Ian is intrigued by the idea of “servicing” straight guys, and through a friend contacts Shawn. Although the experience is not quite what he expected, Ian discovers a deep satisfaction in being submissive. Shawn, an amateur boxer, begins to visit more frequently, sometimes even sleeping over. Ian also visits Shawn at the gym to watch him train. The two men connect, and Ian is hopeful something more might develop. Then Shawn dies unexpectedly in Ian’s bed. Now Ian finds himself facing the suspicions of the investigating policeman, Glen, even though Shawn died from natural causes. When Glen returns to question Ian further, he begins asking for specific details about Ian’s and Shawn’s relationship. Then he insists on Ian performing re-enactments. Soon all pretense is stripped away as things grow more intense between them. Ian starts to hope something might be developing with Glen. But the cop is keeping secrets from him. Will Ian still be interested when he discovers why Glen initiated things between them in the first place?

The Pugilist at Rest

He sipped his beer again, and then said, “And that’s why I had to find out exactly what he and you had done together. I had to know.”


He looked at me, eyes searching my face. There must have been something in my expression, for a slow, sheepish grin formed onto his features.


“And,” he added, “I liked the sex.” He reached out and ran his hand up and down my thigh. “You’re very hot, you know.”


I laughed. “Thank you!” I was thinking that if I was hot, it was like a candle to his sun.


“And—well, I wasn’t sure, at first, whether you had encouraged him—with his drugs. Others have.”


“But once I realized that you and he—well, had something, I kind of warmed to you.”


Again he looked at me, and laughed uncomfortably. He looked away, lowered his head, and said in a quiet voice. “I—like it like that. Rough. Shawn did, too—so I figured you wouldn’t object.” A pause. “Anyway, you didn’t.”


I laughed and put my hand on his thigh.


Chapter 22