A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Taking Care of Charlie

ISBN # 978-0-85715-575-7

©Copyright Amber Kell 2011

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright June 2011

Edited by Lisa Cox

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-sizzling.

TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

Dedication

To everyone who ever longed for someone and finally got them.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

Hummer: General Motors Corp.

TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

5

Chapter One

Charlie

The sound of beeping brought me out of my deep sleep. Blinking, I tried to clear my vision.

White.

Everything was white.

The walls, the ceiling, the uniform of the woman leaning over me—all white. But it was the smell that gave it away.

Hospital.

I really hated hospitals.

“You’re awake,” she said with a wide smile, as if it were a major accomplishment to blink my eyes.

Ouch.

Okay, maybe it was an accomplishment.

“You had us worried.”

Who had I worried? I didn’t exactly see hordes of people wringing their hands and crying over me. It was nothing like the movies. It was just the two of us, and she didn’t look worried. She looked calm and collected. She smoothed her hands over the covers as she talked to me.

I resisted the urge to slap them away.

I hated being fussed over.

“How did I get here?” As soon as the words had left my mouth I wanted to take them back. Even I knew this was the work of my boyfriend, Isaac. The guy I’d thought was the one.

Stupid me had fallen for his sexy smile and bad boy looks. Isaac wasn’t a bad boy. He was an asshole with really hard boots and the occasional baseball bat. Too bad I’d accidentally set it on fire. It was a signed edition and everything.

Hmm, maybe that could explain why I was here.

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The perky nurse clamped her lips tightly together. I had the impression she didn’t want to tell me why I was there or how I’d got there or anything that might make me completely and totally freak out.

“You were injured. Do you remember anything at all?” Of course.

Why wouldn’t I remember?

I searched my mind for the details of the event that had led to my hospital visit. I had no doubt it was Isaac’s fault. It wasn’t the first time he’d sent me there, but I vowed it would be the last. I wasn’t one of those poor saps who thought if he licked his boyfriend’s boots a little better maybe he wouldn’t beat the crap out of him.

I’d already forgiven him once, but that old saying span around in my head. Fool me once, shame on you—fool me twice, shame on me. This was my twice and I was done.

As I lay there coping with the pain raging throughout my entire body, the image of the perfect man drifted into my drug-soaked mind.

“I want Marcus.” My voice was barely above a whisper, but the nurse heard me. She turned back with a curious glint in her pretty, brown eyes.

“Who’s Marcus?”

“My…” For the life of me, I couldn’t remember who Marcus was. I only knew he was important. Isaac must have slammed me to the ground harder then I remembered. Images flashed in my mind of a tall blond with golden-brown eyes and an easy smile. I knew if I called him, Marcus would come. “My friend,” I said finally, because whatever else he might be, I knew somehow he was my friend. The love I felt towards the image in my mind made me wonder if there was more than one reason Isaac had beaten the crap out of me.

“Do you have his number?” the nurse asked, drawing my attention back to her.

“In my cell phone.”

Did I have my cell phone? It certainly wasn’t hiding in the white smock I wore. The delightful garment covered my privates but left the rest of me free and breezy at the back.

“It’s right here.” Plucking a silver cell phone off the side table she asked for Marcus’ last name.

“James.” I might not know what our relationship was, but I had no problem remembering Marcus’ name or the adorable dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. Sadly, TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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7

images of the man naked weren’t in my memory banks. Either I’d forgotten, or I’d never had the opportunity to see him unclothed. Both possibilities were almost too sad to contemplate.

The nurse’s eyes went wide. “You mean Dr James?” Was he a doctor? I couldn’t remember. A flash of the same handsome blond in a doctor’s coat blinked into my memory.

“Yes.”

“Oh. I didn’t know you were a friend of Dr James’. I’ll call and let him know you’re here.”

“Thank you.” She was almost out of the door before I remembered to ask, “What’s wrong with me?” It should’ve been the first question out of my mouth, but I hadn’t given it a thought until I realised she would be calling Marcus. Memories were coming back and I knew, bone certain, he was going to flip the hell out.

With a sympathetic smile, she gave me a detailed list of my injuries. It made me sound like a broken doll and my entire body ached with renewed awareness.

After the horrible recitation I didn’t feel up to saying anything else. Closing my eyes against her probing gaze, I turned my head away. I could live in denial until Marcus came.

Right then I desperately wanted a nap. The nurse patted my arm. “You rest. I’ll page Dr James.”

The awed tone she used suggested Marcus was someone important to the hospital, but I didn’t care. I wanted out of there.

I hated hospitals.

As I lay there I remembered all about Marcus. It came back to me in a rush, playing out in my mind’s eye like one of those sappy flashbacks in girly movies. Not that I watched girly movies, at least not when anyone else was around.

I’d loved Marcus James since I was ten years old, when sixteen-year-old Marcus had beaten up an older boy for stealing my bicycle.

I was like a baby bird—imprinting on the one person I knew would care for and protect me. Throughout my childhood it always went the same way. If anyone messed with me, they messed with Marcus. Even after he went to college, he lived at home and kept an eye on me, making sure everyone knew I was under his protection. He had moved to my small town from a rough New York neighbourhood and everyone knew he wasn’t afraid to use his fists.

Through all my childhood scrapes and encounters with bullies, he was the one shoulder I TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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could always cry on. However, when, at eighteen, I admitted I was gay, he was the one person I didn’t want to face.

I couldn’t look into Marcus’ gentle, brown eyes and see disappointment, or even worse—disgust. My announcement to my parents was anticlimactic since apparently I was the worst closeted gay in history. They didn’t care. They were the type of people who said they wanted you to do whatever made you happy, and actually meant it. With their blessing I caught the first flight to San Francisco and went off to college.

I didn’t even say goodbye to Marcus, which tore off a little piece of my heart when my plane left the runway.

I didn’t regret the move. It was time to figure out what I wanted in life and time to get away from my unrequited love for Marcus James, the straightest boy in Stranville, who could never love a queer named Charlie Summers.

With a love for painting and all things creative, I enroled in a college with a strong fine arts programme. To my surprise, I was considered extremely talented by both the faculty and my peers. It was one thing for your high school art teacher to be encouraging. It was another when a major art critic called your work ‘inspiring’.

Unfortunately, my love life didn’t prosper as well as my art. Although I learnt all about gay sex, I never really connected to any of my casual flings. I did learn I liked to be overpowered by a stronger lover, learnt I loved the feel of a long cock sliding down my throat and learnt, through a series of meaningless encounters, my heart still yearned for a certain muscular blond who would never give me the romantic time of day. Oddly enough, Marcus moved to San Francisco a few months after me, transferring his residency to the hospital affiliated with my college.

Marcus and I met for lunch once a week. After the first initial awkward meal, things went more smoothly. I confessed I was gay, Marcus said he already knew, and we settled into a comfortable friendship that only ripped out my heart every Wednesday over burgers and beer.

Although Marcus invited me many times to his home and to parties with his friends, I didn’t feel comfortable imposing on Marcus’ world. I was certain one day Marcus James would outgrow me, and limited exposure was the best way to keep him in my life. I tended to wear on people. More than one person had told me I was exhausting. Too enthusiastic, too perky and too talkative were the top of the ‘too’ list recited to me by various ex-lovers. My TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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theory was if my adult self didn’t spend a lot of time with Marcus, than he wouldn’t be exposed to my many flaws. For some reason he liked me as a person and I needed to keep it that way more then I needed my next breath.

If I didn’t have Marcus, I didn’t have anything.

Even though we’d always remained platonic friends, my desperation to erase Marcus from my mind had me making the mistake of trying to replace the loving protection of my pseudo-big brother with Isaac. Big, strong Isaac Callen, who’d put me in the hospital two months after we’d moved in together by breaking three of my ribs and two fingers of my left hand with a baseball bat. I’d taken him back when he’d come red-eyed and begging for my forgiveness.

Yep, I was an idiot, but I could be taught. I wasn’t going back to him. Not now, not ever. Hopefully, Marcus would know a place I could stay while I healed.

As I lay in the hospital, I waited for the only person I could ever depend on when I was in trouble.

* * * *

Marcus

At midnight, the ringing of my cell phone jolted me out of my sleep. No one ever called in the middle of the night with good news. First thing you learnt as a doctor. I picked up the phone and checked the number. As I suspected, it was the hospital. I let out a low groan.

All I wanted was some sleep. I wasn’t on call, but then a doctor was never off work so I didn’t have the option of not answering.

With a growl, I flipped open my phone.

“Hello?”

“Dr James. This is Nurse Bilt at Mercy General Hospital.”

“It’s not my night to be on call,” I snapped. Exhaustion sapped my patience. I’d recently got off a twenty-hour shift and I longed to return to my pillow. “Dr Stanner is on duty.” Sometimes I wondered if the nursing staff took a sick delight in interrupting my sleep.

“There’s a Charlie Summers here who wanted me to ask you to come and get him.” TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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10

“Charlie’s there?” I was awake now. My heart tried to slam its way out of my chest.

How could something have happened to Charlie? Where was his boyfriend? “ Put him on the phone.” My fried nerves ate up the rest of my patience.

“I’m calling from the nurse’s station. Mr Summers is in his room.”

“What’s wrong with him?” What if Charlie was dying? The thought of anything happening to my gentle artist sent terror through my soul. I had to take several slow breaths to prevent panicking.

“You know patient confidentiality keeps me from telling you information about someone who isn’t your patient.”

I barely resisted the urge to scream at her. She didn’t understand. She couldn’t understand.

“Tell him I’m on the way.” There was no question that I would help Charlie—he was the only person I’d ever loved. It didn’t occur to me not to help.

Charlie needed something, so I gave.

It was as simple as breathing.

I hung up the phone and started dressing.

“Who’s on the phone, baby?” Linda, my occasional girlfriend, lifted her dark head from the pillow.

“Charlie’s in the hospital. I have to go and get him. Lock up when you leave.”

“Leave?” Linda asked. “Why am I leaving?”

“Charlie’s in the hospital. I have to go and help him out.”

“Is it serious?”

I shrugged. It didn’t matter to me if it was serious or not. If Charlie had a hangnail I’d still drop everything and go and get him. “I don’t know. The nurse called. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. He’s free to leave the hospital, so I’m hoping it’s not too bad. He didn’t ask for his boyfriend. I’m thinking maybe they had a fight. I’m going to bring him back here to heal.”

Please don’t be too injured.

I pleaded to a god I didn’t even believe in as I panicked inside. I tried using my medical professionalism to hold back the hysteria, but this was Charlie. It was hard to be cold and objective when the person I loved most in the world was in the hospital.

“Can’t he have someone else get him?”

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11

“He called me.”

How much clearer could I get?

“But it’s my birthday. At least let me come with you. Maybe he just couldn’t reach his boyfriend and you can drop him off at home. Then we can come back here and celebrate some more.” She gave me a sexy grin, as if that would be enough to make me ditch an injured friend.

“No. I’m bringing Charlie back here and he doesn’t need strangers around when he’s not feeling well.”

Linda looked at me as if I’d grown another head. “I’m not a stranger. I’m your girlfriend.”

“You’re a stranger to him.”

“Not if you introduce me. How come in the two months we’ve been dating you’ve never introduced me? I’ve met all your other friends but Charlie, and you have lunch with him every week. It’s like you don’t think I’m good enough to meet your precious friend.” How could I explain to my girlfriend my soul mate was a skinny, dark-haired guy whose existence made mine worthwhile? I didn’t need to be with Charlie, I only needed to be certain he was happy. I’d even moved across the country to be in the same city so I could keep an eye on him. My life was tailored towards looking out for Charlie.

I firmly believed I’d been born with two purposes in life. To be a doctor and to take care of Charlie Summers, the sweetest man ever to set foot on this earth.

Dating women was my way of waiting for my man to grow up. I wanted Charlie to sow his wild oats so later, when we settled down together, he’d have no regrets. While Charlie dated lots of men, I saved myself for him. Fucking girls didn’t count. I wanted my first man-on-man sexual relationship to be with my soul mate. I didn’t need to get experience. Charlie would tell me what to do.

I had panicked a little when Charlie had moved in with Isaac, but I’d figured it was a phase he was going through.

The fact that Charlie hadn’t called the man he’d moved in with worried me.

“So let me get this right.” Linda’s shrill voice penetrated my thoughts. “Some guy calls and you drop everything to rush to his side.”

“He’s not some guy. He’s Charlie.”

Really, that said it all. I didn’t know why she insisted there was more.

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“So, Charlie calls and you drop everything.”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t a hard concept.

“If I called from the hospital would you drop everything for me?” The answer should’ve been yes.

I stopped for a moment and looked at her, really looked at her for the first time in a while. Her dark hair tumbled in silky waves down her back, her sparkling blue eyes glowed with fervour and her mouth formed a cupid’s bow any man would be lucky to kiss. She deserved better. What the hell was I doing? I didn’t love her. I was never going to love her.

We were a habit I’d fallen into—she wasn’t the love of my life. He was in a hospital bed calling for me to come and get him.

Linda must have read the answer in my eyes. Tears made hers glisten. “Shit. You’re a hot-looking guy, Marcus, really hot, but you don’t care about other people’s feelings. I thought at first maybe it was me, but you’re indifferent to everyone except your old college friend Francis and this Charlie. I want to be one of those few people you drop everything for, but I don’t think I’m even close to being on the list.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right, Linda. You do deserve better.” However, she wasn’t listening to me. Apparently letting out her frustration had been cathartic and she was ready to shed our relationship for one she deserved.

“I hope Charlie has better luck with you. Maybe he’s the one you need because you sure as hell don’t want me.” She flounced out of bed, quickly got dressed, and slammed out of the condo.

I didn’t bother chasing after her. She had a cell phone and knew how to call a cab.

Besides, I didn’t have time for guilt. I was too busy getting my shit together to go and get Charlie.

TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

13

Chapter Two

Charlie

Marcus walked into the room like a man with a mission. I tried to be discreet, while hungrily looking him over from head to toe. He had the same muscular build, same gold hair, and same warm, brown eyes that always looked at me as if I was his entire world.

If only that were true.

I tried not to read too much into Marcus’ expression, but I needed to feel like someone cared. Even if I never became romantically involved with him, I knew he loved me in his own way, like an annoying kid brother.

“Hey,” I said, trying to speak past the lump in my throat. I couldn’t tell Marcus how much his coming meant to me. I wasn’t the type of person who could talk about my feelings and crap like that. I was a guy—guys didn’t discuss feelings. They grunted and bumped fists.

Being an artist didn’t make me better able to verbally express myself. Give me some paints or a block of marble and I could show someone how I felt, but actually saying the words… I’d rather be set on fire.

“Hey,” Marcus said, coming to sit beside me on the bed. He brushed the hair back from my face to see me better while I imagined other places he could touch me with those big hands.

I closed my eyes to absorb the feel of Marcus’ touch.

“What happened to you?”

“Wrong choice of boyfriends. Isaac thought I’d make an excellent punching bag and I dared to disagree.”

The hand in my hair tightened. “You can come and stay with me until you find a new place. I’ll go to your apartment and pick up your stuff. You don’t ever have to see him again.”

It felt so good to let someone else do the work while I was stressed, upset at my bad taste in boyfriends and in pain. I covered Marcus’ hand with my own. “Thank you so much for coming,” I said, blinking back tears. “I know you didn’t have to.” TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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“Hey.” His tone was gentle as he kept up the nice head-stroking. “I’ve always been there for you. I’m not going to stop now.”

If Marcus had been gay I would’ve kissed him. Hell, I was tempted to anyway.

He was so fucking sweet.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“What’s the damage?” Marcus’ professional gaze slid over me as if he had X-ray vision and could see beneath my skin.

“Black eye, a couple of cracked ribs and a minor concussion.” I didn’t tell him the damage could’ve been a lot worse. I had bought Isaac’s lies of being sorry before and made up excuses not to have lunch with Marcus so he wouldn’t see the damage.

This time I was done.

“Good evening, Mr Summers.” A cheery nurse in a white uniform gave me a perky smile. She looked vaguely familiar. “I see we’re back again. Fall down the stairs? Run into any doors?”

Provoking me was her way of reminding me this wasn’t my first time in the hospital.

Everyone wanted me to press charges, but I wanted it all to go away.

“Your sarcasm in the face of this patient’s injuries is unprofessional, Ms Nelson.” Marcus’ voice was icy with disapproval.

The nurse paled. “Dr James.” She swallowed. “I—I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see you.”

“You shouldn’t have to see me to be kind to an injured man.” Shit.

“Lay off, Marcus,” I said, hoping to defuse the situation. “She’s trying to get me to press charges against Isaac.”

I immediately regretted my urge to distract Marcus when he pierced me with an angry glare. “And why aren’t you?”

“Because I don’t want this to get out. Do you think I want everyone to know what a wuss I am? That I was stupid enough to go back to a man who beat the crap out of me?” I could feel tears sliding down my cheeks but I refused to acknowledge them.

Marcus brushed them away.

“Shh. Don’t cry.” He wrapped me in the warm cocoon of his gentle arms. “Come and stay with me. I’ll get you through this.”

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I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my bruised face, even as it hurt. I slid my head onto his shoulder and battled the urge to kiss his neck, temptingly close to my lips. “I know you will.”

“Can he be discharged yet?” Marcus asked the nurse.

I lifted my head and pulled slowly away from my friend’s embrace, even as every part of my body longed to return to the haven of his arms. This was his place of work. I didn’t want to give the staff the wrong idea.

The nurse nodded, relief vivid on her face at the thought of him leaving. “I have the paperwork right here. Will you watch him tonight for head trauma?”

“Yes. I’ll take care of him.”

With those words everything in me relaxed. I would be all right, because Marcus said he’d take care of me.

“You are never going back to that fucker,” he growled.

“Yes, Marcus.” I was too tired to argue with him, and besides, I’d planned to leave the bastard anyway.

He pinned me with his brown eyes. “You will stay with me until you’re completely healed.”

“Yes, doctor,” I said with a smile.

“Smart ass.” Marcus smiled back.

* * * *

Marcus

When I first saw Charlie’s bruised face I wanted to kill someone. To know that someone had abused my precious boy made me so angry I could barely see. Didn’t Isaac realise what a gift Charlie was?

Charlie should have a happy life. Apparently I was going to have to take care of him myself. No one else could be trusted.

“Come on. I’ll get you settled at home, then go and get your stuff.” Charlie signed his discharge papers, his hands shaky from the medication. I signed the form for his discharge. No way was he waiting around for the doctor on duty. Charlie needed coddling and a safe space, not to take up a hospital bed.

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“Come on, babe.” I slipped an arm around his waist, grabbed his prescription, and settled him into the wheelchair the orderly presented.

I hoped Charlie hadn’t heard my slip, but hell, if he had, maybe it would open up conversation between us. It was time for me to claim what was mine.

The drive to the condo was quiet. Charlie slipped into an uneasy sleep as soon as the car started. It took all my concentration to focus on the road and not on the gorgeous man sitting beside me. I was a ladies’ man through and through, had been since I’d first learnt about sex. I liked the feel and smell of women and went through them with the same speed Charlie went through men, but there wasn’t one I wouldn’t trade for a single night with the man sleeping beside me. Even though he didn’t know it, Charlie was my world.

I knew I should leave him alone. He was gay and I wasn’t. I’d claim I was bisexual but he was the only man who’d ever appealed to me. I’d had a gay roommate in college who, after seeing my photo of Charlie and hearing my explanation, had taken me to a few clubs to test out the theory, but the men there had left me cold. Every other man left me cold. After several nights of leaving clubs alone, my roommate had finally agreed. Francis and I still got together a couple of times a month to have dinner and shoot the shit, but he had given up on taking me to clubs years ago.

I’d kept away from Charlie because I didn’t want to corrupt an innocent kid. Over the years I’d watched him get his wild ways out of his system. Now he was thinking of settling down he needed to pick the right man.

Me.

Once I was parked in the garage I shook his shoulder gently, mindful of his injuries.

“Wake up, babe.”

Charlie’s ridiculously long lashes fluttered as he struggled to focus his drug-clouded green eyes.

“I’ll stop and get your new meds on the way to your apartment.” Charlie blinked. “You should wait until morning. Isaac will be at work.” Like that was going to stop me. Besides, I couldn’t beat the crap out of the man if he wasn’t there.

“Sure, babe. Let’s get you settled and I’ll run to the store and get your meds.”

“Okay. That’s nice,” Charlie said dreamily.

“What’s nice?”

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“Being called babe.”

I looked at the loopy expression on Charlie’s face. “They gave you the good drugs before we left, didn’t they?”

He gave an oddly attractive giggle as he slid out of the truck and right into my arms.

“You always catch me,” he said. Resting his head on my shoulder, Charlie wrapped his arms around me for a long, gentle hug.

“And I always will,” I vowed, kissing the top of his head.

I knew he was too drugged to understand how seriously I planned to keep that promise. I all but carried him into my condo, stumbling to prop him up against the wall and unlock the door at the same time.

Glancing around I was pleased to see Linda was still gone, but I didn’t trust her not to circle back to spy on Charlie. I’d have to call a locksmith tomorrow in case she changed her mind in the morning and wanted to make up. It wouldn’t be the first time, but if I could finally keep Charlie in my life, it was time to make sure she knew we really were through. I made a mental note to call her tomorrow.

I left Charlie on the couch with a glass of water, a blanket and the television remote, promising to return soon. Heading out to the kerb, I called Francis. When he picked up I started giving orders.

“Francis, I need to borrow your SUV. Bring gloves.” He laughed hysterically over the line. “Why? Are you trying to hide evidence?” I didn’t bother laughing with him.

“Shit,” Francis cursed. “Please don’t tell me I need to bring a shovel.”

“Naw, we’re going to do a little eye-for-an-eye justice. He’ll probably live through it.” I hung up the phone knowing he would come and get me soon.

No one hurt Charlie and got away with it.

Ten minutes later, Francis pulled up to the kerb in his Hummer, a worried expression on his face.

I opened the passenger door and jumped inside.

“Did I get you out of bed?” Most people wouldn’t look as well groomed as Francis getting out of bed, but I had roomed with the man in college and knew he was one of those freaks of nature who looked good any time. There had been many days when we’d had early TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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classes and he’d got out of bed, slipped on yesterday’s clothing and still looked like a magazine model. If I’d had a leaning towards men other than my Charlie, I would’ve picked Francis in a minute.

“So is this the famous Charlie as in ‘I will never love another’?”

“Yes. His boyfriend beat him up. We’re going to go, collect his shit and teach the bastard a lesson.”

Francis pulled his vehicle away from the kerb. “What’s his address?” That was the beauty of having really good friends. They were always there for your psychotic breakdowns. Francis might look like a glossy metrosexual, but he’d been a featherweight boxer in college and knew how to throw a punch. A handy man to have for backup.

The townhouse where Charlie lived was in a nice neighbourhood. The small, petty part of me noted it wasn’t as nice as mine. Disregarding the neighbours, I pounded loudly on the door with my fist. A beefy, dark-haired man opened the door.

“Are you Isaac?” I demanded.

“Yeah. Who are you?”

“I’m Marcus.”

A light went on in his eyes. “You’re that guy Charlie’s always going on about. Where the fuck is that little bastard? The pussy ran off when I went to get a beer.” I didn’t wait to hear whatever excuse Isaac wanted to come up with. I pulled back my fist and punched him in the mouth, followed by another punch to the stomach. My sense of time vanished as I relished the sound of crunching bones and the spray of blood.

Not until Francis jumped on my back and pulled me away did I stop my assault and let my victim drop limply to the ground.

“I thought you weren’t going to kill him.”

Unable to resist, I kicked Isaac in the ribs to hear the snap. “He’ll survive. He’ll only wish he hadn’t.”

I walked through the condo until I found the master bedroom. It held a large bed with soft, inviting blankets, but the thought of Charlie spending the night curled up in that bastard’s arms made me want to puke.

“Here’s a bag.” Francis pulled a suitcase from the closet. “Let’s put all his stuff in here.”

“Good idea.”

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It didn’t take long to scoop up the property of a graduate student. Band T-shirts, torn jeans, a second pair of scruffy sneakers and pile of non-descript clothes with paint splattered across them.

No art supplies.

“Let’s check the second bedroom.”

“Why?” Francis asked, running to catch up with me.

“Because my Charlie would never live anywhere and not have art supplies.” There were a few indisputable laws of nature. The sky was blue, the sun was hot and Charlie was never more than a few steps away from a shitload of art supplies.

I opened up the second door.

“Bingo.”

Papers, paints and charcoals were scattered across the table, as well as dozens of rough sketches. Women, men, children playing, trees and nature, all made it through Charlie’s amazing mind and soft heart, to bleed out onto the paper.

“He’s really talented,” Francis said. I smiled at the awe in my friend’s voice. Whenever I told anyone Charlie was an artist they always nodded knowingly, but it wasn’t until they saw his work that they understood what it really meant.

“Yes, he is.” I knew I couldn’t keep the pride out of my voice. Unfortunately, few people could live off being an artist, so it was a good thing I made a nice salary as a physician. I could support us both while Charlie concentrated on his art. I didn’t realise I’d said that last part aloud until Francis responded.

“Don’t you think you’re kind of getting ahead of yourself? I mean, the man doesn’t even know you like him, does he?”

I shrugged. “He’ll find out soon enough.”

Francis gave me an odd look as he grabbed a couple of canvasses and took them out to his car. Why the man insisted on driving a Hummer in the city I will never know, but it came in handy at times like these.

Finding parking for the monster had to be a bitch.

I much preferred my subcompact, but even I had to admit it wasn’t the best for hauling stuff.

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It only took half an hour to finish loading all Charlie’s belongings. Isaac cowered on the couch while we took everything out. I assumed he’d scream if anything we grabbed was his but if not, too bad.

“He’ll come back, you know,” Isaac taunted me as we snatched the last bit of paint and paper.

“No, he won’t.” I was confident in my man. “He’s realised that if you loved him you wouldn’t have hit him. I’m going to take care of him from now on.” Isaac laughed. It sounded strange through his broken nose. “This isn’t the last of it, you know. I’ll get him back.”

“You already had him and now he’s mine.” I didn’t even try to hide my smile.

Isaac lunged at me.

Before I had time to do anything, Francis laid Isaac out with a swift, clean punch.

“Nice.”

Francis smiled. “I have my moments.”

We left Isaac lying on the floor after I’d checked to make sure he was breathing. I even locked the door on the way out.

What a fucking Good Samaritan I am.

Charlie was still sleeping when we got back to the condo. I placed his meds next to him on the side table. Francis helped me take everything into the spare room. I didn’t want to freak Charlie out too soon, even though I yearned to put everything in my room. I wasn’t concerned about him not wanting me. I’d seen the looks he’d tossed me over the years.

However, it didn’t mean he wanted to jump right into bed with me, either.

“Wow, he’s gorgeous,” Francis whispered beside me. I turned to see my friend eyeing Charlie like he was a T-bone steak and Francis had just got off an all-vegetarian diet.

“Don’t even think it,” I growled.

Francis held up his hands. “I was commenting, not poaching. You can’t blame a guy for looking or wanting to touch.”

“I’m awake, you know.” Charlie’s husky voice had us turning towards him.

* * * *

Charlie

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I opened my eyes to see two gorgeous men standing over me. I was used to Marcus, but I felt self-conscious about the stranger. I’d never liked to meet gorgeous gay men when I didn’t look my best, and I was so far from my best I’d have to visit another country to find it.

“Hello,” I said, looking pointedly at Marcus. I couldn’t believe he would bring a stranger near me when I looked like hell.

He crouched beside the couch. “Hey, Charlie.” He feathered a hand across my face. It was such a tender touch that I felt tremors of desire spike up and down my spine. I was always a sucker for Marcus. It was a crime against humanity that this gorgeous man was straight.

“Francis helped me get your stuff from the townhouse.”

“Was Isaac there?” Fear made me shake. I didn’t know what I would do if Marcus had been hurt because of me.

Heat enfolded me as Marcus sat on the couch and pulled me gently into his arms until my back was pressed against his chest and his arms were wrapped around me in a calming cocoon of warmth. The sudden heat soothed me like no words ever could.

I sighed and leaned against his strong body.

“Is there anything else I can do?”

I glanced up to see his friend giving us a strange look.

“Thank you for helping Marcus,” I said, once I’d got my shaking under control.

“You’re welcome.” Francis gave me a toothpaste-commercial smile. If Marcus was gay and mine, I didn’t think I’d like him to be around this gorgeous, nice man on a regular basis.

“Marcus was my roommate in college, we go way back,” the stranger offered as if trying to set me at ease. I didn’t want to be at ease—I wanted to be alone, cuddled with Marcus.

I gave him a weak smile. It was the best I could manage when all I really wanted to do was curl my battered body into Marcus and take a nice, long nap for the next hundred years or so.

“I’ll get going. It was nice to meet you, Charlie.”

“Same here.” I didn’t want to be rude to Marcus’ friend, but I couldn’t help being relieved Francis was leaving. There was something unnerving about his knowing stare.

“I’ll walk you out,” Marcus said, starting to get up.

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“No, no. You look comfortable. I can see myself out.” As Francis walked towards the door I had to admire his ass. It was very fine.

“Are you checking out his butt?” Marcus asked. I could hear the amusement in his deep voice as he whispered in my ear.

“It’s not as nice as yours,” I answered without thinking.

Shit.

Marcus was going to break me into little pieces and toss me out onto the street. I would’ve blamed it on the medication if it hadn’t faded a while ago.

Laughter sent puffs of air erotically into my ear. “Thank you for the compliment.” Wow. I was lucky he was in a mellow mood. The heat at my back disappeared for a moment as Marcus left me to go to the kitchen. He returned with my glass refilled with water. Without hesitation, he slid back into his previous spot, cuddling me gently. He handed over the glass and picked up a prescription bottle from the table beside the couch.

“Here, take your meds.”

I took the painkillers and snuggled back into Marcus’ arms. It might be my only chance to know what it felt like to cuddle with the straight man of my dreams.

That brought one overwhelming question to my mind. Would a straight man snuggle another man? The question looped endlessly through my fuzzy, drug-filled head.

“Come on, Charlie-boy, let’s get you to bed.” The images that brought to mind involved black silk sheets, romantic candles and sexual positions I was pretty certain my back wasn’t flexible enough to perform.

Marcus helped me to my feet, unaware of the carnal thoughts racing through my head.

If I’d been feeling better, I’d have happily molested him.

Poor, innocent straight man.

I laughed at the image in my head of Marcus screaming and running like a distressed virgin, but it turned into a groan as pain shot through my body. There was only so much dulling the medication could do.

“What are you laughing about?”

“The improbability of me taking advantage of you.” Really, they should’ve warned me the medication removed the brain-to-mouth filter.

We made it to the guest room without another word exchanged between us. I was pretty sure I’d be finding a new home in the morning. Marcus was frowning as he tucked me TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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into the twin bed of his spare room with the care of a parent for a young child. I felt both cherished and frustrated—sexually frustrated.

Marcus placed a kiss on my forehead and headed towards the door. He turned back as he reached the doorway. “When you’re feeling better, I’ll let you do anything you want as long as you don’t go back to Isaac.”

I stared at Marcus, uncertain if I understood what he was offering.

“So if I don’t go back to Isaac you’ll let me jump your bones?” Marcus gave me a sad smile. “Charlie, I’ve always been yours. You can do whatever you want with me.”

With that, he vanished through the doorway.

“What the hell?”

I started to get up but the pain shooting through my body told me it wasn’t such a good idea.

Giving up, I closed my eyes. I’d have to talk to Marcus in the morning.

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Chapter Three

Marcus

Leaving Charlie alone in bed was one of the hardest things I’d ever done.

When I walked back into the living room my cell phone was ringing.

“So that’s Charlie?” Francis asked without bothering with a greeting.

“That’s him.”

“The one you’re in love with,” Francis said in an excited voice. “The one you’ve pined over all these years.”

“I wasn’t pining,” I objected. Did Francis think I’d been sitting by the phone all this time waiting for a call? I wasn’t quite that pitiful. Instead I’d fucked every woman I came across while waiting for his phone call.

“So what are you going to do now you have him? And you didn’t mention he was so fucking gorgeous!” Francis gave a lecherous purr down the phone. “I could always take him off your hands if he gets to be too much work.”

“You’d be amazed how quickly I can carve you up and hide the body,” I said, ending with a chuckle so Francis knew I was kidding.

Sort of.

There was a long pause.

“Understood. Pretty boy off limits.”

“Exactly. Pretty boy extremely off limits. Isaac was stupid enough to hurt Charlie so I’m pressing my advantage. I can show him how a man’s supposed to be treated.” Francis laughed. “So Playboy Marcus is going to show the young man everything he’s been missing? Does the fact you’ve never had gay sex factor in to this equation? What happens if you find out you don’t like being with another man?” I couldn’t stop laughing. Not like touching Charlie? Not like making love to the other half of my soul?

“You don’t have to laugh at me,” Francis said in a disgruntled voice.

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“Sorry.” I rubbed the tears of laughter out of my eyes. “Sometimes you get the stupidest ideas. There’s no way I’m not going to enjoy Charlie. I’ve waited years for him to grow up.

I’m done waiting.”

“What if he’s not ready? Do you want to be his rebound guy?” I answered without hesitation. “I’d be Charlie’s anything.” Francis hung up after warning me to be careful and I didn’t think he meant about Isaac.

* * * *

Charlie

I woke in slow, painful stages. First my legs hurt, then my hands, my back and finally the stuffy cotton wool masquerading as my head.

Blinking was an entire world of discomfort.

A warm hand gently patted my shoulder. “Hang on, babe, I’ll get your meds.” Marcus.

Why was Marcus calling me babe and why was he in my bedroom?

The events of the previous night rushed back at me like an odd dream. Isaac beating me, Marcus rescuing me, and some stranger named Francis looking at me as if I was his new favourite kind of food.

“Here.” Marcus helped me sit up with that gentle touch he always used. Probably part of his usual patient-care routine. I tried to not take it too personally. I let him place two pills into my mouth and resisted the impulse to suck his fingers until one of us came. Dutifully swallowing the pills and water, I looked up into Marcus’ concerned eyes.

“I’m okay.”

“You will be. You are never going back to that bastard.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

“Yes, Marcus.”

“You can commute from here for your studies. If you need anything else, let me know. I set up your art supplies over there.”

I looked and saw all my precious canvasses stacked neatly against the wall and my pens, papers and paints organised on the desk. I swallowed the knot in my throat that evilly tried to make me cry.

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“Thanks, Marcus.” I didn’t need to say more. He knew what getting my supplies meant to me.

“You’re welcome.” Marcus placed a soft kiss on top of my head.

I lost it. Bursting into tears, I was vaguely aware of Marcus taking me into his arms.

“Shh, baby. Shh. You’ll make yourself sick. That bad man is never going to touch you again.”

Sweet nothings and soft kisses rained on my head. Confused, I lifted my gaze only to have those kisses transferred to my cheeks and chin. Frustrated, I slid my hands into Marcus’

hair. Turning him to me, I locked on to his lips and lived out one of my lifetime fantasies—

kissing Marcus.

Heat poured into me at the connection flowing from Marcus’ mouth to mine. Years of pent-up attraction sent spikes of desire through my body as I desperately tried to meld my lips to his and wallow in his embrace. In a few minutes I knew he would come to his senses and this glorious moment would be gone.

“Mmm,” I hummed against his lips.

Marcus broke away, gasping for air. “We have to stop this.” I nodded. I knew Marcus would regret kissing me. It was the type of person he was that he would offer me a kiss for comfort. I tried to slide away, to hide my disappointment and impending tears, but Marcus gently wrapped an arm around me, trapping me to his side.

“Not that I don’t want to have sex, but I don’t want to rush my first time with you, especially with you still recovering.”

“You’re gay?”

I couldn’t pin down my emotions. I was shocked, surprised and underneath it all was an underlying anger. How could Marcus have been gay all this time and not told me?

“I’m not gay,” he said firmly, meeting my eyes with a serious look.

“So what was this all about?” I asked, pointing back and forth between us. “Straight men don’t kiss other men like that.”

“You’re the only man I’ve ever been attracted to.” His expression said it all. It said I was everything Marcus had ever wanted. I’d hock my soul to always see that expression on his face every time he looked at me. How could I have both the worst and best week of my life at the same time?

“Have you ever been with a guy?” I asked, wondering about Marcus’ college friend.

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“No.” He shook his head and looked at me as if searching for something in my eyes. I hoped he saw what he needed when he dropped his second bombshell of the morning. “I was waiting for you.”

My ribs ached like hell and it felt like a sledgehammer was slamming against my skull, but if Marcus said he wanted to fuck me in that moment I would’ve rolled over like a submissive bitch to an alpha dog. I yearned for that connection with him, a connection I’d thought forever out of my reach.

I leaned up and kissed him one more time, letting him feel my need as I rubbed against his hard body.

Marcus was the first to break away. “God, Charlie, I’ve wanted you for ages, but we can’t do anything now. I don’t want to hurt you.” Damn him for being reasonable. I nodded like I understood even while I wanted to grab him and rip off his clothing. He was right—one of us needed to be practical.

“Rain check?”

Marcus smiled and kissed my forehead, a brotherly gesture that made me want to punch him in the face. “Absolutely. When you’re feeling better you can show me what makes you feel good.”

The hospital must have given me the really good drugs because the only way this entire event was happening was if I was in a medically induced coma.

* * * *

Marcus

Five weeks.

Five weeks of having my Charlie close enough to touch, but in too much pain to do anything with him. He suggested several times he was feeling well enough for sex but I refused to touch him until he had a doctor’s note stating his ribs were all healed and, despite his sexy suggestions, I refused to write the note for him.

Today was the day his real doctor was supposed to check him over and give him a clean bill of health.

While I went through my day in the emergency room patching up the injured and handling one crisis after another, an image of Charlie kept flashing through my head.

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“Dr James, you have a visitor,” Nurse Taylor said when I passed by the nurse’s station.

Charlie was leaning against the doorframe with a wide smile. He waved a piece of paper at me.

“Are you all healed?”

He gave me a heated look, his gorgeous, green eyes smouldering. “The doctor gave me the all-clear. He said I healed fast and I shouldn’t have any more problems, but if I do I’m supposed to give him a call.”

I’d known his doctor would clear him because his movements were getting easier and he hadn’t had a headache in weeks, but I hadn’t trusted my own judgement. I wanted him too badly and I didn’t want Charlie to think I was pushing him for recovery. He didn’t need to go from one controlling asshole to another.

What was really surprising was that we hadn’t heard from Isaac. I’d been certain the creep would try to contact Charlie, but so far there hadn’t been so much as a peep.

“I have two hours left on my shift. I’ll meet you back at home.” Unable to resist, I grabbed Charlie and kissed him. Except for the chaste kisses I’d given him during recovery, I’d kept my passion to myself. Before, I hadn’t wanted to do anything to further injure his ribs, but now he was healed I was staking a claim and I didn’t care who saw. I didn’t want there to be any barriers between us, whether physical or psychological. Charlie had never hidden who he was and I wasn’t going to ask him to start. I wasn’t ashamed of him and I didn’t want him to think, even for a second, I wasn’t willing to tell the world he was mine.

“I’ll see you at home,” Charlie said, his lips shiny and inviting from our kiss.

When I released him he nodded and gave me a shy smile, before turning around and sauntering out of the hospital. More than one set of eyes watched him leave. I barely resisted the urge to snap at the staff.

Charlie was definitely the type of man for whom I needed to buy a ring to let others know he was mine, and maybe tattoo my name on his ass.

“Dr James, I didn’t know you were gay,” Nurse Taylor commented. I looked at her, but she used about as much emotion as if announcing the weather. I could tell she didn’t care whether I liked men or not—she was only analysing things. She was the most straightforward nurse of the bunch.

“I’m not gay. I like women. Charlie’s the exception.” She frowned at me. “So you’re playing with that kid?” TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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“No!” I said, shocked at her bitter accusation. “Charlie’s my soul mate. He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted.” I didn’t know why I had to keep explaining that to everyone. It wasn’t that strange.

“Aww,” several nurses said in unison. I hadn’t realised our discussion had attracted a crowd.

I sighed, knowing I had to make an announcement or the gossips would make up their own story and I’d end up a cross-dressing paedophile.

“Listen up, everyone. The man who just left is Charlie Summers. If he calls, comes by, or asks for anything, give it to him. He’s my future husband.” I held up my hands to stop the questions already starting. “He doesn’t know that yet so let’s not ruin the surprise.” The nurses laughed, though a few interns eyed me askance.

An ambulance pulled up, ending the conversation, but several of the nurses came by in the next few hours and congratulated me, so I knew everything was going to be fine.

Dr Jean Broussard came in to take over the next shift. I found him waiting by my locker when I went to grab my stuff.

“What’s up?”

We’d gone to medical school together, so I thought I knew the man pretty well.

Broussard was a tall, blond man with grey eyes the ladies always admired.

“I never would’ve thought you were gay,” Broussard said, looking me up and down.

“I’m not gay,” I said with growing irritation. “Why does everyone keep saying that?” Broussard’s brows rose to his hairline. “Maybe because you announced you were marrying a guy.”

“I’m attracted to one guy. That doesn’t make me gay.”

“You aren’t attracted to me?”

I looked Broussard over. I had to admit I’d never thought about the other doctor like that. “I guess some might find you handsome,” I allowed after careful examination.

Broussard straightened. “I’ll have you know many people find me attractive.” I shrugged. “Congratulations.”

“You really aren’t, are you?”

“Really aren’t what?”

“Attracted to me.”

I let out a sigh. “What’s this all about?”

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Broussard groaned—a long, frustrated sound. “I was hoping if you were gay you might be interested in going out some time.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Listen, Broussard, we’ve known each other for years. If I were ever going to make a move I would’ve done it a long time ago. By some odd fluke, I don’t find any guy but Charlie attractive. I’ve known him since I was a kid and no one has ever done it for me like him.” I patted him on the shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll find the person of your dreams some day but I’m not that guy.” Broussard shrugged. “Your loss. This Charlie must be something else because I give a great blowjob. It’s not too late to find out.” He gave me a hopeful look, but the only thing I could think about was a vision of Charlie kneeling at my feet.

My cock really liked that idea.

“Sorry, I’ve gotta go. Charlie’s waiting.” I grabbed my bag out of the locker and all but ran for the door.

* * * *

I found Charlie pottering around the kitchen. The smell bubbling from the stove made my mouth water, or that could have been Charlie’s shorts. The long board shorts were paint-splattered, rested perilously low on his hips and had holes in interesting places. When Charlie leaned to get something out of the oven I became light-headed over the rush of blood going south.

Damn, he was fine.

Charlie turned to see me staring. “Hey, Marcus. I thought I’d make dinner to celebrate the fact I can move without pain.”

“I could’ve taken you out.”

Charlie’s face flushed. “We can go out if you’d rather.”

“No!” I said quickly, as disappointment crossed Charlie’s face. “Whatever you’re cooking smells great.”

I walked up to Charlie and ran a hand across his back, a gesture I often used to innocently touch him without appearing too grabby. I was going insane with need—need for Charlie. I hadn’t had sex in over a month, but I wasn’t the least bit tempted to return Linda’s TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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phone calls. She’d left messages every day saying she wanted to make up. I thought the girl should show more pride than to chase down a man who obviously didn’t want her.

The phone rang as Charlie was flipping a sauté pan full of vegetables with practised ease.

When had he learnt to cook?

“Hello?” I said into the receiver.

“He’s mine,” the voice said. “I will kill him before I let some stuck-up doctor take him from me.”

I recognised Isaac’s voice. Why the bastard had decided to threaten me now, I didn’t know.

“Listen, you little fucker. He was yours, but since you don’t know how to treat him, I’m going to keep him. Don’t make me come over to your apartment and tell you in person.” I hung up.

“Was that Isaac?” Charlie asked, as he plated a fabulous-looking steak, a side of sautéed bell peppers and a baked potato so big I was tempted to look closer and see if the spuddy mountain had any occupants. Something that big could’ve hidden a city. He carried our plates over to the coffee table so we could watch the game while we ate. It was all for me.

Charlie didn’t like sports—his attention wavered after fifteen minutes and he’d go off and grab a pencil and paper. We’d enjoyed many nights of me pretending to watch sports on television while peeking at Charlie from the corner of my eye. His nimble fingers skated a pencil across paper, totally engrossed in his art, while I was completely engrossed in him.

“Yeah,” I answered absently, still examining the plate of food as my stomach growled its appreciation. “He doesn’t think we belong together.” Charlie nodded. “I know. He’s called before.” I set down my fork. “How often?” This was the first I’d heard of it. Uneasiness made my stomach churn despite the fabulous meal set before me.

Charlie took a bite of his own potato. It was slightly smaller than mine, so it could probably only support a town. “When I first moved in with you he called my cell phone a couple times a day, then only once a day.” Charlie shrugged. “I kind of thought he’d given up. I mean, how attached could a guy get if he didn’t love me enough not to beat the hell out of me?”

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“That kind of guy doesn’t understand about love, it’s all about power. You left him and that gave you power. He’ll promise anything to get you back under his thumb where he can control everything you do.”

Charlie viciously stabbed his steak. I had to hold back a protest at his beef abuse. “I want him to leave me the hell alone.”

I reached across the space between us and grabbed Charlie’s hand. “I’ll talk to a detective I know and see if we can get a restraining order on him. He needs to learn you’re not afraid to ask for help. The greater your support system, the less power he has. That’s why abusers try to isolate their victims.”

Charlie was quiet for a long moment and I wondered if maybe I’d said too much.

“You’re right, you know,” Charlie said after swallowing his food. “He kept telling me not to meet you for lunch. He tried different tactics but I refused to give up the one thing that made my week worthwhile. No matter how my studies were going or whether I was feeling inspired, I always felt better after we had lunch.”

“You know why?”

Charlie looked up, surprised. “Because you’re my friend.”

“No. Because we were meant to be together.” I flashed him a smile. “And something in you recognises that.”

I set my plate on the table, propped my fork and knife against the edge of the plate and watched with amusement as Charlie did the same. He knew what was coming, knew how much I wanted him.

Leaning over, I slid my fingers through his dark curls, smiling at the soft whimper that slipped through Charlie’s lips at my touch.

“I love you,” I told him, brushing my lips against his with each word I spoke. “I’ve always loved you.” Not bothering to give him time to respond, I devoured his lips.

Heat poured down my spine like melted butter. I wanted to crawl inside his body and become one. My fingers, working independently of my brain, dug into Charlie’s shorts and pulled out his tight T-shirt. I ripped my lips away to tear Charlie’s shirt off quickly so I could reunite our mouths.

How had I lived so long without the feel of this man? If, for some reason, this never happened again, I knew for the rest of my life I would relive this memory and yearn for the touch of this one man.

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My man.

Charlie’s fingers were busy. Before we’d kissed three times he’d stripped me of my button-down shirt and unfastened my khakis. I moaned when those clever artist’s fingers reached inside and gripped my cock.

I’d spent hours watching those hands as he held a pencil or waved them as he talked.

Charlie’s hands were an extension of his soul—if he was happy they were in constant motion, like a hummingbird, unsure of where to land. If he was sad they stayed clenched in his lap, tense and white-knuckled as if they had no ability to move without his joy.

The feel of them wrapped around my cock, finally touching me, was almost more excitement then I could take.

“Charlie,” I said, pulling away slightly. “If you don’t stop that it will be over in about a minute.”

Charlie froze. His smile was quick and sunshine-bright as he released his grip on me.

“We wouldn’t want that.”

* * * *

Charlie

We yanked off my shorts and underwear with lightning speed, along with Marcus’

clothing. He panted as he looked at me, his brown eyes almost black with desire.

I cupped him in my hand to enjoy the weight of him, feeling his cock long, hard and solid proof of his desire for me. Carefully releasing him, I couldn’t stop smiling. When was the last time a man had looked at me like I was the most important person in the world?

Maybe never, and to have it be this man was a dream come true.

No man had ever measured up to the Marcus of my dreams. I hated to think how high the bar would be set for my next lover to come close to the reality of him. Even as I touched him, I knew this wouldn’t last.

Straight men didn’t turn gay overnight, no matter how much that might have featured in my fantasies. Marcus would get his man-on-man loving then move on to marry some socialite who wanted a doctor for a husband. They’d have two-point-four children and I would be a memory he pulled out when he was trying to get hard for his iceberg of a wife.

This was my one chance to be his favourite memory.

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Forever.

“Lube and condoms,” I demanded. Protection was essential, no exceptions.

Marcus tossed a small container of lube and a condom onto the couch cushion beside my head.

“Usually get action in the ER?” I teased.

He laughed, his warm breath brushing my neck, sending goose bumps across my skin.

“I bought them on the way home. The rest are in a bag by the door.” He grabbed the lube and snapped open the cap, wetting his fingers with the slick liquid inside.

“I hope you stocked up,” I said and sighed as Marcus slipped one lubed finger inside me. I’d been dreaming of this moment ever since I’d learnt the marvellous things boys and boys could do together.

“Relax, babe,” Marcus whispered in my ear. The warm heat of his breath, the musky smell of his desire and the weight of his body against mine almost had me shooting before he was even close to being inside.

I realised the anticipation was making me tense. Forcing my body to relax, I eased the way for Marcus to slide in another finger. Once he was certain I was open enough, with more lube then three men could’ve used, Marcus pushed his long cock inside. He froze once he was fully seated, giving me a moment to adjust to his size. Bigger than any man I’d had before, he nevertheless felt like the best thing I’d ever had. I had waited my entire life for this moment.

It was worth every second.

Once Marcus was pumping inside me, my release was humiliatingly fast.

The only thing that kept me from total embarrassment was that Marcus soon followed.

“Damn,” Marcus said, kissing my shoulder. His touch was so tender I had to blink the tears from my eyes. “You are amazing,” he whispered in my ear. His seductive tone made my body clench with desire and my cock made a valiant effort to rise again.

With a breathless laugh, Marcus pulled slowly out of me. “Your body is trying to keep me.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

What could I say? My body knew what my soul had already admitted. I wanted to keep Marcus.

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After a shower, we stumbled to Marcus’ big bed and fell asleep. He spooned his larger body around mine, as if he could protect me from the dangers of the world if he held on tightly enough.

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Chapter Four

I splashed paint on the canvas, concentrating on lines and form, trying to portray my vision as I went. Smiling, I hummed along to the music as I worked.

My cell phone rang.

Leaning over I saw the number was Isaac’s. I pressed the speaker button.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I thought you should know, I’m all healed and coming to get my boy back.”

“What do you mean, ‘healed’?”

“Oh, didn’t your white knight tell you? Him and his friend beat me up when they came and got your crap.”

A slow smile crossed my face. I should have been upset. I had cared for Isaac at one time. That time had passed after the first punch had been thrown.

“I’m glad you’re healed, but if you think I’m going to feel bad for you after you put me in the hospital, you’re wrong. The smartest thing I ever did was leave you.”

“You’ll come back.” Isaac’s oily voice oozed with satisfaction over the line. “You’re the loyal type. Besides, you don’t want to know what I’ll do to your pretty doctor if you don’t return.”

“What do you think you’re going to do?” I snapped. “You’ve already tried to break every bone in my body.”

“I’m sorry about that, Charlie.”

Hysterical laughter bubbled out against my will. “That’s what you said last time and look where I ended up again.”

“You should really avoid getting me angry.” Isaac’s voice held the familiar chill of rage.

I knew if I’d been at our old apartment I would’ve already been bleeding out on the floor.

That image, more than anything, prevented me from returning to my lover.

“I’ll do even better than that. I’ll stay away from you entirely.”

“Oh, you don’t want to do that, Charlie-boy,” Isaac said in a sing-song tone.

“Why not?”

“Because then I’ll have to take care of your Marcus.” TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

37

“You stay away from Marcus.” I cut the connection. My heart pounded in my chest like a jackhammer. What was I going to do? Isaac would hurt Marcus. Marcus, the man who’d protected me since I was a boy. I couldn’t let that happen.

I’d have to take care of Isaac.

The doorbell rang, distracting me from my visions of improbable scenarios where I was strong enough to take on a man twice my size.

Like an idiot, I didn’t check before I opened the door.

Isaac was standing outside with a cell phone gripped in his hand.

“Surprise.”

I never saw the punch coming. Pain exploded across my face and everything went dark.

* * * *

Marcus

At first I didn’t think anything of it when Charlie didn’t answer when I called on my break. He often got involved in his art and didn’t hear the phone, but a niggling feeling followed me through my work day, like a toothache that wouldn’t go away but wasn’t quite painful enough to get my full attention.

It wasn’t until I got home and found the door wide open, with no sign of Charlie, that panic rushed through me with the speed of a freight train.

Charlie was missing.

I called the police but since he was an adult and it hadn’t been twenty-four hours, they weren’t concerned. Apparently a door left open and no other signs of forced entry was the signal of an inconsiderate boyfriend, not grounds for an all-out search.

I called Francis.

“Charlie’s missing,” I said as soon as he answered his phone.

“What do you mean, ‘missing’?”

“When I came home the door was wide open. Isaac’s been calling. I think he might have Charlie. I’m going to his apartment to look for him.”

“I’ll meet you there. Do not go inside without me!”

“Then you’d better not be late.” I didn’t have the patience to wait if Charlie was in danger. Isaac was a psychopath who had no problem beating his lover. I should’ve done TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

38

more damage last time we’d met. Obviously I hadn’t put any fear into him if he thought he could come to my house and steal my man.

Fear shifted to fury.

I was ready to kill the fucker.

* * * *

My car screeched as I slammed to a stop in front of Isaac’s place. Francis was already there. My friend had wisely taken me seriously when I told him I wasn’t going to wait.

“You really think he has Charlie? You’re going to look like an idiot if Charlie went to get new paint and forgot to close the door.”

“He didn’t.” I couldn’t explain to Francis how I knew Charlie was in danger. It didn’t make any sense. I had no proof. No signs of a break in. But I knew without a doubt that my Charlie had been taken and I wasn’t going to stand for it.

I marched up to Isaac’s door and slammed it with my fist.

No answer.

Stepping back, I examined the front of the building. There were no lights on inside.

“I don’t think anyone is here,” Francis said. There was an air of abandonment about the place. A glance through the window proved there was nothing there. No furniture, no curtains—nothing.

“Oh, fuck.” This was more than an ex-boyfriend taking Charlie back to his house. This was a fully-fledged abduction.

I turned to Francis to see if he had any ideas what to do next, only to find him on the phone. He was busily talking to someone. He snapped the cell phone closed and turned to me.

“I’ve got a friend named Bill. He’s a private detective. He’s on his way. Let’s head back to your place. He’s going to meet us there.”

I nodded, even though I was numb inside. At least I felt like I was doing something. I had to get my Charlie back somehow. It was hard to focus on driving. My mind was a fog as I made it back to my place on autopilot. Where would that bastard take my man? What would I do if I never saw him again? Those were the thoughts spinning around my brain as I wondered where my lover had gone. I wished I was in one of those movies where the heroes TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

39

had psychic links, but I wasn’t a psychic and this wasn’t a movie. This was my life rapidly falling apart before my eyes.

Last night I’d had everything I’d ever wanted in the palm of my hand. Now I had nothing.

Francis followed me into my place, but I didn’t speak to him. There was no point until his friend arrived. I was too numb for polite conversation.

“Bill will be here soon,” Francis said. I know he meant it to be reassuring, but it only underlined the fact Charlie was missing. My Charlie.

Gone.

I started to hyperventilate as the room dimmed.

A sharp pain in my cheek brought me back. I looked at Francis in shock.

“You slapped me!”

“Now is not the time to fall apart. For Christ’s sake, you’re a doctor. You handle emergencies every day. Keep it together. Charlie needs you.” It was his last statement that made me cling to the tattered remnants of my sanity.

Francis was right. If I didn’t look for Charlie, who would? There was no way I was going to call his parents and tell them I’d misplaced their son. Charlie was an only child and his father had a weak heart. I’d only call them as a last resort and I didn’t want to even contemplate what that situation would have to be, not when I was trying to be strong.

We sat around my kitchen table. Francis got us drinks. Drinks we both stared at but didn’t bother to taste.

“Marcus, I’m sure…” That was all he got out before my doorbell rang and I raced for it like a marathon runner leaving the starting block.

Ripping open the door, I was confronted with a guy in a pair of ratty jeans and a faded T-shirt. His battered leather jacket shifted as he moved, letting me see the gun belted beneath his arm.

“Are you Marcus?”

I nodded as he held out his hand to shake.

“Bill Timmons.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said automatically, but it wasn’t nice to meet him. I didn’t want to meet him at all if it meant Charlie had to be missing.

TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

40

“Hey, Bill.” Francis came up behind me and I didn’t miss the spark that lit Bill’s eyes.

His tired gaze brightened as he took in my gorgeous friend. Francis pulled me back from the doorway. “Come on in.”

“Yeah, sorry.” I felt a blush rise on my cheeks. Shit, Charlie was missing and I was pondering my friend’s love life. I was definitely losing my grip on reality.

We shuffled off to the kitchen where our drinks were waiting.

“Want a beer, wine, anything?”

“A glass of water will be fine.” Bill’s eyes were firmly on Francis, but Francis was looking at me.

Shrugging at my friend’s strange habits I got water for Bill and we all settled around the table. “Tell me everything you know about Isaac,” Bill said, pulling out a smartphone from his jacket.

I scraped my brain for every little bit of information I could remember from my afternoon lunches with Charlie. I gave Bill Isaac’s name, address and where I remembered him working.

“And you’re sure this is who took Charlie?”

“I’m almost positive. He’s been calling Charlie’s cell phone.” Bill sat up straighter. “Is Charlie’s phone here?”

“Yeah.” I’d called it to see if I could reach Charlie and it had rung on the counter.

“Do I have permission to search his calls?”

I shrugged. “Sure.”

I handed Charlie’s phone over and a few moments later Bill handed it back.

He gave me a sympathetic look. “There are a lot of calls from Isaac. Don’t take this the wrong way, but is it possible Charlie went back to his old boyfriend?”

“No.” I turned at the sharpness of Francis’ tone. “Not possible. Charlie is madly in love with Marcus.”

Bill shrugged. “I’ve seen stranger things.”

“Come with me,” Francis said to Bill.

I followed as my friend led the detective to our spare bedroom. The room I’d set up for Charlie’s art studio.

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Amber Kell

41

“He didn’t want you to see this, but he wanted my opinion so he showed it to me last week.” Francis gave me an apologetic smile. “When we get him back, don’t tell him you’ve seen it.”

“All right.” As if I cared about what he showed me when the love of my life was missing.

Francis led us to the closet, where he pulled out a large canvas and turned it to face us.

It was me!

Not the me I saw in the mirror every day. This was obviously the me Charlie saw. A romanticised version of me, who had better hair, perfect skin and a look of total adoration in my eyes. Well, the adoration was probably true if I was looking at Charlie. I was flattered that this was how he saw me, but it made the knot in my chest tighter, since I knew Isaac could be doing anything to my man while I stood there looking at his art.

“I think we can rule out runaway,” Bill said into the sudden silence of the room. “Your man is really talented.”

“I know.” I blinked back tears. “I want him back.” The pair exchanged a sympathetic glance.

Bill pulled a card out of his wallet. “I’m going to go and get started on this investigation. If you hear anything or remember anything important, give me a call.” I swallowed the sob building in my throat as I mutely nodded and accepted the card.

“Thanks, Bill,” Francis said, walking him to the door.

“Anything, any time, Francis.” Bill’s voice was soft and intimate.

Francis had a flustered look I’d never seen on his face before as the door closed behind the detective.

“Ex-boyfriend?”

“What? No!” Francis’ cheeks turned red. “We’re only friends. He helps out the law firm from time to time.”

“Uh-huh. I think he’d like to help you.”

Francis shrugged. “They always do, but they never want to stay.” I didn’t know what to say. It was true. All the men Francis got involved with initially liked having someone so gorgeous on their arm, but after a few dates they stopped liking all the attention he drew from everyone else. Francis had dated more possessive assholes than I’d ever hope to meet.

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Amber Kell

42

I patted my friend on the back. With Charlie missing, I couldn’t muster up a lot of concern for his love life, but I silently vowed to help him out once I got my lover back.

The hours crawled by. I itched to do something, but what could I do? I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. Where was Charlie? I knew if he escaped he’d come right back to me.

I finally fell into a restless sleep on the couch beside Francis, who had refused to leave me. It was nice to have good friends at times like these.

A pounding on the door woke me.

“Charlie.” My sleep-splattered mind latched on to the only name I could think of. The only person I cared to see.

I yanked open the door and stared at the stranger in my doorway. He was a gorgeous, tall man with piercing, blue eyes and black hair, a striking contrast. I could’ve killed him for not being about a foot shorter and half the weight.

“Who the fuck are you?”

He held up a badge for my perusal. “Detective Joseph Tarrin.” My breath stalled in my chest. “You found Charlie?” The detective frowned. “We came to talk to him. His boyfriend, Isaac, is wanted for drug trafficking.”

“Oh, god. Oh, god. He’s gonna kill him.” My brain stuttered, unable to form any other thoughts. Francis’ hand clamped my shoulder, gently, moving me out of the way. Isaac was more of a threat than I had thought. An abusive ex-boyfriend was one thing. An abusive ex who dealt drugs was ten times worse.

“We’ve talked about your nervous breakdowns,” Francis said in a firm voice.

“Detective Tarrin, come on in.”

He moved us both back so the cop could enter. I didn’t miss the once-over the detective gave Francis. I couldn’t blame him—Francis was eye candy any day of the week.

“I take it Charlie Summers is missing.”

I nodded.

“Why didn’t you file a missing persons report?”

“Because when I called they told me it hadn’t been twenty-four hours and that Charlie was an adult.”

“Did you tell them you thought he’d been abducted?” TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

Amber Kell

43

“There weren’t any signs of a struggle so they told me to call later when he’d been gone at least twenty-four hours.”

“You suspect he was kidnapped?”

“We know he was kidnapped. His ex has been calling him since they broke up because he beat him.”

“Why didn’t he file a restraining order?”

“Most gay men don’t file restraining orders. Have you seen how they’re treated?” The detective’s mouth tightened into a firm line. “Understandable, but we do have people who are there to handle gay and lesbian issues now.”

“He didn’t want to deal with it. I think he was hoping the whole thing would go away.” I knew it sounded stupid but I wasn’t going to second-guess Charlie now. “It doesn’t matter his reasons. He’s missing and we need to find him.”

“Do you have a current picture?”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. The wallpaper was a picture of Charlie.

“Text me the picture.”

I took the detective’s number and quickly sent him the picture. There was a soft chime as the detective received the file.

“Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation. I want your boyfriend’s ex. I’ll have everyone keep an eye out for Charlie in case he really was kidnapped.” I nodded, but I had little hope.

A knock at the door sounded.

Francis opened it to admit Bill.

“I think I’ve got a lead on your guy,” he said without preamble.

* * * *

Charlie

I was in hell.

That was the only explanation for the pain ratcheting through my body. I’d thought I’d known what an injury felt like, but I was wrong.

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Amber Kell

44

“I’ll teach you to leave me,” Isaac whispered in my ear right before he pressed his knee into my thigh. The same thigh he’d plunged a knife through earlier.

I screamed.

“That’s it. Let me hear your cries, beautiful. I always loved it when you cried. It makes me feel so powerful to know I can break you down. You’ll always be mine, Charlie, my boy.

My sweet boy.”

Isaac’s voice took on a crooning tone as he continued pressing on the injuries he’d caused, sending pain shooting through my system.

I would’ve hoped to die, but I couldn’t do that to Marcus. I knew my lover would blame himself if he were brought my dead body. I had to find a way to escape from Isaac and make my way back to the man I loved.

“We’re going to have a good life, baby.” Isaac continued his delusional rambling. “Once they come and bring me my money, we’ll go to Mexico and live in the sunshine. You like the sun, don’t you, baby?”

I could barely make out Isaac’s features through the tears blurring my eyes. “Yeah, Isaac, I like the sun.”

If I kept him talking and distracted, I hoped he’d forget to torture me. So far he’d proven good at multi-tasking. Not a skill I’d noticed when we were living together.

Isaac frowned down at me. “You’re bleeding too much. You don’t get to die.”

“Yeah, I’d hate to ruin your plans by bleeding to death,” I said through gritted teeth.

“That’s the spirit,” Isaac said with a wide smile. The same smile I’d fallen for when he’d convinced me to move in with him. Apparently I was a poor judge of character.

“I’m going to get some bandages.” He stood up. A look crossed his face, almost like concern. I wondered briefly if there was more than one personality living in my ex-boyfriend’s head. The worry didn’t suit the disturbed man torturing me. “Don’t go anywhere.” Then he laughed a low, sadistic laugh, as we both knew I wasn’t in any shape to move, much less make a break for it. “I’m going to the corner drug store. You’ve got a few minutes to come up with a way to make me believe you’ll never leave me again.” I could barely breathe. I doubted I could rush off. That didn’t stop me from trying. As soon as the door slammed behind him, I clutched the wall to pull myself up. I didn’t know where I was or how to get out, but I had to get back to Marcus. My lover would be frantic.

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Amber Kell

45

My leg screamed when I tried to get to my feet. I slammed against the wall and didn’t bother to bite back a shout. No one had heard me so far. I doubted a concerned citizen was going to appear out of nowhere to help me now.

Gasping against the pain, I used the wall as a support as I slid along its length, whispering soft prayers that he wouldn’t return. I looked around for any sign of where I might be. It was a generic-looking apartment with what looked like rented furniture. I couldn’t see any sign of a phone. Sucking in my breath, I dragged my body towards the door.

The knob was a hairsbreadth from my fingers when the door slammed open and a person I didn’t know walked inside. He looked like a mobster. Cool, grey eyes, a scar on one cheek and muscles bulging beneath his suit.

The smile he gave me sent chills up and down my spine. Defeated, I let my body slide to the floor.

“What do we have here?”

I couldn’t answer, since I had stopped breathing. Instinct had me curling up, trying to make myself as small as possible.

“You must be Isaac’s new toy. I’m gonna enjoy taking you with me.” I screamed with pain as he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. Blackness threatened but I fought it back with a ferocity I’d never used before. I had to survive this. I had to get back to Marcus.

“Fuck, you’re damaged.” He picked me up and slung me over his shoulder, pressing against a rib I was pretty certain was broken. I lost the battle with consciousness. My last thought was an image of Marcus flashing in my mind.

I woke up in a dark room, alone. It took me a moment to get my bearings and realise I was in a hotel room. Surprisingly, I wasn’t tied up. Cautiously, I sat up and looked around. It was a typical non-descript bedroom of a middle-of-the-road chain hotel. Not luxury, but I didn’t expect to see a cockroach peeking around the corner either. A white bandage was wrapped around my leg, the trousers ripped away so someone could get at the wound.

I slid off the bed and looked for some clues to my location. There was a phone by the bed. I lifted the receiver and was surprised to hear a dial tone.

What the hell?

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Amber Kell

46

With shaking fingers, I dialled Marcus’ number. It was a miracle I remembered it, since I had him on speed dial on my phone.

“Hello?”

Hearing his voice made me sob with relief.

“Charlie? Where are you, babe?”

“I don’t know. Some motel.”

“Stay there. I’ll find you.”

“Wait.” I frantically opened the drawer of the nightstand. “Jackpot.” I clutched the paper pad in my hand and read off the address.

“What room are you in?”

“Just a sec.”

It took all of my willpower to put the phone on the bed and hobble to the door. I breathed deeply, trying to block out the excruciating pain. There was no way I was going to miss this opportunity. As I didn’t know where I was, I didn’t think it was a good idea to scream for help. I stumbled to the door and wrenched it open. 510. The room number was done in gold lettering on a drab, beige background. I slammed the door shut and stumbled back to the phone. In between panting breaths I told my find to Marcus.

“I’m on my way.”

I was still clutching the phone when the dial tone came on. I sat on the bed, holding the phone as if it were a protective charm that could ward away the evil monsters.

The door swung open, revealing the scary mobster from before. The receiver shook in my hand as fear took over my body.

“Did you call someone to come get you?”

I nodded. There was no reason to deny it when I had the phone in my hand.

“Good.” The man looked oddly satisfied.

“Good?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t sure what to do with you without breaking my cover.”

“You’re a cop?”

The mobster smiled. “I’ve been undercover for five years. We were following Isaac to get to his higher-ups. His kidnapping of you ruined my plans. You’ll be happy to know he was arrested on drug charges and won’t be getting out any time soon.” TAKING CARE OF CHARLIE

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47

Tension rolled out of me like a tide. I couldn’t even speak past the sheer relief I felt.

“Then why did you take me out of there?”

A look of embarrassment crossed his face. “I didn’t know they were going to grab him today. I was supposed to meet him for a drug exchange. Now the story is they tried to grab us both but I escaped—so the drug dealers don’t become suspicious. I can’t let my cover be broken at this point.”

I nodded as if I understood, but all I could think of was Marcus was coming to get me, and Isaac finally going to go to jail.

The cop frowned at me. “I wanted to save you from that bastard when he hit you the first time, but I couldn’t break cover. I’m sorry you had to suffer.” He pointed to my leg.

“You might want to get your boyfriend to check that out.”

“Thanks, I will.”

“I’ve got to go. Will you be all right for a while by yourself?”

“Yeah. Thanks for saving me.” I didn’t want to insult the detective but I’d feel more comfortable by myself. He might be a cop but he still looked like a mobster.

“You’re welcome.” The look in his eyes said he knew how I felt, but then if he’d spent years as an undercover drug dealer he was probably used to uneasy looks.

“What’s your name?”

The cop gave me a smile “It’s probably better if I don’t tell you.”

“Got it.” If I didn’t know anything I couldn’t tell others. I watched him leave. Sitting on the bed, I hoped the second half of my rescue operation would come soon. I was tired of being brave. Right then I wanted to be held.

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Amber Kell

48

Chapter Five

Marcus

“I knew I should’ve driven,” Francis said, grabbing frantically at the panic strap.

The need to get to Charlie was more important than my friend’s mental health. I couldn’t get to my lover fast enough. I knew somewhere Detective Tarrin was following us and Francis’ investigator friend, Bill, was in the back seat, keeping quiet. I was glad at least someone wasn’t babbling.

Pulling up to the address Charlie gave me, I saw it was a medium-quality hotel, a few levels from a rat trap but a definite step away from luxury. I quickly found a parking space, ran through the foyer and right onto an opening elevator. Luckily it was empty because I wasn’t sure I would’ve waited for others to discharge.

The detective joined us.

I pushed the fifth floor button.

“You need to brace yourself. He might be injured. You’ll need to reassure him.” I glared at the cop. “I know how to take care of Charlie. I’ve been doing it for my entire life.”

Francis gripped my shoulder in silent support.

Detective Tarrin looked like he was going to say more, but luckily for him, the elevator doors opened. I rushed out, not slowing until I reached the hotel room I was looking for. I didn’t hesitate to pound on the door.

I heard Charlie shout to come in. Tarrin grabbed my shoulder.

“I’ll go in first.”

I was really close to punching this guy.

I stepped aside and let him go first. I didn’t want to, but he had the gun.

The detective swung the door open as we all stared inside.

Charlie sat on the bed, all alone.

I rushed to his side.

“Babe, are you all right?”

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49

He looked up and I thought of the many ways to kill a man. His beautiful face was bruised on one side and a cut split his lip. When he moved, I saw a bandage covered his leg.

“What happened?” My voice came out a whisper through the tears threatening to clog it. Shit, I should’ve been there to protect him.

“Don’t.”

I looked up into Charlie’s teary eyes.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t blame yourself. You always take the blame when I’m hurt. This time it was my fault.” He waved me to silence when I tried to speak. “Not my fault for getting beaten, but my fault for not pressing charges the first time and leaving his ass. At least he’s in jail for a while now.”

“How do you know?” Detective Tarrin asked. I was curious about that myself—and how he’d got to this hotel room.

Charlie tilted his head at the detective. “Who are you?” To my surprise, the cop kneeled beside the bed. He gently took Charlie’s hand. “I’m Detective Joseph Tarrin. I’ve been investigating your ex-boyfriend.” Charlie gave a laugh that probably hurt like hell with the amount of bruising on his face. “You and everyone else. Apparently I’m the only one who didn’t know he was a psychotic drug dealer.”

With everyone gathered around, Charlie told a tale of an out-of-control drug dealer and the undercover cop who’d saved Charlie. If it had been anyone but my lover I’d have thought he’d made the whole thing up, but there was one thing I knew about Charlie. My lover never lied. Sure, he might tell the occasional white fib to make someone feel better, but to make up a tale like that? It wasn’t in him.

“That’s an interesting story,” Tarrin said. “I’ll make some calls to verify your statement.

Don’t worry.” He held up his hand as Charlie looked ready to argue. “I won’t reveal your friend. I’ll be discreet.”

“Okay.” Charlie gave the detective one of his sweet smiles.

I didn’t like how the detective looked back at him, so I gently removed Charlie’s hand from the detective’s grip and held it myself. “I’m so glad we found you. What’s wrong with your leg?”

“Isaac knifed me.”

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Amber Kell

50

Now, I’d been an emergency room surgeon for years and I could honestly say it was the first time I’d ever passed out.

* * * *

Charlie

It was a few hours before we were released from the hospital. The detective stayed with me while they stitched up my thigh and brought Marcus round. It turned out, after going through Isaac’s old condo with a search warrant, they had found heroin tucked beneath the floorboards, enough to send him away for a long time. Guess you didn’t really know someone until they snapped in a drug-fuelled haze.

Marcus awoke with a start, his eyes immediately seeking mine. Without hesitation I went to his side and let him hold me.

“I’m so glad you’re all right,” he whispered in my ear, rocking me gently from side to side.

“Me too.” I didn’t know how all right I was, but I wasn’t going to mention it to him. My leg hurt like hell and I was more than a little shaky. However, being close to my love made me happier than I could remember. Marcus was my haven and I was finally home. “Let’s get out of here.”

He released me far enough to scan me closely, taking in my bandaged leg.

“Have you been cleared to leave?”

“Yes.” No one had told me I had to stay and even if they’d wanted to keep me there was no way I was going to leave Marcus. We belonged together and the brush with my ex only reinforced how lucky I was to have him. I wanted to go back home and enjoy being back with Marcus.

The look in his eyes said more than words how he felt.

Wrapping an arm around me he held me gently, careful of my wounds. “Don’t worry, Charlie,” Marcus said, kissing me on the forehead. “I’m here to take care of you. Let’s go home.”

About the Author

Amber is one of those quiet people they always tell you to watch out for. She lives in Dallas with her husband, two sons, two cats and one extremely stupid dog.

Email: amberkellwrites@gmail.com

Amber loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five