Melting Ice 4

By D.J. Manly

Dominick Sawyer fishes Claixto Medina Lopez out of a clandestine stripper bar out in the middle of nowhere. Forced to chase a naked guy through the middle of an industrial park does not endear Dominick to the foster child of a convicted criminal. What starts as a routine job turns in to something far more complicated, and Dominick, a U.S. Marshal, gets stuck babysitting 'Cal.' But Dominick is in for a surprise, as Cal remembers Dominick in a completely different—and compromising—setting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mojocastle Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781601801432

D.J. Manly

D.J. Manly is first and foremost a writer, but is also a college professor, a small business operator and a sociologist who works as a consultant on research projects. D.J. is a proud Canadian who lives in French Canada, and speaks both English and French. Human rights are a great concern, and D.J. longs for a peaceful world free of sexism, racism, and homophobia. D.J. writes for the pure love of writing, and always with the reader in mind. If D.J. doesn't enjoy reading it, it won't be written. Great characters, great sex and a great love are the elements you’ll find in D.J’s work. There is nothing quite as exciting as beautiful men falling in love. Come taste D.J’s work, but be careful, you may become as addicted to reading it, as D.J. is to writing it. One reviewer said of Manly’s work that reading it can give you “…third degree burns in an air conditioned room…” I think that says it all.

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Also By D.J. Manly:

Connor’s Storm

Melting Ice

Melting Ice 2

Melting Ice 3

The Russos: Digital Soap

Chapter One

Liz Carter drove perilously down Maryland Avenue toward Wilmington Industrial Park. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, throwing her a look of disbelief. She chuckled as the vehicle practically careened on two wheels into the Wilmington Industrial Park entrance by way of Germay Drive. Jesus Christ, Liz, I grunted, where the hell is the fire?

She gave me a triumphant smile, bringing the vehicle to a jerking standstill in back of a food distribution depot. No fire. She slapped the steering wheel. You just don’t like the way I drive.

Shit, I muttered, opening the door and getting out, you call that driving?

Watch it, she warned, climbing out of the vehicle at the same time. She zipped up her jacket with the U.S. Marshal insignia on it, making sure her badge was visible. The last man who asked me that question mysteriously disappeared… never to be heard from again. She made a spooky sound in her throat.

I rolled my eyes and surveyed the litter of luxury vehicles scattered around the lot. I’ll remember that. It might have been ominous here at this time of night if not for the party going on in a building that once served as a shipping office for the L.A. and Long Beach Ports.

Most of the real estate in this industrial park belonged to George Ryerson, so it wasn’t a surprise that he’d set his boy up to work in a clandestine club out here in the middle of nowhere.

Think he’s in there? Liz asked as we headed around back.

According to the information I was given, he’s supposed to be.

Think he’s going to give us a hassle? she asked.

I shrugged. We’ll find out in a few minutes. You could never predict how someone was going to react in these situations.

Liz and I stopped a minute and scanned the area before proceeding. Except for the heavy metal music that we could now hear spilling out of the open windows, it was quiet all the way over to the railroad tracks.

A private club for rich, closeted gay men, Liz announced with a grin. Hey, Dominick, if it wasn’t for the fact that you don’t have a pot to piss in, it would be the ideal place for you.

I showed her my middle finger.

She laughed.

Technically, I wasn’t in the closet, but as a U.S. Marshal, I didn’t advertise the fact that I preferred cock. I also was a firm believer in separating work and pleasure. When I was on the job, I was on the job, that was it. I didn’t think about sex…that much…but when I was off duty, I was a completely different guy. I liked my men willing and the sex rough, and I didn’t want to bother taking down their numbers.

Liz was the only female Marshal in this region of L.A., and the only one I’d confided in. We were friends, and we worked well together. I didn’t give her a hard time because she was a woman, and she didn’t get on my case for being gay. We respected one another. Didn’t mean she refrained from teasing the hell out of me, though.

The assignment we’d been given tonight was more of an annoyance than anything. We’d only been told to pick up George Ryerson’s boy toy and bring him back to headquarters.

All we knew was that George Ryerson of Ryerson’s Investments was being investigated for fraud, but he was suspected of having some pretty powerful connections, connections that were far more important to the authorities than the fraud. Ryerson had agreed to turn state’s evidence for immunity, but yesterday an attempt had been made on his life by a hired assassin.

After he’d been arrested, he made bail and was living in seclusion. He’d been offered protective custody when an attempt had been made on his life after his court arrangement, but he’d refused. He’d also refused to turn over his contacts in exchange for a lighter sentence on the fraud charges.

Ryerson was in his late forties, married with two children. He’d taken in Cal Medina Lopez as a foster son several years back, but the entire thing was quite sordid and unsavoury.

Cal Medina, born Claixto Medina Lopez, had been fostered by Ryerson at the tender age of fourteen, but at the insistence of Ryerson’s wife had been transferred to his own apartment three years later. Ryerson paid for all expenses, and often ’visited’ on the weekends.

Calixto’s parents had entered L.A. illegally before Cal was born, and were deported when he was only ten years old. Since Cal was American, his parents handed him over to a family friend before their deportation. Calixto had run away from this family a year later. He’d been in three foster homes before Ryerson took him in.

Ryerson owned a series of clubs, many of them private and exclusive. He’d always denied that anything illegal was going on inside their walls, but these places had been closed down and relocated several times during the last decade. Time after time, they were raided and closed down due to drugs, prostitution and the hiring of illegal and underage boys. Ryerson always managed to slip through the system, with payoffs and concessions.

I reached for the doorhandle now. Liz made a joke about not knowing a special series of raps which would allow us entry. As it turned out, the door wasn’t locked. I banged my fist on it, calling out, U.S. Marshals! Then I opened the door. Given the noise level, I doubted anyone had even heard my announcement anyway.

As the door opened, Liz and I were bombarded with some headbanger tune that nearly knocked us into fifth week.

We stood in the entrance, looking around us in the bleak room. Cautiously I placed my hand on my gun and walked inside, Liz close by.

There were no more than twelve men sitting around a mostly barren room, furnished only with some tables and chairs, a makeshift stage and a small bar. In the dim light, I could barely make out the naked young men serving drinks or dancing at tables. No one made a move to hide what was going on, most likely because no one realised who we were yet. Aside from our jackets, Liz and I were dressed in jeans, and nobody would be able to make out what was written on our jackets.

We walked through the dismal, music-filled room with total impunity. I squinted at the floodlight glaring down on a young man on the makeshift stage. His slick, naked body writhed around a pole twenty feet away from where I stood. We hadn’t been ordered to arrest anyone or close the place down, just to grab Ryerson’s little pet. I focused on the hump feast. This guy definitely fit the description of Cal Medina: early twenties, dark hair, slim, around five ten. He was really swinging off that pole.

Liz was doing a tour of the adjacent room while I drew closer to the stage. Medina noticed me suddenly. His gaze riveted to mine, staying there as he gyrated to the beat of the music. He boldly smiled at me, his hand moving over his own body seductively, making the suggestion clear. It was unsettling, and very sexy.

Ryerson’s boy was beautiful, his body sleek and well-muscled, and his smile took my breath away for a moment. I reminded myself that I was here to take him in, not take him to bed.

The song finished, and there was some scattered applause. The young man on the stage picked up a towel and wiped sweat from his chest and thighs. His gaze again returned to me.

I crooked my finger at him and he moved across the stage in my direction, looking intrigued. Then he froze. He’d seen the reflection of the badge hanging off my neck. He took a few steps backward.

Oh fuck, I muttered, he’s going to run!

And he could run, even bare-assed naked, without shoes. He vaulted off that makeshift stage, tipping over several chairs on his way, startling everyone, and headed out a side door. I gave chase.

At six foot three, one hundred and ninety pounds, I was in top shape, not an ounce of excess fat and muscularly well developed. I also had long legs that gave me speed. I knew I’d catch him, but I never dreamed it would take me so damn long to do it.

I yelled at him to stop several times, but he ignored me and kept on running. I could see his bare ass shining in the moonlight, and part of me wanted to laugh. The other part, however, was royally pissed off.

I chased him around each building, and at one point we played a game of hide and seek, him going one way, then pulling the switch on me and running off in the other direction. We were both slowing down.

Jesus Christ! I called out. Come off it, Medina, give me a break. I’m not going to hurt you.

Fuck you, cop! came the

Reviews for Melting Ice 4

[penny01-2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

2.75 Liked the premise, but it just didn't quite work for me. The relationship between the two main characters seemed forced. I don't see Fuller falling in love so quickly, nor do I believe forgiveness would be that quick.

[byanca-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Setting: Present Day America.Twenty-five year old Brian Fuller is a police detective who has been in the closet his entire life.Despite the fact that his Dad is the Police Commissioner, Brian has worked to achieve his detective badge at a young age. This has made him the object for contempt and malice by others, who are under the impression that he climbed so high, so fast, due to his father's position. Just the same, Brian does love his job and is proud of his accomplishments. He has always wanted to be a part of something though, to actually belong, and so he is thrilled to be assigned to the bike squad; hoping that it will mean the start of something new as the officers there are all somewhat "outsiders" themselves. Of course, as they seem to be even more homophobic than the rest of their brothers in blue, Brian knows he will have to be extra careful to not let his true sexuality be known.At the time of his placement, the squad was investigating a group of notorious outlaw bikers and their elusive leader called Ice. Eager to prove his worth, Brian immediately immersed himself into the case, determined to be of use. But catching a lead on the bike leader proved to be a lot easier said than done, as it became more apparent with each step that Ice was not only well feared, but he also covered his tracks perfectly, leaving no loose ends behind for anyone to find their way to him. Then in the midst of everything, an incident with Brian's superior leads him towards a dangerous path - a path that takes him straight to the feared bike leader, Ice.**Okay, that out the way, I must say this was one very disappointing story.'Melting Ice' started off so very well, with so much promise...but then sunk like a ton of metal bricks in deep water.The story is told in the first person, from Brian's point of view. I've learnt to be weary of such erotic tales, especially when it means getting stuck in the head of some unlikeable character, which Brian did not start out as...but soon enough developed to be.As the son of a straight laced police commissioner, Brian has had to keep his sexuality under major wraps. He has become very good at this, even managing to elude sexual encounters with other men. At the start of the story he provides for an interesting read, and was able to draw me in with his retelling of events and his quirky personality. He proved to be a brave guy, with the type of inner strength that comes from having endured other people's crap. This is by far my favorite thing about Brian, as he has the balls to put up a fight even when he is scared beyond belief and trembling inside.When confronted with Ice, Brian's sexuality does indeed become an issue as he struggles to keep his lust for the other man under wraps. Needless to say he does fail, and he fails horribly...and this is where the story also fell downhill for me.Brian goes from denying his urges with such ferocity, that when he does succumb in the 'oh so easy' way that he does, I felt cheated. It was as if all the fight went right out of him the very first time he was truly tested..not something I expected after the character's build up.Then to make things worse, he goes from pitiful (which includes harboring declarations of love for Ice almost at first sight) to downright disgusting when he does the unthinkable and commits a repulsive act against the man. This sickened my stomach, especially in light of his thoughts at the moment which included these words:" although it might have appeared as if I was in complete control, it was him who was controlling me. The sight of him, the smell, the feel, I was completely in his power."So not only does he violate Ice, but he somehow shifts the blame to him as well.Then, as if that was not bad enough, Brian goes from being this newly introduced nasty little creature, to an immature adolescent prick once Ice's big secret is later revealed.After Brian's personality change, I lost all interest in the story, but just had to complete it since I had gotten so far. Since the story itself is very rushed though, especially starting from the middle, I was able to complete it quick enough. THANK GOODNESS!!!I was never able to get over the change in what had started off as such an interesting character, especially since Brian's deplorable act was pretty much swept under the rug and left as "A-okay". This meant one of two things to me, Brian saw absolutely nothing wrong with what he did, or the author thought it was an acceptable thing. On second thought, I will say that its actually seems as both to me. Now, I wish not to presume what Manly actually thought, but this is just how it came off to me.It's a pity that Ice was not the one to grace this reader with his views as he proved to be by far, the most interesting character in the long run. As the hot and commanding gang leader, with an enticing air of sophistication mingled with an uncertain coldness of danger, it would have been good to ride his thoughts and share his experiences instead.** The pace of the story was another brain pain. I personally do not believe that any story to make its way past 100 pages, should come off as being rushed. Especially when the build up was pretty nice and the first half had developed at a good speed. It makes me think that the author simply ran out of ideas and wanted to just tie things up quickly.**The third fault lies in the sex scenes which were "hella" boring and pretty unimaginative. It's hard to believe that with Brian having sex with another man for the first time - something that he had no doubt dreamed about, desired, and lusted for - that his thoughts could not have been more intense with regards to the situation. Instead, it came off as bland and hardly portrayed that of a new experience.**Despite all the bad stuff I mentioned, the editing for 'Melting Ice' was top notch. It was the only thing that made reading this story bearable after awhile.

[jshillingford_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first story I read by Manly left me underwhelmed. However, the author's writing had a lot of potential and I decided to try another novella. I am very glad that I did. "Melting Ice" was an excellent story with a good plot, and appealing characters. Brian Fuller is a cop trying to earn respect out from under his father's reputation as police commissioner. He's also deep in the closet to protect his career and avoid conflict. He's assigned to a new squad investigating biker gangs. Betrayed by his superior, he is left to be killed by a gang. Only the new gang leader, Ice, inexplicably saves him. Ice want revenge on the same man who betrayed Brian, but how far will he go to get it?While the plot was a bit predictable (this is gay romance, not mystery), it was well done with enough detail and action to give the romance a solid foundation. Brian and Ice become involved, but their "relationship" is not typical by any stretch. Brian is a hostage, and a reader must wonder how much of his feelings are brought on by stress and how much by actual love. And Ice's motives are even murkier. Much more is going on than he reveals to Brian (or the reader!), but I wasn't quite sure who's side he was on. The author had a nice twist at the end that many readers will guess but doesn't diminish the impact.The sex in the story was hot and frenzied. Brian has been repressing his desires, he's been injured and is a prisoner. Talk about angst! Ice seems nonchalant, but something is weighing on him that drives him to Brian. Their love is vibrant and steamy and I couldn't help rereading a couple sections. *grin* Overall, I highly recommend this novella to M/M fans and look forward to more from this author.