Read Online Nobody's Son by Shae Connor - Free Book Online Page B

crush? He was almost twenty-five freaking years old, and here he was, mouth dry and palms sweaty at the prospect of seeing Con away from the job. And that was before he even figured in the way his pulse reacted to the thought of Con in a pair of skimpy swim trunks.
    Shaking his head at himself, Shaun pulled open the gate and stepped into the pool area. The music was much louder now, but not quite at the deafening level he’d expected. Though considering he could still hear the echo of the sound coming from the other pool, he guessed the ear-searing levels were paired up with the lack of clothing.
    Then he laughed when he realized the song playing was “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off.” He couldn’t remember the singer, but he knew it was from the ’80s or something, which meant Cory must’ve gotten his hands on the playlist.
    “Hey there, hot stuff!”
    Shaun turned to his right as Jimmy bounded up, clad in nothing more than a little slip of bright pink Spandex. For a second Shaun thought Jimmy was going to grab him up in a hug, and he didn’t know what he’d do in response, but that didn’t happen. Jimmy just gave him a quick up-and-down and nodded his approval.
    “Nice. Glad you could do better than the typical frat-boy baggies.”
    Shaun glanced down at his own attire: athletic slides left over from his dorm days, a snug white tank, and a pair of navy blue, square-cut trunks. No way was he going out in public in a Speedo like Jimmy’s, but the night before, when he’d pulled out his trunks from a few years earlier and realized how worn out they were, he’d bitten the bullet and stopped on the way to work to pick up something smaller and tighter than usual. He had a good body, so he might as well show it off a little, right?
    “You look… wow.”
    The deep voice came from his left, and Shaun took in a breath before turning to face Con. Con’s swimsuit was similar in style to Shaun’s, in deep green, but Shaun hardly registered that. Not when he was faced with what seemed like acres of warm, dark flesh. A tattoo in black ink wrapped around one shoulder, like a mirage next to Con’s rich, dark brown skin, but Shaun didn’t linger to study the design. Not with so much to look at. He ran his gaze all the way down to Con’s bare feet and back up to meet his gaze.
    “Glad you could make it.” Con crooked a half smile, and Shaun felt it deep in his gut.
    “Me too,” he murmured in reply, but before either of them could say anything else, the music changed, and Cory let out a whoop.
    “All right, everybody in the pool!” he yelled. “It’s about to start rainin’ men!”
    Shaun didn’t remember who sang this one either, but it didn’t matter. Con grabbed his hand and started toward the water, and everything faded except the feel of that big, warm hand wrapped around his.
    Until he realized Con was headed directly for the water, and apparently planned to take Shaun right in with him.
    “Wait, wait, I—”
    Too late. With a tug and a belly laugh, Con pulled him over the edge and into the pool. Shaun had time for just one gulp of air before the water closed over his head.
    Instinctively, he threw his arms out, searching for the edge that couldn’t be too far away. His fingers hit a wall, and he grabbed on, intending to pull himself up, but the wall moved, and he almost let go before he realized it was a person’s shoulder. He gave one good push, and his head popped up above the surface. He gasped and coughed, and then Con was there, hands on his upper arms, holding him steady.
    “Easy, now.” Con’s voice was equal parts concern and guilt. “Sorry about that. Didn’t realize I’d caught you off guard that much.”
    “…can’t swim.” Shaun choked out the words before he could stop them, and Con’s grip tightened.
    “It’s all right,” Con murmured. “I’ve got you. Here.” Con turned, taking Shaun with him. “See if you can stand up here.”
    Shaun’s toes brushed the