by D. B. Watson
He slid in and spooned his cool body close to the warm skin. At first, Patrick didn’t move. Then, as Adam settled against him, the chill caused him to groan and shift away. Adam moved with him, pulling him back. Patrick was too tired to fight as he conceded. Adam rested his head down close to Patrick’s sweet-smelling hair and tried to shut his mind from anyone breaking in.
He remembered Patrick risking his own life to save him from the Harlequin killer in this same bed. Adam took extra measures to add more locks and an alarm. Adam placed his hand on Patrick’s hip, causing his sleeping lover to turn over, pressing his forehead against Adam’s broad chest, falling back to sleep. Adam pulled the sheets over them both and drifted off with the man he loved.
CHAPTER 16
Problem
Two men waited in a still car near an abandoned warehouse. They’d failed in their mission, and hoped with persuasion, they could get another chance.
The pop came from both sides. Neither man saw nor realized what happened. Their side windows broke. The bullets exploded into each of their temples. Both slumped to the side, bumping heads, and dying.
****
A police car patrolled the area of pricy condominiums lining the docks. Motion detectors controlled the streetlights. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary during the late hour. Someone returning home after walking their dog or from a jog.
"Call it in," said the one driving.
His partner grabbed the mic for the radio and was about to comply when they saw someone running toward them frantically waving their arms. The car stopped, and they both climbed out.
“Thank God!” the young, twenty-something man said, stopping at the hood of their cruiser.
“What seems to be the problem?” asked the driver.
“I think I witnessed two guys getting shot,” he said in a shaky voice. “Back there, in an abandoned warehouse.”
“Who are you?”
“I was walking home.”
“That’s not what I asked you.”
“I don’t want to get involved.”
“You witnessed a murder.”
“Murder? I never said it was a murder.”
“Didn’t you say you saw two men shot?”
“Yeah, but—it could have been a suicide. Or something—”
“How about showing us your ID?”
“Please, can’t you keep me out of this?”
“All right, why don’t you start by showing us where this shooting happened.” The officer walked to the back door and opened it.
“I have to go with you?”
“I’m afraid so, since you don’t want to give us your name.”
“Am I being arrested?”
“You will be if you don’t cooperate.”
“What for?”
“Well, you could be the killer trying to play the witness.”
Both officers were steadfast as the man thought it over.
“Okay, I’ll show you. But I’m not telling you my name.”
“Climb in.”
“I’d rather walk.”
The officers glanced at each other and seemed annoyed.
“Fine, I’ll go with him. Follow in the car.”
The man walked anxiously as he led the officers to the undeveloped part of the docks on the opposite side.
“Why so nervous?” the officer asked the man.
“There’s a killer on the loose!”
“You claimed it wasn’t a murder. Now you’re changing your story?”
“What? No!”
“So you say.”
“You’ll see.” They reached the end of the dock where an exoskeleton of a warehouse stood. Broken windows, graffiti walls, and overgrowth.
“Where?” asked the officer.
“Inside there.”
“And what are we going to find in there?”
“A car with two dead guys.”
“How do you know they're dead?”
“I saw them get shot.”
“And you assume they're dead?”
“Well, yeah.”
“People can survive gunshot wounds. Why did you want to walk here? Did you want to make sure they died?”
“What? No!”
“Get into the car, you’re under arrest.”
“For what?”
The officer moved to him and grabbed his arm. The police car came to a stop as the second officer climbed out.
“What’s going on?” asked his partner.
“I’m arresting him on suspicion of murder. You have the right to remain silent—"
“No, it wasn’t me!” cried the man.
“Anything you say can be used against you.”
“Please I swear, I didn’t kill anyone!”
His pleas fell on deaf ears as the officer finished reading his rights to him. They handcuffed him and placed him in the backseat. The officers climbed in and drove closer to the warehouse. They parked in the parking lot and climbed out, leaving the witness in the car.
“Hey, don’t leave me here! There’s a killer out there!”
“Or maybe we already have the killer. Stay put,” said the arresting officer.
They got out and went on foot through overgrowth toward the warehouse. Right away, they spotted the car close to a bay door near the river. They approached with caution, their guns drawn. Two bodies slumped over, sat in the front seat. The driver of the squad car pulled out his flashlight and shined it on the two figures. Both sat with their eyes open, with a single bullet hole in the temple. Someone had attacked them from both sides.
“Okay, I’m calling this in. Let’s go wait with the witness,” said the one holding the flashlight.
“Shouldn’t we search the area?”
“Do you want to suffer the wrath of the detectives when they chew us out for stomping on their crime scene?”
“Point made.” As they returned to the car, one of them called their findings in. His partner noticed the back door to their car was open and the witness—gone. “Crap! How did he get out?” he shouted as he rushed over to the open door. To his surprise, the witness wasn’t missing, he was right where they left him. In the back seat, handcuffed—only with a deep knife wound across his throat.
CHAPTER 17
CarD
“Are you serious?” Patrick asked the next morning in the shower. Patrick stood with his back to his lover while Adam washed his hair with scented shampoo. He massaged Patrick’s scalp with the tips of his fingers before rinsing the soap from his locks.
“Yes,” Adam said, grabbing the bottle of conditioner and pouring a generous sum into the palm of his hand.
“Say it again, Adam.”
Adam massaged the conditioner through Patrick’s wavy hair from behind. “We can go to the party for both days.” Adam smiled as Patrick bounced on the balls of his feet from excitement. “Careful, you’ll slip.”
“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Patrick. He turned to Adam, wrapping his arms around his neck, kissing his mouth. When their lips parted, Patrick still held onto Adam. “We’re going to have an amazing time.”
“So long as I’m with you, anywhere will be amazing,” said Adam.
“I can’t wait to pack.” Patrick beamed with excitement.
“Well, the way you travel, you’d better get a head start on it. I’ll get the office and Justin situated. But for now”—Adam turned Patrick back around—"I want to finish washing your hair.”
“And other things?” encouraged Patrick, who felt the nudge against his bottom from Adam’s arousal. Adam stroked against his lover while he caressed his scalp.
“I just love washing your hair,” said Adam.
“It feels so nice,” answered Patrick, his eyes shut to Adam’s touch.
“My shower is a bit small, isn’t it?” Adam’s mind went back to the house. The separate shower and bath would be perfect for his and Patrick’s together time.
“It’s cozy. I don’t mind.”
“Okay, time to rins
e.” Patrick stood under the shower as Adam ran his fingers through his hair to rinse away the conditioner. This time Patrick stood facing him with his eyes closed. Adam stared at him for a moment and once his hair was clean, he leaned down and kissed him.
Patrick returned his affection and hugged Adam again.
Adam broke their kiss and picked Patrick up, who slid against the shower wall as Adam entered him. “It’s all right, baby. Just put your arms around my neck and let me hold you.”
“But aren’t I heavy?”
“Never. Hold on to me.” Patrick obeyed. Adam rocked him up and down, grabbing his ass cheeks and pressing him against the tile wall. Patrick cried out as Adam sucked and kissed his chest. The moment came with strength and drive. Adam slammed into him until his release erupted inside Patrick.
Adam released Patrick’s legs and lowered him to his feet. His heavy breathing covered Patrick’s neck, his back pressed hard against the wall. They cleaned themselves just as the shower turned cold. Adam reached and turned off the water. He stepped out and grabbed a towel and quickly dried himself off. He took Patrick’s hand to make sure he didn’t slip coming out and began drying his damp body. Starting with his hair, down his shoulders and chest, across the curves of his ass and hips, down his slender legs. Patrick stood in silence while Adam catered to him. When Adam reached his feet, he stood. He tossed the towel on his shoulder, then picked Patrick up, carrying him to their bed.
“You’re spoiling me,” said Patrick.
“Let me,” Adam smiled. The morning light brightened the room as he lowered Patrick to the edge of the bed. He kneeled and dried Patrick’s feet. Once done, he walked back into the bathroom and returned holding a bottle of lotion.
Patrick wanted to say something but decided to remain quiet and let Adam lead.
“Go to the middle of the bed and lay on your back.”
Patrick obeyed. He listened to the click of the lotion lid and felt the cool, creamy liquid run across his body.
Patrick could not help but giggle, and tense at the same time.
Adam said nothing as his hands and fingers worked the cream across Patrick’s skin. Adam massaged his flesh to the point of a warmth growing from beneath.
“Roll onto your stomach,” Adam said.
Patrick followed instructions and closed his eyes again, floating from Adam’s touch. The sturdy hands worked from his shoulders, down to his ass and hips, moving to his toes, tracing each one.
When he came back up to his lower and upper back Adam leaned down and kissed Patrick’s cheek, then lay beside him. Adam pulled Patrick to his side so his back touched his chest. Then grasping his cock, Adam worked him to arousal until Patrick was close to coming. Adam pushed him onto his back and took him into his mouth. He sucked him until Patrick’s balls stiffened and his load shot down Adam’s throat. Patrick’s body quivered until Adam let him slip from his lips.
Adam gathered Patrick into his arms and covered them both with the sheet. Patrick exhausted and dozing again felt Adam’s breath on his neck.
“You didn’t think I would not get you off, did you?” asked Adam.
Patrick faced Adam kissing his detective’s lips. “I can stay like this forever,” he said closing his eyes.
“Don’t you have things to do today, like getting our suits?” Patrick opened his eyes and grumbled as he stretched out.
“But you made me so relaxed with that massage. How can I focus after that?”
“A two-day party?”
“Fine,” Patrick pouted. “I need to talk to my mother about the caterer anyway.”
“And I need to talk to Justin about this weekend.”
“I still need your measurements. Michael texted me with instructions on how to measure you properly.”
“Then let’s get up and eat breakfast first.”
“Okay.”
Adam climbed to the end and stood. He grabbed Patrick’s ankle, pulling the laughing man toward him, getting him to his feet.
“Now let’s put clothes on before I fuck you again,” said Adam, kissing Patrick’s lips. He walked toward his dresser, grabbing a top and a pair of underwear. Patrick combed his fingers through his still-damp hair and went back to the bathroom to comb it into shape.
Adam appeared at the bathroom door, still naked.
Patrick caught Adam gazing at him in the mirror and gave him a side glance and smirked.
“I thought you wanted to get dressed,” said Patrick.
“I do, but you need my measurements so why not take them first? Then I’ll dress,” said Adam.
Patrick finished fixing his hair and stared at the mirror liking the results. “Okay, where is the measuring tape?” he asked, turning to face him.
Adam held up a flexible tape strip.
Patrick walked over and reached to take it, but Adam jerked his arm back, preventing him. “Adam, stop playing.”
“First, put some clothes on.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m trying not to get a hard-on and you standing there, ass-naked is not helping.”
“Oh, I see.” Patrick moved closer to where Adam could feel his breath against his skin. “Excuse me,” Patrick said, looking from Adam to the doorway. “I can’t get dressed, with you in the way.”
Adam stepped back, realizing Patrick was right. He was blocking the only exit. He stepped aside, only allowing Patrick enough room to squeeze through.
Patrick got by Adam without brushing his skin by turning sideways. He walked back to their bedroom and grabbed a tee shirt and a pair of underpants from the drawer and put them on unaware that Adam had followed him. Patrick turned and nearly collided with the brawny man.
“Adam, what are you doing?” Patrick said, giggling as he avoided touching Adam. Adam smiled as he held up the tape measure to Patrick, who snatched it from his fingers. “Stand straight with your legs shoulder width apart,” Patrick ordered. Adam obeyed.
Patrick hurried to the closet and grabbed one of Adam’s white button-up shirts, then his cell phone from the nightstand. He placed it near him on the bed as he handed the shirt to Adam.
“Put this on so I can measure for your jacket.” Adam slipped his arms into the shirt, not buttoning it.
Patrick stepped close to Adam. He reached around as if he was hugging him, to measure his chest, keeping skin-to-skin touch at the bare minimum. He typed the number into a text box and continued with Adam’s neck, shoulders, arms, then his waist.
“Okay, last, I need to do your lower half,” said Patrick, kneeling in front of Adam.
“My favorite part,” Adam smiled, placing his hands on his hips and gazing down at Patrick.
“Remember, we both have work to do today. I still need to pack.” Patrick measured his hips, out-seam, and inseam, which he had to touch Adam’s privates. Adam kept moving, making Patrick’s readings wrong. “Adam, stand still and behave,” said Patrick, eyeballing him.
“Okay, sorry. But the next time you touch my balls, you have to care for them.”
“Once we’re packed and ready to go, I will most happily.”
Patrick gathered all of Adam’s measurements and texted them back to the designer. They both dressed and headed down to Adam’s office, where Detective A. J. Chance and Artie Cutter were waiting for them.
“Not what I was expecting this morning,” said Adam, first in the room with Patrick following. He remembered telling A. J. not to come to his office because it would upset Patrick.
“What are they doing here?” Patrick said with a cold undertone.
“Nice to see you too, Mr. Valdez,” A. J. said.
Patrick only looked away from the two detectives and headed for the office door, not wanting to say hello to either man who had accused him of murdering his ex-boyfriend.
Adam knew Patrick’s resentment toward the detectives and understood his nonresponse.
Before Patrick could open the door, Adam came up from behind and grabbed him around the waist. He turned Patrick around a
nd kissed him soundly. When they parted, they both smiled at each other. “Have a great day, Pat,” said Adam.
“You to,” said Patrick. The office door opened. Justin stood holding a takeout tray with two coffees. Patrick looked at the tray in his hand and knew he bought the drinks for Adam and himself. “How nice of you, Justin,” Patrick said, taking one of the cups and walking past the stunned man, out of the office. Justin turned to Adam, who gave a sympathetic smile.
