How may I tempt you?

Let me count the ways.

Maybe with a free story? But there’s a catch. Isn’t there always a catch?

The catch is that you won’t get it all today. I’m going to spread it out over the next … maybe five weeks or so. I’m saying or so because I haven’t finished it yet.

But anyway, here’s the first part and all you have to do is click through. Enjoy!

Into Temptation

By Kinberly Gardner
Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.

One

Christian Taleo turned his mustang into the driveway of St. Anselm’s Preparatory Academy. Steering with one hand he flipped open his phone and dialed Mark’s cell. It was nearly twenty after three, past the time when school let out and there was a chance his younger brother hadn’t waited for him. Not much of a chance since getting Chris to take him out for a driving lesson had been the single purpose of Mark’s life ever since he’d turned sixteen two weeks earlier.

Instead of his brother’s standard greeting of ‘yo’ the call went directly to voice-mail. That was weird. Even if Mark hadn’t waited for him Chris would have expected him to answer his phone. He pressed end and cut off the call without leaving a message.

He texted Mark instead.

Where r u?

Chris pulled the car into the circular turn-around that fronted the school building. A few kids still milled around but all the buses were gone.

Chris’s phone chimed indicating that he had a text.

Got cuffed.

Chris grinned. Mark was in detention. He glanced once more at the time. Since detention at the prep lasted one hour, most likely Mark would be there until four o’clock.

Ill try 2 spring u.

Chris flipped his phone closed, hooked it on his belt and got out of the car. Chris grinned to himself as he mounted the steps and saw how his car had already attracted the attention of the few boys hanging around out front.

“That your car?” a kid with blue spiky hair and an eyebrow piercing asked.

Chris nodded.

“Sweet,” the kid said.

“Thanks.” Chris opened the door and stepped into the school’s quiet lobby. The second set of doors required a key-card for access. Of course he didn’t have one of those. If it had been earlier, like around three o’clock, he could have waited for someone to come out and maybe let him through, a thing they were never supposed to do and did anyway. Chris examined his options.

The secretary would probably not just buzz him in no matter how charming he tried to be. Mark was out of the question since springing Mark from detention was the reason he wanted in in the first place. He could go outside and see if one of the kids would use his access card to open the door. Yeah, that’s what he would do.

Chris was just about to open the outside door when the inside door opened and a man came out.

“Hold that door?” Chris tried to sound like he had every right to go inside. It didn’t work. The guy let the door swing shut.

“Can I help you?”

Chris took in the man’s six-foot-something height, broad shoulders, wavy dark hair and big, brown eyes at a glance.

Oh baby, you sure can.

Clearly, this guy was no student. He was too old, maybe twenty-four or five, Chris guessed. Probably a teacher, Chris decided and gave the guy his most dazzling smile, the one that was most effective at getting him laid when he used it in the bars.

“I’m here to pick up my brother, Mark Taleo. I think he’s got detention. I was going to just go down to the cafeteria balcony and tell him I’m here. Do you think you could let me in so I can do that?” Chris held his breath.

The man of the gorgeous hair and eyes glanced at his watch. “Detention won’t be over for another thirty-five minutes or so.”

“I know.” Chris assumed his sheepish face. “I was hoping I could maybe get him sprung a little early. Unless Father Jennings is detention proctor this month. He never let anybody go early.”

The man laughed. It was a warm rich chuckle that made Chris’s belly flutter pleasantly.

“I take it you were a student here.

Chris nodded. “I graduated eight years ago.” He held out his hand. “Christian Taleo.”

“Kevin O’Neill.”

Chris’s hand was taken. Kevin had big hands with wide palms and long fingers. They shook. When Kevin let go, Chris trailed his fingers over Kevin’s palm on the release. He held Kevin’s gaze as he did, sending a clear signal.

Please, let him be gay. Gay and not dating anyone.

“So do you teach here?”

“Yes. I teach juniors and seniors. What did you say your brother’s name was?”

“Mark Taleo. He’s a sophomore.” Chris shifted. He could smell Kevin and it was making him hard.

“I think I know who he is. I haven’t had him in class though.” Kevin studied Chris’s face. “He looks like you a little, doesn’t he?” His gaze slid down Chris’s body then quickly back up to his face.

Chris had to suppress a shiver of excitement. Oh, this guy was so totally gay and so totally interested.

“Yeah, well, we are brothers.” Chris paused. He wanted Kevin O’Neill’s number, wanted to keep him talking, wanted to kiss him, wanted to strip him out of that conservative shirt and tie and make him moan.

Kevin licked his lips. “I can’t just let you in. It’s against school security. But I can probably walk you down to the caf, if you want.”

“That would be great.”

Kevin keyed them in and Chris fell into step beside him. As they walked he let his arm brush against Kevin’s. The man did not move away. That was good.

From the corner of his eye, Chris watched Kevin walk. He moved like an athlete, smooth and graceful. His long legs ate up the hallway. Damn, they were going to get there too soon.

“You play sports?” Chris asked.

“Not anymore.” Kevin turned the corner into another hallway. “I do some yoga, but that’s about it.”

“What did you play? Before I mean.”

“Basketball. I wasn’t really that good, not tall enough and not coordinated enough.” There was that chuckle again. “How did you know I used to play ball?”

“It’s how you move.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m a personal trainer so I notice stuff like that.” Suddenly, inspiration struck. “I work over at Live Well Fitness. Have you ever been?”

Kevin shook his head.

Chris dug in the pocket of his jeans, Produced his business card and held it out. “It’s a nice club. If you ever want a tour, stop by and I’ll show you around.”

Kevin started to reach for the card then hesitated. His eyes met Chris’s. “That’s really nice, but I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.”

“It would be my pleasure.” Chris slid the card into the breast pocket of Kevin’s shirt.

Something flashed in Kevin’s dark eyes and Chris felt a little thrill of triumph. Oh yeah, Kevin would be stopping by, he just knew it.

Kevin reached for the cafeteria door. “Let me go see if I can get your brother paroled.”

“Thanks.”

The door opened and Kevin disappeared inside.

Oh yeah, Kevin O’Neill was so going to be his.

Written by Kimberly Gardner

As early as the seventh grade, Kimberly remembers slashing her favorite rockstars and reading romance. So it’s not surprising that her two passions, romance and putting pretty boys with other pretty boys, should come together in her writing. Moliere said, “Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, then for a few close friends, then for money.” Kimberly is delighted to finally be doing it for money.
Visit The Author's Website