[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
//-->HEARSAYBylaws SeriesBook 1Taylor V. DonovanTo my daughters, because you're my world.To S, just for being there.To LC Chase, for holding my hand and being an awesome friend.To Andi, Trish, Gyn, and Adele, for the edits and beta reading.And especially to my readers, because you all rock.PrologueRoman Bradford had heard the rumors about his ex more times than he cared to rememberin the past month. He'd heard them from his partners, close friends, a few mutualacquaintances, and even from his accountant.He had ignored them every single time. He'd refused to believe his ex-boyfriend wouldstoop so low. Roman had been eager to move forward. His future was looking promising again.He hadn't wanted anything to get between him and Derrick, the man who had captivated hisattention from the moment they met.For a little over four years Roman had admired him from afar. He'd watched Derrickbecome comfortable in his recently acquired attorney's skin. He'd watched him grow confident,earn promotions, and win impossible cases while Roman's personal life fell apart.But he'd collected the pieces.He was ready to start again.It wasn't until very recently that he'd acted on his attraction to Derrick. Even though he wasfree to do so, he forced himself to carefully consider the possible ramifications of gettinginvolved with one of his employees. If things went sour between them and Derrick turned out tobe vindictive, Roman could get sued for sexual harassment or misconduct at the very least. Heknewthis, and after the debacle of the past few months and consequent distress, the last thinghe wanted was to risk a similar mess. Yet he'd been unable to resist going after him.Roman was rather subtle in his pursuit of Derrick. The lingering, veiled glances during thetwo-hour monthly meeting with the firm's associates and the coincidental encounters in thebuilding's lobby, the cafeteria, and court, had progressed to casually running into him in CentralPark during their lunch break for the past week and a half. They'd gotten to know each otherbetter during their conversations. The attraction was definitely mutual and almost palpable, andRoman didn't doubt for a second they were compatible in every important way. Things weregoing so well between them that he'd decided the previous night it was time to take the nextstep and ask Derrick out to dinner and maybe the ballet. Hell. He even wanted Derrick to be hisdate to his parents' dinner party in three days.But those damn rumors about James had been waiting for him when he got to his officethis morning. They'd been louder than ever, too… so loud it was impossible to ignore themanymore.Roman shook off his preoccupied thoughts and glanced around him. The Pond was one ofhis favorite places in the city. A little piece of heaven smack in the middle of his demandingworld. It never ceased to amaze him how easily he could find solitude here despite thehundreds of people that walked by the water's edge every day.He watched the ducks in the water and regarded the trees that would soon start changingcolors. Once again he marveled at the beauty and simplicity of the Gapstow Bridge, then heclosed his eyes and blocked out everything. He was a bundle of nerves. Today, more thanever, he needed to soak in the peacefulness that surrounded him."Have you decided on a present for your parents' wedding anniversary yet?"Derrick's question brought him back to their conversation.Roman shifted his body toward Derrick in an effort to give his undivided attention to theman who had managed to make him feel so much in such a short amount of time. Talking toDerrick was an absolute pleasure, and in addition to being physically perfect in Roman's eyes,he was also sensible and genuine."I'm going to take your advice and give them a vacation to some exotic destination." Hebrushed off a few crumbs from Derrick's tie and smiled when he noticed him shudder."Asia? Somewhere in Europe?""My mother goes shopping in Paris once a month," Roman said with a fond smile. "Shestill tries to drag me along with her to carry her bags whenever my dad refuses to follow heraround.""It won't be easy to surprise her and your father, then.""I think the Machu Picchu ruins in Peru would be nice.""That sounds so cool. Have you been there?""I went with Alan and Sergio when we were still in law school." Roman took his glasses offand put them in the pocket of his suit jacket. "Mom loved the pictures we took. That's why I thinkshe'd enjoy it.""From what you've told me, I get the impression she'd enjoy a week in the jungle with noplumbing, as long as she's with your father.""They're inseparable.""Forty-five years together," Derrick said wistfully. "Almost a lifetime spent together with theone person they promised to love forever." He sighed deeply. "Your parents are very lucky,Roman.""What about your parents?" Roman asked. "Are they still together?""No. They weren't as fortunate." He shook his head slowly. "Not like they didn't want to. Imean, they loved each othersomuch. My mom chose my dad over her own family, a career,and a very comfortable life. Like your parents, they wanted to be together forever, but it wasn'tmeant to happen that way."Derrick glanced at him shyly from under thick, long lashes, probably thinking it was toosoon to be sharing such personal details. Roman smiled at the guy, encouraging him tocontinue. Derrick's candor was one of his most endearing personality traits, and Roman wouldhate it if all of a sudden he started feeling self-conscious."My dad didn't have an education, you know? He worked as a janitor at ColumbiaUniversity. That's where they met, when my mom was a freshman. She wanted to be a lawyer,but my grandparents cut her off when she refused to end their relationship. She moved withPapa to his tiny apartment and never looked back. He worked so hard to provide for us… Wedidn't have money, but we were happy." He blinked rapidly, but his tears didn't disappear."Mama got very sick with lupus when I was a twelve. She didn't make it."Roman resisted the urge to reach out and hug Derrick. It was too soon for that kind ofgesture. "I'm sorry to hear that," was all he said."They had a good run, but instead of enjoying a long happy marriage, Papa had to bestrong for us kids and watch the woman he loved die slowly." Derrick grabbed a napkin from hislunch bag and wiped the few tears that were now spiking up his lashes. "I respect him so muchfor it. I don't know if I could do the same if I were in his position. I don't know that I could dealwith watching the love of my life waste away. Christ, I'm a terribly selfish person, aren't I?"Roman's heart dropped to his stomach when he heard those words, but his voice soundednormal when he tried to reassure Derrick. He might not like to hear that the guy was reluctant tobe with someone who was sick and dying, but he understood where he was coming from."It wasn't only your father watching a loved one die. She was your mother, too, and youwere just a kid. That had to be a very traumatic and painful experience for you and yoursiblings.""It was." He smiled a little. "Thank you for listening to me blab.""I always look forward to hearing you talk about whatever you want." Roman caressedDerrick's cheek softly with the back of his hand. "So blab away. I don't mind.""You sure about that?" Derrick's flirty smile made Roman's heart skip a few beats."Because I think I'd like to talk your pretty ears off every chance I get.""Sounds like a great plan," Roman admitted, returning the smile."Yeah?"That seemingly innocent question almost knocked Roman flat on his back. So much desirewas packed in it; so much expectation and hope. His feelings weren't one-sided. Derrick wasalong for the ride, and Roman was so happy he could've jumped up and down, if only his mindwasn't plagued by doubts.It can't be true. It can't be true. It can't be true…Roman put his almost untouched grilled chicken wrap inside the bag. "I need to get back tothe office," he said quietly.Derrick frowned. "Is there something wrong?"A hysterical chuckle almost escaped Roman.Where to begin.Apprehension had him by the balls. He also had a sore throat, a headache, and swollenlymph nodes. He felt like crap."Roman?" Derrick's beautiful amber eyes were clouded with uneasiness and concern."Did I say something wrong?""No!" he rushed to say. "Of course you didn't.""Then what is it? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]