Welcome to Hurricane Bay, Florida, where the act of arson isn’t uncommon. When a popular gay bar, the Flaming Flamingo, burns to the ground with bartender Rudy inside, fear rocks the Gulf-side community. Bar owner Peter Rotunda wants to learn who destroyed his business and committed murder. Soon after the incident, Rotunda hires adorable and sexy private investigator Axle Dupree to take the case.<br><br>Axle is a fresh private eye with exemplary charm. Not only can he woo the pants off his boyfriend Casey, but also just about every other guy in town. Soon a list of alleged suspects builds: wealthy Laura Monigal, who has a history of arson; mysterious faux-cowboy Clifton Monigal; a Daisy Dukes-wearing circus performer; and a “fluff” romance writer.<br><br>As June unfolds, conversations are sharp, road trips into the Everglades become overwhelming, and spying is necessary. But after applying heat to the suspects, Axle learns who the murderer is ... and so much more about his community.

Heat

“In my defense, you spend a gazillion hours with the man. Sometimes I don’t even see you during an entire day. Of course, I’m going to think you’re sleeping with him. He’s glued to your hip, and the two of you are together allthe time. If you were in my position, you’d think the same thing.”


“I’m not sleeping with Bruno,” he said. “You’re the only man I will ever love. You’re half of me, Axle. Do you think I would go and fuck that up for me…or us?”


“I get it now,” I said, meaning every word of it. “But you need to spend more time with me and less with Bruno. I realize both of your positions, but you can’t forget that you and I are lovers. Don’t rock our boat like that, Casey. Because when you do, it scares the hell out of me. I love you as much as you love me.”


Chapter 42