by Treva Harte
She was nicely put together, too. A lot sexier than he remembered, now that he was up close. Nice butt. Nice breasts, too.
Luis scowled. Forget how sexy Jenni Harrison was or wasn’t. It wasn’t like cops were supposed to fraternize with reporters. He’d do better to think about damage control over what was going to happen next. After all, he was going to catch hell from everyone for this arrest. Some of it would be in fun and some not. The news had been publicizing the robberies for weeks ‑‑ too many people had been victimized, including a city council supervisor, who had been yelling for blood ever since. Then he had to make the arrest in front of a reporter, for God’s sake. He’d be back in the news again, all because he’d been in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Hell, he wasn’t even on duty ‑‑
“Hey, Morales. You’re passing the station.”
He turned the wheel, hard, and skidded into the parking lot. “Let’s go. I’ll try to expedite things.”
He wanted to get this over with before everyone heard what happened. It would all die down fast enough. After all, this was the kind of story that usually got buried somewhere on the back page.
Chapter Five
Friday: Getting Ready to Meet at Jenni’s Patio
“I don’t believe this!” Adam hissed over the cantaloupes. “Why the hell did you pick now to finally find a guy who wants to screw you ‑‑”
“I wasn’t trying to.” Jake grabbed some limes. ”And I did say I really did not want to start this conversation in a Publix grocery store.”
“Don’t yell at the man. You knew we were going to be surprised.” Chris shoved the shopping cart a little too forcefully on its way, even though he sounded calm enough. “Although it was probably too much to expect we would land one the first time we tried to get a het man.”
“I suppose you’re going to keep screwing him, too,” Adam muttered, throwing tonic water into the shopping cart.
“Hey, I said I was sorry! And yeah, I’m taking a vow of stupidity. No, I’m not going to screw him again. We only did that time because he was hot and he took me by surprise!” Jake caught an elderly matron’s stare and flushed. He lowered his voice. “But it’s not like I’m stealing him from Jenni. Right now he’s pitching for the other team. And I didn’t invite him to our Friday dinner this time. I mean, what’s the point?”
“Fine, fine.” Adam grabbed catsup. “So do we have a plan B?”
“You meet men, Adam.” Chris looked over at him. “Men who have just moved into the area without ties, men who are solvent enough to buy a house here.”
“I specialize in gay men who are looking for places in Wilton Manors.” Adam frowned thoughtfully. “Not exactly…well, hmmm ‑‑ no, nobody recent. I mean, real estate sales are slow anyhow right now.”
“I can see I’m going to have to do all the thinking around here. Again.” Chris hurled three packages of hamburger buns into the cart.
“Jenni is trying to go vegetarian this week,” Adam remarked. “Maybe we should get something besides beer, burgers, and buns ‑‑”
“And gin. Don’t forget to stop off for that. Jenni must’ve had a really bad week. That’s her special request for dinner.” Jake headed toward the checkout aisle.
“Jeez, it must have been bad. She’s asking for her equivalent of the hard stuff.”
“Shut up, Adam. Jake. Both of you. I’m thinking.” Chris scowled into the shopping cart.
Adam grabbed some potato chips as they turned the corner. “God forbid I throw off that delicate process.”
“The personals.” Chris brightened. “Or Matchmaker.com. We can sign her up for that.”
“Um…we’re going to cruise matchmaking sites for dates for Jenni?” Adam thought about it. “Well, if nothing else, I can get off on some of the photos.”
“This sounds even worse than your last idea.” Jake took out his wallet and credit card. The other two silently pulled out cash and handed it to him. “How are we going to construct a profile that makes the right guy e-mail her?”
“We know how to flirt with guys.” Adam put the first filled bag into the cart. “We could do it.”
“But should we do it?” Jake put the next bag in.
“Will we have to argue with you every time we try something to help her?” Adam asked.
“I’ll get online tonight. I may need you guys around to second guess my picks,” Chris said.
“Frickin’ executive types.” Adam looked at Jake. “They never let you argue.”
* * * * *
“Nice. Very nice.” Adam kissed his fingers Italian fashion as he looked at the front page of the Sun-Sentinel. “Too bad it wasn’t a color photo. The highlights really work for you.”
“Shut up. They only did it to embarrass me. Trust me, it worked.” Jenni bit into her Boca Burger. “Hey, you guys ought to try this. It really isn’t bad.”
“‘Isn’t bad’ isn’t going to cut it, Jen.” Jake gulped down his beer.
“I’m already gay. It would be a bit much to become vegetarian too.” Adam turned the page. “What’s with all the foodie self-improvement lately anyhow?”
“I’ve decided that when I die, it’s not going to be from anything that people can say bad things about ‑‑ ‘Oh, well of course she drank too much’ or ‘Too bad she didn’t eat right.’ No, I’m going to die because God smote me down for no reason at all.”
“Very admirable. Good luck with that.” Chris flipped a burger on the grill, an acerbic note in his voice.
“Hey, they quoted you!” Adam pointed to the newsprint.
“‘Jenni Harrison, usually the one to report on the action, was swept up in a crime scene of her own…’” Jake craned his neck and read the first page out loud. “Damn, you and Morales both look hot in the photos, Jenni. Is that photo from his modeling days, or does he still look that good?”
Adam ignored Jake and went to the quote. “‘I’m very grateful to Officer Morales for his quick action.’ Mmmhmm, I’d take some quick action of his any day! And I’d looove some slow action.” Adam whistled. “That is one good-looking piece of ass. I must say I appreciated that photo spread of him in Playgirl all those years ago. I always figured he was gay. Maybe I just prayed he was gay. What do you think, Jenni? Is he? Can you introduce us?”
“I’m really glad you’re taking my total embarrassment so well.” Jenni grabbed the paper from him. “And it gets worse.”
“Worse than having Officer Morales rescue you? Did he frisk you too? I could live with him being bi just for you, sweetie. We could share. I ‑‑ shutting up.” Adam cleared his throat.
“I’m being stalked.”
“What? Now that isn’t funny.” Adam leaned forward.
“What happened?” Chris leaned forward.
“Do you know who he is?” Jake scowled and bunched his fist.
“It’s not dangerous. Well, I don’t think so. Men started e-mailing me once I got my face in that photo.”
“Men are e-mailing you? Well, well, well.” Adam glanced over at Chris.
Chris shook his head.
“Shut up, Adam. Actually, it’s just a man.”
“Not as good as men, but still worth something. Sorry, sweetie. I’ll try to be serious. What is going on?”
“Nothing really. Someone who calls himself News Lover started e-mailing me about how he’s always enjoyed my work, and he’s sorry about all the trouble…nothing awful. I haven’t answered. I can’t trace the addy easily, but I haven’t tried that hard either. I’m ignoring it.”
“Nothing creepy? No talking about your big tits or how he wants to crawl into bed with just you and the St. Bernard?”
“Adam! No, nothing like that. Nothing sexual.”
“Maybe you should answer him then.” Chris plunked the burgers down on the patio table.
“Chris, how pathetic would that be?” Jenni protested, sniffing at the burgers.
“He e-mailed you first. Besides, what difference does it make how it looks? You need to me
et some guys.” Chris slapped Adam’s hand, effectively stopping Adam from grabbing the food, and placed the burger carefully between a bun before passing it on to Jake. “Online meeting might be a start.”
“I think Chris is afraid plan B won’t work,” Adam muttered to Jake. “We’re trying a Hail Mary pass.”
Jake, mouth full, mumbled and nodded.
“Why don’t you let me decide how to meet my guys?” Jenni’s usual warm tones suddenly cooled. “I’m getting a little tired of hearing how I need to meet men. If I need someone to nag me about it, I can listen to my mother. In fact, I think I’m going to stop looking for awhile. So far it’s not getting me anywhere.”
“Great work, Chris.” Adam mouthed the words to Chris.
Chris gave him the finger when Jenni turned to look at Adam suspiciously. Adam wore his blandest look ‑‑ which still made him look sly. Adam could never pull off bland.
“Whatever you think, Jen.” Chris plunked a hamburger under her nose. “You’re a grown-up.”
“Damned right I am.” Jenni didn’t hesitate. This time she bit into the burger without any hesitation.
Adam watched and brooded. Chris got her to chow down this time. He’d get her to a man, too. Chris knew how to play people and he had the patience to wait until the right time.
He’d never be able to outplay Chris. No one could.
* * * * *
Jake threw his car keys on the hall table and padded toward the bathroom. He’d barely finished getting rid of some recycled beer when the buzzer sounded.
“Damn.” Jenni and Chris had stayed behind on Jenni’s patio, yakking away, but he wasn’t interested. He was tired. Still not ready for sleep, but tired. He liked his Friday nights just fine, but sometimes he wanted more. Not enough to go out and cruise for anything, but enough to want.
Maybe a jack-off session or two with some movies…
He opened the door.
“Cole.” Jake kept his voice flat. Tried to keep any expression off his face. He wasn’t supposed to be glad to see the man. In fact, he’d just told the guys he wasn’t seeing him.
“Hey. Can I come in?”
“Uh. Sure.” Cole was better at this than him. He couldn’t read Cole’s face at all. “Anything wrong?”
“Nope.”
“We were going to see each other tomorrow.” Jake figured “see each other” was nicer than saying Cole was coming over, fucking Jake’s brains out, and then leaving. They’d pretty much settled into that routine before the end of the last weekend. They hadn’t even bothered to watch sports by Sunday. Cole had left without a word, but he was obviously interested in the sex. He’d even swung by midweek for a quickie.
And Jake had been waiting.
Any time, any place Cole wanted. Shit. What a loser he was. Lying to his friends so he could get laid. Jake made a note to go out to a bar, get drunk, and pick up someone else this weekend if it killed him. Doing this was not his style at all.
“You were out late.”
“It was Friday.” Possibly the one night each week he wouldn’t be home doing nothing or working late at the spa.
“With your friends.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not invited any more?” Jake smelled a little beer on Cole’s breath. That was all right. Jake’d had some himself.
It didn’t mean Cole had been out partying without him. It didn’t matter where Cole had been.
“If you feel like coming along again, I’ll ask. No big deal.” Damn it, now he was lying again. He wasn’t going to ask. And it was a big deal. He hated lying. He hated all of this.
“Right now I just feel like coming. You up for that, Jake?” Cole’s lips curved, but it didn’t look like a smile. Whatever it was, though, it did look damn sexy.
Jake’s answer didn’t need words. He slid his hand into the gap in Cole’s jeans, down to Cole’s ass, and squeezed.
Cole shut the door and unsnapped his pants. “Hurry up, Jake. I’m horny as hell right now. This second. Now, damn it!”
Even a quickie you would have to lie about was better than a jackoff session alone, right? Cole moved closer and yanked Jake’s own jeans down. Jake’s cock rose to meet Cole’s. The two of them moved, writhed against each other, friction already sparking more need.
Jake choked as Cole’s tongue went down his throat. He wouldn’t have minded Cole’s cock next, except that the weight of Cole pressing him against the wall was too good. Cole grabbed both cocks with one hand and squeezed hard.
“Urgh.” Their precum slicked them down.
Blood hammered in Jake’s ears as the tension built. Cole wasn’t going to let up. While one hand jerked them both off, a finger from the other hand pushed into Jake’s asshole. Jake jerked forward with a hoarse sound. Cole ground himself against him as if Cole couldn’t get enough.
Oh yeah. He could feel how good that was from his balls up to his chest.
“Love that grunt of yours just before you come,” he heard Cole pant in his ear just before Jake exploded.
Damn. That took five minutes, maybe. Jake might have been a little embarrassed, but he’d heard Cole take off right after him.
Jake leaned against the wall and Cole leaned against him, both trying to catch their breath.
Cole chuckled, just a little. Jake could hear the rumble of it in the man’s chest.
“That really took the edge off. Thank God.” Cole swallowed and straightened up, still using both hands to hold himself off the wall, his hands braced on either side of Jake’s head.
They looked at each other, face-to-face. Cole’s eyes were so blue, and they were staring right into his. Sweat dripped from Cole’s face and he smelled like a racehorse. Even that was a turn-on. God, he was so good-looking. Even now. Especially now. Jake wouldn’t mind staying right there for the next hour or so, just panting like a beached whale and looking at Cole.
“You are a hell of a good lay. And a nice guy even when I’m not banging you.” Cole’s dimple showed. “Wish I could bottle you up and take you with me in my pocket everywhere.”
I think I’m in love with him.
No. Do not go there.
“You’re all right, too. For a squid. Hey, not that I’m complaining, but how did I manage to get you off so fast?” Jake asked. “I’ll take notes for next time.”
“You didn’t, Grunt. Was out with someone just now. Really hot. And really a cocktease. I decided, screw that. Dropped her off early and figured I’d probably get some if you were back.”
Jake shut his eyes. Shit. Now he was a cocktease’s substitute. A female cocktease at that.
Maybe it’s time to call this quits.
“Maybe it’s time to try a bed,” Jake heard himself saying instead.
God, he was stupid. He was standing here with his pants at his ankles, cum on his thighs, and that was all he’d ever get from this guy. While he was thinking this could be the one, Cole was signaling he was looking for pussy and planning to dump Jake’s ass as soon as he got some. Signaling with flares. But not only did he let Cole get off, he then begged for more. Would he do anything for a fuck?
“Maybe we do. I still have some horny to work off.” Cole smiled again. “God, I’m glad I found you here.”
Yup. Anything for a fuck. That’s what it looked like. It wasn’t love though. He wouldn’t let himself get that pathetic.
* * * * *
“I was so mad at Adam.”
Jenni wasn’t sure how to respond. Everyone got mad at Adam. Everyone got over it. Chris was intense, though. Quiet and more likely to implode than explode. The wrong words now might spoil everything. She finally decided to keep it simple. “Why?”
“He’s such a slut!”
Jenni blinked. “You know, sometimes I wondered if that wasn’t mostly Adam talking. He couldn’t have had as many guys as he said.”
“Oh yes, he could. And yes, he has. Any guy that catches his eye, he’s ready and willing. We were roommates during college, remember? I lost
count in the first week. It was everybody. Even he and Jake had… well, never mind.” Chris glared down at his hands. “I’m not like that, Jenni. You know? I have to like the guy, know something about him, think this is maybe more than a quick fuck before I jump into anything. Adam used to call me a girl.”
Jenni fought a laugh. “That’s a good way to go. I understand, Chris. Being a girl and all. But, you know, I don’t think Adam has been ‑‑ err, slutty ‑‑ for weeks now. Not since your fight. Not even before then.”
Back when I figured you two were finally sleeping together.
“Yeah.” Chris was obviously not listening. “It’s ironic. I was ready to kill Adam. It was him. I’d finally given in and gotten caught. It was his fault. I knew it was him ‑‑”
Jenni held her breath. Just let him talk. He’d tell her. But she knew now what he’d say, and she fought the urge to babble, to interrupt, to make him not say it. If he didn’t say it, it wouldn’t be true.
“But it was me. I was the one who came back positive. I was mad at myself for sleeping with him when I knew what Adam was like. But I was madder at Adam. I didn’t let myself feel anything but the mad. Then Adam got his tests back. I’d been the control freak, the one who wouldn’t go bareback unless we were both clean. And he was fine. The fucker. Totally clean.” Chris buried his face in his hands. “It was me. I wasn’t…clean.”
“Chris…” She touched his neck. His shaking back. “Oh, Chris, honey.”
“And I could have killed Adam.” Chris gave a hiccup of a laugh. “I mean ‑‑ I could have killed him. Really. Thank God I was a control freak. That we were careful. That I made us be careful.”
“You’ve been to the doctor and all? Are things under control?”
“Yes, of course, I went. And no, they aren’t. Not yet. But we’re working on it.” Chris lifted his head, looking straight ahead, not at her. “I’ll have to tell Adam. Make sure he gets tested again to be sure. Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Can you tell him, Jenni? It’s hard.”
