IslandAffair Read Online Free PDF Page B

sobered. “They’re no’ going to be
happy I told you this but to hell with them, I don’t want to lie to you.” His
gaze flicked again toward the trees then met Rob’s. “This is too important for
that.”
    Robin opened his mouth to protest that it couldn’t be that
important, they’d just met. But John was right. There was something bigger than
just a hot attraction between them. Something Robin wasn’t ready to put a name
to yet.
    “They really are here to protect me.” John rolled his eyes.
“My parents insisted.” He told Robin about the events in the stairwell and what
had followed. Skimming matter-of-factly over the fact that he had saved a man’s
life. Again Robin saw the determined, strong man beneath the beach bum image
John had adopted. He knew that whatever John did, he was successful at it,
probably very successful. And he had been forced to leave it all and come here.
    “I knew there was more to you than bad Hawaiian shirts.”
    He gave him a mock wounded expression. “You don’t like ma
shirts?”
    Rob smiled and attempted to imitate the Scots burr, “I think
probably you don’t like your shirts.”
    John grinned, “Then you’d be wrong. I’ve actually got quite
attached to them. I’m thinkin’ of wearing them to work when I get back but it
might give my secretary heart failure.” His smile faded. “If I get back to
work.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Armstrong is a very well-connected man
and he knows who I am. I could be called back at any time to testify against
him. Even if he’s convicted I don’t know what kind of life I’m going to have, I
might never be safe again.” He closed his eyes briefly. “And despite all that
I’m askin’ you to come with me, be with me…for however long we have here.”
    He held out his hand and stood. Robin hesitated, feeling as
though he was about to step off a cliff. “All right.” He put his hand in John’s
and hoped the fall wouldn’t shatter him.
     
    John’s heart thundered in his ears as his lover took his
hand. That brief hesitation had felt like an eternity. This was probably— no ,
definitely—a mistake. But he still pulled Robin into his arms, knowing he could
not bear to let him go. And yet, he might not have any choice. As though
sensing the bleak direction of his thoughts, Robin raised his head from his
shoulder and stroked his fingertips along John’s jaw.
    “Did I tell you why I came on this trip?” A mischievous
smile banished the trace of sadness from his eyes.
    John shook his head and couldn’t help but smile in return.
    “Well, back home I am your typical ‘boy next door’. It’s a
small town and I’ve lived there all my life. So I’ve never done or said
anything I shouldn’t. No one but my sister Joanne has any idea I’m gay so I
never date. I smile at the girls friends try to set me up with and sometimes
even take them out but every night I am home in my own bed. Alone.”
    He nipped John’s chin with a boldness that belied his words.
    “I love my home but I needed to get away from that, live up
to my own expectations for a while. So here I am and here you are…and
let me tell you, John, I am not thinking boy-next-door thoughts at all.”
    “So essentially you want me to help you free your inner bad
boy.” John sent his gaze skyward. “I feel so used.” He grinned as a wash of
pink warmed Robin’s cheeks. The man was such a wonderful combination of
innocence and seduction. John found it unbelievably sexy and his cock twitched
at the picture Robin made. Pushing the thoughts of the future out of his mind,
he kissed Robin and took his hand to lead him down the steps. Halfway down Robin
missed his footing, almost falling, and John caught him in his arms, laughing.
    “I warned you, I am a klutz. It’s a miracle I made it to my
twenty-sixth birthday.”
    “I’ll take my chances.” John set him on his feet. “Besides,
I have bodyguards, remember?” He ducked Robin’s punch and took his