by Tatum Throne
“What’s he saying?” Nathan asked.
“Not anything we want to hear. What’s up?”
Nathan passed his wallet to TJ. “He’s not our man. His background checks out completely.”
“Aw, shit,” TJ said.
This was not going to end well for Nathan, he could feel it. As the new guy, his ass was on the line for the call he made in the field. “Yep. That’s strike three for us. I sure don’t want to have this conversation with Chief Anderson tonight.” Nathan sighed. “I need to get my cuffs back.”
“Good luck with that. Make sure you apologize for knocking him around.”
A shiver ran through Nathan’s blood as word spread through the team that this was not their guy. Nathan waited for the room to clear and went inside to make nice with the man he groped and tackled. Nathan took out his handcuff key and eased on to the side of the bed to un-cuff Reed. Those scars looked nastier up close. They cut in an erratic path that spoke of something very bad happening.
“Your background checks out. I apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Anderson. We’re looking for someone dangerous.”
Reed rubbed his wrist where the handcuff had worn hard. “And I fit the profile?”
He had every right to be angry. Nathan eased away from the bed. Reed stood and wrapped that flimsy towel around his waist. Nathan averted his eyes.
“Part of it. We had to be sure. Anyway, my apologies. Have a nice evening.”
Nathan slipped his cuffs back into the holder on his belt as he headed for the door. He couldn’t believe his team got it so wrong again. He took off his baseball cap, running his hand though his unruly hair. He really needed a cut but was too damn busy fighting crime to go to the barber.
A firm hand grabbed Nathan by the crook of his arm. He was pulled around and shoved up against the wall. Nathan’s breath left in a quiet whoosh of surprise. Heat from Reed’s body seared through Nathan’s clothes. Nathan was suddenly very aware of every nuance of his strikingly hard face and every sensation vibrating between them. The urge to run his fingers down that vicious scar was an overwhelming chant within his head. Nathan felt his body respond to the rough touch of Reed’s hands. The physical chemistry was pure and raw between them.
Reed leaned in close enough for Nathan to scent a hint of mint on his breath. “I didn’t catch your name, officer.”
Reed blocked him in with both hands against the wall. Reflex had Nathan lifting his palms against his chest, but Reed didn’t budge.
Nathan felt the searing heat of Reed’s skin seep into the sensitive part of his fingers. “It’s detective.”
Reed seemed to absorb that knowledge with an awareness that looked deep within Nathan’s soul. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had looked at him so closely and seen so much of his true self. Despite being fully clothed, Nathan felt naked and vulnerable standing before him. No lover or friend had ever gotten this close before. This man was pushing the line. Nathan could easily call for backup, but didn’t. He wanted to see how this played out.
“Detective what?”
“Stow.”
Beyond the doorway, TJ called. “Yo, Stow. You coming?”
“I’ll be right out,” Nathan said.
“I’d watch your step in the field, Detective Stow.”
“Is that a threat?” Nathan asked.
“It’s a promise.”
Reed backed up and whatever moment of connection they had seemed to fade away. The loss of it left Nathan shaken and sexually riled. He wanted this stranger in the most primal and sexual way. Nathan left quickly, angry that this man could make him feel something sexual so quickly. The door shut quietly behind Nathan. He would’ve preferred that Reed slam the shit out of it. Nathan glanced down the walkway, knowing he’d never see this man again.
* * * *
Reed pulled aside the nasty brown hotel curtain, watching that cop walk away. No, not just walk, Detective Stow had a long-limbed cocky swagger. What a welcome home party. Had he told his father that he was coming, he would’ve thought that his father put his team up to it. Then again, Reed didn’t have that type of relationship with his father. Chief Anderson was a hard man to know. Cold. Aloof. Reed knew he was a lot like his old man. His ability to play his cards close to his chest made him a really good soldier. Reed rolled out his shoulders. He saw the way that detective looked at his scars. Reed made it a policy not to show anyone his scars. They were ugly. They made him feel ugly. They were a reminder of how close to death he came to four years ago. Reed avoided looking in the mirror too. He couldn’t. That damn scar on his face was the one that nearly slit his throat.
Detective Stow walked across the street to his car. He glanced back at the hotel. Reed didn’t hide the fact that he was watching the detective. Reed ran his hand down the long length of his hardening cock. He couldn’t remember a time when any man looked at him that way. Most got a look at his face and looked away faster than a car running a red light. They couldn’t see past the scar on his face to see his eyes. Detective Stow had seen through all the bullshit to see who he really was.
Reed let the curtain slip from the tips of his fingers. He stared down at the rumpled bed as the memory of Detective Stow’s body pressed against his waved through his mind. Reed’s cock had been pressed up under his shirt. The feel of hot skin on skin made him instantly want something he shouldn’t have.
He stared down at his disobedient cock, giving it a punishing tug that sent the towel dropping to the floor. Pre-cum dripped from the tip of his swollen cockhead. Reed stared at his cockhead ruefully. His tip was swollen red like a juicy plum. Reed licked his tongue out over his lip, sucking his lip in to bite it hard. It’d been too damn long since he had a man. He thought about mounting Nathan and shoving his cock in and out of his hot mouth. It was all too much.
Reed groaned as he thought about Nathan tied up to his bed with a ball gag stuffed into his mouth. He needed sex. It’d been too long since he felt the heat and passion of another man. Reed rubbed his hands down his face and paced to the bathroom, dropping his hands to the sink. He looked at himself in the mirror, forcing his gaze to stay there. He really looked at everything he avoided.
His heart dropped out of his chest and landed somewhere in his stomach. The scar on his face tore a crooked path down his cheek. Reed tried to see himself without the scar. His dark hair fell around his chiseled face. At one time, he knew he was good-looking. Now, he wasn’t so sure. That damn scar was a distraction that gave him a harsh quality to his face. Reed let his gaze drop to his tattooed chest. He kept up with his conditioning despite being out of the military. There wasn’t an ounce of fat anywhere on his body. Reed was all hard, lean muscle.
Two loops of metal were linked through his nipples. Those piercings had hurt like a bitch. Reed’s gaze fell to his misbehaving cock. His cock was standing rock hard, curving up toward his navel. Reed cursed, grabbing the bar of soap and tearing off the flimsy paper with his teeth. He soaked the soap under the water, smoothing the ivory over his hand. Reed ran his lubed hand down his cock, grabbing his balls with his free hand. He threw his head back as he fucked himself.
Emotion poured through his body. Fear of not having anyone ever accept him as a lover again, disappointment that he was coming home to a family that didn’t want him, and pure raw lust for a man that he’d probably never see again and who wasn’t even gay. Reed pumped his hips in and out of his fist, taking himself hard. He punished his cock for wanting something he couldn’t have. Reed’s heart beat wildly in his chest. His breathing echoed off the walls. He bit his lips as his balls tightened up. He was so close to coming. He cried out as he felt his spunk start to fly. Reed pumped his shaft, unloading his cock. He met his passion filled gaze in the mirror as three lines of cum dripped down the reflective surface. He wished to the gods that he was fucking Nathan Stow instead of himself.
Chapter Two
“You need to be checked out by medical,” TJ said.
“I’m fine.”
They were all back at the station. The chief wanted to be debriefed on the situation normal all fucked up. This was going to be a lot of paperwork on Nathan’s end. He could feel it. How did he ever expect to get off this new hire probation period if he kept fucking up?
The Vice team was gathering in the situation room. Chief Anderson’s gaze moved over Nathan’s face as he followed the team inside. The Chief stood on the far side of the conference room. His white hair was buzzed military short. Anderson was built with a runners frame. Rumor had it that he did two marathons a year despite all his heart problems. The man was not human. Nathan suspected that there was military grade robotics beneath his tanned skin.
“What the fuck is that?” Anderson growled.
Nathan froze. “What?”
“That fucking bruise and bandage on your cheek?”
TJ spoke up before Nathan had a chance. “Our suspect gave us some trouble during the initial arrest.”
“Please tell me the man is downstairs in a holding cell,” Anderson said.
“Uh, he was clean. There was no reason to go through with the arrest,” Nathan said.
“Why don’t we charge the guy with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer until you make sure about that,” Anderson said.
Nathan’s gaze locked with TJ’s. They were going back out to the field to arrest Reed Anderson for resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer’s investigation.
“With all due respect, there was no reason to arrest our suspect,” Nathan said.
“Bring him in,” Anderson said.
They were heading back out. The Vice squad got up from the conference table.
“Whoa. How many officers does it take to make an arrest? Just Nathan and TJ,” Chief Anderson said. “The rest of you are going to tell me what the fuck happened out there.”
Nathan and TJ headed down the hallway toward the back parking lot. Nathan was leading the way with TJ at his side.
“I’m taking lead on this arrest,” Nathan said.
“I figured you would. You seem to have a good rapport with the guy,” TJ said.
They split up when they hit the parking lot with both going to their cars. Nathan was the first one out of the lot and heading toward the Motel Sex. Ten minutes later, Nathan drove up into the parking lot with lights flashing but sirens off. Nathan flung open his car door just as TJ pulled up behind him. The lights were on in Reed’s room.
Nathan hit the outside stairwell, heading up to the door. He knocked on the door and waited several impatient seconds. He knocked again, just as the door was flung open.
“Back so soon, Detective?”
Reed was wearing a pair of jeans with no shirt. Despite seeing him on his doorstep again, Reed appeared really relaxed. Nathan wanted to know what put that look of smug satisfaction on his face. The words Nathan needed to say wouldn’t process from his brain and out his mouth. His mouth opened, but snapped shut.
“Reed Anderson. You’re under arrest,” TJ said.
“For?”
“Assaulting a police officer.”
Reed’s gaze locked onto Nathan and cold honest surprise made his face go pale. “I did not leave that mark on you.”
“We can clear this matter up at the station,” Nathan said.
“We can clear this matter up now without me going in to the station,” Reed said.
Reed turned away from the door and went for the phone on the nightstand. They pushed their way into the room.
“Put the phone down. You’re under arrest,” Nathan said.
“Excuse me?” Reed said.
* * * *
“Hands on top of your head.”
Reed had no choice but to comply with the officer’s order. Taking orders was something he knew all about as a former Navy Seal. The hotel room door hung open. Off in the distance, Reed caught the golden glow of a fire on the hillside of the Kentucky side of the river. A hint of smoke lingered in the air. Reed dropped to his knees with his hands up. His knees felt the slap of hard concrete beneath the cheap carpet. Reed interlocked his fingers on the back of his head. Off to the side, Detective Stow watched the action instead of partaking in it. He didn’t look happy at all.
It wasn’t supposed to fucking end this way. Reed knew there was one way to put an end to this mess, but he was not about to take the out offered to him. There were some things he wouldn’t do. He would not contact his family to help him out of this spot. They didn’t even know he was back in town. Nor did they know that he was even alive. It was the way Reed had wanted it when he was declared missing in action all those years ago.
The two officers came up behind him, dragging him to his feet. They snapped cuffs onto his wrists, locking them down tight. Reed closed his eyes as they searched the pockets of his jeans. The moment he’d been taken hostage in Brazil played like a bad B movie in his mind. Those kids were too young to be carrying guns and working for the cartel. He opened his eyes to find Detective Stow watching him closely.
“You have the right to remain silent…”
Reed’s mind went blank as they read him his Miranda rights for the second time that night. He watched as Stow walked through his hotel room. Reed stiffened as he thought about the shots of cum on the mirror. He had been in the process of cleaning things up in the bath when the knock on the door came. He was regretting not taking the time to do so now. Stow probably would think he was a fucking pervert for shooting his spunk all over the mirror. As Stow edged closer to the bathroom, Reed tried to ignore the fact that he’d just masturbated hard. Reed watched out of the corner of his eye as Stow glanced into the bathroom, his gaze landing on the mirror before he turned away fast.
“Do you understand your rights?”
“Yes,” Reed said.
They dropped Reed’s black leather boots in front of him. He slipped them on. They took him over to a police cruiser, searching his body one last time. Detective Stow hovered by the end of the cruiser, going through his wallet. His dark black hoodie was flung over his arm. Reed recognized it as one of his from his duffle bag. Reed thought about the three black foiled condoms he had in his wallet. Stow pulled all his shit out, counting money and condoms on the hood of the trunk.
Reed wished that this wasn’t happening, but it was. When things finally worked out, there was probably going to be a lot of hell to pay on this. How the hell did he get here? How had things gone so completely fucking wrong? His forehead was shoved down hard as they put him in the back of the unmarked cruiser. Detective Stow got behind the wheel and drove him across town to the station. They pulled into an underground garage where they stopped in front of a booking entrance. Reed watched Stow as he got out of the car and circled around. He opened the door and helped Reed out of it by sliding his hand under his arm. When they were standing eye to eye, Detective Stow tossed the hoodie over Reed’s shoulders and head. It was then Reed realized that he had a good three inches of height on Stow. Reed tested the waters by letting his eyes go heavy.
“Do you really want to press charges, Detective?” Reed asked.
“It’s not my call.”
“Whose call is it?” Reed asked.
“My boss. He doesn’t like it when I come home with a bad attitude stamped on my face.”
Reed laughed. “That sounds like someone I know.”
Detective Stow ushered him through processing where he was booked. The detective un-cuffed Reed’s hands. A shiver went through Reed’s body when the Detective slid his hand over the back of Reed’s. His fingerprints were grabbed with the digital scanner on the counter. Stow positioned him in front of the wall. Reed’s gaze locked onto the Detective’s as his mug shot was taken. The flash of light left him momentarily seeing stars.
From there, Reed was led down a long hallway. He expected to be taken to a holding cell. Instead, he was taken to an interview room where he was sat down at a table. Detective Stow moved around the table. Reed slipped the hoodie on, zipping it up the front.
&nb
sp; “Wait here,” Stow said.
Reed watched as the Detective left the room. He sighed, tilting his head back to look around the room. A camera was mounted in the corner just above a two-way mirror that sat opposite the table and chairs. Reed knew that it wouldn’t take long before he was out of there. Once his picture was uploaded into any database, Reed’s contacts with the Department of Defense would be notified. There would be the standard questions, but Reed knew things would be cleared up quickly. He hoped. That was one of the perks of working with the Department of Defense.
Minutes later, the door opened and closed with the Detective coming back inside. A flash of blinding white light glinted off Detective Stow’s badge. The Glock on his hip was standard issue. He wasn’t your typical Cincinnati cop. He must have been a transplant.
The guy looked like one of those cover models who signed high-priced contracts. His blonde hair was unruly, kind of like Reed imagined his interrogation tactics might be.
Detective Stow pulled out the chair across from Reed and sat down. He dropped the file in his hand onto the table and stared at Reed for a really long time. Reed slouched in the chair, ticking up the corner of his mouth in a wry grin.
“Why am I in here?” Reed asked.
“I have a few questions for you.”
“Ask away.”
The detective’s gaze went over the tattoo on the inside of his right forearm. Reed had to resist the urge to pull his sleeve down.
“I know you’re part of an organized profession. What branch are you?” Reed’s arm was yanked forward across the table.
Shock vibrated through Reed’s body, leaving him momentarily stunned. No one had ever questioned him about his work with the DOD.
The tips of the detective’s fingers slid across Reed’s skin. Heat flashed over the spot he caressed. “You’re mistaken.”
“I’ve only seen this tattoo once before.”
Reed’s heart beat a little bit faster for all the right reasons. He loved the feel of this man’s hands on his body. It felt so right that he knew it was all wrong. “Oh?”
