Somebody to Love (Tyler Jamison #1) - April Wilson Page 0,17
plants himself right in front of me. We’re standing practically nose to nose, and his chest heaves as he tries to catch his breath.
I can’t look away. His eyes are bright, filled with emotion, his cheeks flushed. When he swallows hard, my gaze locks onto the tendons in his neck, to the rise and fall of his Adam’s apple. His nostrils flare, and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. My body reacts, my dick twitching in my boxers, lengthening as my blood rushes south.
Ian’s gaze drops to my mouth, his tongue slipping out to graze his bottom lip. When he leans closer, staring at my mouth, his intent clear.
My heart slams against my ribs, and immediately I step back, almost tripping over my own feet as I try to put some space between us. I shake my head. “No, Ian. I’m sorry, but I’m not—no.”
There’s a hint of smile on his face. “You’re not what?”
“I’m not—I don’t—” Shit! I can’t even bring myself to say the word. I need to get out of here.
He watches me, not the least bit offended by my reaction. If anything, he seems almost amused.
“I’m not,” I repeat, shaking my head.
“Okay.” He raises his hands in capitulation. “Whatever you say.”
“Good.” I release the tension in my shoulders. “I just didn’t want you to get the wrong impression.”
“Nope. No impression, none at all. My bad.”
I need to go. I need to get away from him. I feel light-headed and overheated, almost feverish, and my pulse is still racing. My body feels like it’s plugged into an electrical socket, my skin tingling.
I only make it halfway to the door when his next words stop me cold in my tracks.
“I made plans to see Turner again tomorrow night.”
I turn back to face him. “What did you say?”
“I’m seeing him again. The guy Eric was seeing when he was killed.”
My chest tightens, and a surge of panic nearly chokes me. “Ian, no, you can’t.”
“I can and I will, detective. I think Brad Turner might have killed Eric.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because when I mentioned I was Eric’s friend, the asshole smiled at me… and it chilled me to the bone. He didn’t show a shred of emotion over Eric’s death. And when we danced, all he could talk about was Eric.”
“I think I’ll have that drink after all,” I say, returning to the bar.
Ian pours me a shot of whiskey, and I knock it back. My hand is shaking, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so out of control. I can’t let Ian do this. He can’t put himself in harm’s way.
Chapter 7
Ian Alexander
He’s still here, but not because he wants to be. He’s only here because he’s afraid for me. He’s totally on edge, and it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed him tonight. He’s a classic case of a man in complete denial about his own sexuality.
After tossing back a shot of whiskey, Tyler sits on a bar stool and lets my revelation sink in. Already I can see the wheels turning in his head as he works out an alternative plan. One where I’m not in close proximity to a possible serial killer.
“You can’t see him again,” Tyler says, shaking his head. “It’s too risky.”
I sit on the other bar stool, facing him. “I don’t have a choice, Tyler. I’m doing this.”
“No. I’ll send someone in undercover. Hell, I’ll do it myself.”
I laugh. “That won’t work. I was Eric’s friend, not you, and not some unknown undercover cop. If Turner was there that night, if he did kill Eric, then he probably knows my boat is moored next to Eric’s. He might have seen me there that night. And if he did, then I’m a loose end he needs to tie up.”
Tyler runs his fingers through his hair. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
“Then you know it has to be me.” When he doesn’t respond, I tell him, “I can do this, Tyler. I’m not afraid.”
He meets my gaze. “That’s the problem. You should be afraid.”
Tyler doesn’t contradict me, though, because he knows I’m right.
After Tyler makes a phone call to his captain, my police protection detail returns and sets up a perimeter around my townhouse once more. It looks like I’m back under house arrest. He goes outside to talk to them, probably warning them not to let me sneak out again. I can just imagine him reading them the riot act for letting pull one over on them before.