Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles)

by Talia Carmichael

  AN HOUR later, Taggart led Bamm-Bamm and said to Rhodes, who was behind him with Pebbles, “You put him up to it.”

  “I didn’t. You asked and he told you.” Rhodes watched Taggart’s ass as he moved in front of him. He adjusted himself in his jeans. Watching Taggart for the last hour as he ran, bent, and worked with the dogs had been an exercise in controlling himself.

  “You’ve been watching my ass for the whole class. Stop watching my butt.” Taggart looked over his shoulder. “Especially since we have more to do before we go back to my place.”

  “Can’t grocery shopping wait?” Rhodes groaned.

  “I have errands to run. I’ve been spending all my time at your place. I have no food in my house and the dust could choke a rhinoceros.”

  “Why a rhinoceros?”

  “Why not one?” Taggart opened the car door.

  They put the puppies in and got in the seats as they had before. Rhodes turned and drove off the property onto the road. Taggart put on the radio, fiddling to find a station before he settled on one. He hummed along to the music. Rhodes tapped his finger on the steering wheel along with the beat.

  “You missed the turn,” Taggart said.

  Rhodes ignored him and continued driving. A few minutes later, Rhodes pulled the SUV into the garage, then looked at Taggart.

  “I’ll help you dust. And I’ll help you clean, and I hate it. It’s why I have a service come in and do it for my place.” Rhodes shuddered at the thought. “But I’ll do it. Groceries you can do another day. Since you don’t have any food, we’ll order in later.” Rhodes gripped the wheel. “But all of that has to wait. You better get into the house now or I’ll fuck you here.”

  “Public lewdness is ag—”

  “Yeah, against the law,” Rhodes said. “I warned you.”

  Taggart opened the door and got out. He left the passenger side door open and opened the back door. The puppies jumped out and Taggart opened the back door of the garage that led to the fenced backyard. He closed the door and faced the SUV.

  “I don’t take warnings well.” Taggart put his hands on his waist.

  Rhodes took the challenge in his stance and tone. He got out of the car and slammed the door. Rhodes approached Taggart and lifted him, kissing him urgently. Taggart rubbed against him, sucking his tongue. Rhodes pulled away and let him down.

  “Inside, now.” Taggart turned and headed for the door.

  Rhodes waited until he had opened the door leading to the kitchen before he rushed him. Taggart moved and Rhodes, anticipating he would, met him and lifted Taggart again, hefting him over one shoulder. He walked rapidly into the house, kicking the door shut.

  “Yes. I lifted and carried you before but really, is all this necessary?” Taggart pinched his ass.

  “Hush. I’m carting my boyfriend off to bed.” Rhodes smacked him on the ass as they walked through the kitchen door into the hall.

  “I would giggle that you said it but I don’t giggle,” Taggart said.

  “That’s good because I don’t see you as the giggly type.” He headed up the steps.

  “Oh Rhodes, you’re so strong and manly,” Taggart said slyly.

  “When you lifted me, I didn’t make snide comments, did I?” Rhodes stopped at the top of the stairs.

  “Right.” Taggart laughed. “This is weirdly familiar.”

  “Yes. But my bedroom is on the left.” Rhodes entered the room at end of hall. His focus was on the bed and he stopped by it. Rhodes lowered himself to the floor to slide Taggart off his shoulder. When he was in front of him, Rhodes held Taggart’s chin between his fingers. “Being with you is always such fun.”

  “Ditto.” Taggart rubbed his finger over Rhodes’s scar, making him shiver.

  Taggart moved his hand into Rhodes’s hair, holding onto his braid. Rhodes closed his eyes and kissed him, stroking his tongue into Taggart’s mouth. Taggart gripped his hair, holding him in place. Rhodes moaned at the grip moving against him. Taggart pushed his leg between Rhodes’s, pressing against his erection. Rhodes moved on his thigh.

  Taggart stopped kissing him and said huskily, “In me.”

  Rhodes undressed Taggart quickly, then himself. He moved Taggart back to the bed, kissing him. Taggart teetered. Rhodes held him, not ready to stop kissing him. He slowly gentled their kiss before lifting his head. Taggart blinked, his eyes glazed.

  “Protection.” Rhodes rubbed his finger over his lips.

  “In the nightstand.” Taggart retrieved the items and handed them to Rhodes.

  Dropping the lube and condom on the bed, Rhodes pushed Taggart and knelt between his spread legs on the bed. Taggart moved back and Rhodes didn’t move. Taggart looked at him questioningly.

  “My mouth is about to get me in trouble.” Rhodes leaned down and inhaled along Taggart’s groin.

  Taggart’s already-hard cock bobbed in reaction. Rhodes kissed the tip but didn’t linger. He moved between Taggart’s legs and lay down.

  “Rhodes.” Taggart’s voice sounded strained.

  Rhodes pressed a kiss on his inner thigh. Taggart clenched his thighs. From the first time he mentioned it and his reaction, Rhodes knew Taggart had been waiting for this. He might not have mentioned it now, but Rhodes knew Taggart remembered. He leaned forward and inhaled. Rhodes enjoyed the scent of him. Taggart shifted on the bed. Rhodes didn’t waste any more time. He moved back and lifted Taggart’s foot. He licked along the top of the big toe. Taggart wiggled it. Rhodes licked it again before moving to the next one and the others.

  “Rhodes. You’re going to drive me crazy.”

  “You know how I like to pull off the tape slow on my gifts.” Rhodes glared up at him. “Although someone rushed me.” Rhodes kissed his toe. “This time I’m going to go slow and you’re going to lie there. No ripping it off quickly.” He went back to licking.

  “Fuck. Come on,” Taggart moaned.

  Rhodes didn’t mind him and went slowly as he licked along the ridges of his toes. He worked his way up one leg, then down the other. By the time he reached Taggart’s groin, Taggart was rigid and panting. Rhodes continued on his trek, licking all around his cock, going up his stomach, swirling his tongue.

  “I’m going to….” Taggart breathed out, cursing.

  Rhodes chuckled against his bellybutton. He licked it again and moved with his steady, slow pace. Taggart slid his hands into Rhodes’s hair, loosening it from its braid. Rhodes pushed it back from his face and moved along each rigid muscle. Rhodes groaned as his erection rubbed along the bed. He wanted to be inside Taggart but was determined to finish his exploration. He moved over to the left side and went upward. Rhodes was regretting saying he was going to go slow when he licked under Taggart’s jaw. He pushed against Taggart, rubbing their cocks together, and kissed him.

  “Screw it.” He leaned back and grabbed the lube and condom.

  Hands shaking, he tried to open the packet. Taggart sat up, taking it from him.

  “Slow, remember.”

  “The smug tone is not needed.” Rhodes opened the lube. “Just open the damn condom.”

  Taggart chuckled, opened it, and smoothed it over Rhodes’s erection. Taggart pumped his shaft. Rhodes pushed his hand away, not able to take any stimulation. He put his hand on the center of Taggart’s chest and pushed him back on the bed. Taggart stroked his cock while watching him. Rhodes licked his lips and squeezed the wet slick onto his fingers, then rubbed it on his cock. He wet them again and felt under Taggart’s and pushed his fingers into his hole. Taggart clenched around them, moaning. Rhodes couldn’t wait. He pulled his fingers out of Taggart’s hole, then lined up his cock and pushed in. Taggart gripped Rhodes and moved with him. Rhodes moved quickly, stroking into him.

  “Rhodes… yes… right fucking there.” Taggart grabbed his shoulders hard.

  Rhodes moved faster. At each motion, Taggart clenched, creating a friction that only added to his pleasure. Taggart moved his hand and grabbed his hair, pulling Rhodes down to him.
Rhodes closed his eyes, falling into their kiss.

  TAGGART KISSED Rhodes, clenching his ass around his cock. Rhodes shuddered and pulled back from their kiss, groaning harshly. Taggart held his hair and yanked his head back, licking his Adam’s apple. Rhodes moaned and shivered. Taggart ran his teeth over the skin he’d kissed. He bit down and Rhodes shuddered, grunting as he came. Taggart rocked, making his erection slide between them, and he shook as he joined Rhodes in release. Rhodes collapsed against him and Taggart held him, kissing the side of his face before he rested his head back against the bed.

  The sound of bells made Taggart wince. He pushed Rhodes off him and rolled over, jumped off the bed, and went to his pants. He pulled out his cell.

  “Monroe.” Taggart listened as he stood and started to dress. “I’ll be right there. Call Ramirez, Walker, and Miguel from my division.” He hung up and finished dressing before he faced Rhodes. Taggart smiled as he watched him sprawled in the center of his bed. He went to the bed, leaned over and kissed him, then he straightened. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He walked to the door but paused in the doorway, looking back. “Don’t forget to clean.”

  “Hey, I’m not cleaning.”

  “You said you would help me,” Taggart reminded him.

  “Help you, not actually do any of it myself.” Rhodes sat up, pushing his hair back from his face.

  “Well, if you do it before I get back, that would be a help for me.” Taggart left, laughing. By the time he descended the stairs, he’d sobered and started planning how to handle the case they had been given.

  HOURS LATER, Taggart pulled into his driveway and got out of his SUV, frowning at the van parked beside his car. He walked to his front door and reached for the door, but it opened before he touched it. Taggart watched the woman coming out and she nodded at him, as did the other women and men who followed her carrying buckets and vacuums. Taggart looked at Rhodes, who was standing behind them.

  “The place is clean. I said I would help, but I didn’t mean I would do it.” Rhodes walked back into the house.

  Taggart entered and closed and locked the door behind him. He followed Rhodes’s earlier path into the living room. He was on the couch with a puppy on each side and their heads resting on his thighs. Taggart looked at him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Taggart went to the couch, moved a puppy, and sat beside him. He put his hand against the top of Rhodes’s. “Where were you last night?”

  “Why?”

  “Someone tried to kill Billy Lowry.” Taggart paused, then sighed. “When we asked him if anyone had threatened him or wanted to hurt him, he described you. Why didn’t you tell me you talked to him at the press conference?”

  “I don’t try when I want to kill someone.” Rhodes stared at him unblinkingly. “But you’ve already made up your mind that I didn’t do it.”

  Rhodes hadn’t answered the direct question, and it wasn’t that important why he hadn’t told him about his run-in with Billy. Rhodes was right; he had already made a decision about him. That was how well he knew Rhodes. In his gut, Taggart knew it hadn’t been Rhodes. “He’s claiming my boyfriend is trying to kill him.” Taggart shook his head. “They gave the case to another unit. They’ll be coming to ask you questions.”

  “Okay.” Rhodes didn’t say anything else. He squeezed Taggart’s hand and Taggart leaned against him.

  “I don’t want you answering them without a lawyer.”

  “I don’t need a lawyer.”

  “If the detectives push you on your past, what will you say?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Exactly, but with a lawyer, he can bullshit about relevancy without raising any flags.”

  “I—” The doorbell rang, cutting Rhodes off.

  “I already called Dante. And you’re going to let him be your lawyer.” Taggart squeezed his hand and stood.

  Rhodes grabbed Taggart’s hand. “Why are you worried about this?”

  “It was a professional hit. Before I got kicked out, I was able to see that. The distance the shooter had to be to make that shot—there are very few people who could make it.” Taggart stared at him. “I think you’re one of them.”

  “Maybe. But that isn’t the only thing. So can you.” Rhodes glanced at him. “As well as Grayson.”

  “He’s not in town. I’ll confirm that, but I know he didn’t do this. Neither did you. And I didn’t either.” Taggart ran his hand through his hair. “But someone wants Billy dead, and they’re serious enough to send a sniper after him. And we both know once that sort of person accepts a target, they won’t fail.”

  Rhodes’s face blanked and he released Taggart. The doorbell rang again but Taggart stared at Rhodes.

  “You know who it is.” Taggart was sure of that. Rhodes might not have anything to do with it, but he knew who it was.

  “You didn’t tell me the distance or anything. I’d need to see the scene for that,” Rhodes replied.

  Taggart noted how carefully he chose his words. It wasn’t an outright denial but not an admission.

  “You know that isn’t possible,” Taggart said.

  “Yeah. Get the door before Dante decides to pick the lock,” Rhodes said.

  “Too late. Why the hell did you call me here at this ungodly hour?” Dante Berkus strode in, looking sleepy.

  “It’s three o’clock in the afternoon.”

  “On a Sunday afternoon. This is the day I rest. Sleep all day and laze about being a slug.” Dante yawned. “You know this. I don’t like to be disturbed.” He clapped his hands together. “Now why am I here?”

  “Rhodes needs a lawyer.” Taggart said.

  “I’m not the only one,” Rhodes said.

  Taggart looked at him, confused.

  “If I’m a suspect, you know Lowry will find a way to bring you into it.”

  Taggart knew he was right, and he was counting on it.

  “If I can’t gut him, neither can you,” Rhodes said mildly.

  “Oh Christ, with Rhodes using that tone, I’m going to have to call Lawrence. Hell, and Betty Anne.” Dante sounded wide-awake.

  “I’m good,” Rhodes replied, smiling.

  Taggart saw the look on his face and knew he was anything but. He sat beside him and looked at Dante.

  “Call them.”

  Dante pulled out his cell and left.

  “I don’t need Betty Anne or Lawrence. I have you,” Rhodes growled.

  “And I have you, but in this we need an outside unbiased viewpoint. Walker and his wife are on their way over.”

  “If you had let me take care of it, it would have solved everything. No sniper looking for Billy and them thinking me a suspect, or even you.” Rhodes’s tone got softer.

  “It’s a funny thing that I don’t want you to murder anyone.” Taggart leaned against him. “Call it a weird foible.”

  Rhodes snorted and pulled him back as he leaned back on the couch. They sat there and Taggart heard the murmur of Dante’s voice as he spoke on the phone. He went to put his gun in the safe and came back to sit with Rhodes. A little while later, the door opened and he heard the click of heels. Betty Anne walked into the room and right up to them. Her honey-blonde hair framed her sultry face. She met his gaze with her blue eyes briefly before focusing on Rhodes.

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing,” Rhodes grumbled.

  “I’m not moving from this spot until you tell me what is up.” Betty Anne stepped forward and flopped into Rhodes’s lap.

  Taggart shifted, surprised. Betty Anne placed her hand on his arm. “You’ll get used to us. I’m always all over him. We used to fuck.” She put her hand by her mouth as if telling a secret. “Until he realized I didn’t have the right equipment. I offered to wear a strap-on but that wasn’t enough for him. He was supposed to be the daddy of my children.” She put her hand on her forehead. “I’m still heartbroken.” She blinked, glancing at Rhodes. “Still a grumpy puss.”

  “Brat.”
r />   “Dick.”

  “Bella.”

  “Diva.” Betty Anne looked at Taggart. “He really is a diva. Kind of moody like one and thinks he is all that.” She snapped her fingers.

  Rhodes grabbed her hand. “Stop before you frighten Taggart.”

  “I’m far from frightened. I think she needs to meet Charlene.”

  “Oh no. No way. They can’t ever meet.” Rhodes’s face lost the hard edge.

  Taggart breathed a sigh as it did.

  “Who’s Charlene?”

  “His sister. She’s on the news.”

  “Oh, Charlene Sanders is your sister. You all don’t look anything alike.” Betty Anne wrinkled her nose.

  Taggart couldn’t resist—he tweaked her nose. She crossed her eyes, looking at her nose and then at him.

  “Why do I feel I need a cigarette? Surrounded by all this male hotness. And Dante too. I so would jump him if he went my way. Yeah, I need a cigarette.” Betty Anne fanned herself. “That is, if I still smoked. Someone cured me of the habit.” She poked her elbow into Rhodes’s stomach.

  “It’s bad for you.” Rhodes hugged her. “I want you around a long time.”

  “Awww… you too, sugar.” She kissed Rhodes on the lips, then leaned over and did the same to Taggart. He blinked, startled, and grinned. Betty Anne winked. “I’m an affectionate girl to people I care about. You care about Rhodes, so you’re mine.”

  “Okay.” Taggart kissed her on her lips and touched her cheek. “Keep Rhodes company while I check on something.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter,” Rhodes grumbled.

  “Betty Anne, honey. It’s Betty Anne.” She put her hand on either side of Rhodes’s face. “Come back to me, Rhodes. It’s me, Betty Anne.”

  “Silly woman,” he said affectionately.

  Betty Anne looked at Taggart. “Go ahead, Taggart.”

  He kissed Rhodes briefly and stood. Taggart went into the hall and passed Dante, who was still on the phone. Taggart waved Dante off to say he didn’t need him and went through to the kitchen. Taggart went outside and sat on the back steps, breathing deep. He clenched his fists. He stood, not able to sit. He paced back and forth, trying to calm down. The situation with Billy rattled him more than it should. He knew that, but he didn’t know why.