Snow Balls

by Tara Lain

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Bring Ryan to my New Year’s party, okay?”

  Ryan shook his head. “Cruel and unusual punishment.” It was good to hear him laugh.

  Chapter Ten

  RYAN HELD JJ’s hand as they walked up to the pretty hillside house. Christmas lights decorated the edge of the deck, and two lighted reindeer made of twigs grazed on the sloping front yard. He’d said he wanted to do this, but shit, it felt awful. Scary.

  JJ squeezed his hand. “You okay?”

  “Hey, you’re the brave one. You came out a long time ago. I’m a little sick.”

  “I don’t think you have to tell anybody. They probably all know after our scene at the station.”

  “Maybe, but Cap has known for a long time and never told anybody. She might have ordered Genovese to keep quiet about it.”

  JJ stopped and pulled Ryan to a halt too. JJ was strong in more ways than one. “You don’t have to do this.”

  Ryan took a breath. “Yes, I do. I want to be with you. Plus I hate the hiding. Maybe I have a chance to be happy for once.” He stepped up and pushed the doorbell.

  AG opened the door. Hell, it sounded like a lot of folks in there. “Hey, Ryan. Welcome. Being closest to the door, I am the official greeter. Come on in. Hi, JJ.” The guy grinned, and it was tough not to wonder what he was thinking.

  AG pointed to a side room that looked like an office. “You can leave your jackets in there, then come say hi and get a drink and some food.”

  In the relative quiet of the office, Ryan took off his windbreaker and scarf and looked at JJ. “You know what? You’re gorgeous.” It was so true. JJ had worn that yellow jacket with really slim dark jeans and a white shirt. His light brown hair curled around his ears with a pink streak in the front. Hand-some! “How did I get so lucky?” It only took one breath to know it was true. Ryan had spent his life living up to other people’s expectations. Time to live up to his own. He stuck out his hand, and JJ took it with a smile.

  They walked into the living room. Not big and very crowded. AG came over holding a cute guy’s hand. His grin had to be described as ear-to-ear. Son of a bitch.

  “Ryan, JJ, this is my partner, John.”

  They all shook hands. AG pointed toward the archway that led into what looked like a dining room. “All the goodies are in there.”

  JJ smiled at Ryan. “Why don’t I go get us some drinks and stuff while you chat?”

  Ryan felt his breath catch. “Uh, okay.”

  John nodded. “I’ll go too and help you carry the food.”

  The two men walked off, and Ryan glanced at AG. So this was the guy the captain wanted him to mentor. “How long have, uh, you and John been, you know, together?”

  “Seven years.”

  “Jesus, kid, were you twelve?”

  AG laughed. “No, not quite. I was fifteen and John was sixteen. We met in high school.”

  “And you stayed together all this time. How did you even know for sure you were gay at that age?”

  “I took one look at that cute ass in gym class, and my orientation pretty much slapped me in the face.”

  Ryan grinned and looked down pointedly. “That big, huh?”

  AG blushed but laughed. “My parents already knew I was gay. They were just waiting for me to tell them. They were cool with it, and the rest is history. We just stayed together. One of these days, we’ll seal the deal and get married.”

  “So do all the guys know?”

  AG laughed and pointed at the crowded room. “They do now. But most of them did anyway. Quite a few of the guys have been over to our house with their wives and girlfriends.”

  “No shit?”

  “This is Laguna. Look around the room and you’ll see some of the men are uncomfortable with it. Most are pretty cool.” He shrugged. “Either way, it’s no skin off my ass. John is my life. Nobody else has to like it.”

  Ryan looked up and saw the captain staring at him from across the room with a little smile on her face. Ryan chuckled. “The captain said she wanted me to mentor you. I’m pretty sure she really meant it the other way around.”

  AG laughed. “She’s tricky.”

  JJ and John pushed through the crowd, their hands laden with glasses and plates. They handed drinks around, and they all toasted. One of the other officers, Don Hardesty, came over with his wife. “So is this an LGBT gathering, or can we join in?”

  JJ put a hand on his hip and lisped, “It depends on your level of style, darling, but you two pass.” Ryan felt like his heart skipped.

  For a second, Don looked surprised, but then he laughed and his wife did a twirl, showing off her pretty dress. He slapped JJ on the shoulder. “Hey, good job saving our man, here. Of course, we’ll never let him live it down.”

  Ryan stiffened.

  “I mean, a cop being saved by a civilian, even one as big as you? That’s cause for a lot of ribbing. But seriously, man, good job.”

  Ryan relaxed. He sipped his beer and started to have fun. They stayed a couple of hours, and he talked to about half the guys who were there. A few avoided him, but like AG said, no skin off his ass. Best of all, he loved watching JJ. Yeah, the guy was all the things he said about himself. That pink streak in his hair announced this was no macho man from a mile away, and a few minutes in his company confirmed it. He fluttered his hands, fluttered his lashes, fluttered the scarf around his neck. How had Ryan ever thought the guy was straight? More important, how could he have ever believed this guy wasn’t for him? People liked JJ. You could see it in their faces. Ryan liked JJ. A lot.

  Ryan looked at his watch. He squeezed JJ’s hand and got the big eyes. He leaned over and whispered, “Want to go? It’s about a half hour until midnight. I’d sure love to be fucking you when the New Year arrives.”

  “Oooh. I like the way you think. I want to say goodbye to John. He’s interested in some of my decorating classes.” He bounded off, to the extent a two-hundred-pound guy could bound. Ryan went to the office to get their jackets. When he turned from the couch, the captain stood in the doorway. She smiled. “I’m proud of you.”

  “For finally coming out?”

  “For that, and for choosing such a great guy.”

  Ryan nodded. “He is great, isn’t he? Talented, smart, and feisty as hell.”

  She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. She stood nearly as tall as he did. “A great way to start a New Year.”

  “Yeah.”

  “See you day after tomorrow.”

  “You sure you don’t need me on duty tomorrow? It’s a weird day for law enforcement.”

  “I always need you, Ryan. You’re a great cop. But JJ saved your life in a lot of ways. Enjoy it.”

  “Thanks, Cap.”

  When he went back out, JJ was kissing and being kissed by every wife in the room. Ryan glanced at his watch. Would they be able to make it home before twelve?

  JJ looked up, and their eyes met. Hell, Ryan didn’t care where they spent the New Year as long as he could spend it with JJ.

  “SORRY I made us so late.” JJ buckled up as Ryan put the car into reverse and backed out of the parking space. They sped down the narrow, winding Laguna road toward JJ’s place, which was closer than Ryan’s.

  JJ glanced at his watch. He looked up. “We’re not going to make it.” He pointed toward a street on their right that had a no-outlet sign. “Go down there.”

  “Why?”

  “Just do it, baby.”

  Ryan glanced at him and made the turn. Just as JJ remembered, the road ended in an overlook staring straight at downtown Laguna with its twinkling holiday lights and the vast, dark ocean beyond. The house closest to the edge beside the car looked dark and deserted. JJ had spied the place on a hike and thought the view was gorgeous. He grinned. “I’ll meet you in the back seat.”

  Ryan’s eyes got wide. “Really?”

  “Hey, we started in a car. Can you think of a better way to celebrate our next step?”

&n
bsp; That seemed to get Ryan’s attention, and he leaped out his door and was taking off his belt in the back seat before JJ could get the lube and condoms from the glove compartment and crawl in back. “Unbuckling for safety, are we?”

  JJ unfastened his jeans and pulled them down along with his briefs. As usual, Ryan went commando. As JJ uncapped the lube, Ryan cupped the back of his neck with his hand. “I want to kiss you.”

  JJ grinned. “My pleasure.”

  Their lips met gently, explored, then Ryan pulled back. “Thank you. Thank you for saving me from loneliness and a life that didn’t make sense.”

  JJ’s heart didn’t fit in his chest anymore. “Also my pleasure.”

  “I promise to save you too. From trying to please people who don’t matter, from underestimating your own greatness, and most of all….” He grinned. “From spiders.”

  JJ sighed. They kissed and prepared JJ all at once. Ryan pressed his fingers into JJ’s body, and then JJ threw a leg over Ryan’s lap and lowered himself on the man who fit him best in his whole life. Fireworks exploded in the distance, and the sound of cheers and noisemakers drifted up the hill.

  JJ rode up and down, reveling in the joy on Ryan’s face. “Happy New Year, sweetheart.”

  “You’re my New Year. The best ever.”

  As JJ pushed himself deeper and felt the explosion nearing in his balls, he whispered, “What will happen if somebody sees us?”

  Ryan gasped as his cock hit JJ’s prostate. He laughed. “They might call a cop.”

  Exclusive Excerpt

  Bleu Balls

  A Balls to the Wall Romance

  By Tara Lain

  Double trouble. The McMillan twins, Robin and Bobby, are renowned for their talents—both as fine artists and for thrilling the various men who catch their eyes. As different in style and personality as their DNA is identical, they’re nonetheless best friends who divide and conquer, with Robin doing the serious painting and Bobby adding the sunny salesmanship.

  But when their most important client decides Bobby must wield the paintbrush, the brothers revert to childhood tactics and switch places. Then along comes Micah, a handsome doctor who’s attracted to Bobby, but invites Robin out to try to please his homophobic brother, and Paolo, the pain-in-the-butt client who thinks he’s wooing Bobby when he’s actually after Robin. Paolo harbors his own hidden pain that weirdly intersects with Robin’s, but pride and privacy conspire to produce what will either be a masterpiece—or end up as Dogs Playing Poker.

  Coming Soon to

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Chapter One

  “SWEET JESUS, you two are amazing!”

  Robin McMillan stared up at the older guy his brother had lured from the bar of their favorite club into the back room for a three-way. Lured might be overstating. The man practically polished the floor with his tongue, he was so anxious to take Bobby up on his horny invitation. After all, Bobby and Robin McMillan—aka double trouble—were pretty well-known around Laguna for showing lucky men who caught their fancy a uniquely good time. Bobby usually did the seducing, and Robin went along to protect his twin and because it was way better than his hand.

  But now, this handsome, silver-haired dude hammered his nicely proportioned and tightly condomed cock into Bobby’s ass, and Bobby just hung over the arm of the couch and let him do it. Not a sound. Bobby usually made enough noise for two cats and a couple of highway patrol sirens. He also usually provided the “sweet nothings” small talk with the guys he picked up. He sure as fuck knew better than to let Robin do it.

  Robin raised a foot onto the seat of the chair next to him to get a better angle on their ménage partner’s butt. Robin might be bad at sweet-talking, but he was good at fucking.

  “Oh yes, Jesus, just like that. Oh God. Oh God.” The man shivered each time Robin’s dick connected with his gland and he’d drive farther into Bobby’s waiting behind. Still no sound from Bobby. Wonder what’s wrong?

  Robin reached out a hand and touched his twin’s back. Uh-oh. Clammy and sweating. Fucking shit, is Bobby sick? With double vigor, Robin pounded until the guy quit trying to fuck with any finesse. He just popped little rabbit screws to massage his own cock while Robin assailed his prostate.

  “Oh God! Oh God! Don’t stop. Jesus. Jesus.”

  The man was positively religious about his sex. “Come for me.” Robin used his silky command voice.

  That seemed to do the trick. The guy threw his head back and howled as Robin slid perfectly over the spot once more, then backed off to let him enjoy the high. Robin didn’t bother to come. Bobby could always find them another hookup. Right now, he needed to get this done and check on Bobby.

  The man—Robin never caught his name—collapsed over Bobby’s back. Robin gave him a two-count, then pulled him back to standing and held the man against his chest. Robin wasn’t the huggy type, but he wanted to keep the guy from landing on Bobby. His brother pulled up his pants and tucked in his shirt, but he kind of stumbled when he did it.

  Finally, their mutual play toy managed to open his eyes and raise his head. “Sweet Jesus, that was one for the record books. I’ve never done a three-way before. My God, thank you.” He looked into Robin’s face. “Did you come? I was so out there I didn’t notice.”

  Robin nodded as he pulled up his black jeans and tucked himself in, still half hard. “No worries. But I think my brother’s tired. I need to get him home.”

  “Oh sure. Sorry.” The man looked toward Bobby, who managed to quirk his sweet smile, but no way his heart was in it. Damn. Normally he’d be gushing and cooing.

  Their new friend pulled up his pants and tucked in his shirt, and when he got the whole business thing together, he grabbed his suit coat from the back of the chair where he’d thrown it. He fished in his pocket and pulled out a card. “You two are truly unforgettable. This is a tough time for me, and you just made me forget my worries in a big way. If I can ever do anything for you, just call me, okay?”

  Robin took the card and tucked it in his pocket. He needed to get Bobby home without insulting their friend. Not that he cared much about being rude, but Bobby would hate it. “We will.”

  “Seriously. Everyone in my business knows I’m gay, so you don’t have to protect my reputation or anything.”

  Bobby waggled a finger and pulled out some dimples. “Ah, but do they know you consort with double trouble?”

  The man smiled, which crinkled some nice lines around his eyes. “Bobby, you’re the best kind of trouble. Now get some rest.”

  Bobby leaned over and kissed the man’s cheek. “Thank you. I’m a little tired.”

  “Couldn’t have proved it by me, beautiful. You boys take care of yourselves.”

  Robin stepped up to his brother and threw an arm around his shoulders.

  The man shook his head. “My God, it’s hard to see at a casual glance since you dress really differently, but you two are so alike it’s scary.”

  Robin managed a half smile. “Trust me, only our DNA.”

  Bobby waggled his fingers as the two of them maneuvered out the door of the club’s back room, where they’d set up their impromptu liaison. Robin dodged the guys in the hall and maneuvered Bobby toward the rear door that led most directly to the parking lot. He looked at his twin. Shiny, and not in a good way. “You okay?”

  “Feel really bad. It came on suddenly.”

  “I figured if you skipped an orgasm, you must be under the weather. Let’s get you home, pump some vitamin C into you, and get you to bed.” He crossed the busy lot, still guiding Bobby with an arm around his shoulders.

  “Yeah. Just need some sleep. Big day tomorrow.” Bobby leaned heavily on him.

  “If you say so.”

  “Robin, this could be it. The one. The commission that makes it all work.”

  Shit, Bobby could make sunshine out of pee. Robin got in his side, started the car, and they rode quietly for a few minutes. Bobby laid his head against the seatback, eyes closed, mas
caraed lashes fanning his cheeks. “Robin?”

  “Ummm?”

  “I don’t want to do that anymore.”

  “What?”

  “No more hookups and one-nighters. I want a real boyfriend.”

  “I know, dear.” Robin sighed. Bobby said this whenever he got melancholy. Fortunately, horny trumped melancholy every time.

  “You don’t believe me?”

  Robin stopped at the Main Beach light. “I do, but you were the one who hooked us up with what’s-his-name back there, not me.”

  “His name’s Harold.”

  Robin’s hands froze on the wheel, and he shuddered.

  Bobby rolled his head back and forth on the seat. “No, no. I’m wrong. His name’s Howard, not Harold. Howard. I remember because he’s an architect. You know, like Howard Roark?” They’d read Ayn Rand’s book under the covers together when they were twelve, swooning over the hero and confirming their family’s horrified suspicions that the boys played for the wrong team. Their parents had tried to love them anyway, thanks to the wise counseling of their mother’s brother. Robin swallowed hard.

  Good old Uncle Harold was so good, nobody in the family ever believed anything bad about him. Stumble on the lawn? Must have been a gopher hole. Slur his words? Just tired. How many times had Robin been sent to Uncle Harold’s as a little kid, only to spend the weekend dragging him out of bars, holding his head over the toilet, and covering him while he fought off imaginary insects? Nobody in the family knew or admitted Harold was a drunk—except Robin. Anytime Harold asked for Bobby to come visit, Robin stepped in and took his place. No way he’d let Bobby go there. That was Robin’s job.

  Bobby wiped a hand over his face. “Yummy Howard Roark. I want to be Dominique Francon.”

  Robin turned left off Pacific Coast Highway and drove up the hill toward their apartment. “There’re just too many temptations for your little pink body to resist.”