Special Needs (6 page)

“No... I mean... yeah, that’s one of the reasons, but it’s also the legs themselves. Don’t pretend though. It would be very awkward to carry my naked.” Ryan gave him a skeptical glare and fidgeted in the plastic seat.

Liam shrugged, and took off his tank top. “Not really, it’s like carrying a naked chick that I’m not attracted to.”
Which is, like, any chick.

“Wow! You’ve got so many tats.” The pleasant twitch in Liam’s belly was topped by the sight of Ryan reaching out to his stomach. He almost felt sorry Ryan got a hold of himself in time and dropped the hand on his own thigh.

“I’m still getting new ones.” Liam decided to pretend he didn't notice. He kicked off his flip flops and casually yanked his belt open, enjoying the way Ryan’s eyes widened.

“Wait! Wait! Wait!” He clearly panicked, grabbing Liam’s wrist to stop him. “You don’t have to undress.”

“Chill, I’m not naked down there.” Their eyes locked and Liam could swear he was now officially the most deceptive man alive.

“Uhm... okay.” His new employer took a deep breath, goosebumps visible all over his arms, adding texture to the fire and smoke design.

Liam sent his jeans flying out into the bedroom with a wide grin. That was a score. It was only after a strange moment of silence that he realized Ryan’s eyes were glued to his stomach. Not his junk. His stomach.
Phew.

His astonishment rose when Ryan looked up at him without even a trace of guilt and pointed to Liam’s belly with a slight smile, clearly trying to fight his shyness. “Sex Feet Under they’re like, one of my favorite bands.”

Liam’s mouth fell open and his eyes darted to the band name inked below his navel. “Yeah, can’t wait for the show next month. Wanna go?”

“Nah... It’s loads of trouble with a wheelchair. I’ll probably watch it on tv. They have live streaming.” Ryan's gaze dropped to the floor, which allowed Liam to get a better look at his legs. They were on the slim side, but not nearly as meager as he expected from a guy in Ryan’s situation.

“Come on, are you afraid of crowds or something?” He lifted his eyebrows, leaning against the wall. “It’ll be fine.”

Ryan grumbled beneath his breath, eyeing Liam's clown-faced boxer briefs. “You wouldn’t be free to have fun with me around.”

“I think it could be fun... if they let us in backstage.” Liam made his expression extra smug as he bowed down towards Ryan. Plus, he really thought he and Ryan would have lots of fun together. Like, even in the shower, if the clown went down.

“Why would they? You’re gonna tell me now that you know the band members, or something?” Ryan rolled his eyes, crossing his arms on his chest.

Liam had to force his lips shut. No way Ryan would believe him if he started bragging about his rather acquaintance with the SFU leader. “No, but I have friends at the venue.” He folded his arms over his chest.

“You’re
so
making that up.” Ryan shook his head.

Liam blinked. Even
this
he didn’t believe? “Come on, why would I lie?”

“I don’t exactly know you that well.”

“Seriously. I’m not asking for your PIN number. I wanted you to have some fun,” Liam said. This whole distrust thing was starting to make him uncomfortable.

Ryan scrutinized him for the longest moment, but finally nodded, a soft sigh leaving his lips. “I’ll say ‘yes’ for now, but you can tell me if you change your mind, okay?” When he looked up at Liam, the thin, tense lines around his eyes made it obvious how insecure he felt. Liam had to intervene.

“It’ll be great!” He ran his hand through Ryan’s hair, tugging on it gently. It was soft, even with the hair products Ryan must have used to for styling. “Have you ever seen them live?”

“No, I kinda never got the chance.” He pointed to the box of hair color, placed on a plastic shelf along with some bottles, and explained the basics so that Liam could start applying the dye.

“I knew them before they were famous. That’s my hipster self talking.” Liam grinned and put on a pair of latex gloves. There were plastic ones in the box, but those were far more comfortable to use. He gathered some dye on the brush and started applying it to the top of Ryan’s head.

Ryan looked over his shoulder, his eyes wide as saucers. “Really? Oh my God! Tell me.”

“They were sexy.” Liam opened the bottle of hair dye, his gaze transfixed on the pale, lean shoulders. “The chicks were creaming themselves within three songs.”

“Did they do the songs from their first album back then?” Ryan kept fidgeting in his seat like an excited puppy. “Where was it? Did you get a chance to talk to them?”

“Ah, I don’t remember the songs that much, but yeah, I saw several shows in LA and got to know them during an after party.” Liam snorted, remembering the feel of Kyle Goldberg’s hard body struggling beneath his own. The man was too sexy for his own good. “And I actually befriended Kyle, though we lost touch when they became popular. I moved to San Diego and, they started being all too busy.”

“Oh my God! You’re shitting me!” Ryan was panting and wouldn’t hold still, which made Liam’s job a lot harder. The stupid dye kept trickling to places it shouldn't.

“No. He might not recognize me, but he’s a cool guy. And he’s a tattooed gay guy. That’s what you like, isn’t it?” He grinned in self-satisfaction, as he saw Ryan’s neck turn red.

“Yeah... He’s like...” he struggled to speak. “There’s not... many... rock bands... fuck... I need... my inha... ler...”

Liam blinked. “Your what?”

“Inha... ler... It’s in...” Ryan pointed to a pocket on the side of his wheelchair.

Liam yanked one of the gloves off and reached for the tiny plastic container, which he immediately handed over to Ryan, his temples pulsing. “You have asthma?”

The other man shook the inhaler, before putting it in his mouth and taking a gulp of medicine-infused air.

“Ryan?” Liam gently stroked his back, squatting next to him.
Poor guy.
Though he should have mentioned something like that during the interview.

Ryan eventually passed the inhaler back to him, trying to even out his breath. “Yeah, sorry. So lame, I know,” he muttered.

“You’re just ill.” Liam swallowed, taking his time and touching the other man's heated skin. “I understand you find him really hot?”

Liam’s attempt at being funny worked and Ryan laughed, pushing him down to the tiles. It wasn’t a strong shove, but unexpected as it was, it was more than enough to make a squatting man lose balance.

“Don’t mock me! I can’t help it. Those bone tattoos all over his body turn me on.”

Liam felt his face relax into a smile. “He said he wants to tattoo his dick.” He definitely wouldn’t mind fucking him again, though he wasn't sure if Kyle's big-ass boyfriend would take kindly to it.

“You’re so making that up.” Ryan couldn’t stop laughing.

“No, I’m serious. He went with me when I had the band name tattoo done and he told me.” He had also had told Liam he would put out if Liam got that tattoo. Hence the tattoo in the first place. Now if that wasn’t the sweetest dare ever...

Ryan blinked, looking at his forearm and then turned his head in an attempt to examine his shoulder blade, which was now stained with blue-green dots and streaks. “I can’t believe this. You’re the worst hair-dyer ever. You got it all over me.”

Only now Liam realized he forgot about the other glove after he made a dash for the inhaler. And now, there were big dark blue marks everywhere he touched Ryan.

“Oh... sorry.” He tsked with a small scowl. “Hey, I was rescuing your life?”

Ryan shook his head. “You know what? I’ll just go to the hairdresser tomorrow. You’ll have to make sure that you scrub that off my back quick.” He reached for a washcloth and shower gel. “Turn the water on. I can do my arm. It’s the back I can’t reach.”

“No... I’ll be fine, it’s just because of that inhaler!” Liam tried, quickly getting the water to run and cleaned his gloves first. “I’m sorry, Ryan.” He took the washcloth out of Ryan’s hand and started working his back ferociously.

“Oh come on.” The dye was changing the water blue, as it washed off, down Ryan’s pale skin. “I didn’t expect you to master this skill the first time. I just didn’t expect it to go so horribly wrong.” He burst into a carefree laugh.

“I’m so sorry, ugh...” Now, Liam felt even sillier. Thank God the dye was dissolving. “I‘ll make it up to you.”

“Yeah, I was gonna get it cut a bit anyway.” Ryan was scrubbing his own forearm and the blue-green dye was getting off the skin there too. “You did your best,” he said and turned to pat Liam on the head like a useless dog. Liam snorted and bowed his head playfully, just to see his boxers change color.

“Shit! Oh shit!” He got to his feet, shedding them as quick as possible.

“Oh my God! What are you doing!?” Ryan stole one glance, before covering his face with his hands. “You can’t do that!”

“They’re turning green!” Liam quickly got the briefs into the stream of water and washed them using Ryan’s shower gel. “Fuck, they’re limited edition!”

“You’re like the
worst
caretaker ever!” Ryan was close to falling down from the stool from laughing, and when Liam looked down at him, he noticed Ryan was peeking through his fingers.

“Why, because I’m molesting you?” he asked, making a sad face. He would take care of him all right if he only could.

“Yes, this is so inappropriate,” Ryan said, though he didn't seem to really mind.

Liam pouted, and turned his body until his cock was facing Ryan in a silent challenge to his twinky nerves. Oh yes. There was no doubt his new employer saw the tattoo right above the base of Liam’s prick. Four powerful letters to let his lovers know who the
boss
was.

“I’m your type, aren’t I?”

Fingers quickly covered Ryan’s eyes again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I can’t help it. I get it if it creeps you out.”

Liam let out a strangled breath and squatted in front of him. He gently grabbed Ryan’s wrists, forcing him to uncover his reddened face. Ryan was on the verge of crying by now, and his erection pretty obviously bulged the front of the wet suit.

Liam sighed, feeling his amusement plummet like a rock thrown into a well. He wasn’t supposed to hit on his new boss. Especially on his new, disabled boss.

“Ryan, it’s okay.” He gently kneaded his wrists, suddenly feeling like a complete moron. He shouldn't be teasing the kid like that.

“It’s gonna be fine as soon as I
die
of embarrassment,” Ryan whined and turned his head away.

“Oh come on, it’s not like you can help it.” Hesitating, Liam pulled Ryan’s shoulders closer and patted his back with his fist.

Ryan sighed, slowly backed away and covered his crotch with his hands. “I’m still sorry. I don’t want you to feel awkward around me.”

“I’m not.” He lied, because the fact that he wanted to get this boy into bed did make him uncomfortable. “It’s fine, really. I get it.”

Ryan sniffed and pulled away, trying to mask his discomfort behind a fake smile. “It’s like having a really hot nurse and you know you’re not gonna bang her, but it’s still hard not to notice she’s hot.”

Liam flashed him a grin. “I like being called ‘hot’.” His heart was beating faster and faster every time he looked into Ryan’s bright eyes. Shit, did he want him.

“I bet you do. You probably get laid like... every week.” Ryan shook his head, trying to reach out for a towel.

“Yeah, something like that.” Liam got up and put his hands on his hips. “I’m still dying your hair.” The hell if he let that fucking... cosmetic defeat him.

“No! You’re terrible at it!” Ryan finally managed to get the towel and shoved it into Liam’s crotch. “And get that thing out of my face or I’m just gonna open my mouth.”

It certainly opened Liam’s mouth.
That would be something.
“Right, right... listen, I’ll wait in your room?” He pointed at the door. He should call Cole. Didn’t he say he could if he was feeling tempted? And this was only the first day!

“Yeah. I’ll just call out when I’m done, okay? You can help me to the chair then.” Ryan sighed. “Just leave me the towel at arm’s reach.”

“Sure.” Liam forced a smile and quickly closed the door behind him. As soon as he was out in the large bedroom, a sigh of relief escaped his lips. He really needed his cell right now.

And the worst thing was, he had a suspicion what exactly he was leaving Ryan alone for in the bathroom. He tied the towel around his hips and tried to focus on something else. And there was a lot to focus on in this room, as it was just bursting with all sorts of weird shit. The DVD collection consisted of instant classics like
The Human Centipede
,
Hostel
and
Killer Condom
. Yeah, he loved that one.

Liam walked over to Ryan’s bookshelf and took out the first paperback he laid his eyes upon. It was Kyle Goldberg’s biography. He actually smiled. It was bursting with images of Kyle, often half-naked, exposing his tattoos or just smoking a cig and playing the guitar. What caught Liam’s attention though, were red highlights in a few places of the text section. One of them underlined: