Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  “Some professor was working today. Poor slob doesn’t even know to take the day off. He said the smell is what made him go look, even though it wasn’t his room. He didn’t expect to be able to get in since he didn’t have a key, but the door was broken. He looked, but didn’t go in, or he’d be on his way to the hospital like Alvin. He called it in when he found it.”

  Miguel had a strong suspicion he knew who it was. “What’s the prof’s name?”

  He got a strange sensation. Miguel looked up and locked gazes with the bright blue eyes framed by curly lashes he had been dreaming about.

  Chapter Two

  “PROFESSOR ROBERT—” Ramirez started.

  “Berkus,” Miguel breathed.

  “You know him?” Ramirez asked sharply.

  Robert’s eyes widened, and then a smile curved Miguel’s lips. He dragged his eyes away from Robert and back to Ramirez.

  “We met last week. Do you need anything else from the prof or can he go?” Miguel asked.

  “Yes, he can go. We already got his statement. He’s all yours.” Ramirez chuckled.

  “Not yet, but he will be,” Miguel promised.

  “Some people have all the luck,” Ramirez laughed.

  “Maybe your luck will change, but for now, I’m gonna try my luck over there.” Miguel winked.

  He slapped Ramirez on the shoulder and strode to Robert. Robert looked leery and confused. Miguel slowed, realizing he was stalking toward the man like he was about to devour him. He tried to calm his raging need and smiled affably. Robert cocked his head to the side and watched him approach.

  “We meet again, Prof.” Miguel said when he was close enough.

  “It was Robert when we last spoke, Officer,” Robert replied.

  “And you called me Miguel. Prof fits you better than Officer does me since I’m off duty.” Miguel chuckled.

  “Off duty? Then why are you here?”

  “Why are you working on spring break?” Miguel countered.

  “Umm… I’ve been here every day working on a research paper. It isn’t going as well as I’d hoped.” Robert flushed enticingly.

  Miguel held back a purr at seeing it. Instead, he studied the professor. He was still as sexy as ever, dressed conservatively in another silky-looking white shirt and dark slacks, even though it was a day off. It made Miguel want to mess him up. His cock hardened. He was grateful that his jean jacket covered the bulge.

  “Maybe you need to get away from it for a while. Come on. Today is our weekly poker day,” Miguel said.

  Robert bit his full bottom lip. Miguel clenched his fist, fighting not to touch him. Down, boy. Take it slow. Let him come to you.

  “I don’t know—”

  Miguel cut him off before he could refuse. “Come on, Prof. Just some guys hanging out, playing, losing money, eating, and shooting the breeze. This project will be here tomorrow, and maybe you need a day away to get going again.”

  Robert still seemed undecided, but then he smiled a wicked grin. Miguel’s shaft hardened even more. He bit back a growl.

  “Be prepared to lose money,” Robert warned.

  Miguel laughed. “You can try, Prof. You can try.”

  “Let me see if I have to do anything else with the officers.” Robert looked at the cops.

  “Nope, you’re good. Let’s go. You have your car, right? Just follow me. ” Miguel waved at the other officers and walked toward his SUV.

  “Anywhere,” a voice whispered.

  He glanced back at Robert, who flushed, then sputtered, “I’ll be right behind you… um… I’ll follow you in my car.”

  Robert hurried away, and Miguel could swear he heard him cursing. Miguel whistled and walked to his car. He got in, turned around, and waited for Robert. He beeped his horn when he saw him and led him toward his home. The day was looking up. Poker and a hot man… what more could he ask for? Miguel turned on his radio and started to sing along with it as he drove. After some time, he pulled into his driveway.

  Miguel got out of his SUV and motioned for Robert to park behind the other cars, which were located to the side of his house. He had used the extra land on the side of his house to make room for lots of cars since he had such a large family. Robert parked, then got out, crossing the grass to the main driveway. He joined Miguel next to his car. Miguel watched Robert as he studied the house. It was a raised California-style ranch house with a mixture of stucco, brick, and wood on the outside. It had a long, low roofline and an asymmetrical L-shaped design with large windows.

  After Miguel got the house, with his large family pitching in to help, he’d had it renovated with some additional features that were not typical of the ranch house style. The bottom floor consisted of the refurbishing workroom, kitchen, dining room, laundry, game and theater room, den, exercise room, full bath, and his office. The top floor had eight bedrooms, each with their own full baths, another game and theater room, office, and large open solarium. He loved the open floor plan, the vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, and the sliding glass doors opening onto a patio, which went right to his own private strip of beach.

  “Wow. This is beautiful. Alex would love this.”

  Pride welled in Miguel as he heard the awe in Robert’s tone. He frowned at the sound of another man’s name, though.

  “Who’s Alex?”

  “A friend of mine who recently moved to Mapson,” Robert answered absently as he continued to look at the house.

  Miguel appreciated the way Robert was looking at his home. He had put a lot of work into it after he got it. He turned, opened his car door, and reached for the case of beer.

  “Does your wife mind that you have these poker days?” Robert asked.

  Miguel frowned, straightened, and looked at him. Robert’s attention was still on the house. When Robert looked at him, there was no guile in his eyes. Miguel stifled a chuckle. He couldn’t believe Robert hadn’t seen his interest. He could clear it up that he was very much into men, but Miguel observed Robert and decided to let him figure it out himself. He couldn’t wait to tell his brothers.

  “No wife. It’s just me living here, and I don’t mind.” He winked at Robert.

  Robert’s eyes widened, and he licked his lips. Miguel turned away to get the beer, stifling a chuckle. It probably wouldn’t take Robert long to figure out he was queer, but until then, it was going to be interesting. He shook his head. No wonder Robert hadn’t made any advances; he thought Miguel was straight. Miguel lifted the beer, putting it over his shoulder. A moan sounded behind him. He shifted the beer onto the other shoulder, flexing his muscles. Trying for innocence, he looked back at Robert.

  “Grab the bags for me. The guys eat through food fast,” he said.

  Robert came to him, and he didn’t shift away. Robert grabbed the bags, his body brushing up against Miguel’s. Robert stepped back quickly. Miguel took a breath, inhaling his maleness. Musky man and delicious-smelling cologne filled his senses. Yes, it would be sweet once Robert figured it out. His thoughts filled with all he would do to Robert when he did.

  “Miguel, are you okay?” Robert’s voice came as from a distance.

  Miguel shook himself out of thoughts that were not helping his already hard erection.

  “I’m good.”

  The leery look was back on Robert’s face. Miguel didn’t like seeing it at all.

  “Hey, why don’t you invite your friend—Alex, I think you said—over to join the game?”

  “Are you sure?” Robert asked.

  “Yep! The more the merrier, and more money to win.” Miguel started walking to the door.

  “Okay. I’ll call after we get inside and see if he’s not busy.” Robert sounded relieved.

  Miguel smiled, since Robert couldn’t see him. He read people very well, and he knew he made Robert nervous. Heck, he was sure Robert was also horny. He shifted, trying to ease the pressure on his hard cock. He opened the unlocked door with his free hand and waited for Robert to go in, then chanced a quick pat
of that firm ass. Robert jumped, startled, and looked back at him. He smiled innocently and strode inside. He put the beer by the cooler and looked around the room, which was filled with eleven other men. They all looked curious.

  “Guys, this is Robert. He’s here to win your money.”

  The men heckled and booed. Laughing, Miguel introduced Robert around.

  “Lane, Gerry, Hill, and Dick work with me.” They each waved, then went back to the game on TV.

  “Patrick, Longoria, and Ollie work in the firehouse across the street from the station I work out of. Link works with my brother Malik. Watch out for Longoria. He cheats.” Miguel laughed.

  “Hombre is a lying ass.” Longoria flipped him off. “Nice to meet ya, Robert.”

  The other men echoed the sentiments and went back to playing. Miguel guided Robert to the men leaning against the wall.

  “These three louts are my brothers Tomas, Hector, and Malik. Hec is a lawyer, so you know he cheats.” He laughed, dodging Hector’s swat, then gestured to Malik and Tomas.

  “Tomas and Malik co-own a landscaping business. Tomas doesn’t cheat but suckers you into a false sense of security with a fake, lousy poker face. Malik, on the other hand, can bluff you really well. Don’t believe either of them for a minute.”

  “Hey! I resent that. I work hard on my lousy face,” Tomas griped. He turned to Robert. “Ignore this overgrown lout. Nice to meet you, Robert. So how much money are you gonna lose?”

  “You mean how much am I going to win,” Robert retorted.

  They all laughed.

  “We might have another player if Robert’s friend Alex is free to come play.”

  “Oh goody, more money to win. Sim has been asking for a new cashmere coat.” Hector rubbed his hands together.

  “I’ve been eyeing a new power digger,” Malik added.

  “How good a player is Alex?” Miguel asked.

  Robert got that wicked grin on his face again. “You’ll have to wait and see. Let me go call.”

  He wandered back to the door to place his call. Miguel watched the sway of those hips and perfect ass.

  “He’s yummy, bro,” Tomas said.

  “Yeah, in that geeky sort of way that I find sexy,” Malik stated.

  Miguel looked back at them. They were looking at Robert.

  “Eyes off,” Miguel growled.

  “Who can help it? He’s hot,” Hector countered.

  Miguel looked at him. “Sim would beat you silly.”

  Hector snorted. “Please. Simon would say the same thing if he was here. Heck, he would probably like Robert on sight. His tailored clothes and that face that looks innocent but you know good and well is wicked underneath. He reminds me of Simon. God, I miss him.” Hector shivered.

  Miguel, Tomas, and Malik looked at each other, then laughed. Hector and his partner Simon were so in love it was ridiculous. They had been together for over five years, and still were honeymooning like they just met. They were like jackrabbits when together.

  “You have it bad. When is Simon going to be back?” Miguel asked.

  “A few more weeks. He’s still filming in Canada,” Hector said sadly.

  “Why don’t you just go see him? He’s probably as pitiful as you are.” Malik said.

  “No can do. I have a big merger that I’m working on.” Hector sighed. “Enough about me. Miguel, what is up with you and Hottie over there?”

  Miguel looked back at Robert as he talked on his cell next to the huge bay windows.

  “Nothing yet, but I’m working on the prof.”

  “Prof?” Malik said.

  “He’s a professor at the university,” Miguel replied, looking back at them.

  “Really? What does he teach?” Tomas asked, glancing toward the window and then back at Miguel.

  “I have no clue. But I will find that out, among other things.” Miguel grinned, rocking back on his heels.

  His brothers looked at each other, then at him.

  “What?”

  “You have a certain look in your eye,” Malik answered.

  “What look?” Miguel frowned.

  “The one I had when I found Simon,” Hector said softly.

  Miguel looked at them, shocked, and then at Robert. A soft feeling came over him. Robert looked at him and smiled, still talking on his cell. Miguel glanced back at his brothers.

  “Nah, it’s too soon. But from the time I met him, something seemed different about him. We’ll see how it goes.” Miguel shrugged.

  “No matter what you say, I know that look. I’m happy for you, baby brother.” Hector slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Me too.” Malik slapped him back.

  “Be careful,” Tomas warned as he put his hand on his shoulder.

  Miguel gripped his forearm, squeezed, and then dropped his hand. Although he was older than Tomas, he knew Tomas was overprotective. He was that way with all the family, or those he thought of as such. Tomas was the middle child of their large extended family, and they all knew how he was and had grown to accept it, to a certain degree. Tomas squeezed his shoulder before letting go.

  “It doesn’t matter now, anyway. I have to convince him I’m gay and interested,” Miguel replied.

  “What!” his brothers all exclaimed as one.

  They gaped, then looked at Robert, then back at Miguel. They looked at each other again and started to laugh. Hector, Tomas, and Malik put their arms over each other’s shoulders, and they held each other up as they laughed until tears rolled down their faces. Miguel crossed his arms over his chest and glared. They kept looking between him and Robert and laughing their fool heads off.

  “What’s wrong with them?” Robert asked behind him.

  Miguel turned. Robert had a bemused smile on his face.

  “A case of the stupids,” Miguel replied as he glared at them.

  That set them off even more. They slid to the floor laughing. He ignored them and looked back at Robert. He was shaking his head.

  “Is your friend coming?” Miguel asked to distract him from his undisciplined brothers.

  “Yes, he is. Alex’ll be here in a few minutes. He had mentioned he bought a house in the area, but I didn’t realize it was right down the street.”

  Miguel frowned and thought about it. “The only place I know that was for sale around here was about four lots over. It was a run-down dump. Did someone con your friend?”

  Robert laughed. “Oh, no. Alex knows what he was getting. He likes to restore houses, and sometimes furniture. It’s his way to relax. He’s sucked me into it, too, from time to time. He does most of the work himself.” He glanced down at Miguel’s brothers rolling on the floor, still laughing. “He’ll be glad to meet your brothers Tomas and Malik. He usually needs a good landscaper, since yard work is the one thing he doesn’t do.” Robert paused, shaking his head. “Well, that is if they ever stop laughing. What’s so funny, anyway?”

  Gales of laughter met his question. Miguel kicked out, hitting one of their legs. It didn’t stop the laughter.

  “They’re silly. Hey, is that Alex?” Miguel pointed.

  Robert turned and smiled. “Yep, that’s him. Hope it was okay that I told him to come in, that the door would be unlocked.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll come meet him in a sec,” Miguel said.

  Robert nodded and hurried over to Alex. Miguel checked out the tall, lean man. Alex wasn’t as tall as his own six-three, but still, a little taller than Robert. He would estimate Alex was about six feet. He and Robert hugged briefly. Miguel wondered what their relationship was. From where he stood, he could see Alex had similar pretty features to Robert’s, but more angular.

  Alex smiled, and dimples winked, bracketing the smile. Miguel couldn’t see his eye color from where he stood, but he imagined they were dark to offset his auburn hair. Alex pushed a hand through the unruly curls that framed his face. He pushed his sunglasses up, holding back his hair. Alex and Robert looked at Miguel, then away quickly. Miguel blinked. H
e was so wrong. Alex’s eyes were pale gray. It was startling with his hair. Alex was cute, but in his opinion, Robert was sexy. Robert blushed and swatted at Alex. He wondered what they were talking about. Hungrily, he watched Robert, then forced himself to look away and at his brothers.

  “Are you all going to stop laughing so we can go meet Robert’s friend?” Miguel sighed.

  They pulled themselves up until their backs rested against the wall.

  “Give us a sec.” Hector bit his lip and started laughing again.

  Malik closed his eyes, tears of laughter on his face. Tomas bit his lip, looked between Miguel and Robert, then started to laugh again. Miguel shook his head and leaned against the wall, watching his crazy brothers.

  “ROBERT, YOU’VE been holding out on me. That’s the cop that stopped you? He’s hot,” Alex hissed.

  Robert glanced at Miguel. He was watching them. Robert looked back at Alex. Alex was staring at Miguel. Robert gripped Alex’s arm.

  “And straight. Stop looking at him like that.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “Really? I would swear he wasn’t. Hell, I pegged a few men in here as part of our team.”

  Robert’s gaze narrowed as he looked around. All the men in the room were sexy in their own way. Hill and Link, with their rich, black skin, long, wavy hair tied back with a string, and muscular bulk, had to be related in some way; they looked too much alike not to be. Longoria had slick black hair and sharp features that proudly displayed he was Native American. Ollie he had pegged for Native American also, but he was probably from a different tribe. He and Longoria had similar inky black hair, yet their features were different, Ollie’s more hawkish. Lane and Gerry looked like surfer dudes with shocking blond hair like his own and lanky frames. Dick and Patrick were either Latin or Spanish. He couldn’t tell which. Miguel’s brothers were Spanish, that much he knew. In none of the men did he get the vibe that they were queer. Robert looked at Miguel, who was leaning against the wall next to his still-laughing brothers.

  He looked back at Alex. “You see queer everywhere.”

  “It’s a gift.” Alex laughed, bumping shoulders with him.