Stealing My Heart

by Stephani Hecht, Jambrea Jo Jones, A. J. Llewellyn, Carol Lynne, D. J. Manly, Jaime Samms, Serena Yates

  A noise to his left made his eyes open. What he saw startled him. A dirty angel. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, but the young man still stood there. Michael’s memory came rushing back. The little fucker had knocked him out with something.

  Anger flooded his body. He tried to move, but he couldn’t. He managed to glance down, only now noticing the rope tying him to the chair. He struggled with his bonds.

  “You won’t be able to get free,” the angel stated.

  “What the fuck is going on?” His voice sounded rough to his own ears. He still couldn’t get the taste out of his mouth.

  “I’m sorry, Thomas. Mom wants your painting and what she wants, she gets.”

  “For the last time, who the hell is Thomas?”

  Confusion flittered across the angel’s face before a calm mask replaced it.

  “You’re Thomas Eli, the author of my mom’s favourite books. She saw the magazine article on you and made a plan. She needs the money or I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Listen, I’m not this Thomas fellow. My name is Michael Barrett, I own a bar. I’m not a writer. You’ve got the wrong house. Now let me go and leave and I’ll forget this ever happened.” He made his tone sound confident and authoritative.

  Puzzlement reappeared on the young man’s face, and then it morphed into fear before shutting down again. Good, maybe he could get out of this in one piece. It would be okay if he wasn’t tied down, he out-muscled the angel.

  “You have to be him. I—I can’t go back if…”

  “If what? Where can’t you go? Talk to me. Let’s start with something easy. What’s your name?” If he kept his captor calm and reasoned with him, maybe he could get untied.

  For the first time he stared into the face of his intruder. He could drown in those crystal blue orbs. A man stood before him, not a kid. He seemed unsure, but older than Michael had first thought.

  “Robert M—just Robert.”

  “That’s a good start. Now, how old are you?” Michael knew there were more important questions he should be asking, but he needed to know how old this man-child was.

  “I—why does that matter?”

  I have no idea, but it does.

  “Just trying to figure some things out here, like how I can help you. Talk to me.”

  “I don’t know. This isn’t in the plan. Mom was very specific about what I had to do.” Fear leaked back in the thief’s voice. “Now, I don’t know. I saw your driver’s licence. I know you’re Michael, but, you see, you can’t be.”

  The voice teetered on panic, Michael had to bring him back down.

  “Don’t worry about that right now. Take a deep breath and tell me how old you are.”

  “I’m twenty-three. Why are you being so nice to me?”

  That was the question of the day and he didn’t have the answer.

  “I want to help, Robert. I don’t want you to get into any trouble. Why were you trying to find Thomas?” That’s it, keep him talking.

  “I shouldn’t be talking to you. If you can help—I, well, Mom said it would be easy to take it and he didn’t need it. She has to have that money. She needs it.” Robert sighed.

  “Do you always do what Mom says?” Michael needed to know more about this woman’s control of the man in front of him.

  Robert hesitated and Michael wasn’t sure if he would answer the question. He waited for a minute trying to think up a new tactic when Robert spoke.

  “I have to. I’m all she has,” Robert mumbled.

  “What did you use to knock me out?” He switched topics in hopes of an honest answer.

  “Chloroform.” His eyes widened when the answer slipped from his lips. And what beautiful lips they were. So red and ripe, like cherries waiting to be picked.

  I’ve got to stop this. I’m tied to a fucking chair. He is bad news, not someone I can kiss. Can I?

  He stopped his internal struggle when Robert spoke again.

  “Mom said I should take it in case someone was home.” He paused again. “I—I didn’t want to hurt anyone, but she wanted that painting. What am I going to do?” The words come out as a whisper.

  Robert dropped to the floor, demeanor so forlorn.

  “I can help you, if you let me.” He wanted to wipe that look off Robert’s face, to protect him from this ‘mom’. To comfort him somehow.

  Fuck, what is wrong with me.

  “You’ll help me find Thomas’ house?” Hope laced with fear tinged Robert’s words as he glanced up at him.

  “Robert, I think we have more important things to do right now. Let’s forget about Thomas and the painting, at least for now.”

  “I can’t. I have to bring it to Mom, but I don’t know what to do.” Robert sounded stubborn for the first time, but he clutched his knees and started rocking back and forth.

  He should be thinking of calling the police, but he only wanted to wrap his arms around Robert. He needed to get rid of these thoughts and feelings. This thief, for that’s what he was, had broken into his home.

  “Robert, stop rocking and listen to me.” He waited until he had Robert’s attention. “Good. Come a little closer, that’s it. Stealing something is wrong. You know that, right?”

  “Stop! Don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot, I can’t think straight and I’m not a fucking child.”

  Robert scooted away from him and slammed his fist against a wall. Shit.

  “Sorry. You have me at a disadvantage here. I’m tied up and you’re the boss. Got it. So, what do we do now, Boss Man?”

  “I need to talk to my mom.”

  “Wait! No. Um…I mean, talk to me a little more. You can come closer you know. It’s not like I can hurt you.” Michael wiggled his fingers at Robert.

  “I don’t know. Maybe—”

  “Your mom put you up to this, right? Does she have something over you? How is she controlling you? I have a friend who can help you. Talk to me.”

  He sounded desperate, but he didn’t want Robert talking to the person whose idea this was in the first place. He was afraid of what she might say. So far Robert had stayed pretty calm with the exception of his small outburst and he didn’t have any weapon that Michael could see. He wanted to keep it that way.

  “You’re talking too much and I can’t think. I need to get out of here.”

  Robert jumped up from the floor, turned and left the room.

  Shit, this can’t be good.

  “Robert!”

  * * * *

  The man—Michael—yelled his name, but he ignored it. Robert could barely breathe much less think. Mom always told him what to do. He knew stealing was all kinds of wrong but he hated what happened when he didn’t listen to her. His gut clenched just thinking about it. It had been years since the last time she’d beat him and locked him in his room. Once he’d outgrown her, all of that had stopped. But the words she flung at him hurt just as much. And he was all she had left. He couldn’t leave her on her own. She was sick. What kind of man would that make him? He wasn’t his father.

  Michael’s voice did something to his insides. Something he’d never felt before. He closed his eyes and Michael’s face appeared. He was too handsome for words with his salt and pepper hair and dark brown eyes. Even the scruff on the man’s face made his cock ache. The urge to kiss Michael overwhelmed him.

  Robert opened his eyes. He couldn’t call his mom. Not yet. He had to figure out these thoughts first. To do that, he’d have to talk to Michael. He had no idea where this independent streak was coming from, he’d never stood up to the woman who gave birth to him. Why now? Would Michael really help him or did he say those things just to get Robert to untie him?

  Indecision caused him to bite down on his lip. When he tasted blood, he released it and reached up to wipe off his mouth.

  He walked back to the room where he’d tied Michael up. “Will you really help me?”

  “First you need to untie me.”

  “I think we should talk a little more first. I can’t
have you jump me after I untie you. My mom needs me and you could overpower me and turn me in.”

  “Just who is this woman? Is she really your mom?”

  “Yes, she is.”

  He peeked at Michael and bit his lip again. He hissed at the pain.

  “What about your dad?”

  “I don’t want to talk about him, he isn’t part of this equation. You said you could help me, were you lying?”

  “I’m just trying to understand why a grown man would be at home and listening when his mom tells him to break into someone’s house. Is she blackmailing you? Help me out here.”

  “No.” He didn’t know what he should tell Michael. He ran a hand through his hair.

  “You’re the one who wanted to talk. Tell me more.”

  “I don’t want you to think badly of Mom. She did what she had to do.”

  “How does she treat you now?”

  “Why is this important?”

  “I need information, the more the better.”

  “We get along fine as long as I mind her. I’m all she has.”

  “I’m sure she tells you that,” Michael whispered.

  Robert didn’t know how to respond. His whole word revolved around his mom. It always had. Was there more to life than what he knew?

  “She’s going to be upset if I’m not home soon.”

  “Do you think she’ll come searching for you?” Michael sounded worried.

  “I was told to call her if I had any problems. I think this is a big problem.”

  Michael snorted. “I would say so, Boss Man.”

  “Are you making fun of me?” He couldn’t tell.

  “No, I’m not, but we have a problem here and until you let me go, I don’t think we can fix it. Calling your mom will not help this situation. I think it could make it worse, for you.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Robert had a hard time glancing away from Michael’s mouth when he spoke. He liked talking to him. Robert moved closer and sat down next to the chair, just out of reach.

  “What do you think she’ll tell you to do with me now that we’ve been talking?”

  Robert shrugged. “Tell me to let you go and to find the real Thomas I guess.”

  “Do you really think she’ll let you leave me here when I know what you look like? Think hard, Robert. What will she tell you to do?”

  “Shit. I don’t want to believe it, but she’d probably tell me to…hurt you,” Robert whispered the last two words.

  “Yes, Robert, she’ll probably tell you to hurt me.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. Hell, I don’t want to be here at all, but she told me she needs the drugs.”

  “I don’t want that either. It would make things tough on you because I have friends who would come to see if I was okay, and if you hurt me, they will find you. Do you understand?”

  “I think I’ve already told you to stop talking to me like I’m a child. I still haven’t untied you yet.” Robert had to do something he wasn’t comfortable with, make his own decision. He was letting his lust, because he couldn’t deny it—he wanted to kiss Michael—interfere with what he needed to do. He didn’t know this man. He could be saying anything to get away.

  “It’s your show, Boss Man.”

  “I should just leave. You said someone would know you’re missing, right?”

  What would he do about his mom? He couldn’t go back to the house without the painting. Fear coursed through his body. Disappointing her was not an option. He always failed her one way or another and this would be one more strike against him.

  “Are you okay?”

  Michael sounded concerned, but Robert couldn’t trust that. Mom did the same thing—sounded like she cared, and then turned on him, spewing forth all kinds of vile words. He would do anything for her. He had to. He had to prove he wouldn’t be like his dad. That he would stay. She needed him.

  “No, I’m not.”

  Why did he have this compulsion to pour his soul out to a stranger? Could it be because in his twenty-three years he’d never been as attracted to someone like he was Michael? He made Robert want things he couldn’t name.

  “Let me help.”

  Robert gazed into Michael’s eyes and made up his mind. He sat up so he could reach the ropes.

  “I—I can’t get these untied.”

  Michael hesitated for a moment before speaking, “There’s a box cutter in the kitchen. Middle drawer, on the left of the sink.”

  He gave Michael a swift nod and went to get the tool before he lost his nerve.

  Chapter Two

  Michael released a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding. He played a dangerous game putting a weapon in Robert’s hands, but if it got him out of the fucking chair, he would consider it worth it. His fingers felt numb, so did his feet.

  It didn’t take Robert long to come back. He kept his head down and knelt at Michael’s feet. When he peered up at him with those blue eyes, an image of Robert with his lips wrapped around his cock flashed through his mind. He had to hold in the moan.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  The concern in Robert’s voice made him jerk his thoughts to the present. The noise must have escaped. While he’d been fantasising, Robert had cut both of his arms free. Now that he was paying attention he could feel the blood racing back to his hands.

  “No. I’m okay.” He wiggled his fingers to hurry the circulation along. The ropes fell from his ankles and he stood to tower over Robert. He could easily take the slight man down, but something stopped him. Robert wouldn’t look at him, backing away until he hit the wall on the opposite end of the room.

  “What now?”

  Michael had a hard time hearing the whisper.

  “I didn’t lie. I want to help you, but you have to want the help.”

  “What do you mean?” Finally, Robert glanced at him.

  “Are you hungry? Let’s go into the kitchen.”

  Michael didn’t wait for Robert to acknowledge him; he turned and went into the kitchen. He waited for the anger to boil up, but it didn’t. He wanted to rage at Robert, but he couldn’t.

  “Why aren’t you calling the police?”

  “I’m asking myself the same question.”

  “At least you’re honest.” Robert shrugged, pulled out a stool and sat down at the bar in the kitchen.

  Michael didn’t know what force pushed him towards Robert, but he went with it. He stopped in front of the stool and pulled Robert into his arms and hugged him. Not the smartest thing he’d ever done, but it seemed right.

  “I told you, I want to help.”

  Robert hesitated before wrapping his arms around Michael’s waist. There was no awkward manly pat on the back; it was a real hug between two men who’d had a rough night.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Neither do I, Robert. I’ve learned through the years to go with my gut and it’s telling me right now that you never intended to hurt me.”

  He pulled away and went to the refrigerator to take his mind off how perfect Robert’s body fit to his. Certifiable. That had to be it. The men with the ’I love myself‘ jackets would show up any minute. But he knew deep down there was more to Robert.

  “I’m lost.” The whispered confession reached Michael’s ears.

  “What do you mean?” He turned around before reaching for the food.

  “This is the first time Mom trusted me to do something like this for her. Of course, I screwed everything up, so maybe that’s not a good thing.”

  Michael didn’t say anything. Not yet. He had to let the words sink in. He let it drop, for now.

  “Would you like to clean up a little before we eat?”

  Robert jerked his head in Michael’s direction. “What?”

  “You have some dirt on your face and a few leaves in your hair. You know, when I first woke up, I thought of you as my—um—a dirty angel.” He allowed himself a small laugh. “Of course, then I remembered you’d knocked me ou
t.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “The bathroom is down the hall. I’ll make us a couple of sandwiches.”

  He turned back to gather what he needed. Not much time had passed when he heard the snick of a door closing. Why did it relieve him that the sound didn’t come from the front door?

  A few minutes later a noise at the doorway made him glance up. His cock leapt to attention. Robert was an angel. His brown hair stuck to his forehead, curls going every which way. It seemed like he’d tried to wet it down, but the curls didn’t want to cooperate. His lips were plump and red, and his blue eyes brighter against his pale skin. Michael fought the urge to claim Robert then and there. His hands went into his pocket, drawing Michael’s gaze to Robert’s crotch. Michael licked his lips and turned away from temptation.

  He returned his focus to making sandwiches. Robert brushed past him, but his foot caught on something and Michael turned to catch him before Robert fell on his face. He pulled Robert towards him and couldn’t resist. He had to have a taste. Michael nibbled on Robert’s bottom lip, his tongue asking for entrance. Robert hesitated, and then opened his mouth. Michael took it slow, caressing Robert’s mouth, savouring the flavour of mint. He deepened the kiss when Robert groaned. Wrapping his arms tighter around the other man, Michael ground his cock against Robert. The arms around him tightened. He straightened up, moved the food out of his way, and placed Robert on the counter, never breaking the kiss. Robert’s legs wrapped around his hips, cradling him. The two rubbed together, Robert felt so right in his arms. He never wanted to let him go. Michael wanted Robert naked.

  As Michael reached to unbutton Robert’s pants, the phone rang. He pulled back, both men panted as if they’d ran for miles.

  “What the fuck am I doing?” Michael muttered.

  Robert whimpered and pulled away, trying to get as far from Michael as fast as he could. “Sorry, sorry, I’m sorry.”

  It was like a mantra; Robert said the words over and over. Ignoring the phone, he concentrated on Robert.