Training Kyle [Hard Hits 10] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Read online

  “You’re okay?” Mason asked.

  Tears rushed to Kyle’s eyes as they locked with Mason’s. He thought long and hard about letting go and dying out there, but he had held on to the idea that he would one day see Mason again, and he had wanted that day to be tonight. Mason came in close as TJ shut the door behind him and blocked the doorway so that no one could come in. Mason gave him a fierce hug. Kyle collapsed, crying in his arms.

  “I’ve got you. Let’s get you home and get settled. It’s been a long fucking night.”

  “It has.”

  Kyle nodded his head, feeling a little bit lost and thrown that he had broken down in his Dom’s arms. TJ drove them back to Mason’s car and then Mason drove them home.

  “What about my patrol car?” Kyle asked.

  “It’s been taken care of. You don’t need to worry about anything. We just need you to write up your report about what happened when you feel up to it.”

  “I can do that tomorrow.”

  “You want to get back to work tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, is that okay?” Kyle asked.

  “As long as you feel up for it,” Mason said.

  “I do.”

  Their hands joined between the seat and they held on tight. Mason pulled up in front of his home and sat there for a long time. The rain had tapered off to a fine mist that put a wet covering over everything. Kyle let his thumb smooth over the back of Mason’s hand.

  “I was thinking,” Mason said.

  “About what?”

  “About us and about what I want.”

  Their eyes locked in the dim interior of the car. Something moved through Kyle’s heart when he looked at Mason. “Yes?”

  “I was hoping to make this thing between us official. I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but I want the chance to be your husband. I want to protect you every chance I can get.”

  “What about work?”

  “What about it?”

  “Will one of us have to transfer? They’ll find out when we marry and file joint tax returns.”

  “I’m not worried. Until then, all we have to think about is planning a wedding and our future together.”

  “So, what are you saying?” Kyle asked.

  “I’m asking you to marry me. Will you marry me, Kyle?”

  It wasn’t the way Kyle had expected the night to end. Then again he wasn’t sure what he expected. Tonight had shown him that he couldn’t let go of the man he loved nor could he let go of his dreams.

  “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He held onto Mason as he grabbed onto him tight. They gave each other a sweet kiss. Mason pulled away. “You taste like bad saltine crackers right now.”

  “It’s that damn Ohio River. I need a shower.”

  “Come inside and let me give you a hand with that.”

  They headed inside to the master bedroom with Mason turning on the hot water. They both got naked and stepped under the water. Mason gently washed Kyle’s hair and smoothed his hands down over his body. Kyle could see that Mason really enjoyed taking care of him. And he really wanted and needed to be taken care of tonight. Tears rushed to his eyes as he looked at his lover.

  “Is everything okay?” Mason asked.

  “I didn’t think I was going to make it.”

  “I was not about to give up on you, not until I found you.”

  “I’m so lucky to have you.”

  “Maybe I’m the lucky one. Have you ever thought about that?”

  Their lips met and they kissed. Kyle felt as though he had everything he always wanted and never thought he could have within his arms. He didn’t want to let go of this feeling ever again, but he knew that with time that their love would change and deepen into something even more special. He couldn’t wait to get to know him better.

  After they showered, Mason led him to the bed. Kyle felt exhausted from trying to tread water. His muscles protested as he moved. Mason held him close, not wanting to let him go.

  “How do you feel about cats?” Kyle asked.

  “I love cats. Why?”

  “I have one. She’ll need to move in with us.”

  “I think she’ll get along just fine with us. We have lots of room for her to roam.”

  “Nice.”

  Everything felt as though it was coming together. Kyle didn’t know what tomorrow would bring with his job. He worried he wouldn’t know how they would navigate it with Mason being the police chief, but he knew they would figure it out. Kyle trusted his Dom to take care of him and whatever would happen. They would always be together. That night Kyle held on to Mason a little bit tighter and when he woke up during the night, they were still holding on to each other. Kyle knew that he had everything he always wanted and it would always be this wonderful.

  * * * *

  On his lunch break the next day, Mason walked two blocks to Tiffany’s and bought Kyle an engagement ring. He moved along the counter before he suddenly stopped. Light caught one of the bands and made it sparkle like a rainbow. That was the one. He picked a white gold band. He loved the way the light caught it as he held it up. He wanted to surprise Kyle with it later on. Mason was in love. He couldn’t wait to start his life with Kyle. A saleswoman came up to the counter.

  “Did you find something you like?”

  Mason smiled. “Yes, I did.”

  The box was in his pocket as he walked another block over to the city manager’s office. As the police chief, he knew he had to check with the city manager to make sure there was no infraction with him moving forward with his relationship with Kyle. They had met prior to him starting his job, so he felt like everything would be okay. Still, he was tense as he waited for the city manager to meet him. The city manager came out after a few minutes. She was tall, blond, and young.

  “Police Chief Rask.”

  “Thanks for meeting with me.”

  “I think what you and your men did the other night was fantastic. It’s nice to know that we can have a happy outcome despite things going wrong.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “So, what brings you down to the city offices today?”

  The city manager sat behind her desk. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

  “Oh? What sort of favor?”

  “I’m getting married.”

  “Well, congratulations. Who’s the lucky person?”

  “It’s someone I work with. It’s Kyle Shaun.”

  Her eyebrows rose, but only for a moment. “I see. Well, you know we have rules against that sort of thing, but times have changed and the rules need to change.” She smiled. “Most people find the one at work, you know that, right?”

  “I do, but I wanted to make sure everything would be okay with me acting as police chief and with Kyle serving under my command.”

  “I don’t see a problem, do you? He reports directly to another supervisor. I don’t see a conflict.”

  “Honestly, I don’t, but I wanted to run it by you first to make sure…”

  “You have my blessing,” she finished. “Of course, Chief Rask. I think it’s a wonderful idea. You know, I know your brother Bode.”

  Mason was taken aback for moment. “You know my brother?”

  “He works for the government.”

  Mason was surprised that the city manager knew his brother. “How do you know him?”

  “Let’s just say I have some connections and those connections let me have some information about you before you were hired.”

  Mason nodded. He hadn’t seen his brother in years. He wondered where he was and what he was doing. He had a cell number but he never tried it. “The last I heard, he was working with some top secret government training program.”

  “Yes, he is. I’ve heard great things about him. It seems to run in your family.” The city manager laughed and smiled. “Get the hell out of here before I change my mind about policies and procedures with the Cincinnati Police Department.”

  “I’m out of
here.”

  “Just let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will.”

  “One more thing, I expect an invitation to the wedding.”

  “You got it.”

  Mason had a spring in his step as he went back to the station. Everything was falling into place the way he needed it to. Everything was perfect. When he got back to the station, he found Kyle waiting in his office. He had requested a meeting at five o’clock just to be official. Mason had really wanted a moment alone with his sub.

  “I talked with the city manager today.”

  “Did you? What did she say?”

  “She said the policies and procedures within the department needed to change.”

  “I think I like the sound of that.”

  “Me, too.”

  Mason wanted to kiss Kyle, but he knew that despite being fiancés they couldn’t kiss at work. Longing moved through Kyle’s eyes, and Mason couldn’t resist the urge to step forward and brush his hand over his cheek.

  “I have something for you,” Mason said.

  “You do?”

  Mason pulled the velvet box from his pocket and flipped it open. “Will you still marry me?”

  Tears rushed through Kyle’s eyes. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

  “Do you like the ring?”

  “I absolutely love it!”

  “I was hoping you would.” Mason took the ring from the box and slipped it over Kyle’s finger. He smoothed his thumb over his fingers. “It’s perfect.”

  “You’re perfect for me,” Kyle said.

  Longing had Mason easing forward and kissing Kyle with a sweet soft kiss. He pulled away, seeing need move through his eyes. “I love you.”

  “I love you more. I need you,” Kyle said.

  “Tonight, babe. I promise.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “Me either.”

  “I’ll catch you later for shift change, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Mason watched Kyle leave his office as he sat down behind his desk. He thought about his brother whom he hadn’t talked to in such a long time. Work with the government took him all over the world and sometimes close to home. He was the one who had gotten out and gotten away. Mason tapped his fingers on his desk as he thought about picking up the phone and calling his brother. Most times he had to leave a message on his voice mail and then he’d call him back weeks later. He was often times out of the country and out of connection. Mason reached for the phone and dialed his brother. After several rings, his brother picked up.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Bode. It’s Mason.”

  “Mason? I haven’t talked to you in forever. How are you?”

  “Good. I was just talking to a coworker of mine who said she knew you.”

  “Oh?”

  “City manager, Evelyn Chase.”

  “I work with her brother. How is she?”

  “Good. I just started with the Cincinnati Police Department as acting chief.”

  “Things are going well then?”

  “Things are going great.”

  “So, what’s going on? You don’t call unless something happens.”

  Mason hesitated. He didn’t know what to say so he just said it. “I’m getting married.”

  “That’s wonderful news!”

  “I think so, too. I want you to be there.”

  “When is it?”

  “We’re thinking next spring.”

  “So who’s the lucky guy?”

  “His name is Kyle. He’s great. I work with him. So, can you make it?”

  “I don’t know if I can, to be honest. I’m in the middle of some interrogation training.”

  “Okay, well I just wanted you to know.”

  “I’m glad you called and told me. I’ll call you when I can. When I have some time off, we will get together for a beer.”

  “That sounds fantastic.”

  “Take care, Mason.”

  “You, too, Bode.”

  Mason hung up the phone, loving the fact that he heard the sound of his brother’s voice. He knew that he would come to the wedding. Whenever that would be. Mason wondered all about what his brother did but he knew he couldn’t share government secrets with him. Still, it never failed to intrigue Mason about what his brother did on the side.

  A smile lingered on Mason’s lips as he headed downstairs to shift change. It was just another day on the job. He looked around at the men in his department, feeling pride for each of them. When his gaze met with Kyle’s, longing went through his heart. It was then that he knew this was what it meant to be in love. He would die for Kyle and he would live for him. He couldn’t wait to be his husband and his everything. Mason was happy. And he wanted to make Kyle happy, too. He couldn’t wait until tonight. Out of the corner of his eye, Mason caught sight of Kyle smiling as he moved the ring around his finger. Everything in his life was finally as close to perfect as it could be. He was in love with the man of his dreams.

  THE END

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Tatum Throne has a master’s degree in social work. She left the field of medical social work to be a stay-at-home mom and to pursue her dreams of writing romance. She has three rambunctious boys with her husband, Mr. Throne, and one rowdy hamster named CJ. She also has a pet rabbit named Coco who has taken over her office.

  When not indulging her fantasies, Tatum enjoys baking chocolate chip cookies, hiking, spending time with her family, and spreading awareness of eosinophilic disorders.

  You can find Tatum all over the web at:

  www.tatumthrone.com

  www.tatumthrone.blogspot.com

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