My dear, lovely readers!

What did you just do? How can you be so wonderful?

Thank you for your amazing support, for sparing a minute to review and share your thoughts about this story.

I want to give you more. Immediately. I'm not even waiting for the weekend :)

Once again, huge thanks to Lou and Nancy.

SM owns the original characters.

Chapter 10

Although he's sitting in a very comfortable armchair, Emmett is jumpy and feeling odd. In front of him, sitting in a similar armchair but looking calm and composed, Dr. Cullen hasn't spoken for the last couple of minutes.

"Here's what we'll do," he says at last. "I'll take Whitlock out of the house to do some gardening. You will be alone with Masen. Make your move, and try to get under his skin before lunch. Do you think you can do that, McCarty?"

"I think so. At least I can try." Emmett has a rough idea of what is going to happen. Edward will need a friend.

"Before you go, tell me what is bothering you. You look like you're going to burst. Are you nervous about your task?"

"No, Doc... tor. Um, sorry. Not at all. It's just because of an unwanted memory that visited me this morning. Something from my past."

"Tell me."

"No, it's nothing."

"McCarty. You've been told to speak. So, speak. Okay?"

"Yes, right. Okay."

"Is it about your daughter?"

"You've read my files, haven't you?" McCarty sighs and stands up. "May I walk?"

"Yes, you may. And yes, I have read them. You don't regret anything you've done. That I know. But you're still sad, I suppose."

McCarty paces across the room, his hands crossed behind his back, his chin low and touching his chest.

"Sad? Sad is a huge understatement. It's more like... devastated. Empty. Useless. But I'd kill the bastard who kidnapped my little Rosie again and again. No, I don't regret killing him, if that's what you mean."

"Did your husband visit you in jail?"

"No. I don't exist for him anymore. He can't forgive me; I'm a murderer. What's more, I remind him of our happy times with our little angel, and he hates me even more. He wants me to disappear, that's what he told me before I got arrested."

"Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Want to disappear?"

"Nope. I want to live. I want out. My little angel is dead, and I still hear her footfalls in my dreams, but I do want to live. That's is why I'm here, playing by your rules, Doctor, and every whim of yours is a law to me. Will you give me that tube now?"

~"~

Edward answers after the first knock.

"Is that you, Emmett? Open the door, it's not locked."

Knowing the Doctor and Jasper are out in the garden to look after the vegetables, Edward guesses right. Emmett stands in his door, a huge, warm smile plastered on his lips.

"How you doing, buddy?"

"Fine, I guess. Come on in. What brings you here?"

"Um, look." Emmett pretends to be uncertain. "I thought I could give you a massage. Take care of you, sort of."

"Why would you do that?"

"I don't know. I like you."

"And you don't think I'm a sick, masochistic freak?"

Emmett shrugs. "It's your right to be whoever you are. Here, I brought this for you. It will ease your pain."

With an involuntary shiver, Edward stands and takes a glimpse at the tube in Emmett's hand. "Sure. It does hurt. Give me the balm."

"No. Allow me." McCarty approaches the younger man, keeping his look locked on Edward's face and searching for a sign of hesitation. There is none.

"Do you want me to get undressed?" Edward doesn't wait for affirmation and begins to unbutton his jeans.

"Wait, let me do that for you."

Now standing mere inches from his target, Emmett places his hand over Edward's and gently pushes it aside. Then he slowly and cautiously, as if unveiling a precious hidden antique, untucks Edward's tee from his waistband and slides his palm under the cotton material. Two sounds fill the air; Edward's intake of breath, and Emmett's deep sigh.

"Satin," Emmett murmurs and closes his eyes, drowning in the sensation. "So smooth." He allows himself another moment of standing still, enjoying Edward's warm breath brushing the tiny hairs on his neck.

"Let's lose this first. Lift your arms."

The tee falls to the floor, and Emmett's hand is back on the satin skin, now feeling goose bumps under his touch. Edward protests. "Tickles," he says, but he is smiling.

"Turn around," Emmett commands.

He squeezes some of the contents of the tube into his palm and applies it to Edward's shoulder.

"Oh! It's cold!" Edward shivers again.

The huge man behind him bends and blows warm air over the place where his palm has just lain, then rubs in small circles. Soon, he adds more of the cold substance, and rubs in wider circles, sensual, and intentionally slow. He blows warm air at different spots over Edward's back, over his neck, and then into his ear.

"Mmmm," Edward mumbles, "this is nice."

Emmett tosses the tube on the bed. His arms embrace Edward's figure from behind, and his cunning fingers undo the button of the unneeded jeans. Emmett's palms creep under the denim, embracing Edward's hips. Unexpectedly for him, Emmett presses his entire body to the body before him, incapable of tearing apart.

"You're warm now, and so beautiful," he whispers in Edward's ear. "Just stay like this. I want to hold you in my arms for a while. Is it good?"

"It's good," Edward answers, "so good."

"I love to hear that. May I kiss you, Edward?"

The young man doesn't reply.

"Has a man ever kissed you, Edward?"

"No. Never."

No more words are needed for Emmett to know he will be another first for the bronze haired, beautiful, and very confused man. Delicately turning the slender figure around and slightly slouching, the huge man reaches the level of Edward's lips and kisses them. Then his tongue peaks and makes its way forward, to take the virginity of that mouth. Edward's red lips part, and he lets the new pleasure take over. No one counts the seconds, or maybe minutes, until Emmett breaks the kiss.

"Now, my sweet, show me where it hurts. Let me heal you."