Unarm (Hooked Book 5) Read online

  Jace’s nervous-sounding chuckle brought a smile to Tyler’s lips. “You’re free labor.”

  If his intention had been to insult Tyler, Jace failed miserably. Tyler enjoyed their proximity too much. “I’ll be your workhorse, babe. Use me,” he begged.

  The back door opened and Tyler stepped back, freeing Jace. Jace skittered away, obviously still unsure of Tyler.

  “That’s okay. I love watching that sexy ass run away,” Tyler called at his back.

  Adam’s laughter filled the truck.

  A smile that felt evil even to him stretched Tyler’s lips. “Sorry not sorry,” Tyler said, since he figured he should.

  Adam shook his head. “I’m sure.”

  “Oh, hey,” Tyler said, almost forgetting his need to talk to Adam. “This is for you,” he said, holding out a small but powerful Taser. “Be careful. It delivers a punch, but I’d feel better if you had some type of protection while walking alone on the streets of New York.”

  Adam eyed the device. He clicked the safety off and pressed the button. Tyler was impressed when Adam didn’t startle at the loud zapping sound it made. He clicked the safety back in place and met Tyler’s stare.

  “Thank you. I admit this makes me feel better. May I ask you a question?”

  Tyler didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

  “Do you mean the things you say to Uncle Jace?”

  If it had been anyone else, Tyler might’ve been offended. Adam’s jade eyes held so much concern for the man who’d raised him, Tyler couldn’t ignore his fears. “I never say things I don’t mean.”

  Adam dipped his chin as if taking Tyler at his word. “That’s good. He’s been through a lot in the past few years, and he deserves someone nice.”

  “I’m not nice,” Tyler said, rushing to correct Adam’s assumptions. “I’m honest, but no—I’m not nice.”

  Adam winced. “That’s too bad. The last thing Uncle Jace needs is someone else who hurts him.”

  Adam tried stepping around Tyler, heading back for the house. Tyler refused to let him pass. “Wait. What’s that supposed to mean? I know Jimmy is—was—a heavy drinker, but he would never intentionally hurt anyone.”

  Adam’s face screwed up, showing his confusion. “I wasn’t talking about Jimmy. I meant Jace’s ex-husband.”

  “Ex-husband?” Even to Tyler’s ears, he sounded dead.

  Adam nodded. “I’m not surprised he didn’t tell you. Brad did a real number on his head, always cheating with someone and telling Jace how he might stay faithful if Jace wasn’t so fat. He loved telling him all about his extra-marital activities while stressing how no one else would ever want Jace because he was boring and ugly. It was sickening.”

  Tyler had a minute where his tongue wouldn’t work. Rage had him expecting a full-blown stroke at any moment. Thankfully, Adam didn’t seem to need him to hold up his end.

  “Anyhow, about two years ago, Brad made a comment about how grown up and sexy I’d become. It was almost funny the instant transformation Jace underwent. He walked back to their bedroom and gathered Brad’s stuff. He started throwing all of it in the yard and calmly telling him to get the fuck out. It was pretty badass.”

  The back door opened and Adam’s expression turned guilty. He slipped past Tyler and into the house before Tyler regained his wits.

  Jace stacked another box on the pile. Tyler pounced, spinning the man in his arms and capturing Jace’s mouth. To his surprise, Jace didn’t fight him. Instead, a moan vibrated from the man’s throat, caressing their entwined tongues.

  “I’m sorry,” Tyler said as he changed angles and came at the man again. His hands shaped the curve of Jace’s ass before his grip tightened on the perfect globes. He hauled the man closer. His anger needed a balm. “You’re seriously so goddamn sexy, I couldn’t resist. Tell me to stop before I scar your nephew for life.”

  “He’s a smart kid. He can cover his eyes,” Jace said before giving back as good as he got. The man’s fingers tightened on Tyler’s hair, making his scalp sting as Jace held him in place. “Fuck,” Jace said, sounding pained. “Now I’m uncomfortably turned on. You’re right. We have to stop.” Even as Jace made the claim, he nibbled on Tyler’s bottom lip.

  “Jesus, Jace. I’m convinced you’re fucking perfect. Can I keep you?”

  Jace pulled away at the question. “What?”

  Tyler smiled at the adorable confusion etching Jace’s features. “I want to be with you,” he said, trying a different track.

  Jace’s expression didn’t clear.

  A chuckle escaped Tyler. “I’m trying not to sound like I’m twelve while asking you to be my boyfriend.”

  A smile exploded across Jace’s face. “What? No paper for me to check yes or no?”

  “I could find one,” Tyler said, one hundred percent serious.

  “Are we finishing this sometime tonight? I need to be on the road by five in the morning,” Adam said behind them.

  Jace laughed as he stepped away from Tyler and headed for the back door. Tyler was hot on his heels, opening the door for him before Jace could do it for himself. “So you’re just going to leave me hanging here?” Tyler asked as they headed down the hall for Adam’s bedroom.

  Jace didn’t look at him again until after he grabbed a laundry basket filled with clothes. “I check yes,” he said, sweeping past Tyler as if he hadn’t changed everything between them.

  “Does that mean I can stay the night?”

  Jace tossed a wink over his shoulder. “You’re more than welcome to stay on the couch.”

  The game was on. So be it. Tyler would do whatever it took.

  *

  Jace’s face hurt from smiling. The stupid grin stretching his lips hadn’t slipped since Tyler asked to stay. Perhaps he’d enjoyed handing Tyler a pillow and blanket for his night on the couch a little too much. Now he stared at the darkened ceiling of his bedroom, worrying over the way Tyler’s feet hung over the edge of the sofa. Jace’s stomach muscles were tight with anticipation. Every creak of the house settling had Jace straining to hear if it was Tyler coming down the hall. Why was he doing this again? After twenty minutes of hoping Tyler would break the rules, Jace wondered who he was punishing.

  Jace made it forty-five minutes before he was out of bed. He’d just check on Tyler. After all, the man was way too tall for Jace’s couch. If Tyler was sleeping, Jace would head back to bed—no guilt.

  Tyler’s deep voice rumbled through the darkness. “Is everything okay?”

  Instead of answering, Jace kept moving until he reached Tyler’s side. He held his hand out for Tyler. “Come on, babe. You’ve got to work tomorrow and your back will be killing you all day if you stay out here.”

  Tyler grabbed his pillow and accepted Jace’s hand. “If that’s what you want.”

  Jace padded back to the bedroom with Tyler in tow. At the edge of the bed, Jace stripped down to his underwear and climbed in. Tyler set one knee on the bed, still wearing his pants.

  A laugh escaped Jace. “You don’t have to leave your pants on.”

  Taking him at his word, Tyler dropped his pants on the floor before crawling in next to Jace. “Should we build a pillow wall?” Tyler asked with laughter lacing his words.

  “That’s going to make it hard for you to hold me.” Jace slid closer as he made the claim. Tyler didn’t hesitate to open his arms for Jace. A deep sigh rose in Jace’s throat the instant his head hit Tyler’s chest. The man’s heartbeat thumped against Jace’s ear. It was the most soothing sound Jace had ever heard. He couldn’t stop rubbing Tyler’s stomach. It felt so soft beneath Jace’s palm. Tyler didn’t complain. Jace’s hand slid lower. Tyler’s fingertips traced a pattern down the back of Jace’s arm. While holding his breath, Jace dipped one finger beneath the band of Tyler’s underwear. He ran his finger along Tyler’s skin beneath the band. Still no protest came from Tyler. Jace dove in, finding Tyler hard. He palmed Tyler’s erection. Silky skin over hardened steel tempted Jace’s touch. Tyle
r’s breath hitched. Jace felt it against his ear. He bit back a smile as he slipped lower. The rough hair covering Tyler’s balls scraped the tips of Jace’s fingers. Jace lightly traced the thick veins in Tyler’s dick. Moisture touched Jace’s wrist, letting him know Tyler’s cock leaked from Jace’s touch. Jace couldn’t remember the last time he felt so empowered. The way Tyler struggled for air made Jace bolder. He fisted Tyler’s dick. His own cock soaked the front of his underwear in response.

  Tyler tolerated Jace for three strokes before drawing Jace’s hand away and holding it to his chest. “You’re making it real hard for me to pass your test.”

  As much as Jace wanted to deny this was a test, he couldn’t. Instead, he chose a different argument. “You passed when you stayed on the couch.”

  Tyler’s lips touched Jace’s temple. “Baby, you need to see I want to be with you without sex. I want to show you it’s you I care about. Not what I can get from you. I want you to trust me.”

  The honesty in Tyler’s voice not only had Jace’s throat swelling, it also had Jace giving Tyler the truth. “I’ve never been more terrified.”

  At the confession, Tyler rolled to his side, coming face to face with Jace. Tyler’s eyes sparkled in the dark. Jace could feel his interest, so he kept baring his soul. “The desire to feel your skin against mine is crippling, but what if you don’t call again afterward?”

  “You're proving my point,” Tyler said. “I want you to be ready and know in your heart I’m always coming back. You don’t believe in me yet. I need you to believe in me.”

  Without thought, Jace’s fingers skimmed Tyler’s stomach. It was as if he couldn’t get enough of touching Tyler—like he already trusted the man to keep him safe from his fears. “I don’t think this choking fear will ever go away until you make love to me and don’t disappear afterward.”

  “I won’t disappear,” Tyler said as he slowly leaned in. “You can stop me anytime. I won’t be mad,” Tyler whispered. His lips barely brushed Jace’s with the final word.

  Jace held still, waiting for Tyler’s next move. Their lips clung. With the slightest urging, Jace’s mouth opened for Tyler’s kiss as Tyler coaxed Jace onto his back. Tyler’s body covered Jace’s. He’d never experienced anything as sweet. It was like Tyler was taking him to the letter of his word, making love to him. Jace didn’t think anyone had ever been so soft with him. The man’s slow movements gave Jace the freedom to enjoy every sensation. The inside of his knee brushed the outside of Tyler’s hip as he lifted his leg. The base of his spine itched at the contact. Tyler’s short nails scraped Jace’s hip as he peeled Jace’s underwear from his body. Jace dutifully lifted his hips and let Tyler have the piece of clothing.

  “I hope you have a condom around here.”

  “Top drawer in the bathroom.”

  At Jace’s answer, Tyler slipped from the bed and headed for the bathroom. Jace tried not to squirm under the pressure of waiting for Tyler’s return. Tyler reappeared suited up and with a bottle of lube. Jace tried catching his breath without much luck. He heard the tube open and snap closed again before Tyler tossed it aside. Jace’s knees fell open as Tyler crawled between them. His lubed fingers stretched Jace’s asshole. Jace shamelessly rode the man’s hand. Pops of electricity caused his cock to twitch against his stomach. Jace had never been so attuned to every sensation.

  “You’re still free to stop me, Jace. Even if I’m inside you and you don’t want me anymore, I’ll stop and still come back tomorrow. And the next day,” Tyler added as he settled between Jace’s thighs. “And the day after that,” he said as he positioned his thick crown against Jace’s asshole.

  Jace gasped as Tyler pushed past the tight ring of muscles and sank inside him.

  Tyler’s body molded to Jace’s, and still Tyler’s promises kept coming. “In fact, I don’t think I can stay away ever again. You’ll have to be the one to tell me to go away.”

  Before Jace had time to say he didn’t have any such intentions, Tyler’s mouth covered Jace’s. Their tongues clashed. Tyler rocked forward. The motion was slow. Torturous. Jace never wanted him to stop. With his weight braced on one arm, Tyler moved inside Jace while palming Jace’s cock. Their lips met, clung, and retreated before repeating the pattern. They shared each other’s oxygen. It was a meeting of the souls. Jace’s eyes stung from the sweetness of the moment. He’d never felt more cherished. This man, he was every dream Jace had ever had. Tyler could destroy him. For Jace, the reward outweighed the risk. If his heart was destined to be crushed, Jace couldn’t ask for a better man to do it. He’d have this. Jace would always have this. All thought fled as his body braced for orgasm.

  “So beautiful,” Tyler whispered. “So perfect.”

  Jace’s slow burn became an inferno. A silent scream tore from his throat as an orgasm tore through him.

  “My baby,” Tyler said as he captured Jace’s mouth, seeming to savor the flood of cum squishing between them as he fucked Jace’s ass. Tiny noises vibrated around their entwined tongues as Tyler came. With every whimper, Tyler stole another piece of Jace. Even as they curled into each other’s arms and drifted off to sleep, Jace accepted the truth. He’d never find anyone like Tyler again.

  Chapter 4

  Jace hadn’t woken up in Tyler’s arms as he’d hoped. What he got was just as nice—Tyler had been awake, making breakfast with Adam. Together, they’d seen Adam off. Jace had never been more grateful for anyone’s company as he had been Tyler’s. He hadn’t expected Adam’s parting to hit him the way it had, but damn. Jace would miss Adam. His house was like a tomb now.

  Thankfully, Tyler kept showing up every night the minute he got off work. They ate together. Tyler took him to see where he lived and worked, in case Jace ever needed to find him for anything. They slept next to each other each night. It was nice. Every text, phone call, and visit had Jace feeling more and more secure in what they had. One thing he knew for certain, no one had ever made him feel the way Tyler did. Jace didn’t want it to stop.

  There were flowers waiting for him when he returned from going to lunch with Paige. He knew right away something was up by the way the receptionist kept trying to rush him back to his exam room. As soon as he spotted the vase overflowing with blooms, Jace’s heart had skipped a beat before racing to life again. They were lilies. Jace’s favorite. Since he’d never said as much, Jace’s smile grew to unrealistic proportions as he read the card attached.

  I almost sent roses, but they seemed too cliché. How ridiculous is it that I miss you already?

  –Tyler

  “Is he cheating on you already?”

  Jace hid his instant outrage behind a scoff. “What the hell kind of question is that, Paige?”

  After tossing her brown hair over one shoulder, Paige shrugged. “Only cheaters send flowers. Men never do anything nice like that otherwise.”

  “Okay,” Jace said, drawing out the word. “Well, until Tyler proves to be one of those people, I’ll enjoy my moment of happiness. I don’t get them very often.”

  Paige’s face fell. “I’m sorry, Jace. You know I’m just stressed out because Anthony hasn’t called.”

  Jace nodded while trying to listen as she ran through the entire story of how she’d met some guy on a dating app, slept with him, and now was shocked he hadn’t called or returned any of her messages. Honestly, Jace understood her rage. It was more that she’d told him the story already. Four times. He nodded, listening to it a fifth, because that’s what friends did. Jace already knew she didn’t need his input. As long as he nodded, she was fine to carry on with her rant, whether he was really listening or not. Generally, he always tried to care about Paige’s problems. Jace knew from experience that she didn’t want to hear his opinion.

  When he hit a point where he couldn’t listen to another word, Jace made his excuses before sneaking into the supply closet to text Tyler.

  Jace: I love the flowers. Thank you.

  Tyler: Would roses have been better? I’ve seco
nd-guessed myself all day.

  Jace: No. Lilies are my favorite. They’re beautiful.

  Tyler: I’m glad you like them. Missing you like crazy, in case you didn’t notice.

  Jace’s fingers hovered over the buttons. As hard as he tried not to let Paige get in his head, it seemed she always knew what to say to make him question everything good.

  Jace: Paige said only cheaters send flowers. LOL!

  He couldn’t help adding the laugh out loud, so—hopefully—he wouldn’t sound like he was questioning Tyler’s motives.

  Tyler: I wouldn’t know since I’ve never sent anyone flowers before, and I’m definitely no cheat. Sounds like she’s still mad at me if she’d say something like that and ruin your present.

  He had a point. Maybe Paige was still harboring some anger toward Tyler. After all, she wasn’t as forgiving of a person as Jace.

  Jace: Nothing could ruin this present. In fact, I think a gift such as this deserves a reward.

  Tyler: I’m listening…

  Jace: Nope. You have to come over tonight and find out for yourself.

  Tyler: I’m there. Have a good day, baby.

  He loved when Tyler called him “baby.” Jace stared at his phone, reading Tyler’s message several times before responding.

  Jace: You too.

  The rest of the day slowed to a crawl as Jace waited for the moment he’d be with Tyler again. A part of him wanted to kick himself for allowing his mood to revolve around seeing Tyler. The rest of Jace kept telling that small part to fuck off. Tyler was everything Jace had been looking for so long now. He wouldn’t screw this up by overthinking things.

  He ran by the grocery store on the way home and grabbed everything needed to make Tyler a nice dinner. It wasn’t a spectacular surprise or anything, but he hoped Tyler would see it for the gesture it was meant to be. Jace knew he worked hard and wanted to take care of him. Jace turned on the TV in the kitchen as he washed the vegetables for their salad. The news caught his eye.

  “Olivia Lucas, the seven-year-old girl who went missing last Wednesday after getting off the school bus, has been found dead.”