Before You

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Roth laid very still watching Adam sleep. Like any alpha male, a fight and a fuck had made him sleep like a baby. The darkened bruises on his handsome face reminded Roth his often deferring fiancé more than had it in him to turn dominant and dangerous.

Easing from bed, he went to shower. Even though he crept about, dressing and getting ready in near silence, Adam woke when Roth put his hand on the knob.

“Leaving without telling me ‘good morning’?”

He returned to the bed at once, sitting on its edge. Leaning down, he kissed Adam’s lips, then his forehead and chin. “Good morning, baby.”

Adam’s big hand curved around his upper arm, gripping his bicep. “Do you have to go right now?”

“Yeah. But, I’ll get home as early as I can.”

His lover nodded, looking adorably disappointed about not getting any morning love. “Okay. I love you, Roth.”

“I love you.” Searching Adam’s face, he asked, “Safe to leave you and Nathan alone?”

“I won’t start anything, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Roth had to chuckle. “It’s your finishing it that concerns me.”

Adam didn’t smile. “I don’t want to cause strife in your house.”

“Our house,” he corrected and stood. “Why don’t you try going back to sleep for a while?”

“I doubt I can.”

Roth’s belly clenched at the way his man’s long black hair spread over his pillow and shoulders. “Then just lay there and enjoy yourself.”

“Rather enjoy you.”

“I’ll make it up to you tonight.” He left his lover and went out to grab some breakfast.

Joseph stood at the counter loading toasted bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon and fresh dill. A bowl of mixed berries and melon sat with a large spoon in it. He glanced up at Roth and returned his attention to the task. “How is he?”

“You aren’t angry.” Roth smelled the coffee and realized the pot stood already filled and ready. “I hope you know how much I appreciate the way you make things so comfortable for us all.”

Joseph took a mug from the cabinet and fixed Roth’s first cup for him. “It makes me feel good. And, no, I’m not angry.” He handed the mug over, saying, “I’d like to smack them both. It’s just that I know it won’t do any good.”

“Might for you.” He leaned down. Joseph smiled and stretched up to kiss his cheek. “Your workouts and nutrition are making a difference. I can see the muscle on you.”

Joseph whispered, “Nathan loves it. He can’t keep his mouth off me.”

“Lucky you.”


They waited to see the combatants shake hands and fill their plates. The FBI agents assigned for security attempted to remain as invisible as possible. However, it became apparent bets rode on how Adam and Nathan would act that morning. The men on duty managed to walk through the house and passed the sliders, obviously attempting to see something.

Roth and Joseph drove to the shelter, getting bogged a bit in traffic. His brain churning, Roth said, “I’m thinking about trading this thing in for something roomier. Maybe an Escalade or something similar.”

“An executive mini van?”

Chuckling, he answered, “Not far from. Something more comfortable and practical.”

For a few moments they shared a companionable lapse in conversation. Joseph spoke first. “Can I ask you something really personal?”

Flipping on his turn signal, he checked mirrors. “Always.”

“Do you and Adam take turns …you know?” He seemed to hesitate. “Or is it always the same one, probably you, on top?”

“I’d never put myself on the receiving end and neither had he,” Roth replied, waiting for a truck to go by before signaling again and making their final turn. “We enjoy both.”

“Nathan tells me I can … do it. I don’t want to make him think I don’t really love his body. I just don’t have the urge.”

“Joseph, you need to explain that to him. Chances are he’s just treating you fairly and as his equal.”

“Really?”

The hope in the younger man’s voice made Roth smile. “Talk to him. Nathan adores you. The truth will never cause a problem. It’ll be fine.”

As Roth walked into the clinic, he saw Naddy making up the individual treatment kits that made their work go faster. Amazingly, just putting sealed gauze pads, syringes, alcohol swabs and gloves into irrigation pans helped much.

She had her back to him. The appointment roster sat on the sort of reception counter, clearly filled in by her neat handwriting. Glancing at it, he greeted, “Good morning.”

Naddy spun around. “You’re late.”

Consulting his watch, Roth replied, “I’m fifteen minutes early.”

Practically vibrating with emotion, she snapped, “That’s late enough.” Going back to her work, she gave a clear impression of fury.

“Naddy, if I’ve done something stupid to upset you - ” He cut himself off as she shot him a look over her shoulder. Latino and black women possessed the unique ability to make a man belly crawl with a glance. Firmly compliant to ladies, Roth tried again. “I’ll take my knocks, Naddy. Please don’t stay angry with me.”

She rounded and closed the distance between them. Glaring upward, hip cocked, she jabbed her finger into his chest. Roth took a submissive back step. “It’s all your fault.”

“What, honey?” He saw the fire leap in her chocolate eyes. Holding up his hands, he apologized. “Forgive me. Let me rephrase. What did I do?”

“You brought him around.”

On the hot seat now, Roth struggled to play catch-up. “Who? Luc?”

“Yes!”

He reached out to try soothing her and she slapped away his hand. Something primitive in him flexed. “If he hurt you, Naddy, I’ll personally thrash him.”

She snorted. “The people in your family are either scary nice or dangerous.”

“Tell me what I need to do to make this right.”

Her eyes blazed. “Make that fine bastard vanish.”

“What happened?”

“He followed me home,” she replied. “I agreed to go for a walk with him. He escorted me up to my door afterward.”

Fearful of her wrath, he murmured, “Doesn’t sound so bad.”

She jabbed at him until Roth’s back met the far wall. “I asked him in, like a dumbass.”

Fearful of what she might do next, he asked, “What then?”

Shouting in a truly impressive decibel level, she confessed, “He kissed me and my clothes fell off!”

Understanding, Roth gripped her hands. “Let’s talk about this.”

A feeble knock at the clinic doorframe made them both look over. Susan, the overworked head admin said, “I’ll come back later.” She vanished.

Roth returned his attention to Naddy. “This is wonderful.”

She jabbed at him despite his attempts at restraint. “This is torn up from the ground up. Sideways in all new ways.”

Roth reached for her. “It’s great you went to bed with him.”

“I didn’t go to bed with that fucker. I went to floor, counter and couch.”