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possibility that how I feel isn t against the word of God so much as it is against very powerful
religious leaders who have interpreted it as being against God.
His aunt did not respond, and Adam knew he hadn t penetrated her belief system with even the tiniest
chink. Hell, what did he care? He couldn t believe he stood here trying to win a philosophical debate
about something he had yet to practice. He hadn t so much as kissed another man, let alone anything
deeper.
Nevertheless, I feel the desire in my heart, and nothing else matters.
 I m sorry you can t accept me, Tía, Adam finally said.  Maybe someday you will. Come and see
me then.
 Adam --
 No. Adam held up his hands as he backed away, his heart cracking for this particular loss, a
thousand times more painful than that of his parents.  Until you can sit at a table with me with another
man at my side -- as if he would ever have one --  you are not welcome in my life. Good-bye. His
throat closed up, and tears filled his eyes.  I love you.
Adam tore down the hallway, mindless of the people he flew past. He just knew he had to get away.
Bypassing the elevators, he hit the stairs running, welcoming the tightness that filled his lungs with
each flight he took. He didn t understand how, after all these years, these people could still get to him,
but now that he didn t have to worry about looking indifferent in front of them, he could barely hold
back the flood of memories, hurt& and terrible love he still carried in his soul, desperate to share.
Pushing through the front doors of the hospital, Adam fell back against the wall, blinking hard as he
looked down at the sidewalk. He searched inside, in dire need of regaining the equilibrium that had
held him so well these last years. He could not go home and risk Rhone seeing him like this.
A shadow suddenly loomed over Adam, and a moment later, strong arms encased him, warming him
and freaking him out at the same time. Rhone s clean, woodsy fragrance, mixed in with something
deeper that was all man, took over Adam s nostrils and sank into his pores. Rhone moved his big,
capable hands up Adam s back to his neck and tucked Adam s head against his chest. Adam
burrowed in and slid his arms around Rhone s waist, the temptation for comfort too great.
Rhone wrapped Adam up good, surrounding him in every way imaginable. He rubbed his hand up and
down Adam s back and rested his mouth on the crown of Adam s head.  Don t hide things from me,
Adam. Okay? I can always tell when something is wrong.
 That was my aunt in the office earlier today, Adam confessed.
Something in the way Rhone held him drew out some of the pain of Adam s many shames and secrets.
Some.  She tried to mend a rift.
Terror of losing Rhone kept the specifics locked in Adam s heart. As long as Adam never acted on
them, Rhone didn t need to know.  Only, none of them really wanted it. Nothing has changed since
they kicked me out. He thought he d had his aunt for a moment there in the hallway, though, and
Adam s chest constricted again.  I don t think it ever will.
 You know you always have a place with me and Canin, right?
Adam couldn t swear it, but a shiver rolled through him, convincing him that Rhone had pecked a kiss
to the top of Adam s head.  You have earned your place in Quinn Security a thousand times over, and
we won t ever let you get away now. He squeezed Adam and tickled him in the ribs.  You re stuck
with us in this, whether you want it or not.
 I like being stuck with you. With both of you, I mean. Adam pulled away, heat fusing his skin as he
looked up at Rhone.  And Kasey. At Quinn Security.
 Good. His smile lopsided in that way that clamped tightly on Adam s heart, Rhone reached out and
rubbed his thumb across Adam s cheek. Adam held his breath, his skin coming alive where Rhone
touched, not breathing again until Rhone finally let his hand fall away.  So, I think you need to have
some fun. What do you say?
 I say, I m in. As much as it felt like playing with fire, Adam smiled back, his heart lifting in this
man s presence.  Let s go.
* * * * *
2005
 Fancy place, Adam whispered. He looked around the empty, swank office building, fighting the
voice inside that said he didn t belong. He moved smoothly in his new world, but he still suffered
moments that made him feel every inch the street kid he used to be. He walked around the empty floor
of the complex and glanced at Rhone.  Who are we meeting here?
 No one. Rhone smiled like a kid in a candy store, and Adam quickly glanced down so Rhone didn't
catch him staring.  Actually, Rhone added,  we re meeting Canin and Kasey, but I wanted you to see
it first because I have something to show you.
 What? Adam put his head on a swivel, trying to take in all the expensive details as Rhone walked
down a wide corridor to a set of frosted-glass doors.
Punching in a code on a security pad, Rhone led them through to an open, airy office space with
another hall and a half dozen closed doors.
Rhone turned in a circle and met Adam s gaze.  So, what do you think? Nice, huh? He started [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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