Murder Most Deserving by Hank Edwards

Author:Hank Edwards [Wadsworth, Hank Edwards and Deanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64405-742-1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2019-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

COFFEE IN hand, Michael stood at the back entrance for Jazz’s loft. They hadn’t gone so far as to give each other keys to their homes, and Jazz hadn’t shared the entry code for his building, therefore Michael had no way to get in. He rubbed the pad of his finger against the hard plastic of the buzzer button, not pressing it but trying to see if he could feel Jazz’s presence. He felt an urgent need to be near Jazz, even if they didn’t talk, just to hold him and comfort him and make sure he was doing okay.

But now that he was at the door, nervousness itched at his mind.

Maybe that was the real reason he stalled by getting Jazz a coffee.

He’d all but flown down the street when he thought Jazz might be the body they found—irrational—but all the deaths lately had put his imagination in full swing.

But Jazz was okay.

Physically, anyway.

Emotionally might be another story.

Everything had been going so well between them, and then the shit had hit the proverbial fan. First the return of Norbert’s trying presence, then divorce papers from prison, followed by two murders, which seemed to be a message specifically for them.

And in the midst of all that, Michael had instigated a major change in their relationship in the heat of the moment. What if Jazz had only agreed to lose the condoms because it felt better, not because of some imagined commitment? Had Michael somehow pressured him into making their relationship exclusive?

His stomach dropped.

Jazz had been distant when he’d left last night. He hadn’t told Michael that Russell had been calling. He kept insisting he was okay, but was he? And just now, he didn’t even tell Michael he was leaving the salon.

Was he upset with Michael?

You’re rereading Russell’s books and didn’t tell him, a voice whispered, sending Michael’s mind into a tailspin.

Jazz had been oddly calm when he’d spied the book, but did he see it as a betrayal?

Admittedly, Michael had been feeling sentimental, wanting to say goodbye to his favorite character. But he also intended to do anything in his power to help lock Russell away so he could never hurt Jazz again. Michael wasn’t being selfish. He wanted to keep Jazz safe. He was doing this for Jazz.

That spanking was all about you, the treacherous whispers argued back.

But Jazz enjoyed it, hadn’t he?

Unless that’s just what he told you….

The door opened.

“Michael?”

With a squawk of surprise, he jumped, and managed not to spill the coffee.

“What are you standing here for, sweetie? Why didn’t you buzz?”

Michael shook his head. “I did ring the bell.” Hadn’t he?

“No, you didn’t, sweetie,” Jazz said with a sleepy smile. “Misty texted that you were on your way up. I was keeping an eye out for you, but you took so long I peeked out and you were standing down here like a deer caught in the headlights. Everything okay? Aside from ol’ Norbie dead and bleeding two doors down.”

“Woolgathering, I suppose.”

Jazz stepped aside. “Well, you can do that in here.

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