Mr. June

By Bailey Bradford

Ilias Hayes is coming to believe that there is truth to the saying no good deed goes unpunished.'

Ilias Hayes was flattered when he was asked to pose in a charity calendar shoot. He was even more thrilled to participate when Perry invited his boyfriend, Terry, to pose with Ilias. Being one of the couples in the calendar would cement their relationship.

Except it doesn't. Terry dumps him, and Ilias realizes just how warped that relationship was. He plans to focus on his career with San Antonio Police Department and work out why he stayed with someone who treated him so badly.

But a call from dispatch about a fight at a doctor's office brings a very interesting, opinionated man into Ilias' life. He isn't sure if Doctor Torres is flirting or not, but Ilias wants to find out—if he can get past his own fears and escape someone who wants Ilias for themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jun 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781786516572

Bailey Bradford

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn't happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey's brain demanding to be let out. Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey's office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey's presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

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Mr. June

ISBN # 978-1-78651-657-2

©Copyright Bailey Bradford 2018

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright June 2018

Edited by Rebecca Scott

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2018 by Pride Publishing, UK

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Calendar Men

MR. JUNE

Bailey Bradford

Book six in the Calendar Men series

Ilias Hayes is coming to believe that there is truth to the saying ‘no good deed goes unpunished.’

Ilias Hayes was flattered when he was asked to pose in a charity calendar shoot. He was even more thrilled to participate when Perry invited his boyfriend, Terry, to pose with Ilias. Being one of the couples in the calendar would cement their relationship.

Except it doesn’t. Terry dumps him, and Ilias realizes just how warped that relationship was. He plans to focus on his career with San Antonio Police Department and work out why he stayed with someone who treated him so badly.

But a call from dispatch about a fight at a doctor’s office brings a very interesting, opinionated man into Ilias’ life. He isn’t sure if Doctor Torres is flirting or not, but Ilias wants to find out—if he can get past his own fears and escape someone who wants Ilias for themselves.

Dedication

Believe in love, even if you’ve been burned. Give love, even if you’ve been hurt. Accept love, even if you’re afraid. You deserve love.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Taser: Axon Enterprise, Inc.

Olive Garden: Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Levi’s: Levi Strauss & Co.

Vans: VF Corporation

Mustang: Ford Motor Company

Pontiac Firebird: General Motors Company

Jeep: FCA US LLC

Kevlar: DuPont

Uber: Uber Technologies Inc.

Chapter One

Ilias, Terry, thanks so much for being such good sports. I know this charity calendar deal turned into a bigger hassle than we could have ever expected it to. Perry swiped her bangs out of her eyes.

Ilias could see the sadness in them. How’s your dad doing?

Yeah, Terry piped up. How is Marco?

Perry frowned. He’ll…get better. Things are rough right now. I hate that bitch who did this to him. Calling her an evil stepmother is an insult to evil stepmothers everywhere. I hope she rots in prison.

As a police officer, Ilias had seen all kinds of horrible people, and Perry’s former stepmother wasn’t the worst, but she was pretty awful. She poisoned a bunch of people, one person nearly died from that, then she tried to kill Marco. I don’t see her being a free woman any time soon. And possibly never if Marco, who’d been the original calendar shoot photographer, died from his injuries—even if that happened months or years from now.

Dad will be happy to hear that the calendar shoot is finally done. We had so much bad luck with this… Perry waved at Albert. Hey, you and Gregg are my ride today! Don’t forget me!

As if I’d ever do that. Albert jogged over. Hey, Ilias, Terry, how’s it going?

Great, Terry answered, his smile wide and, Ilias knew, fake. What he didn’t know was why that was the case. Can’t wait to see the calendar.

You’ll get a half-dozen copies at the release party in a few months, Perry assured him. "And of course I’ll send you the proofs of the pic I decide to use for y’all’s month. I’m glad I had a couple for June, what with all the people that get married then. Though why anyone wants to get married is beyond me."

Ilias’ parents had been happily married for over thirty years, and he wanted what they had. He glanced at Terry. Maybe… He’d expected sparks and insane sexual chemistry, but it was possible his expectations were too high.

No offense. Perry patted Albert’s shoulder. I’m sure you and Gregg are going to be one of those rare forever and ever couples.

Albert spluttered and Gregg, who had walked over to join them, blushed.

Um. Gregg scratched his chin. We, er.

We haven’t been dating that long. Albert held out his hand to Ilias. I hope you’ll stay in touch. Both of you.

Ilias wondered if it was his imagination that Albert seemed less enthusiastic about the ‘both of you’ part.

We will. Ilias shook Albert’s hand, then Gregg’s. They were good guys and he intended to keep in touch with them.

After Terry shook their hands and made a vague comment about contacting them in the future, Ilias started to slip an arm around Terry’s shoulders.

Terry jerked aside and scowled at him. Cut it out. I don’t like that possessive shit and you know it.

Ilias did know it, but Terry had never objected to Ilias touching him like that before. Rather than bicker about it, Ilias lowered his arm and made certain not to so much as brush against Terry as they walked to the car.

Ilias waited until he and Terry were buckled in—and until he wasn’t still stinging from Terry’s rejection—to put himself out there again. Do you want to come over still?

Terry rolled his eyes. "Yes, Ilias, I do. Just because I don’t want you exhibiting caveman tactics with me doesn’t mean I don’t want to fuck. I’ve been looking forward to your dick all day."

If Terry had intended to arouse Ilias, he’d failed. For some reason, perhaps because Terry had been so snappish about a touch he’d always allowed before, Ilias wasn’t in the mood for sex.

Terry licked his lips and reached over to cup Ilias’ cock through his shorts. It won’t take much for me to wake this monster up. Want me to blow you while you drive?

No! Jesus, Ilias grumbled, shoving Terry’s hand away. I’m a cop, for Christ’s sake. I’m not going to risk being in or causing an accident just for a little pleasure.

A little? Terry made to grab him again.

Ilias beat him to it, covering his own groin with both hands. Cut it out, Terry. I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, but it needs to get back out.

This is just because I didn’t want you putting your arm around me, isn’t it? Terry pouted, his bottom lip poking out and making him look ridiculous. You’re punishing me.

Ilias kept one hand over his junk as he started the car. "When have I ever done anything like that while driving?"

I was going to be the one…doing, Terry snapped.

Ilias shook his head. Not while I’m driving. It’s not safe.

Shit, you’re such an uptight twat.

Ilias had been putting the car in reverse and checking his backup camera when Terry said that, but he pushed the gear back into park and twisted to face Terry as fully as possible. What did you just say?

Terry’s angry expression morphed into a blank one in an instant. Nothing.

A growl slipped out of Ilias, surprising him. He usually had much better control over his bear than that. What. Did. You. Say? He knew, but he wanted Terry to have the balls to say it to him.

Terry shrugged. It doesn’t matter. That growl was hot. Let’s go so you can fuck me sometime today.

Ilias put the car in reverse again and backed up. Like a fog clearing from his brain, the blinders Ilias had worn while dating Terry fell away.

He slid the gear into drive. Four months. I’ve put up with this for four months! Four months of dealing with a passive-aggressive, self-centered lover—

I’m sorry, Ilias. I’m being a bitch. Terry sighed. I shouldn’t take my bad mood out on you.

Ilias was stunned by the apology. He wasn’t sure he could recall Terry ever admitting to being wrong before. Then again, Ilias hadn’t argued or snapped back at Terry before, either.

The heat must have gotten to me. And I’ve skipped a lot of meals this week, wanted to look good for our photo shoot, Terry continued, smoothing a hand down his flat stomach. Guh, I’m starving, but I think I’ll stick to a meal a day until I drop another ten pounds or so. Get my twink-bod back.

Ilias, tall, muscular, and hairy as any bear should be, couldn’t imagine starving himself down to whatever goal Terry had in mind. And it made him self-conscious of his own bulk—Terry clearly thought being very thin was desirable. Is he trying to hint that he doesn’t like my body? And what is a twink-bod, anyway?

Terry hummed as he lowered his hand to his own cock. I know I can’t stave off aging forever, but I look damn good for twenty-five—

Terry was thirty-one and Ilias knew it. He’d seen Terry’s driver’s license more than once—when he ordered an alcoholic drink at the clubs, he always handed over his ID.

"And I want to keep

Reviews for Mr. June

[L'eau · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The stories in this series are sweet, but could use some more editing.