Brooklyn Bound (11 page)

“Yep. He’s gone, and I’ve got steaks for dinner.”

“That sounds good. Traffic was heavy and I’m beat. I just want to eat, then shower and climb into my jammies. I’ll probably be asleep before eight.”

“Whatever you’d like, babe.” He placed her bag in the bedroom and returned to the grill to finish the steaks. “How were your parents?”

“Good. Happy to see me. Said to tell you they missed you, and to make sure you came next time. I said I was pretty sure there was no problem with your coming.” She batted her eyelashes.

He chuckled and served their food. They sat and ate.

“How was your weekend with
Tucker
?” She said his name like it was something amusing.

He gazed at her sincerely. “It was wonderful, babe. We had a great time.”

“So you didn’t kick him to the curb? Just asking in case I need to worry about my job security.”

“He told you no worries, remember?”

She shrugged. “Things change.”

“Some things do, you’re right.” He studied his plate.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Gabe grinned at her shyly. “Tucker is terrific, Brooks. I’m really getting attached to him. I know if you give him another chance you’ll feel the same way.”

“I had a lot of time to think, driving both ways. I figured one of two things might happen, and prepared arguments for each of them.”

“I hope you’re using ‘arguments’ in the legal sense of the word, because I really don’t want to fight with you.”

“I am. If you were tired of Tucker’s antics already, I was going to suggest we might look together for another man to invite into our bed occasionally. We’d have to be very careful. I thought maybe Seth and Carla could help us. They know lots of people at that club they belong to, the Thorn thing.”

“Rose & Thorn Society. You’re right, the people who go there are well vetted, clean and discreet.”

Her eyes widened. “Did you go there?”

“No. The suggestion never came up. We talked about the place, though. It’s not somewhere you just ‘go’. You have to fill out paperwork and provide documentation. Tucker says it takes about a week to be accepted, and not everyone is.”

She continued eating. “The other possibility was that you would still be interested in Tucker, despite his unusual sexual tastes.”

“His tastes aren’t that unusual, Brook. He likes to have sex. In case you forgot, so do we.”

Her eyes flashed. “He likes to have kinky sex, with Masters and slaves and spanking. That’s
not
normal.”

“It’s called BDSM, and it’s very normal to a certain segment of the population. We’ve always felt it didn’t matter what consenting adults did in the privacy of their homes. This is no different.”

Her voice became hushed. “It’s different when you expect me to participate in it.”

Gabe reached for her hand. “You did participate, and if I recall you came pretty hard more than once. I know you enjoyed it, Brooks. I also know it’s a bit intimidating in the light of day. You don’t have to worry about that. It’s erotic, it’s enjoyable, and I’ve decided I like it. I want to continue role-playing with Tucker, and maybe get a little deeper into it if you’ll come on board.”

“Role-playing. So what, you’ll be the dog and he’ll be the trainer, that kind of thing? You’ll lick his boots or whatever he asks of you?”

He hesitated, unsure how much he should tell her. The time felt right, so he went for it. “Actually, Tucker is a submissive. He craves a Master to command him during sex. Not all the time, just sometimes, when everyone is into it.”

Her eyebrows rose as she processed the information. “So you’re the Master and he’s the slave. Where does that leave me? Or is this your way of breaking it to me that I’m out?”

“Hell no, babe! I told you from the very beginning that I’d only consider seeing him if you were okay with it. You and I come first. Nothing has changed.”

Her chuckle held no mirth. “You seriously expect me to believe that? I can see in your face that everything has changed.”

His heart sank and he tried to find the words to make her understand. “He’s an amazing guy, Brooks. I’m totally infatuated with him, that’s true. I might even be falling in love with him. But it’s more than just the sex. He’s funny, smart, sexy and incredibly generous. We went to the mall today and he bought me a jacket, shirt and tie. He got peanut M&M’s out of a candy machine because he can’t resist them. He’s just so damned sweet.”

She rolled her eyes. “He’s bribing you to make you love him. Stupid fool, he should have been buying me Gucci bags because I’m the one who needs to be bribed. I’m not sold on this, Gabriel. I don’t care how sweet the fucker is, he’s not going to take you away from me.”

“He’s not trying to do that. How many different ways can I explain this to you?”

Brook stood. “Stop trying to explain. If I asked you to quit seeing him because I didn’t feel good about it, would you do that?”

Gabe’s heart fell with a thud into his gut.

Before he could answer she snapped, “You shouldn’t have to think about it. You just told me ‘you and I come first’.”

He stood to face her, resigned to what he had to do for now. He hoped like hell she’d change her mind later, but he hadn’t lied. His marriage came first. “If that’s what you want me to do, I’ll stop seeing him.”

“Do you actually mean you’ll sneak around and fuck him on the side? Because that would be it, Gabe. Our marriage wouldn’t survive deception like that.”

“Of course not. I’ve never lied to you, and I won’t start now.”

She eyed him thoughtfully. “Not telling me about your gay leanings is what’s called a ‘lie of omission’, dear.”

“I beg to differ, because other than a dalliance in college, I didn’t know I had ‘gay leanings’ until I met Tucker. And as far as us finding another man to bring into our bed, never mind. I don’t want another man. I want Tucker Gleason. But if I can’t have him, then life goes on. We’ll be as happy as we ever were, and we won’t discuss this again.” He turned and walked from the room, knowing that for the first time ever, he’d just consciously lied to his wife.

Chapter Six

Early the next morning, Gabe texted Tucker and asked to meet him about a mile from the job site. They sat in Tucker’s SUV and steamed up the windows a while before Gabe told him about Brook’s reservations. She’d ultimately agreed to allow Tucker to come around ‘occasionally’, and he still had hopes of changing her mind. But for now, they had to cool their relationship off. “Which won’t be possible if I see you every morning,” Gabe announced. “So I’m going to stay on site and let you deal with Evan. If he needs me, he can call. But in fairness to everyone, including him, our employees and Brook, I can’t face you every day.”

Tucker ran a finger down Gabe’s sweaty biceps. “Because you’d want to sneak away and do what we did yesterday after the mall?”

“Exactly because of that. I promised Brook I wouldn’t cheat on her and I won’t. And it’s not right for me to take off, leaving everyone else working in this heat.”

Tucker shook his head. “I can’t believe this is your dream, babe. You’re smart and talented, not to mention a hunk. You could do whatever you set your mind to.”

He smiled affectionately at his lover. “The feeling is mutual, stud. And during the worst of the summer I question my choice about ten times a day. Ultimately, we’d like to grow the company so I’m not on the front lines as much. But that’ll come with time.”

“Grow it how? You have dozens of employees now.”

“Most of those guys are subcontracted labor. We have ten on our crew full-time. It’s fine. Once this job is complete we hope to use it as a reference for other jobs like it. That’s how we’ll grow.”

“You know you’ll get a good reference from me.” Tucker pushed a stray lock of hair behind Gabe’s ear.

“Thank you. I don’t think sucking good dick is on the list of qualifications, but if it shows up I’ll know I’m set.”

“You just can’t accept a compliment, can you?”

“I guess not. And I can’t accept the clothes you bought, either. Brook says they’re a bribe to make me love you.”

Tucker started to say something then bit his tongue. He inhaled then blew the breath out. “Brook is mistaken,” he said, obviously choosing his words carefully. “The M&M’s were a bribe to make you love me. The clothes were something I wanted to do, because I already love you.”

Gabe opened the car door and gazed at him with the same true love. Trying to lighten their goodbye, he teased, “Should have given me more than one freaking piece of candy, then, you cock-sucker. Have a good week. I’ll work on Brook and hopefully we can get something going for the weekend.”

Tucker sighed, and appeared pained as he watched Gabe go. “Have a good week,” he said softly, his voice tight.

Gabe returned to his truck quickly and drove off without looking back.

* * * *

A couple of mornings later he was surprised to see a shiny black truck with a dealer’s license plate parked next to their mobile office. He admired it for a moment before going inside, bracing himself to see Tucker.

The man wasn’t there. “Morning,” he said to Evan. “Is Tucker here?”

“Good morning. Nope, not yet. He doesn’t usually arrive until after eight.”

“Whose truck is that?”

“No idea. This envelope was dropped in the mail slot.” He handed over a legal sized envelope with his name written neatly across the front.

Gabe swallowed and ripped it open. Keys to the new truck were inside. He blinked to aid his comprehension.

“Keys, huh?” Evan smirked. “That’s what it felt like. I didn’t know you’d ordered a new truck. Guess your money woes have loosened up?”

“I didn’t order it.” He wadded the envelope and threw it in the trash as he stomped out. Gabe couldn’t look at the new truck, just climbed into his old rust bucket and sped off. He came to a clearing and pulled off the road, then dialed Tucker.

“Good morning,” the man answered.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“Now that’s a loaded question. Not fucking, that’s for sure. But I could be if you moseyed on over here. Or at least talked dirty to me on the phone, so I could jack myself off.”

“Tucker, stop it! Why is the same truck you and I saw at the mall parked in front of my office, in just the color I said I liked?”

“Look, don’t get your boxers in a bunch. Your truck is a safety hazard, and I can’t have one of my business partners driving such a dangerous vehicle. This is a work expense, something to get you to and from the job safely.”

“Business expense? What the fuck ever! You think my wife will let me accept it? Damn it, man, she didn’t like me taking the jacket and fucking necktie. She said the shirts had to go back. I don’t think she was pleased about the one M&M, either, but what’s done is done where that’s concerned.”

Tucker was laughing on the other end of the phone.

Gabe felt a curious mixture of love and rage. “God damn it, this isn’t funny. She’d kill me if I drove that home.”

“I’d really prefer she didn’t kill you. Leave it at the site for a while. Maybe together we can change her mind. We’ll bring it up right in the middle of a really good orgasm, something like that.”

He didn’t know what to say. “Tucker Gleason, you’re an ass.”

“But I’m
your
ass, right? And you’re my hot mess?”

Gabe sighed. “Damn it. Yes. I love you.” He ended the call before the smooth-talking lawyer could get in the last word.

* * * *

On Friday, Brook’s office phone rang and she picked the receiver up. “This is Brook.”

“Brook, it’s Martha in Mr. Dryer’s office. He’d like to see you at two o’clock if you can clear your schedule.”

Her heart raced. She’d never been summoned to one of the partner’s offices before.
If I can clear my schedule?
What kind of a thing was that to say? When the boss called, a person answered or she might as well clock out and call it a day. “Of course I can. Two o’clock. Um, Martha? Did he mention what it was about?”

The secretary chuckled. “No, but he’s in a good mood, so I wouldn’t worry too much.”

“Um, yeah. Thanks.” She hung up the phone and looked around.
Twenty minutes
. Just enough time to run up to Tucker’s office first and find out what he knew about it.

She told her supervisor where she was going then headed up on the elevator. Fiona was at her desk but Tucker’s office door was open and the light was off. “Hey, Fiona.” She tried to keep her tone easy-going.

“Oh, hi, Brook! What are you doing in this neck of the woods? Did he ask you for something and didn’t use proper channels again?”

“No, I, uh… Is he out?”

She glanced at the dark office and gave a little ‘duh’ shrug. “Yep. He was having a rough day, so he just decided to go. Everyone told him to take off. He shouldn’t have come in at all.”

“A rough day? Why?”

Fiona glanced around and lowered her voice. “Today’s the one year anniversary of his partner’s death. Mason Millbrook. He and Tucker were, you know…” She wagged her eyebrows.

Brook’s heart lurched. “Today? Oh my God. That means it’s Mason’s birthday.”

The secretary glanced at her suspiciously. “Did you know Mason?”

“No, I, uh…”
Jesus, I’m stammering
. “I heard about him. So sad.”

“It was awful. I’ll be glad to see this anniversary come and gone. He’s finally gotten over Mason, but today had to bring it all back. A shame, too. He’s seemed so much happier lately.”

“Wow. I hope he can get past this, then. Thanks, Fiona. Talk to you later.” Brook turned and hurried out. For some strange reason, her heart ached for what Tucker was going through. Gabe couldn’t have known that today was the anniversary or he might have suggested they get together tonight. A pang of guilt hit as she realized she hadn’t allowed much leeway for Gabe to suggest anything lately. She’d been calling the shots.
A regular Mistress
, she thought with a chuckle. The irony didn’t go unnoticed, and she was so busy hatching a plan that she forgot to be nervous about why William Dryer had summoned.