Nineteen-year-old Joe has been living on the streets since escaping from a sex-trafficking ring. When a blizzard hits the city, he takes a chance, accepting Derek Clarke's offer of a place to stay for the night. It wouldn't have happened if Derek hadn't been doing a stake-out in the alley at just the right time and taken pity on Joe. The blizzard leaves the two men housebound for the next few days, and they begin to bond as Derek teaches Joe some of what being a private detective involves. Loath to let Joe return to the streets when the weather clears, Derek offers him a job as his apprentice, while allowing him to continue staying in his guestroom. Can their relationship grow from friendship to more, in spite of traumas in their pasts, or will Joe's fear of physical commitment ultimately drive them apart?

The Detective's Apprentice

“Joe,” Derek said softly, pulling away to rest on his elbows and look down at him. “We can stop now, if this is too much.”


Joe shook his head vehemently. “No. I’m all right. I’m just…”


“It’s all new to you. I understand.” Derek kissed him. “What happened to you before was screwing and nothing more. Men who, to put it crudely, were using you to get their rocks off in front of the camera to entertain creeps who liked to watch that kind of thing.” He kissed him again, a lingering kiss that Joe returned hungrily before Derek broke it, saying, “I will nevertreat you like that.”


“I know you won’t.” Suddenly feeling bold, because it was Derek, he asked, “Can I see…?” He pushed his hand between them to touch Derek’s cloth-covered member.


Derek smiled slowly. “Of course.” He rolled onto his back, raising his hips to remove his cutoffs. His cock came free, standing erect as if begging for attention.


Hesitantly, Joe ran his hand up the length of it. Derek groaned low, so Joe did it again.


Chapter 50