“Great!” Michael said. “I’m really excited now. What a way to turn lemons into lemonade! We’re geniuses.”

  “I don’t mind so much either, guys, and I’m kind of used to modeling for Alex by now.” I waved to the group to show I was still there.

  “Oops, sorry, we kind of forgot about you there for a moment, Layton,” Alex said.

  He looked so shy and cute that I gave into my desire to kiss him.

  “You two are so adorable, your remind me of Michael and myself,” Chef Brogna said. “Once we’re finished taking pictures I’ll serve dessert.”

  “Did you say dessert?” I said, and smiled.

  WHILE ALEX AND Michael set up the camera and talked, I stripped down and went in the pool.

  “I just have to try that lounge chair float, I’ve never seen one like it,” I said. “Is that OK, Chef?”

  “Sure, go right ahead,” Chef said.

  After swimming to the float, I lifted myself onto it and sat back with a smile.

  “That’s great, Layton, Can we take a couple test shots?” Alex said.

  “Sure,” I said. “Come on in, Chef, it’s a warm night and the water’s fine.”

  “Do you think I should?” Chef Brogna said.

  “Yes, baby,” Michael said. “It wouldn’t make sense if Layton was wet and you weren’t.”

  “Alright, then,” Chef said.

  He got into the water still dressed in his Caftan which floated around him as he struggled to swim toward me.

  “Don’t drown there, buddy,” I said, then gave him a hand as he got to my float.

  “That’s a great picture,” Alex said. “I love the way your Caftan floats on the water, Chef.”

  “Thanks,” Chef said, then shook his head and squeezed my hand.

  I slid off the float into the water, got next to Chef, and held both his hands in mine.

  “It’ll be OK, I promise,” I said. “I know you and the others can’t take much more… it’s understandable.”

  Chef just nodded nervously and I held him for a moment, hoping Alex was taking the opportunity to get pictures. Using my gentle tone of voice I spoke softly to Chef.

  “You know this isn’t the end of things, Chef. Once you hand the pictures from tonight to Jack Baker, he’s going to send them my way and he’ll be waiting to see my reaction.”

  “Oh shit!” Chef said.

  “What’s wrong?” Michael said.

  I repeated what I had told Chef, but this time loud enough for Michael and Alex to hear.

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought about that,” Alex said. And we’re having dinner at the inn tomorrow night as part of the package deal I got us. Dinner was included.”

  “That can work in our favor,” I said. “Chef, have the pictures sent out after dessert tomorrow night, as a special surprise. We’ll act shocked and react in a suitable way. I may have to pretend to go after you.”

  “I understand,” Chef Brogna said.

  “That was the bastard’s plan all along!” Michael said. “Baker was using us as the real distraction. He would figure on you coming after us, since you’d know we had to be the ones to have taken the pictures. The layers of Baker’s evil mind have no end or limit.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I said. “We’ll just have to do some additional play-acting. How good are you at ad-libbing, Chef?”

  “Don’t worry about me, I’ll do what I need to do when the time comes.”

  “Good,” I said, then I kissed his cheek in a friendly—but not too friendly manner.

  “OK, fellas,” Alex said. “We need you on the lounge chair.”

  “Oh, my God,” Chef said.

  “Come on, I don’t bite,” I said, then held Chef’s hand and swam with him to the edge of the pool. After climbing out, I helped Chef exit. He held the sides of his wet caftan, squeezed the water out of it, then stared at me.

  Alex and Michael were setting up by the lounge chair, but Chef was motionless.

  “Are you alright?” I said.

  “No, no I’m not,” Chef said. “You have a great body, Layton. Michael has a great body and so does Alex. And look at me! I’m a fucking whale!”

  Michael ran to his side and hugged him. Chef was sobbing again, poor man. I took a good look at him—he didn’t look bad. The man had a large belly, but he knew it. The rest of his body was fine… he had a small ass from what I could tell and his face was chubby, but he wasn’t ugly. Michael looked to be in his late twenties, was in great shape, and obviously loved Chef Brogna a great deal. My thoughts were interrupted when I Caught Alex waving to me and pointing to Michael. Chef couldn’t see us because Michael had Chef’s head on his shoulder.

  “I’m going to have to tell the truth a minute,” Michael said, then winked at me and nodded. I nodded in reply. “This photo shoot is sort of, kind of turning me on.”

  “It is,” Chef Brogna said, then lifted his head.

  “You know how sexy I find you, Chef,” Michael said. “You’ve always known that. Seeing you with Detective Shayne is turning me on. Here, feel.” He took Chef Brogna’s hand and placed it on the front of his thong. “I never knew I’d feel like this, but I really want to see you two and take pictures. I’ll be able to combine two of my favorite things: Chef and photography.”

  “Really,” Chef said.

  “Didn’t I feel excited to you,” Michael said.

  “I don’t know… yeah… yeah, I guess you did,” Chef Brogna said.

  “Take a minute to compose yourself, then move to the lounge chair and let the detective undress you, Chef,” Michael said.

  Chef nodded in agreement then turned his back to Michael and Alex. I saw Alex give me and Michael two thumbs up before Chef turned back around and put his hand on my shoulder.

  “Let’s do this,” Chef said.

  We walked to the lounge chair next to where Alex and Michael had set up the camera. Chef sat down, and I turned to Alex.

  “Make sure the pictures look like something a photography student and not an expert took,” I said.

  “Already ahead of you on that one,” Alex said. “Can you get hard for me there, Layton?”

  “I’ll need a minute, I did just get out of the pool,” I said. “If you’re offering to be my fluffer, I don’t mind.”

  “No can do at present,” Alex said. “The lighting out here is terrible and I need to concentrate on getting a picture that will satisfy Jack Baker.”

  “That pervert Jack,” I said, then grinned.

  “If nobody minds, why doesn’t Chef jack you off a bit, Layton,” Alex said. I can get some pictures of that.”

  “Hey, you’re in charge of this… and this,” I said, pointing down toward my cock.

  “Damn right I am,” Alex said.

  “Go for it, babe, I’m right here,” Michael said.

  Chef Brogna nervously reached for my cock, put his hand around it, and started pumping.

  “You have a beautiful cock, Layton,” Chef Brogna said.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Brilliant!” Michael said, causing Chef to jump.

  “What?” Chef Brogna said.

  “Sorry,” Michael said. “The way Alex is finding the light is just incredible.”

  “Don’t leave me hanging here, dude,” I said to Chef and smiled. He laughed loudly—it was nervous laughter but that was OK.

  It wasn’t long before I was hard. At that point I gave Chef Brogna a hand up and started trying to strip the caftan off him, which wasn’t easy since it was still wet. Once it was off I quickly got him out of his briefs before he could get any more nervous. His body was pale and his rock hard pink nipples stood at attention. Small gold rings dangled from each one.

  “Nice jewelry,” I said, then gently pulled on each ring.

  “Oh, man, that was a great shot,” Michael said.

  I pulled on the rings again, and Chef moaned.

  “Sorry,” Chef Brogna said. “My nipples are connected to my cock and if you keep this up I’ll get hard.”

  “That might not be such a bad idea, Layton,” Alex said. “He’s so soft right now it doesn’t make for a good picture.”

  “Shit,” Michael said. “Baby, relax, try to enjoy it somehow.”

  “Maybe Michael can take a couple of pictures for his portfolio,” Alex said. “If you two can relax enough to come across naturally.”

  Alex was an absolute genius. Of course, Chef would want to help Michael, his husband whom he loved. I once again pulled on Chef Brogna’s nipple rings. This time I didn’t stop, but continued to tug on them. His breathing was growing heavy and I let my right hand slide down to find his cock and balls.

  “Oh, shit,” Chef Brogna said.

  I had his heavy balls in my hand and was massaging them, then I kissed the side of his neck and lowered him back on the lounge chair.

  “Time to change position,” Alex said.

  Chef covered his cock with his hands. “Was that alright?”

  “To tell you the truth, it’s coming across too staged or fake,” Alex said.

  “Well, what the hell do we do now?” Chef Brogna said.

  Chapter 14

  Now, what?

  “I HAVE AN IDEA,” I said. “Lie back, Chef.”

  He did and I reached down, picked up the briefs he’d been wearing, and tucked them around his cock and balls. Then I carefully got on top of him, straddling him.

  “Can you guys see Chef’s briefs?”

  “No,” Alex said. “You’re good.”

  “Just relax,” I told Chef Brogna, then took his hands and put them on my chest. “Go ahead and pull on my nipples while I pull on yours.” I tugged on Chef’s nipple rings, threw my head back, and moaned.

  “Perfect!” Alex said. “Let me take a couple more.”

  After a couple of minutes, I slid down Chef’s body, moved the briefs to cover Chef’s cock and balls as tightly as possible then put my face down on top of it as if I was blowing him. Alex took pictures, then Chef and I took a break for a couple of minutes while Alex and Michael discussed poses. They’d gotten a handle on things and decided to position me behind Chef as if I were fucking him—but it was all tricks and carefully thought out positioning.

  “I think we have enough pictures for Jack Baker,” Alex said. “Would you guys mind modeling just a bit longer so I can give Michael some lessons on light and shadows?”

  “Not at all,” I said.

  “That’ll be fine,” Chef Brogna said.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were done and Michael shook Alex’s hand, then hugged him.

  “This was like taking a real master class,” Michael said, then turned to Chef Brogna and me. “And the way you guys posed looked like the real thing without being the real thing—damn we’re a clever group.”

  “I, for one, have had enough of school for tonight,” Chef Brogna said. “Layton, there’s an outdoor shower in the corner you can use. There’s soap there, but I’ll run inside and get you a washcloth and a clean, large towel to dry off. I’ll be back in a jiffy. Michael fix them a drink.”

  We watched Chef walk back inside the house, then Michael turned to us and spoke.

  “He’s a nervous wreck all of the time because of that damn Jack Baker. I wanted to go and have a talk with him, but Chef won’t let me. Until Jack Baker and his goons put that man in a coma I though they were all hot air.”

  “How many guys does Jack Baker have working for him?” I said.

  “Only two I believe, but they’re badasses who think they can do whatever they want,” Michael said. “And from what I can see, they can, since the police are looking the other way where Jack and his boys are concerned.”

  “So Jack Baker is trying to set up shop, but hasn’t hit the big time yet,” I said.

  “No, but apparently he’s being watched to see how good a job he can do,” Michael said. “I think how well he does running the inn is tied into all of it.”

  “That makes sense,” I said. “The inn would make a great base of operations. Chef will be alright, but keep an eye on him.”

  “I always do,” Michael said. “Can I fix you two a couple of drinks?”

  “I’ll just have a soda with dessert,” I said.

  “The same for me,” Alex said.

  DESSERT WAS A delicious caramel apple crumble with homemade whipped cream that was very satisfying. Alex and I took turns using the bathroom, said our farewells, then got back in my truck. By the time we’d driven to the end of the street I knew we were being tailed.

  “What now?” Alex said, noticing me watching the rearview mirror.

  “Someone’s been following us since we left Chef Brogna’s house,” I said.

  “Do you think it’s one of Jack Baker’s goons?”

  “I have no idea,” I said.

  My cell phone rang and startled us both. I looked at the caller’s name, pressed the speaker button, then answered the call.

  “What’s up Miss Sassy?”

  “Are you two busy?” Do you have time to join me for a drink at The Green Parrot downtown. It’s right on the main drag, on the left side. You can’t miss the place.”

  “We’ll be there in five,” I said, then ended the call.

  “What do you think Sassy wants?” Alex said.

  “I have no idea,” I said.

  Alex peered into the side view mirror. “That SUV is still behind us. What’s he up to?”

  “I have no idea,” I said. Alex looked at me and I laughed, then tickled his side with one hand. He giggled.

  “We shouldn’t be laughing,” Alex said.

  “Why not?” I said.

  “Because,” Alex said.

  “Because why?”

  Alex half yelled, half growled at me, then angrily folded his arms across his chest. I chuckled and put my hand on his shoulder.

  “All I wanted was a few days alone with you,” I said. “Instead I end up embroiled in another mystery, we had our first argument, and you accused poor, innocent me of being a horndog.”

  “I didn’t accuse you of being a horndog, whatever you mean by that, we didn’t really have an argument back at Chef Brogna’s house, I just wanted to be alone with you too, and I don’t know why you’re suddenly being so silly.”

  “You did sort of accuse me of being a horndog—meaning that you thought I was just a horny bastard who enjoyed getting off with other guys, I’m glad it wasn’t a real argument, I’m blowing off steam or what have you. There, I answered all of your questions in one sentence—in order too. Most important of all… I love you.”

  “I love you too,” Alex said, then laughed. “Layton, after this is all over can we please stay at home for a while and get settled in.”

  “Babe, I’d like nothing better than that,” I said.

  I was driving down the main street of Mt. Ore and had already spotted The Green Parrot. It wasn’t hard to miss since not too many places were still open and the one-story bar slash restaurant had a bright green neon light parrot sign out front, as well as a green neon strip along the top edge.

  “They certainly like neon birds in this area,” Alex said.

  I smiled at Alex, then held his hand and squeezed it—I loved him so much it almost hurt sometimes. There was a parking space on the street, right across from The Green Parrot and I pulled into it. The SUV that had been following us kept going. While Alex and I were getting out of the truck, the SUV went by us on the other side. The driver’s side window was partially rolled down, and a hand saluted us, before the SUV continued onward.

  “Was that a salute?” Alex said.

  “Yeah,” I said, then crossed the street and headed toward The Green Parrot with Alex beside me.

  The outside of the bar slash restaurant was terra-cotta in color and there were wood shutters on either side of the large open windows, that had no glass. Banana trees and various plants decorated the patio to the right of the bar. On the left side it was connected to a row of buildings. Once I got up close I noticed the shutters were functional and not merely decorative.

  “Layton, did that guy salute as a way of letting you know that we’d been tailed and Jack Baker was on to us.”

  “Those guys wouldn’t even know how to properly salute,” I said, then took a minute to listen to the sounds of people talking, laughing, and having a good time.

  We entered the restaurant and while a pretty, red-haired, hostess spoke with Alex, I looked around for Sassy. It didn’t take long for me to spot her sitting at the bar. Next to her was a fair-skinned man with straight black hair cut in the “bowl cut” style. He was somewhat husky and dressed in a black T-shirt, black jeans, and sneakers. Sassy looked… well, sassy in a short, navy blue and white polka dot, spaghetti strap dress, and navy blue platform shoes.

  I walked up to Alex, put my hand on his shoulder, smiled at the hostess, then led him to Sassy and her companion. They’d saved two seats for us.

  “Hello, hello,” Sassy said. “Nice to see you two dressed up.”

  “Sarcasm noted, but you didn’t give us much notice,” I said, then looked at her companion and smiled. I’d been wrong in my initial assessment, and found myself looking at a somewhat masculine female about thirtysomething years of age.

  “If Sassy hadn’t already told me you were a Marine, I would’ve known just by your walk,” the woman said. “They call me Diesel.”

  “Hello, Diesel, I’m Layton and this is my partner Alex.”

  “Hi,” Alex said.

  Diesel shook my hand firmly then shook Alex’s and smiled.

  “You’re military or ex military yourself,” I said.

  “And you haven’t even seen my walk yet,” Diesel said. “Not that it compares to the Marine self-assured, cocky, I can fuck anyone in this room walk that you boys have. Hell, as far as I’m concerned—just between you and me, you Marines have earned the right to walk and fuck whoever and however you want.”

  “Thanks,” I said, then turned to the bartender who looked my way. “Two Cokes please.” He nodded and I looked at Diesel again. “What’d you do in the military.”

  “I was the best fucking mechanic ever. There’s nothing I can’t fix. How do you think I got the nickname Diesel?”

 

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