The Rose Man
Cheryl Dragon
General Release Date: 9th February 2021
Word Count: 35,798
Book Length: SHORT NOVEL
Pages: 148
Genres: CRIME AND MYSTERY, EROTIC ROMANCE, GAY, GLBTQI, THRILLERS AND SUSPENSE, VALENTINES
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Blurb:
The Rose Man knows where his targets live, work and play…
One dead body.
Two missing men.
Three red roses…
So far…
Deputy Ben Grover is the only gay man in the sheriff’s department and gay men seem to be the target of a stalker who leaves a rose on their windshield. With missing persons involved, the sheriff welcomes the help of the FBI, but Ben isn’t so thrilled to be working with Agent Ross Burns, his high school ex.
Ross had aspirations that took him far from the small town while Ben had obligations that kept him back. But they won’t let their scorching past or the feelings that blaze into passion now get in the way of catching a killer.
Both are convinced there are more rose recipients out there—The Rose Man seems to be counting down to Valentine’s Day and roses tend to come by the dozen…
Ross parked at the dive bar and exited. He shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his long shirt sleeves. It was a warm night and the A/C at the rundown club was unreliable at best. Then again, it might be being around Ben that was making Ross warm.
Of course, Ben was out before Ross could get the door. Old-fashioned manners never went out of style. He locked the car and they headed inside.
The bar had changed very little in his time away. A few new repairs, but otherwise it was like coming home. Ross felt ten years younger. The movie posters and odd street signs on the walls hadn’t changed. The upright piano in the corner still looked barely used.
Charlie sat behind the bar, as usual. He was too cheap to pay for a bouncer or a bartender. Guys who couldn’t pay their tabs could get it cleared or partly paid off by cleaning.
“You okay?” Ben asked.
“Just a lot of memories.” Ross headed for the bar. The same old bar stools were a lot harder than he remembered.
Charlie came over. “What’ll you have?”
“Beer is good. Whatever’s on tap,” Ross said.
Charlie cocked his head. Ben sat next to Ross, and that seemed to be the clue Charlie needed.
“Ross Burns?” Charlie laughed. “It’s been a while.”
“FBI is helping with the case,” Ben explained.
“Good crowd, considering,” Ross said quietly.
“We’re not advertising that. They didn’t put up any crime scene tape,” Charlie said softly.
“It was all cleaned out and removed,” Ben added.
Ross nodded. “Any other men you notice missing?” he asked Charlie.
“Not that I know of.” Charlie put out a dish of nuts. “How’s the big city?”
“Fine. Anyone mention finding a rose on their car?” Ross asked.
“Never saw that around here, but no, haven’t heard anything new.” Charlie shrugged.
The bar started to get busy. Charlie hit a button on his computer behind the bar. He was his own DJ. That was new. Ross chuckled as the music changed to a slow song.
Ross finished his beer and grabbed Ben’s hand.
“What?” Ben asked.
“Let’s dance. I’m annoying Charlie,” Ross said.
“Slow dance? Really?” Ben didn’t fight it despite the complaint.
Ross took the lead. “I still feel overdressed.”
Ben grinned. “You left your suitcoat and the tie in the car. Not bad.”
He’d also rolled up his sleeves to try and appear more casual, but Ben’s jeans and polo shirt were far more fitting. Heck, a ratty T-shirt would work.
“All the times we snuck out here in high school,” Ross said.
“It’s just memories. I’m sure you have more fun at the big city bars,” Ben countered.
Ross inhaled as he nuzzled Ben’s neck. The woodsy smell was enough to bring Ross to his knees right there, but he resisted making a move. Ben tensed for a split second then relaxed.
“The big city doesn’t have everything. It’s not even that big. It’s a lot more impersonal and all about hookups. That or the apps now. I miss small towns and the quirks,” Ross said.
“Like my dad?” Ben asked.
“Oh, like when he threw a knife at me? He missed.” Ross shrugged it off.
Ben leaned in a bit more. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. You were worth it. Still are. Maybe someday you’ll believe it.”
Ben sighed. “I’m fine. Why is making a different choice somehow about low self-esteem?”
“Sorry. Good. I’m glad you’re fine.” Ross nodded, not believing a word. Ben always put himself second. Serving the community as a deputy was a good job for him, but Ross always suspected Ben’s dad had done such a number on Ben that he didn’t think he deserved to find real love or be happy. He was supposed to suppress his wants and needs out of shame—his dad still seemed to believe it.
“We should go in the back and see if anyone recognizes the missing guys, at least,” Ben said.
“Okay, just one thing.” Ross slid a hand behind Ben’s neck and pulled him into a kiss.
Ben froze momentarily then sank into the moment, pulling Ross down to him even more. The heat made the entire world fall away as the present dropped away and Ross fell under Ben’s spell. If James Bond had kryptonite, for Ross it would be Ben.
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Cheryl Dragon
A lover of unusual things, Cheryl Dragon enjoys writing unique stories with sinfully hot erotic romance. She loves cats, coffee and book signings where she can meet her fans. Cheryl lives in the Chicagoland area.
For more about Cheryl, follow her on Facebook, Twitter or visit her website.
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