Smoldering Desires

by C. E. Knipes

  When we were unpacked, he gave me a tour of the second floor. It was mainly bedrooms, with two extra bathrooms and

  a good-sized library. The first floor consisted of a massive kitchen and equally large living, dining, and family rooms. Plus, a large office for his parents. When the tour was done, Sebastian started a fire in the living room fireplace. Its heat quickly reached us.

  “How about a Mimosa?”

  “That sounds wonderful, Sebastian. Then we can talk about our plans to rid ourselves of Brent.”

  He paused on his way to the kitchen.

  “You’re not planning on murdering him, I hope.”

  “No, nothing that permanent.”

  “Thank God.”

  He laughed as he continued into the kitchen. He was back within minutes with two Mimosas. He sat next to me on the oversized couch.

  “Okay, let’s hear your plan.”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about the night of your blackout, and then my fainting at the Halloween party. I think we both agree that Brent drugged us. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Which proves he’s more dangerous than we thought.”

  “Okay, I’m with you so far.”

  “We need to catch Brent in the act once and for all. We need to set a trap for him. We know he’s in town. Do you think he will go to Monahan’s for the New Year’s Eve party?”

  “I’m almost certain he will.”

  “Well, we need to know for sure. You need to contact Brent and let him know you’re in town. Tell him that you’ve broken up with me for good. You found out I was cheating on you. Tell him you will be at Monahan’s tonight. Don’t ask him to meet you there. That might make him suspicious. Do you think you can do this?”

  “Yes. But I still don’t understand your plan.”

  “We need to get Brent to drug you again at Monahan’s. Brandon and Michael will need to be there. Brent won’t recognize Michael, will he?”

  “I’m not entirely sure. I don’t remember which officers showed up the two times I was forced to call the police.”

  “Michael should be able to look that up at the station.”

  “But if Brent thinks we’ve broken up, why would he need to drug me again? Wouldn’t he just assume I would willingly sleep with him?”

  “That’s the second act of this play, Sebastian. After a half hour of cozying up to Brent, I will make my appearance in Monahan’s. You will need to be sure you’re sitting next to him. In a booth, if you can secure one. I’ll cause a scene, begging you to take me back. Of course, you will be undecided. We’ll step outside to talk. This will leave Brent alone to make his move. Under the watchful eye of Brandon and Michael. They’ll be sitting in the next booth over. I’m betting he will drug you.”

  “All that remains is for you to contact Brent.”

  “Okay. Should I text him or call him?”

  “Which did you typically do?”

  “Text.”

  “Let’s stick with that then. To keep down his suspicions.”

  He pulled out his phone and quickly texted Brent. A reply dinged almost immediately.

  “Boy, Sebastian, he’s been waiting for that text, hasn’t he?”

  “Apparently, I’m hard to get over.”

  “I’ll agree with the hard part. Take off your pants.”

  He stood up and unbuttoned his pants. He took them off along with his briefs. He sat on the couch with his back against the armrest, facing me. His cock was fully hard, pointing at the ceiling. He spread his legs in invitation, and I quickly crawled between them. I took the large head in my mouth then slowly sank down his length. I was only on my second or third bob when Sebastian’s parents walked in.

  “Sebastian, we’re home.”

  Sebastian leapt off the couch, grabbed his briefs and pants, and ran into the kitchen. He circled around and met his parents at the front door. He ushered them into the living room.

  “Evan, this is my father, Markus. And my mother, Isabel.”

  I rose to greet them.

  His father stepped forward and gave me a firm handshake. He was an older version of Sebastian. He had the same height and build and the same eye color. His hair was now gray whereas Sebastian’s was black.

  “Very pleased to meet you, Evan.”

  “You as well, Mr. Tantalos.”

  “Please call me Markus.”

  His mother was as tall as his dad. She was lithe, with light gray eyes, and wispy salt-and-pepper hair.

  She gave me a big hug.

  We’ve heard a lot about you, Evan. It’s wonderful to finally meet you. I understand you guys hit a rough patch. But according to Sebastian, everything has been worked out.”

  “Yes, I’m pleased to say we are back on track.”

  She reminded me of my mother: to the point with no bullshit.

  “Dad, I forgot to tell you Evan’s brother Brandon will be joining us for dinner this evening. We’re going to the New Year’s Eve party at Monahan’s. He would like to spend the night. I told him it would be okay.”

  “Of course that’s fine. Let’s have a drink. We can catch up while we wait for Brandon to arrive.”

  “Do you like wine, Evan?”

  “I do, Markus. All wines, if that helps.”

  “It does indeed. Isabel, will you give me a hand?”

  They disappeared, returning shortly with a bottle of wine and five beautiful long-stemmed glasses. He filled four glasses halfway and set the fifth on the coffee table. We sat in front of the fireplace and talked while we waited for Brandon to arrive. He showed up about an hour later. After introductions, Markus poured him a glass of wine, and he and Isabel gave Brandon a tour of the house, showing him the room he’d be staying in in the process. When they returned, Brandon had finished his wine. He set his glass on the table.

  “Thanks for the drink, Markus. Not to be rude, but there’s an old friend of mine who lives in Lockport. We’re supposed to meet him for a New Year’s drink. His wife is home sick, so he is unable to join us at Monahan’s. We should be back within the hour. We said our good-byes and walked to Brandon’s car. As we pulled away from the house, he gave us an update.”

  “I’ve spoken to Michael. He wants us to meet him at the station. I’ve filled him in on what I know. But it’s best he hears the full story from the two of you.”

  Brandon drove to the station and made introductions.

  “Please call me Michael.”

  Michael proved to be a pleasant enough fellow. He was also more than willing to help us. He listened attentively as Sebastian began telling the backstory of Brent. He wrote extensive notes and asked numerous questions. He was most interested in the restraining order.

  When Sebastian was finished, Michael asked me to fill in any missing details from when I had entered the picture. Again, he took copious notes.

  “That’s everything, Michael. Up till we saw Brent today in downtown Lockport.”

  “So, no tests were run on Sebastian after his blackout that night. But your system showed GHB from the night of the Halloween party.”

  “That is correct, Michael.”

  “Before I forget, Michael, will you check on reports filed for Brent Douglas? I had to call the police twice on him. I want to make sure you weren’t one of the responding officers.” Michael ran a search on his computer.

  “No, it wasn’t me either time. I think I have everything I need. I’ll meet you at Monahan’s.”

  We got back to Sebastian’s house in time to take a quick shower before dinner. Sebastian’s parents elected to drive. We went back to Reedsport, to a Greek restaurant. The food and wine were fabulous. However, I was starting to get nervous

  as the hour to enact our plan quickly approached. We needed

  to be at Monahan’s early, in order to get two booths next to each other. We politely skipped dessert and were soon on our way home.

  Because he wouldn’t be drinking, Brandon drove Sebastian’s Jeep to the bar. Sergeant Russo was going to meet us there.
Sebastian would text me as soon as Brent arrived. I would wait thirty minutes and then make my grand entrance. My stomach was in knots by the time we pulled into the parking lot of Monahan’s. Sergeant Russo was already there. We parked in the far corner of the parking lot so as not to be seen by Brent.

  Sebastian kissed me good-bye.

  “Good luck, you guys.”

  Within minutes I received a text from Sebastian.

  “We were lucky and got 2 adjoining booths. The place is filling up fast. No sign yet of Brent.”

  I kept checking my phone to see if I had missed a text or call from Sebastian.

  “Brent is here. He’s spotted me.”

  I checked my watch. It was seven fifteen. I had to now wait for thirty minutes. I popped Pink Floyd’s Animals in the CD player. When the time had passed, I entered Monahan’s. The place was packed. It took me a few minutes to spot Sebastian and Brent. Brandon and Michael were sitting in the next booth. I headed right for Sebastian. Brent saw me coming first. The look of shock and surprise on his face was priceless. He tapped Sebastian on the shoulder. Sebastian did a great job of feigning surprise when he saw me. He got up, but Brent grabbed his arm. It was clear heated words were exchanged. Sebastian pried Brent’s hand free and came across the bar to meet me.

  “How is everything going?”

  “It’s quite unnerving. Brent thinks we’re getting back together.”

  “Perfect. Now, follow me outside.”

  We exited the bar and stood outside, a few feet from the door. Within minutes, I received a text from Brandon.

  “He went 4 it. As soon as Sebastian left Brent dropped a tablet in his beer. Michael is placing him under arrest. We’ll b out shortly.”

  The door opened and Brandon came out first, followed by Brent in handcuffs being escorted by Michael. When Brent saw us, his face contorted with his rage.

  “I should have known you were up to no good, you ginger trash. I’ll get even with both of you if it’s the last thing I do. Trust me.”

  Sebastian stepped toward him.

  “I hope you get the help you need, Brent. I also hope I never lay eyes on you again!”

  A stream of curses came out of his mouth as Michael escorted him to his cruiser and put him in the backseat. He then walked back to us.

  “Thanks for your help, Michael. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll let you know once he’s been formally charged and a court date has been set. Am I correct in thinking you both will want to testify if it comes to that?”

  “You bet, Michael,” Sebastian and I responded in unison.

  He shook our hands and said good-bye. Brent was staring out the back window as the cruiser pulled away.

  *

  We decided to stay at the bar till midnight and ring in the New Year. At precisely one minute after midnight, I called Jessica and wished her and Sam a happy New Year. They were at Spenser’s. Calvin had flown in to surprise her, and I wished him a happy New Year as well. I decided to wait till I got home to update them on Brent. At twelve fifteen, Brandon drove us back to Sebastian’s parents’ house. It had been a long, stressful day, and I was exhausted. Thankfully, Sebastian’s parents were in bed when we got home.

  “Good night, Brandon. See you in the morning. Thanks again for all your help tonight.”

  “Good night.”

  Sebastian and I undressed and crawled beneath the covers. I laid my head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around me.

  “I feel such relief that Brent is out of our lives. If not for good, at least long enough to get the help he needs.”

  “Me too, Sebastian. I love you. Happy New Year!

  “Happy New Year, Evan.”

  THE END

  About the Author

  Zavo, writing as C.E. Knipes, was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. He relocated to the Pacific Northwest almost 25 years ago, and has been penning tales of male lust and romance ever since. His short stories have appeared in Frat Sex 2, How the West Was Done, and Treasure Trail: Erotic Tales of Pirates on the High Seas. He is also the Lambda-nominated author of two Derrick Steele novels: The Case of the Hollywood Hustlers and The Case of the Rising Star, in addition to the novels Hot on His Trail and Two Bottoms in the Ninth.Smoldering Desires is his first foray into the romance arena. He lives in Camas, Washington, with his husband. He is currently penning more tales of romance, in addition to another provocative Derrick Steele case.

  Books Available from Bold Strokes Books

  Smoldering Desires by C.E. Knipes. Evan McGarrity has found the man of his dreams in Sebastian Tantalos. When an old boyfriend from Sebastian’s past enters the picture, Evan must fight for the man he loves. (978-1-62639-714-9)

  Tallulah Bankhead Slept Here by Sam Lollar. A coming of age/coming out story, set in El Paso of 1967 that tells of Aaron’s adventures with movie stars, cool cars, and topless bars! (978-1-62639-710-1)

  Lysistrata Cove by Dena Hankins. Jack and Eve navigate the maelstrom of their darkest desires and find love by transgressing gender, dominance, submission, and the law on the crystal blue Caribbean Sea. (978-1-62639-821-4)

  The City of Seven Gods by Andrew J. Peters. In an ancient city of aerie temples, a young priest and a barbarian mercenary struggle to refashion their lives after their worlds are torn apart by betrayal. (978-1-62639-775-0)

  Garden District Gothic by Greg Herren. Scotty Bradley has to solve a notorious thirty-year-old unsolved murder that has terrible repercussions in the present. (978-1-62639-667-8)

  The Man on Top of the World by Vanessa Clark. Jonathan Maxwell falling in love with Izzy Rich, the world’s hottest glam rock superstar, is not only unpredictable but complicated when a bold teenage fan-girl changes everything. (978-1-62639-699-9)

  The Orchard of Flesh by Christian Baines. With two hotheaded men under his roof including his werewolf lover, a vampire tries to solve an increasingly lethal mystery while keeping Sydney’s supernatural factions from the brink of war. (978-1-62639-649-4)

  Funny Bone by Daniel W. Kelly. Sometimes sex feels so good you just gotta giggle! (978-1-62639-683-8)

  The Thassos Confabulation by Sam Sommer. With the inheritance of a great deal of money, David and Chris also inherit a nondescript brown paper parcel and a strange and perplexing letter that sends David on a quest to understand its meaning. (978-1-62639-665-4)

  The Photographer’s Truth by Ralph Josiah Bardsley. Silicon Valley tech geek Ian Baines gets more than he bargained for on an unexpected journey of self-discovery through the lustrous nightlife of Paris. (978-1-62639-637-1)

  Crimson Souls by William Holden. A scorned shadow demon brings a centuries-old vendetta to a bloody end as he assembles the last of the descendants of Harvard’s Secret Court. (978-1-62639-628-9)

  The Long Season by Michael Vance Gurley. When Brett Bennett enters the professional hockey world of 1926 Chicago, will he meet his match in either handsome goalie Jean-Paul or in the man who may destroy everything? (978-1-62639-655-5)

  Triad Blood by ’Nathan Burgoine. Cheating tradition, Luc, Anders, and Curtis—vampire, demon, and wizard—form a bond to gain their freedom, but will surviving those they cheated be beyond their combined power? (978-1-62639-587-9)

  Death Comes Darkly by David S. Pederson. Can dashing detective Heath Barrington solve the murder of an eccentric millionaire and find love with policeman Alan Keyes, who, despite his lust, harbors feelings of guilt and shame? (978-1-62639-625-8)

  Men in Love: M / M Romance, edited by Jerry L. Wheeler. Love stories between men, from first blush to wedding bells and beyond. (978-1-62639-7361)

  Love on the Jersey Shore by Richard Natale. Two working-class cousins help one another navigate the choppy waters of sexual chemistry and true love. (978-1-62639-550-3)

  Slaves of Greenworld by David Holly. On the planet Greenworld, the amnesiac Dove must cope with intrigues, alien monsters, and a growing slave revolt, while reveling in homoerotic sex
ual intimacy with his own slave Raret. (978-1-62639-623-4)

  Final Departure by Steve Pickens. What do you do when an unexpected body interrupts the worst day of your life? (978-1-62639-536-7)

  Night Sweats by Tom Cardamone. These stories are as gripping as the hand on your throat. (978-1-62639-572-5)

  Soul’s Blood by Stephen Graham King. After receiving a summons from a love long past, Keene and his associates, Lexa-Blue and the sentient ship Maverick Heart, are plunged into turmoil on a planet poised for war. (978-1-62639-508-4)

  Corpus Calvin by David Swatling. Cloverkist Inn may be haunted, but a ghost materializes from Jason Dekker’s past, and Calvin’s canine instinct kicks in to protect a young boy from mortal danger. (978-1-62639-428-5)

  Brothers by Ralph Josiah Bardsley. Blood is thicker than water, but you can drown in either. Jamus Cork and Sean Malloy struggle against tradition to find love in the Irish enclave of South Boston. (978-1-62639-538-1)