Pulling Strings, page 19
“Are you sure?” Powers asked with a hint of insecurity that in a weird way reassured Devon and turned him on at the same time. The fact that he could make the usually confident Powers McPherson unsure was definitely a bit of a thrill.
“More than I have been of anything in my life,” Devon answered, and lifted his gaze to Powers, punctuating his words with a kiss that left them both breathless. “I say we see where this goes and follow our own clues for a change.” Devon smirked at what he hoped sounded clever.
“Sweetheart,” Powers growled as he held Devon tighter, his legs parting Devon’s, his attraction plain in his eyes and in the way their hips fit together. “I think I have the first clue for you upstairs in my room, and it’s going to take a long time to find.”
Devon held on and squeaked as Powers carried him up the stairs. “How long do you think this is going to take?”
Powers stopped on the stairs, looking into Devon’s eyes. “If we’re lucky, forty or fifty years, maybe more.”
Devon thought that sounded perfect.
Epilogue
THE LAST six months had seen more change than Devon had ever thought possible. After staying at Coopers, Littman, and Mauer for months longer and going completely stir-crazy, Devon had accepted a position working with Powers and Lucy. He’d been reluctant at first because he wondered how working with Powers was going to affect the rest of their strengthening relationship. But he needn’t have worried. And when he told Marilyn what he was thinking of doing, and she told him he was crazy to leave, he knew he’d made the right decision. Things had worked out really well, at least so far. Not everything was perfect, but they talked about issues, and Lucy was there to give them both grief when she saw them acting dumb. It was interesting having another sister, but he could relate to this one.
The phone pulled him out of his woolgathering, and he answered it, handled the potential customer inquiry, and made notes to be sent to Powers so he could determine if it was work they wanted to take on. He hung up the phone, sent the details over, and leaned back in his office chair, the desk positioned partner-style right in front of Powers’s. He liked that he could stretch his legs and play footsies with Powers—when he worked from home, that was. A lot of the time, Powers was away working at client locations and Devon stayed at home, managing the business side of things and doing more and more computer forensic work. He and Alexander had been spending time together, since he and Lucy were seriously dating now, and his skills were improving rapidly.
“Sweetheart, I’m home,” Powers called.
Devon rolled his eyes at the cliché, even though he loved that Powers called to him as soon as he came in the door. “In here,” Devon answered, and Powers bounded in and wrapped his arms around him.
“Are you about done for the day? I finished up the Peterman security review, and they are thrilled. They took all of our suggestions and will be installing the safeguards over the next few months.” Powers handed him the purchase order, and Devon set it on his desk to take care of as soon as he could.
“Sure, what do you have planned?” Devon asked.
“Barrett called me, and he and Greta invited us for dinner.” He checked his watch. “I thought you and I would get out of the city a little early and maybe spend some time in that park that’s a few miles away. I don’t know about you, but I could do with some trees and grass for a while.” Barrett and Powers really seemed to get along.
Devon leaned into Powers’s touch. “Do you think we could stop somewhere else first? It isn’t too far away.”
“Of course. Why don’t we get ready to go? Unless you have something that’s pressing.”
Devon nodded. “Give me ten minutes,” he said quietly, missing the warmth the minute his hand slipped away. Devon sighed and placed the orders for the Peterman job, then closed down his computer and got up from his desk, stretching his back. Then he turned out the light and closed the door on a short work day—not that he was going to complain.
He followed the sounds in the house up to their room, where Powers came out of the bathroom looking like Sunday dinner to a starving man, with his wet, muscled body on view. “You’re awful,” Devon said, turning away. “You putting on a display like that, and you said you want to go soon.” He checked his watch. “What time is dinner?” He was already calculating if they had time.
Powers chuckled and slipped on a pair of boxers and then jeans. “How about we let things simmer until tonight. Lucy will be here soon. Barrett invited everyone. It seems like it’s some sort of family dinner,” he said as he shrugged on a shirt.
Devon hurried to the bathroom to clean up himself. He’d already showered, but he freshened up and met Powers downstairs in the otherwise quiet house. “I missed you today,” he said, moving into Powers’s arms. This was nice, and the alone time with Powers was amazing.
“I missed you too,” Powers whispered, and gently tilted Devon’s head upward, kissing him with promise that set Devon’s body on fire.
“You two decent?” Lucy called as she barreled through the front door.
Powers didn’t move, nor did he react until he slowly pulled back from the kiss. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll meet you at the car.” She grinned.
Devon chuckled. He and Powers got jackets and followed her down to the car. Powers drove, and Devon gave him directions. “Turn right into here,” he said at the end.
“A cemetery?” Powers asked.
“Yeah.” Devon sighed. “It’s got trees and lots of grass. We won’t stay long. Just go in and take the first right.”
Powers did as he asked, and Devon had him pull to a stop. They got out, and Devon looked around. Things had changed, but not enough that he couldn’t find what he was looking for. It had been a while since he’d been there.
“Where are we going?” Lucy asked in a hushed tone.
“Right here.” Devon stopped in front of a small stone, bending down to clear away the grass. It was simple and inscribed with a single date and the name: Danny Donaldson. Devon straightened and stared down at the stone. “He was my twin,” he said around the lump in his throat. “I’ve thought about him a lot since I met the two of you.” That was about as coherent an explanation as he could provide. “We don’t need to stay long, but I needed to visit. I hope it’s okay.”
Powers slipped an arm around his waist, and Lucy stood on the other side of him. “I don’t know what I’d do without Lucy, even if she is a pain in the ass sometimes.”
Her hip-bump reverberated to him.
“I never knew him, but I wonder sometimes what it would have been like if he’d have lived.” As Devon stood in front of his brother’s grave, a breeze on an otherwise still day lightly caressed his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned against Powers’s shoulder. Danny was with him—maybe he always had been. Devon was pretty sure now he’d felt him before.
“You can have mine if you want her,” Powers whispered.
Devon sniffed. He had everything he wanted and was more than content and complete with Powers and their little family. The breeze caressed him again, and Devon opened his eyes. Powers brushed away the tear that ran down his cheek, and Devon turned away, back toward the car, toward his life with Powers, and whatever the future held.
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Readers love Andrew Grey
Fire and Obsidian
“This was such a great read. There is mystery and suspense. There is action and even some unlikely attraction. This is definitely one of my favorite books in this series so far.”
—Gay Book Reviews
“This is a really well-written story, a wonderful combination of romance and suspense.”
—Open Skye Book Reviews
Over and Back
“Well done, Andrew Grey, for yet another love story that’s a little bit dark, a little bit angsty and a whole lot of fun to read.”
—Love Bytes
“I loved this story, it had everything in it: Lovable guys, a good plot, angst, emotional at times, and a satisfying end.”
—Diverse Reader
Borrowed Heart
“Grey’s breezy style makes it all go down smoothly. Fans of destination romances will find this one perfectly fits the bill.”
—Publishers Weekly
“All in all, Borrowed Heart was a delightful mix of heavy-hitting personal issues and fluffy happily ever after story telling.”
—Joyfully Jay
ANDREW GREY is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Email: andrewgrey@comcast.net
Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com
By Andrew Grey
Accompanied by a Waltz
All for You
Between Loathing and Love
Borrowed Heart
Buried Passions
Chasing the Dream
Crossing Divides
Dominant Chord
Dutch Treat
Eastern Cowboy
In Search of a Story
New Tricks
Noble Intentions
North to the Future
One Good Deed
On Shaky Ground
The Playmaker
Pulling Strings
Rebound
Reunited
Running to You
Saving Faithless Creek
Shared Revelations
Survive and Conquer
Three Fates
To Have, Hold, and Let Go
Turning the Page
Unfamiliar Waters
Whipped Cream
ART
Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal
Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender
BOTTLED UP
The Best Revenge • Bottled Up
Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage
BRONCO’S BOYS
Inside Out • Upside Down
Backward • Round and Round
Over and Back
THE BULLRIDERS
A Wild Ride • A Daring Ride • A Courageous Ride
BY FIRE
Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire
Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire
CARLISLE COPS
Fire and Water • Fire and Ice • Fire and Rain
Fire and Snow • Fire and Hail • Fire and Fog
CARLISLE DEPUTIES
Fire and Flint • Fire and Granite
Fire and Agate • Fire and Obsidian
CHEMISTRY
Organic Chemistry • Biochemistry • Electrochemistry
Chemistry Anthology
DREAMSPUN DESIRES
#4 – The Lone Rancher
#28 – Poppy’s Secret
#60 – The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever
EYES OF LOVE
Eyes Only for Me • Eyes Only for You
FOREVER YOURS
Can’t Live Without You • Never Let You Go
GOOD FIGHT
The Good Fight • The Fight Within
The Fight for Identity • Takoda and Horse
HEARTS ENTWINED
Heart Unseen • Heart Unheard
Heart Untouched • Heart Unbroken
HOLIDAY STORIES
Copping a Sweetest Day Feel • Cruise for Christmas
A Lion in Tails • Mariah the Christmas Moose
A Present in Swaddling Clothes • Simple Gifts
Snowbound in Nowhere • Stardust
LAS VEGAS ESCORTS
The Price • The Gift
LOVE MEANS…
Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage
Love Means… No Boundaries • Love Means… Freedom
Love Means … No Fear • Love Means… Healing
Love Means… Family • Love Means… Renewal
Love Means… No Limits • Love Means… Patience
Love Means… Endurance
LOVE’S CHARTER
Setting the Hook • Ebb and Flow
PLANTING DREAMS
Planting His Dream • Growing His Dream
REKINDLED FLAME
Rekindled Flame • Cleansing Flame
Smoldering Flame
SENSES
Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness
Love Comes Home • Love Comes Around
Love Comes Unheard • Love Comes to Light
SEVEN DAYS
Seven Days • Unconditional Love
STORIES FROM THE RANGE
A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range
A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range
A Volatile Range • A Chaotic Range
STRANDED
Stranded • Taken
TALES FROM KANSAS
