What's His Passion 2 - Climbing the Savage Mountain Read Free Page A

hand.
    “Nothing will happen to me on this trip. I promise.”
    Toby jerked away from him then shot to his feet. He started pacing while Jensen watched. “Don’t promise me something like that, Jensen. You’re a good climber. I know that. Hell, Cat and Jigger tell me that all the time. You’re a natural. One of the best they’ve seen in years. I know that means jack shit when you’re up on that godforsaken piece of rock and a storm rolls in.”
    Jensen opened his mouth then snapped it shut when Toby whirled on him. He saw the fear in Toby’s eyes and he rushed to him, wrapping his arms around his lover to hold him close. He pressed his mouth to Toby’s ear and whispered, “I promise to never make light of your fears. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t realize how scared you were about me going.”
    “It’s not just Everest, Jensen,” Toby confessed. “It’s every time you walk out that door on a trip. I’m left here, wondering if you’re going to come home. So far you’ve done it, but what if something keeps you from coming back to me?”
    As much as he wanted to say that the only way he wouldn’t be coming back to Toby was if he were dead, Jensen knew it wasn’t the right thing to say. It certainly wouldn’t reassure Toby at all.
    “I know you’re afraid I’ll decide to keep wandering.” He stepped back to stare down at Toby. “I can make you this vow, Toby, and this one I do have control over. I will always come back to you. I wasn’t strong enough to face you when I ran away before. I didn’t trust in how much you cared for me. We both know I should’ve come to you and told you about my addictions and my problems.”
    “Damn straight you should’ve. How can I help you when I don’t know what’s wrong?” Toby encircled Jensen’s waist, resting his head on Jensen’s chest.
    Jensen kissed the top of Toby’s head. “Do you really feel like talking about my trip right now? Why don’t we go for a run then when we get back, we can take a shower?”
    Tension eased from Toby’s shoulders and Jensen realized it was just a reprieve from the complications of him going away. Yet he didn’t want to talk about it right then. He wanted to spend time with the man he loved and soak up all the good times, so he had something to cling to when he was on the side of Everest, praying to God to keep him safe.
    “All right. Thank God, the roads are clear. That storm we had two days ago dumped a lot of snow, but looks like the road commission got the trucks out.” Toby eased away, but took his hand and led him toward the stairs. He scooped up his suit coat.
    “If you set out your clothes, I’ll drop them off at the dry cleaners tomorrow on my way to the gym,” Jensen told Toby as they went into their room to change.
    “Thanks. Since I forgot to take them last week, I’m running low on shirts.” Toby chuckled. “How do you feel about being the house husband while I go to work every day?”
    Jensen dug through their dresser, pulling out two pairs of running tights and two long sleeved sweatshirts for them. “To be honest, I thought I’d hate it,” he confessed as he stripped. “Before I left, I was always busy with work, going out or doing a hundred other things. Even after rehab, I kept myself moving and doing odd jobs while waiting for my next climb. But I like doing stuff for you, whether it’s taking care of your dry cleaning or cooking dinner. There’s so many things to do around the house.”
    Toby removed his jeans, distracting Jensen when he bent over and Jensen found himself staring at Toby’s perfect ass. After reaching over, Jensen pinched him and Toby squeaked. He burst out laughing when Toby glared at him while rubbing his abused flesh.
    “What the hell was that for?”
    “Couldn’t resist. You stuck it out there.” He wiggled his eyebrows and Toby rolled his eyes.
    “Sometimes I think you’re channeling a twelve year old.” Toby dressed quickly, as though he didn’t want