Magic of Three Read Online Free PDF Page A

him.
     
    A place to call home.
     
    During their first year together Tim had held his breath, waiting for the moment Julian tired of him, kicked him out. He ate voraciously, even sneaking food into his battered laundry bag, thinking each meal would be his last. But time passed and Julian still loved him. One day, without Julian’s prompting, he threw out his tattered bag. Tim’s own love grew from self-interest, to caring, to true love. Julian had brought him a long way from the jaded, self-hating rent boy who trolled the streets for a quick, easy mark. Even after all this time, Tim couldn’t believe his luck.
     
    So what if he had to risk his life to save the world from impending darkness? It was worth it. Anything was better than his early, bleak years. Years spent never knowing where he’d be sleeping. Years of trading sex for three squares and the slightest chance of keeping a roof over his head long enough to catch some secure, uninterrupted sleep.
     
    Julian never looked down on him, never thought less of him for what he’d done to survive. Never thought to judge him, even subconsciously.
     
    Julian loved him, pure and simple. He surrounded Tim with feelings of caring, security and peace. Never doubt or disgust.
     
    And now Tim had a chance to bring her into his life as well. An earthy angel with a silver-blonde bob and scarlet lips. A woman with the body of a Forties pin-up girl and the sexual responsiveness of a modern-day porn star. Her heat called to him on a level only reached before by Julian. Another human being Tim could come to love and could love him in return. He didn’t remember as much as Julian did about his past lives, but he remembered the feel of her emotions washing over and surrounding him like a warm cocoon.
     
    At least the whole world-saving gig came with fringe benefits.
     
    Tim walked down the darkened hall to stand in the kitchen doorway, watching Julian putter around the stove. The man took his breath away. Tall with black hair kept short everywhere but on top, well-muscled and tanned, Julian’s early military training surrounded him with an aura of strength and safety. Anyone he put under his protection would stay secure, no question. Even now, years after his discharge into civilian life, he reeked of hero.
     
    Tim never thought he’d be the type to let himself be swept up by a white knight. He wasn’t a complete twinkie. But when this independently wealthy private eye-security specialist came along, Tim found himself living out Julia Roberts’ dream. This hooker made good and he never wanted to look back.
     
    Sensing his presence, Julian looked up from a bubbling pot of marinara sauce. Dark circles framed his weary brown eyes but he gave a welcoming smile. The dreams rode him hard but he refused to show his anxiety to Tim. Tim didn’t know if he liked the fact that Julian wanted to shield him from worry or if it pissed him off. Either way, after tonight one hurdle would be over. Who knew how many more were to come?
     
    “Hey, you’re home late. I was beginning to worry you’d met some cute young thing and got a piece of ass without me,” Julian teased as he put down his wooden spoon and stepped away from the stove.
     
    Tim smirked at the half playful comment. Julian wasn’t typically insecure and didn’t give him a hard time about his job. But it didn’t stop him from needing the occasional ego stroking and reassurance from his lover. Normally Tim would take it as an invitation to stroke more than just Julian’s ego, liking to give physical proof of his commitment. But at the moment all Tim could picture was her sitting under him, arching into his body, fucking him with her clothes on. “Not exactly. But not that far off either.”
     
    Julian put his hands on his hips, giving him a mock glare. “What do you mean, not far off?” he growled, eyes narrowing and glittering dangerously. “I was joking, and you’d better be too.”
     
    Tim grinned at the