Conned

by Charity Parkerson

  “No one knows I have any connection to this town, so I’m not worried, but that’s not why I chose it,” Brit admitted.

  At his claim, Army dropped his feet and stood. “I guess I’d better put that food up and find you some blankets for the night.”

  Brit followed Army inside, silently cursing himself. He wanted everything fixed right this minute. It didn’t seem that would be happening. He wasn’t giving up. “What did you have for dinner?”

  “Chinese,” Army answered as he opened the microwave.

  “You hate Chinese,” Brit said without thought.

  Army shot him a surprised look. “I can’t believe you remember that. Since I wasn’t paying, I can’t complain,” he said with a shrug. He pulled the plate from the microwave and stared down at it. “Did you make this?”

  Even though Army wasn’t looking at him, Brit shrugged. “I had time, and it’s your favorite.” He chuckled. “Although, I have to admit, I’ve never made roast before and it might have an English flair. Maybe you should be glad you ate elsewhere after all.”

  Army set the plate back inside the microwave and started the machine.

  Brit hid a smile. “I ran by a small grocery store I passed on the way into town. They had a good meat selection.”

  “Wesley’s.”

  Brit’s eyebrows rose. “What?”

  Army met his gaze. “Wesley’s. That’s the name of the store.”

  It was. Brit thought he should say as much and keep his end of the conversation going. Longing tightened his throat and forced a different confession from his lips. “I wish like hell I could take back everything I said, and you would stop looking at me like you hate me.” Brit couldn’t have stopped the words if he tried.

  The microwave beeped. Army tore his gaze away and retrieved his plate. He turned his back on Brit as he found a fork. “I don’t hate you,” he said almost too quietly for Brit to hear. “How can I hate someone who cooked me a roast?” he added, flashing a smile over his shoulder. As Brit looked on, Army peeled off his jacket and tossed it on a nearby chair. Brit’s feet stayed glued to the floor. His gaze didn’t budge from Army. There was so much bitterness inside Brit for things he couldn’t change.

  Brit cleared his throat. “Still. I’m sorry.”

  Army set down the plate he’d just lifted and leaned against the counter. For longer than what could be considered comfortable, he stared at Brit in silence. “Come here.”

  Butterflies stirred in his stomach as he closed the distance between them, coming to stand toe to toe with Army. No matter how hard he tried, Brit couldn’t uncross his arms.

  Army’s hand landed on Brit’s crossed arms. He stroked once before his grip tightened on Brit’s forearm. Brit tried breathing properly without luck. Army tugged, pulling Brit closer. Still, Brit refused to stop protecting his heart with his arms. Army dipped his head and touched his lips to Brit’s in a quick kiss. Brit caught himself leaning forward, following Army’s mouth like a magnet as the man pulled away.

  “Thank you for dinner.”

  Brit stared at nothing as Army walked away with his plate in hand. They weren’t fixed. Brit wasn’t sure they would ever be what he wanted them to be again, but Brit had hope. He wasn’t ready to walk away yet. Hopefully, Army wasn’t either.

  Chapter 3

  The way Brit’s lanky body hung over the arm of the couch almost made Army feel guilty. Almost. After all, he hadn’t forgotten Brit’s claims of different men in every town. Each time he thought about Brit’s parting shots at the conference, he wondered again why he’d agreed to let Brit stay here. He sure as hell didn’t know why he’d kissed Brit.

  Goddamn, Brit was adorable. Army couldn’t stop watching him sleep.

  Brit had fallen asleep wearing a hoodie with the hood on. His blond hair curled around the edge of the material. Army fought the urge to run his fingers through the man’s hair, tucking the curls beneath. Brit had one arm slung over his eyes and his shirt rode up, exposing a delicious strip of flat stomach. Army sat on the coffee table, shoving spoonful after spoonful of cereal in his mouth just to keep his tongue busy. His lips tingled with the need to kiss that exposed skin. Army was beyond caring how blatant his staring had become.

  With his bowl empty and nothing left to distract his hands, Army glanced around, desperately seeking anything else to focus upon. His gaze landed on Brit’s bag. Were there drugs inside? A pain shot through Army’s chest. He hated the idea of Brit transforming into that other guy again. After setting his bowl aside, Army stood and reached for the bag.

  “There’re no drugs in there,” Brit said, sounding groggy and never uncovering his eyes.

  Army wondered how long he’d been awake. “I didn’t say there was. Can I put this away? I emptied a drawer for you.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  Without waiting for more, Army grabbed the bag and headed for his bedroom. He didn’t know if the idea of searching Brit’s things had him moving so fast, or if it was embarrassment over getting busted watching the man sleep. Either way, he still dug through the contents of the bag with zero shame.

  There was a bottle of saline solution and a contact case on top. Army toyed with the items before setting them on the dresser. He hadn’t known Brit wore contacts. The bag only had the essentials. Travel-sized toiletries and clothes. Army inspected every item inside the man’s toiletry bag before setting it next to the contact supplies. While he folded each item of clothing, Army fought the urge to sniff each piece. The scent of Brit surrounded him, and Army couldn’t stand the temptation. Brit reached past him and scooped up the items on the dresser before heading for the bathroom. Army watched his ass as he passed. His jeans sagged, needing to be pulled up, and making Army wonder if they were unbuttoned. The man was damn quiet when he walked. Army sent up a silent prayer he’d fought the urge to sniff Brit’s clothing and hadn’t gotten busted with the man’s shirt pressed to his nose. He’d already gotten caught staring. For a moment, Army watched the closed bathroom door. He quickly brought Brit’s shirt to his nose and inhaled. Damn, he loved the way Brit smelled. With Brit’s things put away and nothing left to distract him, Army sat on the foot of the bed to wait. He stared at the bathroom door like the crazed fan he was. In fact, that was one of the many reasons Brit’s parting shots had cut so deep. Army never forgot that Brit was Tanner Murray. As much as Army hated it, he was star struck by Brit. He still knew what it was like to be inside his celebrity crush. It didn’t matter Brit was a real person—a person who’d stolen Army’s heart. There was still a part of Army that knew he was also a fantasy come true.

  The bathroom door opened and Army’s mouth went dry. Brit still had his hood up. Those blond curls still needed to be tucked underneath. For a moment, Brit stood inside the open doorway with the light surrounding him like a halo. Army stared unabashed. Brit watched him as intensely. Without a word, Brit pushed away from the doorframe. Army watched as the distance between them disappeared. Then, Brit hovered over him. Army tilted his chin up to hold the man’s stare. He didn’t look away or say a word of protest as Brit straddled his lap and Army’s back hit the mattress. Their lips met. Army made an important discovery. He wasn’t angry or hurt any longer. They’d had a fight, and it was over. If Brit was an addict, it would come to light and Army would deal with it then. If Brit’s claims had been more than that, and he’d actually gone to a different man in every town, that knowledge didn’t change the fact that Army loved this man. Brit had swept him away in the past few months together. If he was being a fool, then it wouldn’t be the first time. At least he could enjoy a moment of happiness before the pain.

  Although Brit had been the one to initiate the kiss, he fell victim to it, as always. The instant their lips met, Army was in charge again. Their lips brushed, met, and lingered. Army’s tongue swiped Brit’s bottom lip. The moment he let Army inside, the man licked the roof of his mouth. He was a tease. Brit was captivated. Even though Brit was turned on, all of that was secondary to t
he emotions sitting on his chest. He knew why Army was the only person he’d slept with more than once. Maybe Brit lied to himself, and to Army, about more things than he could count, but Brit understood why Army was the only man he couldn’t resist. Brit loved him.

  Not that it mattered. He’d never confess his feelings, and he hoped Army didn’t feel the same. Brit was here because he was selfish. He needed more time to create memories with Army. But that was all this time would amount to being. One day, be it tomorrow or six months from now, Army would hate him. He’d look back on this time with Brit and hate himself for wasting any energy on Brit. It was inevitable. For now, the sensation of Army’s tongue against his and the man’s flavor filling his mouth was everything to Brit. The way Army’s body felt pinned beneath him and the beat of Army’s heart against him kept Brit from moving on.

  Army stroked Brit’s jaw and tore his mouth away. “I have to get to work.”

  A loud groan grew in Brit’s throat. “Are you joking?”

  “Unfortunately, no,” Army said while still trying to kiss Brit. “I was late getting back to work when you showed up here. I can’t be late again this month or they’ll write me up.”

  Brit rolled to the side, freeing Army. “I know how much you love your job.”

  Army didn’t move right away. He turned his head and met Brit’s stare. “It’s not the only thing I care about. Maybe I can make it by on my lunch break.”

  Fuck. Brit recognized another lie he’d been telling himself. All the speeches Brit gave himself about not wanting Army’s love were bullshit. “I’ll be here whenever you can get home.” Brit had never meant anything more.

  Army bit his lip, visibly biting back a smile.

  Brit couldn’t take the sexiness. “I’ll pay off every bill you have if you’ll stay home with me.”

  “You drive a hard bargain,” Army said with a laugh as he rolled to his feet. “But I can’t leave Linda in a lurch.” He stared down at Brit and turned serious. “And I could never live with you thinking I want a cent of your money.”

  Brit didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t want to insult Army. “Then I’ll spoil you when you get home.”

  With one final sexy smile, Army left Brit alone, staring at the bedroom ceiling. He’d already paid off Army’s car. No doubt, the man would be unhappy when he realized what Brit had done. Brit wasn’t bothered by the thought. In fact, he wondered if he could do more—something Army wouldn’t realize until after Brit was gone. A parting gift. He’d have to think on it. Army didn’t want Brit’s money. Brit didn’t have anything else to offer, but lies.

  The room wasn’t dark enough. Even when Brit closed his eyes, he could still see a hint of daylight. He didn’t miss hotel beds, but he’d kill for their blackout curtains. The slight pressure behind his eyes kept him from covering them with his arm. He suspected the pressure would explode into crippling pain any moment. Sometimes, he could stop it from taking hold. He wasn’t sure today would be one of those days. A door slamming nearby vibrated off his brain, making things worse.

  “You paid off my car.” Even though Army hadn’t exactly yelled, his voice was still loud enough to turn Brit’s stomach.

  “So?” Brit kept his eyes squeezed shut, hoping to quell the nausea.

  Army climbed onto the bed. “What do you mean, so? I told you I don’t want your money.”

  To an extent, Brit had known Army wouldn’t be happy when he realized Brit had paid off his debt. He hadn’t expected Army to be this angry or to figure out things so quickly. “It’s no big deal. When I heard you on the phone, it was obvious you were stressed. My boots cost more than what you owed. I can skip my next shoe purchase and be square.” The silence following his claim had Brit peeking one eye open.

  Army was staring at the open bedroom doorway. When he finally responded, he sounded horrified. “Are you talking about the work boots sitting by the front door?”

  Brit shrugged. “Yeah.”

  “Jesus Christ,” Army breathed. “That’s... I don’t even know what to say.”

  Brit shrugged again. He couldn’t handle a spat right now. “Like I said, it’s no big deal.”

  “It is,” Army argued. “At the convention, you said I only want you because of who you are. That’s not true and paying off my car gives that claim credence it doesn’t deserve.”

  Brit had too many things to say. He couldn’t deny he’d thought about why Army really wanted him too many times to count. This was important to them both. “If it isn’t true, then paying off your car can’t make it be so.” Army’s expression said he wanted to argue. Brit didn’t have the strength today. He traced the curve of Army’s cheek. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t strike me as a man who’d watch Vamps in Space.”

  Army didn’t take the bait, but he let the subject of his car go. “You sleep a lot.”

  A soft chuckle escaped Brit. “I suffer from debilitating migraines. When I feel one brewing, I try to find a dark room where I can relax.”

  A line appeared between Army’s eyebrows. “Is there a prescription you can take?”

  Brit shrugged. “They’ve prescribed me several things over the years. Unfortunately, they either make me ill or put me out of my head. It’s better this way.”

  Army’s gaze moved over Brit’s face. His concern showed in his stare. “I have some tricks. Would you let me try?”

  Considering how bad the pain could get, Brit fought the urge to tell Army no. Brit didn’t want to risk being forced to take his meds. Since the pressure wasn’t too bad, he took a chance. “If it pleases you to do so.”

  Army’s smile made the risk worthwhile. “Don’t worry. I’m good at taking care of people.” With that promise lingering between them, Army crawled from the bed and disappeared from sight. He reappeared before Brit had time to miss him. “Lift up.”

  At Army’s demand, Brit lifted enough for Army to slip a heating pad beneath his shoulders. It wasn’t warm yet. That didn’t explain the heat spreading through his chest. Army made him feel too much.

  “Take these ear plugs to block out any sound.” He handed Brit a set of ear plugs. “Let me put this mask on you first,” he added, urging Brit to lift his head. “It’s a cooling mask, but it’ll also block out any light. Just relax and let me take care of you.”

  “I trust you,” Brit said, letting Army slip the mask over his eyes. He shoved the ear plugs in before Army responded. He didn’t need Army to say anything. Army’s every action said he cared. Maybe Army had agreed to come to Brit’s room that first time because he liked a character on a show. Brit didn’t believe for a second he’d kept coming back for that reason. He definitely hadn’t chosen to forgive Brit and take care of him through a headache because of a character. Brit more than trusted this man. He believed in him. If Army thought he could heal Brit, Brit didn’t doubt him.

  The darkness and silence mixed with the heat and ice. Brit didn’t know what to focus on. He tried to concentrate on breathing. Warm lips touched his jaw. Brit startled at the unexpected touch. He’d lost himself in Army’s care. Now his whole attention was locked on trying to guess Army’s next move. Another kiss brushed his neck. Brit’s breathing deepened. His cock stirred. Army shifted lower, kissing Brit’s chest. Brit’s entire being was focused on Army’s every move. Cool air touched Brit’s stomach a half second before Army’s mouth warmed his skin. With the ear plugs in, Brit could hear his own ragged breaths in his ears. He gripped the sheet beneath him to keep from lifting his hips in a silent plea. Army’s fingers curled around the edge of Brit’s sweatpants. He dragged the material down, setting Brit’s erection free. A cry left him when Army’s hot mouth closed around Brit’s erection. Every sensation heightened from his lack of sight and hearing. Brit’s hips left the bed, chasing Army’s mouth when he pulled away. He was back, swallowing Brit’s cock before Brit could cry out. Brit had never been so close to orgasm so quickly. Army was perfection. He kept the exact suction on Brit’s dick to bring Brit to t
he brink of insanity. Brit focused on the building pressure. He didn’t want the encounter to end, but he couldn’t stop reaching for release. Brit tensed. His lungs seized. The world stop turning for the beat of a heart. Light exploded behind Brit’s closed lids, setting his body ablaze. Ecstasy stole the oxygen from the room. The soft stroking of Army’s tongue didn’t stop until Brit was limp and gasping.

  Army kissed a path up Brit’s body until his lips touched the spot beneath Brit’s ear. One of the ear plugs disappeared. “Best lunch break ever,” Army whispered. “I need to get back. Sleep.” He replaced the ear plug and his weight disappeared.

  Brit wanted to go after Army, lure him back to bed. His muscles were like jelly. By the time he caught his breath, each breath came deeper. Exhaustion weighed him down. Sleep claimed him without mercy.

  “Tell me something new about Brit,” Linda demanded as they logged in the new book arrivals.

  It was fun having someone like Linda to talk to. He knew Brit was real, but Linda was convinced Army was creating a character for her to enjoy. He was free to tell her everything because she didn’t believe it. “He has a migraine today.”

  She made a clucking sound with her tongue he assumed was meant to be sympathetic. “My great aunt used to suffer from horrible migraines. I remember she would turn into a raging harpy who said the most horrible things to everyone. She never meant any of it and didn’t remember more than half of what she’d said when they passed. It’s the pain, you see,” she said, patting Army’s arm. “It’s so bad it messes with the mind.”

  Army froze. Brit didn’t remember the things he’d said to Army at the convention. Army had assumed it was drugs, but it could’ve been something he took for his headaches. “Do you know if she took any prescriptions for her migraines?”