by J. P. Bowie
Riley chuckled. “I hope not. He pulled a cold bottle out from inside his jacket. “Champagne. Did you ever see My Beautiful Laundrette?”
“Yeah, Daniel Day-Lewis as a gay East End London punk.”
“Well, I thought we might act out that scene where he pours champagne from his mouth into his boyfriend’s.” He walked into the kitchen and placed the bottle on the table.
“Kinky. I like it.” He swept his gaze over Riley. “You look nice.” He was wearing a dark blue shirt untucked over pale blue jeans. “Not that you ever look anything but nice.”
“Flatterer…but thank you. And you look your usual hunky self. How are you dealing with just the sling?”
“Good, it’s a relief to have freedom of movement.”
“That’s terrific, but…before we get to the good stuff I have to tell you about something that happened just before I came up here. Miles again.”
“What the hell does he want now?”
“He was outside my apartment when I got home. He started talking a bunch of crap and I told him to go away. When I came back with Champ from our walk, he’d punctured my back tires.”
“Now I really am gonna beat the shit outta him!”
“And I wouldn’t stop you, except I don’t want you getting in trouble with the department.” Riley kissed Joe’s cheek. “After what he did today, I don’t think he’ll have the nerve to come back.”
“He’d better not. So tomorrow I’ll drive you to your apartment and we’ll get the tires repaired, or new ones if he’s done too much damage.”
“Uh, that’s a bit outside my budget right now. I was going to take the bus for a few days.”
“No way, Riley. I’ll take care of the bill.”
“No, Joe, I don’t want you paying for stuff for me. That’s no way to start a relationship.”
“Hey…” Joe stroked Riley’s face gently. “You’ve done so much for me. This is the very least I can do. No arguments.”
“Joe…”
“I mean it. Now let’s forget all Miles’ horseshit and have a glass of the champagne you brought, then see what the rest of the evening brings us.” He kissed Riley’s lips. “Okay with you?”
“Very okay. Champagne coming up.” He grabbed the bottle and popped the cork. Joe produced two long-stemmed glasses that looked expensive. “Wow, fancy.”
“My grandmother’s. There’s so much of her stuff I haven’t had the heart to get rid of.”
Riley poured the champagne into the glasses and handed one to Joe. “Well, here’s mud in your eye.”
Joe chuckled. “That the best you can come up with? How about, here’s to us and whatever lies ahead for us?”
“Okay, I like that.” He took a sip and held it in his mouth before leaning in to kiss Joe, letting the bubbly pass from his mouth to Joe’s.
“Mmm…I like this way of drinking champagne,” Joe murmured, wishing he had the full use of his right arm so he could hold Riley in place instead of balancing his wine glass while he sucked on Riley’s tongue.
Riley broke their kiss and stepped back a little. He looked flushed. “You okay?” Joe asked.
“Yeah. Don’t know if it’s the champagne or you, but I almost came in my pants there.”
“Okay, drink up.” Joe finished his drink. “I think we should take this to the bedroom.”
“I’m up for that,” Riley said.
Joe grinned and took in the bulge at Riley’s crotch. “I can see that. Let’s go… Barney, stay.” The big dog, who’d been lying at their feet while they made out, gave a disgusted grunt and went to lie down by the fireplace. “I love you, Barney, but there are some things that you cannot be a part of.”
He closed the door and turned to find Riley already out of his clothes and looking so amazingly fuckable that for a moment Joe was frozen to the spot.
“You look… You look fantastic.”
“Thanks. Now get over here, my hot cop, and take advantage of me.”
“Gladly.” Joe closed the small distance between them and put his good arm around Riley’s slim waist.
Riley slipped his hands under Joe’s T-shirt, caressing his warm skin before pulling the shirt up and over Joe’s head, taking care not to jostle his shoulder. He wanted him pain-free, focused on what they were about to do for the first time since they’d met. Try to do, at least.
Joe backed him up to the bed and lay down while Riley straddled him after tugging off his lounge pants. Both now naked, they gazed at each other for a moment, Joe taking in every inch of the vision Riley created for him.
“Have I told you that you’re beautiful?” he asked, his voice husky to his own ears.
“Yes, you have.” Riley smiled and took Joe’s hand and pressed it to his chest. “And you are a hot and sexy man and sometimes I find it hard to believe you’re interested in me.”
Joe frowned. “Why in hell would you say that?
“Because you’re pretty much perfect and I’m—”
“Didn’t you hear me when I said you’re beautiful? No more doubts, Riley. I’m here with you because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Okay?”
“Okay.” Riley grinned. “Even lying on your back, one arm in a sling, you know how to be masterful.”
“Horse feathers. Now get down here and kiss me. I need your tongue in my mouth.”
“Yes, sir…” Riley leaned down and swept his lips over Joe’s then pushed his tongue in, shuddering with pleasure when Joe sucked on it. He groaned and ground his ass over Joe’s erection.
“Oh yeah, that’s what I want to feel. That gorgeous ass of yours winding me up. Can you grab the lube and condom off the top of the nightstand?”
Riley did as he was told and waved the little foil packet at Joe. “First time for us. I can’t wait to feel you all the way inside me.”
Joe couldn’t wait, either. He just hoped that he wouldn’t come before he was ‘all the way’ in. Having Riley’s lithe, tan body hovering over him, his lips swollen from their kisses, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, was enough for Joe to lose it. Riley had put the lube and condom aside and was kissing Joe’s throat, sucking on his Adam’s apple before trailing his lips over Joe’s chest, feasting on one nipple then the other and came close to driving Joe out of his mind. He was going to blow if Riley kept this torture going for much longer. Impatiently, he grabbed the condom and started ripping at the foil.
“Wait. Let me put it on you,” Riley whispered and there was more torture as Riley ran his fingers up and down Joe’s cock, murmuring under his breath, smoothing the latex sheath oh so fucking slowly down the length of Joe’s throbbing dick.
Oh, my God… “Riley, please…”
His tormentor smiled and ran his tongue over his lower lip. He lifted his ass slightly and stuck a lubed finger up there. Joe had wanted to do that, but Riley had been specific about how they were going to handle this first time, saying until Joe’s shoulder was completely out of the woods, Riley was going to get himself ready.
“When you’re better,” he said, his warm breath teasing Joe’s lips, “I’ll let you stretch me with as many fingers as you want to put inside me.”
The memory of that made Joe gasp and pre-cum spurted inside the condom. He gritted his teeth against the tingling that had started in his spine.
“Riley…”
“Yes, Joe…” He gripped Joe’s cock and slathered it with lube. “Lots of lube…” Riley grinned at him. “Don’t worry. I got myself ready for this big guy this morning.” He guided it between his butt cheeks then circled his hole with it. Joe grabbed at the sheet under him, willing himself not to shoot. When Riley sank down, taking Joe’s erection inside himself, Joe’s body arched upward and he rammed into Riley, going all the way in to the hilt.
“Sorry, oh shit, did I hurt you? I got carried away, sorry…”
Riley’s look of stunned surprise morphed into a beatific smile and he bent so he could kiss Joe’s lips with a thoroughness that said stop being sorry and move.
And Joe moved, fucking Riley with long deep strokes that had Riley moaning into Joe’s mouth. Oh yeah, this has to be the best. Not that he’d had a whole heap to compare it with, but it felt so right, so good, so…perfect.
He snapped his hips up and down, driving his cock over Riley’s sweet spot time and time again and Riley arched into him, his face contorted in a rictus of ecstasy as he rocked his ass over Joe’s aching, pulsing shaft, taking him deeper with every downward plunge. Then they were kissing again and Joe moved faster and Riley was full-out vocally giving vent to his delight and Joe yelled on, feeling that inevitable tingling rush down his spine and into his balls.
His will to control his impending climax evaporated and he came in a great gush that almost caused him to black out. Moments later, Riley shot a geyser across Joe’s chest then collapsed on top of him, remembering at the last moment to collapse to the left, away from Joe’s shoulder.
They lay stuck together by sweat and semen and Joe thought he had never been happier in his entire life. If it’d meant taking a bullet in order that he meet this incredible man, it had been so worth it.
Chapter Fourteen
One week later
When Joe checked in for his first day of five hours of desk duty, he found everyone staring at the TV in the corner of the room. Not what he’d been expecting. Somehow, he’d figured there would be some questioning if not hostile stares directed at him. Maybe they’d been informed of his clean polygraph by the Feds.
“You’re not going to believe this, Joe,” Roy Baldwin told him.
“Jail break at Santa Ana,” Scott said. “About twenty prisoners got out.”
“Fuck.” Joe peered at the TV as an aerial view of the prison grounds filled the screen and a reporter was telling them that the prisoners had escaped during a riot after overpowering some of the guards. “They get any of them?”
“Yeah, about half, I think.”
They all turned to look at Sergeant Romero as he stormed out of his office. “Bob Murdoch is one of the escapees. I just had the governor on the phone and he says Murdoch is definitely identified as one of the missing prisoners. He and two more prisoners got away in the chaos.”
“Holy crap,” Scott muttered. “Betcha anything you like he got to a couple of the guards. This is an organized riot for sure.” He put a hand on Joe’s good shoulder. “He doesn’t know where you live, does he?”
Joe thought for a moment then shook his head. “No, I never invited him up with you and the other guys. Guess he could find out if he wanted to, but if he wants to make the most of this he should be hightailing it out of Orange County quick as he can.”
“Nevertheless, you should watch your back for a few days until they apprehend him again,” Scott said. “He’s twisted enough to want some payback.”
“Reynolds is right.” Romero frowned. “And you’re not in any shape yet to defend yourself. I’ll have a black and white patrol your street for a couple of nights.”
“Sarge…” Joe began to protest, but Romero walked back into his office and got on the phone. Joe flexed his arm, now out of the sling, and grimaced. The staples had been removed and he had more mobility but not much power to lay a punch on anyone if he needed to defend himself.
“Better to take precautions, Joe,” Scott said. “Just the presence of a black and white would most likely change his mind about hanging around your neighborhood. Me and Jeremy will come by too.” He winked. “Hey, that way we might get to meet Riley at last.”
“Don’t think so. If there’s a chance that asshole might be anywhere near my place, Riley will be staying away until I know for sure Murdoch is behind bars again.” Joe cursed under his breath. The very idea of Murdoch putting eyes on Riley made his blood run cold. “Man, I cannot believe this. They better find the guards Murdoch had in his pocket and put them away too.” He looked around the precinct. “Where’s Sam?” he asked Scott.
“Oh, right, you wouldn’t have heard. He’s on suspension pending investigation by the Feds.”
Joe stared at his friend. “So they did listen to me after all.”
“Guess so.”
* * * *
Murdoch watched Joe turn his car into his driveway and park.
“There’s the fucker that caused me all the trouble,” he muttered. All he had to do was march up to the door, ring the bell, wait for shithead to answer and bam, gone forever this time. He fingered the Beretta Sam Baker had left him in the car. Poor Sam, he thought nastily. What a goddamn idiot, thinking he was getting the money I’d told him I had stashed away, and yeah…I’d split with him for helping me get out. Too bad a dead man can’t open a bank account. He giggled remembering the look of total shock on Sam’s face when he’d shot him. Dumb and dumber…
He slipped down in his seat when a black and white turned the corner and cruised up to Brady’s house. He wasn’t too worried about being recognized. He hadn’t shaved since his first day in jail and he wore a baseball cap pulled well down to hide most of his face. The car pulled up behind Brady’s and the cop got out and walked up to the door. A few moments later it was opened and Brady came out, along with a big black dog. The cop made a fuss of the dog and shot the breeze with Brady for a few minutes.
Okay, okay…get lost…
He’d wondered about the risk he was incurring in taking the time to waste Joe Brady. Precious time, for sure, but he had to do this. Brady’s manic interference in his life had cost him too much to just walk away without punishing him. The cops would know who’d done the deed, but by the time his body was discovered—probably tomorrow some time—he’d be well on his way back to Los Angeles, and this time there would be no mistakes. Once he had the money it was hasta la vista, baby.
Finally… The cop turned to leave and got back in his car. Brady waved then went inside. He’d give it a few minutes just to make sure the black and white didn’t circle back and drive by the house again. He sat up in surprise when Brady came barreling out of his house, jumped into his car and took off like a bat out of hell.
What the fuck…? Murdoch put his car in gear and followed, keeping back just enough so Brady didn’t get the idea he was being tailed. Although the way he’d shot out of his house most likely meant he wasn’t paying much attention to anything else.
What the hell could’ve got up his ass that’s making him behave like a crazy man? Whatever it is, it’s not going to matter for much longer.
* * * *
Joe couldn’t believe the call he’d gotten from Riley. That crazy asshat Miles just didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’. Now he was on his way to Riley’s apartment with some kind of an ultimatum and Joe was definitely going to be there to hear what it was. He and Riley were a couple now and no loony ex-boyfriend was going to get in the way of that. He pulled in behind Riley’s car and got out. Riley met him at the door and immediately pulled him into a hard embrace.
“I am so glad you’re here,” he said, brushing his lips over Joe’s face. “I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this latest crap from him…an ultimatum. What the heck does that mean?”
“It’s like a final demand…”
“I know what it means, Joe, I just don’t know what he means by it!”
“Sorry, I was trying for some levity. Not a good idea I guess, considering.”
Riley nuzzled his neck. “No, I’m sorry. Guess I’m a bit on edge.”
“Well, he’d be an ass to pull any shit with me here. Gee, didn’t think this day could get any weirder. Did you hear about the prison break?”
“Oh yeah. Sounds like they got all the escapees, though.”
“All but one, apparently. Romero sent a black and white to scope out my neighborhood and the cop told me Murdoch was still on the loose.”
Riley gasped and stepped back to look at Joe, concern all over his face. “Murdoch, the one who shot you?”
“The one and the same.”
“Oh my God, Joe. Does that mean…?”
“That he’s after
me with a gun in his hand? Only if he’s as stupid as I think he is, which means there’s a possibility of him doing just that, but there’re hundreds of cops out there scouring the highways and byways for him even as we speak. They’ve most likely got him by now.”
“Jeez, I hope so.” He shuddered and wrapped his arms around Joe again. A loud knocking at the door made him jump. He groaned. “That’ll be Miles.” He walked over to the door and swung it open. It was indeed Miles…a very pale and frightened Miles, and behind him a bearded guy wearing a baseball cap and holding a gun to Miles’ head.
“He…he came up behind me…I didn’t even see him,” Miles babbled then squeaked when Murdoch pushed him into the room.
Joe stared at him with a fair degree of shock. The son-of-a-bitch must’ve been watching my house and followed me here…fuck!
“Let me go, whoever you are,” Miles was almost weeping. “I don’t even know these people. I was just passing by…”
“Be quiet, faggot,” Murdoch rasped, while Riley stared at Miles in disbelief.
“He’s right,” Joe said, “he doesn’t know us at all, and we sure as hell don’t want to know him.”
“What is it?” Murdoch showed his teeth in a nasty grin. “A lovers’ squabble? You dipping your prick where you shouldn’t, huh, Joe?”
“I wouldn’t dip my prick in that”—he jerked his thumb at a shaking Miles—“for all the gold in Fort Knox. You can throw him out any time you like.”
Murdoch laughed. “And have him call nine-one-one soon as he’s on the other side of this door? I don’t think so.”
“I won’t tell anyone, I swear. Let me go, please.” Miles looked as if he were about to faint.
“Shut up, Miles, for God’s sake.” If Riley could have shot lasers from his eyes, Joe figured Miles would be a pool of goo on the floor.
“So what’s the plan, Murdoch? You gonna shoot all three of us?” He ignored Miles’ squeal of terror. “You should be on your way out of town, not fooling around pointing a gun at us. A gun that isn’t loaded, by the way.”
