Unarm (Hooked Book 5) Read online

  “Tell me what I can do.” Jace already knew Tyler’s response. It was always the same.

  “You’re doing it.”

  Jace’s cell phone chirped, alerting him of an incoming text. He swallowed down his irritation over the interruption and checked his phone. In his heart, he already knew what he’d see, but he couldn’t ignore it in case it was Adam.

  Paige: This is message number 5. You can stop ignoring me now.

  Jace: I’m not ignoring you. Tyler just got home.

  Paige: Just now? No one works that many hours all the time. You need to start checking his phone. That’s some shady shit.

  Jace drew a deep breath through his nose before deciding he wouldn’t respond. He turned his phone off and went back to massaging Tyler’s scalp.

  Tyler released a happy sounding sigh. “Paige or Adam?”

  “Paige,” Jace said, trying to keep any emotion from showing in his voice.

  Tyler never opened his eyes. “Did you ever find out if Adam is coming home for Christmas?”

  “Yeah. He won’t get to stay long, but he’s flying in on Christmas Day and back to New York the next.”

  “That boss of his is no joke.”

  “Mmm,” Jace said noncommittally. Jace had his own thoughts about why Adam was reluctant to leave New York for long, but he had nothing to go on but his gut.

  “You think he’s met someone,” Tyler said, as if pulling the thoughts from Jace’s head.

  “That’s my guess.” Jace changed directions and rubbed Tyler’s temples. Damn, he loved the way Tyler felt beneath his fingertips.

  A line appeared between Tyler’s closed eyes. “I hope whoever it is knows I own a gun.”

  A low chuckle rumbled from Jace. “It’s sexy when you get all protective.”

  Tyler’s face smoothed and his lips curled into a gorgeous smile. Jace didn’t miss a single nuance. He barely blinked as he eyed every changing detail of Tyler’s expression. “I take care of my own.”

  Without thought, Jace bent and brushed his lips over Tyler’s. He didn’t try to deepen their kiss. The angle was too awkward, but he couldn’t resist those sexy lips a moment longer.

  “Mmm,” Tyler growled, reminding Jace of earlier lust. “How was your day, by the way?”

  Jace ran both hands through Tyler’s hair, leaving it standing on end. He smiled at the mess he made. Jace didn’t want to talk about his day but couldn’t avoid it forever.

  “Can I talk to you about something?”

  “Please,” Tyler said immediately. “It’ll give me something to think about besides this awful day.”

  Jace kept brushing his fingers through Tyler’s hair, and Tyler didn’t open his eyes. Those two details comforted him, allowing him to speak freely. “My boss offered me a job at the Nashville location today. More money. Less hours. That location is only open three days a week, and it’s this side of Nashville, so the drive wouldn’t be horrendous.”

  Tyler didn’t respond right away, but Jace knew he was the type of person who weighed every word before speaking, especially when it was important. “You sound like you want to accept.”

  “I do.”

  Dimples appeared at the corners of Tyler’s mouth, making Jace’s stomach cramp with need. “But?”

  Jace bit the bullet and let the words fly. “I’m not sure Nashville is far enough away for what I really need.”

  Tyler’s eyes opened. He rolled to his knees and wrapped his arms around Jace’s hips. His gaze searched Jace’s face, as if he could look hard enough and uncover all Jace’s secrets. “Question.”

  “Yeah,” Jace said, his voice coming out small.

  “Are you trying to get away from Paige?”

  Jace’s shoulders fell. He felt disloyal. “Yes.” He took a deep breath. Once it was out there, Jace couldn’t stop. “I feel like a complete douche for wanting to get away from her. She’s been my best friend for nine years, but…” A sound of total disgust escaped Jace. He couldn’t call it back.

  “She’s crazy and makes your life miserable.”

  “Yes.” The cry felt like vindication leaving his lips. Jace wasn’t alone. He wasn’t the only one who saw it. “Maybe it’s my fault. I’m the one who’s changed.”

  “For the better,” Tyler said, adding his thoughts.

  Jace didn’t slow. “But she’s so possessive and hateful. Do you know, she makes all these small comments about you and acts like she’s just making conversation, but really she’s undermining everything we have, and I hate it. Every morning, I drive to work, wondering how many more days I have to drive to work, because I can’t listen to another spiteful word. I know she’ll insinuate at least once you’re cheating on me, and that I’m failing her as a friend.” Jace held Tyler’s stare. He lowered his voice to a whisper because he was tired. “I’m not sure I can do it anymore.”

  Tyler’s gaze seemed to turn inward. Jace couldn’t look away from the way Tyler chewed his bottom lip as he mulled over whatever was inside his head. Finally, Tyler focused on Jace once more. “I have a confession too. I’m burned out.”

  Jace didn’t know what to say. He’d wondered for a while now how Tyler kept going all the time.

  “Tell me how to help,” Jace said, needing to do something.

  Tyler smiled. “Let’s run away together.”

  A bark of laughter escaped Jace. It died when Tyler’s expression never changed. “You’re serious.”

  Even though it hadn’t been a question, Tyler nodded. “Jimmy is married now, so he doesn’t need me here, making sure he doesn’t do something to get himself killed. Adam is in New York. We both raised other people’s kids, starting at a young age. I think we should just go and be us for a while.”

  Jace took the suggestion seriously. It wasn’t as if they couldn’t afford it. Tyler worked so much and he never spent any money. Jace’s dad had passed five years ago, leaving him everything. There was no reason they couldn’t take some time and just go.

  A slow smile pulled at the corners of Jace’s mouth. “Dr. Swanson already has someone lined up to take over my position in case I wanted the Nashville job.”

  “See? It’s fate,” Tyler said, sounding hopeful.

  “And I have always wanted to go to Australia.”

  Tyler nodded. “They have beaches there. I’m happy to plant my ass in the sand anywhere in the world.”

  Jace couldn’t believe he was considering this. “We really could just pick up and go, couldn’t we?”

  Tyler’s arms tightened on Jace’s waist. His smile grew as he nodded. It was the first time in a while Jace had seen the man this happy. That had him decided without further enticement, but Tyler kept talking. “If you’d like, and you’re serious, we can go tomorrow, before the stores close for the holidays, and change your number. We could be out of here before the new year.”

  Jace thought of one more thing before he agreed. “Do you really think you can give up having ‘Detective’ in front of your name?”

  “Absolutely. After all, you gave up your last name for me.”

  Butterflies stirred in Jace’s stomach. “Then let’s do it.”

  Tyler blinked as if he hadn’t honestly believed Jace would accept. His surprise slowly slipped from his features, replaced with a level of excitement Jace hadn’t seen since Miami. His gaze turned heated as it slid down Jace’s body. “I really have you now. All to myself. Damn. What should I do first?”

  An involuntary moan escaped Jace at the sex dripping from Tyler’s words.

  Tyler’s gaze sharpened. He licked his lips. “How horny are you after those two bottles of wine?”

  “Oh God,” Jace whimpered. “Want you so bad.”

  “How can I make it better?”

  Jace took the question seriously before answering, “I’m really hoping you’ll let me play with your dick.”

  Tyler’s face flushed. His lips parted on a pant. Jace’s dick leaked. “Let’s go,” Tyler said, pulling Jace to his feet.

 
; Despite his lust, Jace tried slowing Tyler’s progress to the bedroom. “Wait. You need to eat first.”

  “You’re all the feast I need,” Tyler said, dragging Jace behind him.

  That was a hard argument to counter, so Jace let Tyler have his way.

  *

  Tyler couldn’t get Jace to the bedroom fast enough. He knew from experience how Jace’s inhibitions went out the window after a few drinks. Sober, the man would do anything. Drunk, he’d do things that made even Tyler blush. They barely made it to the bedroom before Jace tore at the button of Tyler’s jeans. Tyler helped. He wanted skin-on-skin every bit as badly as Jace. While Jace peeled off his clothes, Tyler worked on his own. Before he could reach for Jace, once they were both nude, Jace dropped to his knees and took Tyler to the back of his throat. Tyler’s knees tried giving out. Jace was relentless. Everything about the man’s blowjob was perfection.

  Jace kept a steady pace and the right amount of pressure while taking all of him. He didn’t neglect any of Tyler’s hot spots. Jace massaged his balls and fingered Tyler’s asshole. All Tyler could do was fuck the man’s willing mouth and pray he could hang on, because he didn’t want to come this way. He loved being inside Jace when his orgasms hit. The way Jace’s ass would squeeze and tug, milking every drop of cum from Tyler’s body. Fuck. He loved that shit. Too late, Tyler realized he should’ve been trying to think of other things if he hoped to last. Jace’s throat tightened around Tyler’s cock. Tyler’s vision narrowed to a pinpoint as a spiral of ecstasy overtook him. He had to lock his knees as the first wave hit, filling Jace’s mouth with jet after jet of hot cum. Jace lapped away at that shit as if it was his reward for the day. Tyler couldn’t stop staring down at the bliss written in Jace’s features. Damn. There was no one else better than him. He was everything to Tyler.

  Still, this wasn’t how Tyler had wanted things to play out. “Just give me like two minutes, baby,” Tyler swore while running his hands through Jace’s hair. “I’ll be ready to fuck you like you deserve.”

  Jace’s eyes moved upward, meeting Tyler’s gaze. He smiled around Tyler’s cock but didn’t stop sucking. Tyler took a deep breath. He had a feeling he’d need strength. Before even he saw it coming, another wave of pleasure rolled over him, pulling more jets of semen from him. His hand shot out, finding the closest piece of furniture for support. Never in his life had that happened to him. Over the years, he’d heard men brag about multiple orgasms, but honestly, he’d always thought it was bullshit. Goddamn. He couldn’t catch his breath. His legs were fucking jelly and Jace was still fucking his ass with his fingers while licking away all evidence of Tyler’s orgasm. This man. Goddamn. He was a sickness. Tyler wanted to make him scream.

  Before Jace could do anything more to blow his mind, Tyler urged him onto his feet. He found the man’s mouth as he maneuvered him onto the bed. Getting inside Jace would have to wait for another night. Right now, he wanted to bring his man as much pleasure as possible. Jace needed to get on this level with him. His lips found Jace’s throat. He loved the way the cords in Jace’s neck felt against his lips. Tyler didn’t linger for long. He didn’t want to miss all the sexy, hard muscles Jace worked his ass off to keep. Damn, this man was delicious. Tyler had been to every fight the man entered since the first one Jace let him attend. It was easily the hottest shit Tyler had ever seen. Every single time, they came home and Tyler attacked the man, needing to taste the way his muscles flexed as Jace used his strength against others.

  Jace was such a conundrum. He was the sweetest person Tyler had ever met, but he fought like he was the meanest. There were no words to describe how hard that made Tyler’s dick. He tongued every muscle between Jace’s mouth and his dick. Once he reached the man’s cock, Tyler barely let his cheek brush Jace’s erection as Tyler kissed the man’s oblique. He knew the way his beard tickled would make Jace insane. Judging by how Jace writhed beneath him, Tyler had been right. His smile felt evil as he moved to Jace’s navel. Tyler licked a wet circle around it, once again, allowing his beard to tickle Jace’s crown. Jace yanked on his hair, trying to force Tyler’s mouth to his dick. Tyler chuckled against Jace’s skin. It sounded wicked even to his ears. Jace huffed and Tyler took mercy.

  In one quick motion, Tyler swallowed Jace’s cock. Without an ounce of regret, he also shoved two fingers inside Jace. He knew it probably stung, but Jace had already shown his hand a few times in the past. He liked it when Tyler hurt him. Of course, Tyler would never do any real damage to Jace. Just the thought of anything or anyone marring this beautiful man’s skin made Tyler want to kill someone. Saliva ran down Jace’s dick, giving Tyler some moisture to ease his entry into Jace’s ass. He added a third finger to the mix. He’d wanted to go slow and torture the man beneath him. Instead, Tyler couldn’t stop fucking Jace with his fingers, wishing it was his dick. His cock obviously agreed. Against all laws of nature, since it should be dead, his erection leaked onto the sheets, begging to be inside Jace. He wouldn’t give in yet. He needed Jace’s orgasm. Tyler sucked hard, determined to have it. Jace cried out. Hot cum filled Tyler’s mouth. He swallowed even as he crawled higher up the bed.

  Jace accepted Tyler’s bruising kiss, even with his tongue still covered in Jace’s semen. He probed Jace’s asshole, seeking entry. The tight ring of muscles gave way, and Jace’s body took over, pulling Tyler deeper inside. Tyler expected, since he’d come twice already, he’d last a long time, but no. Jace’s orgasm was a hard one. His body convulsed with it, tightening down on Tyler’s dick, threatening to hobble him even as it massaged another powerful orgasm from Tyler.

  Tyler tore his mouth from Jace’s. He couldn’t catch his breath. “Holy fuck. Goddamn, Jace. You’re fucking killing me. You’re so tight and hot. Fuck.”

  Jace had no mercy. He pulled Tyler’s head down and sucked his bottom lip. Tyler felt sure his lip would sport a hickey tomorrow that would be fun explaining to everyone at Christmas. He didn’t fucking care. Every nerve in his body was lit and dancing with joy. Tyler rode out the final waves before rolling to his side so he wouldn’t squash Jace. His gaze never left Jace. The man was a sensual feast for Tyler’s eyes. He didn’t want to give him up.

  “Goddamn,” Jace breathed, making Tyler want to pat himself on the back. “I fucking love you.”

  A smile exploded across Tyler’s face at Jace’s claim. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve this man, but he wouldn’t stop trying to earn him. “I love you too, baby.”

  “Holy shit. My head is spinning.” Jace’s eyes never opened as he made the claim.

  “That’s probably the alcohol,” Tyler said, making Jace chuckle. Tyler fucking loved that sound. Jace’s chest moved in time with every labored breath. Tyler would know. He couldn’t stop watching him. The movement finally slowed, falling into a steady pattern. It was hilarious how fast Jace went to sleep. Tyler was too pumped to join him. Watching Jace unimpeded was too much fun. Damn. He was in love with this man. Tyler couldn’t stop staring at Jace’s perfect features. His long lashes moved as if Jace was caught in a dream. The flush still tinting Jace’s cheeks had Tyler wanting to kiss the man awake. Jace would let him, but Tyler would feel like shit for not letting him rest. His giddiness level hit a new high with every passing second. They would soon be spending every waking second together. Tyler already knew he’d never get sick of being with Jace. They were one of those rare cases of love at first sight—a meeting of the souls. He’d found his other half. Now he just wanted to bask in it. He never would’ve dreamed Jace would be willing to leave his job for this.

  Tyler’s happiness dimmed a bit. Fucking Paige. He’d known she was an unhappy bitch, but he’d had no idea she’d been insinuating Tyler was a cheat. As if anyone else could please him after Jace. He couldn’t think of a punishment evil enough for anyone who tried harming Jace.

  The sound of glass breaking brought Tyler’s head up. He rolled to his side, trying not to wake Jace as he went for his gun. It wasn’t there. Son of a bitch. He�
��d left it on the kitchen counter. Jace kept a bat under his bed. It wouldn’t do him much good if their intruder already had Tyler’s gun. No way would Tyler let any harm come to Jace.

  After slipping from the bed, Tyler pulled on his boxers, snagged the bat, and sneaked from the room. Whoever was inside wasn’t trying to be quiet. Instead of heading straight for the rummaging in the living room, Tyler slipped through the kitchen’s side door. His gun was still on the counter. Moving as fast as possible, Tyler circled the counter. Before he made it to his service weapon, huge arms encircled him, squeezing his arm to his sides and the air from his lungs. Tyler touched his chin to his chest, gathering momentum before throwing his head back and cracking his attacker across the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t let this man win. Tyler’s heartbeat pounded in his ears. Adrenaline raced through his veins. He dropped his weight, throwing the man off balance and breaking his hold. The moment he was free, Tyler grabbed the gun. An instant before he turned on his assailant, lights exploded behind his left eye half a second before the pain hit. Tyler didn’t let the punch take him out. With the weight of his weapon filling his palm, Tyler’s heart slowed. His training set in.

  He pressed the gun to the man’s head. “Hands where I can I see them.”

  Once the dude realized he was at gunpoint, his hands went up. Tyler slowly walked backward and hit the lights.

  “Who the fuck are you?”

  “That’s my question,” Tyler said, refusing to back down an inch.

  “Brad,” the guy said, looking pissed as hell. “This is my house.”

  “The fuck you say,” Tyler said, but his mind reeled. This was Brad? Goddamn. No wonder Jace had a complex. Tyler thought he might be developing one too by just looking at the guy. He was huge. Tyler was six-two, and this dude towered over him. His arms were massive. Those things had nothing on his face. He looked like a fucking model. The only thing saving Tyler’s pride was the knowledge the man was ugly on the inside. Otherwise, those blue eyes would buy Brad anything. That was the kind of power that should only be used for good.