Love on the Rocks Read online

  “Riley…” Joe’s urgent tone made Riley look up at the handsome detective. “You’re gonna make me come and it’s been a while.”

  Riley grinned at him. “All the more for me, you mean.”

  “Riley…”

  But the young medic was back to sucking, faster and stronger now, his lips tight around Joe’s cock, causing Joe’s breath to heave in his chest. He clutched at Riley’s thick blond locks, trying to slow him down, but to no avail. Riley was determined, bringing Joe to completion as if it was the most important thing he’d ever do in his whole life.

  Joe’s orgasm churned in his balls, his body tense and shuddering under the onslaught of so much heat coursing through him. It was as if his blood was on fire. He groaned out loud and bucked his hips, driving his cock deeper into Riley’s mouth. Riley took it all, moaning around the pulsing flesh, and now Joe could hold back no longer. With a guttural cry, he threw his head back and gave in to the tumult of his climax as it ripped through him. He exploded into Riley’s mouth.

  Oh, my God!

  In the blackness behind his tightly shut eyes, a million lights burst in a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors, dizzying in their intensity. It took several long moments before his breathing returned to anything approaching normal. He felt wrung out, sated in every way possible. When he opened his eyes, Riley was still on his knees staring up at him, a questioning smile on his lips.

  “Was it good for you?” he asked.

  “Good?” Joe shook his head. “Incredible’s more like it. But what about you?”

  Riley leaned back and produced the evidence of his orgasm. His hand was covered in cum. “I came with you. ’Sides, no way with that shoulder can you get down there.” He stood and turned on the sink faucet to wash his hands. “And I can’t straddle you until it’s loads better.”

  Joe groaned at the visual Riley’s use of the word ’straddle’ brought him. “I’m sure we could manage something,” he said in protest.

  “But I want it to be comfortable for you, Joe, so you enjoy it too. We just have to wait, is all.”

  Joe got to his feet with an effort and, once he’d dried his hands, Riley put his arm around Joe’s waist to support him. “Think I need to put you to bed. You look a tad shaky.”

  “Is it any wonder? I just had the most mind-blowing blow job of my entire life. Never knew it could be that good.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” Riley chuckled, as he opened the bathroom door and led Joe into the bedroom, where a tail-wagging Barney awaited them.

  “Not kidding. Where did you learn how to do that so amazingly?”

  “Think it just comes naturally, if you’ll pardon the pun. I’ve always enjoyed giving head.” He tightened his arm around Joe’s waist and Joe tried to ignore the surge of jealousy that Riley’s words had stirred in him. Get a grip, he told himself. A looker like Riley was bound to have had a lot of boyfriends. Didn’t mean Joe had to like it, though.

  “So, bed, or would you like me to make a pot of coffee?”

  “Coffee sounds good, but I need to put some clothes on. Feeling a bit exposed, for want of a better word.”

  Riley smiled at him. “Of course. Will a robe do? I see you have one hanging on the back of the door there.”

  “Yeah, that’s good.” He bent to ruffle Barney’s ears. “Hi again. You looking for something to eat?”

  “I’ll fill his bowl,” Riley said, helping Joe with his robe. “And get the coffee brewing.”

  “There you go, being all angelic again.”

  Riley kissed Joe’s neck. “Anything for you, Joe.” Joe guided Riley’s lips to his own, their kiss long and deep. Enough to get Joe stirred up again and from the feel of the hardness being pressed into his thigh, Riley too.

  “Better see to Barney,” Riley murmured.

  “If you must.” Joe gave him a lopsided grin and let him go. He sat on the edge of the bed and listened to the sound of Riley’s voice as he spoke to Barney. This is nice… He’d never had another man in his house before, not even for a quickie, if he didn’t count the guys from the precinct he’d had over for a beer on occasion. No quickies there, of course. All but one were straight and Scott Reynolds, the other gay cop he knew, was tied to Jeremy for life, according to Scott. They’d been married for three years. Now, hearing Riley putter in the kitchen making coffee, still talking a mile a minute to Barney, it felt kinda right.

  Smiling, he lay back on the bed. Wow, more tired than I thought. He wondered if the doctor would consider what he and Riley had just shared unnecessary activity. Seemed necessary to me… He was barely aware of Riley coming back into the bedroom. He could smell coffee, but he was just too tired to open his eyes. A gentle kiss was laid on his lips, his robe was skillfully removed, the sheet and blanket covered him and he fell asleep.

  Chapter Seven

  He woke up with a start then a wince. Damn, that hurt. The room was in darkness, but he could sense a presence. A warm presence…a very naked warm presence.

  “You okay?” The whispered question so close to his ear gave him goosebumps.

  “Yeah, sudden moves like to remind me I was shot a week ago.”

  “Hope you don’t mind me keeping you company while you slept.” Riley slid a hand over Joe’s torso, making little circular motions with his fingertips that caused Joe to shiver with pleasure.

  “No, don’t mind, and you can keep doing that as long as you like.”

  Riley chuckled. “I was just about to get up and walk Barney when you stirred, but I can be persuaded to keep him waiting if you have something else in mind.” He swept his hand lower, brushing his fingers over Joe’s already hardening cock.

  Joe groaned. “Oh, but that feels good.”

  “Like me to tease it with my tongue?”

  “Riley…” Joe’s spontaneous reply was stymied by the shrilling of his cell phone. “Damn, better get that.” He grabbed the phone. “Brady.”

  “Thought you’d like to get the news hot off the press.” Romero, Joe mouthed at Riley.

  “What news is that?”

  “Bob Murdoch was arrested a half-hour ago.”

  “I’ll be damned. Where? How?”

  “Burbank. He was spotted by one of L.A.P.D.’s finest, who recognized him from the info we sent out. Bob was giving some worker in a 7-Eleven a hard time. Caught the officer’s attention who thought he looked familiar. He had Bob’s pic on his cell phone, called for backup right away, and Bob, like the idiot he is, went for his gun. The officer clocked him, knocked him on his ass and put the cuffs on him. They’re holding him at L.A. Central overnight and will ship him down here tomorrow. I figure you’d want to be present for his arraignment.”

  “You bet I do.”

  “Okay, I’ll call you in the morning when we’re ready.”

  “Thanks, Sarge. I appreciate you letting me know this quick.”

  “Okay. How d’you feel after your first day home?”

  “Great, even better now. Can’t wait to see Murdoch squirm.”

  “Take it easy, Joe, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.”

  “Bye, Sarge.”

  Joe lay back down on his pillow with a happy grunt.

  “Good news, I take it?” Riley asked.

  “The best. They caught that fucker Murdoch, the jerk who shot me and that kid. Never thought they’d find him so quick. Seems I gave him far too much credit for being smart enough to avoid arrest.” He smiled at Riley. “I think that in addition to saving my life, lookin’ after me and Barney, you’re also my lucky charm. I was not looking forward to having to track that asshole down, and now I won’t have to. Just nail him with my statement. So many charges against him, he should be gone for at least thirty years.”

  Riley’s return smile held a hint of mischief. “So, how about a celebratory blow job?”

  “Wait, I need to do something for you.”

  “Later, when you’re able to move without hurting. Now…” He slid his lips the length of Joe’s torso. “Just
relax and enjoy.”

  * * * *

  Riley’s first job when he got home with Barney was to take Champ out. He’d stayed over at Joe’s house longer than he had originally intended, but it had been pretty special. He was already beginning to feel more than a passing attachment to the hunky detective and couldn’t wait for him to be just a tad more mobile so they could really get into some hot man loving. He laughed lightly to himself. He had gotten over his doubts as to whether this was a good idea or not. So far, being with Joe felt good, not stressful.

  Even in the first few weeks of his relationship with Miles, he’d felt as if he were treading on glass. Miles was a neat freak and had been sharply critical if Riley had left a magazine out of place or forgotten to put the toothpaste tube in its holder. He could become quite manic at times over the slightest thing to displease him.

  Jeez, why did I ever put up with that shit? At the time it had just seemed the easy way to keep the peace, even if it gave him an upset stomach and a headache that wouldn’t quit. He didn’t know Joe very well yet, but he had the idea that the detective was not the nagging kind, that any flaws he found in Riley wouldn’t send him into a quivering rage. And, oh, boy, can that man kiss. His lips still tingled from the pressure of Joe’s mouth on his, or maybe from the two blow jobs he’d given the detective. Either way, he was feeling pretty darned pleased with himself as he opened the door of his apartment.

  They’d decided that Riley should keep Barney for another couple of days until Joe could get around better and take him for walks. Champ greeted them both with frantic tail wagging and little woofs of pleasure. “Sorry I’m late, buddy.” He slipped on Champ’s lead and led the dogs outside. There was a small park a block from the apartment where he let Champ gambol and chase squirrels. Thankfully, he’d never caught one and at the speed those little critters could move it was probable he never would. And tonight, with Barney there to play with him, Champ had no interest in the squirrels.

  His cell chimed and he grimaced when he caught the name on the ID screen. Miles. What the heck does he want now? “Hi, Miles, what’s up?”

  “Just checking in with you. I thought I’d come down Saturday and take you to dinner.”

  “Oh…” No asking are you free? And didn’t I already say no to dinner, but just coffee maybe? “Uh…”

  “Why the hesitation, Riley?” Miles’ tone changed from warm to the one Riley remembered so well when his ex was displeased with him, his short fuse so readily on display.

  “Well, Saturday is only two days away and I’m kinda busy right now. You could’ve given me more of a heads-up, Miles.”

  “I see.” The tone now held a decidedly frosty edge. “Well, if you’re too busy.”

  “And I did say just for coffee, if you recall.”

  “So do you have time for just coffee on Saturday? What’s your schedule like?”

  “Uh, I’m working day shift till six…and uh, I have plans for the evening.” He wasn’t sure if that was true. He and Joe hadn’t made plans, but Miles didn’t need to know that.

  “You don’t get a lunch break?”

  “Well, sometimes that’s kind of iffy. Brett and I usually just grab a sandwich when we can.”

  “Who’s Brett?”

  “He’s our team leader. We go on calls together.” Riley was over the inquisition. “Listen, Miles, it’s just not convenient right now. Let me call you when I have a couple of consecutive days off and I can come up and have lunch with you in L.A.”

  “When’s that likely to be? You sound as if you don’t want to see me!”

  I don’t… “No, it’s not that. I’m just tied up with work and, uh, some personal stuff.”

  “So you are seeing someone?”

  Riley thought about his day with Joe. A guy so unlike Miles they could be from different planets. “Yeah, I guess I am.” He tried not to sound too happy about it, but he must have failed because Miles’ voice dropped in volume as if he’d had all the air sucked out of him.

  “Okay, Riley. I won’t trouble you again.”

  “Miles, wait.” Now he felt bad. “You’re not troubling me. It’s just that with my schedule and all it’s hard for me to plan ahead sometimes.”

  “Of course it is. Well, call me if you can fit me in somewhere, sometime.” The snippy tone was back, along with the sound of silence as he hung up.

  “Damn.” Riley kicked at a stone on the path in front of him. “Hey, guys, let’s go home.”

  Miles sure knew how to sour what had been one of the more pleasant days in Riley’s memory. He had an uneasy feeling that this wouldn’t be the last time he and Miles talked. As he fastened Champ’s and Barney’s leads to their collars, Riley figured maybe he should catch the bull by its horns…go up to L.A., have lunch or whatever with Miles, and make it clear once and for all that he was not interested in a reconciliation, other than perhaps the occasional conversation or cup of coffee—if they happened to be in the same place at the same time. Unlikely, but that was the way he’d prefer it. He just did not want to go through another round of Miles’ bitter criticisms and awkward silences.

  No thank you very much!

  * * * *

  Joe was awakened by a rapid knocking on his front door. He turned bleary eyes to his alarm clock. Shit, eight-thirty already. He pushed himself out of bed, struggled into a robe then ambled into the hallway. He yanked the door open, surprised to see a very petite black lady staring up at him.

  “Yes?”

  “Good morning, Detective Brady.” She gave him a big smile as she breezed past him into the hall. “I’m your home nurse, Julaine Harris.”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess, but I was expecting a guy, I mean male nurse for, you know…”

  “Don’t worry, and don’t be shy. Nothing there I haven’t seen before.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “So, first things first, I gotta fill out this form, then take a look at your wound, make sure it ain’t festering, that kind of thing.”

  “It doesn’t feel too bad.” He’d been hoping Riley could take a look when he came over, but he didn’t know what time that would be.

  “That’s good. Okay, sit, get comfy and answer me some questions.”

  “Okay.”

  Joe sat and listened while Julaine droned on about her duties, what she could and could not do, and telling him if there were any problems when she wasn’t around he should call nine-one-one right away. When they’d finished with the Q and A she asked, “So, on a scale of one to ten, how’s the pain right now?”

  “I’d say about a seven, but I haven’t taken any meds yet.”

  “Okay, let’s take a looksee, then you can have your meds.” She began unstrapping the bandages that held Joe’s arm tight to his chest. “So, you were shot, huh? Had to have hurt.”

  Joe chuckled. “You could say that.”

  “They catch the bum that did it?”

  Joe nodded. “My partner. They just caught up with him last night. He should be in the O.C. precinct today.”

  “Your partner?” She tutted under her breath. “What a douchebag.”

  Joe chuckled again. “Even worse than that…” He winced as Julaine lifted the dressing from the wound.

  “Yeah, it sticks some, but it looks good and clean. Whoever closed you up did a good job. Lean forward so I can check your back. Mmhm, not bad at all, sugar. You should be able to wear a simple sling in a few days.”

  “Good to hear,” he said, thinking of how much he wanted to hold Riley in his arms. “How long before I can use my arm, d’you think?” Again he was thinking of Riley and what he wanted to do to him once he was in the clear.

  “Mmm, bit longer. Usually takes a few weeks of physical therapy, but you’re a fit young man.” She giggled. “I’ve already checked out your muscles, so maybe sooner for you.”

  Joe laughed. “You supposed to flirt with your patients?”

  “No, but don’t you worry, I have a fine man at home to take care of me. ’Sides…” She
gave him a mischievous look. “Don’t think you’d be that interested in a woman’s wiles, mmm?”

  “Uh…” Wow, her gaydar must be on extra-sensory mode.

  “Don’t mind me, sugar. Now, let’s get you wrapped up again.”

  “I need to take a shower. Can you cover this with some plastic?”

  “Sure thing, and I’ll wait for you to finish and take it off. Don’t be shy,” she added, seeing Joe’s hesitation. “I won’t peek.”

  The shower was okay, but he missed Riley’s help with the drying. Wielding the towel with one hand was awkward as shit…and no way was he going to ask Julaine for help. He did the best he could then struggled into a pair of lounge pants and presented himself to her so she could remove the plastic covering.

  After Julaine left with a promise to return the following morning, he realized he hadn’t offered her a cup of coffee or a soda. “Gracious host you are not,” he mumbled, “but speaking of coffee.” He headed for the kitchen and the coffee machine.

  * * * *

  Romero called later that morning to inform Joe that Murdoch had been transported to Orange County and was currently being held in the precinct’s jailhouse.

  “Can you get down here in about an hour?”

  “I’ll need a ride.”

  “Okay, I’ll send Baldwin up to get you. Your buddy Reynolds is out on a call. You feeling okay?”

  “Never better,” Joe said, chuckling. “But don’t expect any hand-springs from me for a while.” Joe grinned at the silence that followed. “That’s me being whimsical again, Sarge.”

  “Oh, okay. Expect Baldwin in about a half-hour.”

  “Thanks, see you later.” Man, he really needs to buy a sense of humor. Joe pocketed his cell phone as he sat by the window waiting for his ride to the precinct, the pain in his shoulder a reminder that regardless of how much he wanted to get back in the action, he’d have to be sensible and not push it.