Finding Forgiveness(9)

“Mr. Greene,” Roman said as he forced himself to step past the woman on the floor. He crossed the room to shake the man’s extended hand and couldn’t help but want to wipe his palm on his pants afterwards.

“Malcom Greene,” the man responded brightly, his too white teeth making his thin lips look small. “Welcome to Dare.”

Roman didn’t respond and was pleased to see Malcom stiffen. Good, he already had the man on edge. Ten seconds to get control…a new personal best.

“Well, as you can see, I’ve had a bit of an accident,” Malcom stuttered as he motioned to his ankle which was wrapped in an Ace bandage. He fell silent, clearly waiting for Roman to inquire about his injury but when Roman said nothing, he shifted his weight on the crutches. He guessed Malcom to be around 6 feet tall with a heavier than average build but he looked fit for his age. His brown hair didn’t have even a hint of silver in it so he likely colored it and his clothes were on the higher end in terms of quality. Interestingly enough, his wife’s clothes looked a decade out of date and she wore no makeup. Her hair was pulled back into a simple braid.

“I sprained it,” Malcom laughed awkwardly. “Stepped off the curb wrong if you can believe it.”

Roman ignored the man’s attempts to draw him into chit chat and instead said, “You assured me I’d be able to examine the property today.”

Malcom froze for a moment and then his face flushed as he nodded frantically.

“Yes, yes, you will. My son-” Malcom’s attention shifted to his wife. “Where is he?” he snapped.

“He’ll be back any second. He went to the pharmacy to get your aspirin, remember?”

Malcom’s face got even redder as he glared at his wife and a chill went through Roman as he wondered what exactly the man would have done if he hadn’t been there. Malcom’s eyes shifted back to him.

“My son will be able to show you the property – he knows it like the back of his hand,” Malcom said quickly.

Before Roman could make the man squirm even more, he heard the door behind him open and when he glanced over his shoulder, his whole body seized up with a mix of excitement and dread when he saw the shock of blond hair.

“Dad, they were out of aspirin so I got you some-”

The young man’s words died off as he lifted his head and his surprised green gaze met Roman’s. But unlike the night before, this time his eyes were anything but empty. There was only one thing in them as he glanced from Roman to his father and then back to Roman. Fear. Absolute and total fear.

Malcom’s voice barely even registered when he said, “Mr. Blackwell, this is my son, Hunter.”



***

No.

The word kept growing louder and louder in Hunter’s mind as he struggled to take in enough air to keep from passing out. His chest actually hurt as he took in the sapphire eyes that refused to release him from their hold.

God, if he’d seen those eyes when he’d woken up this morning, he never would have been able to force himself out of the man’s bed. Hell, it had been bad enough that he’d ended up pressed up against the guy’s broad chest with his nose buried against his neck. The temptation to swipe his tongue over the corded muscles had been so profound that he’d actually done it before he could stop himself. And he’d gotten hard instantly. Luck had been on his side because the man hadn’t woken up then or even when Hunter had disengaged himself from the strong arms that had been wrapped around him. Hunter had let himself have one last look at the guy before he’d left the hotel room, his regret that he would never see him again weighing heavily in his gut.

Hunter was helpless to tear his eyes away from the man and he was actually moving forward towards him as if being pulled by some invisible string when a sharp pain radiating through his hand stopped him. The end of his father’s crutch hit his fingers for a second time, knocking the small paper bag in his hand to the ground. He managed to turn his head long enough to see his father’s dark scowl and a tremor of fear went through him when he saw his father’s mouth moving but couldn’t hear what he was saying. God, how long had he been standing there staring at the guy?

And then the man was standing in front of him, his big hand closing over Hunter’s. He could feel the callouses that had felt so good against the back of his neck last night when the guy had held him still for his kiss.

“Roman,” the man said softly as he gently shook Hunter’s hand that was still stinging from his father’s attempt to get his attention.

“Hunter,” Hunter responded as relief coursed through him. The guy wasn’t going to reveal that they knew each other…Roman. His name was Roman. Hunter’s relief was short-lived as Roman’s finger suddenly stroked over the inside of his wrist. It felt so good that Hunter actually shuddered and he let out a soft sigh. Roman must have noticed because his gaze fell to Hunter’s mouth and heat filled his gaze.