6

“Dude, I was getting around to the shared custody.” Otto winked. “Maybe we should discuss it over a cup of coffee.”

“Coffee?”

“Coffee. And if no one’s coming to get you tomorrow after you’re released, I think that’s the perfect time.”

Unless some other random stranger came by, Rip was pretty sure he’d be taking a cab home from the hospital. He knew he should turn Otto down. Fuck, his presence was messing with all the things Rip had been taught were right and wrong, but he couldn’t care less. That first breath had been a huge wake-up call. Going through the act of living wasn’t enough anymore.

He wanted to see Otto again. He needed to explore all these weird feelings he hadn’t acknowledge since he was a kid.

“Coffee sounds good. And…no one’s coming.” Pathetic much? Rip rolled his eyes. “I’m a bit of a loner.”

“By choice?” Otto patted the chair he was sitting in. “This ain’t all that comfy, but I spotted another one in the corner that lays out into a bed. I got nowhere I gotta be.”

“All right, now there’s no way I could ask—”

“Again, you don’t need to.” Otto’s lips thinned. “While we’re getting to know one another, let me tell you something. You aren’t the first man I’ve tried to save.” His rough tone broke as he looked away. “You’re the first one I did.”

Rip had to bite his bottom lip to keep his mouth from falling open. He couldn’t wrap his brain around Otto’s words. Was the man a doctor? That would explain a lot, but he really didn’t look like one. How else would he have ended up trying to save more than one life though? Rip had never seen anyone even badly injured. A student with a nut allergy went into anaphylactic shock in his class once, but the boy’s twin knew exactly what to do. Rip simply kept his class calm while the school nurse and the EMTs that arrived within minutes tended to the child.

He’d had a pretty calm, uneventful life. From the sounds of it, Otto’s had been very different.

He swallowed hard, his raw throat making it difficult, but the pain centered him. His voice sounded a bit clearer as he spoke. “I’ve never met anyone like you. It doesn’t surprise me that you’re some kind of real life hero.”

Otto barked out a laugh. “Nothing like that. I’m a retired Marine who ended up in a few situations that were completely FUBAR. I loved serving, but can’t complain about the life I have now.”

“Yep, can definitely see you as a Marine. Uniform and all.” Rip snapped his mouth shut. His face heated.

Brow arched, Otto smiled slowly. “Yeah? You got a thing for men in uniform?”

Abort! Abort! Ducking his head, Rip held his tongue between his teeth, not sure how to answer without sounding like he was flirting.

Not that flirting would be bad.

Really.

Only, he had no idea how to flirt and he liked Otto too much to fuck things up with his awkwardness. His therapist would be nudging him to go for it, but she had a lot more faith in his abilities than he did.

“Well, that answers that question.” Otto sat back, folding his hands behind his head. His already huge muscles swelled and Rip’s mouth went dry. The other man’s lips slanted. “I misjudged you.”

Rip snorted. “From what? The wet-dog look when you pulled me out of the river or the asthmatic-loner charm?”

“From the clean-cut, fresh-faced, straight teacher vibe. The art thing made me wonder, but I try not to dwell on clichés.”

“Like the macho, uber-straight, sexy Marine trope?”

“Touché.” Otto’s tone dropped an octave. “You think I’m sexy?”

Blood pulsing everywhere but his brain, Rip lifted his shoulders. “You know you are.”

“Maybe I don’t.” With a chuckle, Otto shifted closer to the side of the bed. “You’re cute when you blush like that, but I should let you get some rest. I come up with my best lines right after coffee anyway. I hope you’re prepared.”

Hell, did they pump some serious happy drugs into my IV? I’ve got to be dreaming. No way would a man like Otto hit on him.

Unless he was feeling all affectionate after saving him. Maybe adrenaline gave people the equivalent of beer goggles. Either way, Rip would enjoy it while it lasted. He rested his cheek against the cool pillow and grinned.

“Don’t tease me, Soldier. I just came back from the dead. Thanks to you.”

Brushing his fingers over Rip’s cheek, Otto spoke softly. “I’m not teasing. Go to sleep, Rip, before I say something stupid and scare you off.”

Rip let his eyes drift shut. “Not even possible. I’m staying right here.”

And definitely not because he had no choice.