Six Degrees of Lust

New York City FBI team leader Samuel Shaughnessy

lives for his immediate family and his job. After a marriage

gone wrong he has stuck to a firm rule when it comes to

relationships: he doesn’t have them. Sexually active and

emotionally unavailable keeps him satisfied, especially now

that he is in hot pursuit of a serial killer targeting gay men.

Former firefighter Machlan O’Bannon now manages a

successful sports bar in Houston and after years of waiting

he’s ready to stand up and be the man he always wanted to

be: out, proud and drama-free. His politically-aligned family

wants to keep him locked in the closet, but Mac just wants

to meet the man of his dreams.

One man is as high strung as the other is laid back. A

chance meeting brings the two men together, and one night

of passion ignites a fire neither can fight. Their lives are not

only miles apart, but as different as day and night.

They don’t want to get involved...but will they be able to

stay apart?

MLR PRess AuthoRs

Featuring a roll call of some of the best writers of gay erotica

and mysteries today!

Derek Adams

Z. Allora

Maura Anderson

Simone Anderson

Victor J. Banis

Laura Baumbach

Ally Blue

J.P. Bowie

Barry Brennessel

Nowell Briscoe

Jade Buchanan

James Buchanan

TA Chase

Charlie Cochrane

Karenna Colcroft

William Cooper

Jamie Craig

Ethan Day

Diana DeRicci

Vivien Dean

Taylor V. Donovan

Theo Fenraven

S.J. Frost

Kimberly Gardner

Michael Gouda

Kaje Harper

Jan Irving

David Juhren

Thomas Kearnes

Kiernan Kelly

K-lee Klein

Geoffrey Knight

Christopher Koehler

Matthew Lang

J.L. Langley

Vincent Lardo

Anna Lee

Elizabeth Lister

Clare London

William Maltese

Z.A. Maxfield

Timothy McGivney

Tere Michaels

AKM Miles

Reiko Morgan

Jet Mykles

William Neale

Cherie Noel

Willa Okati

Brynn Paulin

Neil S. Plakcy

Rick R. Reed

A.M. Riley

AJ Rose

George Seaton

Riley Shane

Jardonn Smith

DH Starr

Richard Stevenson

Liz Strange

Marshall Thornton

Lex Valentine

Haley Walsh

Mia Watts

Missy Welsh

Stevie Woods

Ian Young

Lance Zarimba

Mark Zubro

Check out titles, both available and forthcoming, at

www.mlrpress.com

six DegRees

of Lust

tAyLoR V. DonoVAn

mlr
press

www.mlrpress.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and

incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are

used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or

persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2011 by Taylor Donovan

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole

or in part in any form.

Published by

MLR Press, LLC

3052 Gaines Waterport Rd.

Albion, NY 14411

Visit ManLoveRomance Press, LLC on the Internet:

www.mlrpress.com

Cover Art by Deana Jamroz

Editing by Amanda Faris

Print ISBN#978-1-60820-414-4

Ebook ISBN# 978-1-60820-415-1

Issued 2011

This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication

or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of

International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and

upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot

be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can

be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the

publisher.

To Embry Carlysle, because you are the reason I started to write. I

wouldn’t be here had you not asked me to collaborate with you.

To Danielle E., because you were there every step of the way, bouncing

ideas with me and helping to iron out the kinks.

To my family, because you took the backseat many times so that I could

do my thing. You mean the world to me.

May 22, 1998

Houston, Texas

He stood in the shadows behind a terracotta planter. He was

thirsty and his legs were cramped up, but he didn’t dare move.

Not until his classmates finished packing up their stuff and

headed for the door. If their host saw him he’d have to leave

with the rest, and that wouldn’t do.

He’d thought this would be a good hiding spot the moment

he had arrived for the only senior class party he’d been invited

to, and he was right. The oversized plants hid his presence from

everybody, but he had a perfect view of the pool area and all the

kids splashing in it. He could really use a drink, but he didn’t want

to risk being seen.

Not that anyone had missed him. They never did, so no one

would look for him now. He was too different to fit in with them.

They called him weird, and his mother a religious freak. He didn’t

mind them. Why would he? They were like mindless robots, doing

the same things day after day. Moving about in their sinful lives.

They were annoying and stupid, and now that high school

was over, they acted as if they were big shit. He didn’t care about

any of them. He despised them! And he liked that their superior

attitude let him move around freely and focus on the only thing

that really mattered.

Him
.

Everything he did, he did it to save him, the little lost lamb

that had been dwelling with the wolf and was now in danger of

losing his soul as a result. He couldn’t let that happen. That’s

why he was here, waiting in the shadows for a chance to talk to

him. He was willing to do anything in order to make him see the

light. He knew he’d be successful, too. The little lamb had a good

2 Taylor V. Donovan

heart. That was the reason he’d noticed the outcast even though

the others either ignored him or made fun of him.

Every single day.

He was just happy that, after today, he wouldn’t have to put

up with any of them. No school. No getting laughed at.

He looked at his watch. Almost six o’clock.

He rubbed his legs to ease the cramps, the result of being

in a crouched position for so long, and watched him walk the

drones out. He could tell they didn’t want to go just yet. They

were hanging on his every word. They fawned over him as if he

were the second coming of Christ or something, but he knew all

those hypocrites didn’t really give a damn about his lamb. The

only thing they cared about was the fact that he was richer than

an oil sheik.

It made him sick to see him laugh with them.

Why was he even friends with them? Didn’t he care that the

others laughed behind his back and called him names? They

called him freak. Queer. Cock sucker. Faggot! They made fun of

his girly blond hair and his flamboyant clothes, of his feminine

demeanor and the makeup he insisted on wearing.

But the little lamb didn’t seem to notice. He could be so

damn clueless sometimes. But the little lamb was a good person,

and that was why he was here today; to make him acknowledge

his mistakes. To help him look like a young man of his station

should, to save him from himself.

Because he was confused…just confused.

He saw the last one of his classmates leave the patio and

got ready to make his move. Now was the time to come out

of his hiding place. Everything was quiet and they could talk

without distractions. He knew the little lamb wanted to have that

conversation. That was why he’d invited him to his house, so that

he could be saved.

He watched him walk towards the pool area, picking up towels

on his way, his long blond hair almost dry and his indecent swim

six DegRees of Lust
3

trunks plastered to his skin. They weren’t even wet, but he could

still see…

Everything.

He could see it…

He felt an evil presence trying to control his body. He felt it

like a tug. It had happened before, and he knew he could control

it. He could.

He swallowed hard and glanced away for a few seconds. He

took deep breaths. Once he was sure the evil was gone, he looked

up and took one step towards the little lamb, but the lamb didn’t

see him. He was staring at the entrance of the patio, smiling at

the person that had just arrived.

He hid behind the plants again and narrowed his eyes. He

watched the little lamb make some happy noise. He gritted his

teeth. Only girls made that kind of noise.

The lamb ran towards the man standing by the tall, white gate.

He heard them talking, but couldn’t make out the words. He saw

him put his hands around the tall man and wrap his legs around

his waist.

The tall man was touching the little lamb’s ass. Gripping it.

And they shared a kiss on the mouth.

No!

He narrowed his eyes even more as he tried to see who this

intruder was. He pursed his lips in disgust.

He was older. His hair was also blond but cut in a military

style. He was tall and had a massive body. He didn’t think he ever

went to school with them, but he’d seen him around. The hair

might be different, but he’d definitely seen him around.

Way too many times.

He whimpered when he saw the little lamb take the intruder

by the hand and lead him to the colorfully decorated cabana

located in the far corner of the patio. They all used the cabana to

change into their swimming gear when they first got to his house.

There was a bathroom and chairs and a TV. There was also a bed.

4 Taylor V. Donovan

Once they were out of sight he stepped around the pool

and followed them to the cabana. The door was closed, but the

window was lit with muted light from inside and he could see

their silhouettes.

Why was he here? He wasn’t supposed to be here! He shouldn’t

be! He didn’t belong here, especially not with him!

He hated this man with every fiber of his being. He was the

wolf. He was always around him and it was his fault! All of it! But

the little lamb was so young… he was too naïve to understand

how much danger he was in.

That man was a corrupter of the innocent and had to be

destroyed.

He peered in the window and grimaced when he saw them

fornicating in the most unnatural of God’s ways. It made him

sick.

His feet were glued to the cement. He couldn’t take his eyes

away from what they were doing. It was a sin. He couldn’t look

away. It made him sick, sick…

And something else.

Something more disturbing than the act he was watching.

He closed his eyes. He tried to fight it, but he couldn’t. He was

completely aroused. His cock was harder than it had ever been.

The evil had snuck up on him while he wasn’t paying attention.

He watched the sexual frenzy from the room beyond.

It hurt.

He shoved his hand down his swim trunks, trying to find

some relief. He pressed hard, but it didn’t go away. So he stroked

it. He kept stroking it and watched them fuck. He spit on his

hand and stroked some more.

He closed his eyes and cursed the devil that had taken hold

of him.

He watched and stroked himself harder and faster, and he

spit out venomous words of retribution.

six DegRees of Lust
5

The wolf was more powerful than he’d imagined.

He felt tears running down his face.

Lord.

It was all wrong! He had to figure out a way to save the little

lamb… and himself.

He shot his seed against the bushes and fell to the ground,

puking up what party food he’d consumed earlier. He retched

until he felt purged of all the toxins in his body. He was breathing

heavily, felt dizzy, but he stood up and swiped a hand across his