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

He didn’t know what to do about David’s sense of guilt. Probably there was nothing he could do. Except hope that it would eventually fade.


“Well, I accept your apology.” He licked a path above David’s shirt collar. “Don’t worry about it.”


“I can’t when you do that anyway.” He tilted his head, pulling the sinew straight and hard to tease Vincent’s tongue into traveling farther. “So you should probably not stop.”


Vincent didn’t lift his head, addicted to the taste and the texture of David’s skin. He pushed his fingers into David’s pants, seeking out the hard line of his erection. As soon as skin touched flesh, David missed a note. Vincent smiled against the back of his neck, but he didn’t release him. He just flexed his fingers, squeezing tightly as he began to stroke his length.


Chapter 35