DWAYNE WOKE to a scream and bolted upright in bed, reaching for the light.
“No…. Let me go! I….”
He sprang from bed and was out of the room in two seconds. It took that long for his brain to put together that it was Robin doing the yelling. Dwayne reached the sofa, where Robin thrashed and rolled, twisted in the blankets.
“You’re safe now,” he told Robin, sat next to him, and gently stroked his shoulder. He didn’t want to jar him awake, so he went for softness in his touch and tone.
“Stay the hell away from me!” Robin jerked away and then gasped as he sat up, still wrapped tightly in the bedding. “What the…?” He looked around, blinking, and then deflated, the rigidity slipping from his body.
“It was just a dream.”
Robin shook his head and struggled to get out of the blankets. He was still breathing rapidly, and Dwayne gave him a chance to calm down and get himself under control.
“I don’t know what happened.” Robin raked his hands down his face, still shaking.
“You were having a bad dream, that’s all.” Dwayne figured he wasn’t going to make a huge deal about it, even though the things Robin was yelling were pretty disconcerting. “It’s understandable after what happened today.”
“Yeah.” Robin wiped his eyes and lay back down. “Thanks for checking on me.”
Dwayne gave him a small smile. “Sure thing.”
He went back to his room and got under the covers. It wasn’t until he was half-asleep that he realized he’d only been wearing a pair of boxer shorts. Robin had been upset enough he hadn’t seemed to notice, and that was fine. Robin was cute, if a little thin, but even though Dwayne found him incredibly attractive, he was not going to act on it. The last thing Robin needed right now was to be perved on when he was trying to get his life together. He needed a chance to get his feet under him. But dang, Dwayne had gotten a good look at the creamy skin of Robin’s shoulders and chest. He was slim but pretty, and it had taken all Dwayne’s self-control not to pull Robin into his arms and guide him off the sofa and into his bed where he could hold him all night and keep his nightmares at bay.
Dwayne was exhausted, and closed his eyes, trying to go back to sleep, but all he could think about was Robin lying on his sofa, so close and yet out of bounds.
DWAYNE EVENTUALLY fell asleep but woke numerous times, trying to hear if Robin had more nightmares. It seemed Robin slept soundlessly the rest of the night, while Dwayne tossed and turned, wishing for things he couldn’t have. It seemed to be his lot in life to find something he might want and either have it taken away or simply have it out of reach for some reason.
At seven in the morning, he blinked at the clock and groaned. “Robin,” he called as he pushed back the covers. “It’s time to get up so you aren’t late for your appointment.”
He didn’t get an answer. Dwayne got up and pulled on a pair of pants and a T-shirt, then padded out of his room and to the sofa. He expected to find Robin’s blond head sticking out from the covers, but the bedding had been folded and stacked neatly. His heart raced until the tinkling of dishes drew his attention to the kitchen.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat, but I figured if it was in your refrigerator, you must like it. So I made some toast with jam and scrambled eggs.” Robin brought two plates to the table, which was already set, and Dwayne sat. Robin carried over two glasses of juice and joined him. “I’m sorry for waking you up last night.”
“It’s all right.” Dwayne picked up his fork and took a bite of what had to be the worst-tasting eggs he’d ever had. They had been oversalted and were a little runny, but he took another bite and said nothing. Obviously Robin wasn’t a cook. The toast was burned around the edges, but again he said nothing and ate it. “You know that you can’t help it, and sometimes at night the mind mixes things up and puts stuff together again in weird ways.”
“It wasn’t that.” Robin set down his fork and pushed his plate away. “This is awful.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I never really learned how to cook much, and I guess I thought I’d try to do something nice for you after everything you’ve done for me, but all I did was make a mess.”
Dwayne finished the eggs and got some jam from the jar. He added it to the toast and crunched into it. Unfortunately the jam did little to hide the scorched bread.
“It’s fine. Thank you for making it for me.” He drank some of the juice and set the glass back down.
“It was hideous and you know it. But thank you for being polite about it.” Robin smiled and began taking care of the dishes.
“Sometimes it’s the effort and thoughtfulness that count,” Dwayne said as he finished his juice. It had been a while since someone was kind to him. As Robin cleaned up, Dwayne watched him move, especially when he bent to throw things away and his pants tightened against his round, pert rear end. Dwayne glanced away in case his thoughts, which were anything but pure, showed on his face when Robin turned around. “You need to get ready to go. We have little more than half an hour before you need to meet Terry.”
“Okay.” Robin finished and hurried to his boxes of now-clean clothes and retrieved what he wanted to wear.
Dwayne let him use the bathroom first while he took his glass to the sink. Then he got ready and met Robin in the living room.
“I found my old lifesaving certificate in among the papers I had.” Robin bounced a little, clearly excited.
“Do you have a Social Security card and identification?”
Robin nodded and patted his back pocket, which drew Dwayne’s attention to that area. He wasn’t able to move for a few seconds.
“Dwayne?”
“Let’s go.” He kept his head where it should be and followed Robin down the stairs, locked up, and then headed for his car.
“This is going to be so great. I didn’t think I’d be using my lifesaving skills again. Not that I knew what sort of job I’d be able to get other than serving food at Panera or McDonald’s.” He walked quickly, swinging a plastic bag back and forth, then slowed down for Dwayne to catch up.
In a way, Robin was like an excited puppy. No, that was a bad analogy. He was excited and nervous at the same time. Dwayne could easily tell that.
“If I get this job, then maybe I can get a place of my own.”
He knew Robin was trying to make plans to get his life back on track, but Dwayne wasn’t in a particular hurry for that to happen. Robin was good company, and he liked having him around. Also, deep down in a place where he was scarcely able to admit it even to himself, Dwayne wanted Robin to notice him as more than just the guy who was trying to help him. But that was all they could be for now. Robin was figuring out who he was and what he wanted to do. It wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of him when he was vulnerable, even though just watching Robin bounce down the street was enough to bring a smile to his face.
They reached the car, and Robin got in and clicked the seat belt. He was barely able to sit still as Dwayne drove them the mile or so to the Y and parked. Terry met them in the lobby area and escorted them into his office.
“I didn’t have time to write up a resume, but I did find my certificate.” Robin handed it to him, and Terry in return passed Robin some forms.
“That’s all right. You can fill out an application instead and then we can talk.” Someone knocked on the door and stuck their head in. Terry stood. “Excuse me. Go ahead and start on the forms. I’ll be right back.” Terry hurried out of the office while Robin started filling out the paperwork. He didn’t get very far.
“This sucks….” Robin’s hand shook. “I don’t have an address. What should I put, homeless?”
Dwayne gently patted Robin’s shoulder and dictated his address. Robin wrote it down and continued filling out the form. He was able to answer most of the rest but grew more and more nervous as he continued.
“What’s getting to you?”
“This seems so normal, and I suppose it is to everyone else.” Robin hesitated, and Dwayne peered over his shoulder to look. The handwriting was cramped and simplistic, with a few words spelled phonetically rather than correctly. It made Dwayne wonder just how much schooling Robin had had or how effective it had been. He said nothing because Robin was nervous enough already. Robin sighed and bent over the form again. Finally he reached the bottom and signed his name.
Terry returned after ten minutes and slumped in his chair. He looked over the form and shared a look with Dwayne before asking Robin a few general questions and setting the application aside.
“Did you bring your suit?”
“I have some shorts I can use.” Robin held up the plastic bag he’d brought his things in.
“Okay. The locker room is down the stairs on the right. Go ahead and change, and I’ll meet you in the pool in a few minutes. If I’m not there, go ahead and warm up and we’ll get started.”
Robin nodded and left the office.
“Did you see this?” Terry handed Dwayne the application. “He can barely write.”
“He’s told me some of what happened to him, but I know there’s more to it. My parents weren’t exactly perfect, but imagine being kicked out of your family.”
“It happens,” Terry said softly.
“Yes. But I also want to think that there had to be something else. I mean, so he was gay. I think his stepfather just used that as an excuse to get rid of him. He said his mother didn’t stand up for him. So I suspect she hasn’t stood up for him in a lot of ways. School being one of them, from the looks of it. He does have a lifesaving certificate.” He wanted to bring Terry around to what he hoped was important.
“Yes, he does, and he seems happy to have a chance.” Terry stood and got ready to leave. “I’ll give him one if he has the skills.” He was about to open the door but stopped. “What’s going on between the two of you? Is there anything?”
“No.”
“But you want there to be.” Terry sounded like he was having too much fun at the moment. “Come on, I’m not blind. I see the way you look at him.”
“That doesn’t mean that anything has happened… or will.” Dwayne paused. “But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t something about him.”
“He does have that kicked puppy look,” Terry said.
“Yeah. But there’s more than that. Yes, he’s been beaten down hard, but he’s still got strength and hope. He could hardly sit still in the car on the way over here. He was excited and looking forward to today. He’s been through hell and yet he keeps trying to bounce back. There’s a lot to be said about someone like that.”
Terry nodded and smiled. “Yes, there is. But that doesn’t change my original question. You like him.”
“What’s not to like?” Dwayne asked and shrugged, leaving it at that. He followed Terry out of the office to the pool, where Robin was swimming laps from one end to the other.
“Very nice.” Terry watched him for a few minutes. “Your stroke is very smooth and efficient,” he added once Robin stopped and stood near them, looking at them. “Did you compete?”
“Yes. At least for a few years in high school. One of the other guys on the team came out of the closet, and then a second one did. My stepfather made me quit. He didn’t say that was the reason at the time. But he probably was afraid I was going to catch the gay from the pool or something.” Robin rolled his eyes. “I love the water.”
“You swim strongly, and that’s the first part. Let’s see what else you can do.” Terry put Robin through his paces while Dwayne found a seat and watched.
Robin was truly impressive. Each exercise Terry asked him to do, Robin performed without hesitation or even a question. It looked like he was at home and comfortable there.
“That’s enough for today. We’ll get your certification renewed so it doesn’t lapse and you’ll be good to go. You definitely have all the skills, and you can start on Friday. I was going to have to cancel the open swim because I only had one lifeguard, but you can be the second.”
“Awesome.” Robin smiled and slapped the water.
“Come in on Thursday afternoon, and I’ll sit down with you so we can go over everything and the procedures we use.” It was immediately evident that Terry was more than pleased. He turned to Dwayne. “He’s one hell of a swimmer. It’s too bad he was taken off the team. He has real talent.”
“Could he compete now if he wanted to?” Dwayne asked as Robin got out of the pool and walked toward the locker room. Dwayne’s gaze followed his navy blue shorts as though they were a flame and Dwayne a moth. When Robin entered the locker room, Dwayne turned to a grinning Terry.
“I don’t know. That would be up to him. But if he hasn’t trained in a long time, it would be hard for him to get up to speed. It’s a lot easier if you’ve trained regularly. His form is really good, though.” Terry turned as others entered the pool and began swimming laps. “I think it’s best if he decides what he wants. Training for a sport takes dedication, almost to the exclusion of most other things in your life. I used to swim for six to seven hours a day when I was preparing for the Olympics, and that was in addition to working and trying to have time with Red. It wasn’t easy, and I was so lucky Red was there to support me.” He waved to the lifeguards and led Dwayne out of the natatorium.
“Do you regret the time you spent?” Dwayne asked.
“No. Because I was lucky and it paid off in a really big way. For everyone like me who trains and works and makes it onto the team and then wins a medal, there are dozens of people who fall short at one stage or another. It doesn’t mean I was more dedicated than they were. I was lucky and gifted with a talent for it and maybe had a better coach. If it was only hard work, then winning would be possible for anyone. It’s so much more than just one thing.”
“I understand that.”
“Not that I didn’t work hard. I swam my ass off every day for months… years. But other things come into play as well.”
Dwayne nodded as they headed back to Terry’s office. Robin met them there once he’d changed, his hair still wet, his smile radiant.
“Was that okay?”
“You did great,” Dwayne told him and gave him a one-arm hug, sharing in Robin’s excitement.
“I’ll see you Thursday, and we can do an orientation and introduce you to the other team members. Then on Friday you’ll work your first shift.”
“Awesome!” Robin could barely stand still.
“We’d better go, and leave Terry to his meeting.” Dwayne shook hands with Terry, and Robin did the same. Then they left the office and walked through the center and out to the car.
“This is going to be great. I like the thought of being a lifeguard again and being around the water. Do you think I’ll be able to use the pool when I’m not working?”
“Ask Terry on Thursday. I don’t know what their rules are, but I suspect it’s fine. Terry has used the pool for training for years. They’re good people.” He unlocked the doors and they got inside. “Let’s get you home and we can dry your things.”
“Do you work the same shift as yesterday?”
“Yeah. I’ll go in this afternoon and will be home late tonight.” Second shift really sucked. It was even worse than third because it messed up the day something fierce. At least he didn’t work that shift all the time. He pulled out of the parking lot and turned toward home. “Do you think you could show me the house you saw Harvey come out of last night?”
“Yeah. The street is a couple blocks up from where you live.” Robin watched out the window as Dwayne headed north through town. When they got close, Robin pointed him in the right direction. He turned onto North Street and continued east, driving slowly. “That’s where he pushed me into the wall, and he was coming out of that house.”
“Okay.” Dwayne pulled over and jotted down the address. He and Red would look into it once he was on duty. He could also find out who owned the property and contact them just to make sure they were aware of what might be happening. His mind was shifting to work and some ideas about the case he had for Red. This property might be the chance they’d been hoping for to catch the guy who was renting these places illegally.
“Thanks. I’ll look into it.” He pulled away and drove home.
“What else do you need to do today?” Robin asked.
“I need to go grocery shopping sometime soon, but other than that, I’m pretty good. We could watch a movie or something until it’s time for me to go to work.” It felt strange to do that this early in the day, but these shifts had everything messed up, and sometimes he just wanted to relax before he had to be constantly alert and focused while he was on the job.
HE AND Robin spent a quiet morning watching an action flick. Dwayne prepared a quick lunch and made sure Robin had things for dinner before hurrying to the station to meet Red.
“We might have gotten a break on the guy leasing illegally. Robin was out walking yesterday and saw the man he rented from. I’ve got the address of the house he was leaving.”
“Cool. The codes department has ownership information on each property in town. Let’s look it up and see if we can contact them.”
“That was my idea. But I was thinking that maybe we could get permission to stake out the property and see if we can catch this guy. If he’s going to try to rent the property, then he’s going to have to come back. I had Robin give me a description of Harvey—that’s the name he used—and we might be able to catch him.”
Red smiled. “We can ask, but I don’t think we’ve got the manpower to do that, not for a property crime. If it was a murder or drug ring, we might, but not for something like this. Let’s see what we can find out. Then we can talk to the captain about how he wants to handle it.”
Dwayne was disappointed, but Red was probably right. “Okay. I’ll get with codes.” He had already picked up the phone and was dialing as he spoke. He got the address and soon had the owner’s name. The building codes department thought the property was a rental, which fit with what Dwayne expected. It took some doing, but he located a few phone numbers and started making calls. The first number he tried was disconnected, but the second one rang and was answered.
“I’m looking for Kyle Manning,” Dwayne said.
“You found him. What’s this about?”
“Do you have property at 118 East North Street in Carlisle?” Dwayne asked as Red approached the desk. Dwayne smiled at him and pointed to the phone.
“Yeah. Is this because you’re interested in buying it?” he asked eagerly.
“Sir, I’m Officer Rappaport with the Carlisle Police….”
“Oh God….” He groaned. “Has someone broken in again? I just want the building to sell so it isn’t a complete pain in the ass. It’s a nice place, or it was until those people tried to rip it to shreds. I’ve fixed it up once.” He sounded irritated, definitely coming to the end of his patience.
“Someone was seen coming out of the building yesterday, and we believe he could be a rent scammer.”
“Those again?” Mr. Manning said. “I cleared out the renters, changed the locks, and repaired the damage they did a few months ago. Since then I’ve been trying to sell, but no one is interested. Now you’re telling me they’re back?”
“Did you get anything about the guy who was running the scam?” Dwayne asked.
“Only that he was a big guy who went by the name of Harvey. That was all anyone knew about him.” He banged his hand on something, the sharp sound coming through the phone. “I appreciate the call. I’ll stop by today.”
“Do we have your permission to check out the building? It seems this Harvey character is pulling this scam all over the area.” And Dwayne really wanted to catch the bastard. Not only was he hurting property owners, but the renters as well.
“Of course. I’d like to be there when you do. Can I meet you there in an hour?”
“Very good. We’ll see you then, Mr. Manning.” Dwayne hung up and turned to Red. “The owner asked to meet us there in an hour. It seems he’s been the victim of this guy before.”
“The guy has guts, I’ll give him that.” Red sat down at his computer and stared at the screen for a few minutes. “We should get going. We can check out the area and make sure there’s no other activity. I also want to watch the house to try to see what we’re walking into.”
“Then let’s roll.” Dwayne got his things together and headed toward the door, just waiting for Red to catch up. Red chuckled at him as they reached the car and got inside. Red drove, and Dwayne watched out the window as they went through town.
“What’s going on, Red?” He could feel the tension building and wasn’t sure why.
“I have to ask you something.” Red pulled to a stop at the light at the Square. “Terry told me about Robin and that he’s going to hire him.”
Dwayne nodded.
“But I have to ask, how much do you know about this kid?”
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
“Maybe a little. Though we’ve all done some crazy shit over the years.” Red moved forward when the light changed. “But I’d be less than a friend if I didn’t ask if you knew what you were doing. This is some kid you met at the club in Harrisburg and brought home because he was with a trick that went bad.” They continued through the next intersection, and then Red turned. “That doesn’t look good.”
Dwayne didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t argue because the facts Red presented were true. “I know. But….”
“Robin is cute, there’s no arguing with that. But are you letting cute and the chance for a little something on the side cloud your judgment? The guy can barely write, and it’s likely he has trouble reading. Who the hell knows what other kinds of educational or emotional issues he has? I’m not saying you shouldn’t help the guy, but what kind of shit are you opening yourself up for with him staying with you?” Red pulled to a stop across the street from the building.
“You think I haven’t thought about all that? He was in trouble, and I stepped in to help him. It wasn’t planned, and now he’s staying at my place and it looks like he’s gotten himself a job. Unless Terry only hired him because of me.”
“No. Terry said he was qualified and he hired him because of that.”
Dwayne breathed a sigh of relief. “You think I’m nuts.”
“Maybe a little softhearted. You don’t know anything about him at all.”
“Did you know everything about Terry when you first met him?” Dwayne asked, and Red chuckled.
“Yes. He was arrogant, shallow, and a pain in the ass.” He shook his head. “To this day I think it’s a miracle that we ever got to like each other, let alone anything more. But sometimes miracles happen.” Red turned to him, suddenly serious. “But don’t go looking for them. They have a tendency to happen in their own time and when we aren’t expecting them. Just be careful and make sure you find out what you can about him. You’re a police officer. Don’t turn off those instincts just because you’re dealing with your personal life.”
“You think I should run a background check on Robin?” Dwayne asked. “Isn’t that a bit extreme? Do you run background checks on everyone you meet?” He stared at Red. That seemed like a major invasion of privacy and a breach of department policy.
“That would be going a little far. But ask around and see if any of the guys have any ties to Mechanicsburg. See if anyone knows anything about what happened. We investigate things, so see what you can find out. I mean, you found this kid practically on the street, so how do you know he isn’t messed up with drugs? You already know he tried to sell himself. That isn’t good.”
Dwayne chuckled. “And he managed to make a right mess of that, didn’t he?” He knew there was value in caution and in what Red told him. But he didn’t see Robin as some sort of criminal. Or maybe that was just what he wanted to see.
“So he’s not a very good hustler,” Red deadpanned. “Most of us on the force have a heart, and sometimes it’s led us to do things we’ve regretted. Other times it’s led to something really special. All I’m saying is to be careful. He doesn’t seem like a bad sort of guy, but for goodness’ sake, be careful.” Red nudged his arm. “And don’t fall for the kid until you’re sure of him.”
“You and Terry are both delusional,” Dwayne said without any heat, because there was no way he was falling for Robin, even if he couldn’t seem to get him out of his mind. He was concerned for him more than anything, and maybe things were getting all twisted in his head. After all, when it came to sex and relationships, he had the worst record in history. Maybe he needed to spend some more time at the club and this time do something other than watch.
“I don’t think so.” Red turned toward the house they were watching. “There hasn’t been any movement inside and there are no lights. I’m hoping the place is empty.”
“Me too.” Dwayne gazed at the house as well. “Robin said the fake landlord guy was coming out. Just closed the door as though everything were normal. He obviously hadn’t broken in, because if he had, then his potential renters would be suspicious, and he’d need to give them keys to the front door.”
A car pulled up and parked on the street right in front of them. Dwayne got out of the car and walked around to meet Red. “Mr. Manning?”
“Yes.” He stopped and waited for them to approach.
“I’m Officer Rappaport, and this is Officer Markham. I was the one who called you.”
“Is anyone here?”
“It doesn’t appear so,” Red answered. “We’ll look the place over to make sure, and then my advice is to call a locksmith and have the locks changed again. It doesn’t look as though anyone has broken in—”
“Son of a bitch.” Mr. Manning unlocked the door, and Red followed him inside, with Dwayne behind them. The building seemed empty, and their footsteps echoed off the walls. Dwayne went upstairs, and Red continued though the main floor.
“It’s empty up here,” Dwayne called after checking each of the various rooms.
“Same here,” Red said, and Dwayne came back down the stairs. The house was in good shape and had obviously been cleaned up and repaired.
“So what do you think?” Mr. Manning asked when they joined him.
“Honestly I think he was checking out the house to see if he could pull his scam again. He was seen coming out and he isn’t going to take a chance on being caught. So my best guess is that he’s moved on. But have the locks changed, and maybe see if you can get some lights on inside. Have friends check on the place, be seen coming and going. A house sitting empty for a long time is a target.”
“All right. I appreciate you looking into things.” Mr. Manning pulled out his phone and was already making calls by the time Dwayne and Red went back to their car.
“He was a bundle of joy, wasn’t he?” Dwayne said sarcastically as they reached the car.
“Just a guy who’s trying to get out from under whatever mess he’s in.” Red climbed into the car, and they drove away to finish their shift.
“GOD, I’M glad this shift is over,” Dwayne said just after eleven, as he and Red left the station. “Some time off is needed after that.” He was so danged tired, but he didn’t want to admit it to Red. He’d also been distracted, and that was never good on duty. What Red had said earlier had planted a seed of doubt. He really didn’t know anything about Robin. “What do you think I should do about Robin?”
Red thumped him on the back. “Just be careful and don’t get carried away. That’s my advice. I’m not one to tell anyone how to live.”
“How are things with you and Terry?” Dwayne asked.
“He left for that meeting in New York, and I hope he’s back by the time I get home. I miss him.” Red sighed.
“Then talk things over and work them out.” He bumped Red’s shoulder. “I’ll see you later.” Dwayne went to his car. It seemed they had advice for each other. They were both great at giving it but not so good at taking it.
He got in his car, made a stop for some beer, and drove home. For months he’d come home to crash and never given it any thought. There was no one else there, so he’d eat and go to sleep. He parked, grabbed his bag from the back seat, and walked to the front of the building. There were lights on in his windows, spilling out into the street. He knew Robin was up there—someone waiting for him to come home. Yeah, it was probably dumb for him to feel that way. He’d known Robin less than a week. He unlocked the door and went up to the apartment. He heard the television playing softly as he approached the living room and half expected Robin to be asleep.
He wasn’t. Robin sat on the sofa in a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants so threadbare they were nearly indecent. Damn, that was one hell of a sight.
“How was work?” Robin asked.
“Tiring. We talked to the man who owns the building, and it seems he had troubles with our friend Harvey before. We’ll keep an eye on it, and he was going to do the same, along with having the locks changed.” There was only so much they could do. But Dwayne had an idea there was more to this than just rent scamming. He had no basis for it other than his gut, so until he could find proof of something, it was only intuition. “How was your afternoon?”
“Boring. I sat here most of the day and am beyond bored, but I was afraid to go outside alone. I tried, but I kept wondering if Harvey was going to be out there somewhere.” Robin pulled the blanket up around himself like a shield. “I don’t like to think I’m a coward, but that’s how I feel.”
Dwayne lowered himself onto the sofa next to Robin. “It’s okay. He beat you up yesterday.”
“I didn’t think about it at all when we were out together. It never occurred to me. But this afternoon, about five, I wanted to go for a walk to get some fresh air. I got to the bottom of the stairs and stopped, unable to actually step outside.” He looked down at his feet.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Dwayne said. “You were attacked and hurt, and it sometimes takes time to get over it.” He paused. “Has something like this happened to you before?”
Robin nodded. “I was attacked when I was thirteen. I was bicycling home from school, and since it was a nice day, I’d taken a shortcut through the wooded trail. We did it all the time. I was alone but didn’t think anything of it.”
“What happened?” Dwayne asked, taking Robin’s shaking hand in his.
“It was so stupid. A man yanked me off my bike as I rode. I screamed and kicked at him, throwing him off balance, and we both fell to the forest floor. I landed with my leg on a log, and it hurt like heck.” Robin curled under the blankets even farther. “I tried to get up and run, but I could only limp, and he was bigger than me.”
Dwayne tried not to let his imagination run away with him too much.
“He grabbed me and threw me down on my stomach and then started pulling at my pants. I screamed as loud as I could, and he just laughed and shoved a cloth in my mouth and held it there.” Robin breathed rapidly. “He got my pants down and then I guess he was fumbling with himself. I don’t know, but he eased up, and I rolled over and managed to kick him in the nuts. I went wild, thrashing and kicking with everything I had. My foot connected with his mouth, and I remember the crunching sound.” He quivered hard, and Dwayne took his other hand, comforting him as best he could.
“Did you get away?”
Robin nodded. “I got my pants up and grabbed my bike. It was okay, and I rode as fast as I could.”
“Did they ever catch him?” Dwayne asked, and Robin shook his head.
“I got home and hurried into the house to tell my mom what happened, and she was crying at the kitchen table. I hugged her, crying in her arms, and she told me that my dad had died at work. He did construction, and a piece of wall wasn’t secured and came down on top of him. She said a board crushed his head. We ended up crying together… her for my dad, and me for him and because I was scared. I tried to tell her what happened, but there was so much going on. And when I talked to my best friend, Amy, about it, she said that we just had to stay out of the woods.” He wiped his eyes and reached for a tissue to blow his nose.
“So you didn’t tell anyone? No one helped you?” Oh God. That must have been frighteningly lonely.
“What was I going to do? I shouldn’t have been riding through the woods on my own, and my mom had told me more than once to stay out of there. It was supposed to be off-limits, and I was doing something bad. I never did it again and always stayed with friends going to and from school after that. I was a dumb kid who didn’t want to get in trouble. I did tell my mom about it later, but by then I don’t think she believed me. So when I went to leave the apartment, all I kept thinking about was that man and Harvey, and what if they were outside? I know it’s dumb….”
“It’s not.” Dwayne continued holding his hands, lightly stroking his soft knuckles with a thumb.
“I know the guy who attacked me isn’t out there, and it isn’t likely that Harvey is waiting around the corner somewhere in case I show up. I just didn’t want to… I don’t know. Everything got messed up, and it was easier to stay inside, I guess.”
“Well, I’m off tomorrow, so I thought we could take a walk around town and you could learn where things are.”
“Okay.” Robin was calming down, and Dwayne sat quietly with him to let the anxiety pass. “I haven’t thought about what happened when I was a kid in a long time. Then today it came roaring back and hit me hard.”
“Things do that sometimes. Other cops have told me that they have flashbacks after they discharged their gun in the line of duty. It happens to all of us. They taught us in the academy that post-traumatic stress can strike any of us at any time. You don’t have to go to war or be shot at to have trauma. It can happen to anyone.”
“I was attacked and lost my dad on the same day.” Robin sniffed. “But in my mind, those things are separate, I guess. Thankfully I don’t associate my dad or even his loss with what happened. Is that crazy?” He wiped his eyes with the corner of the blanket.
“No. I think that’s pretty amazing. I don’t know if I could separate them.” Hell, Dwayne didn’t know if he’d have been able to go through what Robin had and come out the other side with his sanity. “How long after you lost your dad before your mom remarried?”
“She met my stepfather at some bar about three months after Dad died, and she started bringing him home. I asked Amy’s mom about it because it hurt that she was willing to forget my dad like that. She said my mom was lonely. She also said she didn’t think it would last, but she was wrong about that. They got married less than a year after my dad died, and I was stuck with my jerk of a stepfather. I hated him on sight. So did Gretchen. She was older, and she moved out after she and Mom had a huge fight over Stan. It was ugly. Gretchen refused to come to the wedding, and I don’t know if she’s seen Mom or Stan since. Sometimes I think…. Hell, I know she’s the smart one.”
“Was that because you thought he was replacing your dad?” Dwayne leaned back on the sofa.
“Maybe. I think it was mostly because he really was a jerk, and he proved it when he kicked me out.” Robin blew his nose. “I’m sorry for dumping all my crap on you.”
Dwayne stood and went to the refrigerator, grabbed two of the beers he’d brought home, returned, and handed one to Robin. “I’ll be right back.” He went to change and came back in comfortable clothes. He sat on the sofa, putting his socked feet on the coffee table, and leaned back, taking a long drag from his bottle. “Sometimes life really sucks.” His definitely had a while ago. He took another drink, trying not to think about his own family disappointments.
Dwayne focused his attention on the television and the old movie Robin had been watching. He finished his beer and got up for another. The brew was cold and felt good on his throat. Sometimes he talked loudly for long enough his throat ached, and today had been one of those shifts. He and Red had gone on a number of calls, mostly disturbing the peace and loud parties. He finished his second and went for a third beer, offering Robin another, which he declined.
“I love this movie,” Robin said softly as Gene Kelly confessed his love to Debbie Reynolds in Singin’ in the Rain.
“Never saw it all the way through,” Dwayne admitted and watched the romantic ending. He finished his bottle of beer and wanted another but knew that wasn’t a good idea. He placed the bottle on the table and turned to Robin, who watched him in return, heat searing the space between them.
“Dwayne… I….” Robin’s lips stopped moving, the lower one pouting out just slightly.
Dwayne raised his hand, touching Robin’s smooth cheek and running his thumb over his bottom lip. This was not a good idea, but when Robin blinked and leaned into the touch, Dwayne shifted, closing the distance between them.
He’d wondered how Robin’s lips would taste since that first night in the club, and for the last two days, and both nights, he’d fantasized about how Robin would feel next to him. Dwayne’s heart pounded in his chest as the distance between them narrowed. He wasn’t sure if that was his doing, Robin’s, or both of them. All that mattered was Robin didn’t back away.
Dwayne closed the final gap between them, their lips touching in an electric shock that was so strong, it nearly forced them back apart. That only lasted a mere second, and then the attraction kicked in and Dwayne wound his arms around Robin’s shoulders and drew him closer until their chests pressed together as well. God, this felt so right. Dwayne’s body was on fire, his blood rang in his ears, and his cock threatened to tear through his shorts. The heat of early summer was nothing compared to the molten need that ripped through him. He leaned back, drawing Robin down along with him, until Dwayne’s head leaned on the armrest and Robin pressed onto him.
Robin’s weight and heat all mingled together gloriously as Dwayne kissed the hell out of his sweet, beer-spiced lips. He stroked down Robin’s back, slid his hands under his shirt to his bare, smooth skin. Damn, that was heady, but Dwayne kept going until he pulled Robin’s shirt up and off. Holy hell, he was gorgeous. White skin, with small pink nipples that Dwayne plucked gently, kissing him once again, because the thought of more than a few seconds away from those lips would be like starving to death.
“Dwayne….” Robin groaned, and Dwayne held him closer, afraid Robin would pull away.
“You’re beautiful,” Dwayne whispered. He splayed his hands, stroking Robin’s back in order to try to feel as much of him as possible. Dwayne wanted it all, everything he could possibly have from Robin, all at once. He couldn’t get enough, and that desire drove him to heady heights he could barely control.
“I want to see you too,” Robin breathed, then tugged at Dwayne’s shirt. Dwayne raised his arms over his head and let Robin pull his shirt up and toss it on the floor. Kissing Robin was amazing, but doing it with his chest pressed to Robin’s and his hands free to wander was mind-blowing. He caressed Robin’s shoulder and then down his back, teasing at the waistband of his sweatpants before gliding his fingers underneath to brush along the very top of his butt.
Dwayne ground his hips against Robin’s as Robin stroked his chest. He flexed his arms, tightening his grip, and Robin quivered.
“You’re huge.” Robin smiled, his incredible blue eyes darkening to cobalt. “And sexy. Though I knew you’d be sexy. I could tell that by the way you looked in your clothes, but I didn’t think you’d be this sexy and….” He slapped a hand over his mouth for a second. “Sorry, that was a little too much.”
Dwayne chuckled and cupped Robin’s butt, pressed their hips closer, and thrust upward so Robin rose and fell with his undulations. “And you’re the prettiest man I’ve ever seen.” He ran a finger over Robin’s lips, and Robin parted them to lightly suck on the digit. Dwayne’s eyes crossed as Robin tickled his finger with his tongue and then pulled away. “And here I thought you were an innocent guy who’d gotten in over his head.”
Robin pressed forward and put his lips to Dwayne’s ear. “I’m exactly what you thought, and I did get myself into trouble, which I’m so grateful you helped me get out of. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned to use my imagination. It’s all I’ve had for most of my life.” He kissed Dwayne’s ear and leaned upward.
“Damn….” Dwayne sat up, held Robin as he turned on the sofa, and lifted him as he got to his feet. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” Dwayne grabbed Robin’s ass and ignored the light and the television as he carried Robin toward his bedroom.
Once on the other side of the door, Dwayne kicked it closed, took Robin to the bed, and set him down, leaning over him. Robin’s eyes had darkened even further, swirling with desire. Dwayne captured Robin’s lips with his, kissing him deeply, taking what he wanted and needed. Robin tasted amazingly sweet and musky at the same time. He held him tightly, chest to chest, as he slid his hands down Robin’s back and under his sweatpants to cup his bare asscheeks in his hands.
“Dwayne….” Robin’s voice broke, the note of concern palpable.
“Don’t worry. I’ll never hurt you. I promise that. I’m not that man in the woods or the bastard in the alley.” He took Robin’s lips again. “What happens between us is about pleasure and happiness for both of us. Nothing else.” He slipped Robin’s pants down over his hips and freed his cock, which pressed hard and thick against Dwayne’s belly. He backed away, taking Robin’s pants with him, tugging them off his legs.
Dwayne stared breathlessly down at Robin. He was slight and sleek, with narrow hips and long legs. His belly was flat but not ripped. Still, it rose and fell with each breath Robin took, his cock stretching toward his belly button, pulsating in anticipation. Dwayne closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. The scent of testosterone and masculine desire filled the room. Some of it had to be his own, but he was easily able to pick out Robin’s sweeter scent, and it went right to the base of his own cock, which was throbbing hard in his shorts.
He leaned closer to Robin as he raked his gaze over him. Robin shifted nervously until Dwayne gently stroked his hands down his belly, then closed his fingers around his cock. Robin groaned as Dwayne stroked slowly. God, he was beautiful, with his mouth open and eyes wide.
“I promised I’d never hurt you or push you.” Dwayne locked gazes with Robin.
“Oh God.”
Dwayne smiled. “Sweetheart, we haven’t come to the ‘oh God’ part of the evening yet.” He leaned forward and took Robin between his lips, then slowly sucked him deeper and deeper. Robin’s groans became lower and more desperate by the second.
Dwayne sucked harder, Robin’s cock sliding along his tongue. God, this was amazing. Robin tasted incredible—salty, rich, and masculine as all hell. He bobbed his head, listening for clues as to what Robin liked. He sank lower and Robin’s gasps became higher and more urgent. He backed away and Robin groaned as though Dwayne was going to stop, which he had no intention of doing. Robin was like a drug and he was already addicted. There was very little chance he’d ever want to give this up. When he did let Robin slip from his lips, it was so he could cradle him in his arms and kiss the stuffing out of him.
“Dwayne.” Robin’s voice broke as he fumbled his hands down Dwayne’s side to his waist, then tugged at his shorts. Dwayne stood, and Robin pounced on him, yanking down his shorts until his cock sprang upward, relieved at the freedom. Robin froze and looked at him, his lips curling upward in an almost evil smile of delight. Then he leaned forward to take Dwayne between his lips.
“Go slow and be careful.” He groaned as Robin went deep and backed off. He massaged his scalp and hair, and Robin took him much more slowly. Dwayne’s knees instantly felt like rubber, and he concentrated on remaining upright as Robin surrounded him with wet heat. Robin wasn’t polished and definitely had limited experience, but he was enthusiastic, gentle, and amazingly exploratory.
Dwayne rubbed Robin’s back, unsure where to settle his gaze. The sight of his cock sliding between Robin’s lips was sexy as hell. So was him waving his little butt in the air, like a red cape in front of a bull. He stroked down Robin’s back, reminding himself of the need to let Robin set the pace.
When Robin sat back, Dwayne leaned closer, kissing him as he eased Robin onto the bed. “You are incredible, you know that?” Whatever he’d done to deserve someone like this, Dwayne thanked his lucky stars. He climbed back on the bed and pressed Robin into the mattress as Robin’s hands roamed over his back and then clamped onto his buttcheeks.
“What are you made of, rocks?” Robin squeaked as Dwayne clenched his cheeks in return.
“I work out. It’s part of my job.” He nuzzled the base of Robin’s neck.
“The sexy part?” Robin asked, then squeezed once again. “Oh….”
Dwayne flexed his hips, sliding his cock alongside Robin’s, adoring the soft moan he earned. The intoxicating scent of man and desire ramped up as Robin shook under him.
“I think you’re the sexy part.” Robin’s cheeks heated to a deep crimson as Dwayne kissed him breathless before sliding down him and kissing his way back to his cock. Dwayne took Robin deep, sucking him hard and fast. The damn bed shook with the way Robin rolled slightly back and forth, trying to contain his excitement. Dwayne wasn’t the most experienced guy in the world, but he could hardly imagine anything more arousing than the moans and whimpers that filled the room.
“Dwayne….” Robin quivered even harder.
After pulling off, Dwayne stroked hard as Robin stiffened under him and painted his release on his belly in a glorious display of joy. Dwayne crawled back up Robin and kissed him as their bodies came together. His arousal peaked off the charts, and he held Robin to him, rocking along with Robin as his own desire became more than he could contain. Dwayne cradled Robin’s body—precious, strong, hot as hell—in his arms, and within seconds his own release tingled from deep inside, building fast until containing the energy was no longer possible and he added it to Robin’s.
Dwayne flew into orbit, afraid to move as he danced happily on momentary clouds of white. Reality sank back on him quickly, and Dwayne rolled onto his side so he didn’t crush Robin. He took a few seconds to catch his breath before kissing Robin gently and then getting up. Dwayne went to the bathroom and wetted a warm cloth, cleaned up quickly, and then returned to the bedroom.
Robin’s eyes were closed and he looked completely angelic spread out on the bed, naked, sated, and unblemished—pale and perfect. He started when Dwayne washed him, and after Dwayne had finished, returned the cloth, and made sure the lights and television had been turned off, he climbed into bed. Robin turned to him, curling against him. He didn’t say anything, and Dwayne rolled onto his side, pulled Robin to him, and held him close.
He hadn’t meant for this to happen, and in the back of his mind, he knew it would be easy to simply say he’d had too much to drink and the beer had been to blame. The truth was he’d wanted Robin almost from the first moment he’d seen him. Now Robin was in his bed and they’d been intimate. Dwayne cared for him, there was no denying that, and he was attracted to him like nobody’s business, but he had to wonder what he’d just done and what the hell he was going to do in the morning.