Page 5 of Single Greatest Threat (Atlantic City’s Most Wanted #6)

By the time they finished shopping, there was so much shit in Joesph’s lap, he could barely hold it all.

Shaw had definitely grabbed a lot more brand-name, high-quality things than Joesph ever would have.

That was how Joesph comforted himself. If Shaw stopped talking to him again after Joesph refused to fuck him tonight, then at least Joesph had gotten groceries.

He recognized that was a shitty way to look at things, but Shaw had been a crappy friend.

Joesph doubted he could trust this sudden change.

Shaw had always had an amazing streak that came and went.

He was mental destruction on two legs. Joesph didn’t have anything left to give.

Life at home was a combination of easier and harder.

He knew that didn’t make sense to anyone who didn’t live it.

At home, he could move around a little freer.

He felt safer about falling, so he used a combination of cane and walker, swapping between the two as needed.

There just wasn’t enough space in his house to use his wheelchair and his walker was one of those with the seat that also wouldn’t fit through every space.

It was a bit freeing to feel like he could walk around some, but it was exhausting.

Likely he was more in the way than not as he pushed his walker around in Shaw’s wake, sitting each time they stopped.

Truthfully, he was useless, but he didn’t leave Shaw’s side while Shaw cooked and chopped vegetables.

Shaw opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. As he closed the door, he eyed the line of appointment cards sticking from behind magnets.

He twisted the cap from his bottle. “How is everything going with your treatment?”

Joesph hated talking about his health, but it was Shaw.

“Tedious. It feels like I’m always at the doctor, yet nothing changes.

I’m just shoveling money their way so I can get my zillion scripts refilled every month.

My mom always wants to know what I found out at every appointment, like anything ever changes.

The answer is nothing. They stare at that little laptop thing, ask the same questions, get the same answers, and then tell me they’ll see me in three months. I’m just another number to them.”

Shaw held his stare as he spoke. Joesph couldn’t explain it.

He never had been able to say what it was about Shaw.

Joesph told things to him he didn’t admit to anyone else.

Shaw asked the same questions everyone did, but Joesph’s answers were real with Shaw.

That was why Joesph couldn’t quit him. He didn’t feel this way with anyone else.

“I know it has to be frustrating.”

Joesph’s hands rose and fell. “It is what it is.”

A sweet and sexy smile touched Shaw’s lips. “I know life hasn’t given you any other choice, but you’re still the strongest person I know.” He went back to cooking.

Joesph’s gaze moved down Shaw’s body. It was beyond his control.

They were back to feeling like a couple again and Joesph hated himself for that, but fuck.

Shaw was tall and perfectly formed. He had a tight, round ass that begged to be squeezed and bitten.

Joesph chewed the side of his nail to keep his hand from reaching out.

He knew exactly what was beneath those expensive dress pants.

His tie was gone, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up to his elbows.

Shaw’s feet were bare. God. He hated feet, but Shaw’s were sexy.

How fucked up was that? It got worse. He had been the one to suggest Shaw take off his socks so they didn’t get wet when they inevitably splashed water all over the floor.

Joesph had done it for just this reason, so he could look at his feet.

Shaw had him fucked up. Always had. He was pathetic.

Joesph was kind of glad he didn’t have the energy to jump him.

At least he wouldn’t make too big of a fool of himself.

Then they were squeezed in together at Joesph’s tiny kitchen table and all Joesph smelled was Shaw.

Even the delicious scent of tacos couldn’t drown out the cologne that Joesph knew so well.

Worse, he knew that scent mixed with sex, and Joesph was a goddamn mess of memories and need.

He ate, but that wasn’t what he truly wanted.

His body craved so much more than food. Life never took mercy on him.

Tonight didn’t look to be any different.

Being with Joesph was such a mixture of heaven and hell. No one looked at him the way Joesph did. Even once they had cleaned their plates and the kitchen, Shaw couldn’t make himself leave. Thankfully, Joesph didn’t seem to be in any hurry to kick him out.

“Have you seen the latest season of Out ?”

Shaw followed Joesph to the living room. “No. You’re the only person I watch TV with. I mean, I don’t bother turning on the TV. Have I missed anything good?”

Joesph shrugged. “I haven’t watched past the last episode we saw together.”

Awesome. The excuse he needed. “You want to finish it?”

“Yeah, that’s why I brought it up.”

“Cool.” Shaw picked his usual spot on the small loveseat and kicked up the footrest.

Joesph joined him and matched his pose before turning on the TV. He pulled up their show from whatever streaming service it was on. Shaw had no idea which. He had been completely serious. Without Joesph, his life was silent.

Shaw’s gaze scanned the room to keep from staring at Joesph.

Joesph’s place was tiny. Sometimes he forgot the huge disparity between their lifestyles.

While Shaw’s father paid Joesph well, it was nothing compared to what the law office provided for Shaw.

Plus, Shaw had grown up wealthy and gotten a lion’s share of his grandparents' money when they had passed… from both sides. Even though Joesph would likely argue, Joesph missed nothing by not having as much. Fake people. Fake friends. Greedy eyes and hands. That had been Shaw’s entire life.

That was all Joesph missed. Joesph was real.

He wasn’t like those people. Still, Shaw hated the way Joesph struggled.

His medical bills sucked him dry. The smaller place was likely easier for him to manage, though.

Shaw’s gaze automatically slid Joesph’s way again.

His hair was a mess. Shaw wanted to touch him so fucking badly.

The craving was near to being crippling. He forced himself to focus on the show.

It had been a while since he watched the series, so it took all his concentration to catch up.

The first episode ended. Shaw glanced Joesph’s way when he didn’t immediately skip the intro of the next episode.

He was asleep. A smile tugged at Shaw’s lips.

He carefully slipped the remote from Joesph’s side of the couch and turned off the TV.

Then he went back to staring at Joesph, studying his every line.

He still remembered the first time Joesph called him out for staring.

He’d been wearing a white shirt that day unbuttoned at the collar. Everything about him looked sexy.

Shaw was fascinated by Joesph’s baby blue eyes and the smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose.

His light brown hair brushed the collar of his shirt and curled at the ends, making Shaw want to touch it.

When he smiled… goddamn. The world stopped spinning.

He couldn’t stop staring at those perfect lips.

The way they curved into the most devilish of smirks always took his breath.

Shaw had no idea why he couldn’t shake the guy. He just wanted him.

Those fuckable lips took on the slightest of smiles while Shaw watched. “You’re staring at me.”

“I’m not.”

At his blatant lie, Joesph looked up from his paperwork. He leaned his chair back, matching Shaw’s relaxed pose. “You’re bored.”

He wasn’t. Not in the least. Shaw could sit like this for the rest of his life.

That thought stopped him cold. He didn’t want anyone forever.

Shaw had no idea why he had forgotten that.

The last thing he wanted was to hurt Joesph by making promises he couldn’t keep.

They were friends. A whimper rang through his head. God, he ached for him.

“This case is tedious.” It was all Shaw could think to say in the face of Joesph’s open interrogation.

Joesph flipped his file closed and sat forward.

His eyes stayed locked on Shaw, making Shaw feel like he slowly fell into them.

“Then let’s do something else. All this can wait for one night.

We could go to dinner, dancing, or even back to my place to watch TV.

Anything is better than this. What do you want to do? ”

“You.” No one was more shocked than Shaw. He had not meant to say that. Joesph made him weak. Damnit. He had to fix things. Shaw laughed. It was an uncomfortable sound. “Well, that’s a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen. Sorry.”

Joesph didn’t laugh or even smile. He simply held Shaw’s stare. “Were you serious?”

He didn’t know how to respond. Shaw didn’t want to lie and miss his shot.

He equally didn’t want that harassment suit he’d mentioned.

But the longer he held Joesph’s stare, the more the heat built between them.

Shaw was hard as fuck and Joesph hadn’t done a thing but look into his eyes.

It hit Shaw. He saw Shaw. It was pointless to deny it. Joesph would know if he lied.

“Yeah. I’m serious.”

Joesph stood and circled the war room table, where they had been silently working for hours.

Shaw watched every step with his breath held. He didn’t know what Joesph would do. His expression gave nothing away. Maybe he’d punch Shaw. It wasn’t like Shaw didn’t deserve it.

“Let’s go, then.”

Shaw shot to his feet so fast, he nearly upset the table.

No way would he give Joesph time to take it back.

He couldn’t do an uncomfortable car ride where they didn’t acknowledge what Joesph had just agreed to do.

Shaw snagged Joesph before he got away. They met each other’s gaze, and something snapped inside Shaw.

His mouth came down hard on Joesph’s. When their tongues met and Joesph came back at him with matched desperation, Shaw glimpsed insanity.

The need won. He swiped the stack of files from the table and sat Joesph where they had been.

His mouth moved to Joesph’s neck as he tried his ass off to get Joesph out of his shirt.

He would fuck Joesph right here. Damn the consequences.

Joesph was worth the risk of losing everything.

A sexy chuckle caressed his ears. “You know someone will have to pick that up tomorrow.”

Shaw changed directions, needing to taste the other side of Joesph’s neck to see if it was just as delicious. It was. “So.”

Another of those goddamn toe-curling chuckles vibrated against his lips as he kissed his way lower. “So, that someone is me.”

“It won’t be.” Joesph sounded way too coherent.

Shaw had to fix that. Joesph sounded exactly like a man who needed his dick sucked. He should get started on that.

Shaw still saw that same guy who sent him spiraling out of control and felt that same passion.

Nothing had changed except the smudges beneath Joesph’s eyes.

Shaw’s brow furrowed. Joesph claimed there was nothing new to tell about his health, but he looked exhausted.

Shaw checked the time. It likely wasn’t too late yet.

He snagged the throw blanket from the back of the couch and covered Joesph.

With that out of the way, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found Joesph’s mom’s number.

Unless something had changed, Haven didn’t usually go to bed before eleven.

For an older lady, she was still a night owl.

Even though he knew he had no right, Shaw didn’t hesitate to text her.

Shaw: Hey, beautiful lady. Are you still breaking hearts?

There. He hit send. Shaw hadn’t led with being nosey. To his delight, three little dots danced, showing she worked on a response.

Haven: Shaw! Holy shit, boy. Where have you been?

Shaw: A mental institution. Can I ask about Joesph?

Haven: HA! Just skimming over that comment. I know you won’t tell me anything anyhow. Ask away. Is he not talking to you or something?

Oddly, Shaw didn’t hesitate to say his every thought to Haven. She was just one of those people. Zero judgment.

Shaw: It was a suicide thing. Nothing special. Joesph’s actually asleep on the couch next to me. That’s why I asked. He looks a little more worn down than what matches his health updates.

Haven: Sigh. I see. Ever the prideful one.

I keep hoping you two will fall madly in love and you’ll make his life easier.

A mother can dream. He’s relapsed. This isn’t a normal flare-up.

He ended up hospitalized a couple of months ago and it hasn’t let up since.

They’re trying new treatments, but the pain has been crippling.

I’m scared as hell of what all this means.

Goddamn it. Haven was right. Shaw needed to take care of him. Joesph was too stubborn and good at hiding his symptoms.

Shaw: Thank you for letting me know. I can’t help if he won’t talk to me. Knowledge is power. I’ve got him.

Haven: I’m glad to hear it. You know I love you, but these old bones need rest. Drag Joesph to see me. He’s been avoiding everyone.

Not everyone. Joesph still had lunch dates with Dodge. Shaw tried not to get jealous, but damn. He wanted to be the only man in Joesph’s life.

Shaw: I’ll get him there. Love you too. Dream of me.

A laugh escaped Shaw as he hit send. Haven was so much fun.

She was nothing like anyone in Shaw’s family.

He envied Joesph. Not everyone got the love Joesph did.

Shaw’s gaze slid back Joesph’s way. He wanted to ask why Joesph fought so hard to hide his pain, but Shaw already knew.

Joesph couldn’t count on Shaw and likely would die before showing Shaw an ounce of weakness.

It didn’t matter. Joesph didn’t have to ask.

Shaw needed to focus on something other than himself and Joesph needed Shaw. It was a win-win. Joesph would see.