Mr. June
3/5
()
About this ebook
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.
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.
Read more from Bailey Bradford
Dark Nights and Headlights Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Artifacts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSomething Shattered Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Breaking the Devil Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Unexpected Places Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Texas and Tarantulas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBelt Buckles and Cowboy Boots Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYes, Forever Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYes, Forever: Part One Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Racing Hearts Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPower: A Box Set Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Mr. June
Titles in the series (13)
Mr. January Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. February Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. April Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. March Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mr. May Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. June Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mr. September Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mr. August Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. July Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. December Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mr. October Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mr. November Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The 13th Month Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Romantic Comedy For You
The Unhoneymooners Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love and Other Words Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In a Holidaze Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Icebreaker: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The True Love Experiment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Favorite Half-Night Stand Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Key to My Heart: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Scandalized Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Something Borrowed: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Eight Hundred Grapes: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spanish Love Deception: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Soulmate Equation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Red Velvet: A Friends to Lovers Romantic Comedy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dating You / Hating You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wildfire: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shipped Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Honey-Don't List Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Roomies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Have and to Hoax: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Twice in a Blue Moon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Charm Offensive: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The American Roommate Experiment: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Head Over Heels: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Love and to Loathe: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Cabin Fever Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Sir, with Love Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Something Wilder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Swoon and to Spar: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My Oxford Year: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Mr. June
1 rating1 review
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The stories in this series are sweet, but could use some more editing.
Book preview
Mr. June - Bailey Bradford
Page
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