by Tatum Throne
Leland’s house was in Covington overlooking the river and downtown Cincinnati. The old Victorian had a lot of charm and antique furniture in the small house. It was the kind of place that made Witt think of lazy summers and long weekends—not that he ever took much time off work. The creak of the wooden stairs had Witt looking over his shoulder. Leland was on the stairs in a pair of workout pants and a T-shirt. He looked tired.
“I ordered dinner.”
“Thanks I could use it after that bad hospital food.”
“You look like you could.”
The doorbell rang as Leland sat down on the couch, going for the remote. Witt paid the deliveryman. He went into the kitchen and found two bottles of water. With the food in his hands, he went into the living room, setting the bags onto the coffee table. Leland helped him open the bags.
“So, why are you afraid of getting involved with me?” Leland asked.
Witt nearly choked on his food. Their eyes locked. “Just because we’re both gay it doesn’t mean we have to fuck.”
“Ouch.”
Frustration ran through Witt’s mind. “It’s not like that. We work together. I don’t want it to get out and mess up what we both have going on.”
“It won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?” Witt asked.
“I just know.”
Witt shook his head, setting his half-eaten Chinese aside. “It’s late. We should get to bed. You need to rest.”
“I’m still eating dinner and it’s not that late. I’ll be okay. Go on to bed,” Leland said.
This entire situation was quickly spiraling out. Witt knew he had to explain to Leland why this thing couldn’t happen between them. He rubbed his hands back and forth, leaning forward. “You should know that I’m a Dom. I only take on a submissive.”
A blush crept up Leland’s cheeks as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet Witt’s. “I’m a sub in the bedroom. I always bottom.”
“Goodnight, Leland. Let me know if you need anything.”
Witt packed up his leftover dinner and headed for the kitchen to put it in the refrigerator. When he came back to the stairs, Leland was watching him closely.
“I think you need to leave, Witt.”
They were not going to do this now or ever. “Goodnight, Leland. I’ll leave tomorrow. I’m staying tonight.”
Witt felt as though his world were flipped upside down. He wasn’t so used to having a submissive come on so strong. He stayed up until he heard Leland climb the steps. An hour later, he was tucked in and sleeping soundly. Witt crossed the hallway, opening up Leland’s bedroom door. Leland was out cold. Temptation had him going into his bedroom to pull the covers up over his back.
The muscles in his back were flexed with hard contours even as he slept. Black and white tattoos were etched down both arms. Witt had noticed them when he was in the shower but his eyes had been concentrated on other things. Now, he had the chance to really look at Leland. The attraction ran deep. Witt honestly knew it was only a matter of time before he crossed the line and regretted it. That wouldn’t be happening tonight. As he crossed the room, Witt vowed to stay away from Leland at work. He was not about to cross the line with him again.
Chapter Three
Early the next morning, Leland woke up early to the sound of movement in the kitchen. He rolled out of bed and went to the shower. He was going to work today. There was no chance in hell that he was going to stay home. There were a stack of homicide cases on his desk that were quickly going cold and needed his attention. After his shower, he came downstairs. He was ready to head out the door with his backup firearm. He was certain his other one was sitting at the bottom of the Ohio River. There were two plates on the table. Witt opened up the now stocked refrigerator. He’d obviously hit the store before he’d woken up.
“Breakfast?” Leland asked.
“Hungry?”
“Famished.”
They sat down together. Leland toyed with his fork. He looked outside and smiled. Leland was lucky to have such great coworkers. They’d driven his car home for him while he was in the hospital. That thought had him wanting to get back to work. “I’m heading in to work today. I won’t need you to babysit me anymore.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Dr. Woods wanted you to take a few weeks off for recovery.”
“I’m not the type who can sit around. I can sit at my desk just as well as I can sit on the couch. This will give me a chance to look at some cold cases”
“What if you worked from home? I could bring you your laptop and cases,” Witt said.
“I’d prefer to be at work.”
Witt frowned. “If you feel bad or get tired, I want you to come home. I don’t want you to stay if you things go south for you. Promise me.”
“I promise to come home if I feel bad.”
Witt shook his head. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Leland smiled. “Lucky for you, it wasn’t your idea.” Their eyes locked. “Thanks for being around for me.”
“No problem. No hard feelings?”
Leland met those devastating gray eyes and felt his heart hiccup in a funny way. “None. Just coworkers.”
“I hope we can be friends.”
“Sure. Friends.”
Witt smiled. “Great.”
Leland cleaned up his plate and fork, putting it in the dishwasher. He headed for the door. “Just lock the door behind you by pulling the front door shut.”
“No problem. See you around, Leland.”
“See you.”
Bright morning sunshine hit Leland in the face, forcing him to put his sunglasses on as he got into his car. He looked up at his house, catching sight of Witt through the living room windows. The man had royally fucked with his mind. The man had saved him and made him fall in love with him in less than forty-eight hours. Leland shook his head. He was an idiot for the wrong guy.
Traffic was heavy driving in to District Four. He slipped in through the back door, heading straight for his office. There was a new cell phone, pager, and cuffs sitting on his desk. It was the best welcome home gifts he’d ever gotten. He didn’t want a lot of questions right now when his head wasn’t really in the game and on Witt. Despite trying to keep a low profile, it wasn’t long before someone knocked on his office door, opening it up.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” TJ asked.
“Working.”
“Shouldn’t you—”
“Don’t say it. I had a hard enough time kicking Witt out of my house this morning.”
TJ came in and sat down. His long hair swung forward over his shoulders. The man usually kept his hair in a braid down his back, but not today. His husband, SWAT doc Parker Woods, was a fixture within the department, too. Right then, Leland wondered how they made it work.
“Yeah, he called and warned me that you would be in today. I had to come give you shit for not taking at least the week off.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Leland sat back in his office chair. “Can I ask you something personal?”
TJ frowned. “Sure. We’re friends. Ask me anything.”
“How do you and Parker make things work? It can’t be easy working together.”
A spark flashed within TJ’s eyes. It was obvious he was thinking about the love of his life. Envy crept into Leland’s heart when he thought about how he would probably never find that type of love.
“It takes commitment and communication. And lots of love. Why?” TJ asked.
Leland shook his head. “I’m interested in someone who works within the CPD. He’s putting the brakes on things before they even get started.”
“It’s not easy taking things to the next step with someone you work with. Give it some time. Maybe he’ll come around.”
“I don’t know. It’s complicated.”
“It always is.” TJ stood up. “You still planning on coming to training tomorrow?”
“Th
at’s the plan. I promise to take it easy.”
“I’ll see you later then.”
Leland stretched, getting out of his chair. He closed the file on his desk and worked out his shoulders. Most evenings, Leland spent in the gym—if he wasn’t working a case in the field. Tonight, he should go home and rest, but he couldn’t stand the thought of going home and Witt not being there. So, he went downstairs to the Training Center and headed for the locker room to change—all the while promising himself that he would take it easy. By the time he got out of the locker room, the gym was full with guys going off shift and Leland was a bit fatigued but he wasn’t about to admit it to anyone.
To his surprise, Witt was in the gym, working out with TJ. Another shiver of jealousy rippled through Leland’s body when he saw the way they were working on the ground fighting together. Instead of dwelling on what he couldn’t have, Leland popped his earbuds in and hit the weights. With the mirrors in front of him, Leland had a front row seat to everything happening on the mats.
A smiled lifted his lips when he saw Witt pin TJ to the mat. No one ever got the better of TJ—not in a ground fight anyway. Pride filled his heart when he saw TJ tap out. Nice. Witt stood up, offering TJ a hand. At the same time, he caught sight of Leland lifting weights. That had Leland quickly looking away.
He did not want to be caught staring. After setting the weights down, Leland shook out his arms. He headed for the bars to do some chin-ups. He was very aware of Witt being nearby. It didn’t help Leland’s concentration at all. After doing several reps, he lowered himself to the floor. He’d had enough for one night. His body was tapping out on him for not taking it easy. Served him right for going back to work before he was completely ready.
Ignoring Witt and TJ on the mat, he headed for the locker room. He was showering and getting the hell out of there. He went to his locker and grabbed his shower kit, heading to the corner stall for privacy. He closed his eyes, recalling the way he’d beaten off in front of Witt. He’d never done anything so seductive in his entire life. It had felt good and wildly dangerous. Leland had wanted Witt to spank him for being so bad. Steam filled the shower stall. Leland hung his head under the water, loosening his tight muscles. He was cranky about the way things were between Witt and him. He didn’t like the way he ended things. He didn’t like the fact that his body was giving out on him when he needed it to work.
Locker doors slammed shut, bringing Leland out of his thoughts. He scrubbed the sweat and uncertainty off of his body with soap. He let the water rain down, clearing his thoughts before shutting off the water. He wrapped a towel around his waist and headed for his locker to get dressed. When he came around the corner, he caught sight of Witt changing back into his tactical pants.
“Hey,” Witt said.
Leland nodded, turning away to his locker to get dressed. He hated how awkward everything felt between them. He couldn’t stop thinking about the man he wanted to fuck and wake up next to in the morning. As he dropped the towel onto the bench, Witt came around to lean up against the locker doors. Leland pulled up his boxers, ignoring Witt.
“You going to ignore me from now on?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Leland glanced at Witt. “I’m not ignoring you. I’m giving you the space you want.”
Water dripped down from Leland’s hair onto his chest. He saw the way Witt’s gaze followed those drops down his chest. Their eyes finally locked. There was heat within Witt’s gray eyes. Leland’s heart raced as his cock flexed hard.
“What are you doing here?” Leland asked.
“Training for SWAT.”
“You looked good out there.”
“Did I?” Witt asked.
Leland didn’t understand why Witt was coming on so strong when he wanted so much space. “You know you did.” Leland took a deep breath. “I’m trying to give you what you want, Witt. I’m giving you your space.”
Witt frowned. “I’m worried about you pushing yourself so hard. You should be at home resting. You almost—”
“Don’t say it. I know what could have happened.”
“Leland. Don’t push me away.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted,” Leland said.
“I think we both know what we want.”
Their eyes locked and Leland lost himself in the moment. Witt came in close, running his hand up Leland’s neck. Leland closed his eyes, biting his lip as Witt leaned in. Witt brushed his lips against Leland’s in a soft, unhurried way that drove him crazy. He took the kiss deeper, pushing him up against the lockers. Leland couldn’t believe he was kissing Witt again. He grabbed onto his shirt, pulling him closer, silently begging him not to ever let him go again. His heart was pounding and the room was spinning by the time Witt broke his lips away.
“Don’t ever let go of me again,” Leland said.
“I’m not planning on letting go of you anytime soon.”
The locker room door slammed open with some of the guys coming through. Witt pulled away before anyone could come around the corner and see them. Leland finished getting dressed as TJ strode into their part of the locker room.
“Hey, guys. We’re heading out to the bar. You guys game?” TJ asked.
“Sounds like fun,” Witt said.
Leland caught the way Witt looked at him. “Sure.”
“Okay, then. See you guys in a little while.”
Witt came in close. “You’re mine after the bar. So, don’t drink too much.”
“I won’t. I want to be sober for my Dom.”
“Oh, fuck.” Witt moaned, coming in close to kiss Leland one last time. “See you later.”
Leland leaned back against the locker doors as he watched Witt walk away. Just as he left, TJ came around the corner. There was a grin tugging at his lips.
“So Witt’s the one?” TJ asked.
“Yeah. Is it that obvious?”
“No. I just caught him kissing you.”
“Damn. Did anyone else see?”
“No, just me.”
TJ shut his locker door. “Just be careful.”
“I will.”
It was advice he needed to hear and to live by but right now, Leland didn’t give a crap about what other people thought about him. He wanted one thing and that was Witt.
* * * *
The sports bar wasn’t that crowded for a Thursday night. Witt followed Leland into the bar, trying to remember to keep his distance when all he wanted to do was cross the line. The guys were sitting in the back corner. There was already a round of drinks and appetizers on the long table. Witt purposely scooted into the back corner next to Leland. He didn’t want to give him any reason to run away.
“Hey, you guys made it!” Adam said.
“Glad you could come,” TJ said.
The guys around the table were talking sports. Witt pushed his thigh against Leland’s, loving the way that his leg tensed in response. Everything around them seemed to move by in a blur. All that Witt could concentrate on was Leland and the way he smelled so good after his shower. Witt had a thing for his freshly washed submissives. That thought brought him up short. He hadn’t officially made him his sub. Was he really going to cross the line with him now? Witt knew the answer to that question even before he consciously could process it. He was going to make his move on Leland tonight.
Feeling bold by Leland’s receptiveness, Witt moved his hand under the table to caress Leland’s leg as he picked up his longneck beer, taking a drink. Leland jumped but didn’t move away. Witt tightened his hold on his leg as he slowly moved his hand up his thigh. The chance of getting caught by one of their coworkers was sky high but Witt didn’t care. Leland slouched into his chair, spreading his legs wide in sweet surrender. A gasp of pleasure echoed low from Leland’s throat when Witt moved his hand up over his fly, feeling his rock-hard cock. The darkness of the bar made it easy for Witt to get away with touching his sub in public. He loved how Leland had to work hard not to give away how he was feeling.
“So, how are you feeling since your dive into the Ohio?” TJ asked Leland.
Leland cleared his husky throat as Witt tightened his hold on his sub’s cock. “I was tired the first day, but I’ve felt better since.”
“You were lucky to have Witt ready to save your ass,” Adam said.
“Yes, I was.”
“I’m no hero,” Witt said.
Leland smiled. “You are to me. I owe you my life.”
“I was just doing my job,” Witt said.
A blush crept up Leland’s neck, giving away everything he was feeling inside. Witt loved how responsive he was. He loved the way he wore his heart on his sleeve for him.
“So, are you ready for your SWAT testing, Witt?” Seth asked.
“I’m ready. I’m looking forward to working with the team.”
“We could use the help,” TJ said.
Surprise moved through Witt as Leland excused himself from the table. It was obvious he was going to the restroom. Temptation had Witt wanting to follow him to the privacy of the bathroom but he didn’t want to make it so obvious. As he waited for Leland to return, some of the guys left for the night, leaving only Adam and TJ at the table.
“I see the way he looks at you,” TJ said.
Their eyes locked. “There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
TJ leaned forward. “You don’t know Leland the way I do. He’s been through a lot. More than almost dying in the river two days ago.”
“What kind of things do I need to be aware of?” Witt asked.
“I don’t know, man. It’s not our place to tell anyone about Leland’s past,” Adam said.
“It seems like it’s common knowledge,” Witt said.
“Not that common,” Adam said.
