never met anyone like him. Not even close. Yes, he’s a controlling SOB, but he’s also exciting as hell. He’s drop-dead gorgeous, and the thought of something possibly developing between us takes my breath away. I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want him.
Unfortunately, he’s very much in denial. I’m sure it’s not easy for him to admit he’s gay. But damn, what I wouldn’t give to be the one to introduce him to what he’s been missing.
When he returns, he looks harried. “There will be officers guarding both the front and back doors. Please stay put, Ian.”
I nod. “I will. At least until tomorrow evening. I’m meeting Brad at Diablo’s at eleven.”
Tyler’s jaw tightens, the muscle flexing. “Then I’m going with you.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ve got cop written all over you. He’ll make you in an instant.”
“I’m not letting you meet him alone. It’s not safe.”
“Need I remind you this is a gay club? You just told me you’re not gay. Therefore, you don’t belong there. You’d stick out like a sore thumb.”
Tyler moves in close, his long fingers circling my throat. “Do I need to remind you that three men have been strangled in the past two weeks? Murdered?” He tightens his grip enough to make his point.
“Gay men, you mean,” I say.
Tyler’s gaze locks on mine, and he’s breathing hard. My breath catches in my throat as my pulse starts racing. He’s standing so close… I want to lean into him and brush my lips against his. I want to know if his lips are as soft as they look. I want to kiss his throat and feel his pulse pounding against my lips.
I’m pretty sure it would be his first kiss with a man. Desire tightens my belly. God, I want it to be with me.
He releases my throat, having made his point quite well.
I’d rather not have my head practically severed from my neck, thank you very much. “All right then, detective. How do we do this?”
“I’ll go in with you so I can watch your back.”
I chuckle. “I hope you have something to wear besides a suit, because you’ll never fit in dressed like that.” I give him a blatant once-over, scanning him from head to toe. “You might as well wear a neon sign that says ‘COP.’”
“I’m sure I can come up with something suitable.”
I can’t suppress my grin. I’m going clubbing with Tyler Jamison. Knowing he’ll be watching me the entire night—knowing his eyes will be on me—makes me fucking hard as a rock.
* * *
At ten-thirty the next night, right on schedule, I step out my front door and slide into the backseat of a taxi. I’m meeting Brad Turner at Diablo’s at eleven. Sure enough, there’s a black BMW parked across the street from my townhouse. And there he is, sitting behind the wheel. I catch only a glimpse of Tyler, but he’s clearly dressed casually. Damn.
I tell my driver where to take me, and we head out. The BMW follows closely, and I have to force myself not to turn and glance back at him. I’d make a shitty undercover cop.
My ride drops me off right in front of Diablo’s. There’s a line half-way down the block. I could skip the line, but that would leave Tyler outside waiting to get in. Otherwise, he’d have to resort to flashing his badge, and that would defeat the purpose of him trying to remain undercover.
So, I get in the line like a good boy, along with everyone else, and shuffle along on the pavement beneath the neon lights. Out of the corner of my eye, I track Tyler a few yards behind me in line.
He looks ridiculously hot in a pair of ripped jeans and a bad-ass black leather jacket. I thought he was hot in a suit and tie, now he’s off-the-chart gorgeous.
It’s a little too warm out tonight to be wearing a leather jacket, but I imagine he’s armed, and the jacket is needed to conceal his weapon. I find the notion of him carrying a concealed weapon to be a turn-on.
The guys are going to be all over him tonight. The fact that he’s a new face here—not to mention hot as hell—means he’s going to be on the receiving end of a lot of attention. I hope he’s up for that.
The line moves pretty quickly, and within fifteen minutes, I’m inside. I know he won’t be long behind me. I scan the crowded club, looking for