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The lights seemed ultra hot tonight. His legs were extra tired.

Austen sat in the front row again and Rain kept glancing his way.

He wondered how much longer Austen would stalk him before giving up.

The idea of not seeing his face in the crowd hurt Rain’s chest. He wanted to talk to him.

Just once. Rain needed to know if whatever drove him to be this obsessed existed or if he had built Austen up inside his mind to be someone he wasn’t.

Picking the least disruptive moment, Rain twirled off stage and nodded for his backup to take over. They were all professionals who trained tirelessly. He didn’t doubt the man’s ability to step in seamlessly.

Rain grabbed the closest stagehand. “There’s a guy. Front row. Third seat from the left. He’s my doctor. Please grab him and bring him back here.”

Sven’s gaze moved over Rain’s features. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.”

That was enough to send Sven scurrying. Rain never missed even part of a performance. He danced through every illness and injury. Truthfully, this felt a lot like swallowing his pride, but an excuse was an excuse.

Rain dramatically limped his way to the dressing room and worked to unwind his ballet shoes. His feet looked awful. That was part of the game. Tonight, his foot looked especially bad.

“He’s right through here.”

Austen appeared like a man on a white horse, his face etched with concern, while his gaze locked on Rain and didn’t budge. He was beautiful. “Are you okay? That guy said you needed a doctor.”

Rain tried not to purr like a contented cat. Austen sounded like he really cared. It was no wonder he had such an extensive and exclusive list of patients.

“Sorry to pull you from the show. I know you haven’t gotten to see a full one yet.” Austen always left partway through.

The blush that tinted Austen’s cheeks nearly made Rain moan.

Damn. He had never wanted anyone like this.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m only here for you.

” He cleared his throat, sounding adorably nervous.

“I don’t know why I said that. Tell me what’s wrong.

” His confidence visibly returned at the demand.

Taking care of people was obviously his comfort zone.

Rain glanced toward his foot. “As much as I hate to scar you with the horrors of ballet feet, I think I’ve injured myself. Kylo tells me you’re an amazing doctor. I’m sure there’s some procedure I’m not following here to hire your services, but I don’t want to go to the emergency room.”

Austen’s concern visibly deepened. A line appeared between his brows. He dropped to his knees like he didn’t currently wear a five-figure tux. Austen gently brought Rain’s foot to his knee.

Rain studied him while Austen inspected his foot. He was the typical California pretty, but he had something no one else did. It was a kindness that softened him. Rain had nothing soft in his life.

“I’m surprised you could see me with those lights in your face.”

Ah. Austen thought his stalking had gone unnoticed. “You get used to it.”

Austen nodded. “Without X-rays, I can’t give you a definitive diagnosis, but this looks like a dancer’s fracture.”

Rain had already known that. He had been dancing on it since the show’s run began. The end of production was around the corner. He could get it treated then. Rain just needed the excuse to talk to Austen without making it weird.

“I was afraid of that.” He sighed dramatically. “Send me your bill and I will get it taken care of after the show ends for the season.”

Austen’s chin shot up. His gaze latched on to Rain’s face. “If you wait, you’re risking internal damage and permanent deformity that could lead to you never dancing or walking properly again. Not to mention the constant pain.”

He was so passionate. Rain couldn’t look away. “What would you have me do?”

Austen chewed his bottom lip. It was obvious he understood they discussed Rain’s career.

While it wasn’t his breadwinner, it was his passion.

Finally, he sighed. “Stay off it the rest of the night. Let me take you home, put some ice on it, and ensure you don’t put an ounce of pressure on it.

Tomorrow, I’ll do your X-rays and we’ll go from there. ”

Rain’s smile had appeared at the mention of taking him home and hadn’t dimmed. “So you wish to take me home?” His Russian accent came out thick in his humor and desire. It was out of his control.

Austen’s gaze moved over his face. “Yes.”

Damnit. He still wasn’t sure how Austen meant the exchange. Austen was too professional. Too hard to read. It was possible he didn’t realize Rain flirted. He released another loud, dramatic sigh. “If you must. I’m at your mercy.”

To his surprise, Austen stood and swept Rain into his arms, as if he weighed nothing. “You can count on me to make sure your car makes it home. I’ll take care of everything.”

Rain wrapped his arms around Austen’s neck and settled in for the ride. He was invested as hell. When he had impulsively made this decision, this was the last thing he expected. He wasn’t disappointed. “I get the impression you’re a very steady and reliable man.”

A wry smile touched Austen’s lips that sent butterflies stirring in his stomach. “Although I’m sure you meant that as a compliment, I feel old now. Thanks for that.”

Rain threw his head back and laughed. It wasn’t what Austen said. It was his tone. He obviously had a dry wit. “I assure you. You don’t feel old at all to me.”

Sven rushed to open the door, leading them to the parking lot from a side entrance. As much as Rain recognized he got what he craved by being in Austen’s arms, he didn’t want to be seen getting carried out injured. This was a cutthroat business. He had to stay on top.

Austen easily carried Rain through the large parking lot without getting winded.

The lights flashed on the man’s BMW SUV as they neared.

Rain grabbed the handle on the passenger side, doing his part.

Together, they got Rain strapped in without him putting any pressure on his foot—just as Austen promised.

As Austen circled the vehicle, Rain took a few breaths.

This was dumb. Edge would fucking die when Rain showed up with Austen.

He would be exposing their home, but Rain wasn’t an idiot.

After the first time they met, Rain had investigated every inch of Austen’s life.

He truly appeared to be merely an overworked doctor.

For one night, Rain wanted something for himself. He had never been shy about taking it.

With address in hand, they were on the road.

Austen could barely breathe. He couldn’t believe this was happening.

Rain was in his car. They were together.

Technically, Rain was his patient, but still.

They were alone. Horror washed through him each time he recalled that Rain knew he had been to every performance.

He looked like a stalker. Rain didn’t seem upset, though.

Damn. They were really together. Even the silence between them was nice.

“So, you’re friends with Kylo.”

A laugh burst from Austen. “Sorry. It seems so strange. Before tonight, we met that one time when I was with Kylo and said less than a handful of words to each other. Yet I’m just sitting here in silence, like you’ve known me forever.

I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.

Yes, I’m friends with Kylo. I’m also his doctor, which came first. That’s probably not ethical, but I work for myself, so whatever. ”

“I’m glad you feel that way. It’s odd to have such a personal relationship with a doctor yet be divided by ethics. Also, I’m not uncomfortable. It’s impossible to rattle me. I’ve spent my entire life under the harshest of scrutiny on stage. Kylo tells me you saved his life.”

Austen supposed that was true. Kylo had been stabbed during a mugging outside a grocery store.

His now husband, Beau, had called Austen.

Since Beau was the biggest weapons dealer on the west coast and a major source of income for Austen, Austen had immediately dropped everything.

Still… “I’m fairly certain, if I hadn’t helped, Kylo would’ve just hiked up his shirt and stitched himself closed.

” Austen couldn’t help the humor in his voice.

“He’s easily the strongest and most stubborn person I’ve ever met. ”

“You like him.”

The comment confused Austen. He had just said they were friends. “Of course, he’s my friend.”

“No.” The denial was quiet—like Rain studied him and assured himself of whatever answer he had found. “You like him in a sexual way.”

Austen nearly steered off the road in his surprise.

Rain didn’t stop there. “That’s to be expected, honestly. Not only is he extremely beautiful, as you said, he’s strong. But he’s also gentle and a nice place to land in a cold world.”

As Austen listened to the variance in Rain’s voice, the truth struck him. It was a bit devastating. “You love him.”