Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

peck, before bumping over and down the eight pack and disappearing into the low-riding shorts. He thought that maybe he was drooling. Knew for sure he was staring, but couldn't help himself. Samael was a wet dream come to life.
    The sex god cleared his throat, which brought Bran's gaze back up to indigo eyes, sparkling with humor. His lips twitched and he repeated, "Are you alright?"
    "Huh?" Brandon looked at the phone still in his hand. "Oh, yeah, I mean… no. I don't know."
    He buried his face in his hands, trying to think of what to do next. It was obvious that he wasn't going to get the money from Chris. Twenty-four hours was not a lot of time, and twenty thousand dollars wasn't chump change. Who could he call? No one he knew had that kind of money lying around, and they wouldn't give it to him if they did. Shit!
    Bran felt a hand land on his shoulder, and peered over to see his guest seated beside him on the couch, face full of concern. "What's going on?"
    He put his head back down again. He didn't even know this guy, and didn't really want his business out in the open. But honestly, what could it hurt? He would be dead soon if he didn't deal with it. Maybe Sammy boy could help him figure out how to fix his little problem. Two heads were better than one after all.
    Sighing, he sat up and turned toward his new friend. "I'm in crazy-big trouble, and I don't know what to do."
    The man grunted, "Sounds familiar. What kind of trouble are you in?"
    "The guy I was dating got busted with drugs, and was charged for possession with intent to sell. The dude, Chris, called me to bail him out of jail, promising me that he would pay me back, but I didn't have that kind of money, man. It was insane." Bran ran his hand through his hair, and then flicked his neck so the bangs covered one of his eyes again. "So, he told me to call the man he got the drugs from, said he would loan me the cash." He could hear the bitterness in his voice, loud and clear. "Convinced me that he had it and would pay it back no problem. And I believed him."
    "I am assuming he lied?"
    "Yeah. Yeah, he did. I had a week to pay it back. The second day Chris was out, I went to get the money. Found him in bed with two groupies. Not one, but two. So, he double cheated on me, I guess." Bran shrugged and loosed a self-depreciating chuckle. "When I looked surprised, Chris laughed in my face. He asked if I actually thought he was faithful, then cringed and said that was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard."
    Brandon could still hear him in his mind. "Me? Come on, Bro? With all the fine ass I get thrown my way, I am supposed to… what? Give it up? For you?"
    "When I asked him to pay me back, he laughed again and practically threw me out. I haven't been able to get it from him, and don't think I will."
    Brandon flinched at the light touch of fingers on his bruised cheek. "I am assuming that the man you borrowed the money from, came to collect and did not leave it with just humiliation. He gave you this?"
    "They. There was three of 'em." He observed his guest, and watched as anger, severe fury, spread across Sam's features. He backed away as Sam jumped up, like the couch had burst into flames under his ass.
    "Cowards! Gutless, spineless cowards!" Samael was pacing the floor in front of him, fists clenched, jaw muscles pulsing. "You are no warrior that you could take on three men."
    Ummm, what?
    "You know what? Don't worry about it. I'll figure somethi…."
    "No!" The big man interrupted. "You're a good man. You don't deserve this. You're a helper. Backing that scum you called 'boyfriend', aiding me, a stranger you knew nothing of." Samael's hands were now flinging around in agitation as he spoke, making Bran more and more nervous. Before he knew it, he was huddled in on himself in the corner of the couch, cowering.
    "Those who help others in need, without any gain for themselves, are more precious than gold. They are as rare as a pure, flawless diamond." He turned to Bran as he said this, and as Brandon watched, the anger left and his shoulders slumped.
    ****
    Shit! Samael had scared his rescuer. He had not meant to, he was just so angry! Angry at his exile, furious about Brandon's situation; frustrated that just because you were good, loyal, and true, did not mean that you received your due. It didn't protect you from being wronged, from getting the short end of the stick. Life happened, no matter who you were. It had its ups and downs, and sometimes even