Chapter 2

  He was cursed. He had to be.

  Laz pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes, and summoned patience. Clearly the universe was against him. The day had started out so promising. The weather had been gorgeous, the brilliant blue sky filled with perfect white fluffy clouds, the heat bearable, and the beach scarcely populated. The art director, Esteban, had been on time and so had the stylist, Emily, the hairstylist and Laz’s friend, Fitz, and Vic, the makeup artist. The models had been ready with minimal hassle and almost on time, which was an improvement from the usual. Then Esteban smiled at one of the models, and everything went to hell.

  It wasn’t a friendly smile. No, it was an “I can’t wait to get you out of that wet Speedo” smile, one that made it clear the two were intimately acquainted. It wouldn’t have been a problem had two other models not witnessed said smile. Two models who’d been on the receiving end of that very look earlier that morning. Damn it, why couldn’t they keep it in their pants? Or Speedos.

  After spending half an hour defusing the situation, the weather turned against him as well, with a breeze strong enough to whip against his equipment. Esteban was hiding behind Emily, Fitz and Vic kept trying to one-up each other, and the models were competing for the title of world’s biggest diva. Perfect.

  “Let’s take a break,” Laz announced, finally looking up and spotting several of the models smiling coyly at someone somewhere behind him. He turned and his heart lurched to a stop, or so it felt. Jesus, the man was something. Not the kind of gorgeous some would use to describe the models he was currently working with. But a different kind of beauty, one that encompassed the man both inside and out.

  Russell “Red” McKinley was handsome, no doubt about it, but it was everything else that made him stunning. Yes, Red had an incredible body, his muscles bunching and straining beneath the gray T-shirt as he walked, his broad shoulders and wide chest tapering down to a trim waist. He was sexy as sin, but also kind of adorable. Something about his soulful, hooded hazel eyes mesmerized Laz, but it was Red’s smile that always stole his breath away. Laz loved how it reached his eyes, forming little creases at the corners.

  Red stopped in front of him, his boyish grin kind of shy as he removed his baseball cap and ran a hand through his hair. “Hey.”

  “Hi.” Laz couldn’t help his wide smile, or the way his heart skipped a beat. Being so close to Red made him feel light-headed. The breeze ruffled Red’s already tousled auburn hair, and the sun made his freckles more prominent. Laz wanted to kiss each one. “What are you doing here?”

  Red motioned behind him, where Ace was talking to Officer Cooper. “Mason’s a friend. Ace was bringing him breakfast.”

  “That’s nice of him. Officer Cooper’s been really patient with us.”

  “Yeah, Mason’s a great guy.” Red placed his cap back on his head before shoving his hands into his pockets. Was he nervous? Laz certainly was. “It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you too. How have you been?”

  “Good. Supposed to take it easy, nothing too strenuous, but other than that, I’m feeling right as rain.” He smiled at Laz, and Laz could have melted then and there. Red’s face flushed pink, and Laz wondered if it was a result of the sun’s heat against his fair skin or something else. He secretly hoped it was the latter.

  “I’m glad. I’ve been worried,” Laz admitted.

  Red’s smile widened. “Yeah?”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I didn’t want to be a nuisance.” Things between them had been going so well, the last thing he’d wanted was to overstay his welcome. When the rest of the Kings, Jack, and Joker arrived at the hospital to see Red, Laz felt like he was intruding. He’d also felt a little intimidated being in a room full of men who’d sacrificed so much, who despite no longer being in the military still risked their lives to protect others. What could he possibly offer a man like Red? Laz had slipped out of the room and hadn’t called since, too embarrassed by his cowardly retreat.

  “I would never think of you as a nuisance. I’m sorry I worried you, but at the same time, I’m kinda glad to hear it.”

  Laz’s heart did a flip. “You are?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “I should have called. After everything, I just took off. You must have thought I was an asshole, disappearing like that.” Laz looked away, his face burning from embarrassment.

  “Hey.” Red stepped closer and placed his fingers gently beneath Laz’s chin, turning his head so their eyes could meet.

  This time the heat in Laz’s face had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with Red’s proximity. His stomach was full of butterflies, and he struggled not to drop his gaze to Red’s lips. What would his lips taste like? How would it feel to have those big, strong hands caressing his body? He knew from experience how good those arms felt around him. How would the rest of him feel? Okay, get it together. The guy’s being all sweet and understanding, and you’re thinking about jumping his bones.

  “You were there when I needed you, and I won’t forget that. Ace said you were really upset when you saw me. I’m sorry I scared you.”

  “Scared? I was terrified.” Laz swallowed hard, thinking back to that horrible night, and the fear he felt knowing he might never get to see that smile again. “When I saw you lying there covered in blood, I thought you…. There was so much blood.” He closed his eyes, allowing himself to be pulled into Red’s embrace.

  Laz wrapped his arms around Red’s waist and let his head rest against Red’s chest. No one had ever made him feel so at ease. How was that possible? He didn’t know all that much about Red, only what he’d experienced while at Colton’s, and what he’d learned from online articles about the four Kings. His browser history made him look like a stalker. The thing was, as much as he liked Red, all of it was too perfect. Laz knew better than to fall for illusions. There was no such thing as perfect, and anyone who appeared too good to be true was hiding something.

  “It’s okay. Everything’s okay now.”

  Laz nodded. His stomach rumbled, and he let out a self-conscious laugh as he pulled away. “Sorry. I haven’t had anything to eat since four this morning.”

  Red’s brows drew together in concern. “Are you due for a break soon?”

  “I can’t. We’ve fallen behind, and—”

  “You promised me you’d take care of yourself, Laz.”

  “And I have been,” Laz promised. Coming from anyone else, he might have been annoyed at being fussed at, but Red had been the first to call him out on his stupidity. With sweet words, he made Laz realize what he’d been doing to himself because of Bryan.

  Laz had been underweight and unhealthy, believing Bryan when he said Laz needed to lose weight or no one would want to hire him, how he looked bloated and was always stuffing his face, despite the fact Laz had already been skipping meals. It was a misconception that models didn’t eat, when in truth, many of the models he worked with enjoyed food. They simply made sure to eat healthy with the occasional cheat day. Bryan and his friends were not those models, and they sneered at anyone who didn’t “sacrifice” what they did for their beauty. Somewhere along the way, Laz had allowed himself to feel ashamed of eating. His poor nutrition habits and severe work schedule had started to take a toll on his body and health without him even realizing. Until the day of his party at Colton’s house, where he’d met Red.

  They’d only just been introduced when Red challenged Bryan, who’d been having a go at Laz for daring to eat something. Red called Laz gorgeous but expressed his concern at how underweight Laz was for his height and build. After that, Red had taken it upon himself to look after Laz and make sure he was eating properly and not skipping meals. He never came off preachy or condescending, his concern genuine and sweet. Thanks to Red, Laz was now at a healthy weight, and felt so much better than he had in a long time.

  Red tapped away at his phone, then handed it to Laz. “Tell me what you’d like, and I’ll go get it for you.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Bibi’s is two minutes away. It’s not a problem.”

  “You really don’t need to.” The butterflies in his stomach fluttered wildly when Red smiled playfully and winked at him.

  “I know. But I want to.”

  “Okay.” Laz scanned the menu, his mouth watering with each description he read. He picked a breakfast sandwich since it would be easier to eat on the beach, and an iced coffee because he could really do with the caffeine. The iced part was a bonus.

  “Do you want to ask around, see if anyone wants anything?”

  “Thanks, but Esteban’s assistant takes care of everyone else. She has enough on her plate, so I didn’t want to take up any more of her time with a food run just for me.”

  “You don’t have an assistant to take care of you?” Red asked, his expression concerned.

  “Can’t afford one. Not yet. But I should be able to hire someone part-time soon.”

  Red nodded his understanding. “Be right back, then.” He was off before Laz could reach for his wallet. Laz watched him go, his eyes following Red’s muscular form. Red’s T-shirt was rucked up and caught in the waistband of his shorts, leaving Laz with a spectacular view of his ass.

  “Good God. Please tell me you’re letting that man do filthy things to you.”

  “We’re just friends,” Laz murmured, feeling his face heat. Quickly pushing Red from his thoughts, he turned to narrow his eyes at Fitz. “What’s going on with you? Esteban said windswept. Why does Lonny look like he can stab someone with his bangs?”

  “Funny,” Fitz muttered, his frown deep. Something was obviously bothering his friend, and it wasn’t like him not to confide in Laz.

  “I’m serious. He’s like Cameron Diaz in There’s Something About Mary. Is that what you were going for? That ‘I’ve got dry jizz in my hair look’? Because I hate to break it to you, that trend has come and gone. Pun totally intended.”

  Fitz’s lips twitched. “Are you done?”

  “Absolutely not. I want to know what the deal is with you and Vic. Between Lonny’s hair and Han one smoky-eyed expression away from looking like the Joker, I’m getting concerned.”

  Fitz burst into laughter before his eyes welled up and he broke into a sob.

  “Oh my God, Fitz, what happened?” Laz quickly but discreetly led Fitz away from the others. The last thing he wanted was for someone to overhear their conversation and gossip about whatever was causing poor Fitz so much pain. Laz always set up an umbrella and folding chair far enough away from the shoot to allow for some privacy. The truth was, he sometimes needed a break.

  Fitz wiped at his cheeks, then let out an unsteady breath. “Jiles moved out two days ago. I caught him cheating on me. With Vic.”

  Laz gasped. “What?”

  “Oh, baby, it gets better,” Fitz said with a bitter laugh. “He’s married.”

  Laz blinked at him. “Vic is married?” How had he not known that? Vic had a different guy on his arm every week. Maybe he and his husband were in an open relationship. A very open relationship.

  Fitz shook his head, his bottom lip trembling. “No. Jiles.”

  “Wait. Jiles? As in your boyfriend of ten years who said he wanted to marry you? That Jiles? He’s married?”

  Fitz nodded.

  “Oh my God.” Laz couldn’t believe it. “That son of a bitch! How long has he been married?”

  “Three years, but he’s been with his husband for twenty. Twenty years, Laz. I’m such a fucking idiot. I gave that lying, cheating son of a bitch ten years of my life!” Fitz burst into tears again, and Laz brought him in for a hug, holding him tight, his heart aching for his sweet friend.

  Fitz was a couple of years older than Laz and a highly sought-after hairstylist. He could have his pick of shoots, but he always accepted jobs where Laz was the photographer. They’d met years ago on a shoot for a fashion magazine down in Miami, where Laz had been an intern. It had been Laz’s first day, and he’d been so nervous. Fitz had come to his rescue when Laz screwed up a coffee run, forgetting the photographer’s Chai latte. Laz had been about to admit he’d gotten the order wrong when Fitz stepped in and told the photographer he’d taken the latte, thinking it was his. The photographer had ranted and fumed, but he couldn’t fire Fitz like he could Laz. No intern had lasted longer than a month with the man. Thanks to Fitz’s guidance, several months later, Laz walked away with a glowing reference.

  “You’re not an idiot,” Laz said softly. “The man was living with you, for Christ’s sake. How the hell did he pull it off?”

  “He and his husband have a house together in Atlanta. Now it’s so obvious, but at the time, all the traveling made sense,” Fitz said with a sniff. “I mean, that’s where the company’s corporate office is, so of course he’d be traveling there a lot. When he said he was too tired to drive back and would be staying the weekend or that he had a weekend golf game with important clients, I didn’t think anything of it.”

  “Because you loved him.”

  “I trusted him.” Fitz pulled back and wiped at his reddened eyes. “The worst part was that I found out from Vic. Like it wasn’t bad enough I walked in on them having sex in our bed. I was kicking Vic out of the house when he said I shouldn’t be so surprised about how things turned out, how it was what I got for getting involved with a married man. I couldn’t breathe. I told myself Vic was just being a spiteful bitch, but if Jiles was cheating on me, how farfetched would it be that he really was married? You know what Jiles did when I confronted him?”

  “What?” Laz asked, wiping a freshly fallen tear from Fitz’s cheek.

  “He laughed at me. Then he told me I was naïve. How gay men weren’t made to be monogamous.”

  “That’s bullshit,” Laz spat out. Fitz arched an eyebrow at him, and Laz sighed. “Okay, so we were both cheated on, but that doesn’t mean all men are lying, cheating assholes. I’m so sorry, Fitz.”

  “Yeah, well, it is what it is. Enough about me and my sad, pathetic love life. Tell me about your new man.”

  “He’s not my man.” The thought of Red being his made him shiver in the most delicious way. “We’re friends.” Sort of. Were they friends? He hoped so.

  “Why? Is the sun in your eyes? Have you not seen the man’s muscles? I bet you could eat off his abs, or you know, just dine on other parts of him.”

  “Get your head out of the gutter. Yes, he’s gorgeous, but he’s also ex-Special Forces, incredibly sweet, attentive, caring, protective, and he saved my life.”

  Fitz’s eyes went wide. “Wait, he’s the guy you were telling me about? The hottie from Colton’s party who saved you from drowning when you hit your head and fell in the pool?”

  Laz nodded.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there, by the way.” Fitz squeezed his arm. “It’s probably a good thing I wasn’t. I would have grabbed a Taser off one of those security guys and tased Bryan in the balls. Also, I’m waiting for the part where you tell me your Superman is really a soul-sucking vampire or something, because that’s the only reason I can think of for you not climbing him like a tree. Personally, even if he was a soul-sucking vampire, I’d take my chances.”

  Laz chuckled. “I bet.” His smile fell away, and he sighed. “That’s the thing, Fitz. He’s amazing.”

  “And… that’s a bad thing? I’m really confused here, babe.”

  “He’s too good.”

  “Ah. You think he’s going to turn out to be like Bryan.”

  “Maybe not exactly like Bryan, but there’s got to be something, right? The guy can’t be hot, a super soldier, and a great guy.”

  Fitz shrugged. “Maybe he puts ketchup on his mashed potatoes or something.”

  “Gross. No. Red’s a great cook.”

  “Oh my God, he cooks too? Why aren’t you chaining him to your radiator?”

  “First, this is Florida. Where am I going to find a radiator? Second, because that would be illegal.”

  “Whatever. My point is, he sounds amazing. You don’t actually think he’s perfect, do you?”

  “No, of course not. What I mean is, guys who seem too good to be true, usually are. When you first hook up, they say and do all the right things. Then when you’re in deep, it all falls apart, and you end up wondering how you could be so blind. I can’t… I can’t go through that again. I’m only just making sense of all the shit Bryan put me through.” Laz swallowed hard, his skin crawling and the back of his eyes stinging when he thought about his fucked-up relationship with that asshole. “I was in an abusive relationship and didn’t even know it. If I hadn’t gotten out when I did, I don’t know where I would have ended up.”

  “No one says you have to jump into a relationship with him.” Fitz elbowed him playfully, his expression lecherous. “Doesn’t mean you can’t jump into bed with him. I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t let that sexy soldier wreck you. He is gay, right?”

  “Pan.”

  Fitz’s eyebrows shot up. “How did that conversation go?”

  “Actually I, um, watched an online interview LGBTQ Nation did with the four Kings a couple of years ago. They don’t hide who they are, especially after having to serve under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It was really inspiring. Anyway, I may have done a little research on Red. Okay, a lot of research.”

  “Stalk much?”

  “Shut up,” Laz grumbled before covering his face with his hands and groaning. “Oh God. When did I turn into a teenage girl?”

  With a laugh, Fitz wrapped an arm around him, giving him a squeeze. “Hey, you do what’s best for you.”

  “What if Red is what’s best for me? Am I going to let Bryan ruin that for me? I know it’s easier said than done, and God knows Red doesn’t need my baggage, but I’m sure he has his own. Who doesn’t? Screw Bryan. I deserve to be happy, and so do you.”