Brad was stunned at the vile person standing before him. Before she could say another word, he walked out of his office, leaving her there. Hurrying down the hall, he rapped on Marcus’s office door and put his head in.
“I’m sorry, Marcus. But I have a family emergency and need to take some time off,” he said calmly.
Marcus frowned. “Of course. Take all the time you need. Keep me informed though.”
“I will,” Brad promised, not sure if he’d just lied or not.
Shutting the door, Brad saw his mother coming toward him. Turning, he ran through the emergency exit door and sprinted around the clinic building to his car. Seconds later he was racing down the highway.
* * * *
Rock was stoked. He couldn’t wait to reach the clinic and corner a certain blond veterinarian in his office and love on him. Finding someone always had him hyped up. He also couldn’t wait to share the news the Commander had told him on the plane ride back to Granite County.
It seemed a house adjacent to the many acres Rescue for Hire owned had come up for sale. Apparently for years Cade had bought up any land that went on the market near his house or on the road to his log home. The rest of the team either fixed up the existing house or built a new one on the land, making it their home.
The Commander explained Cade’s offer to purchase this new house had just been accepted and they thought Rock might be interested in taking a look at it with a certain veterinarian they all knew. Rock might have blushed a tiny bit but readily agreed. Making a home with Brad was what Rock wanted.
Pulling into the clinic, Rock parked the truck and walked inside. Smiling at the receptionist, he asked, “Is Dr. Hayward with a patient, or can I go back to his office and talk to him for a moment?”
The receptionist frowned, “I’m sorry, but Dr. Hayward left early this morning.”
Now it was Rock’s turn to frown. “Do you know where he went?”
“Just a moment.” The receptionist lifted the phone receiver to her ear and pressed a button. After speaking quietly into it, she put it back into the cradle. “Dr. Marcus said you should go on back to his office.”
“Thank you,” Rock replied. Confused, he headed down the hallway. Marcus Bishop stood at his office door and gestured for Rock to go inside. Rock had talked to Marcus a few times before when he had visited Brad at the clinic.
“Peggy said you were looking for Brad.”
“I have to say I’m a bit confused. I thought he would be here, but now I find he isn’t,” Rock said.
“His mother was here this morning. After they talked, Brad came to my office and asked for some time off for a family emergency,” Marcus informed him. “I have to say that, even though he tried to look calm, Brad was clearly very upset.”
Rock stood there thinking about all the implications and coming up with nothing but horrible conclusions.
“Thank you, I’m sure he’s waiting for me at home,” Rock said, wishing that were true. After shaking Marcus’s hand, he left the office and headed to Cade’s house.
Rock frantically searched every room in the house. Not finding any sign of Brad, he called his lover’s name every few seconds, hoping he would answer. In the kitchen he saw a note from Bret saying that he and Cade had gone into town shopping. Taking his phone out, he called Pip.
“Is Brad at your house?” he asked when Pip answered.
“No, I haven’t seen him since my mother arrived a couple of days ago. I thought he was smartly making himself scarce after I left a message on his phone warning him she was here. In fact, she was grumbling late this morning that she was going to have to search for him again and put her foot down once and for all.”
“Brad dropped his phone the other day and had to get a new one. I wonder if he missed your message. Wait a minute, repeat what you just said again,” Rock demanded.
“I said she was going to search for him again late…oh shit. She must have found him when I took the girls to their doctor’s checkup earlier.” In the background, Rock heard Pip yell Jack’s name. “I’m so sorry, Rock. I thought I’d kept a close enough eye on her. The talk I had with her about letting Brad live his own life must not have gotten through. She’s in her room right now resting. I think it’s time to ask her to leave.”
“We’ve got to find him, Pip.” Rock swirled one long dreadlock around his hand in agitation. “I’m going to search the outbuildings here. Maybe he’s out there.”
“Jack is standing here with me and heard our conversation. He is calling Treb right now. They’ll start searching around in town,” Pip said. “What about the clinic?”
“I stopped over there first when we hit town. Marcus said he asked for some time off for a family emergency,” Rock answered.
“You don’t think he’s somewhere drunk out of his mind, do you?” The worry in Pip’s voice echoed the sick feeling in Rock’s heart.
“No, he’s been talking to a counselor, and I’d thought things were getting easier for him.” Rock made a decision. “Pip, I’m coming over to talk to your mother. I will be respectful because she is your and Brad’s family, but it’s time to quit pussyfooting around. I will not lose Brad because of your mother’s selfishness.”
A half-hour later, a determined Rock knocked on the door of the bedroom Brad’s mother was staying in.
“Come in,” a voice called.
Rock opened the door and walked into a spacious bedroom decorated in grays and mauves. There was a small sitting area in front of the bed and an older slim woman sat on a padded rocking chair holding a book.
“May I help you?” she asked.
Rock watched as her eyes started at the top of his head and traveled down, taking in his long, flowing dreadlocks and zeroing in on his piercings. He had taken off his black jacket from the rescue and now only wore the black Kevlar vest, exposing his tattoos. Blue eyes ran over both of his arms, the look on her face showing Rock she wasn’t impressed with him.
“I’m looking for Brad. Do you know where he is?” Rock asked.
“No I don’t. Why would someone like you be looking for my son?” Janice asked.
Rock looked the woman right in the eye. “Mrs. Hayward, do you know that your son is gay?”
Janice didn’t blink or react at all. “He may have experimented in college, but he is not gay,” she stated.
“From what I understand, you did your best to run your children’s lives, making every decision for them. In the last few years, each of them broke your smothering hold and created a life of their own, except Brad.” Rock smiled at the woman. “Now it’s Brad’s turn. Butt out of his life and leave him alone.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Brad’s lover and his partner,” Rock answered.
“Brad would never go near anyone like you.” Janice bit out, looking at Rock, scorn covering her face. “How many times have you been in jail?”
“I’ve never been to jail, Mrs. Hayward,” Rock replied.
“I’m warning you. Get out of my son’s life. I’m very good at finding weaknesses in people and using them to get my way,” she threatened.
“I graduated from college, have a good job, and I’m sure it would surprise you at how much money I have in the bank.” Rock had never gotten around to telling Brad about his rich great-grandma. Somehow Rock didn’t think Brad would care about his money. “You can’t touch me.”
“You are nothing. All I have to do is make a phone call, and you’re gone.” The venom in the woman’s voice put Rock on alert. “Brad will be back as soon as he comes to his senses. He knows if he doesn’t he’ll be staying at a nice hospital I’ve found for him to get all those weird thoughts out of his mind and see things my way.”
Before Rock could respond, Jack and Brian pushed the partly ajar door all the way open and came into the room.
“Mother, you’ve gone too far,” Brian said. “I’ve called Tyler, and he and Dad are on their way. Stephanie is coming, too.”
“What are you taki
ng about?” Janice asked. “I never want to see any of them again.”
“Stop it, Mother,” tiny Brian ordered. “Just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.”
“Then I’m leaving,” Janice said, standing up.
“No you’re not,” Jack responded, walking up and standing in front of the woman. “You will stay right here until your husband and children get here. Your reign of terror is over.”
For the first time Janice looked a little scared and sat back down in the chair. Rock could see that the smallest Hayward son had managed to arrange a meeting to put their mother in her place. Rock could only hope it worked because he had a man to find, and he vowed never to allow that woman to hurt him again.
Rock left the bedroom, intent on finding Brad.
“Rock,” Jack called from the doorway.
Rock stopped and turned around. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry, but we couldn’t find Brad in town,” Jack confessed.
“That’s okay. I have an idea where he might be.”
“I’m glad. I hope you find him.”
“Me, too,” Rock replied.
Chapter Eleven
Rock and Lily drove Synn’s truck over the ice and snow-covered road to the cabin. After Rock explained where he thought Brad was, Damian was only too happy to fly him back to Alaska. Unfortunately they had to wait two days because of bad weather conditions.
At the airport, in its usual spot when he was gone, was Synn’s truck. Rock had a key and made short work of unlocking it and heading toward his cabin. If for some reason Synn made it back before Rock returned the truck, he would find a ride with a neighbor. That was the way it was in Alaska, even if the neighbor lived forty miles away.
Pulling the truck in front of the cabin, Rock saw smoke coming out of the chimney and a light glowing in the window. Walking up to the door, Rock pushed his dick into a more comfortable position. Anticipation at the upcoming confrontation was playing havoc with his body.
Opening the door, Rock walked into the cozy, warm cabin to find his beautiful big man lying on the bed in the corner, clad only in his underwear. Rock smiled at the gift he’d been given.
“Hello, Brad,” he said, taking off his shoes and leaving them next to the door.
“Rock?” Brad sat up, looking startled. “How did you know I was here?”
Rock slipped his coat off and dropped it on the floor. Slowly stalking across the cabin, he unbuttoned his bright green vest, leaving it behind, and opened his green and white pants. By the time he was next to the bed, Rock was naked.
Crawling on the bed, Rock didn’t stop until he was looming over Brad.
“Rock, are you angry?” Brad asked.
Rock could see Brad was unsure of his mood. Good.
“Nope,” Rock answered and swooped down for a kiss.
The kiss went from light to deep in seconds. Soon it became wet and noisy. Stroking the inside of Brad’s mouth with his tongue, Rock rubbed his throbbing dick against Brad’s abdomen.
Reaching under the pillow he pulled out the ever-present bottle of lube he kept there. Flipping open the cap with a practiced thumb, he one-handedly squeezed some slick on his fingers. The other hand was busy pulling off Brad’s underwear.
His patience gone with the wind, Rock lifted Brad’s leg up until it rested against his hip, and then he shoved one finger into Brad’s hole.
“Rock.” Brad’s back arched, and his breathing became erratic.
“You okay, honey?” Rock asked.
“Rock, don’t be mad,” Brad pleaded, putting his hands on each side of Rock’s face. “I had to leave. She threatened to put me in a mental hospital. She told me she had planned to take my children away from me all along.”
“I know,” Rock said, pressing another finger into Brad’s hole.
“How?” Brad asked.
“Damian couldn’t get me here because of the weather. During that time your dad, sister, and brothers confronted your mother. It was intense and, for a while, pretty ugly.” Rock added a third finger and didn’t stop moving his fingers, fucking Brad’s silky hole slow and easy. “By the time the meeting ended, your mother confessed most of the stuff she pulled over the years. When she tried to gloss things over, one of your siblings stepped in and told the true story.”
Brad’s hips were moving up to meeting Rock’s fingers. “What did my dad do?”
Rock stopped moving. Looking into Brad’s beautiful light blue eyes, he said, “I’m sorry, honey. Your dad filed divorce papers. He’s going to live at the Crazy Angle with Tyler. Your mother can keep the house and have a small allowance for living expenses. Otherwise, all that money of your father’s she’s had access to for all these years is gone. She’s cut off from having the funds to causing any more mischief. Apparently your dad has been arranging all his ducks in a row for a while now, and once the divorce goes through, everything will be sealed up pretty tight.”
Brad smiled, his dimples making a grand appearance, causing Rock’s dick to lengthen. “Good. I know a child isn’t supposed to be happy when their parents divorce, but I’m glad.”
Picking up the tube of slick again, Rock squeezed some onto his dick and rubbed it around, groaning with pleasure at the friction. “Brad, have you been tested?”
“You mean for STDs? Yes, after the accident. Why?”
“I’m clean, too. The papers are at Cade’s. Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Of course,” Brad responded instantly.
“Good, because I’m about to shove my dick inside you with no condom,” Rock warned.
“Okay,” Brad said. His smile widened, and Rock’s dick lengthened even more, and a spurt of pre-cum shot out.
In one motion, Rock lined his dick up and pressed into Brad’s tight hole, not stopping until he bottomed out.
Brad gasped. “That’s so good,”
“Brad,” Rock said urgently, his hips thrusting forward and setting up a fast-paced rhythm.
“What?” Brad asked.
The lovely man started squeezing his ass muscles, driving Rock insane.
“I love you,” Rock said.
Brad stopped moving and looked up at Rock. Light-blue eyes sparkled, and that smile appeared. “I love you, too.”
Their lips met, and Rock managed to thrust into his very own paradise two more times before his cum jetted into Brad’s hole.
“It’s so warm,” Brad exclaimed, and cum shot between their bodies, causing them to slip and slide against each other.
When Rock had nothing left in his balls to give, he relaxed down on top of Brad, more than ready to stay like that forever.
“Now what happens?” Brad asked quietly.
“We go back to Cade’s. He just bought a house that he thinks we might be interested in. We’ll make love in every room, and then the first chance we get, we’re going to visit a special tattoo parlor in town,” Rock informed Brad.
“Tattoo parlor? You want another tattoo?” Brad asked.
“Well,” Rock said, “there’s this tradition when you commit to your partner when you’re a member of Rescue for Hire…”
* * * *
One week later
Brad was astonished by what he was seeing and feeling. Rock was sitting next to him, the skin on his finger bright red from the tattoo of a Celtic knot with a band connecting each side, surrounding his left ring finger.
Looking down, Brad tried not to jump when a bald, pierced-in-every-conceivable-place, tattooed-everywhere-else big dude pressed the ink machine to his own ring finger and began drawing a matching Celtic knot.
“I will love you forever,” Rock whispered in Brad’s ear and kissed him.
Brad looked at the man who had pulled him out of the depths of despair and put him back together again. “I will love you always and forever,” he said and smiled. Rock’s eyes seemed to glow with happiness, and he touched a finger to one of Brad’s dimples.
Epilogue
The panting, sweating
woman bore down, groaning as her swollen belly shook under the pressure. Alex sat on a high stool and watched the crown of his son’s head appear.
Beside him, his beloved Leo held his hand, looking happy, excited, and uncomfortable at the messiness of a real birth. It was very unlike the video Alex had watched with Leo on his iPad.
“Leo?” Alex said, doing his best to not chicken out of his confession.
“Yes?” Leo answered, not taking his eyes off their son’s head, slowly emerging.
“When I died, my dad was holding our son and showed him to me. That’s when I knew I had to come back so, together, we could watch him grow up,” Alex confessed.
Startled deep brown eyes looked at Alex. “And you thought to wait and tell me this now?”
“I wasn’t sure how to tell you.” Alex’s sight became hazy, his eyes getting damp at the thought of failing his Sir.
Leo shoved his fingers into Alex’s hair and pulled him in for a short, tender kiss. “Thank you for coming back, my love,” he said.
Nestled happily in Leo’s loving embrace, Alex watched their son come into the world.
A little while later, he stared at the little face, topped with jet-black curly hair, looking so intently at him from Leo’s arms.
“Is this who you truly saw, Alex?” Leo asked, curiosity covering his face.
“Yes,” Alex answered and smiled at Leo. “Dad also introduced me to our brown-haired daughter, who will be joining us in about two years.”
THE END
WWW.AUTHORBELLANN.BLOGSPOT.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bellann Summer lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband and children, surrounded by lakes and woods. In the summer Bellann enjoys fishing, camping, gardening and growing flowers. Autumn is spent out in the woods exploring the beautiful colors and nature at its finest. In the winter there is ice fishing, snowmobiling and sitting in front of the wood fireplace. She has always loved to read and any free time is spent with a book in her hand. When major life changes occurred, she decided to try writing what she liked to read. And it worked.
Brad's Rock [Rescue for Hire 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 10