Stake Out... (Studs & Steel Book 5)

by Heather Mar-Gerrison

  I just stared at him for a moment as his words sank into my rather slow-to-catch-on brain, “You did?” I asked, with my mouth hanging open, “How?”

  He grinned, “Well, along with my redundancy package, I also got paid quite a lot of compensation for getting shot and almost dying.” He said with a shrug, “And I knew how much you loved this place and I love it too – and I really think with a bit of hard work and a bit of luck – that I can make my investment really work.”

  I nodded slowly, “I applied for voluntary redundancy too.” I murmured, “Fancy a business partner?”

  His smile was like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. He nodded, his eyes filling with tears. “Is the ocean wet? Of course I want you as my partner. I would like that very much.” He said, “But you don’t have to do that...”

  I shook my head, “I want to.” I said, “I’ve already told the chief that I can’t carry on doing the job without you at my side...”

  Denny’s eyes filled with tears. He grabbed my hands in his, “Oh, God, Blaine.” He said, “We’re going to have so much fun making this into a retreat.”

  I nodded. It could totally be the best retreat in England... “Let’s do it.” I said, “Let’s spend the rest of our lives making people who deserve it, happy.”

  He smiled, “Bring it on.”

  “We could really sell the idea of this place to the RSPB.” I murmured, “They’ll all be coming to find the dusky thrush.”

  He chuckled, “I was thinking it might be better if we joined forces with a dating agency – you know, like that ‘First Dates’ program on TV.”

  I nodded, “Oh, my God, Denny – you’re a genius.”

  He grinned, “Yeah, I am.” He said, “Your genius.”

  The End

  Thank you for reading Stake-Out. If you enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could help others enjoy it too. Please help other readers find it by recommending it to your friends and/or discussion groups. Please tell other readers why you liked it by reviewing it. Your help is greatly appreciated.

  Coming Soon

  Simon... Spellbound

  Prologue

  Bailey

  What the hell was I doing here? It might have been a classy place but this guy was a total creep. I really had to get out of here. I stood up and picked up my jacket.

  He looked up with a puzzled frown as I stood up. “Hey,” he scowled at me and grabbed my arm as I made to leave, “Where do you think you’re going? We only just got here.”

  I shrugged, “I have something better to do.” I said truthfully – even though it would only mean watching Netflix alone in my room, “I’m going home.”

  He shook his head, “Nuh-uh,” he said, “You’re not going anywhere. I was told on good authority that you were a sure thing.”

  Rude. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “And who told you that?” I asked.

  “I believe she said she was your sister.” He grinned at me but it was really more of a snarl. In that split second moment all I felt for my foster sister was absolute hatred... But no. He had to be exaggerating. She was a bitch but she wasn’t all that bad… not deep down. Taking a deep, calming breath I decided that I was prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt and to believe that she meant well and was trying to set me up with a new guy to make me feel better following my utterly disastrous relationship with Joss – after all, I was a better person than that… So why was there still that nagging feeling that I couldn’t let go of that she’d totally set me up with this creepazoid? I made a mental note to give her a piece of my mind when I got back…

  “Laura?” I scoffed, “Are you actually serious?” Would she really be so crass? Actually yes, she totally would. Laura was my foster sister and we were definitely not what you could call close anymore – it hadn’t always been that way – when we were little we got on great guns... It was just lately that she’d started to totally resent me being around…

  I shook my head as he continued to grin at me in that predatory way – I was no one’s bitch… “Well, she was mistaken – and she’s not my sister anyway, dickhead; she’s only my foster sister and we don’t really get along. I’m guessing she thought this was some kind of joke, so I’ll apologise on her behalf and I’ll be on my way.”

  His grip on my arm got tighter and his expression turned to one of anger. Well, that was just great, wasn’t it? I could see that I was going to have to show him that being gay didn’t mean being a pansy as so many people seemed to labour under the misapprehension of… “Let go of my arm, dude.” I said in a warning voice.

  “Hey!” Another voice to my left shouted, making us both jump. I turned to find the most gorgeous guy I’d ever had the pleasure of seeing stood in front of me and Dickhead, looking heartily annoyed, “You heard him,” he snarled, “Let go of my friend’s arm.”

  I was about to open my mouth and tell him quite indignantly that I was not apprehending Dickhead at all when Dickhead spoke and I realised that Gorgeous was actually speaking to him.

  “Your friend?” Dickhead sneered, looking him up and down as if he were a cockroach or something equally as horrible.

  Gorgeous took a step closer, “That’s what I just said, isn’t it?” He asked sarcastically.

  Dickhead dropped my arm and snorted, “He was a crap date anyway,” he muttered and walked away.

  I turned towards Gorgeous, “Thanks.” I said awkwardly, “I was handling it – but thanks for the support.”

  He just smiled and nodded, “Glad to be of help.” He said sticking his hand out, “My name’s Simon,”

  I grinned and took his hand in mine. It was warm and slightly roughened making me wonder what he did for a living. “Bailey.” I said, “It’s uh, it’s really nice to meet you.”

  Simon nodded, “Likewise.” He said looking at me with unguarded interest, “Do you really have somewhere you have to be, or would you like to stay for a drink?”

  I grinned. Being hit on by someone that looked like him was rare – and very welcome… “A drink sounds pretty good actually.” I agreed.

  Chapter I – Wading in…

  Simon

  Sitting in my booth at the club my cousin owned and nursing my glass of cola just to be doing something rather than being at home on my night off where it was becoming more than unbearable to be, I couldn’t help overhearing a conversation going on in the booth right next to me.

  Some guy was having a drink with another guy – but the arsehole of the two of them seemed to be under the impression that the other one wanted to go home with him – and that really wasn’t what it sounded like to me…

  “Let go of my arm dude.”

  That was it. I’d heard enough… I shot out of my seat and rounded the corner, “You heard him.” I snarled, “Let go of my friend’s arm.” I’d acted on instinct and well before I’d even had a good look at the aggressor. I wasn’t unduly worried – being a rugby player I was pretty well built and strong enough to take on pretty much anyone – that said, I wasn’t a street-fighter kind of guy and I wouldn’t dream of carrying a knife – but I knew nothing of this guy... At this point I still hadn’t even looked at the guy being manhandled – as much as I knew, he might have been able to totally take care of himself for as much notice I’d taken before wading in. It was a terrible weakness of mine...

  I decided to check at that moment and I’m not gonna lie to you, my knees about buckled when he looked around at me with a slightly surprised look on his beautiful face. Holy fucking shit, Date Guy was the most beautiful guy I’d ever laid eyes on – and since he was on a date with another guy – I was guessing that he must also be gay…

  The bully left as he looked up, and up again (six feet five – what can I say? I’m huge) and Date Guy smiled up at me, “Thanks.” He said, “I was handling it – but thanks anyway.”

  I smiled back at him, my heart in my mouth. He had dark wavy hair and dark brown eyes that I swear were made up with mascara and a little guy liner
– something I’d only used when I was staying over at a friend’s house or when Mum and Dad were away on business. They would totally freak if they saw me wearing anything other than jeans and a tee shirt and make up was definitely not an option at him – it was something they would never accept in a million years.

  Date Guy was looking at me with open interest but I had no idea what I was going to do now that I’d charged in and helped – I was utterly crap at the whole chatting up thing. I’d never come out to anyone in the family other than my brother, Buzz, and I was terrified of anyone ever finding out. Still, there was something about this particular guy that I couldn’t help being drawn to. I stuck my hand out – I know, I know – I’m way too formal and old before my time… “Glad to be of help,” I said, “My name is Simon.”

  His answering smile made my heart beat even faster. He grabbed my offered hand and pumped it, “I’m Bailey.” He said, “It’s really nice to meet you.”

  Chapter II – Knight in shining armour?

  Bailey

  I got home a couple of hours later – with Simon’s phone number and a promise that he’d call if I didn’t.

  Rich, my foster dad was still up when I got in. He looked up from his laptop, “Hey Bailey.” He said with a grin, “Good night?”

  I shrugged, “I’ve had better,” I said, “…And worse.” I added as I recalled Simon and his incredible body and cute face. Damn, he was everything I’d dreamt of in a boyfriend…

  He frowned, “Wasn’t this a friend of Laura’s?” he asked.

  I shrugged, “Yeah, well…”

  He shook his head, frowning at me, “What happened?” he growled.

  “He wasn’t a nice guy.” I said shortly, “Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?”

  Rich’s frown became a scowl, “Do you need me to have a word with her?”

  I shook my head, “I dealt with it – he won’t be bothering me again.” Thanks to Simon…

  Rich raised an eyebrow, a small smile on his face, “So if it didn’t work out with him – where have you been until this time?”

  I couldn’t stop the wide smile from breaking out across my face, “Well, as it happens, I met this other guy…”

  Rich nodded, his smile growing as he looked at me hopefully, “And?”

  I sighed; he might have been the most beautiful guy on the planet but he was so deeply buried in the closet he’d have to dig his way out, “I uh, I don’t think he’s out.” Understatement of the century…

  Rich sighed along with me, “Then keep looking,” He said shortly, “You’ve nothing to be ashamed of and that’s the way he’ll make you feel if you allow it.”

  I shook my head, “No, I don’t think he will – we exchanged numbers – I’m hopeful, Rich.”

  Rich nodded, “Well, just so long as he doesn’t try to pull you back into the closet with him, son.” He muttered.

  I smiled, “He won’t.” I said, “I’m out and proud.”

  Rich smiled at me fondly, “Yeah, you always were.” He said, “Even when you first came to stay with us, you brought one prize possession with you – your fairy princess bike – it was too small for you and really needed throwing out but you wouldn’t have any other – and you came home all excited from your first day of school saying you’d met the most perfect boy and that you were going to marry him, just as soon as you were both all grown up.” He chuckled.

  I chuckled along with him, “Nathan Matthews.” I said, “Great guy and damn, he’s still beautiful.”

  Rich laughed with me, “Beautiful,” he agreed, “But sadly, straight as a die.”

  I nodded, “Yeah, well,” I shrugged, a big grin all over my face, “can’t win ‘em all – he still loves me.”

  Dad grinned and nodded, “But not as much as he loves his wife.” He reminded me with a wink.

  It was true, Nathan and Sophie had dated since they were sixteen and had gotten married a year ago after five years of dating. As his best friend, I was his best man even though most people probably thought I’d have been better suited as a bridesmaid...

  I was blessed with good friends that accepted me for being the way I was without thinking there was something wrong with me. It made me wonder what sort of a life Simon had, to be so reluctant to be out…

  You can read Hendrix and Mason’s love story in the Studs & Steel Novella, Dangerous Love...

  Coming soon

  Prologue

  Hendrix

  “Let yourself off the hook for the night, Hendrix.” Brendan said, smiling at me.

  I gave him a watery smile back. “Yeah, right.” I scoffed, “And get beaten black and blue when I go back tonight with half the money Lenny’s expecting? No thanks.”

  Brendan whipped out his wallet at the speed of light, “I know I can’t tell you how to live your life. I never stepped up when you were born and I have no rights over you – but you’re still my flesh and blood – and I don’t want you living like this. You’ve got brains, Hendrix. Use them – get the fuck out of this city and make a new life far away from here.”

  I nodded, “I will. That’s what my plan is. But I can’t take your money, man...”

  He thrust a wad of twenty pound notes in my hand, “Call it a loan, then.” He said with a wink, “You can pay me back when you make your first million, okay?” He got up to leave.

  I grinned. Sometimes I really wished things had been different and that Brendan had been my dad growing up. There was nothing wrong with Henry – the guy who raised me as his own – apart from dying on me when I needed him the most and only months after Mum was killed in an accident. Oh, yeah – as fucked up lives went – mine was right up there...

  But I decided that for once, I was going to let myself off the hook. I was going to dance – and let loose a little. I’d got a pocketful of money thanks to Brendan’s generosity and I was going to have a drink and a little fun that didn’t involve blowjobs and hand jobs for money... I said goodbye to Brendan who was heading home and I headed for the bar. I wasn’t going home at all tonight if I could help it – it was so lonely there.

  “Hi.”

  I glanced to my right and found myself nose to nose with an incredibly attractive young guy around my age. “Oh, hi.” I nodded to him.

  “Fancy a drink? My treat.” He said.

  I frowned. Fuck did he recognise me from a previous hook up or worse – had he been a client of mine?

  “No thanks.” I said sharply, “I can pay my own way.”

  He blinked and looked a little hurt, “Okay, Jeez.” He murmured, “I was just...”

  “What?” I snapped, “Looking for a fucking freebie?”

  He stared at me with a completely confused look, “Uh?”

  I felt my face heating up. He was a regular guy, hitting on another regular guy... that was all this was. Only I wasn’t a regular guy. I was trailer-trash. I was a prostitute. I was so far beneath him with his beautiful skin and his beautifully made up eyes and his clean clothes and his delicious scent that I could smell from here it was pitiful... “I’m sorry.” I said, “Just chat up someone worth your effort, mate.” I’m scum...

  He smiled, “That’s what I was doing.” He said.

  Oh, God... Why me? Why today when I have no commitments? This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go down... I was getting out of here, not meeting someone that would make me want to stay. Don’t be nice to me. Don’t...

  But he was nice to me – and I did stay. For far too long...

  Chapter I

  Mason

  I’d seen the cute guy with the big blue eyes and the cropped blonde hair way before he spotted me. He was chatting to another guy, about fifteen or sixteen years older than him maybe – who looked really quite similar now that I came to think about it. Maybe they were related... or not... Whatever. I didn’t care about him being related to the guy – I was just kind of fascinated with him. He was very attractive. He was of medium height and build – not too big, not too small. Perfect, a littl
e voice in the back of my mind piped up.

  The excitement in my stomach as he headed away from the older guy and approached the bar was hard to contain. I had to speak to him. I had to...

  I blurted out the first thing I could thing of – which thankfully was actually appropriate to the situation. I offered to buy him a drink but he wasn’t exactly what you’d call approachable. He looked at me suspiciously and told me in no uncertain terms that he really wasn’t interested. But I didn’t believe him. A flicker of interest in his eyes belied his words.

  Still, it was time to tread carefully, “Jeez, I was just...”

  He snapped something about me wanting a freebie, which was a bit weird since I’d offered him a drink and I looking at him in confusion.

  He sighed and apologised, “I’m sorry.” he said, “Just chat up someone worth your effort, mate.”

  Ahh, A mystery man with a murky past. He thought he was saving me from my bad self... I smiled, “That’s what I was doing.” I said.

  And now he looked panicked but his eyes were still gazing at me with longing. And I felt that pull. It really was love at first sight... This was the one I’d been looking for my whole life. Someone who needed me as much as I needed him. It was like magic...

  Of course when magic comes along in your life – it’s laced with a little of the black magic too – and he sure as hell had his very own evil wizard in his life – his cousin, Lenny Roblinski. I’d heard of the Roblinskis and the McCarthys come to that – but I had no idea that the beautiful guy sitting at the bar was the younger brother of the guy who’d been shot, right here in the club, a couple of years ago until he started talking to me.