by Lynn Lorenz
“Well what?” Devon blinked at the man.
“Are you going to ask him to move in? A man who spends night and day by your side, tending to you in your time of illness. A man like that… well, hell.” Van Pelt blushed.
“Charlie MacAfee, will you move in with me and make me the happiest man in the world?” Devon held out his hand.
CHARLIE STARED at Devon’s hand. He’d never dreamed of something like this. Never had allowed himself to want it, a man who loved him, a man who wanted him to live with him as a partner.
But he didn’t deserve this, did he?
In the back of his mind, he heard a familiar voice. Go on, Charlie. Let go of me. It’s time.
Devon held his breath as he waited, hand outstretched. This was it. Time to forgive himself and move on. Away from guilt and anger and toward Devon and hope and a future filled with love.
Charlie took it. “Yes, I will.”
In the background, Van Pelt slipped out the door.
Charlie leaned over the bed and took Devon’s mouth in a soft kiss. When he pulled away, he caressed the side of Devon’s face. “Why couldn’t you just tell me you were an undercover cop?”
“I didn’t want to drag you into my life. And my assignment was dangerous.”
“I got that.” Charlie huffed. “Look. From now on out, honesty, okay?”
“Okay.” Devon crossed his heart and held up his hand as if pledging the truth. “When can you move in?”
“Well, the doctor says you can go home in a day or two. I’ll stay with you, and we’ll work it out.”
“What about your job at the shelter?”
“I talked to Father Peder. He wants me to stay on, just work during the day. There’s one of the men he’d like to move into the night shift slot.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Hell, yeah.” Charlie grinned, then sobered. “Look. I don’t know what a detective makes, but I don’t make much money. My room and board was free, and the priests only paid me a small salary.” He didn’t want to rely on Devon’s money. “If we need more money, though, I can try to find a better job so I can carry my fair share of the bills.”
“Do you want a better job?” Devon deep looked into Charlie’s eyes.
“Devon, I have no skills. And no one is going to hire an ex-con to do much of anything.”
“But if you could do anything, what would you really want to do?” Devon squeezed his hand.
Charlie thought, and the idea popped into his head, surprising him. “I’d like to go to college, if I can swing it, but it probably costs too much.”
“I think we can find some grant money, babe. Maybe a job on campus? We’ll figure it out, if that’s what you really want to do.” Devon pulled him down for a kiss.
“Okay. Sure.” For the first time in years, Charlie felt hope fill his heart. Hope for his future.
“Charlie, you know you deserve this, don’t you?” Devon squeezed his hand.
Charlie kissed Devon’s cheek. “I do now, thanks to you.”
“Hey, protect and serve. That’s my motto.”
Charlie laughed. “You’re not such a badass after all, are you?”
“Sure I am. In bed. And I’m going to prove it when we get home.” Devon winked.
“Home?” Damn, that sounded good. Tears welled in Charlie’s eyes, and he blinked to fight them back, but a few fell down his cheeks.
“Hey, babe, everything’s going to be all right now. I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re going to be fine together.” Devon wiped Charlie’s cheek with his thumb. “I love you, babe.”
“I love you, Dev. You’re one badass cop, you know.”
“I’m your badass cop, babe.” Devon pulled Charlie down until their foreheads rested against each other. “All yours.” Devon closed his eyes and sighed.
“All mine.” Charlie brought their lips together and gave his man a kiss. Devon’s breathing softened into a light snore.
Charlie dimmed the overhead lights so his lover could sleep, then settled into the chair he’d spent the better part of three days in. He closed his eyes and drifted.
Lloyd leaned in the doorway, smiling. “’Bout time, big brother.”
Charlie smiled at him. “Love you, baby brother.”
Lloyd backed out of the room.
Charlie woke with a start.
“You okay?” Devon asked groggily.
“Fine. Had a dream is all.”
“A good one?”
“The best. Now go back to sleep, babe.” Charlie stood and tucked Devon’s blanket around him, then leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Everything’s going to be just fine now.”
LYNN LORENZ is an award-winning and bestselling author who grew up in New Orleans but currently lives in Texas, where she’s a fan of all things Texan, like Longhorns, big hair, and cowboys in tight jeans. She’s never met a comma she didn’t like, and enjoys editing and brainstorming with other writers. Lynn spends most of her time writing about hot sex with even hotter heroes, plot twists, werewolves, and medieval swashbucklers. She’s currently at work on her latest book, making herself giggle and blush, and avoiding all the housework.
Website: www.lynnlorenz.com
Twitter: @lynnlorenz
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By Lynn Lorenz
On the Streets of New Orleans
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
On the Streets of New Orleans
© 2016 Lynn Lorenz.
Cover Art
© 2016 AngstyG.
www.angstyg.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
Digital ISBN: 978-1-63477-780-3
Published October 2016
v. 1.0
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Waffles and Wings First Edition published as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Amber Quill Press, 2010.
Charlie’s Mission First Edition published by Amber Quill Press, 2010.
Printed in the United States of America
