by M. Tasia
“Hey, I’m looking out for you, buddy,” Jack said. “Do you really want to hitch your horse to that wagon? After all, it’s basically a premade family, and you’ve always been a lone wolf kinda guy.”
James wasn’t sure why that statement pissed him off.
“You can keep your damn opinions to yourself.” But Jack wasn’t the type to listen or be deterred from his path.
“It’s not like I’m saying they’re not nice people. Hell, they’ve been friendly, helpful, and respectful of our ways. No doubt about it, that detective is a straight-up kind of guy. I like him. But, man, I’ve known you forever and you have never done long term. It’s like you’re skipping a couple steps, going from single without commitments to an uncle, brother-in-law, and partner.”
James understood his friend was only watching out for him, but the more Jack made his points, the angrier James became.
“When did you become a relationship coach?”
“Have you seen the folks around here? Didn’t tool them up regular…chaos,” Jack said by way of an answer. “But you do admit you’re in a relationship.”
“Seriously, dude. I’m holding a gun.”
Jack laughed. The bastard had a death wish.
“Come on, you can’t stand there and tell me this is more than a fling. Something to occupy you until Avante is taken out. Plus, the guy’s kinda old.”
James saw red. Everything inside him wanted to shove those words right back down Jack’s throat. Before he consciously thought about it, James closed the distance and got right up in Jack’s face.
Nose to nose, he growled, “Don’t talk about Ross without respect. He risks his life everyday trying to keep that damn city as safe as he can. He takes responsibility for his sister and his niece while hunting down the bastard who killed his brother-in-law. As for Jac and Becca, you won’t find a more dedicated mom and sweeter child anywhere. So for the last time, keep your opinions to yourself.”
James could hear his blood pulsing in his head as his body coiled to strike. He hadn’t been this angry in a long time. Then his asshole friend cracked a huge grin, and James knew he was being played.
“Sorry, man, but I like them and I wanted to make sure you were taking this seriously before you get in to deep,” Jack admitted. “They’re good people. Arguably better than either of us deserve.”
“Either of us?” James asked as he stepped back.
For the first time James could ever remember, Jack blushed.
“Yay, well Jac is um… nice.”
“Nice? Do me a favor and brush up on your elocution before you make your big move, Neanderthal.”
James wasn’t surprised by Jack’s admission. Everyone had to have noticed the two Jacks had been exchanging looks for the past three days. Maybe Jac and Becca might want to stay here after all was said and done.
Jack waved an oily rag in the air as he spoke. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s been a while since I had to be all flowery and shit.”
“For example, don’t say things like that.” James laughed, but he was still unsettled about his reaction to what Jack had said about Ross. “I’m going to take a hike and have a look around.”
“Take as long as you need, buddy,” Jack said as he began dismantling his rifle.
James checked his gun, grabbed a bottle of water and headed out. A couple hours alone would be good for his head. Things were getting complicated, and he was the last person who needed any more complications in his life.
The mountains were a welcome reprieve from the city. Oaks, maples, and beeches mixed with pines, firs, and spruces kept the forest floor cool and soft to tread. James enjoyed the backcountry, a peaceful place where he could lose himself. Peace didn’t find him, though. The longer he walked the more confused he became. The exact opposite of what he had been hoping to find. Why did shit always come at him the hard way?
He crested a small ridge and sat down on a table of rocks. Ross had him so messed up that James had almost knocked out Jack. The moment that thought entered his mind, he felt guilty. That wasn’t Ross’s fault.
There was something about the detective that drew James to him. He was having a hell of a time fighting it. From his overactive sense of responsibility to his quiet moments when playing with Becca, that family had come to mean something to him in a short period of time. As Jack had said, James had been a “lone wolf” for a long time. Putting down roots had been an anathema until now.
When James saw Ross walk into the house, moving like a stick figure, he’d had the best intentions when he’d offered to massage Ross’s sore muscles. Well, maybe the thought of having his hands all over Ross had crossed his mind, but it wasn’t until he had laid face down in the bed that James’s desire overcame his good sense..
He had felt desperate to hear Ross moan in pleasure instead of pain. What was wrong with him? James had never considered someone else’s pleasure without expecting the same in return. Walking away with a steel rod in his pants had been a first.
He wondered if he was he doing the right thing for Ross and his family. He wished he knew the answer. He didn’t want to be an asshole. Maybe he should stop this before it went any further. That thought turned his stomach. What would be so wrong with enjoying Ross and their time together? As long as all displays of affection were done out of Becca’s sightline, there was no reason not to indulge.
Maybe he was overthinking this whole thing. Ross hadn’t stopped him or voiced any objections when James had mentioned there would be more to come. They were grown-ass men. Yet James was concerned that he didn’t have control over his emotions. Look at how he’d reacted to Jack.
James had locked away his emotions so many years ago, and to say he was out of touch with them was laughable. Before he met Ross and his family, James was all about action and moving on. Now the damned feelings he hoped he’d buried deep seemed to have rushed to the surface at the worst possible time.
James was leaving LA when this was over. He had already made that decision and Ross knew about that. It wasn’t as if he were trying to keep things a secret, or attempting to take advantage of the situation.
He felt off-kilter, which was fucked up. He was always sure of himself, but now he felt like he was chasing his own tail. He was wading through uncharted waters and soon he would have to decide whether to swim or head back to shore. This was exactly why he had never gotten close to anyone. Too complicated and risky to get involved. Especially since he had more luggage than any terminal at LAX. Yet, by now, he would’ve run in the other direction if it were anyone other than Ross.
All reason vanished when he was with the handsome detective.
After another hour of going around in circles, James had given up on any hope of finding a solution, or peace of mind. He began the long trek back to the settlement as the sun began setting. The only thing he was positive about was the fact that Avante would eventually come for them if the psycho wasn’t found first by the police. Cockroaches always managed to turn up where you didn’t want them.
By the time he made it back, most of the houses were dark. James waved at two of the sentries keeping watch until the danger was over. When he climbed the stairs to the porch of Jack’s house, James noticed Ross sitting in one of the rocking chairs holding onto a mug of what smelled like coffee.
“There’s a fresh pot inside if you want some,” Ross offered.
“No, thanks. I’m good.” James took a seat in the rocking chair next to Ross.
The moon was full, blanketing everything in a blue-grey light, making the handsome man even more chiseled. James couldn’t win.
“So tell me what got you so worked up that you took a hike into the forest?”
This was why Ross was a detective. Nothing got by him. Keeping things from him was a real pain in the ass, and there was no use in lying. Ross would sniff that out in seconds.
“Trying to decide if I’m doing the right thing,” James admitted.
“I’m guessing this has something to do with
us.”
“Ah, yeah,” James grumbled.
“So, what exactly has you worried?”
“The fact that I might be taking advantage of this situation and you.” There, the truth. Now deal with it.
Ross set his mug down and looked James straight in the eye. “Do I come across as a man who’s easily manipulated?” James knew a rhetorical question when he heard one. “I’m a grown man who has spent the majority of his life on the streets of LA, tracking murderers. If I don’t want something to happen, you better believe it won’t happen.”
“Well, when you put it that way.” Interesting to learn he’d been looking at this all wrong.
“Damn straight. I’m no pushover. I have control over my actions. If I didn’t want you to touch me, believe me, you would’ve been out of there the moment you produced the muscle cream. I’m no blushing virgin, and I don’t have fantasies what’s going on between us is more than temporary. Now get your head on straight because we have bigger issues to deal with then you worrying you’re taking advantage of a forty-five-year-old LAPD detective.”
Yep, James felt like an idiot. He had been so worried about doing the wrong thing that he hadn’t stopped to realize he wasn’t the only one involved in this situation and that he had no control over Ross. James had always been, for lack of a better word, the lead in any pseudo- relationship or hook-up.
This situation was foreign to him. Of course he knew plenty of strong, no-nonsense men, but he had never taken one to bed. What did that say about him?
“Point taken,” James admitted.
“Good, now that we’ve relieved your worries,” Ross said as he stood, “I think it’s time for you to put your money where your mouth is.”
James was caught off-guard when Ross reached down, pulled him from his chair, and pushed him up against the wall of the house. Without saying a word, Ross claimed James’s mouth in a demanding kiss. He had never been with someone as dominant as he was, and the thought of having a lover who was equally rough-and-tumble made for endless possibilities, and was hot as fuck.
James responded in kind by tearing Ross’s button-down wide open, making buttons fly across the deck’s boards. He thrust his hands under what was left of the fabric and ran his palms over Ross’s muscled chest. James rolled Ross’s peaked nipples between his fingers, eliciting a low moan, which only spurred James on.
The moment Ross released James’s lips, he latched onto a taut nipple. A firm hand held him in place as he licked and sucked, pulling at the nipple with his teeth. Ross smelled damned good, and James couldn’t wait to get his face and mouth all over the detective’s body.
“Babe, we should take this inside,” Ross suggested. “Get out of these clothes.”
James was all for that and released his prize. In one quick movement, Ross grabbed his hand and led him through the front door, past the empty living room, and down the hall to their bedroom.
“Now this is much better,” Ross growled as he closed and locked the door. “Naked. Now.”
James had never been so turned on by being given orders, until now. Actually, he couldn’t think of a man who’d had the balls to try to boss him around. He kicked off his boots, shucked his jeans and boxers, and tore his shirt over his head. Ross watched and with each piece of clothing James removed, the more intensely Ross stared. It was a hell of a boost to James’s ego.
Typically, hook-ups were fast, to the point, and frequently over before either had a chance to get their pants off. But this was no hook-up. Not by a long shot.
As Ross’s gaze roamed his body, James saw no revulsion when Ross surveyed his scars, only desire. He had been shirtless in front of Ross before, but never naked.
“Your turn, Detective.”
Although James had already seen and touched all of Ross’s body, with each piece of clothing that hit the floor he gained a completely new appreciation for the male form.
Ross had broad shoulders and a muscled chest and abdomen. That defined V led to a gorgeous cock that James had his mouth only hours ago.
The moment the last piece of fabric fell, James took Ross into his arms and plundered his mouth and lips. His need for the man was riding him hard. Every touch and stroke only made James burn hotter.
“Which way do you want this to play out?” Ross asked as he cupped James’s ass cheeks. “Top or bottom?”
James had switched before but tended to be more of a top. Only, in this case, he wanted to feel Ross pressing him into the mattress.
“I’ll bottom this time. Then after that, we can take turns.”
Oh, yeah. Once would not be anywhere near enough when it came to the smoking hot detective.
“Deal.” Ross agreed before pushing James onto the bed. “Condoms and lube?”
“In my bag.”
Why did his voice sound so breathless?
Ross picked up James’s bag and handed it to him. Once he found the supplies, he threw them onto the bed and tossed his bag back to the floor. There were a lot of things surprising him about Ross lately.
The weight of Ross’s body settled over him, as the sensation of warm skin on skin caused him to moan. James needed more. He craved it all. When Ross wrapped his hand around both of their cocks, James had to fight back his orgasm. He was drowning in an all-encompassing kiss while his cock was being stroked between the silky skin of Ross’s hard cock and his rough calloused hand. The contrast served to heighten James’s desire.
He broke the kiss and gasped. “Damn, Detective, you have one hell of a touch.”
He had seldom been on the receiving end of this type of thorough attention. Most hook-ups didn’t bother with foreplay.
“You have no idea.” Ross chuckled before diving back in for another kiss.
The stubble on his chin burned James’s skin, making him crave more of this sexy man.
Over and over, James was brought to the brink of no return by Ross’s hands, tongue and lips, only to have his lover deny him what James’s aching balls needed so badly. His entire body throbbed as he tried to keep his moans low enough not to wake the house.
He reached for the lube and handed it to Ross. With that sexy smile of his, Ross took it and lubed up two fingers.
“How long has it been,” Ross asked while circling James’s hole.
“More than a few years.”
“Okay, I’ll take it slow,” Ross said before running the tip of his nose up the side of James’s neck and sucking his earlobe into Ross’s hot, wet mouth.
James’s body bowed up off the bed and Ross took that opportunity to slide the end of his finger into him. Ross’s talented mouth continued to suck and lick its way across James’s neck, coaxing his desire until Ross’s finger was buried deep inside of him.
Ross didn’t rush. Lazily, he pumped his finger in and out, stretching James while driving him crazy with his tongue on James’s nipple. With one small bend of his finger, Ross sent James to the moon. Waves of pleasure poured over him as Ross massaged James without mercy until he had three fingers inside him.
James heard the wrapper being torn and opened his eyes to watch Ross roll the condom down his impressive cock. From the moment this began, Ross never stopped touching him and James wondered if he was as desperate to keep their connection as James was.
“Ready, babe?” Ross asked.
James could feel the mushroomed head of Ross’s cock pressing against his hole.
“Hell, yes.”
Ross pushed forward, and inch by inch, slowly he buried himself inside of James. He felt his body stretching around Ross’s cock and relished the burn. He waited for his body to adjust to the invasion before he nodded to let Ross know he was ready. Moments later, he was being fucked into the mattress. With every stroke, Ross dragged a moan out of James. Each thrust took his breath away, and even though he was lying down he felt lightheaded.
Ross set a furious pace, bringing James closer and closer to coming with every thrust. Ross was a thorough lover. His hands and tongue roame
d James’s body as his cock pounded into him. The sensations collided into a burning need.
“I’m going to come,” James gasped out, between moans, and hissed when Ross took hold of his sensitive cock and began pumping in time with the brutal thrusts.
He couldn’t stop the freight train running through him as fire raced from his balls and up his cock. Each pulse of his orgasm felt like it was being pulled from his soul, leaving him wrung out and weak. Ross buried himself inside James and came while clenching his teeth as the veins in his neck stood out and his head went back.
James floated on a sea of endorphins barely aware of Ross cleaning them before he was pulled back into those strong arms.
Damn. I could get used to this.
***
Ross woke to James thrashing on the bed. The few words he could make out sounded as if they were being ripped from the man’s heart. He was repeating coordinates and asking for an airstrike. Names of men James must’ve served with echoed through the room as Ross reached for him.
“James… James, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” Ross tried to hold James’s flailing arms down so neither of them were hurt.
Ross knew that James had been through hell and back while serving overseas. Now, he was seeing some of the fallout. Seeing James in pain wrenched at Ross’s gut.
James suddenly stilled, and Ross had a moment to wonder if he was awake or if he had fallen back to sleep before James said, “You can let me go now.”
He released the hold he had on him and backed off a few inches to give him room to pull himself together. That wasn’t the first time Ross had woken up to one of James’s nightmares, but this had definitely been one of the more violent episodes.
“You okay?” Ross asked as he ran his hand down James’s chest.
“Yep.”
“Maybe it would help if you talked about it.”
He was sure James had heard those words before, but Ross still had to try.
James flew out of the bed so fast that Ross almost lost his balance and fell off the other side.