Burning For You (Lovestruck #2)

By KT Grant

Patrick Medcaff is a thirty-something blue collar worker trying to make ends meet in Manhattan. He dreams of owning a condo, and in order to do that he has to work a part-time job along with his full time job as a handyman at the ritzy St. Jennings hotel. Patrick will be the newest addition to the New York City College janitorial staff where he is introduced to the shark looking handsome Dean of the Economics department, Christian Jennings.

When Christian and Patrick meet, sparks fly between the two. Patrick thinks nothing can come out of their attraction because Christian is a college graduate who comes from an affluent family made of money, while he barely has two pennies to rub together. Christian, on the other hand, can’t get Patrick off his mind, and will prove that although they are opposites in every way, their desires for one another can’t be ignored.

Soon these two are embarking on a secret love affair. But when an ex-boyfriend of Patrick’s comes back to claim him, Christian will do whatever he can to keep Patrick as his own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KT Grant
• Release date: Jun 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310923890

KT Grant

KT Grant is a self-proclaimed eccentric redhead who not only loves to read a wide variety of romances, but also loves writing it. KT has a bad coffee and LEGO set addiction, and doesn’t shy away from voicing her opinion A proud native of New Jersey, KT is multi-published and writes Gay, Lesbian and Straight romance.KT loves to hear from readers. You can drop KT an email at [e-mail].

Book preview

Burning for You

By

KT Grant

Smashwords Edition

Burning for You by KT Grant

Cover art Copyright 2015 by Insatiable Fantasy Designs, Inc.

The reproduction or utilization of this book in any form by mechanical or other means is forbidden by law. Copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may result in fines of up to $250,000 or imprisonment.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.- Plato

Chapter One

Patrick wasn’t much for believing in signs from a higher power. Religion had never been his thing, but when not one, but two were staring him in the face, it gave a guy very prone to analytical thinking something to second guess.

The first sign was finding his ex-boyfriend’s digital camera he forgot to take with him when he left over three months ago. Discovering the camera deep in the corner of his sock drawer wasn’t that big a deal. He’d always respected Zane’s privacy in the past, but since Zane left him after three years, he no longer cared. The remaining feelings he once had for his former lover vanished as he scrolled through pictures of Zane with a mystery man...no, boy, who looked barely legal.

He had heard he had a new fuck buddy. But he couldn’t say if this man-boy, who had his hands down the front of Zane’s pants as he French kissed him and straddled his lap, was his new lover. Thinking back to those torrid nights he and Zane spent together making out in his apartment, he forwarded along to the more sexually risqué shots. Finding this camera, and those pictures, proved he needed to get out of this place and buy his own home.

The next sign was just as shocking and a bit more disgusting. A dead mouse on his bathroom floor behind the toilet was not a welcome sight at eight in the morning on the first day of his new part-time job. Climbing out of the shower, he wrapped a towel around his hips as he knelt on the cold tile floor to glare at the dead rodent with the very long tail. The creature’s beady eyes stared vacantly up at the ceiling. He had no clue how it got in or why it died in his bathroom of all places. In the eight years he lived at the Inwood Arches Apartment complex, he had never had a rodent problem. Since this was a first, it had to mean something.

Cursing softly, he encased the carcass in a cocoon of toilet paper, and went to dump it in the garbage can in the kitchen. After finishing with that disgusting task, he went back into his bedroom, bypassing a mountain of dirty clothes falling out of his hamper. He needed to do laundry soon or he’d end up buying another package of cheap underwear.

Like I have any free time as it is, he mumbled, walking into his bathroom to brush his teeth.

Wiping away the condensation from his vanity mirror, he scratched his chin. He’d shaved yesterday morning and wondered if he should again so he could make a good impression as the latest addition to the New York City College janitorial staff. Even with his dark hair and looks, he didn’t have too much of a hair growth problem. He wasn’t a big fan of facial hair to begin with and glad his five o’clock shadow only had to be taken care of every other day.

Turning on the water, he rinsed off his toothbrush. Even with the water completely off, the faucet still dripped and had done so for years. Nothing new there, but he would chalk it up as yet another sign.

As he brushed his teeth, he went into his bedroom and over to his dresser. Spotting his bank book, he flipped it open and glanced over his savings. He calculated how much more he would need for a possible down payment on a condo.

Between his new part-time job and the overtime he made at his full-time job at the St. Jennings hotel, he hoped everything would work out. As an extra measure he’d scrimp and save over the next six months.

He coughed and rushed into the bathroom to spit. He almost did a little dance knowing he was so close to reaching his dream—something Zane had made fun of countless times and never understood. Patrick rinsed out his mouth and stared back at his reflection through the cracked mirror he really needed to replace. Now more than ever before, he had to save every penny.

The signs are a’changin’ my man. Only great things from here on out. He gave himself a pep talk, ignoring his growing nerves; knowing in a few hours he would be a new face among many who already belonged.

He wasn’t too thrilled with starting a new job. He knew all too well, despite being a hard worker, having an outgoing and personable attitude was just as important. Funny, Zane hadn’t minded his introverted nature….

Sudden memories of Zane and happier times popped into his head. Why do I still miss that asshole? He felt very much alone—longing for a warm, muscular body to hold close at night. But he had more things to worry about than another relationship taking up all his time and keeping him from his goal. All the signs seemed to be pointing in another direction altogether, and least of all to do with a romance.

He sat on the toilet as he slid his fingers through his hair. His cock twitched. He couldn’t even remember the last time his neglected boy had been wet and satisfied. Lately, even masturbation was a hassle since he was exhausted most of the time from work and his depression over being dumped.

Stop moping and get a move on!

After a few deep, calming breaths to calm his jumpy stomach, he went back into his room to get dressed.

He hoped it didn’t end up being one of those days where he should stay in bed instead.

****

Stella, I really don’t need you to set me up with another one of your starving artists, Christian told his sister over the phone as he booted up his computer.

Barbara and I are worried about you. When’s the last time you had a date? And if you bring up Luca one more time, I’ll scream.

Rolling his eyes, Christian thought back to the last time his sister Stella, owner of one of the most successful art galleries in New York, had set him up with one of her eccentric artists. Luca Da Pica’s idea of a fun time was bringing him back to his studio and taking pictures of him lying upon a bed of red silk sheets—naked. Christian had more traditional tastes in the bedroom, and when Luca showed him his collection of handcuffs and butt plugs, he’d made his excuses and left as fast as he could.

If you stop nagging, I won’t bring up that train wreck of a date any longer. I’m too busy with the start of the fall semester. I don’t have time to date.

Stella sighed. You say that every semester, no matter the season, Mr. Dean of the Economics Department. You’re always working. The proof is obvious, seeing as you’re in your office on a Saturday. At least Barbara has lightened up on her work load.

Stella darling, I’m here doing an orientation for the freshman class. Imagine Barbara failing in love after all this time. He felt somewhat responsible for his workaholic CEO sister finding happiness because she’d fallen for one of his former students.

"Hun, I love you to death, but I need to go over some things before my lecture. I’ll see you tomorrow for brunch. Maybe then we can discuss your lack of love life instead of mine."

Ha, ha. You owe me big since you bailed out on dinner last time. Do you know how hard it was to ignore Barbara and Jenny all kissy face with one another? I expected them to go into the bathroom at one point for a quickie. You’d think they would’ve gotten that all out of their system since coming back from Cairo. I bet they had crazy monkey sex all over their room. I wouldn’t be surprised if they shared a few orgasms at one of the pyramids.

He shuddered over the idea his sister would even consider thinking of having sex in such a dusty, unhygienic place. Jesus, Stella. I don’t want to think of our sister having sex, let alone two women engaging in the act together. I’m hanging up now.

You don’t know what you’re missing when a woman tongues your—

He hung up the phone before she could finish. One of his baby sister’s goals in life was to make him blush. Not that he did it all that often. He was too old for that. But Stella had an acute ability to cause him strange reactions to her outlandish words.

He knew what it felt like to have a woman lick him. Well, at least the inside of his mouth. He had had a few—short—hetero affairs in his past. He couldn’t help that he enjoyed a man’s tongue over a woman’s.

Speaking of dating.... He lifted his glasses and rubbed his nose, bringing up an online dating site his colleague recommended after having great results. For a small monthly fee, he could create a profile, with or without a picture and monitor messages from fellow Manhattanite professionals. He clicked on the gay men’s section, and a page popped up directing him to insert his dating needs.

A knock on his open door halted his typing.

Hey there, Professor Jennings, Luke, an older man in his mid-fifties and head of the campus janitorial staff called out.

Christian minimized the website and stood, pulling down his short-sleeved white sweater riding up. How’s it going, Luke? he asked, moving around his desk.

Not too bad. Luke shook his hand with a hearty pump. Christian looked over Luke’s shoulder, spotting a silent man standing behind him wearing the same olive colored overalls Luke wore.

Luke motioned behind him. Professor, this is Patrick Medcaff, our newest recruit. He just started today, and he’ll take care of this floor and the one below. I’m showing him around and introducing him to the teachers and staff. Luke poked a thumb over his shoulder at the man behind him. How many years have you been teaching at NYCC now?

Eleven years in the classroom, four years as dean. Christian held out his hand. It’s nice to meet you, Pat.

Patrick. Not Pat, he said in a gruff voice and slowly lifted his hand. When Christian grabbed it, Patrick pumped his arm and looked down at the floor.

He has a nice strong grip. He looked down at his palm and frowned, but quickly covered his reaction with a smile. Sorry, Patrick. It seems everyone goes by nicknames. You can call me Chris if you want. Only the students call me Professor.

I’ll keep it in mind, Patrick stared past Christian’s shoulder.

Is he shy or have I offended him? He pushed the question from his mind. Enjoying your first day here?

Patrick shrugged. It’s going okay.

He found it odd this man wouldn’t stare him in the eye