Love-Blocked – Charity Parkerson

Introduction

When Derreck’s old flame gains a whole new outlook, Derreck will need to find himself if he hopes to win him back.

There was a time when Jett had issues. He didn’t respect himself and didn’t care if anyone else treated him the way he deserves. Age and counseling have changed all that. Jett has grown some backbone and self-respect. That’s exactly why his ex has no clue how to handle him now.

Derreck has dated a lot of men in his life. He’s loved and lost like everyone else, but he’s never lost anyone like Jett. He can’t get past the emptiness. When he had his shot with Jett, Derreck didn’t treat Jett as the blessing he should have. Now Jett is strong and independent. He doesn’t need Derreck at all. Derreck has never wanted anyone more. But Derreck isn’t the only one with Jett in his sights, and Derreck no longer knows if that’s a good or a bad thing.

If there’s any shot of making things work with Jett, Derreck will have to face at least one truth about himself: he wants more than he realized the first time around. It’s a good thing someone else sees Jett and Derreck for who they really are, and he knows exactly what they need—him.

One

“Do you remember the first time I saw you?”

“How could I forget?”

Derreck acted as if Jett hadn’t responded. “You were chained to Antonio’s bed.” Derreck’s gaze slid down Jett’s body. “Wearing nothing but a collar. There wasn’t an ounce of shame written on your face as I stared at you.” Derreck sucked in a ragged-sounding breath, as if the memory had him hard. “Fucking beautiful.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Jett’s gaze moved to the man hovering over his table. He was probably thirty. Nice looking. Dark hair and light blue eyes. Still, Jett wasn’t interested. “I don’t drink but thank you.”

A practiced smile lit the man’s features. “It doesn’t have to be alcohol.”

Jett bit back a grin. “I’m working.”

The man’s gaze moved toward the window Jett had been staring out while lost in memories of loving Derreck… again. “Gazing out the window is considered working for you?”

“Yes.”

The man’s eyes flashed with humor. “Hmmm. Intriguing. Maybe a raincheck, then.”

“Maybe,” Jett said, allowing his usual flirtatious nature to peek through.

The guy moved along, no worse for the swing and miss.

Jett went back to staring out the window. He hated when his job brought him here and left him watching the place where he had once lost everything. He wondered if Derreck was inside, working Luna Casino’s west location. Jett would likely never know. He hadn’t stepped foot inside the place since Derreck broke them. It had been Lombardi High-roller Casino back then, back when Antonio Lombardi owned the place. Now Antonio lived in Phoenix with his husband. Lombardi had changed names and the world kept turning. Nothing ever stayed the same.

The man allegedly committing insurance fraud that Jett had been hired to watch strolled from the casino to his car. Not a limp in sight. A smile tugged at Jett’s lips as he fired his camera to life, recording the moment. In some cases, his job was an asshole’s employment. Jett had always been shameless and being an investigator for an insurance company’s fraud division paid decent enough. It was easy work. Quiet. Jett had come to appreciate the silence since he had spiraled out of control almost a year ago. Jett didn’t like to think about those days. Being here, this close to Derreck, left him little choice. His mind couldn’t focus on anything else.

With a few seconds of video footage under his belt, and the subject of his inquiry getting away, Jett quickly slipped from the booth. His car was parked nearby. If he hurried, he could follow the guy to his next stop. Jett found his path blocked by a familiar tank-sized chest. Despite knowing it was Derreck blocking his path, Jett decided not to acknowledge his recognition.

“Excuse me.” Jett tried stepping around him without further incident.

Derreck stepped sideways, keeping his path blocked. “Hey, Jett.”

Jett took a bracing breath and lifted his chin. At the first glimpse of Derreck’s odd-colored amber eyes, Jett’s heart hurt, his knees weakened, and his resolve doubled. “Excuse me. I’m kind of in a hurry.” He tried once again to push his way past Derreck.

Derreck didn’t budge. “It’s been a while.”

“I really have to go.”

“Jett, I—”

“He says he needs to go.”

Jett’s gaze shot over his shoulder. The man who had offered him a drink

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