GENRE: Gay Mystery Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 13,378 words
RATING:

Stage actor Tim Gregory finds someone has broken into his dressing room and turned everything upside down. When police detective Brent Sullivan and his partner arrive, Tim thinks it’s because of the vandalism. But it turns out the detectives want to question him about a missing necklace that was stolen some time ago.

After seeing the destruction in Tim’s dressing room, Brent is convinced the police aren’t the only ones who want the necklace. Unfortunately, Tim doesn’t remember what happened to it. But someone doesn’t care if he remembers or not. As romance sparks between Tim and Brent, time is ticking. Will Brent be able to solve the mystery – and keep Tim safe, too?

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

Tim can barely sleep despite the warm body curled up against him. Shadows of faceless men creep in the dark, threatening to get him or Sean if he dares close his eyes. His father's words repeat in his head, and he can only pray no one traces them on their way to Sean's place.

"Stop thinking," Sean mumbles into his chest.

"Am not," Tim says.

"Of course not." Sean pats his face. "Just go to sleep."

When he's finally lost to the world, the night passes so quickly Tim feels grumpy when his cell phone rings waking him up.

"Morning," Brent's voice greets him.

"Hi, Brent." He surprises himself again with his casual use of the first name. "Uh, may I call you Brent?"

Brent chuckles lightly. "Sure, if I can call you Tim."

Tim blushes, glad that Brent can't actually see him. "Yeah. Sure you can."

"Good."

"Well, any news or something?" It's not really early but all the same, Tim wonders why Brent has called him. He could have always caught him later at the theater.

"I just want to check on you. Everything all right?"

Sean's missing but he must be showering or already in the kitchen. Nothing to worry about. "I think so."

"Glad to hear it," Brent replies. "We're running the prints today. I hope it will generate positive results. What are you going to do today?"

"The usual, rehearsing, discussion, performing. Guess you're going to be there at the theater?" Tim asks.

"I have to." Brent laughs. "At least until you tell me where the necklace is."

Tim flinches. "I, uh, I have to get ready."

"Yeah, okay."

Brent makes sure they will meet up again at the theater before he hangs up the phone. Tim rises from the bed, wondering why there is no sound at all coming from the bathroom. Tim tightens his robe and goes down to the kitchen. To his bafflement, Sean is not there, either. He frowns.

"Sean?" he calls out, then louder, "Sean!"

Tim runs up the stairs to change still looking for his friend. He is calling Sean's name over and over, checking all the rooms, but he is nowhere. Tim starts to sweat. This can't be happening. No one knows Sean's house and why would anyone take him? Why not take Tim instead?

"Sean, no, answer me, goddammit!" A thought crosses his mind. Outside. He's got to check outside, the front yard, backyard, Sean's car.

There is someone in the car, in the driver's seat. Tim takes a breath in relief.

"Sean, for God's sake, what are you doing out there?" Tim runs closer, knocking at the side window. "Hey, Sean, open the door." Sean is sitting back with his face turning away from the window. He looks as if he's sleeping. Tim's eyes run down along the motionless body. Nothing seems out of place. Tim reaches out to the door handle and opens it. "Sean? Hey, come on." Tim cups Sean's face, stroking it with his thumb. "Baby," he whispers. They are not used to sweet endearments but Sean is like a baby to him. The five years difference makes it more apparent.