How to Deal: Stories from the Sound, #3

By TM Smith

Jon Brennan comes from a long line of men in uniform; all born and bred to both bleed and wear blue. His family and the majority of his co-workers support him every step of the way, so he doesn't need to hide the fact that he prefers men over women. Between the job and his larger than life, loud and rowdy half Irish, half Italian family, there isn't much time for dating, much less finding a guy that can deal with the stress and demands placed on the shoulders of an NYPD Detective.

Kory White is cocky and abrasive with most people, but it is all a mirage, a façade he hides behind to keep his heart safe. As a child, Kory lost his mother to an act of violence. Soon after, he and his baby sister Kassandra were separated by the system. Kassandra was immediately adopted, but Kory spent the next ten years cycling through foster homes before moving to the Big Apple. In an effort to keep everyone at a distance, Kory has meticulously built himself an alter ego: Hayden Cox, All Cocks' cockiest model.

These two strong willed men definitely prove opposites do attract. Both are stubborn and hard headed to a fault, Kory more so than Jon. But Jon is used to being in control, the one calling the shots, and Kory fights him at every turn. Just when it seems they have found a way to navigate the unchartered territory that is love, tragedy knocks on Kory's door yet again. Volatile and strong, even in the face of adversity, both men refuse to give up on each other - or their love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TM Smith
• Release date: Nov 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519262233

Book preview

Prologue

Club Berlin

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The last thing Jon wanted to do was answer a call about a possible drug overdose at a local club. He had already worked a twelve hour shift, then had to tolerate his family’s barrage of questions over dinner before his pager went off, summoning him to Club Berlin to assist the detective assigned to a case in progress.

Ralph Martin was a middle aged, balding, pot-bellied detective that managed to piss off any human being within a ten mile radius. That was when he managed to pry his overweight ass out of his desk chair, waddle to his car, then drive to the scene. Jon knew if he were being called out to a scene, especially one at a club that adhered to gay clientele when he was off duty, chances were the person or persons involved were gay as well. He’d had to run interference on more than one occasion when the glaringly homophobic detective shot his mouth off and offended a witness or two, even a few victims at one crime scene.

Jon parked his truck in the alley that ran behind the club. The scene was organized chaos, the lights and loud music from the event Club Berlin was hosting still filled the night air, inviting people in, though everyone in the club had been escorted out unless they were relative to whatever crime had been committed. Jon made his way inside greeting several officers he knew on his way in.

Hey Bobby, think we can get the music and the lights killed? he asked a beat Cop he knew from Sunday Mass. Bobby nodded and turned, walking toward what Jon assumed was the DJ booth, and a few seconds later the music died off. Immediately Jon’s senses were assaulted with an angry, deep, foreign voice. Whoever the man was that was barking, English wasn’t his first language, and he was fit to be tied.

Jon turned in a slow circle, taking in the club that was now deserted before following the trail of the utterly pissed off voice that bounced off every available surface. Mother Fucker. Jon groaned to himself when he walked into the bar area and saw Detective Martin, posture rigid, facing off against a very intimidating man whose eyes spoke volumes. Jon rolled his eyes and was just about to intervene when a familiar face drew his attention.

Standing behind the pissed off guy was Hayden Cox, Jon’s favorite porn star. For the first time, possibly ever, Jon was struck immobile and speechless. Jon coveted his membership to the online gay porn sight, All Cocks, but never imagined he would meet one of the models face to face; much less his favorite of the bunch. The cocky, self-assured, power top Hayden Cox. It took Jon’s brain a few seconds to catch up with his eyes, but as soon as he started thinking clearly again he was certain the big man facing off against Detective Martin was the owner of All Cocks Inc., Victor Dimir.

Jon stood rooted in place for how long he didn’t even know. He just watched Hayden as he tried to pull the bigger man away from Dick Martin, and then another man, smaller and blonde, squirmed his way up to Victor Dimir’s side, wrapping an arm around his waist and begging him to calm down and sit down.

Jon finally found his feet and quickly walked over to the group, telling Dick Martin he’d take care of it and take everyone’s statements. He tried to apologize for Dick, but Mr. Dimir would have none of it.

It was hard for Jon to remain focused on the task at hand when the man he had lusted over, fantasized about for the last three years stood close enough to touch. Hayden was a little shorter than he seemed online, but his body was toned and fit, the jeans and T-shirt he wore hugging every muscle and curve of his fine ass body. And those eyes, Jon had to blink and re-focus on the situation at hand a couple times, he was so caught up in those golden pools of amber. Jon fought every urge his wayward hands had to latch onto Hayden and pull him close enough to smell.

Jon managed to remain composed and finish taking everyone’s statements. Later when he followed up at the hospital it was more difficult not to approach Hayden, but Jon prevailed and left without talking to him, mostly because the two partners of the victim, Matthew Carlson, scared the living shit out of him when they were upset. And Jon did not scare easy.

Jon volunteered to drive out to the victim’s house on Mamaroneck Island a couple days later to follow up and ensure he wanted to press charges. Much to Jon’s surprise, Hayden was the one to answer the door and let him in. When Jon introduced himself and held out his hand, his crush introduced himself as Kory. Jon rolled the name around in his head a few times, Kory, yes, he liked it and the name seemed to fit Kory’s personality far better than his obvious online alias, Hayden.

Knowing he might never get the opportunity again, before Jon left the big house on the Sound that afternoon, he gave Kory his card. Call me, anytime, he said. He was nervous and anxious for a couple days after. Then the remorse settled in after a week. Jon had finally managed to convince himself that Kory had simply thrown his card in the trash five minutes after he handed it to him, when his phone rang.

Chapter One

Getting Acquainted

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Kory ran his fingers through his hair, trying to decide if he should style it or just let it air dry. He had finally broken down and called Jon, agreeing to go out on a date with him. He could remember locking eyes with Jon that night at Club Berlin, those smoldering eyes that were a shade of green Kory had never seen before. And then again at the hospital, Kory could feel someone watching him and when he turned, he met Jon’s gaze. As if those two situations weren’t evidence enough that the man was interested in Kory, the business card and the departing words that day when Jon left Victor’s house, Call me, anytime. accompanied by a lingering stare, were glaringly obvious attempts to get Kory’s attention.

It wasn’t that Kory wasn’t attracted to the tall drink of water that was Detective Jon Brennan, he was definitely attracted. It was more a survival instinct Kory had ingrained into his subconscious after a lifetime of pain and disappointment that made him hesitate every time he pulled out Jon’s card. While Kory was pretty sure that Jon was truly interested in him, not his online persona, and was also pretty sure Jon would never intentionally hurt him, life was a bitter, cruel bitch. So Kory stood by the façade he had erected around himself. There was something about the Detective that had gotten under his skin already though, and they had not even exchanged more than a few words yet. Jon was obviously infatuated, and Kory was intrigued.

Then there was the fact that Kory had not been on a date in years, so he was out of practice. His own personal demons aside, his line of work wasn’t really conducive for dating. Most men that pursued Kory were after the notoriety that came with dating a gay porn star or just using him to get close to one of the other models they had the hots for. And then there were the ones he really liked that ran in the other direction, as fast as their legs would carry them, as soon as they found out what he did for a living. That voice in the back of Kory’s mind reminded him, Jon is not like that. The truth of the matter was that Kory didn’t know what Jon was like at all. Kory tucked away his doubt and decided to enjoy his evening and find out just what kind of man Jon Brennan was.

Turning sideways, Kory checked out his profile in the mirror. Trying to look nice but not like he was trying too hard. He had decided on his favorite jeans from The Buckle and a blue, long sleeved Henley from The Gap. They weren’t going anywhere fancy, just to a local sports bar for beers and hot wings, but Kory wanted to look nice regardless. He jumped when the doorbell rang then laughed at his reflection in the mirror. Kory quickly finished getting ready, brushing his teeth, taking a piss, washing his hands, then almost jumped out of his skin when he opened the bathroom door and damn near ran right over Dusty.

Jesus Christ Dusty! You could have knocked. Warn a guy you’re lurking on the other side of the bathroom door. Kory glared at his roommate and best friend.

Lover boy is waiting for you in the living room. You said he was hot, what you failed to mention was that he’s the real life version of Don Flack with smoldering green eyes. And that accent, swoon-fucking-worthy! Dusty said, dramatically fanning himself as if it were one hundred degrees in their apartment at the moment.

Kory laughed, shoving past Dusty and heading into his bedroom to put on his shoes and grab his jacket. Kory became accustomed to Dusty and his flair for the dramatics long ago. He was right though, Jon did bare an uncanny resemblance to Don Flack, a detective on CSI New York. They had been binge watching the series as of late, since it was streaming on Netflix. Kory could remember thinking the same thing when he first met Jon at Club Berlin. He was tall and built with black hair, the accent and that almost ever present five o’clock shadow, just like Eddie Cahill, the actor that played Flack on the show. The only difference really was Jon had green eyes instead of blue, and his hair was in a constant state of unruliness, Flack’s was always perfectly coifed. 

Dusty leaned against Kory’s bedroom door, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Kory knew that grin; that grin promised trouble not far behind.

Whatever it is you are thinking about doing, or saying, forget it. Kory tried to sound stern, but failed at masking the mirth in his voice. Dusty feigned innocence, holding his hands up in surrender, silently saying... Who? Me?

Kory shoved past him again, praying he could get Jon and get out of the apartment before Dusty said or did something that would embarrass him. Jon had his back to him when Kory walked into the living room. Kory stopped and admired the view for a few seconds before Dusty strode past him, smacking Kory’s ass and mouthing the word ‘behave’.

Look who I found. Dusty said and Jon turned, smiling when he saw Kory. The three of them talked for a few minutes before Jon asked Kory if he was ready to go.

You boys have fun and behave. Dusty winked at Jon.

You have your phone? Dusty asked and Kory nodded.

Your wallet? Kory rolled his eyes and nodded again, pulling the front door open and motioning for Jon to go on out to the hall.

Condoms? Kory froze with his hand on the knob, exhaling only when he heard Jon snort out a laugh.

Goodnight Dusty. Kory growled through gritted teeth, which only made Jon laugh harder.

Jon turned around and waved at Dusty, grinning from ear to ear. So nice to meet you Dusty, hope to see you again soon.

Dusty blew the sexy cop a kiss as he was closing the door. Jon threw an arm over Kory’s shoulders and did his best not to laugh, noting the red tinge in Kory’s cheeks. Well, did you? Jon asked.

Kory looked over at him, confusion clear in his expression. Did I what?

Remember the condoms? Jon managed to get the words out without laughing, trying to school his features into something serious, but his lips were quivering with the need to smile.

If it was possible, Kory turned even redder before he playfully shoved Jon. Shut the fuck up.

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Jon wasn’t sure if it was Dusty's intention, but the comedy relief before they left seemed to settle Kory’s nerves. And the standoffish vibe Jon had initially sensed from Kory, was thankfully absent for the rest of their date. The sports bar they were going to was a popular hangout for mixed couples. The owners didn’t care if you were gay, straight, lesbian or orangutan as long as you minded your manners, paid your tab and tipped the wait staff, they could care less. Jon loved the atmosphere and the food, and tonight, he loved the company.

This is a great place. I can’t believe I’ve never been here. Kory looked around the room taking in the simple décor. Mostly sports memorabilia and those tacky bar mirrors and signs that lit up when you plugged them in. When Kory looked over at Jon again, he caught him staring at him. What? Kory asked, looking down at his shirt; nothing there worth looking at. Running his hand over his hair, he remembered he had done nothing, not even brushed or combed it before they left. Oh, is my hair a mess?

Jon laughed; his smile lighting up his eyes. Would you stop, calm down, I just like looking at you is all. He reached for Kory’s hands across the table. Kory blushed again, looking down at their joined hands and smiling. Jon reached up and palmed Kory’s cheek, wanting to feel the heat of that blush on his fingers. Of course their server chose that moment to approach the table.

They ordered a plate of wings, a basket of fries with extra ranch and a pitcher of beer. Kory was quiet, glancing in Jon’s direction every few seconds then