To Lift My Sole by J.D. Walker

When “no” is not an option...

Jim Newsome, CEO of a food services consulting firm, has been working undercover in a hospital kitchen to get an idea of the issues at hand. The last week on the job, he meets Lance Lamas, an Orthopedic specialist. Lance is intrigued by the well-made modified shoe Jim wears and tries to strike up a conversation. Jim, however, isn’t playing nice. Lance refuses to take "no" for an answer and is relentless in his pursuit of Jim. Something’s gotta give...   

  

Excerpt:

By Friday, my last day on the job, I felt relief that it was finally over. I had eaten lunch with Lance regularly, except on surgery day. He would always wait for me outside after I clocked out, and then escort me to the train station. I mentioned his stalkerish behavior to Paula in passing, and she thought it was “sweet.” No help there.

On the train that evening, I told Lance that he would be seeing me playing a different role on Monday morning at the hospital.

He looked at me askance. “You a spy or something?”

“No, but this will all make sense soon.”

“No more train rides together?” Was that a pout?

“That shouldn’t stop you, though, right? You weren’t taking the train just to keep me company, were you?”

He tried to look innocent. “If I said I was?”

“I might believe it, but I know you really like to save on parking so, grain of salt.”

Lance smiled. “See how well you know me?”

“You wish.”

“So, you gonna let me take you out on a date tonight?” He eyed me hopefully.

“Nope.”

“Brunch tomorrow?”

I laughed. “That’s so gay.”

He smirked. “Was there ever any doubt?”

“The answer’s still no, although…” I admitted to being curious, in spite of it all. “How about drinks tomorrow night, with friends? Neutral ground—for me, anyway.”

“Wait. You have friends? Really?” He feigned incredulity.

I stopped myself just in time from punching him in the nose. “Yes, I do. Don’t be shocked.”

“So, really? You want to meet me for drinks? And your friends?”

“Think you can handle it?” I challenged him.

He rubbed his hands together. “Bring it!”

I grinned at him. “Tony’s at nine.”

“Oh yeah. I discovered that place the day after I arrived in town. Never seen you there.”

“I’m always working late,” I replied, with a shrug.

“Weekends, too?”

“Sometimes.”

Lance leaned a little closer to me. “So I get to see you dressed up. I bet you look sexy in leather.”

“I’m not into that scene,” I scoffed.

“I wouldn’t mind if you were. You could spank me to keep me in line.” His leer was…tempting.

“Enough already. This is your station, right?” He was getting off at an earlier stop to run an errand.

The doors opened and Lance stood. Just before the warning bell for closing went off, he stole a quick kiss and ran out onto the platform. I could feel my face heating. The train wasn’t too packed, but I didn’t dare look around to see if anyone had paid attention to the light PDA moment. Was I wrong for the spur of the moment decision to invite him out on Saturday? Or was there safety in numbers? 

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To Lift My Sole by J.D. Walker is now available at Amber Allure.

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