G

AMES

B

OYS

P

LAY

…Stephen grabbed his cell phone and dialed the dispatch office.

“Dispatch, this is Miranda. Stand by, I may need backup.”

He slid out of the car, shutting the door as quietly as he could. The

last thing he needed was a spooked intruder knowing he was coming
and waiting with a gun just inside his house. He approached the front
door slowly, reaching out to test the knob silently. Unlocked. He
didn‟t hesitate and reached down to unsnap the clasp on his holster,
though he didn‟t draw his gun yet.

As soon as he eased the door open, though, a rush of relief went

through him and he nearly sagged as the scent of food cooking hit his
nostrils and the sound of a very familiar voice humming came from
the kitchen. He reached into his pocket for his cell phone, which still
had dispatch on the line.

“Never mind, Kinsey. Everything‟s clear. Have a good night.”
He hung up and shut the door behind him, unbuckled his holster

and set it on the entryway table. “Zachary!”

A second later, Zach‟s smiling face appeared around the corner of

the wall to the kitchen. “Hi!” he chirped.

Stephen shook his head, affection rushing him. The boy drove him

fucking crazy, but goddamn, in such a good way. “Is there a reason
you‟re breaking and entering?”

Then Zach stepped out into view, and Stephen nearly choked on

his own tongue. Buck-assed naked, wearing nothing but an apron. Red
and white polka dots with a sassy red ribbon at the waist. Stephen
swallowed hard.

“And you‟re naked. Why are you naked? Not that I don‟t like you

naked…”

Zach gave him a knowing smile. “You love me naked…”

A

LSO

B

Y

F

AE

S

UTHERLAND

Gambling On Maybe

Letting In The Light

W

ITH

M

ARGUERITE

L

ABBE

629 Miles To Love

Entanglements

Fortunate Son

The Mask He Wears

Taking Chances

W

ITH

C

HELSEA

J

AMES

Blue-Eyed Soul

GAMES BOYS PLAY

BY

FAE SUTHERLAND

A

MBER

Q

UILL

P

RESS

,

LLC

http://www.AmberQuill.com

G

AMES

B

OYS

P

LAY

A

N

A

MBER

Q

UILL

P

RESS

B

OOK

This book is a work of fiction.

All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the

author‟s imagination, or have been used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales,

or events is entirely coincidental.

Amber Quill Press, LLC

http://www.AmberQuill.com

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or

reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in

writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief

excerpts used for the purposes of review.

Copyright © 2012 by Fae Sutherland

ISBN 978-1-61124-266-9

Cover Art © 2012 Trace Edward Zaber

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

For the Cheeky One. Give us this day our daily sparkle.

Much love for all your inspiration.

GAMES BOYS PLAY

1

GAMES BOYS PLAY

“If you‟re not wearing these, I‟m stealing them.”
Zachary West turned to find his best friend, Jordy, sitting cross-

legged on the floor in the dressing area, a pair of silver jeans in his
lap and a hopeful look on his face.

Zach laughed. “I‟m not wearing those. You can borrow them.”

He pointed a finger at his friend when Jordy began to beam.
“Borrow, Jordy. That implies giving them back at some point.”

Jordy nodded and grinned, hugging the jeans to his chest.

“Swear to Gaga,” he promised, face earnest.

Well, that was as good a promise as it got. Zach turned back to

his closet and pursed his lips in consideration, flipping through the
hangers. “It‟s got to be sexy, duh, and kind of trashy.”

“So, like ninety percent of your wardrobe?”

GAMES BOYS PLAY

2

“Whore,” Zach snapped back, throwing a hat at Jordy. “And

no. It has to be special.” He grinned and spun around to hold up a
frayed, repurposed denim jacket with an epaulet on one shoulder.
“I have a tryst.”

Jordy giggled. “You just like saying that.” He wrinkled his

nose at the jacket. “Not that.”

Zach stuffed the jacket back onto the overflowing rack of the

closet and let out a frustrated sigh. “I have nothing to wear.”

Jordy jumped to his feet with a happy sound. “That means one

thing—shopping!”

Zach shook his head with a wrinkle of his nose. “Can‟t. My

cards are maxed out. Again.”

Jordy slumped and sat back on the floor, reaching for a pair of

Zach‟s boots. “Bummer. So, where are you meeting him tonight?”

Zach grinned, bouncing a little as he pulled out another

potential outfit to try. “Him” was Sergeant Stephen Miranda,
Zach‟s big, brawny, ever so butch, in the closet police officer
boyfriend. “Oh God, it‟s this totally sleazy motel out by the airport.
Pay by the hour and everything!”

Jordy shuddered. “I have no idea what you find hot about

banging that man in every dark, trashy dive you can find. When
you have a perfectly good bed right here!”

Zach tugged on a sheer white top, turning this way and that in

the mirror. “Oh, you have no imagination. It‟s like…forbidden!
Naughty. I‟m his dirty little secret and it‟s crazy sexy.” Zach
tingled all over just thinking about it.

“Yeah, but he‟d totally be perfectly content coming here every

night to be with you.”

“Psshh,” Zach scoffed. “Who wants content? Content is boring.

Besides, if I have to hang out with him in the closet sometimes, it

GAMES BOYS PLAY

3

might as well be a closet that turns me on.” Stevie might be happy
to forget the games and just meet at Zach‟s place, but Zach had
promised himself weeks ago, when he and Stevie had met, that he
was going to sparkle and spice up that man‟s life.

Zach took his promises very seriously.
“Why don‟t you just talk to him about not hiding? It‟s 2011,

you know, not 1911.”

Zach gave Jordy a stern look. “That is not anyone‟s business,

not even mine. Stevie will come out when he‟s ready. I‟m not
going to pressure him, not even a little.”

Besides, Jordy didn‟t know all the details. It might be 2011 in

their world—and even still that wasn‟t always pleasant—but
Stevie‟s world was lost in some kind of time warp where society
was still supposed to be the idyllic illusion…like the entire police
force had watched one too many episodes of Mad Men. Not that
Zach could blame them. Don Draper was one sexy son of a bitch.

Zach had gotten a taste of the difference in their worlds almost

two months ago when they‟d first started dating and one of
Stevie‟s coworkers had attempted to give Zach some “friendly”
advice. In other words, basically told him to back the fuck off and
not ruin things for Stevie with his faggotry. It‟d come close to
being the end of them, but luckily for Zach, his Officer Hotness
wasn‟t nearly as brainwashed as the Stepford Police Force seemed
to think.

All in all, Zach didn‟t mind. They had fun, they had lots of hot

sex and they liked spending their time together holed up in Zach‟s
little apartment making out and ordering in and who the hell cared
what the Bigotry Police thought about “their kind”? They were too
busy enjoying each other.

Which was exactly what Zach intended for today. He turned

GAMES BOYS PLAY

4

back to the closet and pondered his wardrobe choices. He needed
to knock that man‟s socks off, as Tim Gunn would say. Suddenly,
he grinned.

He knew just the outfit for the job.

* * *

Stephen shook his head as he shut the motel room door behind

him, glancing around the shabby little room. Zach certainly had
imagination, if he could find this place sexy. Stephen knew,
though, that it wasn‟t the seedy room or the location that was sexy
to Zach; it was the adrenaline of sneaking around.

Zach had decided that if he was going to be a secret lover, he

was going to do it all the way and have fun with it. Which
translated to quick, fast fucks in all sorts of unsavory places. Bar
bathrooms. Motels frequented by hustlers and johns. An adult
bookstore. And each time, it was every bit as heart-pounding as the
time before. Zach had an imagination that‟d put any porn star to
shame, and Stephen was the helpless, but very grateful, recipient of
all the benefits.

He had just tugged off his jacket to drape over the lone, rickety

chair in the corner when there was a knock at the door. Stephen‟s
heart raced as he hurried to answer it, chuckling as Zach slipped in
wearing a black trench coat and a jauntily cocked, plum-colored
fedora.

“Channeling the Rat Pack tonight?” he teased, as he shut and

locked the door before turning to Zach.

Zach‟s lips curved and he tossed the hat onto the dresser. “Not

exactly,” he said with a wicked little half-smile, fingers plucking at
the knot at his waist. “Unless the Rat Pack were a lot naughtier

GAMES BOYS PLAY

5

than we give them credit for.”

Stephen didn‟t have a chance to ask what he meant because

Zach had gotten his coat open and let it fall to the floor, and
Stephen had his answer.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” he breathed, eyes widening.
Zach stood there, wearing nothing but a pair of boots that

would make Julia Roberts proud, and a knowing smile on his face.
“Yes, I drove all the way across town like this.”

Which had been exactly what Stephen was asking in his head,

but his words had failed him.

Words weren‟t necessary, as evidenced half a second later

when they both moved at the same time and the resulting collision
ended with Zach wrapped around Stephen, lifted off his feet, and
Stephen stumbling toward the bed as they kissed.

Holy hell, the man drove him crazy. Only Zach would show up

all but naked, and only Zach would decide dating someone in the
closet meant a chance to play naughty sex games. He was like no
one Stephen had ever known and, truth be told, he prayed he never
got used to it. He got as much of a thrill out of Zach shocking him
as Zach did.

Zach moaned as Stephen tossed him onto the bed and then

followed him down, pinning him there and dipping his head to
devour the smooth arch of his neck.

“Ohh, fuck yes, more.” Zach panted, then laughed breathlessly.

“I couldn‟t decide on an outfit,” he explained with a wicked laugh.
“I take it you like my solution?”

Stephen growled, pushing Zach farther up on the bed and

nudging his slim thighs wide with his knees. “Like might be an
understatement, brat.” His voice was rough, one hand sliding down
Zach‟s thigh to encounter shiny black leather. “Where the hell did

GAMES BOYS PLAY

6

you get these boots? A hooker shop?”

Zach giggled, arching under him and slinking one booted leg

up to rest against Stephen‟s shoulder in a show of flexibility that
made Stephen‟s cock ache. “Something like that,” he teased,
circling his hips. “Are you going to take them off or fuck me in
them?”

Stephen groaned and shifted to flip Zach onto all fours, hauling

him up to his knees. “I think I might make you wear them for the
rest of your life, actually. Jesus, you make me crazy,” he
whispered, bending to nip at the nape of Zach‟s neck, the tender
skin sweet smelling and so soft.

Zach bit his lip, rocking back against Stephen, eyes closed and

breath panting. “Mmm, that‟s exactly what I was going for. Stevie,
damn it, you‟re wearing too many clothes,” he complained,
circling his hips against the bulge in Stephen‟s jeans.

When Stephen knelt up to fumble with the button and zipper,

Zach was impatient as always and scrambled around to bat his
hands away and get the job done, jeans around Stephen‟s knees, in
under five seconds. Impressive little thing.

Stephen was in the middle of tugging them the rest of the way

off when Zach got impatient again and nudged him off-balance
enough to send him tumbling back onto the saggy mattress as his
lover pounced on his cock like it was his favorite treat. Stephen‟s
pride swelled a bit because really, it kind of was. Zach didn‟t even
try to pretend otherwise.

But then, Zach didn‟t pretend much of anything. The man was

as free and unapologetic and uninhibited as anyone Stephen had
ever met. It was the thing he liked best about Zach, to be honest.
Among many, many others.

“Goddamn, don‟t suck it off, Zach.” He laughed, managing to

GAMES BOYS PLAY

7

kick the jeans, along with his shoes, the rest of the way off, while
Zach worked the kind of magic Stephen had never even known
existed before he‟d met him. Zach had opened his eyes to a
hundred different things, not the least of which was the joys of
having a twenty-six-year-old lover with an insatiable appetite for
all things pleasurable, whatever they may be. A true hedonist, and
damned if Stephen wasn‟t falling for him more and more every
day.

Zach lifted his head with a cheeky smile. “Are you giving me

directions, Stevie?”

Stephen laughed. “Hell, no,” he said, lifting his hips to bump

the head of his cock against Zach‟s damp mouth. “Just saying…”

The last time he‟d tried to give direction in bed, it had resulted

in Zach deciding his new favorite game was long, drawn-out
teasing and tormenting while Stephen cursed him to hell and back.
His lover didn‟t take well to being given orders, even when it was
something they both wanted. Stubborn brat, Stephen thought with
a grin.

Satisfied, Zach took Stephen‟s cock into his mouth again and

went right back to what he did best—driving him crazy. Magic,
that‟s what his mouth was, and Stephen had been addicted from
minute one. His Zach was a candy drug, and Stephen was a
fucking junkie.

“Little bitch, you think you get to have all the fun?” Stephen

teased, rolling them and hauling Zach up to pin him face first
against the wall at the head of the bed. He knelt behind the young
man, hands locked firmly, but gently, around Zach‟s wrists, caging
them against the wall. “Maybe I want to play.”

Zach shivered, glancing back over his shoulder. “Mmm,

Stevie…I love when you get all alpha on me. I take it I‟m forgiven

GAMES BOYS PLAY

8

for the other afternoon?” His brown eyes sparkled with mischief.

Stephen groaned, shifting his hips down to rub his cock

between Zach‟s widespread thighs. “Forgiven? I ought to have you
arrested.”

Zach just laughed, a fearless, airy sound. “Only if you‟re my

cellmate, officer. I‟m far too pretty for prison, and we both know
it. Besides…I seem to remember someone other than me turning
that peep show stall into a real life porno.”

Stephen growled, bending his head to scrape his teeth along

Zach‟s shoulder, up toward his neck. “I won‟t be your cellmate,
but I‟ll make sure I‟m the one who—” He cut off when, abruptly,
his cell phone began vibrating on the dresser across the room.

“Noooo, no, no, no…” Zach whined, glancing back over his

shoulder. “Don‟t you dare. Stephen!”

Stephen gave him an apologetic look. “I have to, Zach. Hold

that thought.” He gave Zach a hard kiss and scrambled out of the
bed. It took him a few seconds to find his phone hidden under the
fedora Zach had tossed on the table, finally dragging it out from
under the hat and to his ear. “Stephen Miranda.”

* * *

Zach pressed his forehead against the wall, panting and trying

to catch his breath. For a second, he let himself think it was going
to be nothing. A wrong number or a fellow cop wanting Stevie to
meet for drinks or something. But then Stevie got that tone. That
very serious, brisk tone, and Zach glanced back over his shoulder
to see his lover grabbing for his discarded clothes.

Shit. Shit, shit.
Part of him wanted to sulk. Flop down on the saggy mattress

GAMES BOYS PLAY

9

and settle into a sulk of extraordinary proportions. But he didn‟t.
Because one of the things he found most endearing about Stevie
was how dependable he was, how trustworthy and earnest. Zach
adored that about him. Even when it fucked up his carefully laid
plans to get himself thoroughly debauched this afternoon.

“I‟m sorry,” Stevie began as he hung up the phone and shoved

it into the pocket of his still-unfastened pants.

Zach gave him a small smile and shook his head. “It‟s okay.

Go…it sounded important.” Zach grabbed for his trench coat and
slipped it on.

Stevie slid his arm around Zack‟s waist and pulled him close,

free hand tilting his face up to meet Stevie‟s eyes. “So are you. I‟ll
come by tonight after work, okay? It might be late though…”

Zach smiled and slid his arms around his lover‟s broad

shoulders. “Late‟s good.”

Stevie grinned. “Good.” He bent and gave Zach a firm,

lingering kiss before letting him go with a groan. “I have to get out
of here before I change my mind. You can get home okay?”

Zach nodded, tugging the coat around himself more tightly.

“Of course. Go on, babe. I‟ll see you tonight.”

Another quick kiss and then the door shut behind Stevie. Zach

sighed, glancing around. The room, which had seemed so darkly
sexy just minutes before, looked like what it was now—a dingy,
faded, cheap motel room. He sighed. Oh well, he‟d just have to
make sure the next tryst was even better—to make up for this
aborted one. He had a million ideas; it was all a matter of choosing
the right one.

Stevie wasn‟t going to know what hit him.

* * *

GAMES BOYS PLAY

10

“No. Absolutely not. Zach, I mean it. No.”
Stevie was using his “serious business” tone and the face to go

along with it. It was very hard not to giggle when he did that.
Mostly because Stevie kept on thinking it might work when all
facts—and past attempts—pointed to no.

Zach let out a sigh. “It‟s kind of your own fault, you know. It

was basically your idea.”

Stevie‟s eyebrows shot up at that. “Now I know you‟ve lost

your mind. At no time did I ever suggest role-playing a hustler and
a cop, with uniform and my patrol car included, Zachary!”

“Oh, I think you did.” Zach crossed his arms in a huff. “You

said my boots were hooker boots. Then you said you ought to
arrest me.” He gave Stevie an expectant look.

Stevie just gave him a blank one back. “How is that me

suggesting you pretend to be a hustler, I pick you up for soliciting
and then „let the charges slide‟ in the backseat of my patrol car?”

“Well, what did you expect? The dots connected in my mind.”
Stevie laughed, shaking his head. “Of course they did. But no,

Zach—A, it‟s too dangerous and B, it‟s too freaking dangerous.
Also, illegal.”

Zach wasn‟t sure whether to go for a scowl or a sulk. Both

worked equally well to get him what he wanted, usually. He went
for the scowl, since he was already huffing and was legit a little
annoyed Stevie wasn‟t seeing how amazing this idea was. “Um,
maybe you‟ve forgotten the sex in the bathroom at O‟Malley‟s last
week. Or the very tryst you said you should arrest me for—the
peep show at the adult bookstore? Pretty sure there‟s some law
against that.”

Stevie wanted to give in, Zach could tell, and that was the crack

he needed. Now he just had to wedge his idea in there until the

GAMES BOYS PLAY

11

whole wall came tumbling down. Kind of like how he‟d gotten into
Stevie‟s life in the first place—sheer will power and determination.

“The patrol cars have GPS, Zach. Even if I wanted to use one

off-duty for…personal use, I couldn‟t.”

Zach pursed his lips, pondering that. Stevie wouldn‟t ever lie to

him, so Zach began to rethink his plan. “Okay…what if you were
an undercover cop? What do you call it, plain clothes?”

Stevie relaxed a little, and Zach knew he had him.
“Yeah. That could work…except I‟m not a very good actor,

Zach. I don‟t ever do undercover for that exact reason.”

Zach laughed and slid his arms around Stevie‟s neck. “You

don‟t have to convince the Academy, Stevie. Just me.”

“I cannot believe I‟m even thinking about agreeing to this.”
Zach grinned so wide it almost hurt. “Oh, please. I could have

told you you‟d be giving in within ten minutes!”

Stevie bent and kissed him and then lifted his head again.

“You‟re very lucky I adore you, boy.”

Zach just grinned. “I know! So…there‟s no law against using

your handcuffs, is there?”

* * *

Stephen glanced over at Zach in the passenger seat, heart

racing. “Are you sure?”

Zach gave him that signature wicked, sweet smile and opened

the passenger door. “I‟m positive. Here, I don‟t need this…” He
tugged the belt of his trench coat open, and Stephen held his
breath, half-expecting the same “bare-assed naked with only fuck-
me boots” look from the motel.

It wasn‟t quite that indecent…but close.

GAMES BOYS PLAY

12

Actually, it was pretty similar to the outfit he‟d been wearing

the night they‟d met. A fishnet top that was torn strategically to
reveal a nipple here, a swath of tummy there, cutting off just below
his belly button and leaving his lower abdomen bare since his
black leather shorts—Zach affectionately called them scandal
pants—clung dangerously low on his slender hips. They left very
little to the imagination, especially considering that they appeared
to be no more than four inches from top to bottom. When Zach
turned in a cheeky pirouette, Stephen nearly choked at the amount
of ass—beautiful, pert, gorgeous little ass—that was bared in the
next-to-nothing shorts.

“You can‟t be serious…”
Zach winked. “As a heart attack, babe.”
“You‟re going to give me one.”
“Better not be before you fuck me. Now shoo…circle the

block, get into character, then come pick me up.” He waved his
hand and tossed the coat over the front seat into the back before
stepping back onto the sidewalk and shutting the door. “Go.”

Stephen glanced around, not at all sure this was a good idea.

What if something happened while he was circling the block to
pull back around? But he looked at Zach, who looked so fucking
hot Stephen might just implode, and knew they both were going to
enjoy this little game way too much to stop now.

“Got the mace?”
Zach held up his hand, a small can tucked against his palm.

“I‟ll be fine. Just hurry up.”

Stephen nodded and gave him one last head to toe look, cock

aching already, and pulled away from the curb. He wasn‟t entirely
sure how he was supposed to get into character. He was playing a
cop. He was a cop. His lips quirked in amusement. It really wasn‟t

GAMES BOYS PLAY

13

possible to adore anyone more than he adored Zach. Everything
about him was the nuttiest, yet most brilliant thing Stephen had
ever known. Crazy and amazing. That was his Zach.

He made a slow circuit of the block, grateful he didn‟t see any

outright crime going on that would have forced him to stop the
game and do his duty. As he turned the corner where he‟d left
Zach, his heart almost stopped when he didn‟t see him at first.
Then Zach shifted, pulling away from the shadowed wall and
moving with a slow sway toward Stephen‟s car.

Good God, the man redefined the word slink.
His mouth went dry and his cock was as hard as he could ever

remember it being as Zach worked his strut up to the passenger
side and leaned forward, arms crossed on the rolled down window.
Stephen could just imagine the view from behind and bit back a
groan.

“Lookin‟ to party, handsome?”
Stephen cleared his throat, reminded yet again why he‟d been

turned down several times for undercover work. “Um…yeah.”
Very clever, he thought. Totally believable.

Zach looked like he was trying not to smile, managing to keep

the seductive expression on his face. Was he wearing makeup?
Stephen thought so, and more than just the usual lip gloss.
Eyeliner, definitely, and maybe some kind of smoky eye shadow,
making his brown eyes look even larger, more sultry. God damn,
he fucking loved when Zach did his face all up like that.

One perfectly manicured brow lifted and his pink, glossed lips

curved. “This your first time, honey? Why don‟t you just tell me
what you want?”

Stephen let his gaze rake over Zach, what he could see of him

anyway, then met his gaze again. “Why don‟t you tell me what you

GAMES BOYS PLAY

14

have to offer?”

“Anything and everything, if you‟re generous enough.” Zach

took a step back, hands skimming down his sides, drawing
Stephen‟s gaze. “How much is all this worth, handsome?”

Stephen almost answered, Anything, but that wasn‟t what an

undercover would do. Zach had to specifically offer sex of some
kind in exchange for money, so Stephen began to try to lead him in
that direction. “What‟s your specialty?”

Zach stepped back up to the car, leaning on the open window

frame again. “Honey, my specialty is whatever you like best. I‟ll
tell you what. Full service for whatever is in your wallet.”

Got him. Stephen grinned. “I might only have five bucks and a

picture of my boyfriend.”

“Oh, I doubt that. You wouldn‟t be down here trawling with no

money to spend. What about it, handsome?”

Stephen nodded. “Deal. Get in.”
Zach grinned and obeyed, climbing into the passenger seat, and

Stephen rolled up the window as he pulled away from the curb.

“So, show me what you‟ve got in your wallet, honey.”
This was very familiar, and Stephen bit back the chuckle as he

pulled out his wallet and handed it over to Zach, who had his feet
propped on the dash, boots hugging his bare, slender calves.
Except this time it wasn‟t his money and driver‟s license wallet
that he handed over, it was his badge and police ID wallet.

Zach froze when he flipped it open, eyes widening. “Oh, shit.”
Stephen fought the urge to snicker. Zach sounded so dramatic

when he said it. “Oh, shit is right. Looks like we have a dilemma,
don‟t we?” He turned onto the freeway on-ramp, heading south.
Eventually the interstate would lead to Tucson, but they weren‟t
going nearly that far.

GAMES BOYS PLAY

15

Zach gave him a withering look. “What‟re you gonna do?

Arrest me? I‟ll be out in less than an hour, and we both know it.”
He crossed his arms over his slender chest. “Go ahead.”

Stephen shook his head, snatching his badge and ID back. “No,

I‟m not going to arrest you.” He gave Zach a smirk, trying not to
snicker because the dialogue was becoming a little ridiculous in his
mind. “I can think of much better uses for my handcuffs and your
talents.”

God, it was like a bad porn flick. But Stephen couldn‟t deny

that he was having fun. And from the way Zach‟s eyes sparkled, he
was, too. Lord, the things the boy talked him into.

Zach pursed his lips, giving Stephen a look that was a cross

between annoyed and turned on. “I bet you can. So what‟s your
plan, officer?”

Stephen didn‟t actually have one, but he didn‟t say that. “My

plan is that you stick to our deal. Full service in exchange for what
was in my wallet. Unfortunately for you, none of it was money.”

Zach glanced around as Stephen pulled off the interstate, his

eyes widening as he realized where they were going. “A public
park? Isn‟t that a little risky for a fine, upstanding citizen like
you?” His voice was taunting and smug and made Stephen want to
kiss him senseless.

“Yeah, well, my boyfriend keeps telling me life‟s no fun

without a few risks.”

Zach laughed, glancing over at him. “I‟m sure he‟ll totes be

proud of you for this one.”

Stephen pulled into one of the small, off the main trail parking

areas, in the shadows away from the one dim light. He grabbed
Zach‟s wrist and grinned. “You have no idea. Come on…out.” He
climbed out and proceeded to pull Zach across the front seat and

GAMES BOYS PLAY

16

out the driver‟s side. He wouldn‟t put it past the brat to try to bolt
and lead him on a chase if he‟d come around instead.

Zach glared at him, stumbling a little in his high-heeled boots

as Stephen led him along the trail toward where he knew a solitary
park bathroom awaited. “You are going to regret this, I swear to
God. Fucking asshole cop.”

Even as he said it, Stephen could hear the faintly gleeful tone in

his voice.

Stephen just laughed. “I‟m not going to regret anything, I

promise.” He wondered vaguely what had gotten into him as he
spotted the bathroom up ahead. He‟d never been into any of this
before Zach. Public places, the danger of possible discovery, the
thrill of taking a risk…Zach had given him that and sometimes
Stephen wondered how the hell he‟d managed to live without it—
without him—for so long.

* * *

Zach could hardly breathe, his heart racing. He couldn‟t stop

the soft moan as Stevie dragged him into the bathroom and kicked
the door shut. There was no lock and, oh God, that just made it
even more dangerous…and even sexier. He bit his lip and peered
up at Stevie in the flickering light of the lone, bare bulb over the
sink.

“Now what, officer?”
He knew what, though, and so did Stevie, who just grinned in a

way that made Zach‟s whole body tremble. The next thing he
knew, he was crouched down and Stevie had his pants open, cock
hard and the head slick in the dim light. Zach felt a little faint as,
rather than his normal, very polite urging, Stevie instead fisted his

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17

hand in Zach‟s hair and pushed his cock into his mouth. Oh God,
this is so fucking hot.

His hands came up to steady himself on Stevie‟s thighs, and

Zach lost himself in the fantasy come to life. Oh, the bathroom was
disgusting, the park was way too public, and the danger was very
real—it was addictive, the rush of it all. And he wasn‟t the only
one who thought so. Stevie‟s hands shook he was so turned on.

“That‟s it…suck, little whore.” Stevie groaned, thrusting his

cock deeper into Zach‟s mouth.

Zach thought he seriously might faint right then and there when

the rough growl and the nasty words came out of his Stevie‟s
mouth. Good Lord, what had gotten into him? Then Zach preened
inwardly…he had, that‟s what.

Whatever the reason, Zach‟s cock was harder than it‟d ever

been before and he would have begged Stevie to keep going, to say
more, except his mouth was a little busy being fucked. And that‟s
really what it was. Not a blowjob, not a nice, ordinary sucking
off—Stevie was fucking his mouth like he owned it and, God…he
kind of did at that moment.

It didn‟t last long, probably because Stevie didn‟t think he’d

last long, but when Zach was tugged to his feet, the encounter was
anything but over. Instead, he was turned and pinned against the
door by that big, strong body he knew so well and could never get
enough of. He moaned into Stevie‟s mouth, gasping when he was
lifted off his feet and his shorts yanked down to dangle off one
foot. Oh, God… If he could have spoken, he‟d be chanting, Yes,
yes, yes.

Zach broke the kiss with a whimper as Stevie pushed one

finger into him. There was no pain, his finger was slick, and Zach
realized that somehow, when he‟d been busy being kissed

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18

mindless, Stevie had managed to make use of the lube he‟d put in
his pocket before they‟d left. Oh, thank God. Zach didn‟t fancy a
true rough, anonymous fuck.

“Son of a bitch,” he snarled, fingers digging into Stevie‟s broad

shoulders.

“Filthy slut,” Stevie growled back, a second finger joining the

first.

“I hate you.” Zach let out a sharp cry, and a split second later,

his mouth was covered by Stevie‟s free hand. His stomach flipped
in arousal.

“No, you don‟t.” Stevie didn‟t expound on that response, and

Zach broke role long enough to press a kiss to the palm of his
lover‟s hand in answer. No, he didn‟t hate Stevie. He fucking
adored his man more than he‟d ever thought possible.

His breath panted and Stevie was just looking right into his

eyes while he drove Zach mindless. His eyes closed briefly, but
flew open again when Stevie began thrusting his fingers hard and
fast, as if demanding his attention. Like Zach could focus on
anything else!

The pleasure was mind-bending and Stevie was merciless,

driving Zach right to the brink and then, abruptly, his lover
withdrew, leaving him empty and wanting. It was a damn good
thing Stevie had his mouth covered because Zach let out a muffled
string of curses that would make a sailor blush.

That all ended a second later, though, when he was back on his

feet, and Stevie turned him to face the door. Zach‟s heart leapt and
he didn‟t even think about it, automatically spreading his legs,
leaning forward and tipping his ass up as much as he could.

“Fuck me,” he whispered, breathless with want. He‟d never,

ever, wanted Stevie more than he did right then.

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19

Thank fucking God, the feeling seemed to be mutual because

he felt the cool slick of lube against his entrance, the heat and
strength of Stevie‟s big body against his back and then, finally, the
hard press of cock inside him, slow and deep. An empty condom
wrapper fell to the floor to join the rest of the lingering evidence of
countless sins there.

Zach‟s fingers curled against the bathroom door, forehead

pressed to the cool metal as, inside the bathroom, the heat
ratcheted up and sweat slicked their skin. He trembled, hips
pushing back, and moaned.

“Fuck…more…” Role? What role? All he wanted was Stevie

to fuck him until he couldn‟t stand.

His lover didn‟t say anything, just gave him what he asked for.

Zach‟s heart thumped hard as Stevie‟s strong arms came around
him, holding him close as he thrust, hard and deep, jolting them
both against the door with every movement. Zach‟s head tipped
back against the other man‟s shoulder, breath panting heavily.
Stevie took the opportunity to have his way with Zach‟s neck,
sending a flood of shivers through him.

It was intense…but it wasn‟t fast. Maybe it should be,

considering where they were, but it was like Stevie could read
Zach‟s mind and knew he wasn‟t in any rush to be finished. It was
all so much, felt so good and somehow he felt more connected
with Stevie there in that filthy park bathroom than he did in his
own bed. Maybe it was the contrast between their surroundings—
rough and cold and dirty—and the way he felt in the moment—
cherished.

Loved.
The instant the word entered his mind, Zach‟s throat tightened

and his eyes stung behind his closed lids. Oh, Jesus…Stevie loved

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20

him. Zach could feel it like his own heartbeat, pulsing through him.
His lover didn‟t have to say a word, and didn‟t, but Zach heard him
loud and clear.

“I love you, too,” he whispered.
Stevie‟s thrusts faltered, the other man going still behind him,

as if holding his breath. Zach swore his heart grew two sizes right
that moment; he loved Stevie so much. He knew Stevie was
wondering if he‟d heard Zach right, if he‟d imagined it, and that
little doubt, the uncertainty in a man who made it his job to be
strong, made Zach want to hold onto him and never let go.

Maybe he would.
Stevie turned his face against Zach‟s cheek, his breath rough

and uneven. “Don‟t…don‟t say it, Zach, if you don‟t…”

Zach shook his head, one hand coming up to sink into Stevie‟s

hair behind his head. “I do. I fucking do, Stevie.” His eyes
squeezed shut and he turned his head to brush a kiss to Stevie‟s
firm, warm lips. “I do,” he whispered again. Then he grinned and
caught Stevie‟s lip between his teeth.

Stevie growled, and before Zach could protest, he‟d withdrawn

already. But not for long as he turned Zach, hauled him off his feet
and pinned him back against the door again, sinking inside with
barely a pause.

Zach laughed, arms and legs winding around him, and clenched

tightly. “Finish what you started, officer,” he insisted, hands
slipping between them to get Stevie‟s shirt open and get his eager
hands on all that gorgeous skin, the dusting of hair tickling his
palms.

Stevie kissed him then, hard and demanding, and his hips

matched the devastating rhythm of his warm, rough tongue. Zach
didn‟t care if he could walk when they were finished; he‟d never

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21

felt anything like this. Like Stevie. It was like winning the fucking
boyfriend lottery or something. All his.

The slow, sweltering fuck of just seconds ago was gone,

though, replaced by a need so intense it took his breath away. Their
bodies strained together, with each other, toward each other, over
and over, rocking the door on its hinges. Zach had the vague
thought that he‟d die laughing if it broke.

Stevie didn‟t seem to even notice and, within seconds, Zach

had forgotten he knew how to breathe, let alone laugh. His
fingernails scraped along Stevie‟s bare chest, breaking the kiss
with a sharp gasp as his head fell back against the door and Stevie
latched onto his throat. Oh, God, he was going to have marks. He
could hardly fucking wait to admire them in the mirror. Marked.
Claimed. Stevie‟s.

“Fuck, fuck…Stevie…hurry…” He panted in a harsh whisper,

biting his lip to keep from screaming. He moved between Stevie
and the door, meeting his thrusts, returning them, clenching and
twisting against him as they hurtled toward orgasm.

And then he was there and, oh God, Stevie must have known it

because his eyes widened slightly and the next second his big hand
was over Zach‟s mouth again, green eyes dark and intense in the
dim light as he silently urged Zach to come for him. He didn‟t say
a word, but just like before, it was as though Zach could hear him.
And he could do nothing but obey.

He came so hard the edges of his vision went blurry, sucking in

breath through his nose and keeping his gaze locked with Stevie‟s.
Halfway through the most mind-numbing orgasm he‟d ever
experienced, Stevie shuddered and his hips jerked and he came.
The look on his face was amazing. The way his features tightened
and his lashes fluttered and his mouth dropped open in a silent

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22

shout. Zach‟s tongue slipped out to taste the salty skin of his palm,
heart racing so fast he thought it would explode.

Thank God Stevie was so strong because, otherwise, Zach

would have landed on his ass on the filthy bathroom floor when
Stevie relaxed his grip and leaned against the door in a visible
struggle to regain his breath. But, even semi-boneless, his Officer
Hotness held him without so much as a muscle tremor. Zach loved
that.

Zach loved him.
He pressed his forehead against Stevie‟s shoulder and, while

his lover recovered, used the brief, breathless moments to try to
wrap his mind around what had just happened. It was supposed to
be just fun. Games to make the hiding less stifling, more exciting.
And Stevie…he was the best man Zach had ever known and not
for one second had he ever imagined he would manage to snag
Stevie‟s heart.

His cock, sure; his attention for a while, absolutely. But his

heart? Oh, God, a man like Stevie didn‟t give that out like candy at
Halloween to just anyone who had a craving. Zach was more afraid
of that than he was of loving Stevie in return. He was one hundred
percent sure that his gentle, loveable, sweet officer was the one
whose heart was at risk here…because Zach couldn‟t recall the last
time he‟d loved anything for more than one season.

He was going to break Stevie‟s heart…he just knew it. And it

was the last thing he wanted to do because, goddamn it, he loved
the man like he loved his new Gareth Pugh coat. Okay, more than,
even. Shit, shit.

“You okay?” Stevie‟s voice was rough and gravelly, sending

shivers down Zach‟s spine.

“Oh, yeah,” he panted out softly. “More than fine.” Having a

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23

mild panic attack inside, but otherwise fine. Freaking out trying to
understand how this had happened, but yeah—fine. He lifted his
head and leaned his head back against the wall, meeting Stevie‟s
eyes. He couldn‟t help but smile, despite the turmoil. He loved the
hell out of this man, and especially now when he looked all tousled
and well-fucked and sexy/adorable. “Hey.”

Stevie‟s lips curved in a slow grin. “Hey, yourself.”
There was a moment of silence broken only by scuffling

sounds and low whispers mixed with laughter as they tried to
untangle themselves without anyone falling down. It took a few
minutes and a handful of paper towels, but eventually they were
fairly presentable and clothes were mostly in place. Zach met
Stevie‟s gaze and smiled, reaching up to touch his cheek.

“I meant what I said, Stevie.”
Stevie caught his hand and turned to brush a kiss to the inside

of his wrist. “I know. So did I.”

Zach gave him a teasing smile. “Well, technically you didn‟t

say anything. I just assumed…”

“You assumed right.”
And that was what Zach was afraid of. Fuck. What was he

going to do?

* * *

“You‟re going to stop being a fucking whiny martyr and love

him back. Oh, my God, I cannot even believe I have to tell you
this.” Jordy gave him a withering look, and Zach cringed inwardly.

“You aren‟t looking at the big picture here. Would you stop

going all Harlequin on me and look past the vague idea of „happily
ever after‟ to focus on the here and now?”

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24

Jordy plopped down on the bench outside their favorite shoe

store. “Fine. The here and now. Let‟s look at this critically,
m‟kay?” He held up one finger. “One—totally sexy, majorly
adorable, ridiculously nice guy who spends his days saving lives
and catching bad guys and being a legit hero is madly in love with
you. Two—… There is no two, Zach, Jeez, how is this a
problem??”

Zach knew Jordy was right. He did. But he‟d never been this

scared in his life. “What if I mess it up? What if I break his heart?”

“You won‟t. This is not some boyfriend du jour we‟re talking

about, here. This is Stevie. Officer Hotness. He is so not just any
boy.” Jordy grinned. “He‟s a man. Lucky bitch.”

Zach snickered. “Jealous.”
“You have no idea.”
Zach sighed, chewing on his thumbnail. “I know you‟re right.

But this is major. Like, big time stuff. You‟re right; he‟s not just
any other guy. He never was.”

Jordy turned slightly toward him on the bench, eyes eager. “So,

what‟re you going to do?”

Zach wasn‟t sure. He‟d never been in love before. But he was

going to have to learn. What did in love people do? “Well, I‟ve
caught him, even though I didn‟t mean to…so now I have to keep
him.” Which meant stepping up his game. That was going to take
some doing.

“How?”
Zach shrugged, giving Jordy a worried look. “I don‟t know.

But I‟d better figure it out.”

* * *

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25

“Momma?”
“Zachary! Oh, my goodness, hold on and I‟ll get your father…”
Zach smiled. “No, don‟t, Momma. I called to talk to you.”
There was a moment‟s pause on the other end that made his

heart clench a little.

“Oh. Oh, well, alright. How are you, dear?”
Zach bit back the sigh. Some things never changed, no matter

how much you wished they would. “I‟m good. Really good,
actually.”

“Do you need money, Zachary? I can get your father. You

know he handles all the finances.”

Zach let out the sigh this time. “No, Momma, I don‟t need

money. I‟ll talk to Dad after, but I really wanted to talk to you. Do
you have a minute?”

Finally, she seemed to relax a little and he could hear the faint

sound of a chair being pulled out. He could imagine her sitting in
the sunny kitchen back home in Texas, with Dad probably in his
“study” avoiding her. They loved each other, but Zach didn‟t know
how much they liked each other. After thirty-five years of
marriage, though, you just didn‟t walk away, at least not if you
were his parents.

“Of course, dear. Is everything alright?”
“Everything‟s fine, like I said. I just…” He took a deep breath.

“I met someone, Momma.”

Another moment of heavy silence. His parents hovered on the

line of acceptance because they did love him, but they still
harbored the hope that Zach would “snap out of it” and become the
son they had wanted.

“You have? Is he…nice?”
Zach smiled, fiddling with the fringe on the pillow in his lap.

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26

“More than nice. He‟s amazing. He‟s a police officer.”

“Oh! Is he? Well, that‟s wonderful, dear. I didn‟t know…” Her

voice trailed off, but Zach could finish the sentence in his head.
Didn‟t know gay men could be upstanding citizens like police
officers and firefighters and heroes. He bit back another sigh. Why
had he bothered to call?

“Yeah. Well, he is. And I think it‟s—No, I know it‟s serious. I

just thought, you know, that you‟d like to know. We‟re in love.” It
was something he felt ought to be shared with one‟s parents, right?

“I‟m happy for you, Zachary. I really am. He sounds like a very

good man. What‟s his name?”

“Stevie. Stephen.”
His mother laughed a little. “You and your nicknames. I‟m sure

a man like that doesn‟t enjoy being called Stevie, Zachary.”

Zach resisted the urge to snap. “He doesn‟t mind.” This was a

bad idea. He‟d halfway hoped for some kind of advice, maybe on
how to navigate this uncharted relationship territory, but he
realized now how ridiculous the idea was. His parents barely
spoke. What did his mother know about keeping a relationship
working? Even if she‟d wanted to give advice…when he thought it
was pretty clear she didn‟t. “I‟m sorry, Momma. I should go.” He
paused, then smiled sadly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, dear. You hold onto that man, Zachary. He

sounds like a catch. Take good care of him.”

Like he was some fifties housewife or something. Zach shook

his head. “Sure, Momma. Say hello to Dad for me.”

He hung up, feeling no better than he had before. Well, she‟d

given him some advice, anyway. Take care of Stevie. How do you
take care of a man who spends his days taking care of everyone
else? he wondered.

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27

* * *

Stephen frowned as he pulled up into his driveway, heart

kicking up at the sight of lights on through the front window of his
condo. He knew for a fact that he‟d turned off every light before
he‟d left this morning. He‟d gotten a massive electric bill just
yesterday, so he‟d been more aware than normal of shutting things
off.

So why were they on?
He grabbed his cell phone and dialed the dispatch office.

“Dispatch, this is Miranda. Stand by, I may need backup.”

He slid out of the car, shutting the door as quietly as he could.

The last thing he needed was a spooked intruder knowing he was
coming and waiting with a gun just inside his house. He
approached the front door slowly, reaching out to test the knob
silently. Unlocked. He didn‟t hesitate and reached down to unsnap
the clasp on his holster, though he didn‟t draw his gun yet.

As soon as he eased the door open, though, a rush of relief

went through him and he nearly sagged as the scent of food
cooking hit his nostrils and the sound of a very familiar voice
humming came from the kitchen. He reached into his pocket for
his cell phone, which still had dispatch on the line.

“Never mind, Kinsey. Everything‟s clear. Have a good night.”
He hung up and shut the door behind him, unbuckled his

holster and set it on the entryway table. “Zachary!”

A second later, Zach‟s smiling face appeared around the corner

of the wall to the kitchen. “Hi!” he chirped.

Stephen shook his head, affection rushing him. The boy drove

him fucking crazy, but goddamn, in such a good way. “Is there a
reason you‟re breaking and entering?”

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28

Then Zach stepped out into view, and Stephen nearly choked

on his own tongue. Buck-assed naked, wearing nothing but an
apron. Red and white polka dots with a sassy red ribbon at the
waist. Stephen swallowed hard.

“And you‟re naked. Why are you naked? Not that I don‟t like

you naked…”

Zach gave him a knowing smile. “You love me naked. And I‟m

not, by the way.” He turned in a full circle, revealing that he was,
indeed, not fully naked, but instead was wearing a pair of
scandalously tiny boyshorts that, Stephen was willing to bet, came
from the women‟s department. He‟d certainly never seen anything
so pretty hanging out next to the tighty-whiteys.

“I stand corrected.” He shook his head again and smiled,

coming forward to pull Zach in for a hug. “Sorry, you just startled
me is all. What are you doing here? Mostly naked?”

Zach had only been to his condo a few times. He claimed it had

no soul, which Stephen couldn‟t really argue with. He‟d never
done much to really make it feel like a home. It was a stark
contrast to Zach‟s tiny, but vibrant little studio apartment.

Zach grabbed his hand—the other was holding a spatula, of all

things—and pulled him into the kitchen. Which was…a disaster
area. Zach held up both hands in a placating gesture and offered a
charming smile. “Now, don‟t freak out. I‟m cooking you dinner!”

Stephen had no words. Zach, who he didn‟t think had ever

turned on the stove at his own apartment, was cooking. Cooking?
“Um…that‟s very sweet, but…why?” And should he call Poison
Control now or after the main course?

Zach gave his shoulder a shove. “Because I‟ve never cooked

you dinner before. And I thought I should. So I did!” He spun on
his heel and hurried over to the stove, where he poked the spatula

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29

at a smoking pot. “And I didn‟t break in, by the way. For a police
officer, you sure are predictable.” He pointed to the island
countertop, where the hide-a-key fake rock from his bushes sat,
getting dirt all over the place.

Stephen didn‟t know what to make of this. He didn‟t mind

Zach being there, in his kitchen, cooking for him when he came
home. It was really sweet, and a welcome change to the silence
that usually greeted him. He didn‟t even mind the mess, and he
sure didn‟t mind the vision Zach made almost naked—even though
that couldn‟t be a very safe way to cook.

He just didn‟t understand what had spurred it. Of course, he

really needed to stop trying to predict what Zach would or
wouldn‟t do next anyway. He was never right. The young man had
a habit of shoving him right out of his comfort zone and making
Stephen forget he had ever been reluctant to leave at all.

So he smiled and wiped the dirt off the counter, then dropped a

kiss to Zach‟s cheek. “Well, thanks. What are you making?”

“Pasta! Because I heard it was easy.” Zach‟s nose wrinkled,

and Stephen smothered a laugh. “I think I was lied to.” He turned
in a circle, scanning the room, then gave Stephen an exasperated
look. “Where‟s a big bowl to put the spaghetti in?”

He pointed to the cupboard beside the stove. “Up there. Here, I

can—”

Zach cut him off with a shake of his head, turning to fling open

the cupboard. “No, I‟ve got it!”

Stephen lifted his brows, watching in amusement as Zach

stared up at the bowl, which lived on the very top shelf. He waited
for Zach to ask for help, but instead, the young man stretched up
on tiptoes to try to get it, fingers wiggling as if he could make them
grow.

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“Are you sure you—” He cut off the question at the sharp look

from Zach.

“I just need something to nudge it is all.” Zach scanned the

counter and grabbed an unused spatula.

Uh-oh.
Stephen cringed as Zach stretched up again to swipe at the

bowl. “Not that this isn‟t fun for me to watch and all, but down this
path lies a broken nose or a broken bowl.”

“Nobody asked you! I can get it…jeez. You tall people…”
Stephen laughed. “Alright, if you need me I‟ll just be over here

ordering you a stepstool off Amazon.”

Zach let out a huff and finally admitted defeat, dropping the

spatula onto the counter. “It‟s pointless anyway. The spaghetti‟s all
ruined.” He gestured morosely at the stove, and Stephen got up to
look.

“It‟s not too late to order in,” Stephen offered, lifting his brows

at the clump of stuck together, not-quite-cooked spaghetti. It
looked like whatever water there‟d been had boiled away, and he
reached to shut the burner off as the spaghetti began to smoke
slightly.

Zach stiffened and shook his head. “No, I can do this. Let me

just get another pot…”

Stephen chuckled and caught him around the waist before he

could, nuzzling the side of his neck. “It‟s alright, Zach. I don‟t love
you for your cooking skills.”

Zach pulled out of his arms abruptly and spun on his heel.

“Then why do you?” he snapped. Immediately, his expression
changed from annoyance to worry and he rushed forward. “I‟m
sorry. I didn‟t mean to snap. I can do this, Stevie. I can cook you
one meal!”

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31

Stephen frowned. “I know you can…” He smoothed one hand

down Zach‟s bare back, concern filling him. What had gotten into
his wild boy? “What‟s wrong, Zach? Why all of a sudden the
desire to become a happy homemaker?”

Zach scowled at him. “I‟m failing at it, aren‟t I? Of course I

am, goddamn it.” He whipped off the apron and threw it at
Stephen. Of course, it was a wispy bit of ribbon and froth, so it
didn‟t have the impact Stephen was sure he‟d wanted and Stephen
simply caught it out of the air and then shut off the rest of the
burners before turning to follow his lover, who was stomping into
the living room.

“Zachary, since when have I cared whether or not you can cook

more than a bowl of microwave ramen noodles?” He was
completely lost and he didn‟t like the feeling.

Zach dropped onto the couch in a full-on sulk and chewed on

the side of his thumbnail. “Since you went and fell in love with
me, maybe!”

Was that what this was about? “What does me loving you have

to do with you cooking? I‟m not the only one in love here, you
know. I‟m pretty sure you said it back.” He remembered it clearly
and wasn‟t likely to ever forget it. His Zachary, clinging sweaty
and breathless to that filthy bathroom door, saying the words. It
was etched in his mind.

Zach just about deflated, which was not the reaction Stephen

had expected. Oh, shit. Was he regretting saying it? Did he not
mean it? Stephen‟s heart raced suddenly, trying not to think the
worst.

“I know, but that‟s not the point. I love you; how could I not?

But you loving me…that wasn‟t supposed to happen.”

Stephen sat down, mentally throwing his hands up. “I give up,

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Zachary. I have no idea what you‟re talking about.”

* * *

God, it had all made perfect sense earlier, but sitting here in the

moment, he felt like an idiot. And now he had to explain how
much of an idiot he was, as if Stevie needed more evidence of how
not loveable and good for him he was.

“I kind of knew I was going to fall in love with you, Stevie.

You‟re brave and smart and wonderful and gorgeous…a deaf,
blind mute would fall for you. I just wasn‟t…I don‟t know how to
be somebody someone like you loves.” His eyes burned and he
blinked hard to try to hide the unshed tears he refused to let fall.
“I‟m just me.” And how did that even remotely live up to the kind
of trust Stevie was putting in him, giving Zach his heart?

Stephen exhaled softly, reaching out to brush his hand over

Zach‟s hair. Zach couldn‟t help but lean into the touch. “Zachary,
„just you‟ is an amazing thing. How do you not know that? I was
pretty sure you knew that.”

Zach shrugged one shoulder. “I do, sort of. I mean, I‟m pretty

fabulous, of course, but that‟s not the same as being…” He
shrugged again. “Worthy.”

Stephen smiled a little. “So you thought you‟d cook me a meal

and become the gay Martha Stewart and…what, exactly? I‟d
realize I made the right choice falling in love with you?”

Oh, it sounded so stupid. “Don‟t make fun of me, Stevie.”
Stevie‟s smile faded, shaking his head. “I‟m not, Zach. I

wouldn‟t. It‟s just that you forgot one important thing.”

“What?”
“I didn‟t „choose‟ to fall in love with you in the first place. So,

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right or wrong, bad idea or not—and for the record I think it
definitely falls in the „right‟ and „not‟ categories—I love you. A
meal cooked in your underwear, while certainly appreciated,
doesn‟t change anything.”

Zach bit his lip. “I‟ve never loved anything, or anyone, longer

than a season, Stevie. It‟s like my attention span lasts only as long
as the last Prada collection,” he whispered.

Stevie straightened with an incredulous look on his face.

“That‟s not true.” He shook his head. “You and Jordy are the best
friends I‟ve ever seen. Are you telling me you don‟t love him?”

“Well, that‟s different. That‟s Jordy and—”
“And what about Mr. Mendez in the building next to yours?

You don‟t give a big fucking damn about him every time you bring
him that organic soup you know he loves, but can‟t afford? And
your parents, who you talk about when you‟re feeling blue and I
know you don‟t see as much as you wish. You don‟t love them?”

Zach squirmed a little. “Stevie, that‟s not what I meant. I

meant…”

“You‟re ignoring facts, and I‟m a cop, Zach, so I can‟t allow

that. Everything gets taken into evidence. You love, maybe more
than most. because you don‟t even realize you do it. And people
love you back so much the sun doesn‟t shine until you fucking
smile. Don‟t you know that?”

Zach thought about it for a minute. How much he did love

Jordy, who wasn‟t nearly as flighty as people assumed. And how
much he did miss his folks and love them, even though they still
sort of thought he was weird and possibly some kind of deviant
just because he was the gayest of the gay boys. And the other
people in his life—his friends at work and the people in his
apartment building he‟d gotten to know well over the past four

GAMES BOYS PLAY

34

years living there. Did all that count? Stevie said it did.

“Just because you‟ve never been in love doesn‟t mean you

don‟t know how to love someone properly, Zachary. Hell, I‟m not
exactly the authority on how to make a relationship last.” Stevie
cupped his cheek and gave him one of those heart-melting warm
smiles. “You better believe I‟m going to learn, though, because
I‟m not letting you go.”

“That‟s what I was trying to do, to learn, to do it…right…I

don‟t know. It doesn‟t seem to make as much sense now as it did
when I thought of it.” He felt a little foolish.

Stevie didn‟t laugh at him, though. Instead, he pulled Zach

closer and wrapped him all up in his strong arms, which inevitably
made Zach feel better. “I don‟t want you to cook unless you want
to. I don‟t want you to be anyone or anything but who and what
you are. Believe me, if I wanted a “happy hands at home” kind of
queen, I could go get one. I don‟t. I want you, with your burned
pasta and smudged makeup and hooker boots up to there.”

Zach couldn‟t help the smile, turning slightly to drape one bare

leg over Stevie‟s lap. He wiggled his toes and tipped his face up to
look at him. “I‟m not wearing those right now…bare toes okay?”

Stevie wrapped one big hand around Zach‟s foot, his thumb

stroking the sensitive arch. “Better than okay. Speaking of
okay…are we?” He looked so concerned, and Zach warmed up
inside. He nodded.

“Yeah. Better than.” He leaned in and caught Stevie‟s face in

both hands, kissing him long and slow.

So okay, he was in love. No, they were in love. Neither of them

really knew what they were doing, but come on, if anyone could
figure it out, it was the two of them. Even if they had to come up
with new definitions all their own. In fact, Zach liked that idea a

GAMES BOYS PLAY

35

hell of a lot.

He pulled back from the kiss and gave Stevie a cheeky grin.

“So, since the meal thing didn‟t work out, maybe I should stick to
what I do best. How about another trip to the park?”

F

AE

S

UTHERLAND

Fae Sutherland has always dreamed of being a published author,
starting her writing career off at age 11 with a series of stories so
bad only a 6th grader could have written them. She has since
progressed to more serious writing, though always keeping that
dash of irreverence and fun (and a hell of a lot more heat!).

Fae is perhaps best known for her many books co-written with
Marguerite Labbe. Between them they are the award-winning,
bestselling authors of multiple novels, novellas and short stories.
Fae also writes with Chelsea James. Currently, Fae is focusing her
writing on solo work.

When Fae‟s not working on new stories to make her readers sweat,
she spends her time on website design, spending too much time on
Twitter, and watching oodles of Food Network with her beloved
life partner. If there‟s any time left over, it‟s spent snuggling the
cat.

Find out more about Fae at http://faesutherland.com.

* * *

Don’t miss Gambling On Maybe

by Fae Sutherland,

available at AmberAllure.com!

When Phoenix police officer Stephen Miranda offers tipsy Zachary
West a ride home one Friday night, he’s just doing his job. He
doesn’t expect to unleash a glittery whirlwind on his orderly, very
homogenized life. From minute one, Zach is like nothing Stephen’s
ever known and like everything he’s secretly craved.

Zach doesn’t hide who he is for anyone’s comfort, even his own,
but for a chance at a man like Stephen, he’d be willing to be an
“undercover lover.” But while Stephen lusts after the vibrant man,
hooking up with a guy who’s never used his “closet” for anything
but fashion isn’t going to do his straight-acting routine any favors.

The sex is sizzling, no doubt, but Stephen wonders if there’s more
to his relationship with Zach that’s worth gambling on…

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