Page 31 of Survival Game

Getting closer, he swore inwardly. Crap. Ryan was as impeccable as ever, no trace of perspiration.

Eric smiled uncertainly. “Hey, Kyle. How are you doing?”

Kyle waved a purple-tipped hand airily. “Oh, I’m good. Out and about.”

Eric nodded. “That’s good. Good.” He cleared his throat and glanced around.

Kyle couldn’t resist it. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow? At least, that’s what someone told me. I didn’t know first-hand of course.”

His snarky comment had a visible effect on both Eric and Ryan. Ryan snorted with laughter and turned around with a flap of his hand. “I’m going to leave you bitches to sort things out. See ya.” He disappeared into the throng.

Eric, however, looked shamefaced. “Yeah, ’bout that. I’m sorry I didn’t call but where we were had a bad signal. We had satellite phones up on the mountain, but personal calls weren’t really allowed.”

Kyle reached up and ran a hand through his hair, trying to look nonchalant. “Oh, don’t bother to explain. I understand…wait. What do you mean they didn’t allow you personal calls? I thought you were on holiday in the US?”

Eric gaped at him. “The US? No, I was in France for work. I was in a remote holiday spot on a private estate filling in for a friend of mine who broke his leg. Why did you think I was in America?”

“Ryan said you were backpacking in the Grand Canyon. I assumed that was the US?

Eric laughed. “Ah, that would be because I was at Verdon Gorge. It’s called the Grand Canyon of Europe. Ryan must have got confused.”

Kyle felt a little stupid, but still riled. “I had no idea there was another one in bloody France.”

“And I wasn’t backpacking.” Eric explained. “Not in the true sense. I was a medic up there in one of the fancy retreats run by some billionaire bloke. The guests all go off hiking and skiing, and they like a medic or two on call. It’s good work, well paid, so I took it when my mate David couldn’t go. He broke his leg.”

“Oh.” Kyle wasn’t sure what to say. It seemed a reasonable something for Eric to do given his day job, and perhaps Kyle had judged Eric too harshly. He’d been out saving lives after all. How could Kyle stay annoyed with him?

Eric reached out with a soft smile and caressed Kyle’s cheek. “Did you get my texts? I managed to get away to the town for a little bit when we picked up supplies. Signal wasn’t great but I managed to get to the top of the mountain nearby. Thought I’d let you know I was okay.”

“Oh, I could see that,” Kyle said. “The picture of you with the full-breasted lady was a nice touch. I thought you might have changed sides.”

“Someone jealous?” Eric’s eyes darkened and Kyle’s knees weakened.

Kyle huffed. “No. We don’t have a claim on each other. I don’t care what you do when you’re away.” He turned to the barman and asked for a snakebite shot. He needed it.

“I think you do,” Eric said with a grin. “That full-breasted lady was the wife of the owner of the resort. Happily married as well.”

“Whatever.” Kyle knocked back the shot the barman had pushed over to him.

Eric snorted. “No, not jealous at all,” he remarked. Then his face shadowed. “Listen, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before I went that I was going away. Things at work got hairy. It was pretty stressful and before I knew it, I was on the plane.” He gave a wry grimace. “I wasn’t really good company at the time so I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me being all depressed.”

Kyle motioned for another drink and looked at Eric. “You want anything?”

Eric nodded and Kyle ordered two snakebites.

“Is that the real reason you didn’t tell me you were going away?” he snapped. “Because you feared my sensibilities may take offence at the fact you’d had a bad day and felt shitty and you’d taint me with it?”

Eric blinked. “Yeah, I suppose…I wouldn’t have put it that way, but yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, perhaps next time you can stop thinking I’m some sort of blushing virgin and let me know you’re out of town for two weeks, Mister.” Kyle’s tone rose a faction as he went into drama mode.

Shit. He’d just done exactly what he’d said he wasn’t going to. He’d staked a claim on the man. He downed his shot in frustration and slammed it on the bar.

Eric watched him through shuttered eyes, reaching for him and pressing their bodies together. The hard ridge in Eric’s pants nudged Kyle’s.

“That was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen—you getting all toppy on my arse.” Eric murmured in Kyle’s ear.

Kyle opened his mouth to say he absolutely wasn’t, and found it filled with tongue. His lips were taken in a kiss that made his cock harder and sent thrills through his body he imagined were akin to being shocked by a pulse of warm electricity.