Engelbert Trentworthy -- dear God, call him Trent -- is a bit of a slut. Most people don’t take him seriously, and really, neither does he. Trent keeps things simple and doesn’t allow others to get close for reasons he never shares with anyone. Then he meets photographer Elias Lane at the customer service desk where he works.<br><br>Elias is captivated by Trent’s appearance and asks him to be part of a photo shoot. Unfortunately, Trent’s image ends up in a shop window near his job and causes all kinds of havoc. To make it up to him, Elias buys Trent dinner. But when Elias tries to push for more, Trent backs away.<br><br>Somehow, between the coworker who’s harassing Trent for sex and the specter of Trent’s black past, Elias is determined to get Trent to give him a chance, in every possible way.

Paint It, Black

It was after ten before Florina and I called it a night. She invited me to a party later that evening, but I was too tired to do anything but crash in my own bed. I kissed her cheek before she left and focused on getting my stuff out of the locker.


I thought I heard something fall in the hallway, but I didn’t worry about it, since there were a few of us left in the store. I grabbed my bag and left the room, waving goodbye to the people remaining as I walked out the back door.


And came face to face with Leroy standing near the Dumpster. I broke out in a cold sweat in the warm air. Shit.


He’d left me alone since our last encounter, and I’d been relieved, putting it out of my mind after reporting him. Maybe I shouldn’t have. I tried to move around him now, but he kept blocking my path.


Chapter 12