Free Ripped (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by Anita Kinley Page A

the knee down.”
    Roman sank into a nearby chair as his mother tried to console him.
    Hearing a thick Middle Eastern accent, Roman looked to up hearing Doctor Amir explain what he thought was a textbook definition of Kyle’s injuries.
    “He’s lucky to be here, Mr. Carter,” Doctor Winters replied.
    Roman had been oblivious to the woman standing slightly behind the doctors, wearing scrubs and what appeared to be a flight jacket.
    “Anna, the registered nurse that was on the flight, asked us if she could speak with you as well,” Winters continued.
    Ignoring the young woman, Roman replied, “When can I see him?”
    “He’s lost a lot of blood and sustained a tremendous amount of trauma to his body.”
    Not letting the doctor finish, Roman stated again, “I just want to see if he’s okay!”
    “He will be in intensive care for at least the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Two visitors, ten minutes each, or one visitor for twenty every hour.”
    “Does he know?”
    “No. He’s been sedated since he came out of surgery. I’d like to keep him that way until at least tomorrow.”
    “I want to be the one who tells him,” Roman said quickly.
    “Not until he’s out of IC, unless he asks.”
    Roman turned his attention to Anna, introducing himself.
    Both doctors excused themselves, letting Roman know that they would be on call throughout the night and would visit Kyle on rounds tomorrow.
    “I’m Anna, the flight nurse that was with you and your partner on the way into Hot Springs. I wanted to make sure that I had a chance to find out how Kyle is doing. Also, when he wakes up, I’d like you to apologize for me. When you two were separated when the flight landed, I whispered to him that I was a butch lesbian, and if he didn’t calm down I would beat the crap out of him.”
    Roman smiled, looking at the petite woman standing in front of him, thinking that she hardly fit the definition of butch.
    “Thank you for everything you did. Also, did Kyle calm down?”
    “My words and, of course, Ativan seemed to help. Maybe when Kyle is better, we can all go to lunch. Rebecca and I do not have a great deal of friends, or at least supportive friends. We’ve been together for almost five years. I’m not going to keep you. I’ve got some paperwork that I need to finish before I go home, and I am sure you want to see Kyle.”
    Before she walked away, Roman took the piece of paper that she handed him with a phone number written down.

Chapter Ten
     
    It took every ounce of strength that Roman had not to break down as he saw Kyle lying unconscious and hooked up to a deluge of machines. His face was so battered and bruised. There appeared to be a gash on his chin that had been sutured. Roman smoothed the hair from his husband’s face as tears filled his eyes.
    “My sweet boy,” he whispered, knowing that he wanted more than twenty minutes every hour.
    Recalling the promise that he made when they arrived at the hospital, he reaffirmed his vow not to leave until Kyle could go home with him. Roman had already made plans to sleep in the surgical waiting room until his husband could be moved to a regular room. He had sent his mother and father to his condo to pick up some clothes.
    “I won’t leave you, baby,” he spoke quietly, leaning down to kiss Kyle’s forehead, “not until you can leave with me. We will get through this. I’ll always love you regardless.”
    Kyle’s body was covered with a sheet, shielding Roman from the bandages that lay beneath. He was going to be the one to tell Kyle, knowing that would be the hardest thing he would ever have to say to his lover.
    Pulling a chair next to the bed, Roman sat down, taking Kyle’s hand in his. He only had ten minutes left. His thoughts turned to Kyle’s green eyes staring back at his on the pavement, wishing that it had been him lying there.
    “We should be at the lodge in each other’s arms, not here, sweet boy,” Roman said, bringing Kyle’s hand to