Nothing in Joey Tall’s life is for real. Not his name, the background he supplied to his bosses at The Gates, or the energy and good health he exudes. None of it is true. And no one can ever know what’s really going on. Ever. Unpacking his secrets would truly end his life. Insult to injury, the incredibly handsome LAPD officer who’s been hitting on Joey is a dream come true. But no way in hell is he letting a cop into his life. He doesn’t have a death wish, and tempting fate is the last thing Joey’s going to do, no matter how much he yearns for a man he can’t have.
James woke and the first thing he noticed was the muscled arm wrapped around his waist. The second was Ross’s warm breath on the back of his neck. Hearing the occasional snore, James was sure Ross was still asleep. What now? In truth, what was really pissing him off was that he couldn’t bring himself to move Ross’s arm away. James wasn’t a cuddly guy. He didn’t snuggle and all that shit. Apparently, that had changed, along with a few other things. Starting with how attached he’d become to Jac and Becca. It was simpler when it was only Finn. Even the big bad detective had wormed his way in, and James wasn’t sure how to get him out. Or if he even wanted to.
He looked at his watch surprised to see it was only three in the morning. Which meant he would likely be in this position for hours if he didn’t move. He searched for reasons that it was a bad idea, but came up empty. Confirmation he was fucked. Decision made, he laid his head back down and simply enjoyed the closeness. He couldn’t remember a time he’d been held in comfort when sex wasn’t on the table. It never crossed his mind before. He had grown up without any affection from his parents, and believed that was normal.
The next time he woke, the bed was empty. James sat up and looked around, but Ross was gone. He could see the sunlight filtering in around the drapes, so it had to be morning. He couldn’t help but wonder if Ross had woken up and bolted when he realized his arm was wrapped around James. Who cares? Get your head on straight, deal with Avante and make your break from LA as planned.
He didn’t need this complication, and kicked himself for allowing it to happen. He should’ve moved Ross’s arm away the moment he saw it around his waist. “Good morning,” Ross said as he walked into the bedroom, still dressed in his sleeping pants. “I know how much you need coffee when you wake up.” Ross handed James a mug before taking a sip from his own. James didn’t know what to say so he took a gulp of his coffee. The pain was immediate as the hot liquid burned his mouth. Coffee sprayed out of him as quickly as it had gone in.
“Shit, I should’ve told you it was fresh out of the pot,” Ross said as he set down his mug and grabbed a towel from the attached bathroom “Here, let me see.” James laughed. “You shouldn’t have had to warn me. Hell. Coffee is hot.” “Open,” Ross instructed as he loomed over James. “Let’s see the damage.” He followed instructions and Ross took a look inside. “Well, you might get small blisters forming on your tongue.” Before Ross backed off, he stopped to wipe the remaining coffee off James’s chin. Their eyes locked for a split second, but that was all James needed to see the hunger in Ross’s eyes. Acting on instinct, James stood abruptly and backed Ross into the bedroom wall before taking his soft lips in a needy kiss. Ross responded in kind, running his hands over
James’s back and arms. He tasted of mint and coffee driving James on for a deeper exploration. He could feel Ross’s body responding to his as James rubbed his hard cock against Ross’s. “Oh, crap. I’m so sorry.” Jac’s voice stopped them and they jumped apart like teenagers caught necking on their parents’ couch. “The door was open.” “Uncle James, are you Uncle Ross’s boyfriend?” Becca asked as only a child could. James reached back, grabbed the comforter off the bed, and held it up in front of Ross and himself.
“Um… boyfriend… well…” James had no idea where he was going with this. Jac took Becca’s hand and said, “Honey, we need to leave these two alone so they can continue talking.” Though that smirk on her face meant something else entirely. Once the girls had left, James looked at Ross and then wrapped his hand around Ross’s thick neck. James could see the longing in Ross’s eyes even as he moved away. “Not a good idea.” “You want it as much as I do. Great way to blow off steam after all that’s happened.” “No. I do not want to confuse Becca. When you leave, she’ll be sad enough. Best to leave it,” Ross muttered. He picked up his bag from the chair and walked out of the bedroom without ever looking back.
What the hell just happened? James threw the comforter back on the bed and headed for the bathroom. Maybe a shower would help, but he doubted it. Now that he’d had a taste of the sexy detective, he wanted more.
Finn’s entire body ached. He’d had a fever for the past two days, and chills had crept in hours ago. The nausea and vomiting were draining him to the point that he didn’t want to move. The blisters on his forearms had drained onto the four-by-four dressings he’d received from a volunteer nurse at the half-day clinic over on Maple. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the energy to walk the four blocks to the clinic for new dressings, and the muscle spasms in his legs made it painful to even turn on his side. His elbow throbbed and swelled more every day, making him worry about infection.
In truth, he wasn’t sure what was wrong, but the nurse had given him a prescription for antibiotics. He’d never filled it due to the cost, but he was beginning to wonder if that had been such a smart decision. “How you feeling this morning, kid?” Marian asked as she sat down beside his cardboard shelter. Marian had a tent beside him and had been friends with Buck before his death.
Finn had been wandering around for days, resting when he could find a safe place, moving along whenever someone yelled at him to get his homeless ass off their sidewalk. He found Marian on the third day and had been bunked beside her tent ever since. “I’m okay. A bit tired, but I’ll be fine.” Buck had taught him never to show weakness. Said the vultures would begin circling.
“Okay, sweetie. I’ll go get us something to eat from the Mission, maybe that will help.” “Thanks, Marian.” Finn was more than grateful for Marian. Without her, Finn would be at the mercy of any number of dangers. He didn’t know why he had been fortunate enough to find self-appointed protectors, but he never turned away the help. He swore that once he started to feel better he’d find some odd jobs and take care of Marian like he’d done with Buck.
The sound of her steps faded as she walked away until they disappeared altogether. The one thing he had spent a little money on was his sleeping bag. It was thick and warm, and Finn settled his pounding head and sore neck back down onto his soft cocoon. The heavy cardboard that had been used to transport refrigerators was his only wall and roof. A light rain lulled Finn into a half-sleep while listening to vehicles splashing in puddles as they drove by. He and his fellow homeless were invisible to the world, forgotten, and alone.
As he drifted, his mind wandered to his happy place: Miguel. Even though the handsome man didn’t see Finn the same way, it made no difference now as he lay in his wet cardboard shelter. He chose to concentrate on the good memories and prayed that nothing had happened to the big guy and that he made it home safe. He treasured his memories of those stormy blue eyes and the feeling of being in his strong arms. He doubted he would ever forget.
He hung on to the shadow sensations as his vision blurred and he slipped into a restless sleep. Vaguely, he remembered Marian returning and placing a cellophane-wrapped sandwich beside him but he was too tired to bother eating. All Finn wanted was to sleep and dream as he tucked down deeper into his sleeping bag. Tomorrow he’d venture out and try to reach the clinic. For now, he’d wait it out here in his soggy cardboard mansion. When he woke again it was dark and he could hear a commotion getting closer to his spot on the sidewalk. He tried to get up but his muscles felt like they’d seized stiff, and his neck and jaw were painful to move.
“What the hell? Back off, asshole,” someone yelled to his right. “Get out of my home.” People were yelling and things began crashing around him. His cardboard shelter was ripped away from on top of him. His eyes were having a hard time adjusting to the bright light shining at him. There was no way he could identify the person above him, but he assumed it had to be the cops until he spoke. “Here you are. What a good boy for doing what you were told. You may have gotten away for a few days, but I have you all to myself now. Don’t worry, I’m here to take away all your suffering.” The unmistakable click of a gun being cocked seemed to echo in the dark. Finn no longer heard the yelling still going on in the background.
The voice was unfamiliar, but Finn knew deep down that his stalker had found him. He choked out one word, “Why?” Finn didn’t care who it was anymore, he just wanted to know what had he done to cause someone to hate him so much to want to kill him. Tires squealed and the light blinding him suddenly vanished, leaving Finn in the blessed dark once again. Vehicle doors opened and closed and Finn thought he’d heard voices vaguely familiar. His legs seized tight again, making him groan out in pain. What the hell was wrong with him? Heavy boots were headed his way but Finn didn’t care anymore. Let his attacker come back and finish the job. The world would never miss one more homeless man.
Once they walked out into the fresh air and yellow glow of the streetlights, Saint did the one thing he’d been desperate to do since meeting the man outside his building. He pushed Max against the side of the nearest stone archway and took his lips in a deep kiss. Max responded immediately, opening his mouth to let Saint in to explore.
Their tongues dueled as Max’s hands cupped Saint’s ass, pulling their hard cocks together. This time the rubbing heightened Saint’s need as he moaned long and low. “Hey, Max. Take your boyfriend home before you two get arrested.” A laughing voice broke into the haze surrounding them. Saint had been moments away from reaching into Max’s waistband and taking hold of the hard cock he’d felt grinding against his. He didn’t know who’d yelled at them, but he wanted to kill him.
They broke apart, and the sight before Saint did nothing to cool his rampaging thoughts. Max’s irises were blown wide open and only a sliver of green remained. His lips were red and slightly swollen, but the smile of absolute joy on his face was breathtaking. “Let’s get back to the building,” Max said as he adjusted himself and led Saint back out onto the street. “I have so many things I want to do with you.”
Saint followed and was a bit stunned that he was actually feeling a happy anticipation for the first time in what felt like forever. The building was only a few blocks over, and along the way the two stopped to kiss and touch as often as possible. Finally, he allowed himself to be in the moment—no worries, no pain, only the two of them.
They rounded the corner to his building. Excitement rushed through his veins as his heart raced and his cheeks hurt from smiling so much. His life was turning around, starting anew, and he couldn’t wait to take it by both hands. As suddenly as it arrived, all traces of joy vanished as Saint was struck motionless at the sight before him. Anger and terror took over his body when he saw the black town car parked in front of his building. The clawing hands of dread strangled all vestiges of happiness out of him as one of the back doors opened and the man who had single-handedly destroyed his life stepped out onto the sidewalk.
His father. Dr. Thomas Jeffrey.
Saint is my personal favorite! Mysterious and HOT! lol