoon sped by, and he was closing down his computer when Marisol stuck her head in his office. “Dr. St. Claire, can I talk to you a sec?”

“Of course, please sit.”

“I know you’re anxious to leave, but I didn’t want to let it sit all weekend.”

A sense of foreboding fell over him. “It’s fine. Please. What’s upsetting you?”

She closed the door behind her, then took the chair in front of him. “I know I’m just an assistant—”

“Don’t say that. You’re much more than that.”

She flashed him a smile. “Thank you. I was talking about it with my boyfriend, and he said I definitely have to tell you.”

“Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

“I’m fine. But…Dr. Diamond asked me to help him sometimes when he comes in to do the Botox and fillers, and I figured why not. It was a way to make extra money.”

“I see. I wish you’d mentioned it to me, but it’s fine.”

“I’m sorry. I figured it was on my days off, so it wasn’t a big deal. Anyway.” She twirled her fingers in her curls. “I worked for him a couple of times, and it went okay. But something felt off.”

“Off?” Ford’s brows pulled together.

“Yeah. Like, something’s weird about him. I mean, he wasn’t unprofessional to me, but just…I don’t know. Just off.”

Confused, Ford wasn’t sure where this conversation was heading, but Marisol was smart and had good common sense. “Go on. I’m listening.”

“One patient asked him where he went to medical school, and he dropped the syringe, then made a big production about needing to replace it, and he never answered the question. And the patient didn’t ask again. Last week when I was assisting him, another patient asked what medical school he went to, and he said in Arizona.”

“Okay.” Clearly, he was missing something.

Marisol met his eyes. “Two days ago, he told a patient he went to school in Texas. So when I went home, I told my boyfriend, and we looked him up.”

Feeling slightly sick, Ford nodded. “He wasn’t listed anywhere, was he?”

She shook her head. “We found an aesthetician license for him in California. He’s not a doctor.”

“Which means he can’t be doing these procedures. He’s putting the practice at risk for a huge malpractice suit. Marisol, thank you for telling me.”

“I’m sorry, Dr. St. Claire, but I didn’t want you to get in trouble, in case anything bad happens.”

He grimaced. “It already has. I appreciate it.”

She gave him a face filled with sorrow and left.

He paced the office. What the hell was Lenny doing bringing in someone like that?

He picked up the phone and called Lenny. It went to voice mail. “You stupid son of a bitch. I know about Jose—your fake doctor friend. He’d better not show up here next week, or I’ll have him arrested for impersonating a doctor and practicing without a license.”

Feeling a bit better, he shut off the light in his office, locked the door, and went into the waiting area. His anger melted away the moment he spied Nico. They had a whole weekend together, and he didn’t intend to bring his bad mood home with him. He’d deal with Lenny and the fake Dr. Diamond on Monday.

“Ready to go?” He put on a smile.

“Am I ever. And I’m starvin’.” Nico picked up his overnight bag and crossed the room to the front desk. “Ladies, have a good weekend. Been great chattin’ with you.”

“Bye, Nico. Thanks for all the recipes.” Adriana waved her phone. “I have them all saved here. And I’ll send you some of mine.”

“Dr. St. Claire, have a great weekend,” Marisol said. “Make sure you show Nico a good time.” She giggled.

“Or vice versa,” Nico answered for him, and Ford’s face burned while Marisol and Adriana laughed.

“All right, everyone. See you Monday.” He and Nico left, and kept shooting looks at each other on their way to his car. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“In the flesh, baby.”

They reached his car, a new Mercedes coupe, and Nico whistled. “Damn, nice wheels.”

“One of my weaknesses.” They got inside, and he began to drive.

“One? I dunno, Doc. I can think of a few. That place behind your ear. That soft spot behind your knees.” Nico ran a hand up his thigh, and thank God he was stopped at a red light, because he might’ve rear-ended the car in front of him. “Me sucking your dick.”

“You’re gonna be the death of me, aren’t you?”

“What a way to go, hmm?”

Ford turned into his garage, and they exited the car and took the elevator up. The sun was setting, and he brought Nico out to the terrace. Twenty stories high gave him a bird’s-eye view of the city and the Intracoastal. The evening sky glowed pink and violet.

“Every night since I left you, I’d sit out here and wish I were in New York. With you.”

Nico stood at the railing. “This place is awesome. I could stare at the water all day. Watch the boats glide by. Look at all those yachts.” He whistled.

Lenny had been dying to buy a boat—a symbol in Florida that you made it—and when he did, they’d spent every weekend on it for six months, entertaining. He’d even hired a captain, who Ford had later discovered was one of Lenny’s regular lovers. Along with the house in the Las Olas Isles, Ford was only too happy for Lenny to keep the yacht.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

In a way he had. The ghost of a life he’d lived as a lie. But he couldn’t say that.

“I’m just so damn happy you’re here. Not that I’m complaining, but what made you decide to come?” He ran his hands over Nico’s arms, his broad shoulders, as if afraid it was all a dream and he’d vanish before his eyes.

“I hated being without you,” he said with that shy smile that devastated Ford’s heart. Nico nudged his cheek with his nose. “I still can’t believe I did it. But everyone told me to surprise you, so I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t even ask if you have plans this weekend.”

Laughter bubbled from his chest. “Plans? You’re looking at my weekend plans. Wondering what you were doing while I watch the boats.”

Nico’s gaze was drawn to the water. “Those babies must cost a fortune.”

“Some of them do.” Ford nuzzled his hair, drawing comfort from his familiar scent. “But having you here with me is priceless.” He cupped Nico’s cheeks, mapping out those fabulous cheekbones and tracing his lips. “I missed you. So damn much.”

That shy smile reappeared, sending Ford’s heart into free fall.

“I missed you too.”

Unable to hold off any longer, he settled his mouth over Nico’s, who made sounds that were warm, inviting. Deep in his throat, reverberating through his chest like a big cat. It let Ford know exactly how much Nico wanted him.

Fire exploded between them, his pulse accelerated, and he gathered Nico closer as he trailed kisses on his cheek and neck. “Let’s go inside.”

“You gotta feed me first if you want me to last the night.”

Laughing, he held out a hand. “Come on. We’ll walk a few blocks and pick a place on Las Olas.”

Nico’s eyes lit up. “Lemme change. I’ve been wearing this all day, and I wanna put on somethin’ clean.”

It was a sultry night, and Ford put on shorts and a T-shirt, as did Nico. They had a delicious Mexican dinner, and hand in hand, took a stroll on the Riverwalk. Afterward, they got ice cream at Kilwins and traded licks on their walk home. Back in the apartment, they again gravitated to the terrace.

“I could stand out here forever.” Nico leaned on the railing, still licking his cone. “It’s already getting chilly at night at home.”

Ford nuzzled his neck. “I’m beginning to get very jealous of that ice cream.”

Nico grinned and pushed him onto the chaise. Ford’s heart stuttered as he watched Nico sink to his knees. He crunched the last of the cone, then pulled down Ford’s shorts and briefs to reveal his hard dick.

“We-we’re outside,” Ford stammered, but he was aching for Nico’s touch.

“Mmm, I know.” Nico wrapped a hand around his cock and licked the head. “Twenty stories in the sky.”

Ford gasped as Nico slid his cool lips down the length of his erection. All reason flew out of his brain as Nico’s tongue flicked and swirled over his shaft, and Ford struggled to contain his moans. Nico’s fingers danced along his rigid length before sliding past his taint to tease his rim, and Ford knew he couldn’t hold out any longer.

“Nico, God,” Ford whispered. “Please. Let’s go inside. I need you in me.”

Nico released him, and they almost ran into the bedroom, where they shed their clothes and eagerly rolled onto the bed. Ford reached into his nightstand drawer and handed Nico the lube and condom.

“Prepared?” Nico sheathed and slicked his cock.

“I’ve gone through three bottles of lube since I came home, thinking of you. Every morning in the shower and at night after we talk.”

Nico’s eyes lit up. “Yeah? You jerk off to me? Mmm, that’s hot. I do too. I dream of that pretty cock of yours in my mouth.” His breathless words set Ford squirming. “Now you got the real thing.” Cool fingers entered him, spreading him open, and Ford sighed at the familiar touch he’d longed for.

“I dreamed of this. Of you.”

Nico replaced his fingers with the head of his dick. “Me too. My bed is lonely without you.” He gave several shallow thrusts, not going deep like Ford wanted.

“My heart is,” Ford confessed.

“Mine too. It’s empty.” Nico lowered to kiss the points of his nipples, and Ford arched his back, giving himself over fully to Nico’s wet mouth. “You fill it up.”

Ford’s heart soared at Nico’s words. He was ready to make sure that when Nico left on Sunday, he’d know exactly how Ford felt about him.

“And now I’m gonna fill you.”

He inched in slowly, halfway, then withdrew, and Ford rocked with him, urging him on. But Nico continued to move at a deliberate pace, sending Ford into a frenzy.

“I can’t hold it. I need you so bad.” He grabbed Nico’s shoulders and rolled him over so he was on top. He took Nico fully, the thick shaft piercing him to the core. “Oh God, oh God,” he sobbed, stuffed full. “So good.”

Nico held him by the waist and thrust up, a feral grin curving his lips, those startling eyes locked on his. He grasped Ford’s dick, and Ford trembled, moving quicker. Nico’s dick was splitting him in two, while his fingers moved rapid-fire up and down his cock.

“Fuck me, you love it, don’t you? You love taking my cock.”

Ford couldn’t answer, all sensation concentrated at the point where he and Nico were joined, and he writhed on top of Nico, straining to take more of him, all of him. Everything. He never wanted this to end, hot skin meeting hot skin, Nico’s hands all over him. The burning, throbbing ache as his climax hit, and he cried out.

“Nico,” he moaned. “Nico.”

A moment later Nico came, and Ford clasped his pulsing dick as it emptied into the condom.

“I love you,” Ford whispered.

Pale moonlight spilling in past the half-drawn curtains lit Nico’s smiling face.

“You know…no one’s ever said that to me except you. I still don’t believe it’s real. That you’re real.”

“Then I’d better keep saying it.” Ford leaned over and kissed his soft lips. “I love you. I don’t want to have met you and learned what it all means, only to have it snatched away because of a few miles between us.”

Nico licked his lips. “More than a few.”

Ford turned on the light next to the bed. “You are like every wish I never dared to dream, every miracle I didn’t trust was real. I love you, Nico.”

Nico kissed his hair. “I love you, too.”

He got rid of the condom, and they lay in bed, wrapped around each other. Ford could tell Nico wasn’t asleep.

“Is something bothering you?”

“Your ex—what did he say when he went after you in the office?”

“Exactly what I expected.”

“Which tells me nothin’.” Nico sat up. “He said some shit, didn’t he? About me.”

Ford so didn’t want to have this conversation. “All Lenny does is talk shit. And I don’t care what he says.”

“Tell me.” The stubborn set of Nico’s jaw made it clear he wasn’t about to drop the conversation, and since Ford would never tell Nico Lenny thought he was a paid escort, he put a different spin on it.

“He couldn’t understand what a gorgeous, hot guy was doing with someone like me. He laughed at me, said I was a fool.” He kissed Nico. “Now can we drop it? We have the weekend to ourselves, and I don’t want to waste our time talking about my ex.”

“He’s the fool,” Nico grumbled and pulled him close, clinging to him. “Who would let you go? I’m the lucky guy.”

“We both are.”

**

The next day, Ford took Nico for a drive along A1A, and after a seafood lunch, they walked hand in hand along the shoreline. Ford told Nico that Dr. Sandler had agreed to see Frank and he was taking care of the bills.

“Is Frank gonna be okay? He and my mom have been sorta seeing each other.”

Ford squeezed Nico’s hand. “I can’t tell you about his medical condition, but Sandler is one of the top doctors in New York. Frank’s in great hands.”

Nico told him how Joey had finally bought Teresa a ring but was waiting for the holidays to propose. Anthony and Sergio were going strong, but Jack had sort of stepped away from their friends group, something they were sad about but didn’t know how to fix.

“Why not just ask him what’s going on?” Ford suggested. “Maybe he feels left out since you’re all coupled up.”

“Maybe. But whenever we talk to him about dating, he tells us to shut up and that he’s not interested.”

“Then let him be. He’ll work through his problems. I’m more interested in yours.”

“Me? I don’t have any.”

“No? What about seeing your father?”

Nico dropped his hand and wandered farther into the water, up to his calves. Obviously, he’d touched a raw nerve. Ford followed him, waiting for Nico to speak.

“I don’t know what to do. So I try not to think about it.”

“I’m sorry. When the time is right, you’ll know.”

A heartbreaking, quick smile was all he received in return. There was so much more Ford wanted to say to him, but Nico had retreated, and for the rest of the afternoon remained quiet. Ford chose to leave him alone to think and hopefully work through that anger and pain.

At dusk, they were on the terrace having a drink, when Ford received a call from Lenny. He wanted to ignore it, but after what Marisol had told him, he needed to hear Lenny’s explanation.

“What is it?”

“Who the hell are you to talk to me that way?” Lenny spit out. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“That’s not a response to my voice mail. You brought in someone who isn’t a doctor to perform medical procedures. We could lose our practice. What the fuck is wrong with you, Lenny? Are you screwing him? Is that what this is all about? Did you promise him a job in the heat of the moment, and you’re so blinded by your dick that nothing else matters?”

“You’re the one blinded by that hot piece of Italian ass. Better make sure you have enough cash in the bank. That one looks like he’s expensive.”

Ford’s stomach dropped as Nico abruptly got up from his chair and went into the house.

“You bastard,” he swore. “Go to hell. I’m talking to my lawyer on Monday.” He ended the call and ran into the apartment. He found Nico sitting in the bedroom, staring at the wall.

“I knew it. He thinks I’m with you for your money. That’s what he said to you, isn’t it?”

He wasn’t going to lie to Nico. “Yes. But that’s because money is all Lenny thinks about.” He held Nico’s face in his hands. “He couldn’t possibly understand that what we have has nothing to do with money. Because looks will fade, and the money might dry up, but you’re part of my heart and my soul.”

“I don’t know pretty words like that. I’m just an ordinary guy.”

How could he explain to Nico that what was in his heart transcended everything that had come before him? That being with him chased away the inadequacies of that lost, lonely kid from the trailer park who was never clean enough, never fed enough…simply never enough of anything to feel worthy.

“You’re anything but ordinary. You fill me with hope and magic—the extraordinary. Seeing you makes me happy. Touching you brings me to life. I could lose it all tomorrow and be happy with you in one room because there’s no price tag on how you make me feel. We are the lucky ones because we’ll always have love. And in the end, that’s what matters.”