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

“God, I just kept pressing it, until finally he swung at me and hit


me here…” He pointed to his cheek, already discolored. Alex fought


the urge to kiss the bruised skin. “And then the bartender said


‘take it outside’ and we did, only he had a friend out there who


said…” Beneath Alex’s hands, Jamie began to tremble. “God, Alex,


“It’s okay,” Alex whispered. He knelt down beside Jamie


and took him into a tight embrace; this time Jamie hugged him back,


his arms slipping around Alex’s neck until they threatened to choke


him and stillthe trembling didn’t stop. “They aren’t here,


Jamie, they can’t hurt you. I won’t let them.”


Jamie’s words were barely audible through fresh tears. “They


were gonna rape me,” he whispered. “Just take me into the alley and


fuck me senseless and leave me bleeding and broken and dying and


His voice broke; anger flashed through Alex as Jamie clung to


him. The thought of anyone hurting this young man, or even daring


Chapter 38