Free Edward Unconditionally Common Powers 3 by Lynn Lorenz

fingers were still warm against Jack's skin, and Jack had to fight not to lean into Edward's touch meant to comfort him.
    “I didn't mean to scare you.” Edward's hand stayed there, building heat beneath it. Their gazes locked.
    Jack could feel the blood pounding in his throat and his dick. Shit. Of all the times for his cock to come to life, it had to be now? Fuck, it felt so good to know he was still able to get it up. Matching pulse beats told Jack he'd be in deep trouble if he let this go on.
    “Jack.” Edward's dark eyes, large and liquid, focused on Jack's lips.
    Jack pulled away. “I want answers, Edward. What happened?”
    “Are you feeling better?”
    “Yes. And I want to know why.” Jack got up and sat on the recliner.
    Edward rolled his shoulders, gave Jack an unsteady smile, then pushed himself up and onto the couch. “I told you. I healed you.” He raked his fingers through his hair to straighten it.
    “Does that happen every time?” Jack narrowed his eyes at Edward.
    Edward sighed. “No.” Jack caught the slight tremble in Edward's hands. He tried to steady them by rubbing them against his thighs.
    “Then why now? What was different?” Jack leaned forward, his hands clasped between his knees to keep from reaching out to Edward.
    Edward sat back, closed his eyes, and bit his lip. “Whatever was wrong with you was serious. More so than I thought.”
    “Serious? What do you mean? Why did you faint?”
    “Faint? Is that what happened?” Edward gave a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. “I'm not sure, but if I had to make a guess, I'd say maybe an embolism.” He shrugged.
    Jack sat back. “Shit. No way.” He ran a hand through his hair, feeling his head as if he could locate the problem inside his skull. “What happened to it?”

    * * * *

    “This is the hard part to explain. I'm not sure I can, and I'm not sure that you'll believe me if I do.” Edward tucked one leg under the other and sat back. He'd never tried the truth before; most of the time he explained it away as the wonders of massage. Somehow, he knew Jack wouldn't fall for that. Jack would demand more.
    “Try me.”
    “I'm able to absorb... illness, I suppose. Transfer it from a person to myself. Then my body absorbs it, displaces it, or dispels it, I've never figured out which.”
    Jack stared at him. “You're crazy.”
    “I told you.”
    “It's some sort of mind trick. Like a placebo. People can't just take pain or an illness away. Not normal people.” Jack stared at him.
    Edward made a short laugh. “In case you haven't noticed, I'm not like everyone else. Take this shirt, for starters.” He held out his arms to demonstrate, trying to ease the tension between them.
    Jack, tight-lipped, stared at him. Edward winced at the disbelief on his face. What did Edward expect? He was surprised Jack hadn't called him crazy and thrown him out of the house.
    “Does your head hurt? Can you see now?” Edward waved his hand at Jack, feeling very tired. More drained than he'd ever felt before.
    “How did you know I couldn't see?”
    Edward stared down at his hands in his lap. “When I took your pain, I went blind. Then I... fainted.” He raised his eyes to catch Jack's gaze. He'd done more than just faint, but he wasn't ready to deal with that yet.
    “Shit. Holy shit.” Jack ran his hand over his face. “This is too fucking much.”
    “It's okay if you don't believe me.” He shrugged. “I didn't expect you to.”
    “I don't know why, but I do. Christ, maybe I'm the one who's crazy.”
    There was a long silence between the men.
    Unable to control himself, Edward whispered, “Were you going to kiss me?”
    Jack jerked his head up. “No. Hell, no.”
    “Uh-huh. But you touched me, didn't you?” He should let it drop, but he couldn't.
    Jack bolted out of the recliner. “You need to go. Let me get the keys, and I'll get your bags for you.” He headed to the door.
    Hurt and anger warred in Edward as he followed