Page 54 of Sapphire Storm

“No, I don’t. I think you’re deflecting because you don’t likewhat I’m telling you. You asked for help and my trade secrets, so I’m givingthem to you with no sugar coating. Because, as you well remember—”

“Sugar is poison,” Roman drawled, eyes hooded with anger.“Yeah, I heard.”

Just then, a giant bear of a man eased down into the boothnext to Roman, mouth so agape it looked like drool was about to drip from itscorners. He slid one meaty arm over Roman’s exposed shoulders and leaned inclose to his cheek. After sucking in a dramatic, predatory whiff of Roman’s neck,he purred, “Sweet boy. Sweet-smelling prettyboy. What’s your name,hot stuff?”

Roman cleared his throat. “Could you excuse us, please?We’re kinda—”

Ethan raised a finger. “Manners, Roman. Let’s find out whatour new friend here’s buying. It might be top shelf. And you have expensivetastes.”

Roman swallowed, eyes blazing with anger, jaw tensing. Whenhe suddenly sucked in a quick breath through his nose, Ethan figured the handsybear was sliding one hand up his exposed leg. “I sure would like to take youfor a swim in these, pretty boy. Not sure how long they’d stay on, though.”

Miserably, Roman stared down at the table.

“That’s good, Tom,” Ethan finally said.

The bear straightened, dropping the act. He patted Romanlightly on the back of his bowed head and chuckled. “You guys are into someweird shit. Pay up, Ethan.”

He put out his hand, and Ethan passed him a twenty.

“Sorry, fella,” the bear told Roman as he slid out of thebooth. “I’ve got a pool game later, and we’re putting money down. Your man herealways comes through. You boys have fun. Whatever it is you’re…doing.”

And then the bear was gone, and the two of them were sittingalone in angry silence. Roman’s breaths had slowed, but he was still glaringdown at the table as if it had tried to bite him.

“Tell me what you’re feeling, Roman.”

“I thought you were going to make me sleep with him,” hemuttered.

“I’m not here to make you do anything.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Fine. I thought you were going totellme to sleep with him. As part of mylesson.”

“And how did that make you feel?”

Roman’s answer was in his miserable silence.

“Okay. See? That right there. That revulsion. That coilingup inside you feel when a total stranger puts his hands on you. That’s whatyou’re going to have to kill to do what you want to do. Can you do that?”

“Answer my question first.”

Ethan sank back into the booth. He took a slug of his clubsoda to stall, then set the glass back on the table with more force than he’dintended. “I looked at your father like he was the opposite of who he was. Ilooked at him like he was brave.”

They fell silent as the server delivered the Diet Coke.Ethan gestured for the guy to put it on his tab and then they were alone again,sitting in frosty silence.

“I thought you didn’t know he was married,” Roman finallysaid.

“I didn’t. But I figured he was deep in the closet. Anyclient who makes up a new life for himself every time he hires me doesn’t likethe one he’s living, but he’s too afraid to leave it.”

Roman nodded, adjusted himself in the booth. “Yes,” hefinally said.

“Yes, what?”

“You answered my question, I’m answering yours. Yes, I cankill that…coiling upinside feeling. Bring your friend Tom back. I’llsuck his dick right here.”

Ethan ignored the jab, but he thought this whole thing hadgone far enough. “What did Rachel say to you in that hotel room that made yousuddenly think this was a good idea?”

Nostrils flaring, lips pursed, Roman glowered at the tablebefore draining his glass in several thirsty sips. “You first,” he finally said.“Why’d you quit escorting?”

“You,” Ethan answered softly, even as saying the word aloudmade him feel like there was a tremor deep inside his gut that might slowly butsteadily send cracks running through him from head to toe. “I quit because ofyou.”

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