by Lynn Hagen
He’d never lost control like that before and he didn’t plan on losing it again, though Gabe tempted him in ways Legend couldn’t understand.
He spotted a motel sign. Legend pulled off the highway, turning onto a barely noticeable dirt road. He followed the unpaved road for two miles through saw grass and trees, alongside a small canal, until he spotted the neon sign ahead.
He pulled close to the office before turning the car off. A light was on, which was a good sign because he would have hated to sleep in the car.
He debated whether to wake Gabe and make the man come in with him, but the guy was out like a light. He glanced at the sleeping man before getting out of the car and walking into the office. No one was behind the desk, but there was a sign to ring the bell.
Legend rang it. Seconds later, an elderly gentleman walked out, sleep in his eyes as he smiled. “What can I help you with?”
“I need a room for the night.”
“You’re in luck. I have one left.” The man gave Legend a card to fill out. They guy didn’t even have a computer. It seemed he still filed things the old-fashioned way, in a cabinet. When the elderly gentleman didn’t ask for any form of ID, Legend filled in a fake name and then paid cash. If anyone was after Gabe, then his stay here would lead to a dead end.
The man gave him a key attached to a large piece of faded plastic, the number seven written on it in black marker. “Have a good night. Checkout is at eleven.”
Legend thanked the man and then headed back to his car. Some small animal chittered in a tree. The wind rattled the grass. And then there was silence so deep it amplified Legend’s thoughts.
He strode to the car and then growled when he saw the passenger side was empty. Legend was getting tired of this. If Maxwell wasn’t such a dear friend of Legend’s father, he’d wash his hands of Gabe.
They were in the middle of nowhere and Legend knew he would have no problem tracking Gabe down. He slid into his car, drove down the lot, and parked the car in front of room seven.
He took their things inside and then set a few things up before leaving the key on the dresser, making sure the door was unlocked. He stripped his clothing off and tied a pair of lounge pants to his leg, then headed toward the back of the rustic building.
Legend shifted, scenting out Gabe, inhaling the aromatic scent of lilies. As he ran, the scent became stronger until he spotted Gabe running down the barely discernible road.
He shifted back into his human form, slid the pants on, and then finished the chase, catching Gabe in no time.
“Get away from me!” Gabe gave a cry as Legend ran the man down.
Legend reached out and grabbed Gabe, flipping the would-be escapee over his shoulder. When Gabe struggled, he landed a hard smack on Gabe’s backside. “I warned you.”
Over the rich soil, fragrant air, and warm night, the unmistakable scent of arousal arose. It didn’t help Legend’s vow to leave Gabe alone when the man was turned on by Legend’s attempt at discipline. In fact, it made resisting all the harder, fueling his dark appetite as Gabe continued to squirm.
“You’re being unreasonable!” Gabe shouted as he battered Legend’s back with his fists.
Legend kept to the dirt road. There was water on both sides of them, barely perceivable at night. The saw grass covered most it, fooling anyone who wasn’t familiar with the land. Legend had been on enough assignments to recognize the stuff. He’d also grown up in the bayou where saw grass had grown rampant. He used to spend his afternoons as a young boy on the gator boats, his uncle guiding them through some of the deadliest waters.
He was panting by the time they made it back to their room. Legend deposited Gabe on the bed, grabbed the man’s wrists, and cuffed him to the headboard.
Stopping to ready the room before he’d taken off after Gabe had saved him time. What he hadn’t expected was to grow hard as hell at the sight of Gabe immobilized, bound to the bed, squirming to get free. A fire began to burn deep inside Legend, his heart hammering in his chest as Gabe yanked at the cuffs.
“Fucking cuffs?” Gabe yelled at him. “I’ll have your head for this.”
Legend ignored the threat as he shed his pants and walked to the bathroom to take a cold shower and try to forget about his captive in the other room.
He isn’t your captive. He’s your assignment. Stop fantasizing about what you want to do to him.
Legend stayed in the shower for ten long minutes, but he was still half-hard when he got out. The slow burn that had started in the bedroom had grown to an inferno. Legend debated whether to sleep in the tub instead of going out there to his worst temptation.
“Get these damn things off of me!”
He was going to have to gag Gabe if the man didn’t quiet down. Legend groaned, hanging his head as he told himself to stop thinking that way.
After wrapping a towel around his waist, Legend strode back into the bedroom, turning the air-conditioner on. It kicked to life as Legend stood by the window. He kept his back to Gabe, struggling, fighting against his innermost desires.
And then his shoulders sagged because Legend knew that his desire for Gabe was inescapable. The attraction was too strong and he couldn’t keep fighting it.
* * * *
“He didn’t make bail,” T-Rex said over the phone. Max glanced out over the city as a light rain fell. San Francisco was beautiful at night, and he was getting the full view from his tenth floor penthouse suite. It hadn’t been Max’s choice to lay low here, it had been Gator’s. The team leader had stated that there was only one way onto the floor and it was being heavily guarded.
“But his foot soldiers are hard at work trying to flush me out. I’ve got a team working the streets. Ortega’s underboss is a guy named Savant. According to my intel work, Savant is even more cunning and ruthless than Ortega. My team is watching him now.”
“Gator,” T-Rex grunted.
Max smiled. “Not too fond of the man?”
Not only did Max go way back with Legend’s father, but he’d met T-Rex and his men some years ago during one of their covert operations. T-Rex was tall, lean, and one hell of a special ops. It was too bad they retired and started up their own business. People like Tanner Rexford and his men were rare finds. They had been damn good at what they did.
“I respect the man,” T-Rex admitted, “but they operate on a different platform. I don’t trust anyone who is referred to as a ghost.”
“We all must sleep with the devil at some point in our lives,” Max said. “Thankfully the devil in this case is on our side. But I heard that Savant is already stepping in and taking over. He set up a meeting with the Irish dealers. The FBI and ATF are keeping a close eye on him.”
“And in the meantime his cronies are trying to take you out,” T-Rex said. “Watch your back, Maxwell.”
Max stuffed his hand in his pocket as he gazed out of the floor-to-ceiling window. He thought about his son and wanted to call Gabe, but right now, the less contact, the better. His stomach clenched at the thought of anything happening to his son. Gabe was the only family he had left and Max was gonna make damn sure his son was safe. “I’m not without my own talents, T-Rex. I did serve as a marine for eight years.”
“But you have morals. The men after you don’t. They won’t care who they have to kill in order to get to you,” T-Rex said.
Max turned when he heard someone coming through the door. It was Gator and Travis—one of Gator’s men. The two men took a seat as Max finished up his phone call. “Listen, I gotta go. Gabe should be at your place soon. He can be a handful at times, but he’s all I have left, T-Rex.”
“Nothing will happen to him, Max. Legend is taking the long way home in order to ensure that they’re not being followed. Once Gabe gets here, he’ll have my entire team watching out for him. You just take care of your end.”
Max thanked T-Rex and then hung up.
“Everything okay with Gabe?” Travis asked.
Max had started to tell T-Rex that he s
uspected that Legend and Gabe would become more than bodyguard and client. But Max wasn’t really sure. He’d noticed the chemistry between them in his office but that could have been a fluke. But if it wasn’t, Gabe couldn’t be in better hands. He just hoped that Legend treated his son right or Max was gonna go after the man with all he had.
“No word yet,” Max said to Travis. “I’m sure if there was trouble, Legend would get word to his team.”
Gator nodded. “T-Rex and his men are damn good. Gabe shouldn’t have any problems.”
Tossing his phone onto a nearby table, Max turned. “So what have you got for me?”
Gator sat on the couch, relaxed. But Max knew the man’s appearance gave others a false sense of security. There was lethality brewing behind the man’s eyes and Gator was capable of moving at lightning speed.
“The contract on your head was astronomical,” Gator replied. “The only way to remove it is for you to die.”
Max nodded. He had a feeling it would come to this. For the last seventeen years he’d run Summerville Savings and Loans. But in all honesty, his heart wasn’t in it. It was a family-owned business and he had inherited from his father.
Max was ready to retire, to enjoy life. Maybe this situation was a sign and he should take full advantage of it. He could sell off all his shares and take on a new identity. The only regret he would have was giving up the Summerville estate.
There were too many memories there and he cherished each and every one of them. Since discovering what had been going on at his bank, Max had gathered his wife’s treasured belongings and had moved them to a secure location. He had also moved everything he wanted to keep of Gabe’s. He just hated to let go of the home he had shared with his family for so many years. But it was just a house. He could start over.
Becoming resolute in his decision, Max asked, “Then how does Maxwell Summerville die?”
Chapter Five
Gabe watched as Legend grabbed his cell phone off the dresser and walked outside. He yanked at the cuffs, trying to break free as his heart beat furiously behind his ribs. He was scared as hell at the strange need uncoiling inside of him, a need for Legend to go through with his threat to spank Gabe, a need for the man to dominate him. There was only one bed in this room and it didn’t take a genius to figure out where Legend would be sleeping.
He whimpered and began to shake at the cool air that was blowing over his skin. Gabe was too close to the air-conditioner, the sweat on his body drying at a rapid rate, leaving him shivering on the bed. He strained to hear what Legend was saying. The guy’s voice was muffled, but Gabe caught part of the conversation.
“He’s fine. I’m taking the route we laid out before I left. We should be there in the next few days.”
Who was Legend talking to? It couldn’t be Gabe’s father. They weren’t heading to the estate.
“Tell Sam to set up an extra room. And let the men know that the principal is a runner. I’ll need extra detail on this one.”
Men? What men? Where exactly was Legend taking him? How many men were going to be guarding Gabe? He didn’t like being referred to as the principal either.
Legend walked back inside, setting the phone down. Gabe glanced over the man’s strong back, narrow hips, and toned ass that made the towel flare. He bit back a moan even as his cock grew hard.
“Who were you talking to?” Gabe asked.
When Legend turned, Gabe could see aggression and raw masculinity in his expression. Behind those honey-amber eyes so much was going on, but Gabe could read very little.
“Get some sleep.”
“Like this?” Gabe yanked at the cuffs. “My arms are sore.”
Legend walked over to the bed and scooted Gabe up until there was some slack. The ache in his arms eased, but the pulsing in his groin grew when Legend’s hands touched him.
I’m enmeshed in a dangerous situation with a mysterious stranger and I’m fucking turned on? Gabe needed his head examined. The tension between them was tangible as his anger turned to a hazy heat. Gabe began to shiver again as the air-conditioner continued to blow toward him.
“Cold?”
Gabe’s gaze dropped to the shadowy bulge under the towel, telling him that Legend was half-hard. Were the cuffs turning Legend on? Was he into that sort of thing? Why in the hell does that thought make my body ache for the guy?
“A bit,” Gabe answered. He watched Legend readjust the thermostat, his muscles flexing as he moved. Gabe sucked in his lower lip, tearing his eyes away from a man he shouldn’t want, shouldn’t crave, yet whom he was ready to beg for some sort of release.
Legend turned and began to remove Gabe’s shoes.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re not sleeping in the bed with me with shoes on. I’m not going to let you kick me with these things.” Legend dropped both shoes onto the floor, stripped Gabe’s socks off, and then reached for the waistband of his shorts.
“Whoa.” Gabe twisted to the side, dodging Legend’s fingers. “What, do you think I’ll kick you with my shorts?”
The side of Legend’s mouth twitched and Gabe had a feeling that if the man truly smiled, he would be breathtaking.
“No, but it’s going to get hot in here since the air-conditioner is too cold for you. I don’t need you tossing and turning all night.”
Gabe rattled the cuffs. “I seriously doubt I’ll be moving much.”
Legend’s nostrils flared as he pulled Gabe’s shorts off. This time Gabe didn’t protest. He smirked when Legend inhaled sharply.
“Don’t you believe in underwear?”
“Hate the things,” Gabe replied, watching Legend’s reaction to his nudity. “Now can you put the sheet over me or are you going to stand there and continue to drool at the sight of my cock?”
Gabe was disappointed when Legend covered him. What had he expected, and would he truly want whatever Legend had to offer? Gabe needed to stop playing these dangerous games or he might get more than he bargained for.
Legend had been right. The room began to warm and Gabe was ready to kick the sheets off. What he wouldn’t give for a fan blowing on him right now.
What I wouldn’t give for Legend to be blowing on me right now. Gabe groaned at the wicked thought that shot through his mind.
“Stop making those noises,” Legend said as his jaw clenched.
“What noises?” Gabe feigned ignorance.
Legend moved to the other side of the bed and dropped the towel. At the sight of Legend’s thick cock, arousal muddled Gabe’s thoughts, like a fog rolling over his mind. His hips jerked involuntarily as his muscles tightened. Legend’s muscular shoulders and pecs tapered down to unyielding stomach ridges. Gabe’s mouth went slack, his lips tingling to graze every inch of glistening skin. Between Legend’s narrow hips, his cock jutted hungrily. Gabe gasped to see the taut head and slit covered with beads of pre-cum, the distended length pulsing.
The moon bathed his body with light, casting an eerie glow over the rises and falls of muscles. Droplets of perspiration meandered down Legend’s torso, trailing over his sinewy physique.
“What’s wrong, Gabe?” The bastard was teasing him as Gabe’s cock grew impossibly harder.
“Nothing.” Gabe ground his teeth and turned his head. He refused to beg the man for anything. Not again. Legend could tease him all he wanted to, but Gabe wasn’t going to give in.
The bed dipped and Gabe couldn’t stop himself from looking. Legend was lying on his stomach, his right leg bent at an angle, his knee pressing into Gabe’s thigh. But it was the man’s well-rounded ass that held Gabe’s attention. He curled his fingers in as the need to touch became overwhelming.
“Stop staring at my ass and get some sleep.”
Sleep? How in the hell was Gabe supposed to sleep when he had a gorgeous naked man splayed out next to him? Gabe should be afraid of the need growing inside him. He had been hesitant to share the same bed, but the longer he gazed at Legend’s ass, the more he wanted the m
an to move closer.
“You’re still staring,” Legend said, though his eyes were closed.
Gabe grinned. “Uh-uh. I was staring at your feet.”
Legend opened his eyes and gave Gabe a doubtful expression. “My feet turn you on?”
“You turn me on,” he admitted.
How did a single heated look make shivers dance over Gabe’s body? Sinful thoughts began to play in Gabe’s mind. He nudged his hip against Legend’s knee.
Legend closed his eyes. “What you want from me isn’t possible, Gabe. This is only an assignment.”
The man could have slapped Gabe and it would have stung less. He had thought that there was something there, even if Gabe didn’t understand what it was. To hear Legend dismiss what they’d already shared made Gabe’s teeth gnash.
“Who said I wanted anything from you?” Gabe’s ego had just taken a punch. “You’re nothing but an arrogant prick who thinks he can order me around.”
Legend’s hand landed on Gabe’s belly, smoothing down until his fingers touched the head of Gabe’s cock. He hissed, moaning, eager for Legend to wrap his fingers around Gabe’s erection and get him off.
Gabe might reconsider his decision in the morning when his brain wasn’t slipping down the side of his skull. Right now? He’d settle for one hell of a blow job and getting the cuffs off—after they fooled around.
“I don’t affect you?” One of Legend’s eyes popped open.
“Not in the least.” Gabe fought for control, but his body wasn’t obeying. Pre-cum began to gather at the tip of his cock as Gabe shivered. He might be willing to give in, but he wasn’t going to make it easy for Legend. Gabe was enjoying the teasing. It was turning him on. Why give up the goods and have this end so soon?
“You’re not a very good liar, sweetness.” Legend trailed his fingers up Gabe’s abdomen while twisting around to take one of Gabe’s nipples into his mouth.
Gabe’s head swam as he moaned at the pleasure. He yanked at the cuffs, trying to get free so he could run his hands through Legend’s silky hair. “Take the cuffs off.”