by Turner, CJ
“Hey, Mr. Tour Guide.”
Manu glanced over his shoulder, and Alister got a great shot of him. The mountain man shook his head and looked away, and continued on the trail.
Manu kept a leisurely walking pace, and Alister found he could almost stay ahead of the dizzy feeling threatening to overtake him if he breathed deeply. Manu glanced over his shoulder to Alister and frowned.
“You okay?” said Manu.
“Yeah,” said Alister with a little gasp.
“How about a bottle of water?”
He almost said “no,” but this was the first time Manu spoke to him since they started, and he wanted to keep the conversation going. Manu fished a reusable stainless steel can from his bag and handed it to Alister.
“You a save-the-earth type of guy?” said Alister.
“Someone has to do it,” said Manu. He kept his eyes forward as his horse placed one hoof after another at a plodding pace.
Silence fell between them, and Alister thought his plan missed the mark. They continued for another hour in near silence, frustrating the hell out of Alister. He was not used to being ignored. Thunder behaved himself, adding to Alister’s boredom.
“You want to take a break?” said Manu.
“Sure,” said Alister.
“This way,” said Manu.
Manu led them up another rise and to a cut in the rock where the rock walls rose on either side. Alister dropped behind Manu once more, but this time Thunder tossed his head. Alister pulled on the reins to gain control of the horse. The last thing he needed was Thunder spooking in the narrow passage.
But the way opened, and Alister’s mouth hung open.
A gorgeous lake spread out with pine trees growing on either side. The lake’s shimmering mirror met the woodland in a natural wholeness that awed Alister.
“Wow,” said Alister.
“Yeah,” said Manu. “Unspoiled beauty. Let’s water the horses.”
“Sure.”
Manu dismounted, and Alister followed him. They walked the equines to the edge of the lake. Instead of sand, rocks of different sizes, from pebbles to boulders, littered the edges of the lake bed.
“Careful,” said Manu. “The rocks are slippery.”
“Sure,” said Alister. He didn’t want to get his hiking boots wet. Thunder picked his way to the water. Alister did his best to follow. Flies buzzed over the surface of the water.
Without warning and with a flash of silver, a fish splashed up from the water and snapped at a fly. Thunder startled and stepped backward, pulling on the reins Alister held. On the slippery rocks, Alister lost his footing and fell back. There was nothing he could do to stop a crash into the rocks below him.
This will hurt, he thought.
But in a second, Manu grabbed him around his waist, surely and securely, and Alister knew he would not fall. He looked up into Manu’s eyes that were half-lidded with lust.
“What are you doing here?” He stared at Alister as if trying to search for the answers to his question. “ I haven’t stopped thinking of you since I met you. You’re driving me fucking crazy, Grant.”
“I’m driving you crazy, mountain man? My hard-on hasn’t stopped reminding me of our make-out session yesterday.”
“What about Sebastian?”
“What about him?”
“Is he your boyfriend or what?”
“Good friend. We were never like that. Irreconcilable differences.” Alister raised his hand to Manu’s cheek, which had sprouted a bit of morning stubble.
“So what is going on here, Grant? A little nookie with the tour guide before you head home to buy more Gucci? Is this what you think $700 gets?” Manu’s voice was rough, and even though his words were hard, that voice strummed through Alister like a violin. Horror stole over Alister. It didn’t occur to him that it looked just like that.
“No!”
“No?” Manu gave him a hard stare, and Alister felt like an idiot.
“It’s not like that. It’s just—damn it.”
“What?”
“I always do this. I go overboard. Full steam ahead.”
“I see. You can’t help yourself.”
“When it comes to you, no. Look, I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I thought that it wouldn’t be so bad if we continued what we started. But if you feel otherwise, I’ll just go home.”
“It’s that simple for you?”
Now anger rose through Alister’s gut. “No, it’s not. Either you want to, or you don’t. And I can see you don’t.” Alister twisted away from Manu and stepped toward Thunder, who stood chewing on grass.
And Manu grabbed his arm, and Alister looked up into Manu’s eyes.
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to.”
“You didn’t?”
Manu shook his head.
“Then—” Alister threw his arm around Manu’s thick neck and drew his body up to meet Manu’s lips. Alister was hungry and needy, and Manu’s flesh melding with his was the most delicious thing he tasted since yesterday. His heart pounded as his hand sought the prize below Manu’s waist and got rewarded with a moan as his hand gripped the bulge there.
Overhead a helicopter flew, and Alister almost stepped back.
“Don’t,” said Manu. “They aren’t looking for us. They can’t see much from that height.”
Eagerly, Manu’s hand undid Alister’s buckle with deft fingers, then unzipped his jeans. He reached in and tugged down Alister’s underwear.
“Fucking silk,” growled Manu. And in a second, the big man’s hand gripped Alister’s shaft, and that pressure had Alister seeing stars. He panted as he worked the belt buckle, then the top button of Manu’s jeans, hot enough to do anything with the sexy mountain guide. Manu used one hand to push his jeans and underwear over his hips. His cock sprang forward, and Alister looked down and licked his lips. He wanted a taste of that. Instead, Manu pushed his cock against Alister’s and wrapped his big hand around both of them.
“Look at me,” said Manu in a husky voice.
Alister locked his eyes on Manu as the mountain man pulled on both cocks. Alister groaned, and his precum leaked on both of them. His strokes sped up, and Manu leaned forward and nipped Alister’s lower lip, then sucked on Alister’s neck. The slight pain spiked his excitement, and Alister burst apart. With a moan, Manu did too, and their cum spilled onto Manu’s hand.
Alister panted and leaned against Manu, trying to pull himself together. His heart’s beating seemed to grow louder, and he realized it was the sound of a helicopter getting closer. And then it descended beyond the rocky outcropping. They glanced at each other, and then Alister pulled up his jeans. Manu bent and washed his hands in the water, then pulled up his jeans, too.
“Do you know anything about that helicopter, Grant?”
But before Alister could answer, the familiar figure of his security stepped forward, pointing his handgun at Manu.
“Step away from Mr. Grant,” he said in a no-nonsense voice.
Chapter 8
Manu
Alister groaned beside Manu as the man with the gun advanced.
“What the hell?” Manu said. “Is this guy serious?”
Alister’s face turned deathly pale, and Manu reached out to steady him.
“Step away from Mr. Grant,” the man repeated, this time in a more threatening tone.
“He’s serious,” gasped Alister.
“Who is he?”
“My bodyguard, the Grim Keeper.”
“Mr. Grant,” protested the bodyguard. “I’m only doing my job.”
“Go away,” said Alister. The twink started to hyperventilate, and Manu grew concerned. It dawned on him that Alister had lied to him about not suffering altitude sickness. Panic attacks and altitude sickness were remarkably similar, and Alister’s distress could rapidly turn into a cardiac health crisis.
“Here, sit down,” said Manu.
“I, I can’t breathe,” gasped Alister.
“I know,”
said Manu. He steadied Alister as he helped him to the ground. “Put your head between your knees.”
“I won’t repeat myself,” said the bodyguard. “Move away from Mr. Grant.”
Manu didn’t care about what the muscle man said because he was too worried about Alister. He scanned the area and spotted his backpack where he had dropped it. He started to move toward it from his crouch when the security man stepped forward, pointing the gun at Manu’s heart.
“Stop right there.”
“Are you an idiot?” snapped Manu. “I need to get an air canister for Alister. It’s in my backpack. Check for yourself.”
The bodyguard held a wary eye on Manu as he bent his knees and picked up the pack. One-handed, he pulled the zipper and reached around. He pulled out one of the green-capped canisters Manu carried for emergencies. He held it and glanced at Alister, who struggled for breath and offered the canister to Manu.
“If you stop sticking that gun in my face, that will help,” said Manu.
Reluctantly, the man lowered his weapon, and Manu retrieved the oxygen can from his hand. He rushed to Alister and held the can to him.
“Deep breaths, buddy.”
Alister sucked in the oxygen once and again. His color didn’t return, but at least he stopped gasping. Manu pulled up Alister’s wrist and checked his heart rate. He looked to the security man. “He needs medical care. There is a hospital in Boulder with a helipad. Can you get him there?”
“I’m fine,” insisted Alister.
“You are not fine,” said Manu.
“You can be sure I will,” said the bodyguard. “Please, Mr. Grant. Your parents are frantic with worry.”
“Who gave me up? That rat fink Daniel, I suppose.” Despite his distress, Alister puckered his face looking put out as if someone betrayed him.
“No, sir. I traced your phone to your friend’s house. You should know, sir, that you can trace a phone even when it’s turned off.”
“No, you can’t,” said Alister. “I checked it out.”
“Sir, you forget where I used to work. I have resources.”
Manu watched this exchange in astonishment. Who was this gun-toting man who had “resources?” Why did Alister act like this was an ordinary course of events? Manu never had a gun leveled on him before this day and, had he not been so worried about Alister, he would have been more frightened.
“Go with him,” said Manu. “You need a doctor to look at you.”
“Okay, but only if you come to the hospital.” Alister gave him a hopeful look, and Manu took Alister’s hand.
“Sure,” he said. “I have to return the horses and make the drive. It will take a while. Go. I’ll check on you later.”
Alister nodded his head, and Manu helped him stand. Alister tried to return the can, but Manu pushed it back.
“Take it. And for God’s sake, do what they tell you at the hospital.”
“I will,” said Alister. “See you soon, right?”
“Sure,” said Manu.
Manu watched Alister walk away, supported by his bodyguard. And he found he disliked another man’s arms around Alister. This shocked him because he was not a jealous person. And really, he hadn’t had that much time with the twink.
He mounted Thunder and grabbed Sally’s reins for the long trek back to Mrs. Thurman’s. He worried each mile about Alister and wondered if he should go to the hospital. That bodyguard was over the top, and Manu did not enjoy the idea of facing him again. But he decided that he should check on Alister. With that decision made, he relaxed the remainder of the ride.
But when he returned, he found a black SUV parked by his truck and a blue Maserati Ghibli a few spaces away. Manu scratched his head. He didn’t have any other clients booked. He saw Sargeant Pupper playing with Jack and knew to whom the SUV belonged. The Maserati, however, was still a mystery.
Upon seeing Manu, Jack flew toward him with Sarge following, both of them barking their greetings. Sebastian Brevard strode from the barn where Manu kept his office, and Mrs. Thurman followed, looking perplexed. Another person moved behind them in the barn’s inside shadow, but Manu didn’t take immediate notice. Instead, he stared at Sebastian, who walked toward him with his face full of storms.
“Where the hell is Alister?” demanded Sebastian. “And don’t tell me that he isn’t with you. His security detail barged in on me, confiscated his computer, and found the receipt for your little day trip.”
“I don’t see where any of that is your business, Brevard.”
“Manu,” said Mrs. Thurman. “If you know anything, tell him. The sheriff is looking for you to ask the same questions.”
“Sheriff?” This was craziness. Why would the sheriff care if Manu took a client on a tour? Everyone and his brother knew what Manu did for a living.
“His bodyguard found us on the mountain.” Which was a neat trick. He wondered how that happened.
“Oh, dear,” said Mrs. Thurman. “A man did go into your office and got one of your tour brochures.”
Which would list the different routes Manu used.
“That would be me.”
Manu groaned when his former boyfriend, George, emerged from the barn. “What are you doing here, George?”
“Well, I had a favor to ask and couldn’t find you. Then the sheriff called me, asking if I had a clue as to where you were. I knew you’d have brochures here, so—”
“Martin, so help me, if you don’t tell me where Alister is—” said Sebastian in a dark tone.
“Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?” said Manu. “Alister isn’t your boyfriend. At least that is what he told me.”
“That doesn’t matter. You don’t fuck with the Grant family. No one does.”
“Oooh, the Grants?” said George. He pulled his hand through his long blond hair with his blue eyes lighting with excitement.
“And who are the Grants?” said Manu.
“Oh, babe,” said George. They make your rich family look like street beggars. They are the .001% that own the 1%. And if I remember correctly, their youngest son got kidnapped when he was seven—”
“Five,” said Sebastian.
“Okay, five. And it is ultra-difficult to meet any of them. If you aren’t part of their circle, you can forget it.”
Manu blinked. Alister kidnapped as a child? He could imagine an ultra-wealthy family out of their minds if a kid went missing. But Alister was no kid.
“If that’s true,” he said to Sebastian, “what is he doing here?”
Sebastian frowned.
“He said he had to get away, but he didn’t say why. When I talked to his sister Livvy, she said he disappeared during a barbecue. Almost got his bodyguard fired. So where the hell is he?”
“He’s on the way to the hospital in Boulder.”
“What!” Sebastian tore past him and climbed into his SUV. He opened the passenger door and called Sargeant Pupper, who leaped into the vehicle. He fishtailed on the gravel as he headed down the driveway.
Manu sighed and shook his head. He wanted to see Alister, but he didn’t want a scene at the hospital.
“Mrs. Thurman, can I impose on you? That is, George, if you don’t intend to take Jack back.
“Well, that’s why I wanted to talk to you.” George walked to Manu and put his hand on Manu’s chest. Manu scoffed. “What is it, George?”
“Weeeelll, you see, I met someone.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“But we’re jetting to France, so I’d appreciate it if you kept Jack. Look, I love him and all—”
Sure. Like you loved me.
“But I just can’t take him with me. So I thought—”
“No.”
“Bu—”
“It’s not fair to Jack. He needs one home and one master. You made it clear that wasn’t me.”
“I’ll be glad to sign his papers over to you.”
“He’s not a car. He loves you, though God knows why.”
“Now
you’re acting spiteful. Please, Manu. I won’t ask you for anything again.”
Manu looked at Jack, who looked up at him.
“Jack, do you want to live with me?”
“Woof!” barked Jack and thumped his tail. This was ridiculous. Jack didn’t know what he said.
“See, it’s settled,” said George. He pulled an envelope from his back pocket and handed it to Manu. “There are his papers and a notarized document saying I released ownership to you.” He looked at his watch. “I’ve got to run.” He rubbed Jack’s ruff with both hands. “You be a good boy for Manu. He’s a keeper, you know. I’m just no good at keeping anyone.”
Manu blinked. George never said anything like that or acknowledged why the relationship ended.
“Bye, sweetheart,” said George. “I’ll send you a postcard.”
With a wave of his hand, he dashed to the Maserati and wheeled out of the driveway. George pulled close to the fence, running along the drive in an odd maneuver, but didn’t stop. A white SUV drove up marked with the words “Shadow Mountain Sheriff Department.”
Sheriff Walter jumped out and walked toward Manu.
“I have a warrant for your arrest, Manu. I’d appreciate it if you’d make this easy, turn around and let me cuff you.”
Chapter 9
Alister
On the morning of his second day in the hospital, Alister waited for the doctor to give the word on if Alister could leave. Alister felt fine, and he suspected his confinement was more at his father’s behest than medical need. But his father could be persuasive when he wanted. There was usually a large cash donation involved.
Sitting in his hospital bed, Alister stared at his Vertu Bentley phone Sebastian had brought him, checking on the social media posts he put up for Martin’s Mountain Tours. He had wanted to do something for Manu after the mountain man suffered the horror of Alister’s bodyguard pointing a gun at him. And he wanted to distract from his anger at Daniel, who surely must have ratted Alister out. Alister didn’t believe for a second his bodyguard could locate him from his switched-off phone and refused to take Daniel’s calls. Instead, Alister texted instructions to his PA.