Moving On: Book 27 in the Action! Series

By GA Hauser

After the traumatic upheaval of Book 26- Loving Stan; the men of the Action! Series battle to recover and gain normalcy. Mark Antonius Richfield, faced with friction from every direction for his choices, craves a drama-free life, but with a man like Mark, it never is.

Steven Jay Miller, Mark’s husband, is still reeling from the backlash and anger of Mark’s decisions. He finds living on the periphery of Mark’s life infuriating.

Is it possible for the two men to reconcile? Or have their lives been changed forever?

Moving on...
It’s a desire but not always a reality, when couples who have loved for a decade, fall apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GA Hauser
• Release date: Feb 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370724581

GA Hauser

About the AuthorAuthor G.A. Hauser is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA. She attended university at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and has a BA in Fine Art from William Paterson College in Wayne NJ where she graduated Cum Laude. As well as degrees in art, G.A. is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 1994 G.A. graduated the Washington State Police academy as a Peace Officer for the Seattle Police Department in Washington where she worked on the patrol division. She was awarded Officer of the Month in February 2000 for her work with recovering stolen vehicles and fingerprint matches to auto-theft and bank robbery suspects. After working for the Seattle Police, G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began to write full length gay romance novels. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has penned over 200 novels and short stories. Breaking into independent film, G. A. was the executive producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES which included TV star Shane Keough in its cast. CAPITAL GAMES had its Film Festival Premiere at Philly's Qfest, and its television premiere on OutTV. G.A. is the director and executive producer for her second film NAKED DRAGON, which is an interracial gay police/FBI drama filmed in Los Angeles with the outstanding cinematographer, Pete Borosh. (also the Cinematographer for Capital Games)The cover photographs of G.A.'s novels have been selected from talented and prolific photographers such as Dennis Dean, Dan Skinner, Michael Stokes, Tuta Veloso, Hans Withoos, and CJC Photography, as well as graphic comic artist, Arlen Schumer. Her cover designs have featured actors Chris Salvatore, Jeffery Patrick Olson, Tom Wolfe, and models Brian James Bradley, Bryan Feiss, Jimmy Thomas, Andre Flagger, among many others.Her advertisements have been printed in Attitude Magazine, LA Frontier, and Gay Times.G. A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, and Best Author 2007.G.A. was the guest speaker at the SLA conference in San Diego, in 2013, where she discussed women writing gay erotica and has attended numerous writers’ conventions across the country.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Stan Charles leaned over the sink in the marble master bathroom in the large Bel Air, California home. He placed contacts into his eyes, blinking as he did.

Movement behind him caught his attention.

Wearing a dark business suit and tie, Mark Antonious Richfield touched Stan’s low back as he opened the vanity cabinet to remove a hairbrush.

When Mark noticed what Stan was doing, he stopped short and had a closer look.

Stan smiled. Yes?

Blue?

They’re colored contacts. Stan glanced at his face in the mirror.

But, why? Mark took a brush to his shoulder-length brown hair. You’re perfect as you are.

Far from it. Stan liked how his eyes looked with the blue color. His natural eye color was hazel. He had brown contacts as well.

You know, I do recall the first time I met you. That day you drove me to the airport. Mark set the brush down and folded his arms. They were blue.

Now you know my secret. Stan closed the lens case.

So many secrets, so much time to explore. Mark held him from behind so they were both reflected in the mirror.

I just moved in. Stan stared at Mark’s sexy green eyes and fabulous model beauty. We’ve got nothing but time.

Yes. Except right now. Mark kissed his cheek. I must go.

Stan watched as Mark left the bathroom. He followed him into the master bedroom. Mark was checking his phone before pocketing it with his wallet.

It was Friday, and Mark had to work in advertising at Parsons and Company, where Mark’s husband Steve Miller worked.

Right. Mark ran his hand through his hair. And you’re on-call with the limo service?

Yes. I’ll most likely be working from noon to four or five. And I’m going to hit the gym.

All right, my pet. Mark kissed him. I left coffee for you.

Thanks.

Mark headed down the carpeted stairs.

Stan took a moment to look around the bedroom. It didn’t feel like home yet. He had no idea if it ever would.

~

Wearing a crisp, dark uniform, Chief of Police Billy Sharpe, stood near the counter of his kitchen, drinking coffee. He stared out of his back sliding door, seeing his pool, which was covered for the winter, and the view of the Getty Museum.

He glanced behind him as Steve entered the kitchen, placing his suit jacket and briefcase near the door to the garage.

Steve moving in hadn’t disrupted his and Alex’s schedules. But, Billy wasn’t sure Steve living here permanently was a good idea. What he really wanted was to see Steve and Mark reconcile.

Morning, Steve said, pouring coffee into a travel mug.

Morning. Knowing Steve had to work with Mark, Billy didn’t say much.

Alexander and Tadzio were the next to enter the room, craving coffee before they left the house.

What are we doing for dinner? Alex asked, his long, brown hair flowing down the shoulders of his white cotton pullover.

Tadzio checked his phone as he waited his turn at the coffee pot, which was emptying quickly. I can cook.

Since Steve and Tadzio slept in the same guest bedroom, Billy kept his thoughts to himself. If Steve intended on trying to win Mark back, sleeping with the young, blond, Swedish runway model wasn’t going to help.

Dinner? Hello? Tadzio dumped the old coffee grounds and refilled the carafe with water. I can make it.

Nah. It’s Friday. Let’s go out. Alex sipped from his mug and then dropped bread into the toaster.

Bye. Steve folded his jacket over his arm, picked up his briefcase and travel mug, and left.

Once he had, Alex met Billy’s gaze. This sucks.

Billy wasn’t going to argue. He tried to get eye contact from the pretty blond, but Tadzio’s focus was on scooping coffee grounds into the filter and starting the drip.

Dinner? Tadzio asked.

I don’t care what we do. Billy took one of the toasted slices of bread and spread butter on it.

He heard Alex sigh loudly.

It would take time for this to feel normal. At the moment, it felt like shit.

~

Mark parked his TVR Tuscan sports car in his reserved spot at Parsons and Company. He was tired and glad it was the end of the week. Just as he was about to get out of the low slung car, he noticed Steve’s Mercedes pull in beside him. Mark waited, feeling an icy pit in his stomach, dreading a confrontation.

Once Steve’s car came to a halt, Mark exited his car and took his suit jacket from the back seat and put it on in the cold breeze.

Steve climbed out of his car as well, doing the same; something the two of them had done since they began working together.

Ironically, Mark and Steve had been adversaries when Mark had first been hired on. He and Steve competed for a few prized accounts.

Then, they became lovers, and partners, working as a team.

Mark put his sunglasses on and was about to make his way to the elevators alone when his husband called his name.

Mark paused and glanced back at him.

Steve walked with him to the elevator.

It was awkward. What could Mark say? He had asked Steve to move out and moved a man who was twenty years younger than he was-in.

Steve held open the elevator door for Mark. He joined Steve and faced the front, hoping no one else rode with them. After the doors closed, Steve exhaled and held his briefcase by his side.

Hullo, Steven. Mark figured they had to at least be civil.

Steve glanced at him as they rode to their floor.

Mark moved his sunglasses to the top of his head. Not even a hullo? When Steve met his gaze, Mark’s heart broke. Love? I never meant to hurt you.

You kicked me out. How could you not hurt me?

Before the elevator made it to their floor and opened to their receptionist, Mark slapped the ‘stop’ button. The elevator came to a halt.

Steve lowered his head.

Mark stood in front of him. Why did you have to become violent?

I didn’t. Did I? Steve appeared exhausted.

You did. Mark wanted to touch him but didn’t dare.

What did I do? Steve looked bewildered.

You struck out. You wanted to fight.

Mark… Steve shook his head.

If you hadn’t, perhaps we could have talked.

Steve set his briefcase down by his feet. Talked? Are you telling me if I hadn’t gotten physical—

Yes. That’s precisely what I am saying. Mark crossed his arms over his suit jacket. I detest violence.

Oh, God. Steve’s eyes became watery.

I dealt with violence from my father. You knew that. Why? Why did you have to lash out? Aren’t we adults?

You… Steve shook his head. You fell in love with a man younger than your son.

I fell for you whilst I was engaged to Sharon Tice. What’s your point?

I have no point. I just want to know if I still have a chance.

Mark looked up at the unlit numbers over the door. Are you sleeping in Tadzio’s bed?

Steve’s expression hardened. Are you sleeping with Stan?

Lowering his sunglasses, Mark started the elevator once more and backed away from Steve. The moment it opened, Mark walked by the receptionist, and headed directly to his office.

~

Steve picked up his briefcase and stopped at the receptionist’s desk.

Hi, Steve.

Hi, Amber. He took his mail and messages.

Are you and Mark back together? she asked, looking hopeful.

Huh? No. He headed to his office and set his items on his desk. As he thought about that day, the day he had come home early from work and Mark returned from New York with his new ‘boyfriend’, Steve did react violently towards Stan.

Even with what Mark had told him, he wasn’t sure it would have made any difference if he hadn’t.

After taking off his jacket, Steve rolled up his cuffs and watched as Mark walked by his glass wall, headed to the employee lounge with his coffee mug.

Steve rubbed his face and waited before he did the same.

~

Since Tadzio had managed to piss off not only his director, but the executive producer of the nighttime cable drama he starred in, he was cut out of the script.

His character, which was a woman who had transitioned from being a man, ‘Cheryl’ had been written out when he complained about the hurtful, callus dialogue.

He was in the doghouse for that, and for chopping off his long blond hair. Now he had to wait for his contract to expire before Adam Lewis, his talent agent, found him new work.

He was hoping since he had shorn off his long locks, stopped the hormone treatments, and was dressing like a man again, that he might get a part in something…anything.

But, in the meantime, since he didn’t want to be around the studio, he had volunteered to help Adam.

At this point he didn’t care if all he did were coffee and lunch runs. He just needed to feel useful.

After Alex left for work, Tadzio climbed into his new car, one Alex had bought for him. It wasn’t glamorous or expensive. It was transportation. And that suited Tadzio just fine for now.

He parked in the lot of Adam’s office, and climbed out, wearing dress slacks and a cotton top under a leather jacket. Tadzio ran his hand over his conservatively cropped blond hair and made his way inside.

Hi, Tadzio! Natalie smiled when he entered.

Hi, Natalie. He waved at Logan as well, and took his jacket off, hearing Adam Lewis in his office, already on the phone.

~

If you want to come to LA I can get you auditions, Ewan. Adam noticed Tadzio talking to Natalie, whose desk was located right outside his office. Adam struggled to understand Ewan’s thick Carlisle, England accent. Mark’s wasn’t nearly as heavy.

LA? Nothing up north in the San Francisco or Sacramento area? Ewan asked.

I don’t really have any connections up north, Ewan. Adam tapped his computer keys, the wireless earpiece in his ear as he spoke to Ewan Gallagher, a client and good friend.

Jason isn’t keen on me being out of town for any length of time. He’s winging about missing England, getting on me nerves, yeah?

Adam read through the audition listings. I don’t know what to tell you. Either you can do work someplace other than Nor-Cal or you can’t.

I don’t know what to do. Send me auditions. I think it’s a good idea for Jas and I to mix it up. We’ve become fat, dumb and happy living in this place.

That’s not a bad thing, Ewan. Adam checked Ewan’s resume and headshot, which he had online. Ewan and Dr Jason Phillips had purchased Mark’s mother’s estate in Paradise, in Northern California. Adam had been there several times, and knew how amazing the home was.

Right. Well, now that you know I’m interested, put me on the list.

Okay. Adam made a note of it on his pad. Let me do this today while I’m thinking about you. Do you need to update your headshot?

I don’t think so. I still look the same.

Okay. I’ll send you what I find.

Cheers.

Adam disconnected the call with a tap of his finger and looked up to see Tadzio in his doorway. Hi, Tadzio.

He entered the office. I am going to get food and coffee. Do you want lunch or should I get snacks?

I had breakfast. If you’re going out, why not get us lunch? Adam took his wallet out of his pocket. Grilled chicken on a garden salad and a chai tea.

Tadzio took the cash and wrote down Adam’s request.

As he did, Adam felt terrible for the young man. He was screwed at the moment; being under contract and not getting work on the nighttime cable drama he’d been hired for. Now Tadzio had to wait it out, painfully, and not work in another film or television show until his contract expired.

Tadzio took the cash and before he left, Adam asked, Is everything okay at home with Steve living with you guys?

Tadzio’s light blue gaze met his. Why do you ask? the Swedish bombshell appeared a little guilty.

It’s just that with Mark and Steve split up…

Iz fine. Tadzio left his office.

Adam! Line one! Natalie informed him.

Adam wasn’t sure he wanted to know what was going on with Tadzio…and Steve. He answered his phone, Adam Lewis, can I help you?

~

After hitting two morning classes in the gym he belonged to in West Hollywood: hot yoga and spinning, Stan dressed in his black suit, white shirt, and narrow black tie. It was his chauffeur outfit.

He’d been hired as a model for the same line of cologne as Mark had been; Dangereux, but so far, the income wasn’t enough to quit the driving work.

As he became famous, recognized for the ads he had done with Mark on both TV and in print, he hoped he could earn enough to not do anything else.

He checked his image in the full-length mirror behind the door of the walk-in closet. His heavy weightlifting workout had added bulk to his body, making the clothing snug over his chest, shoulders, and thighs.

Stan dabbed on his own brand of cologne, Dangereux Obsession and then read the pickup information on his phone. An airport run.

He pocketed his phone and made his way down the stairs. He had tidied up the kitchen after his breakfast and took a last look around. Locking the door behind him, Stan tapped a button on the wall to elevate the double garage door. Mark’s Ducati motorcycle was parked against the wall next to the open space where he parked his car.

Stan sat in his white 1970 classic Mustang, and started it up. Once he’d backed out, he closed the garage and drove to the limousine company, so he could take one of their town-cars to the airport.

~

Mark zoned off as he worked on the computer.

A light rap came to his door. He snapped out of his thoughts. Steve was there.

We have an appointment.

Mark became flustered. Yes. He saved his work and logged off, standing and buttoning his suit jacket. Do you have the presentation items?

Yes.

Right. Mark pointed to his laptop. Do I need it?

I’ve got it. Steve showed Mark his leather valise.

Would you like me to drive? Mark tucked his tie under his suit jacket.

Up to you. Steve led the way. I don’t mind.

Mark followed him, seeing coworkers peeking at them as they walked by the cloth dividers. It certainly wasn’t a secret that he and Steve were separated. It spread like wildfire through the office after a celebrity news broadcast had shown footage of him and Stan in New York.

They had attended a promotional event for the cologne company. And…shared a hotel room.

As they walked by the receptionist, Steve said, At a meeting, Amber.

Okay, Steve.

Mark waited with Steve at the elevators. Seems we’re forever riding vertically.

Steve didn’t answer, looking preoccupied.

Mark stepped onto the elevator with him, poking the button for the correct floor of the parking garage. His phone buzzed with a text.

Mark had a look.

His son had asked him what he was doing this weekend, and tonight, for dinner. Since he had no idea, Mark didn’t text back. I can hold that. Mark reached for the leather bag with the laptop and presentation items in it. Since you’re driving.

Steve handed him the bag.

Mark hated seeing him so unhappy.

The door to the elevator opened at the correct floor and two women were standing outside it, waiting to get on.

Mark tried to avoid them, following Steve to the car.

One of them said, Are you Mark Richfield?

He didn’t answer, lowering his head as Steve used his key-fob to open the doors of his car. Mark placed the bag behind the seat, and dropped down on it. Steve removed his suit jacket and folded it before sitting behind the wheel.

Mark put on his sunglasses and rested his hand on Steve’s leg.

Steve shifted his car into reverse and stared at Mark’s hand.

Since they weren’t moving, Mark asked, No?

Steve let out a low sigh and backed out of the parking space.

Mark removed his hand and interlaced his fingers on his lap. Really? I can’t show affection to you?

Not answering, Steve’s focus was on the road.

Mark fidgeted on the seat, the sick sense of worry began to invade him, and that usually meant, feeling lightheaded and dizzy.

~

Did he want Mark to touch him? Yes.

Did he want Mark to take him back? Yes.

Steve drove them to the office building where they were going to make a sales pitch to a new client.

Mark wasn’t the only one being torn in two.

Tadzio Andresen, the sexy blond Swedish model was in bed with Steve nightly.

Ever since he and Mark had separated, he and Tadzio were having sex. A lot of sex.

So much sex, that Steve worried that if he and Mark did reconcile, he was concerned about Tadzio getting hurt.

As he navigated the heavy traffic, Steve ran his hand along the bench seat to Mark. He rested it palm up.

Mark interlaced their hands and squeezed.

The touch was so comforting, Steve nearly cried. Mark glanced over at him. Steve struggled to hold it together since they were headed to a meeting with new clients.

Steven…

Don’t. Steve shook his head.

Mark drew Steve’s hand to his lips to kiss.

Battling with his emotions, Steve pulled into the parking lot and found an available space. He shut off the car after releasing Mark’s handclasp. He turned to look at Mark.

Mark had removed his sunglasses and was watching him.

Fuck. Steve was losing the battle.

Come here. Mark unhooked his seatbelt.

Steve went for that embrace and held Mark, inhaling him. Mark squeezed Steve tightly and kissed his neck. Let’s just get through this meeting.

He could hear Mark’s voice crack with emotion.

Steve nodded and parted from his hug.

They both rubbed at their eyes and then Mark chuckled in the awkwardness. Blubbering like a baby. He dabbed at the corners of his eyes.

Steve climbed out of the car, putting his jacket on. Mark shouldered the leather valise and reached out his hand. Steve took it and they walked to the building together.

Chapter 2

Stan stood in an arrival/baggage area of the LAX airport terminal. He held a sign with a celebrity’s name on it. He had no idea who this person was, since he didn’t keep up with Hollywood news. A few passengers who had begun to arrive at the luggage conveyor belt stared at him.

Stan was beginning to be recognized from the cologne campaigns ads, and…for his association with Mark as well.

It shouldn’t have, but being a limo driver now, after all the hoopla and exposure he was getting on social media and the celebrity gossip rags, was slightly embarrassing. But, he could handle it.

An older man acknowledged him with a wave. Stan threw the sign out and approached him. Just tell me which bag is yours.

The man gave him an intense look, as if he might recognize Stan as well. That bag is mine.

Stan hoisted it off the carousel. Any others?

The man watched the bags as they looped around. He removed a smaller rollaboard and nodded he could take it. Stan led the way