On a whim, Alex signs up to volunteer with an outreach program at a local youth shelter. When Father Nate calls him and asks him to work with Jamie as a big brother, Alex envisions a little kid he'll pal around with. What he doesn't expect is Jamie Owens, an 18 year old boy with a bad attitude who's only two years younger than Alex himself.<br><br>Jamie's hot. Very hot, and nervy, and precocious, and damn sexy, to boot. Even if he is eighteen, Alex feels guilty lusting after the kid. Alex sees himself as a mentor to Jamie, someone to look up to, someone to prove being a gay man doesn't mean casual sex in crowded clubs. He tries to keep his distance, both physically and emotionally, but Alex is sending some very mixed signals, and Jamie is getting pretty frustrated. As their friendship grows, Jamie becomes a part of Alex's life in a way neither expects.

Conflict of Interest

Then Jamie pulled on the T-shirt, hiding the freckled muscles


from view, and Alex managed to look away. “It’s kind of snug,”


Jamie said, flexing his arms. Alex heard the tiny sound of a seam


rip, and Jamie laughed. “I like it.”


“You would,” Alex muttered. He pointed into the trunk and


Jamie tossed his tank top inside before Alex slammed it shut. “You


When Alex nodded, Jamie unzipped his jeans. “Jamie!” Alex cried,


glancing around to make sure no one was watching. “What are you


“Don’t worry,” he said with a wink, stuffing the T-shirt


into the waistband of his jeans. “I ain’t taking it all off. Much


as you’d like to see it, I’m sure.”


“Jamie…” Alex closed his eyes as Jamie’s hand smoothed the


shirt down flat over the bulge that poked through the open zipper,


but not before catching a glimpse of light red hair that trailed


into his briefs as if pointing the way. Why couldn’t this be easy?


Chapter 11