"Leo, I didn't mean you were. I just… I'm behind on this grading and… you're laughing at me!"
Leo laughed softly. "It's good to see you thinking about something else for a change."
"Gimme a sec, okay? I have to call someone."
"Okay. Take your time."
He took a deep breath and turned toward his front door with his cell phone pressed to his ear.
"You all right?" Leo called from where he now sat on the hood of his car.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Anderson waved just as Byung's voice came over the line.
"Hey, Bee," he spoke in Cantonese. The last thing he wanted was for Leo to eavesdrop on his conversation. "My house was broken into."
"Shit! Are you okay?"
"Oh I'm fine. One of the detectives insisted on me staying at his place tonight."
"So… you're spending the night as his place, huh?"
Anderson heard the insinuation in his friend's voice and laughed. Just the thought Leo Sung Kim was gay was laughable. The man had a body like a brick house and he looked like he was into football and a good raw fuck with a woman. Anderson couldn't help thinking it was Leo's loss. "It's nothing like that."
"That why you're speaking in Cantonese rather than English?" Byung teased.
Anderson simply laughed and the conversation carried on.
"But listen," Anderson said. "I'll be fine. He's got a big gun."
Byung laughed. "I bet he does."
"You know it's hard to talk to you when you get like this," Anderson joked.
"Uh-huh." Byung laughed harder.
"You're an ass, you know that? Leo isn't gay."
"Now you're on a first name basis with this guy? You two are moving faster than I thought."
Anderson rolled his eyes and took a glance at the detective. Leo was sexy, leaning against the cruiser, trench coat dancing about his ankles, arms folded across his muscular chest with his gun and badge glistening in the sunlight.
"There's no moving." Anderson tore his eyes away from the perfect statue before him. "I just wanted to call you and let you know where I was, so you don't worry."
"All right. Call if you need me. And you know you could have stayed here, right?"
"I know. But if someone is after me, I'd rather lead him away from your doorstep… Bee… you know I love you, right?"
"I know. Try to get some sleep tonight, Andy. You sound tired."
Chapter Five
Leo rarely had guests because he was so absolutely ashamed of where he lived. If he wanted, he could have bought a house but he didn't see the point. He was barely at home at all and didn't think it would make any sense. The only time he even thought about that shame was after he invited someone over. When he thought of where Anderson lived in comparison to his place, he felt like a moron bringing him there. He wasn't sure what he was thinking—he mulled over it silently and realized he wasn't thinking. His cock was doing that for him, even after Anderson all but told him he didn't swing that way.
For some strange reason, he couldn't get over it. He looked at Anderson and all he wanted to do was everything he swore he'd never do. He never wanted to fall for a straight man. But he turned off the ignition and gripped it tightly. He could do this—he could protect Anderson Williams and not touch him.
I can do this.
With that mantra playing over and over in his head, Leo helped Anderson carry his bags to the apartment then walked him down the hall to the extra room. He'd gotten a two bedroom apartment because sometimes Daniel spent the night when he and his wife got into it. The room had the bare minimum in decor. Aside from the bed and dresser, there was a single chair by the window and a tall standing lamp.
"I'm sorry it's not much. I'm a cop and I knew when I took the job it wasn't a get-rich-quick scheme. If you want a desk, you can use the dining room table."
"Leo, you worry too much. I'll be fine here."
"Sorry. I just—I know what you're used to."
Anderson walked by him into the room and once more his scent sent Leo's body into a heightened sense of arousal. "I'll leave you alone."
He hurried from the room before Anderson could reply and walked to his own bedroom. He closed the door behind him and pressed his back to it. Once he gathered himself enough, he left the room to gather his files and crime scene photos he knew he had strewn all over the dining room table. Once he had them in his safe, he checked the fridge. It barely held anything—a box containing cans of beer, a jug of milk, a couple of eggs, and an old sweet pepper. He picked it up and sniffed.
"How long has this been in here?" he muttered.
Footsteps coming down the hall caused him to chuck the pepper back in and close the door. He turned in time for Anderson to walk into the room with an armload of papers.
"The fridge doesn't really have anything. I wasn't expecting a guest."
"I take it you're not married." Anderson placed the paper on the table.
"No. No one has asked."
"Don't worry. We can eat out or order in."
"I should give you the grand tour."
"I'll find things. Just give me a couple of hours to go through some of these."
Leo smiled. "I have some work I need to get done anyway."
He left Anderson then, listening to the chair at the table scrape across the floor. It was strange having someone else in his house. He removed his files and stuff from the safe and spread them over his bed. With painstaking accuracy, he went over each picture, each of the notes both from his notebook and photocopies from Daniel's notebook. He made new notes in a larger book but at the end of it, he still wasn't any closer to anything.
His ringing cell phone only served to irritate him, but he grabbed it and pressed it to his ear. "What?"
"Hello to you too, handsome," Isha said.
"I'm sorry. I'm just stuck."
"Well, maybe this will help or push you further into the quicksand. The plant we found at the Williams crime scene is Amaranthus caudatus."
"Is that English?"
Isha chuckled. "No, Latin. The English name is love-lies-bleeding. It's a flower. Remember when I said my neighbor had a whole field of them after her husband left her? I was right. It's the same flower. You have to be careful in cultivating it because you plant it indoors in pots then transplant it outside after the last bit of winter."
"So you're telling me you can plant this Amaranthus caudatus anywhere."
"Yeah. That's why I said this information can help or make it worse."
"Did the result come back from the red powder?"
"Yeah. It's the same thing—love-lies-bleeding. Someone dried it and ground it into powder."
"So I guess it's safe to say the killer was also in Anderson's house."
"I'm afraid so."
"I was really hoping it was just a random break-in." Leo pushed some air out his mouth and rubbed his neck. He walked to the window and stared out at the night descending over New York. "I just don't get it. There were so many things in that house they could have taken."
"They didn't take anything?"
"Nothing. Jewelry, art, money—nothing was taken. Who breaks into a house like Anderson's and steals nothing?"
"I don't know, love. That is why you're the cops and I deal with the deadies. You should be talking to Daniel about that."
"This is just more confusing than before."
"All I can tell you is no one ever died from eating love-lies-bleeding."
"It's edible?"
"Parts of it. It's mostly used in Thai food."
"Listen, have you seen Daniel?"
"Not since the scene. He's normally hovering around my table. You two didn't have one of your epic arguments again, did you?"
Leo shook his head needlessly. "Nope, but he should have called me by now. Anyway, I have to go check on Anderson."
"Anderson? You at his place?"
"Other way around. I'll talk later."
Leo quickly hung up before Isha could pry into his sex life.
She was famous for that around the precinct. He ran through the info in his head again and couldn't understand what that strange plant had to do with the murder scenes.
Shaking it off, he changed into a pair of track pants and a NYPD T-shirt and made his way into the corridor. It was quiet, but the light in the kitchen was on. When he entered the kitchen, he found Anderson dressed in nothing but a towel.
Leo's heart hammered violently in his chest. The muscles in Anderson's back were strong and well sculpted. His body ran from a nice, wide shoulder into a slender waist. Though he was tempted to walk forward and pull the towel away, Leo refrained. He cleared his throat and Anderson jerked around.
"Sorry. I shouldn't be walking around half naked but I got an idea and had to scribble it down before I forgot it."
Leo desperately tried not staring but how could he not?
"Leo?"
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
"I think you should get dressed."
Anderson tilted his head and rested a hand on his hip. He didn't move, which made Leo want to scream. "Please."
"Leo, come on. You're a cop. I'm pretty sure they taught you how to explain things. What's going on?"
"Please tell me you're not that dense!"
"Dense? I don't know what you're talking about."
Leo didn't even realize he was moving. All he knew was he had Anderson by the back of the neck, body trapped between his own and the table, and fused his lips to Anderson's. He pried the man's lush lips open and shoved his tongue into Anderson's heat. He moaned. Between the haze of his mind and the heat of the kiss, there was a small break. He jerked back from Anderson and slammed his fist into the counter. But the pain wasn't anything compared to the shame he felt for what he'd just done.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" Anderson questioned. His voice sounded husky—almost aroused—but Leo figured that was all in his head.
"I shouldn't have done that, especially since you're not gay. It won't happen again."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Leo." Anderson walked from the room.
Though Leo wanted to follow, he didn't. He remained where he was, fingers gripping the counter tightly, head down, and eyes pressed shut. But though he tried, he just couldn't get Anderson's taste from his mind. Each time he licked his lips, he tasted the professor and every time he moved, the hardness of his body came back to Leo.
"Shit."
Anderson entered the room again. "Sorry. I forgot something."
Leo looked at the table to see a marker lying there.
"At least tell me," Leo said instead.
Instead of speaking, Anderson turned and moved in close, so close Leo could feel the professor's breath against his face. He licked his lips, trying to step away but the counter trapped him.
"You want to know if I'm gay," Anderson spoke, reaching forward and cupping Leo's arousal.
"Damn, Anderson, don't…"
"Don't what?" Anderson squeezed.
Leo sucked air in through his gritted teeth and reached for the back of Anderson's neck. He held on tight, grinding his hips forward. Anderson took his breath away when their lips met again—this time on purpose. He allowed Anderson to take his mouth and drink from it. Moaning, he fell back slightly, resting his free hand to Anderson's hip while his own drove forward repeatedly.
"What do you think, Leo?"
"I think I'm in a lot of trouble."
Chapter Six
Anderson ground against Leo, feeling the cop hard and trembling against him. Moaning, he moved his mouth from Leo's lips to his chiseled cheekbones, down his long neck, to kiss across his clothed shoulder. When Leo's arms tightened around him, Anderson smiled and slipped even closer to him. He crushed his dick into Leo's until they whispered each other's names.
"We should stop," Leo panted. "We can't do this."
But neither could stop. Anderson felt if he was to back away, he would die. Their lips found each other's again and he felt so completely heated, all he wanted to do was get the fire out. Leo's arms caressed his back and clutched at his hips before snaking around him again. Anderson relished in the feeling of being held in such strong arms and sighed. He fought with getting Leo's shirt over his head. He tossed it behind him and instantly reached for Leo's buckle. Once he had the pants down, he didn't bother having Leo step out. He merely sank to his knees and pulled Leo into his mouth.
"Oh damn!" Leo cried, pushing on the back of Anderson's head. "Your tongue feels so good…"
Anderson swirled his tongue around the head before grazing it lightly with his teeth. He was rewarded with a hot, spurt of pre-cum. Moaning, Anderson swallowed. He fondled Leo's balls, before moving his mouth down to them. After lashing them with his tongue, he just had to taste Leo melting on his tongue again.
"You're so good at this!" Leo gasped. "We have to go to the bedroom,"
Anderson had no intention of letting him go but Leo pulled him up and Anderson hitched up Leo's pants. Leo took his hand and led him down the corridor to the bedroom. There, Leo shoved him onto the bed and began digging through a bedside table drawer.
Anderson took the time to strip down naked then lie back on the bed, touching himself. He trailed a finger over the head of his dick and looked at it. It was covered with cum. When Leo came to him, he smiled.
"Open your mouth."
Leo didn't question him but did as he asked. Anderson stuck his finger in and shivered. Holding his head with one hand, Anderson whispered something even his own mind couldn't decipher.
Leo's finger found his ass and fondled it before it sank in. Anderson gasped then smiled in pure bliss. He was being sucked from one end and impaled from the other.
"Roll over," Leo demanded. "Get on your knees."
Anderson couldn't think. All he could do was what Leo told him. He arched his back, reached beneath his body and stroked his cock. He squeezed it tight and jerked himself until a damn finger rubbed against his ready hole. He moaned.
He wasn't entirely sure when Leo got undressed, but the next thing he knew, Leo's dick was sinking into him slowly, deeply.
"Leo—harder!"
"Patience. You're so—damn tight."
"Give it to me! Fuck me!"
"Aren't we a little slut?"
Anderson laughed and slammed his hips back pushing Leo roughly into him. He whimpered, and his muscles went limp.
It was blissful—completely perfect. His eyes widened, along with his mouth. Leo ground his hips forward, sinking further.
"Oh yes…"
Bending forward, he bit into a pillow and allowing this man he barely knew to take him roughly. Each time Leo dipped in deep, Anderson felt as if everything was perfect with the world, for pure pleasure surged through him.
The sounds Leo made above him, their bodies colliding and Leo sliding between his cheeks, sent a wave rushing through Anderson. Licking his lips, he pulled away from his lover and rolled over to his back. He knew he would climax soon and when he did, he wanted to see Leo. He wanted their eyes to meet. That thought scared him a little more than he cared to admit. He'd never dreamt of being wild in bed with anyone. Before, his orgasms were private but with Leo—he wanted to shout his joy so loud the world heard.
Leo must have read his mind, for the moment he was on his back, Leo shoved in deep again, bracing Anderson's legs against his hips. Reaching down, Leo pinched his nipples and that was it for Anderson.
Arching upward, he forced himself to keep his eyes open and while Leo twisted his nipples and, their gazes locked, he had the most powerful orgasm ever. A wild cry ripped from his lips just as spurts of hot cum sprayed through the air, landing on his chest and abs.
"Anderson…"
His name—like a prayer—tumbled from Leo's mouth just before the cop leaned forward and took his lips. Anderson knew why, for Leo's dick jerked then stiffened inside him just before the condom stretched with hard force.
Together they slumped to the bed and he listene
d to Leo's heavy breathing.
"Damn, Anderson. Just—damn."
Anderson laughed. "You were no prude yourself. That was amazing."
"Stop… please… don't stop."
Anderson chuckled and turned his head to look into Leo's eyes. He touched Leo's cheek gently then took a breath and pressed his hand to the bed. "I don't even know where that condom came from."
Leo smirked. "I'm smooth like that."
Anderson laughed. Then silence filled the room. Neither man looked away.
"We're going to catch him you know," Leo whispered. "Don't worry about it. It may not be tomorrow or the day after, but we'll catch him."
"I know."
"We found a flower in your father's house. The lab said it was love-lies-bleeding."
"How did that get there?"
Leo shrugged and caressed his fingers over Anderson's shoulder. "I don't know. But we are pretty sure of one thing right now."
"What's that?"
"The person who killed your father was the person who broke into your house."
"How do you know that?"
"The red powder we found at your place is the same flower."
"Okay." Anderson sat on and crossed his legs meditation style. "This guy kills my father by cutting off his head…"
"Your dad was strangled."
Anderson suddenly couldn't breathe. He pushed from the bed, bolted out the door, and tore down the hall to the bathroom. He didn't have time to close the door. Everything he'd eaten that day came right back. He barely managed to catch the sink. His body heaved powerfully as the stench of vomit filled the air around him.
"Anderson?"
He couldn't answer. He merely slipped to the ground with his throat burning.
Leo entered and knelt beside him. "I'm sorry. I should have said that with more… I don't know. I'm sorry."
"Can I have some water?"
"Sure."
Hearing Leo's footsteps disappear down the hall, Anderson gripped the sink and pulled himself to stand. He turned on the water, washed out the sink then rinsed his mouth. Closing the toilet, he sat on the seat and buried his face in his hands.
"Here you go."
Thanking Leo, Anderson took slow sips of the water, soothing his throat.
Love Lies Bleeding Page 5