Temptation

By Susan E Scott

Jared Barton’s brother, Jim, was killed in Afghanistan four years ago and Jared is raising the daughter that Jim never got to see. When he moved into his condo three and a half years ago, he couldn’t help but notice the sexy man across the hall. He felt a strong attraction to him almost immediately, but had managed to resist the temptation. After all, he had a business to run and a child to raise. His carefree lifestyle of clubs and hook-ups was over for now. He had to be responsible. He owed it to his brother.
Brett Stephenson couldn’t believe his good fortune when the gorgeous hunk moved across the hall. He was eye candy for sure, but Brett couldn’t decide if the man was gay. He had a little girl, but that didn’t mean anything, and Brett had caught him staring a couple of times, but that didn’t mean anything either. He’d considered trying to make a move toward getting to know Jared, but the other man didn’t encourage casual conversation.
For three years there’s been nothing more than an impersonal nod between them until a little imp named Jamison takes matters into her own hands. Once contact is made, will Jared be able to continue to resist the man across the hall, or will he finally give in to temptation?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan E Scott
• Release date: Jul 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310159039

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TEMPTATION

SUSAN E SCOTT

Temptation

Copyright © 2014

Smashwords Edition

Susan E. Scott

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Temptation

Copyright © 2015 Susan E Scott

Original Publication Date: April 2015

Author: Susan E Scott

Cover Design by 3 Rusted Spoons

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental

Chapter One

Brett Stephens and his friend, Michael Branson, had been languishing by the pool at Brett’s apartment complex all afternoon. Brett was scrolling through Facebook on his tablet when he heard Michael yawn. He looked over at his friend and laughed. It’s only four o’clock in the afternoon. Do you need a nap, old man? Brett loved to tease Michael because he was always worried about his age and weight, neither of which Brett saw as a problem. Michael was only four years older than Brett’s twenty-four, but that was dangerously close to the dreaded thirty. The sad truth was that, as models, they had to be conscious of their looks.

No, asshole. I’m bored. You’ve always told me that there’s usually some eye candy out here by the pool. Where is it?

There is, but it’s a weekday so I imagine that those guys are at work. Anyway, I didn’t know that was what you were coming over here for today. I thought that we were trying to get a bit of a tan for that bathing suit shoot tomorrow. We’re going for the surfer dude look, you know.

Yeah. I hope it is surfer type suits and not speedos.

Brett laughed. Since when did you become shy about showing off your junk?

Michael gave his friend a serious look. I’m not shy about that, but I think that I’ve gained about five pounds.

Oh, for God’s sake, Michael. Five pounds. You can’t even tell it.

Maybe you can’t, but that damn camera sure as hell can.

Brett threw his head back, laughed loudly and turned to say something to Michael. That’s when he saw his neighbor, Jared Barton, helping his little girl put floaties on her arms at the kiddie pool. He looked up at the sound of Brett’s laughter. Suddenly, Brett lost the ability to speak and could only stare. Damn that man was sexy.

Following Brett’s gaze, Michael raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of eye candy, who is that? And is he gay? Or would he be willing to be gay for me?"

That’s my neighbor, Jared Barton.

Your neighbor?

Yeah, he and his little girl live across the hall.

Have they lived there long ‘cause I don’t remember ever seeing him, and I’m sure I wouldn’t forget him.

About three years, I guess. They moved in when the little girl was a baby, maybe about six months old.

No wife?

No, I don’t think so. I’ve never seen a woman over there, except an older lady. She lives in the building, so I guess she’s the babysitter.

And why have you never mentioned this fine specimen, honey? Keeping him all to yourself, you selfish boy?

No. I’ve never talked to him. I’ve been tempted to try to strike up a conversation, but I seriously doubt that he’s gay.

Why? Because he has a kid? That not really an indication, you know.

I know, but I don’t know him other than to nod when we meet in the hallway, so my gaydar hasn’t detected any signals.

Well, you can’t pick up much from a nod. Why have you never talked to him? That’s so not like you. You don’t usually have a problem talking to, make that flirting with, strangers. Especially strangers that look like that.

I know, but he’s kind of stand-offish. Reserved, you know? He doesn’t encourage conversation. Brett was glad that he had his sunglasses on so that he could stare at his neighbor without him being aware of it. Not that he’d given Brett and Michael more than a cursory glance. Yep. Straight as an arrow, no doubt.

****

Jared noticed his neighbor lounging by the pool almost immediately. Wonder if that guy with him is his boyfriend? Shit. Now, why would he even think that? He suspected that the guy was gay, but he wasn’t sure. His gaydar was on the blink, probably because it’d been so long since he’d used it. More than three years. Ever since Jamison had come to live with him. He’d made up his mind then to settle down and be responsible, but it’d been difficult with temptation living right across the hall. There’d been a time when he would have given in to that attraction and would have known for sure what the guy’s preference was.

Sitting on the edge of the kiddie pool, letting his feet dangle in the water and watching Jamison as she splashed around, pretending to swim, Jared thought back to the day that Jamison had come to live with him. He’d just gotten home from work and was about to get in the shower. He had plans with several of his friends to meet for dinner and go clubbing. Back then, that had been pretty much what he did every night- -dinner with friends, club hopping and hook-ups. It was fun and he was happy, content. No strings, no commitments and no responsibilities. He’d just come out of a relationship that he’d found stifling, and at age twenty-six, his life was just how he wanted it. Then, the doorbell rang.

Jared opened the door to a woman holding a small bundle in her arms that was obviously a very young baby. Are you Jared?

Uh, yes. What can I do for you? Before he could block the doorway, she was inside his apartment.

"I don’t mean to be pushy, but I really