by Tatum Throne
James sat into his car and pressed his radio. “This is Anderson. I’m going to the southbound tunnel to start my search.”
“Copy that. We’re going to be another twenty minutes here. We’ll meet you there.”
“Ten-four.”
James started his Jeep Wrangler and headed out into the traffic. He drove toward the medium and cut a hard left. He waited until traffic cleared and headed onto the southbound side of I-71. He pulled up to the tunnel entrance that was about thirty feet high and twenty-five feet wide. Rain hammered his windshield but the wipers were on low, giving him an unobstructed view of the tunnel entrance. James clicked on his flashlight as he headed into the high grass surrounding the abandoned tunnel. The grass appeared to be trampled in spots.
As with this one, there was a steel gate blocking the entrance. The lock was industrial grade and appeared to be tampered with. James swung the flashlight under his arm as he worked the key into the lock and pulled the padlock open. The rusty hinges protested, echoing down the tunnel as he pulled the gate just open enough for him to slide through. When he was inside, he took his flashlight from under his arm and looked down the long abandoned tunnel. He moved the beam of light around, seeing fresh footprints coming and going from the entrance. Someone else had a key to this padlock and they were using it regularly.
James went for his radio but realized too late that he’d left it back in his Jeep. Instead of going back, he went forward. A sense of urgency came over him as a shiver raced up his spine as though someone had just walked over his grave. The only comfort he had was the fact that his reissued service weapon was now strapped to his hip. As he went deeper into the tunnel, the thunderstorm outside faded and the sound of dripping water echoed from above. James paused when he heard the sound of shuffling. He swung the light around as his heart hammered. It was just a rat. It scurried off.
From deep within the tunnel, the sound of arguing erupted. It wasn’t in English. James was on the right track. He unsnapped his holster and flicked off the light. He was not about to be found out until he was ready. As James inched forward along the alcoves, someone grabbed hold of him and turned him up against the wall.
“Quiet. They’re searching for me,” Layton whispered.
“Shaw?”
Their eyes locked. Within the darkness, he could barely see Layton’s face clearly. A thick beard now covered his face. James was shocked to have him standing right in front of him—not to mention he’d forgotten how tall the man was. And he didn’t consider himself short at five-eleven. With their bodies pressed tightly together, Layton pushed them further into the alcove where they couldn’t be seen. James moved his head forward to whisper in his ear but accidentally made contact with his warm wet lips and that thick beard.
Stunned by the brief connection, James moved his lips away but Layton didn’t push him away as he’d expected he would. Instead, Layton held on tighter. The feel of Layton’s body against his sent a shock of heat searing down over his cock. Here James was the one who was supposed to be protecting and saving Layton, and he was the one who was protecting him.
Layton groaned. “You so happy to see me that you’re kissing me?”
“Maybe.” James tried to move away but Layton held on tight to him. “We’ve been searching for you.”
Layton dropped his lips onto the curve of his ear. “Remind me to thank you if we get out of here, Jim. I didn’t think I’d ever get a chance to escape.”
Jim? No one had ever called him by the nickname before. The sweet sound of it coming off of Layton’s tongue nearly made him come. The teasing quality to his voice made James wonder if he was just happy about being rescued and not the moment they were sharing. A warm hand came up over his face.
“You holding up okay?” Layton asked.
“Fine. You?”
“I’ve been better.” A thick thigh pressed between James’s legs as Layton held him closer, using his body as armor to protect them. “They’re heavily armed. Uzis. We can’t risk moving just yet.”
“No, we can’t.”
“You armed?”
“Yes. I am.”
“Give me your gun.” James hesitated only a moment. “Where is your gun?”
“Right hand.”
Layton’s hot hand slipped over his, taking the gun from his palm. James didn’t submit to anyone. The fact that he was now left him a little bit stunned and breathless. His heart hammered. They needed to get out of there. They were sitting ducks. As they waited for the men to move on, James couldn’t help feel things for Layton he shouldn’t be feeling. It was as though he was always meant to be within his arms. Noises carried down the tunnel.
“They’re coming. Be ready,” Layton said.
James felt his hands moving up Layton’s shirt, gripping it tight. Layton responded by slipping his hand around his waist, giving him a hard possessive squeeze. Without a doubt, Layton would step in front of a bullet for him. That was the last thing that James wanted. He wanted to be the one who saved him.
As the guys passed by the alcove, Layton let them pass. He pressed his body hard against James’s. His heart hammered and he swallowed hard as Layton held him so close. When they were out of sight, Layton looked down at him.
“You okay?” Layton asked.
“Yeah.”
“Your heart is hammering. I heard you had a bad heart.”
“That’s some bullshit rumor SWAT Doc Woods started to point out that I was in the way.”
“Huh. I thought for sure you had a bad ticker.”
“I’m not that old.”
“No, you’re not. You’re in your forties?”
“Just out of them.”
“Huh. You don’t look like it.” Layton grabbed his hand and pulled him from the alcove. “Let’s go before they decide to come back and finish the job with me.”
“This way,” James said.
“It’s blocked. No way out.”
“I undid the padlock. The gate is open.”
“Hot damn. I didn’t want to follow my kidnappers out.”
They rushed through the tunnel. By the time they got to the entrance, Chief Rask and his team where on the other side. Rain misted from the sky as the thunderstorm pushed through.
“I found him,” James said.
“Let’s get you to the hospital to get you checked out,” Rask said.
“No hospitals. It’s late. I want a ride back to my house.”
Rask looked unsure. “I’ll need you to give us your statement when you’re ready.”
“I will later this week.” As an afterthought, Layton looked back at the chief. “The men who kidnapped me should be coming out the other side of this tunnel. You may be able to catch them.”
“Do you have a description?” Rask asked.
“They’ll be the only two guys who don’t belong in the tunnels at this time of night,” Layton said.
“Did you get a look at them?” Rask asked James.
“They were wearing jeans and T-shirts, dark hair, five-nine, five-eleven…about 150.”
“Got it.” Rask looked at James. “Could you drive him home? If he’s not going to the hospital, I want to make sure he makes it home safely.”
“Will do.” James caught Layton’s eye. “I’m parked over here.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
James suspected that Layton was putting on a tough face for the chief but didn’t know why. Most men who’d been through what he had would be in the hospital for several days shaking off the mental and physical damage that had been done. As he started his Jeep, James glanced at Layton. There were a few dark bruises on his face. “Do you still live out in Batavia?”
“Yeah. I still have my farm.”
“You sure you don’t want to hit the hospital?”
“No thanks. They gave me bread and water.”
This man didn’t show weakness to anyone. Any LEO who had gone through something like this needed support to get through. James couldn’t rec
all if Lay had any family in town. In fact, he couldn’t recall much about his family. He thought he was an only child or someone who wasn’t very close with his family. After he had started within the department, he’d kept his head down, did the job, and did it well. James never had any trouble with him.
The streets were wet as he drove Layton home. He was quiet with his head propped back against the seat. Despite his eyes being closed, James was certain that he wasn’t sleeping.
After twenty minutes driving outside the city limits, James pulled up in front of Layton’s house. He glanced over at Layton. “I’m going to see you inside.”
Surprise moved over his face. “You don’t need to do that.”
“Chief Rask will have my ass if he doesn’t receive word that you’re okay.” James flashed a quick grin. “Besides, this gives me an excuse to see your place. Did you do some renovations on it?”
“Yeah I did. You can come inside.”
Layton led the way up to the front door. The door was unlocked. “They grabbed me at the door.”
“You okay to stay here tonight?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll lock the door.”
As James closed the door behind him, he locked it and put the chain up. Layton flipped on the lights and looked around. The place looked perfect as though nothing was out of place.
There was a weariness about Layton despite all the strength he exuded. James wasn’t prepared to leave him when he was so torn up this way.
“Let me stay the night,” James said.
“What? Why?”
“You don’t look too steady. This way, I can make sure you’re okay.”
Layton ran a hand through brown hair. His blue eyes flashed with heat as they connected with James’s. “I’m not a fucking victim and I never will be.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Good. Just so we’re clear.”
Layton turned toward the stairs and headed up. His ass muscles bunched and flexed through his wet jeans as he moved. James’s mouth watered. What the hell was wrong with him?
“Hungry?” James called.
“Starving.”
“I’ll make you something.”
“Thanks.”
The kitchen was rustic with a deep country sink and wide windows that overlooked the forest surrounding the house. Security lighting lit up the backyard. Off in the distance, there was a greenhouse. The place felt welcoming and warm with all the dark oak running through the kitchen. James went to the fridge and opened the door. There were the staples, but James ended up throwing most of them out due to them being past the expiration date. The eggs were still good. Without knowing what Layton liked, James made him some eggs and toast. He poured him some orange juice, found a tray, and took it upstairs for Layton.
The master bedroom was on the right at the end of the hall. James set the tray down on the bed and went to find Layton. He should have been out of the bathroom by now. “Lay? You okay?”
No answer. James opened the bathroom door. A towel was around his waist and the mirror was fogged except a spot he’d wiped clean with his hand.. He stood in front of the mirror shaving off the thick beard that had grown over the last week.
“It looks good on you,” James said.
Their eyes locked within the mirror as Layton stroked the razor up over his neck. He rinsed off the razor and wiped his face off with a towel.
“I kept part of it.”
The goatee looked good, too, but James already felt like he’d said way too much. “Dinner is on the bed.”
“Thanks.”
James backed up so that Layton could come out of the bathroom. He went to the big walk-in closet, dropping his towel on the floor. He was completely naked. James knew he should look away from his amazing body but he couldn’t. Every one of his muscles bunched and flexed in his back as he moved. Despite being held with little food over the last week, Layton still looked sharply muscled. He looked as though he lost at least ten pounds. The way his muscles moved was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen on a man. Those lines of muscle were like a roadmap that James wanted to spend a long time driving on. He was sure those detours would take him places he wouldn’t ever want to surface from ever again.
“Do I make you nervous?” Layton asked.
James swallowed hard as he watched him pull up his tight black boxer briefs. This man was completely out of his league. He was strong, physically and mentally. That turned James on. He liked a man who could go through something rough and come out stronger on the other side. “No. Sorry for staring.”
“You seem nervous.”
“It’s been a rough few days. I didn’t take on your case until Chief Rask asked me to.”
“So, I really do have you to thank for finding me.”
James wasn’t comfortable with compliments. “It was nothing. I would have done the same for anyone.”
Layton ran a hand through his wet hair as he came in closer. “I’ve heard a rumor about you, Jim.”
A shiver raced through his belly as he swallowed hard. It took everything he had to meet those devastatingly blue eyes. “What have you heard?”
“Someone said you like to suck cock.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never sucked one.”
Heat flashed through Layton’s smoldering gaze. “Something tells me you would.”
“I should go. You’ve been through a lot.”
Layton smoothed his hand up over James’s cheek. “Stay. I can’t stand the thought of being alone tonight.”
As the chemistry spiraled out between them, James couldn’t walk away from Layton after he asked him to stay. As Layton’s hand smoothed down over his neck, James melted.
* * * *
Layton wasn’t sure what he was doing with James. Lust made James’s eyes dilate. Despite his hand playing overtime on his neck, he wasn’t backing away. With his eyes wide open, Layton tilted his head and came in close, kissing Jim on his full lips. He didn’t stay long, just brushed a simple kiss on those lips to test the waters. When he pulled a breath away, Jim came in fast, reestablishing the hot kiss. The connection was instant and intense. Jim grabbed onto his hips, melting his body against Layton’s naked chest. Jim moaned into the kiss, giving him the perfect chance to slip his tongue deep inside to take complete control.
Layton’s tongue flicked against Jim’s. Everything around him faded away as Layton felt Jim’s cock kicked out hard. Two inches of Jim’s throbbing prick was now sticking out of the top of his tactical pants. Layton flipped his thumb back and forth over James’s cockhead, smearing his pre-cum into his hand.
This was so out of character for Layton. Perhaps it had everything to do with the fact that he’d just been through a week of pure hell and would have more to go through with his psych evaluation with work. As a Dom, he didn’t normally just take without having that conversation first. He didn’t like to start anything he couldn’t finish. Layton muscled James up against the wall, using his body to keep control of him.
James fisted his hand into the boxers that were tight against his ass. Lay had to slow this thing down before it got too far out of control. He broke his lips away, but kept his body planted against Jim’s. “Tell me you’re gay.”
“I am.”
A spinning sensation started in Layton’s mind. “Was that your first kiss?”
Heat moved up over Jim’s cheeks as he blushed. “Yeah. I’ve never…been with a man before.”
“Are you bi?”
“No, definitely not. I just got into something I couldn’t get out of. I thought I had to pretend to be something I’m not.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It brought me here to you.”
The enormity of the situation hit Layton hard. He didn’t normally take any man’s virginity. As far as he was concerned, until Jim had sex with a man he was a virgin.
“What do you want?” Layton asked.
James bit his lip as his hand moved down over
Layton’s cock. “You. This.”
Very slowly, James raised those bedroom eyes up over his face, and Layton was completely fucking lost. He was a bit relieved he was about to lose this game to a man who secretly always wanted. Layton stepped back and dropped his boxers to the floor. His cock sprang out, slapping against his abdomen as it flexed north. James’s eyes went wide and he licked his lips as his gaze settled onto Layton’s prick. Layton slipped his hand down over his shaft and balls, giving his cock a punishing stroke. When Jim’s eyes finally met his again, the corner of Layton’s mouth lifted.
“I think I got something you want. Do you want to suck this?”
“Fuck yes.”
“Then there’s something you should know about me.”
James’s gaze faltered as though the world was shifting sideways and he wouldn’t get what he wanted. “What is it?”
“I’m a Dom. I only take subs on in the bedroom. Are you interested in the lifestyle with me?”
He nodded his head. “Yes. I’ll be your sub.”
“Then get down on your knees and suck my cock.”
James moaned as he fell to his knees. Layton came in close, slapping his prick against his lips. James moaned as he inhaled the sweet, warm scent of Layton’s prick. James’s hot breath echoed out against his cock before he inhaled deeply again. James licked out his tongue, opening his mouth wide. Layton groaned, arching his head back as he sunk his prick deep into his subs’ hot, eager mouth. He laced his fingers into Jim’s hair, loving the long silky strands that he’d started growing out. When he was acting chief, he’d always kept it military short but he was a different man now.
Lay looked down as Jim’s fist wrapped around his prick and he bounced his head up and down as he sucked his shaft. Lay was in heaven when his cockhead disappeared down the back of his throat. No sub had ever swallowed him completely before. He was a big man, tapered and thick. Jim had somehow managed to get his entire prick down his throat. Their eyes locked as Jim backed off, licking his tongue over the underside of his shaft as his lips came around his cockhead. A shot of pre-cum vibrated through his shaft, striking his sub in the back of the throat.
James groaned. “I love the sweet taste of your pre-cum. Fuck yes.”
