Read Online Ten Days in August by Kate McMurray - Free Book Online Page B

Hank’s eyes were so clear. They were like a cool pool in the desert.
    â€œPerhaps solving one case is nothing but a quick fix. A bandage on a shallow cut.”
    â€œPerhaps. But I would be remiss in my duties if I let it go.”
    Nicky found Hank’s gaze too intense and wanted to look away. Hank’s hand held his chin still and his corset kept him from moving. So he was caged in, surrounded by Hank, by the sour sweaty smell of him, by his strength, by his conviction.
    He wanted to kiss Hank suddenly. He wanted to bury his face in Hank’s neck. He wanted Hank to carry him out of here as if he were a princess in need of rescuing from the dragon keeping him captive. Perhaps Julie was the dragon, or his family, or any number of things keeping him at a fairy resort in the Bowery instead of seeking some more respectable form of employment.
    â€œI do not want to die,” Nicky whispered.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI don’t want any of my friends to die, either. But even if you catch whoever did this to Edward, there will be someone else.”
    â€œI know. I want to do what I can to prevent such an outcome. I think I can help.”
    Nicky let out a breath. “You want to keep me safe, do you?”
    Hank smiled faintly, but then his face went slack, serious. The mustache obscured his expression somewhat, the exact nature of his smile hidden, but his eyes said volumes. “I want to find out more about you before you meet your inevitable end, then, I suppose.” Hank’s tone held a joke.
    â€œThat was morbid,” said Nicky.
    â€œYes. You smiled.”
    â€œDid I?”
    â€œI wonder what your lips taste like.”
    Nicky started, jolting upright a bit, but not hard or far enough to pull out of Hank’s grasp. He found now he wanted to taste Hank as well, to find out how that mustache would feel against his own lips. Nicky wanted to be wrapped in that scent, in that warmth, and it reminded him of the best kind of sex, sweaty and passionate and crazy, with no obligation and no money exchanged. He wondered if he could have that with Hank. He took a deep breath and put his hands, his clumsy masculine hands, on Hank’s shoulders and looked into those eyes and he wondered.
    But it was too much to hope for. The power imbalance was too great. And one wrong move would be Nicky’s end. He knew full well he couldn’t very well survive another night in the Tombs.
    â€œDarling, I can’t—”
    â€œDo men still pay you to take you home?”
    â€œNo. I gave it up when I started singing. I only go home with men on my own terms.”
    â€œAnd when was the last time that happened?”
    Nicky didn’t know. It had been quite some time. He shook his head.
    â€œCoyness?” Hank asked.
    â€œA faulty memory.”
    â€œIndeed. My memory is similarly faulty. Or, rather, my boss does not condone fraternizing in the sorts of place at which I can find the men I’d like to fraternize with.”
    â€œSo you’d like to fraternize with me?”
    Hank shot him one of those enigmatic smiles again. “I would like to do a lot of things with you.”
    Nicky leaned forward, as far as he could in his confining clothes. He was close enough to breathe in Hank’s breath. “I must say, darling, I am similarly intrigued, but I cannot imagine a more difficult situation.”
    â€œNo, but just for a moment, don’t you wonder . . .” Hank leaned forward.
    Nicky straightened his elbows and kept Hank at a distance. “I’m sorry, but no.”
    â€œOn your terms. Right.”
    â€œHonestly? I have to go on again in a few minutes and kissing you would wreck my makeup.”
    That seemed to break the tension. Hank burst into laughter. “Right. Of course. Wouldn’t want that.”
    Nicky pushed on Hank’s shoulders. “Help me up.”
    Hank stood and then held his hands out and helped Nicky to his feet. This