Cage Match by Bonnie Dee Read Free Book Online

self-consciousness but dabbled his foot in the water, then
    stepped into the pool. There were no air jets to churn the surface into foam, only clear
    water with wisps of steam rising from the surface. The water rippled around his legs,
    then his body as Jabez slowly sank into it, seating himself on the ledge that ran around
    the perimeter.
    Andreas broke from his trance and let go of the shirt dangling from his fingers.
    Jabez was staring at him now, making his flesh burn. His cock rose and swelled at the
    knowledge it was about to be exhibited for this stranger—for there was no way
    Andreas could only strip to his shorts when Jabez was completely naked. He wasn‟t
    usually uptight about a little nudity but right now felt like raw meat on display for a
    hungry panther.
    With feigned nonchalance, he took off his shoes and the rest of his clothes. He was
    acutely aware of the electrons vibrating in each cell of his body. His cock thrust before
    him like the throttle on his jet-glider, and he hurriedly padded to the bath and
    submerged himself into the water.
    A quick glance at Jabez‟s face assured Andreas it wasn‟t his imagination; he was
    being watched with the keen concentration of a big cat considering its quarry. The
    things the pair of them could do to each other while soaking in this delicious heat
    tumbled through his mind, but he forced the images out of his head.
    He met Jabez‟s gaze head-on. “So, what do you think? Will this place do for a
    while?”
    “Don‟t have much choice, do I?” He paused a beat, then added in a less gruff tone,
    “Beats the Fight Palace. Guess I don‟t mind.”
    There was a moment‟s silence disturbed only by the quiet splash of water and the
    hum of the pool‟s filtration system. In the distance, even through walls and windows,
    Andreas could hear the constant low gonging of the huge wind chimes out in the
    garden. The otherworldly music was calming.
    “Where will we work out?” Jabez asked.
    “Upstairs. I had a studio built when I thought I might be a painter. Great lighting,
    plenty of room. I‟ll order mats and gear today, and it should be outfitted by tomorrow.
    You tell me what I need, and I‟ll get it.”
    He shook his head. “Just like that? You snap your fingers and there‟s a closet full
    of clothes or a new gym?”
    For the first time, Andreas‟s niggling guilt turned to irritation. “I refuse to feel
    guilty about having money. I was born into it like you were born into your
    circumstance. It‟s not my fault.”
    “No.” Jabez‟s silence was more eloquent than most men‟s speech. But what do you
    do with all the money and power you have? Fritter it away on entertainment . Andreas didn‟t
    need to hear the words. His brain supplied them.

    26
    Bonnie Dee
    “I have to go into the city for a board meeting tomorrow.” He changed the subject.
    “I could teleconference, but my father prefers everyone to be there in person. My family
    doesn‟t have controlling interest in the corporation anymore, but I have some shares
    and still keep a hand in things.”
    “What kinds of things?”
    “Acquisitions and mergers, policies and community programs. There‟s always a
    long agenda.”
    “Hm.” There was another of those long pauses before Jabez continued. “I stayed
    in a corporate-funded shelter for a while. Place was a dump, but they had decent food.”
    “You lived in Brick Town before you got picked up?”
    “Where else?” He cocked his head. “You ever been there?”
    “No.” Even when he and his friends went slumming they didn‟t dare cross the
    barrier to Brick Town, the crumbling, old part of the city shielded from view by high
    walls. He‟d seen vids of the slum, however. It was a battle zone where roving bands
    ruled.
    “You should check it out sometime, see what you‟re missing.” Amusement tinged
    Jabez‟s voice, and a tiny smile curved his lips. Andreas wasn‟t sure if the ironic teasing
    was a step forward or back.
    “You