Equation for Love by Sutherland, Fae (13 ebook reader TXT) 📗

of any real amusement. "I guess this is my last lesson--a broken heart. You're very thorough, Liam."

There had been a lot of times in the last three years when people or circumstances had tried to make Liam feel like he was half an inch tall, but no one had ever succeeded in making himfeel as small as Skye did right

then.The fact he'd only done his job was cold comfort

when it meant he'd hurt the one person in the world who probablydeserved it least.

Chapter 14

He didn't smell like Skye. He didn't taste like Skye. Liamkissed himand, instead ofeager innocence, he got experienced knowledge. Once upon a time, that'd done it for him. Once upon a time, Liamloved his job, loved what he did and how he did it.

And thenthere was Skye.

He closed his eyes and tried to block thoughts of the other man out, focusing on his client and his skilled mouth. But five seconds later, he was remembering the natural talent Skye had, the way he watched and learned and calculated every move like it was a scientific formula for pleasure. Liam bit back a curse and urged his client over onto all fours. He wasn't going to think about Skye.

Except Skye was there, taunting him, reminding him how real everything felt when they were together, how it had never once, not even the first night, felt like a job. The funny part was, Liam often forgot he was working when he was with a client, especially a regular. But now...now he couldn't think of anything except that. And it was killingthe pleasure he usuallygot.

"Is everything all right, Liam?" Confused, slightly annoyed blue eyes peered back at him and all Liam could see were distressed brown eyes pleading with him to not leave. He squeezed his own eyes shut and shook his head.

"Yes...no. No." No, nothing was all right. Not a single, solitary thing was all right. And it was all Skye's fault. He opened his eyes and gave his companion a weak smile. "Give me a minute."

Liam didn't wait for a response, sliding out of the bed and a few seconds later shuttingthe bathroomdoor behind him.

What was wrong with him? He'd never had this kind of problem before. Liam glanced down at his decidedly uninterested cock, then met his own gaze in the mirror. "You're so screwed,"he whispered.

And not because he couldn't get it up for a regular client he normally enjoyed more than most. No, Liam was screwed because it'd been a week and he'd done nothing but try not to think about Skye and failed. Even his boat, normally a haven when he wanted to be alone and brood, held memories of Skye and the night on the water they'd spent laughingand sharingfood and stories like...like friends, like a couple. Like lovers.

But you're not lovers. You never were.

Liam glanced at the bathroom door, sensing the growing irritation ofthe man on the other side. Ifit were Skye out there, there'd be no irritation; it'd be concern. He could almost see Skye's face, those heavy brows knit, dark eyes full of distress. Skye was different and had beenfromthe beginning.

"Are you coming out?"came the impatient call from the other side ofthe door.

It was that moment, when a ball of dread formed in the pit of his stomach at the thought of going back out there to tryand perform, Liamcame to the realizationa) Skye had ruined him. For his job and for other men. And b) Liamdidn't like his job anymore.

What was it he'd told Skye that time? He wasn't some two-dollar streetwalker down on Fremont Street with a pimp threatening to beat himup if he didn't make enough money. He could say no if he wanted. Liam blinked at his ownreflection. Thenwhydidn't he?

Why, indeed?

Liam yanked open the bathroom door and strode out wearing a grin and nothing else. "I have to leave. I'll call the agency and make sure they refund your deposit." He grabbed his clothes, heart racing as he yanked them on, ignoring the protests coming from the bed. He had to call Skye. No, over the phone wasn't the wayto do anything. No. Inperson, definitely.

Then he slowed down, mind whirling. He couldn't just stormover there without a plan. He needed a plan. Skye would respond to that, being such a logical type. Liam's chest tightened with a swell of emotion he, for once, didn't try to push away. God, he loved Skye. Letting that feeling loose inside him, Liam was a little astounded by the overwhelming presence of the emotion. Love. How the hell had he breathed without

it?He couldn't stop grinning as he snatched his phone

off the nightstand and dropped a quick, chaste kiss on his former client's lips. "Goodbye."It was a goodbye to everything, really. Liam had to admit he was a little bit scared as he rushed out of the room and jogged down the hallto jab at the elevator buttons.

He was jumping off a cliff and all he could do was hope Skye would jump with him. But first, he needed a parachute. And he knew just where to find one.

* * * *

Skye sighed as he pulled into his garage and shut off the car. It was a sweltering hot day and he was exhausted from lack of sleep and all he wanted was to take a cool shower and curl up in bed. Maybe today he'd actuallybe able to fallasleep.

He reached over to grab the grocery bags off the front seat and climbed out of the car. He turned and nearlyjumped out ofhis skinwitha shouted curse when suddenly there stood Liama few feet away at the open garage door.

Skye's heart tripped and, for a long moment, he couldn't even speak. He could only stare. Then he remembered and stiffened, restraining the almost overwhelmingurge to runright into his