“You didn’t go home for Christmas?” Joe knew he was letting the interview get off track and was glad his partner wasn’t with him. Grace Rivera was a great partner, and the two of them got along well. Grace was a “just the facts” kind of detective, though, while Joe veered more along the “let the subject talk” school. Joe theorized it was a better methodology—you got a lot more insight about people by letting them talk, letting their prejudices and weaknesses come out in conversation. That way you could get a better sense of how trustworthy they were. And Jordy’s story was captivating him. It’s not just because he’s beautiful, he told himself again as he waited for Jordy to answer. This is a deeply damaged young man.

“My parents wanted me to join them in Africa, but I told them I wanted to stay here and get a jump on next semester.” Jordy shrugged. “It’s not like we ever had a traditional Christmas with lights and a tree and all that, anyway. Mom and Dad are always somewhere exotic. They were bummed, but they were cool with it. I knew they would be, and I didn’t mind being alone at Christmas.”

“Really?” Joe couldn’t imagine not spending Christmas with his family. He also couldn’t imagine his parents being okay with him skipping out on the holidays, for that matter.

“There were times when I was at St. Bernard when I couldn’t get to where they were. It’s not a big deal. It’s just another day, really. But two weeks in Africa would have fucked up my schedule, and I couldn’t afford to lose that time. My life became highly regimented. Up every morning at six, eat breakfast, head to the gym for two hours with my trainer, then another hour of cardio, and then a post-workout snack, high in protein. I stuck to my eating program—five small meals a day, low in fat and carbs, high in protein. And what was really strange was that after that first week—which was hell, I might add, I’ve never been so exhausted in my life—I started loving working out.” He got a faraway look in his eyes. “My off days from the gym—I felt like I wasn’t myself on those days. I also started getting a weekly massage to keep my muscles loose and ready for more work. Even now, it’s my favorite part of the day, you know. I love going into the gym, putting on the headphones, just going deep inside myself and pushing myself really hard. You work out, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Joe nodded. He knew exactly what Jordy was talking about. He cleared his throat. “And where was Chad during all this?”

“Chad went home for the break. Most of the brothers were gone, and I didn’t go anywhere near the house. I wanted my return to the house to be dramatic. I wanted to walk in and have everyone’s jaw drop. And after a couple of weeks I started to see changes. My pants were getting looser. I was starting to see bigger muscles, more definition, even my abs were starting to show—and that convinced me to work even harder, to stay focused. Chad was going to see me and he was going to want me. But I couldn’t wait.” He cracked a smile. “I wanted to see how people—gay guys—would react to the new me. So, I decided to give my body a test run.”

“What did you do?” Joe asked, but he suspected he knew the answer.

“I went to Fusions on New Year’s Eve, to see how people would react to me.” He smiled again. “I bought a new outfit. Boy, was I nervous! I had my hair styled and had the highlights put in.” He ran a finger through his curls. “I’d gotten contact lenses, too.” He inhaled deeply. “And so, the new Jordy strolled into Fusions that night.”

“And?”

“It was like I owned the place.” Jordy’s eyes softened as he remembered. “I walked into the bar and couldn’t believe it. Hot guys who’d looked right through me all the other times I’d been there were checking me out. It was crowded. I walked up to the bar. Usually Chad got drinks for us because it took forever for the bartender to wait on me. As soon as I stood at the bar, the bartender was right there. I couldn’t believe it. He actually flirted with me. And while he was making my drink, another hot guy came up to me and started hitting on me. It was incredible, and I knew I was doing the right thing, had made the right decision. The whole night was amazing. That first drink was the only one I paid for all night long. I went out on the dance floor and took off my shirt. Guys kept checking me out, touching me, kissing me, dancing with me. I had power for the first time in my life, and it was awesome.” He shook his head. “I got picked up for the first time. I think his name was Matt, I don’t remember. But he was gorgeous, and we went back to his place. All he could do was tell me how beautiful I was. I fucked him senseless. He had a great ass.” Jordy shot a glance at Joe. “I’m sorry, does that bother you?”

Joe shook his own head. “Doesn’t bother me in the least,” he replied in a monotone.

“It was awesome.” Jordy’s face lit up with a smile. “I mean, being with Roger was okay, but sex with a hot guy? It was like every fantasy I’d ever had came true. Matt had no body fat.” His eyes got a distant look as he remembered. “His abs looked like they’d been carved from stone. His arms were huge. And that ass . . . my God, he did like getting fucked, and I loved fucking him. I was worried, you know, that I wouldn’t be any good at sex, but turns out I was a natural.” He winked. “And I discovered I really enjoyed sucking cock.”

Joe swallowed, trying to keep his own face expressionless, trying not to imagine what it would be like to have this hot young man on his knees worshipping Joe’s cock. I need to get laid, he told himself. I’m horny and it’s been too long. That’s why this kid is having this effect on me.

“I liked it a lot,” Jordy went on. “I couldn’t get enough of it. I went back out the next night and went home with someone else. I discovered how easy it was to find someone to fuck on the Internet. For the last three weeks before school started, I was having sex sometimes two or three times a day. I was like a kid in a candy store.... I couldn’t get enough. Sure, some of the guys from online weren’t as hot as their pictures, but I didn’t care. They all loved me, wanted me, wanted to feel my muscles and lick me, kiss me, worship me.” He frowned. “I know how bad that sounds . . . but you have to understand, it was all new to me. I wasn’t used to it, and it did kind of go to my head a little bit. I couldn’t believe the way men were reacting to the new me. It did bother me a little, you know. I mean, I was the same person I was before . . . the only thing that changed was the way I looked.”

“The gay community can be superficial,” Joe replied.

One of Jordy’s eyebrows went up. “You’re gay?”

Joe nodded, thinking What the hell. “Yeah.”

Jordy smiled. “Well, damn, I’m sorry I never ran into you before.”

Careful, Joe. Stay professional. “I don’t get out much.”

Jordy nodded. “You probably have a boyfriend, don’t you?” He sighed. “Guys like you always do.”

Guys like me? In spite of himself he was flattered. Get a hold of yourself, Detective. This is an interrogation, not a goddamned pickup. Thank God Grace is not here. I’d never hear the end of this. He cleared his throat. “Actually, I don’t.” He struggled to keep his voice noncommittal.

“Well, maybe after all this is over we could have dinner or something?” Jordy practically purred.

A gorgeous, sexy young man who also happens to be filthy rich and loves to have sex—what a serious slap in the face to Sean that would be!

An image of Jordy naked and lying on his back flashed through his head, a big smile on his face, cooing, Fuck me, Detective, come on and give it to me, you big stud, I want that big fat cock in my ass, come on put me through the goddamned headboard, ride me you big fucking stud—

He shook his head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”