Malik rubbed the back of his neck.
“Now, are you here to eat or lecture me?”
“For the record—”
“Noted. Where’s Gabe?”
“Your man said he wanted to stop by his place first,” Malik said. “He’ll be here, Papa Bear.”
Jason smiled. “Sorry. It’s a little strange seeing you and not seeing him—especially….”
“With Patrick still out there.”
Jason nodded. “Listen… can I talk to you in private for a second?”
“Um….” Malik looked unsure but nodded and excused himself.
Jason led him into a hall that was less noisy and pressed his back to the wall. “We didn’t have this conversation—okay?”
“Okay.”
“I know Gabe can’t be involved in this case because of our relationship, so I’m guessing you can’t be either. Since you’re his partner and all.”
“That’s really not how it works. But go on.”
“I’m telling you this because Spiers seems to have his hands tied. Like I told him, Patrick has family here. He is really close with his mother, and no matter what he does, she will always stand by his side. Spiers think she’s hiding him but, so far, he can’t seem to find proof.”
“Makes sense. He can’t really go after her because you think she’s doing something sketchy?”
“I don’t think. I know she is.” Jason glanced over his shoulder. “You don’t understand—this is the woman who flew him out of the country ten years ago when he almost killed some kid while driving drunk.”
“If she did it before….”
“She’d do it again.”
“And you said you told Jon?”
“Spiers?” Jason asked. “Yeah. But, as I said, he’s having a little trouble finding proof of mother dearest’s involvement. The last time we spoke, he said she told him if he had any more questions to talk to her lawyer.”
“An innocent person doesn’t lawyer up like that.”
Jason nodded. “That’s what Spiers said.”
“Hmm—maybe there’s something I can do.”
“But I thought….”
Malik grinned. “I’m not sleeping with you. I can do whatever I want—as long as it’s by the book.”
“Of course.” Jason could see why Gabe liked this man so much.
“Well, he hasn’t left the country—we’ve had the airports and private spaces covered.”
“Then he might be at their cabin in Angel Harbour.”
Malik shook his head. “No. Spier’s been thorough. He’s checked all four properties they own. Angel Harbour was the first on the list. Didn’t seem like anyone was there in a long time.”
“Then, I don’t know, man.” Jason sighed. “Malik, if this could cost you your badge, I don’t want you to do it.”
“The day Gabe started having a thing for you, you became family.” Malik glanced off down the corridor, then turned his eyes back to Jason. “Whether you like it or not, we look out for our own.”
“Spiers said the same thing.”
“How are you holding up otherwise?”
“Good. I have two more appointments with the doctor to look at the wound site. I’m healing great, and besides, Nurse Ford has been taking great care of me.”
“I bet.” Malik smirked. “The two of you are serious about this thing, huh?”
“Yeah. He’s good to me, Malik. I can’t remember ever being this happy even with….”
“Hey, no need to explain.” Malik patted his shoulder. “As long as my boy is happy and you’re okay, everything is a’ight—you know?” Malik extended a fist.
“Yeah.” Jason fist-bumped with Malik. “Listen, drinks for you and the blue line on me tonight, okay?”
“Come on now, you don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do.” Jason cleared his throat. “I never even asked how this has affected you having to find me like that.”
Malik shook his head. “You seem like a cool cat, but what affected me was watching the way Gabe broke.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Listen, don’t worry about it. I’ve been speaking to a counselor—mandatory according to the brass—and I’m getting a lot of things straight.”
“If you ever need an ear—I know you barely know me and all. But…”
Malik nodded.
It was Jason’s turn to check the hall before speaking again. “Drinks are still on me.”
“Seriously, Jason.”
“I know serving and protecting is your job. But you and your guys have done so much for me. I see what I went through and the things you guys must see on a daily basis—it’s the least I can do. So, let me do this, okay?”
“Okay.” Malik smiled. “Deal.”
It was another few hours before Gabe made an appearance. He looked tired but handsome with his dark hair styled and his body decked out in a Bad Ogre graphic tee and blue jeans. Jason stopped what he was doing to steal a kiss, handed his man a beer, then watched as Gabe made his way over to the other cops in the joint.
“Damn, boss,” Fitz said. “You’ve got it bad.”
Jason laughed. “Shut up, stupid.”
“You’ve been staring at him ever since he sat down.” Fitz chuckled. “You sure you just don’t want to call it a night, give him a ride on that bike of yours?”
That wasn’t a half-bad idea—Jason hadn’t been drinking, and since Gabe was, the truck could stay in the VIP lot overnight. They’d just take Jason’s cycle back.
Jason smirked. “That’s a dumb idea.”
“Uh-huh.” Fitz rolled the towel he’d been using to wipe glasses and flicked Jason’s behind with it. “So, that’s why you got that wild beast look in your eyes.”
Fitz dropped the towel into the bin for the laundry and reached for a clean one. “I know you very well, Jason. Remember that.”
Jason groaned. “So, I’m going to change the subject, and when you show disappointment, I’m going to pretend I have no idea why. How’s school?”
Fitz shrugged. “I mean, why do I need a business degree anyway?”
“Because it was your mother’s dying wish and you’ll be really depressed if you didn’t do it?”
Fitz frowned. “And you’re sponsoring me. It’s not like I can quit, right?”
“Right. I know it’s hard. I’ve been there. Especially at your age.”
“I am not that old!” Fitz gasped. “You’re only two years older than I am.”
Jason smiled. “I know. I’m just saying I know it’s hard. If you need a little time off.”
“Not yet. You were just shot. I’m not going to take time off until they catch this freak.”
“Thanks, Fitz. I mean that.”
In the end, Jason did take Fitz’s suggestion.
The cops protested when he showed up with an extra helmet and a leather jacket he always left in the office. But Gabe merely bumped fists with all of them, and they left Warrior with the guys hooting and hollering behind him.
“I can’t take those fools anywhere,” Gabe joked.
In the parking lot, he helped Gabe slip on the helmet and took his repayment in kisses. When he finally had Gabe on the back of the cycle, Jason couldn’t believe how perfect it felt. Gabe wrapped both arms around his waist, and Jason basked in his warmth and closeness. The cycle vibrated under them, adding to the titillation of it all. At stop lights, Gabe would allow his hands to wander up Jason’s body, along his thighs, over his clothed nipples.
Jason moaned. “Tell me something,” he said, as they paused at another light. “Do you want to get fucked tonight?”
“What kind of question is that?” Gabe teased, grating a nail over the hardened peak that was now pushing against the leather jacket. “That’s like asking a coffee addict if they want coffee.”
Jason laughed and revved the engine just as the light turned green.
Chapter Thirteen
AFTER HANGING up the phone with Tanner, Gabe finish
ed getting dressed. He packed his gun in the portable safe he always had with him and hooked his badge to his waist. Even though he was off duty, he was expected to still be a cop. The job, it seemed, never ended. He was slamming his locker closed when he heard his name.
“Hey, Jon!”
They hugged, and Gabe sat on one of the benches to tie his laces.
“I thought you should be the one to tell Jason,” Jon said. “We got him.”
“You did?” Gabe asked. “You’re not pulling my leg?”
“Not with this.”
Gabe smiled and hugged his friend again. “Thank you.”
“He’s saying it’s self-defense, but the video we have from Jason’s place shows that’s a lie,” Jon said. “His parents have money, but not even that can buy him out of this one. Speaking of his mother—we had to arrest her too.”
“What for?”
“Where do I start? Obstruction. Assault on a peace officer….”
Gabe sighed. “Can I see the tapes?”
“Why?” Jon tilted his head. “Listen to me. You and Jason have been going strong now for what—two months? This is a fresh start. Most of us don’t get that. I know what you’re thinking. And there was no way you could have predicted this. From what I know, Jason and Patrick broke up almost two years ago.”
Gabe sighed.
“Let it go, Ford,” Jon said. “Now, it’s late. Go home to your man.”
Gabe reluctantly agreed, and after shaking Jon’s hand, he grabbed his stuff and left the station. Malik had been gone since the end of their shift. Apparently he had a date. Gabe had hung around to use the gym, fill out some paperwork, and before he’d known it, it was already well after midnight.
The traffic was light that night as he swung by Warrior. Molly told him Jason had left hours before, so he climbed back into his truck to dial Jason’s number.
“Hello?”
“Are you okay?” Gabe asked. “You’re not at Warrior.”
“No—I was really tired. You wanna come over?”
“Yes—always. The answer to that question is yes.”
Jason laughed softly, huskily. “All right. I’ll leave a key with security for you—just come on in.”
“Okay. I’ll be there soon.”
Gabe hung up the phone, then pulled on his seat belt. As he reached forward to twist the key in the ignition, he couldn’t help thinking back to the conversation he’d had with his brother. Tanner had always been the contemplative kind—the kind of man who thought two steps into a relationship like it was a chess game.
“Can you see yourself in love with this man?” Tanner had asked.
Gabe reversed from the parking space and turned the car toward the road. He hadn’t answered Tanner, but he began thinking about it then—seriously pondering it. In the end, he was shocked by the answer.
Yes—he could see himself madly, completely in love with Jason Tomlinson. It wasn’t hard. There was the usual stuff everyone looked for in a mate—educated, handsome, well-off, ambitious, kind. But there were the other things too. Gabe was sexually compatible with him. Jason didn’t make Gabe feel like a pervert for liking it rough, or weak for wanting moments of tender lovemaking. He could be himself with Jason, and when the days at work became too much, the only person he could think to run to was Jason.
“I could fall for this man so hard,” Gabe whispered to the silence of the truck. “And I wouldn’t even fight it.”
The only stop he made was to pick up some ice cream and stuff to make pancakes the next morning. When he arrived, the guard gave him the key and access to the elevator. He’d been there so often he and the guard were becoming friends.
In the condo, he set the ice cream in the freezer and breakfast ingredients in the fridge without taking them from the bag. He left his bag on the sofa but carried his gun safe into Jason’s bedroom and slipped it under the bed. He stopped for a moment to look down at Jason’s sleeping form and smiled. After unhooking his badge and setting it on the bedside table, he climbed onto the bed and knelt astride Jason’s legs.
Gabe started by kissing each of Jason’s nipples, then watching him shiver. He then took his time tasting Jason’s body, from his neck, down between his pecs, over his perfect abs, then lower. Jason squirmed under his tender assault and whispered Gabe’s name but didn’t rouse. Gabe didn’t mind. He removed Jason’s partially hard cock from his track pants and engulfed it in his mouth. He sucked on it, moaning at the tangy taste of Jason’s precum and slurping for more. He didn’t stop until Jason’s fingers raked through his hair.
He met Jason’s green eyes in the dimly lit room and merely bowed his head once more.
This time Gabe made love to his man. He opened himself to feelings he’d given up on years before. He took Jason gently from behind, sliding into him in long, slow strokes. He relished the sound of his name tumbling from Jason’s mouth and the feel of Jason’s nails digging into his thighs.
But soon that wasn’t enough, and Gabe withdrew only to give himself to Jason. He climbed over his lover, lowered his hole onto the pulsing heat of Jason’s cock, and rode him. Jason’s hands were all over Gabe. From his nipples to his thighs to his ass, Jason touched him, stroked him, pulled him closer to breaking.
When the orgasm finally slammed through him, all Gabe could do was reach down and grip Jason’s strong shoulders. He arched backward, eyes slammed shut, mouth open in a silent scream, and allowed the orgasm to race through him like stampeding horses.
Finally, he could breathe again, but the only thing he could think to shout was Jason’s name.
“Welcome home, Officer Ford.” Jason hugged Gabe.
“Mhmm.”
“Long day?”
“Something like that. I have some news for you.”
“Oh?”
“They picked up Patrick and his mother today.” Gabe shifted. “Jon told me right before I left the station.”
“That’s great news!” Jason kissed Gabe’s head. “That—that is amazing news.”
“Yeah, it is. Do you think you can move on now—with someone else?”
Jason smiled. “Is that your way of asking me to be yours?”
“Be mine?” Gabe’s cheeks heated. “Hell—yes. That’s my way of asking you if you can someday open your heart for someone else—me.”
“The answer is yes.”
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard—ever.”
Jason chuckled softly.
“Before I forget,” Gabe said. “Three things. I bought ice cream. Two, I’ll be making breakfast tomorrow….”
Jason’s hands were at Gabe’s cock. Gabe moaned.
“And three?”
“Right.” Gabe sighed. “Remind me to give you the key back. I forget things.”
“Keep it.” Jason nuzzled Gabe’s neck.
“Whoa.” Gabe pulled from Jason’s arms. He flipped on the bedside lamp, then knelt to look down into Jason’s face. “What are you saying?”
“About the key? I’d like you to have it.” Jason pushed up to his elbow. “We’re at that part of our relationship—right? Or am I the only one there?”
Gabe stared into Jason’s eyes for a silent moment before tumbling against his chest. Jason laughed as he fell into the pillows. “I’m right here with you,” Gabe said, softly and between kisses. “We probably should buy a new headboard for the bed. I didn’t mean to break it.”
“Well, you were giving it to me that good. You can break as many of them as you want. I’d happily pay to replace them all.”
Gabe grinned. “Seriously, though, we’re doing this.”
“Let’s seal this deal.” Jason was already undoing Gabe’s belt.
Epilogue
Five months later….
JASON FINISHED his day at Empress, then zoomed into Dearhorn so he could stop by Warrior. He’d decided to take a step back to focus on his relationship with Gabe. Fitz had more control with running the place, and they hired a new bartender to pick up the slack.
The kitchen was Molly’s domain, and he wasn’t going to touch that unless she lost her mind.
He stopped in long enough to ensure payroll was set up, steal a cupcake from Molly’s stash, and talk to a few cops who had wandered in. His next appointment was with Gabe and the prosecutor working on his case. Though he’d wanted to give Gabe a ride on the cycle, their plans hadn’t worked out that way. Gabe called out to him the moment he turned off the engine to his motorcycle. He lifted the visor to see Gabe leaning against his black truck. He waited, pulling off his helmet, then accepted a kiss from his boyfriend.
“Hey,” Jason said, squinting to block the sun. “How was your day?”
“I’ll tell you later. Are you ready to do this?”
Jason nodded. He tangled his fingers with Gabe’s. After climbing off the bike, they walked up the front steps to the building, then strode through the lobby and up to the twentieth floor. The secretary ushered them immediately into the luxury office, and after being offered coffee or tea—they both declined—they sat down to a meeting with Jack Filmore.
“Here’s what his lawyer is bringing to us,” Jack said, clearing his throat. He picked up a piece of paper and read from it over the rims of his glasses. “He pleads guilty, no trial, and he takes fifteen years in prison. The thing is, if it was just attempted murder, he would have gotten anywhere from five to seven years with time served, then out on good behavior after like three years. But since he committed the felony with a gun—he’s facing anywhere from fifteen to life.”
“I love how he thinks he has a leg to stand on with this,” Gabe said, his voice hard. “He has nothing to bargain with.”
Jason inhaled deeply. It was hard to keep a level head when all he wanted to do was wring the bastard’s neck. He also understood Gabe’s anger and frustration with the whole deal.
“If we don’t take this, what happens?” Gabe asked.
“Well, we go to trial.”
“And how long would that take?” Jason asked.
“I have no clue.” Jack eased back in his chair and removed his glasses to rub his eyes. “We have mens rea in the case—”
Tempt Me Page 8