It’s 1955, Las Vegas is swinging, and David Lonergan has the chance of a lifetime when he accompanies his cousin to be the headlining act at the Thunderbird Casino. A pianist who cut his teeth in the jazz clubs of Chicago, David is a dazzled by the lights, the music, and the “anything goes” attitude of Las Vegas. But he’s not knocked off his feet until he meets Vincent “Shorty” Accardo.<br><br>Vincent is a full-time bodyguard and sometimes hitman for the mob-controlled casino. He doesn’t indulge his interest in men very often, but there’s something different about David from the moment they meet. He’s attracted to David’s talent, his surprising innocence, and his easy smile.<br><br.There are a million reasons to stay away from the young piano player, but Vincent can’t help himself. Even when there are lives at risk.

The Bad and the Beautiful

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Eddie Fisher fan,” David said. “But then again, you’ve surprised me from the start.”


“Really? I think I’m a pretty straightforward guy.” He certainly wasn’t feeling too subtle right then, with his cock pressing against David’s ass, and his breath quickening. “How much distraction can you handle while you play?”


“I don’t know.” Though his playing was still calm and even, his voice sounded breathless. “I can take heckling all right. Are you planning on heckling me?”


“Heckling? No, nothing like that.” He caught the top button of David’s shirt between his forefinger and thumb and slipped it free. “But I don’t want you to stop playing.”


When he slid his hand beneath the fabric and sought a taut nipple, he felt the flutter of David’s pulse through his smooth skin. David missed a note, but quickly recovered, though his body leaned harder back against Vincent.


“This song isn’t that long. What do you want me to do when it’s done?”


Chapter 34