Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

the lights were on and he could see Lucas walking around. Through the open window blinds, he could see he wasn't wearing a shirt. Gabe couldn't believe Lucas's careless behavior.
    "He's just begging to be robbed…or worse," he mumbled to himself.
    Lucas didn't live in a bad neighborhood, but crime could happen anywhere. Upset at Lucas for acting so thoughtlessly with his own safety, and angry at himself for caring, the hairs on his neck stood on end. He'd just gotten off a ten hour shift and here he was worrying about another human being. Becoming a police officer, then a detective, was his dream come true, but just for once he wanted to be able to turn off the protector persona for just a little bit.
    Taking a deep breath, he opened the car door and walked up the sidewalk that led to Lucas's front door. The soft sound of jazz hit his ears. He climbed the front steps of the small one-story home and knocked loudly on the door.
    It was only a moment before he heard Lucas coming toward the door. He couldn't help staring at the man as he came closer. Lucas had his light blue T-shirt thrown over his shoulder and as he got closer, he pulled the material over his head.
    Gabe swallowed deeply at seeing Lucas's naked chest. The muscles rippled as he tugged on his shirt. Smooth skin, no hair except for a dark, blond treasure trail leading below his waistband. God, he'd love to get on his knees and lick, kiss, and suck Lucas. To hear him call him his good boy one more time.
    "Hey there, stranger." Lucas smiled as he opened the door. "Call me crazy, but I knew your detective skills would lead you to my doorstep."
    He cleared his throat. "I'm glad you have faith in my detecting skills."
    Lucas laughed and the sound sent chills down his spine. Everything the man did seemed to lift him higher and higher. He wanted to please Lucas, but why? He barely knew the man. But deep down, it didn't matter. There was something about Lucas Jacques that called to something inside himself.
    "Well, I do." Lucas led him toward the kitchen. "Plus I had a backup plan if you bailed on me."
    "Oh yeah, what was that?" He had a feeling he knew what the answer was going to be.
    "I was going to call Eric and get your address." As they reached the kitchen table, he turned to face Gabe. "You can't hide from me, Mr. Edgerton. No matter how hard you try, you can't deny the connection we share."
    He couldn't speak. The boldness Lucas possessed was arousing. So confident and so sure of himself. Gabe desperately wanted to see what else he could be bold at.
    "Oh yeah." Lucas turned back around as he started to walk away. "Please remove your shoes. Just set them on that square piece of carpet right by the door."
    He laughed to himself as he toed off his shoes and put them aside.
    "What's so funny?" Lucas asked.
    "My mother used to make me do this. Always said it kept the carpet from getting dirty and worn out before its time." He cleared his throat as memories from so long ago choked him up.
    Lucas reached out his hand and caressed the side of his face. Gabe closed his eyes and welcomed the distraction.
    "Let's eat."
    And just like that Lucas stepped away from him and went about putting the food on the table. His touch was gone, but Gabe could still feel the warm, smooth fingers, as if Lucas had branded his skin.
    "Hope you like grilled chicken, broccoli, and baked potato."
    Gabe took his seat. "Sounds good. I'm not too picky." He chuckled. "It's rare for me to have a home-cooked meal. I usually get take-out or microwave something."
    Lucas dropped a foil-wrapped potato on his plate. "Well, not tonight." He watched as Lucas moved around the kitchen, coming back with drinks. Finally taking his seat, Lucas stared into his eyes. "I'm really glad you came over, Gabe."
    "Me too." And he really was.
    He was surprised how well dinner went. Lucas was a funny guy. He loved to talk and Gabe loved to listen. Hearing about his work at the hospital was interesting. The stories Lucas told about his job—some good, some bad—all had the same underlying theme. And that was that Lucas loved his job and, most of all, the patients he met and took care of. He was quite the amazing man in Gabe's eyes.
    The longer Lucas talked, the more his deep voice tickled at Gabe's soul, causing him to never want to leave the man's presence. He knew that was crazy. People left, and when they did they left nothing but loss and heartache in their path. Gabe wanted to get to know Lucas better, he