Protecting His Prince

By Emily Carrington

Aaron has escaped his past with scars and strength. But when he is targeted again for his looks and his talent, his belief in the goodness of the world and the power of love are challenged.

Jason knows there’s something wrong with his husband, but Aaron won’t talk about it. Will Aaron’s refusal tear them apart? Can Jason keep his temper or will his need to protect Aaron destroy their love?

Warning: Jason and Aaron’s story deals with issues of PTSD, M/M rape, hate crimes, stalking, kidnapping, and torture. Jason and Aaron’s stories may be triggers for some readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Apr 22, 2022

Book preview

Chapter One

Aaron stirred the soup and hummed, aware he was a little off key but not caring. No one was home, and his husband, Jason, said he liked Aaron’s not-quite-on-pitch humming because, according to Jason, it was resonant and heartfelt.

He was humming a song from the musical they’d seen about three months ago. It had been Jason’s birthday present for Aaron, and even though his birthday was in December, this musical was the one they both wanted to see.

Aaron’s last five presents for Jason had all been paintings. The walls of their bedroom were almost full. The last painting had been of Jason’s entire family, from his oldest brother, Christopher, all the way down to his youngest sibling.

Anniversaries got paintings. Birthdays got paintings. Aaron would have felt guilty about not being able to give more than his art except Jason honestly seemed to love each one. His delight was infectious, and Aaron was already planning what to paint him for their ten-year anniversary, which was coming up at the end of this year.

The kitchen was full of the smell of baking bread and bean soup. Aaron’s mouth watered as he idly stirred the soup to keep the beans near the bottom of the pot from burning. Jason should be home in a few minutes and then they could eat.

The front door to their little apartment they shared with another couple burst open, and Jason literally waltzed in, turning and holding his hands out as if he was dancing with an invisible partner. He was singing Oh, What a Beautiful Morning at close to full volume. Unlike Aaron’s humming, Jason was always perfectly on pitch.

Having Jason come in singing was slightly unusual, but dancing was another level of strange. Aaron found himself grinning in anticipation of something wonderful. He didn’t interrupt Jason’s song to ask and when Jason caught him by the waist and pulled him into the dance, he fell into easy step. They waltzed around the small kitchen, Jason leading.

When his husband stopped singing, they continued to dance. Aaron started to ask what had put such a spring in Jason’s step, but Jason kissed him, and Aaron went weak at the knees. He opened his mouth to Jason’s tongue, letting his lover explore. Jason tasted of coffee and something sweet, not quite chocolate.

There was a bubbling sound and Aaron turned toward the stove to stir the soup, having to let go of his lover to do so. He stirred and then tasted the concoction. It was excellent, if he did say so himself. He’d settled into cooking for the four of them: himself, Jason, and the couple they lived with. He’d been doing it for over nine years and his skills had improved.

Jason stepped up behind him and hugged him, resting his chin on Aaron’s shoulder. He smelled incredibly good, like summer heat and subtle cologne almost overshadowed by his shampoo. He smelled like Jason.

Like home.

So? Aaron asked as he turned off the burner under the pot. What’s happened?

I got offered a job.

Aaron frowned in confusion. He twisted in the circle of Jason’s arms and lifted his head slightly so he could meet Jason’s hazel eyed gaze. But you love your middle school students. That’s not something every teacher can say.

Don’t you even want to hear where the job is?

Still frowning, Aaron nodded.

I’ve been offered a job in Colton, Pennsylvania.

Aaron’s heartbeat picked up. Colton was the college town nearest to Marisburg. But then his excitement died. You can’t take a lower paying job just to make me happy.

Who said it’s a lower paying job? I’m being offered the position as head of the math department at Colton University.

Aaron gaped. When did you apply?

I didn’t. Nearest I can figure is someone here works in Pennsylvania, or vice versa. Someone I know, maybe, or someone who’s… He shrugged and a little of his enthusiasm faded. Does it matter? Jason kissed him again. Drawing back, he said, Don’t look so dubious. Cross pollination happens all the time.

But… but you love your kids. You were named Most Valuable Teacher at your school two years in a row. You make middle schoolers actually give a crap about math.

Aaron. Jason took Aaron’s shoulders in his large, square hands. If we move to Colton or Marisburg, you’ll be available to take that crazy haired art patron up on his offer.

I know but… Jason, do you really want to leave the city?

We could have our own apartment, Jason murmured. No waiting for Krys and Daiden to be out of the building before we make love. Yes, I want to move.

Did you already accept the position?

Interviewed last week and they chose me this afternoon. I didn’t want to get your hopes up and I wanted to surprise you.

Well, you definitely did. Aaron leaned his cheek against Jason’s upper chest and listened to his husband’s heartbeat for a moment. Without moving, he said quietly, Thank you.

For taking a job I’ll love? Jason teased.

For keeping my dreams foremost in your heart.

Jason brushed his lips against Aaron’s hair. This could be the break you’ve been waiting for. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a selfish reason.

What’s that? He loved being in Jason’s arms. The sheer warmth of it made breathing easier.

I miss small town life.

Aaron’s gut tightened. He didn’t. Not at all. But he managed to hide his reaction. Then this move will be perfect.

The door opened and Krys strode in, setting his briefcase on the bench by the door. Hey. What’s for… He smiled as he trailed off. You both look happier than a dog getting a belly rub. What’s up?

Jason told him and as Aaron listened again to the excitement in his husband’s voice, he knew even if he was frightened of living in a small town again, it would be all right. Because Jason would be there to fight the nightmares.

* * *

Ten days later Jason pulled into his designated parking space behind the apartment building they’d moved into. They hadn’t had much more than a bed and some cooking implements. But the quilt Aaron’s mother had sewn for them would make the single bedroom cheery, just as it had in their small room with Krys and Daiden. She’d sewn the crazy quilt for their wedding, which was over nine years in the past, and it had stood up to many washings. The one time there had been a rip, Aaron had sewn it closed himself. He was so handy with things Jason was convinced he could never master.

Like cooking. It wasn’t that Jason couldn’t cook, but everything he made sort of tasted the same. Aaron’s culinary expertise had grown rapidly.

It was mid June. School had let out in NYC the day Jason had received his offer from Colton University. He’d submitted his notice to the middle school and the district that same day, even before talking to Aaron because there had been an art patron who’d been pressuring Aaron to move for two years, and this was the perfect opportunity. He’d thought to surprise and delight his lover. Instead, they’d argued about it for forty-eight hours.

Aaron was amazed, he said, that Jason would make such a huge decision without him. He’d seemed hurt.

So, Jason had tried to explain his reasoning. I love you, he’d started.

I love you too. That isn’t the point.

Maybe it is. We’ve been living here on Krys and Daiden’s sufferance. They can definitely afford this place without us. Hell, it could mean they have an extra room to take in the foster children they want to.

That had given Aaron pause. Jason had seen some of the worry fade from his husband’s eyes. But, Jay, what if you hate Colton?

And this, Jason had realized, was the true center of Aaron’s concern. He’d wrapped his arms around his lover and answered, I miss small town life. As much as I love my kids, I hate the traffic, the bills, and the stress of the city.

Aaron had caved then, and his hidden exuberance bubbled out. Thank you for taking such a risk for me.

It’s not much of a risk, Jason had tried to reassure him.

We’re changing states, tax brackets, and you’re changing your job to the head of a college department. You’re walking out on a tightrope for me. And I love you for it. But if you ever want to change back, just let me know.

Jason had shaken his head. I’ll love this new place. I just know it. What he would love even more, and yet wouldn’t share with Aaron because it would most likely make his husband feel guilty, was the truth that Aaron’s work was finally being recognized.

Aaron had enjoyed a few successes in New York City, the most notable when he’d been invited to present most of his paintings at the opening of a new gallery in the heart of Manhattan. It was there Paul Clarkson had made his acquaintance. Jason had been there as well, celebrating his husband’s coup. Paul’s twin brother had owned the gallery, and Paul had come from Marisburg, Pennsylvania to support his brother. He was some sort of big deal in this little town although Jason hadn’t figured out why yet.

At first, Jason had thought they were talking to Mr. Clarkson, the gallery owner, but when the man disabused them of that notion by introducing himself as the crazier twin, Jason had been a little creeped out by the way he seemed to be checking Aaron out. But when the man offered Aaron support if only he’d move to Marisburg, Aaron’s obvious pleasure at being recognized and asked had blown away Jason’s concerns.

They hadn’t moved, of course. Paul Clarkson had offered to pay for Aaron’s art supplies and sell his paintings but not out of the goodness of his heart. He would take fifty percent of each sale as payment. And he wouldn’t be offering any insurance or stipend. So, they’d stayed in the city and Aaron had continually and gently turned down Paul’s offers.

Jason all but ran up the stairs to the third floor, loving the way things had worked out. Aaron had yet to meet his new patron since moving to Marisburg but that was supposed to happen soon and Paul had already reached out, expressing his joy that Aaron was finally here. Jason was also riding high on the first day of his new job. He’d participated in an interdepartmental meeting and gotten a chance to meet the teachers who would be working under him. Colton University was a relatively small school, but it was a four-year institution, and it had a surprising number of knowledgeable people in its hallowed halls.