Ellis Parker is a military man who puts his faith in truth, duty, honor, and living for the moment.<br><br>Keeping that peace isn't easy, and he reveres the person who helps him stay on his chosen path: Ellis' former Dominant lover and New Amsterdam's most well-connected bartender, Maxwell Clark.<br><br>So when Clark makes a rare and unexpected offer that might let Ellis relive the days when Ellis was Clark's, who is Ellis to refuse such a chance?

Shot in the Dark

“Good.” Clark spread another blanket on the bed with a sharp, practiced snap. He tossed the remaining pillow next to Ellis and went to the far wall. The lights dimmed to near-blackout, and Clark padded over to the table near the crash pad. He brought some things closer, setting them down on the nightstand, and Clark climbed into bed with a rustle of soft sheets. Ellis thought about moving to the side to give Clark more room, but after all the admonishments, he stayed still


Clark lay on his back and rubbed both hands over his face. “God I love being this kind of worn out.” He turned his head toward Ellis. “How’re you doing?”


“Uhm…okay, I think?” Ellis wasn’t quite so detached anymore, not floating. “Getting back to myself.” And with the awareness Ellis sighed, thinking about where his clothing was heaped by the pad and how to get out of here before he embarrassed himself. “I’ll be okay to go pretty soon.”


Chapter 12