The Caldwell Effect

The Caldwell Effect By Remmy Duchene

Advice to good boys everywhere – take chances, make mistakes, get naughty...

To the readers who loved Eyan and Bo so much. Thank you for your support and I hope Stone and Brent warm your heart as well.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 1

Chapter One Closing the brown folder he had been staring through for the past three hours, detective Brent Harrison rubbed his eyes and pushed back into his chair. He had done all the leg work he could on the case but still he was no closer to catching the bank robber. Three of the tellers were dead, four people in a coma and two seriously injured so far and the robber had managed to take off with over three million in cash. The cash, Brent didn’t care about, but the people that were harmed in the robbery deserved justice. Resting his head against the back of the seat, he tried to steady his swirling head and his rising anger. It had been three months and truth be told he was about ready to shake someone, real hard, to get the information he wanted. “Hey, Harrison,” Gerald the lab kid greeted. “I got some news for you.” “Good or bad?” Brent didn’t move nor open his eyes. “We found something in the computer system at the bank,” Gerald said, dropping a piece of paper on the desk before falling into an empty chair. “It’s amazing because I haven’t seen that since college. See, there’s this coding called the Caldwell effect. How it works is, say you want to hack into a system to find out what’s on the computer. Well, all you have to do is hack into the system by taking control of the computer when it’s on.” “Isn’t that what they normally do?” Brent lifted his head and wrinkled his brow in confusion.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 2 “Yes. But the beauty about the Caldwell system is, if done right? You never get caught. Only one person knows how it works perfectly but that never stops others from trying. See, that one person can hack your system in about six to ten seconds flat. The rest of the Caldwell system says you plant a virus called The Retriever, hook it up to a dummy email, route it through like twenty countries on a loop and watch all the information from the person’s computer come right in to you.” “What’s so tricky about that?” Gerald gasped incredulously as thought Brent had committed a travesty. “The Retriever code alone would take the average computer nerd, working nonstop, at least four months to create,” Gerald spoke. “Then there are rather specific information, time coding to consider, messed up configurations that not even I, the super genius that I am, can crack. If the coding isn’t done right, it could throw the whole virus off whack. It’s a delicate process but it comes in handy because no virus scanners can pick it up, and it can’t be traced. And the countries are on a loop so each time it routes, it goes through different countries in a million different orders. Even if by some miracle, you did find the country that the information is going to or coming from....” Brent didn’t have to let him finish for he already knew what was going to be said, “You couldn’t find the computer.” “Now you get it, Detective,” Gerald beamed. “And even if you did track it, not only couldn’t you find the computer but once you track it to one country, the process starts all over again.” Brent was still slightly confused. All this talk about hacking, routing through countries was enough to make his brain throb. “Then if you could track it, that means it wasn’t done right....” “I didn’t say I tracked it,” Gerald held up a hand. “I said I found traces of it in the system. Weren’t you listening to a thing I just said? I have no idea how to track this thing even though it wasn’t done right; that is how good this program is.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 3 “You said that there was only one person who could do it perfectly. Who is it?” “He doesn’t do computers anymore....” “Gerald?” Brent warned. “Listen to me. I have been working this case for months. I haven’t slept in weeks. I’m tired, cranky and hungry. Do you really want me to repeat myself right now?” Chuckling nervously, Gerald got up from his seat and backed towards the door, but Brent kept his eyes glued on the man like laser beams. “Stone Caldwell, he’s in the yellow pages.” Brent watched as Gerald scurried from the room and only then did he let emotions swim through his eyes. Stone Caldwell, it couldn’t be the same person. Could it? The same geeky kid from his high school? Shaking his head, Brent turned and hauled out a dust-covered yellow pages from beneath his desk and blew the dust from the cover before flipping it open. Scanning the pages, he had a smirk on his face as memories of Stone flashed through his mind. Brent was a member of the Larson City High school football team but Stone, Stone was a nerd that one could always find underneath the giant oak tree in the school-yard reading some book. It had been a running joke with the football team that the kid was going to die a virgin. When his fingers hit Stone Caldwell, he tilted his head and read. Now he knew it wasn’t the Stone Caldwell from his high school. Breathing a sigh of relief, Brent scribbled down the address and grabbed his coat. Driving through the downtown area always gave Brent a headache. There was always too much traffic and noise. Waving a hand out the Hummer’s window to a couple of beat cops, he made a left turn down Mortimer Street and stopped in front of his address and looked up. “Black Scorpion,” he muttered, making sure he had his badge on him before hopping from the large vehicle. Walking inside, he felt as though he had walked into something out gothic novel. Everything was in black and red. There was a waterfall behind the bar and on either side of the fall were shelves of alcohol.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 4 “We’re closed,” a voice called and Brent looked at the man who had simply appeared from behind the bar. Where in the world did he come from? Shaking his head, he pulled off his badge from where it clipped onto his belt and walked across the large dance floor to the bar. The man behind the counter looked like someone from a magazine. He was handsome with bright , brown eyes, clean shaven with a low hair cut. The bartender had hard, ebony skin that made Brent want to reach over and run his tongue over it. Stifling a groan, Brent hopped onto a stool and held up his badge. “I know, but I was told I could find Stone Caldwell here,” Brent spoke. “You’re looking at him. What can I do for you, Brent?” Arching a brow, Brent tilted his head slightly, “Excuse me? How do you know who I am?” “Get off it, man,” the bartender stuck a glass over the automatic steam cleaner and laughed. “I know you paid no attention in high school but don’t tell me you didn’t do your research before coming down here.” Then it hit him. “You’re the same Stone Caldwell....” “The one and only,” the man smiled and Brent felt his cock stirring and coming to life. He frowned “Wow, how are you? I didn’t know you owned the Black Scorpion. I never figured you to be a club person.” “Been doing good. But I’m going to assume this isn’t a social visit and ask what you want. It’s not everyday we get visited by a real life detective.” “Oh come on, Stone. Don’t be like that.” “Don’t be like what? Look, we’ve never been friends, never will be. So, here’s how it’s going to work. You tell me what you want, I say no, you leave.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 5

Chapter Two Stone knew he was being hard on Brent, but he didn’t care. Brent and his cronies had tortured Stone in high school and now it was payback time. Putting down the towel he was wielding, Stone focused his brown eyes on the handsome, blond haired cop before him. Stone found himself visually undressing Brent and getting more and more turned on. The over-active imagination of the nerd that he was, sprang forth and already he was on his knees before Brent, servicing the cop’s cock as Brent’s piercing blue eyes watched him. Biting the inside of his lower lip, Stone could see Brent’s eyes filled with passion and want as he lay on his back getting ready to take it from Stone. Not even knowing it, a smile crept onto Stone’s lips as Brent began growling his name over and over just before he began.... “Look, I need your help with the Caldwell Effect,” Brent admitted and Stone shook his head. That one sentence tossed cold water over Stone’s mood and instantly he felt bad for what he had been thinking. The Caldwell Effect was a program he had created to prove his Computer Studies university professor wrong. The man had said that no one could be a perfect hacker and given Stone an F on his paper about the perfect hacker. Stone wasn’t one to argue, but he was the kind of person that thought actions spoke louder than words. He had used the program, hacked into Professor Fieldstein’s computer for a year and then when the year was over, handed over all the information he had taken from the computer. When the professor asked where Stone had gotten the information, Stone’s reply was, “You’ve got a virus.” But no amount of checking came up with anything. After explaining how the program worked, his mark was changed to an A.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 6 “That was only created as an assignment. What do you know about it?” “Someone used it to rob a bank, killed a few people....” “Then that someone is a moron,” Stone growled and turned away from his old school-mate. “The Caldwell Effect was created perfectly but people don’t have patience so they tend to screw it up.” Stopping he turned again to face Brent, “How do you know that I wasn’t the one who did it?” Brent chuckled at that and Stone simply frowned and walked away from him toward the steps leading up to his office. He was tired of being laughed at. That was why, after high school, he had spent the next few years at the University and the gym. He had gotten surgery on his eyes to make his vision perfect without the thick glasses and now he was what they were in high school, but not the complete moron; brains and brawn, for he thought that was what men wanted. He also thought that with the body he had, people would stop taking him as a joke. Many had, but Brent Harrison hadn’t changed a bit. “Stone,” Brent called after him but Stone didn’t stop. He had to get into his office and slam the door as hard as he could to make himself feel even a tad bit better. Slamming a fist into Brent’s face would have cured what ailed Stone but he knew he would get arrested. He tried to slam the door but no loud bang came. Looking up, he saw Brent standing there. “Stone, please....” Taking a deep breath, Stone allowed his body to fall into a large leather sofa in his office and turned his eyes up at Brent’s frame. A naughty thought popped into his head and he smirked, “If I help you, what do I get?” “Anything you want.” “And what if what I want is you?”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 7 The question hung in the air like a wet cloak just ready to fall and Stone watched everything that passed over Brent’s face. At first there was shock, then disbelief, then something else that Stone couldn’t quite place. “How did you know I was gay?” Brent questioned. “Please, Brent. I have eyes,” Stone smiled and shrugged. “I saw the way you looked at my body when you walked in,” he stood up and began unbuttoning his shirt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the cop spoke in a husky voice. Stone stared at Brent and the cop’s lie was evident in the way he was watching Stone undo the buttons. “Come on, Brent,” Stone chided. Slowly Stone pushed his shirt from his shoulders and let it fall to the ground. It had been a while since he had been with anyone and before Brent walked into his club, Stone was perfectly happy with the way his sex life – or lack there of – was going. But the hunger he had seen in Brent’s eyes brought back the yearning he had in high school; except this time Brent would notice. Slowly he walked toward Brent and grabbed the back of his neck. “Is this what you wanted?” Using his long tongue, he licked at Brent’s chin and when a small moan left Brent’s throat, Stone smiled. Leaning forward, Stone covered Brent’s lips, thinking Brent would push him away, but Brent’s arms snaked around his back as his tongue plunged into Brent’s mouth. Their breaths left their bodies in short, quick bursts and Stone’s hands fought to push Brent’s coat from his shoulders. He was burning like he hadn’t before and he wondered why one kiss from the cop had caused such fever inside of him. All Stone wanted to do was bend Brent over the desk and take him. But he couldn’t give in to the raw urges. He had to make Brent pay first; his mind began thinking of all the naughty little ways he could make Brent go hard without relief. Then when Brent was ripe for the picking, Stone would reap. When the coat fell with a slight flop to the floor, Stone stood back. “Say it, Brent.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 8 “Say what?” Brent questioned, stepping forward to grab Stone again. But Stone simply stepped back away from him. “Say you want me.” “I can’t.” “Then I can’t help you.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 9

Chapter Three He has got to be kidding! Brent’s body was one raging spark that had escalated into a roaring fire after the kiss. When Stone’s tongue licked at him, Brent’s control was already slipping but the kiss had taken it all away. Who knew that the nerd knew how to hook a man with one kiss? But how hooked was he when he couldn’t even tell Stone that he wanted him? Brent stood here, before his jacket on the floor, wanting Stone’s mouth more than he had wanted anything in his life, more than he wanted help with the hacking. Moving in, he grabbed Stone by the waist and pushed him until they crashed into the wall. Brent’s mouth went down mercilessly against Stone’s neck and the club owner growled before shoving Brent backwards. “Say it!” Stone demanded. “I can’t!” Brent uttered, stronger than before as they both crashed into Stone’s desk. Brent felt himself being pushed backwards to lie on the desk and he struggled hard against the hand on his chest. But Stone simply grabbed his throbbing cock, stroked it through the material to the head and squeezed. Brent’s fight left him as raw pleasure surged through him. His legs went limp and Brent collapsed against the desk on his back with Stone over him. Looking up through heat filled eyes, Brent saw Stone smiling down at him and heard a zipper go down. He moaned something to Stone as he felt his cock leaving his boxers. “What do you want, Brent?” Stone’s voice came from his ear. “Suck it,” Brent got out huskily. Stone’s finger tips stroked the head of his cock and he knew it must be almost purple because with every pass of Stone’s finger over it, it felt as though he was about to

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 10 explode. His body jerked with each stroke and he wondered how long he could hold on with if Stone should start sucking him. “Suck it, Stone.” “Ask nicely,” Stone teased and Brent shook his head. Stone leant in and flicked his tongue once over the sensitive head. “Please….” “Please what?” “Please suck my cock!” “There’s a good boy....” When Stone’s mouth engulfed his cock, Brent’s eyes shot open and he sent his hips lurching forward. He panted for air and reached back to take Stone’s head between his hands. He began working his cock down Stone’s throat over and over as pure madness took over him. “Oh Stone, you’re good,” he got out as he fell back against the desk panting for sanity and a hold onto the spinning world inside his head. The suction on his penis was from a genius mouth and with the hot, wet tongue dancing over the head, Brent’s mouth opened and a long, low sound of need seeped from this throat. He was almost there so he reached up to stroke Stone’s head. “Oh baby –” But when he was right there, at the brink, the sweet sensation of sucking left him and he weakly opened his eyes. “Let’s get to work.” “To work – damn it, Stone....” “What? You didn’t think I’d let you come, did you?” Frustrated and turned on as hell, Brent stuck his tender cock back into his pants and winced as he pulled the zipper up. Every movement caused his boxers to rub against the hardened flesh and with each rub, Brent swore. “Stone. I’m in pain here.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 11 “You want to solve this case, right?” Stone asked, reaching for a card on his desk and handing it over to Brent. “I would much rather you finished what you started.” “Meet me here tonight at seven,” Stone was all business again. “Bring all the information you have on the hacker.” Silently, Brent took the card and picked up his coat. “This isn’t over.” “You think so....” Frowning, Brent walked out the door and when he got back to his Hummer, he wound up the window and spread his legs. Thankful for the tinted windows of the police vehicle, he removed his rock solid cock from his pants and watched as it lay against his flat stomach. He moaned as his fingertip grazed the head filled with pre-come. “Bastard,” Brent swore before starting the vehicle and pulling away from the curb. Instead of going back to the station, Brent went home and like man on a mission, he darted into the house, slamming the front door behind him. Then in his living room he shrugged out of his coat and fell against the sofa. Before he even hit the seat, his hard penis was in his hand and he was stroking. Stone’s mouth went down over Brent and his cock went down Stone’s throat. The tightness of the throat muscles clamped around the cock and Brent whispered Stone’s name. Over and over Stone took Brent into his mouth, using his tongue to wash over the head. It was the most beautiful feeling in the world to Brent and having Stone, so sexy, on his knees before him was even better. Closing his eyes and letting his head fall back, Brent sucked in some air through gritted teeth as he muttered softly. He was in heaven for he did not see anything better than what was happening to him. Brent was on a delirious high as Stone’s tongue flicked ruthlessly over the throbbing cockhead. Pulling Stone from the ground, Brent watched as Stone moved away from him and bent over the desk that Brent was on earlier getting his dick sucked. Then ever so slowly, Brent got to stick his hard meat into Stone.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 12 Stone moaned. “Oh, fuck me hard,” he pleaded and Brent was only too happy to do as he was told. Over and over he drove deeply into his lover. Over and over, Stone yelled Brent’s name. When Stone began coming, Brent gritted his teeth and exploded deep within Stone. “Stone!” Brent growled as his eyes sprang open. What he saw made him sick for Stone wasn’t there. The only thing that was there was Brent’s fist, around his own cock with hot, white come on his hand, his shirt, the floor and the sofa. **** Hours later, after a nice nap, a shower and something to eat, it had been four thirty. Getting dressed, Brent grabbed the card that Stone had given him and hurried to his Hummer. If he was going to be on time, possibly early, he would have to go over to the station, grab the notes from Gerald and hurry back across town in rush hour traffic to get to Stone’s. He was still horny and maybe if he showed up early, Stone might take pity on him and suck his cock. Shaking the thought out of his head, he sped along Dempsey Street and across the old Wanton Bridge. They called it that because in the seventies, apparently it was the place to find a good hooker for the night; on the Wanton Bridge, everything happened. The john picked up the girl on the bridge, paid her on the bridge and did her right there. That made Brent sick because what respectable person wanted to have sex outside on a bridge on a cold night? Though at that moment, he wouldn’t mind that with Stone. With a frown, he put the Hummer in reverse and moved into his parking spot before hopping out and darting inside. “Hey Harrison!” the officer at the front spoke. “Some guy dropped this off for you,” the man explained, handing over a small box. “He said you should watch it before your appointment tonight.” Confusion rose inside of Brent as he took the case but he headed to his office and locked himself in. Opening the small box he saw that

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 13 there was a DVD inside of it. Arching a brow, he slid it into his computer and removed his jacket as he waited for it to load.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 14

Chapter Four Stone stood on the balcony of his house and stared down at the city below him. After he had made his first million in a technology company, he had purchased the house for it was out of the way and gave him his privacy. Especially after telling everyone he was gay, for then he found out who his few real friends were. It was heart wrenching but he dealt with it. “Stone, seriously, are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Conrad questioned before walking out to stand beside Stone. Conrad was the only true friend that stuck by Stone. “I mean, Shelly is working late so if you want someone here to kick his ass when he comes….” Stone chuckled at his friend and shook his head, “Nah, I know how to handle Brent Harrison now.” “You’re not gonna fuck him, are you?” Conrad was always to the point and Stone had to laugh at that but he didn’t answer. He simply sipped from his bottle and Conrad chuckled. “You are, aren’t you?” Stone turned to see Conrad shaking his head and Stone smiled, “I don’t know ... but I have to make him think I’m going to.” “Man, pay back’s like karma to you, ain’t it?” Stone nodded, “Oh yeah. They’re both bitches.” Conrad laughed and turned for the door after touching a fist to Stone’s. “I’m outta here. I may surprise Shelly and pick her up at work.” “Have fun, you two.” Stone knew what surprising Shelley meant and he turned back to the view below him as his friend left. Glancing at his watch, he noticed that he still had half an hour before Brent was

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 15 scheduled to show up, so he turned and entered his bedroom again. Placing his beer down, he walked into the bathroom for a shower. His mind went back to what had happened between him and Brent and the way the cop had refused to beg for it. Stone pressed his eyes shut, feeling guilty about the whole ordeal and feeling like a fool to ever think that hot-shot ex-quarterback Brent Caldwell would ever beg someone like him to make love to him. To make matters worse, Brent’s badge turned Stone on beyond anything he had ever had and that alone was a problem in itself. Rubbing his neck, he lifted his face to the water as he tried to come to a decision concerning his plan of revenge with Brent. Actually it wasn’t really a plan per se. It was more of a fly by the seat of your pants scheme. Those could never end well and in Stone’s life, they always exploded in his face. But he knew he couldn’t keep his hands off Brent, no matter how much he tried. Brent was sexy, with beautiful blue eyes and long, soft brownish-blond hair. To add fuel to the temptation, Brent didn’t look like he shaved everyday, meaning he was rugged looking too – just the way Stone liked them. Something twitched before him and he looked down to see his hard-on and flicked it with his finger angrily. He moaned at the pleasure that caused and sighed. He had to figure something out to calm himself down and his former school project was the thing. When he had created the Caldwell Effect, he had done it as a smart-ass university student who didn’t want an F on his transcript. Then he had destroyed it, but it was evident that someone had gotten their hands on it. That was the thing about computers; once something got onto a computer, it could no longer be considered private. By the time he had gotten out of his shower, Stone only had time to haul on a pair of jeans as the doorbell pealed. A smirk crossed his face and he walked down the stairs to the door. No sooner had he opened it than Brent pushed past him roughly into the house. “Good evening to you, too,” Stone smiled.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 16 “You know, you should be thankful I’m a cop and murder is illegal. But I think you should know, they can’t prosecute without a body,” was the first thing out of Brent’s mouth before he turned and chucked something at Stone’s chest. Stone caught it and glanced down before laughing. It was the DVD. “You think this is funny?” Brent wanted to know with a frown and Stone simply laughed harder. “I see you got my little home-made movie,” Stone said simply before walking by Brent, who grabbed his arm to stop him. “Why would you show me that beautiful cock and not want me to have it?” “You know, Brent, they lied when they said revenge was a dish best served cold. They should try it hot sometime.” With that, Stone dragged his arm away from Brent and continued into the kitchen. “So this is revenge for high school? We were kids then. God, why would you do this now?” “Because I couldn’t do it then,” Stone frowned, handing Brent a bottle of juice. **** “I see,” Brent nodded, dropping the bottle on the counter and handing Stone the files. “Here are your files. Figure it out and give me a call when you’re done. You can keep the DVD.” Turning for the door, he stopped with his hand on the handle. “You know, I’m not asking you to help me for me. I asked you to help me with the Caldwell Effect because of what happened. The truth is, if it was up to me I would rather stick this one into the cold files. What I did to you then, Stone, was mean, I give you that. But that was out of pure stupidity. What you’re doing now is mean, but it’s out of hate. Have a good life.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 17 Walking out the door, he made sure to slam it hard behind him. His temper was gone and all he could feel now was like a fool. He wanted Stone more than he had wanted anyone else in his life. He had needed to feel Stone’s touch, to taste Stone’s kiss again for only Stone had managed to set Brent’s body on fire with the trail of his tongue. Brent was no fool. Forget high school, forget nerds and jocks. Even if Stone had still looked how he had back then and touched Brent like he had, Brent would have chucked everything to hold on to the feelings. But Stone wasn’t the quiet person he was then and Brent knew that. Stone had grown up to be hateful, vengeful and what Brent used to be. Brent rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes and licked his lips before climbing into the Hummer and pressing his head back against the seat. “All of this is my fault,” he whispered to himself. “I had a part in this.” As he sat there, he swallowed shakily as the realization slammed into him. He gasped softly for more air to pass through his lungs before letting a puff of hair out his mouth. When he thought he had control over himself, he reached forward and was about to turn the ignition on when someone knocked on the window. Jerking around, Brent reached for his gun. “Brent, open the window,” Stone knocked again. Brent sat there staring out into the dark brown of Stone’s eyes. Without moving to do what Stone asked, he sat there staring. “Damn it, Brent!” Stone snapped and knocked again.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 18

Chapter Five “I’m sorry,” Stone apologized although something in the back of his head asked what he had to be sorry about. He hadn’t done anything wrong but Brent seemed genuinely hurt. How had things gotten this far? He had been trying to show Brent how hurt he had been and in the long run Stone realized that he had managed to do the exact same thing that Brent used to do to him. “Come on, Brent,” Stone spoke softly, pressing his face against the window. As he looked, he saw the pain washing over Brent’s face. He knew that it wasn’t about the pain inside Brent’s pants but a pain that had been in him since for what seemed like forever. Pressing one hand against the window, he tried to open the door but it was locked. Jerking the handle, he called to Brent again but nothing. Brent only sat there, with his eyes squeezed shut as though he was praying with his head against the back of the seat. Stepping back, Stone began removing the shirt he had hurriedly thrown on to rush after Brent. “Brent....” That was when the blue of Brent’s eyes found him again and Stone let the shirt fall to the ground behind him. Brent was shaking his head and Stone knew instantly what he was saying. Stone had tricked him before and wasn’t about to get caught again. Stone watched as Brent turned on the ignition. “I am sorry, Brent, but this time I mean it.” Growling, Stone had had enough. Reaching down he shed his shirt, wrapped it around his fist and sent it flying through the Hummer’s window. A shearing crash sounded and Stone watched the glass fall to the ground. “Son of a bitch!” Brent yelled. “I could arrest you for that!”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 19 “Why don’t you?” Stone teased. “Come on, Brent! Where is your fight? You want me, Brent...? Come on!” “I’m not going to let you goad me, Stone. I’m not going there with you again. And you know what’s funny? I don’t know why I’m still here listening to this.” Stone slammed his open palm against the side of the Hummer. “Come on, Brent! I’m right here.” A growl pierced the air and the door swung open, sending Stone crashing back. He smiled as Brent barrelled into his chest. The two men slammed into the ground with Stone on the bottom. At that point, he wished he had played football at some point. But he didn’t have time to think much of it for Brent’s mouth was going down against his neck. He growled and lifted his head backwards to give Brent some access as they play-fought in the dirt. “Get me!” Stone pushed as he rolled over and sat astride Brent. Shoving hard, Brent was on his back fully and Stone was ripping at his shirt. Without losing a beat, Stone’s mouth went over one of Brent’s nipples. “Damn! So tender....” Brent got out through gritted teeth and a sound left Brent’s mouth through the clenched teeth. Swirling his tongue around it, Stone stopped momentarily to suck on it. Stone was so into what he was doing that he didn’t see it coming. In no time, he was on his feet and his back was against the Hummer. He stopped to look into Brent’s eyes. “If you stop now, I am liable to shoot you,” Brent panted before unclipping his gun and tossing it into the front seat of the Hummer. Brent felt like a wild animal. He felt out of control, free and savage. All that went through his mind was to devour the delicious chocolate delight that he had pinned against the Hummer. Brent felt as though his blood was being pumped so hard that adrenaline and pleasure were surging through his very being. Stone’s mouth against his nipple was enough to cause him to explode but he ground his teeth and hung on. Now he had Stone where he wanted him; against something

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 20 immovable. Trailing a hot, wet tongue down Stone’s chest, Brent returned the favour, savagely attacking Stone’s nipples. He licked, sucked, toyed with, everything he could think about to drive Stone insane. Falling to his knees, Brent grabbed a hold of one side of Stone’s pants and pulled. The zipper squealed in protest but Brent’s muscles were stronger. Yanking down Stone’s boxers, Brent simply reached in with his mouth and licked along the rigid shaft to the head, then pulled the cock in. A hiss left Stone’s lips and Brent opened his eyes and looked up to see that Stone was looking down at him. He loved that. He loved the look in Stone’s eyes. Dancing his tongue over the head, Brent closed his eyes and pulled Stone down his throat. “Brent,” Stone let out a hoarse sound. “Oh....” Brent looked up to see Stone’s head falling backwards against the Hummer and that was when Brent let go and used his tongue to move along the shaft. He felt Stone’s hands holding his head and he smiled to himself. Stone’s hips began hammering home, causing Brent to moan and close his eyes. “Your turn,” Stone’s voice did not sound like his own anymore and he didn’t spend much time on it. He reached down and pulled Brent up, spun him around and slammed him against the surface of the vehicle. Without stopping, he fell to his knees and did the same thing Brent had done to him. A feeling of ultimate desire had surged through his body when the delicious blue of Brent’s eyes looked up at him. But the thing that had gotten Stone was Brent’s beautiful cream coloured lips around Stone’s dark cock. Swirling his tongue around Brent’s penis, he stroked Brent’s legs, caressed his ass. “Sweet torture...” Brent got out. “I need you, Stone.” Stone let go and moved up Brent’s body to cradle his lover’s face, “You don’t have to say that. It’s not important anymore.... I thought it was,” Stone trailed off as his sensitive cock was crushed against Brent’s.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 21 He let his head fall back but grunted when Brent’s tongue danced over his pulse. “You don’t mean that,” Brent pushed. “Don’t I?” Stone countered. “Turn around and let me show you how much I don’t mean that.” When Brent did as he asked, Stone was shocked. Licking his hand, he rubbed it over his cock before moving in close behind Brent. Leaning forward, Stone’s tongue moved over Brent’s ear and Brent shivered against Stone’s chest. Pushing Brent’s back slightly to arch Brent’s ass outward, Stone entered his one time bully.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 22

Chapter Six The only thing that Brent could think to say was, “Hard!” as he braced his hands against the Hummer. He had never imagined what Stone Caldwell was walking around with in his pants back then and who would have? But that was then and this, with Stone behind him giving him the greatest pleasure he had ever had, was now. He grunted each time Stone slammed into him and soon the Hummer was rocking on its wheels. Wet liquid fell against Brent’s back and at first he ignored it. Then the drops got harder and harder. Finally he looked up into Stone’s face and noticed it was raining. Pushing his hair back, Brent gritted his teeth and reached backwards with one hand to pull Stone into him. “What do you want, Brent?” Stone asked, reaching in to slam his lips over Brent’s. Brent moaned into Stone’s mouth before Stone pulled back hard causing a loud smacking sound to leave their lips. “Damn! Hell!” Brent got out before pressing his forehead against the Hummer with his eyes squeezed shut. Unbelievable lust, heat, love, every beautiful emotion rolled up into one rushed through Brent’s body as Stone took his fill. He was shoving back hard against Stone, with the rain pelting around them and on them. Soon his knees couldn’t hold him anymore and he slid down the wet outside of the vehicle and landed on the ground with Stone still deep within him. That was when Stone pulled away and fell to his knees away from Brent. Brent couldn’t believe his luck. “Aren’t you a top?” “Screw top and bottom!” Stone yelled, slamming his flat palm in a puddle that had gathered below him. “No, Stone,” Brent shoved forward and braced his hand against Stone’s shoulder to pull him backward. “I’d rather screw you.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 23 “I love it when you talk dirty,” Stone out with a grunt. Ever since Stone remembered, he couldn’t date anyone who believed in the top bottom dynamic. He liked it both ways because other than that, Stone didn’t see the fun. But now he was in heaven, with his head falling forward, rain falling down his face, fire gushing through him. He moaned and wondered why he hadn’t done this back at the club. His hips moved back hard against Brent, begging, pleading, yearning for more. As lightning cracked above their heads, lighting up the newly darkened sky, and thunder rolled loudly above, the men’s cry of release was drowned out. Brent’s head was tossed back as his body shook violently and he weakly fell to the ground beside Stone with his face upward to the rain. Stone, on the other hand, slumped face first into the mud with his face against his arm, panting for air, not even trying not to drown. If he had died then, he would have gone out in style. “I can’t believe that in high school,” Stone began but Brent cut in. “No more about high school,” Brent whispered in a broken voice. “I was a jerk and I made your life hell. It’s going to be hard to ask your forgiveness, but someday I’d like to have it. I would like to make it up to you.” “You don’t have to do that,” Stone pleaded before sitting up to look down at Brent. But the look in Brent’s eyes caused Stone to lean forward and take Brent’s lips tenderly. “If we start that we’re going to drown,” Brent whispered. “I wouldn’t mind,” Stone whispered before stealing another kiss. Brent laughed and for the first time, Stone saw the way his eyes lit up. That sent a shiver down Stone’s spine that made him proud before he stood up and offered his hand. But Brent simply reached up, took Stone’s hands and pulled. Stone tumbled against Brent’s chest with a surprised yelp. “Gotcha!” Brent grinned before rolling them over.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 24 “We should go work on your case,” Stone laughed. “We should, but what’s another few minutes? I’ll make it worth your while....” **** After another round of love making in the rain and mud, the men moved their way into the downstairs of Stone’s beautiful home, tracking mud in a line toward the bathroom. They made love again in the shower and four hours later, they finally sat down at the table to work on the case. Whipping out his laptop, Stone started it up and flipped one of the files that Brent had carried over to begin his reading. “Do you want wine or beer?” Brent hollered from the kitchen and Stone barely even looked up. “You want a logical conclusion to this case?” “Well, yeah ... okay, I’ll bring you juice.” Stone chuckled and went back to work. “Did your computer guy take a look at this?” A glass of orange juice was placed on the table before Brent slid into a seat across from Stone. “Yeah. He found the ... your program but he said there was no way of tracking it.” Stone was hammering away at his key board while momentarily glancing into files. He was almost there. He had to write a whole new set of coding but it should work if he remembered his computer hacking days. The old feeling of supremacy floated back as his fingers moved over the keyboard. “See, this joker is insulting,” he spoke, not really looking away from the screen. “He could have at least tried.” He felt Brent move in behind him but still Stone was glued to the screen. “Here goes nothing....” Lifting his hand, he was about to bring it crashing down but stopped halfway there. “Why don’t you do the honours?”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 25 “No way,” Brent shied away from the keyboard but wrapped a muscular arm around Stone’s shoulder to caress Stone’s chest. Brent took Stone’s ear between his teeth and licked. A sound left Stone’s throat. “If I touch anything on that keyboard, you’re gonna have smoke coming out the back,” Brent continued. “Come on, Brent, you know want to,” Stone laughed. Brent got a grin on his face as he rested his chin against Stone’s shoulder, reached forward and pressed his index finger into the enter key. He watched, stiff as a board with his face pressing against Stone’s neck. It was amazing to feel the heat that radiated from Stone being alive and the small throbbing pulse of Stone’s body against him. He wanted to wrap his arms around his new lover and stay there but he had to finish this before he got too comfortable. “Are you going to look at this?” Stone’s voice was soft to Brent’s ears before he felt Stone drop a kiss against his head. “Just follow the yellow brick road to....” Brent lifted his head and glanced at the screen, “Author Fieldstein,” Brent read. A growl left Stone’s throat and for a brief moment Brent was confused as to the sudden anger from Stone but then he looked at the screen again, “Hey, isn’t that....” “My old professor’s son,” Stone finished.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 26

Chapter Seven Back and forth, they argued. “Let me come with you,” Stone pushed as he leant against the counter and watched Brent get dressed. “I can’t do that,” Brent spoke, not looking at Stone. “This could get bad and so help me if anything....” “Say it.” “No. Look, you can’t come with me. You have to stay here,” Brent finished. It had taken him a good hour to talk Brent into taking him. “Fine!” Brent frowned as he attached his holster to his belt. “But stay in the Hummer.” “You mean the one with the busted window?” Stone chuckled as he caught a bullet-proof vest that Brent had chucked at his chest. “The window you broke.” “That’s because you wouldn’t open the door.” “Are we having our first argument? Because if we are, this is a very bad time.” Stone arched a brow.” Why is that?” He tugged at the vest and frowned as he tried to figure out how to put it on. “Because I hear the make up sex is amazing and we’re on our way out....” Brent’s voice took on a sexy tone that caused Stone’s legs to weaken and his hands to fall to his side.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 27 “You did that on purpose!” Stone accused, wagging a finger at Brent before looking down at the vest to wonder how he had gotten it on so wrong. His head was in the wrong way in and one of his arms was in the head part. “I’m hopeless,” he shrugged with a sheepish smile at Brent. When Brent came close and began helping him, Stone closed his eyes and inhaled Brent’s scent. Brent smelled just like Stone did due to the fact that they shared a shower but there was something else. Stone settled on the extra scent that intoxicated him so much. There was no other way to explain it but comfort. If comfort had a smell, that would be what it smelt like. “Stone?” Brent’s voice was just above a whisper and Brent lifted his chin to look into Stone’s eyes. “I think you should kiss me now.” “That is not a good idea, Brent,” Stone got out after swallowing. “If I do that, we won’t be going anywhere tonight. And where’s your vest?” “One for the road,” Brent whispered, moving in for the kiss. Stone grabbed Brent’s shoulders to stop the man’s falling lips but his fight was short lived. As soon as Brent’s hard body brushed his, Stone’s hands fell away from Brent’s shoulders and Stone accepted the kiss. It was like the light at the end of the tunnel to him; sweet salvation was all Stone could think of. When Brent pulled away, Stone opened his eyes to see that Brent’s eyes were still closed. Stone kissed the cop again. “And to answer your question,” Brent stole another kiss. “You’re wearing it.” **** A feeling of mourning washed over Brent as he drove Stone’s Mercedes toward the address for their suspect. He hated that word, for even when you know that the moron committed the crime, you still had to call him a suspect until he was convicted. He was staring straight ahead as the wind through the window ruffled his hair. Lost in his thoughts, he smiled when Stone’s hand reached over and caressed the

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 28 back of his neck. The gentle trails of the finger against his flesh caused the tension he held there to evaporate and he moaned, “God, I could use that every day after my shift.” “What do you mean?” Stone asked. “What do you want from all of this? You and me, I mean.” “Anything you’re willing to give me.” Brent went silent as he stopped for a traffic light and turned to face Stone. Stone’s finger was still caressing the back of Brent’s neck. Brent pressed a kiss to Stone’s forehead before sitting back in his seat. “I don’t know what it is about you. You make me actually want to wake up in your arms.” A smile creased Stone’s face and Brent looked away for if he hadn’t, they would be turning the car around and heading back to Stone’s place – though Brent doubted they would make it back that far. “Can we talk about this later?” Brent wanted to know. Stone nodded and Brent turned just in time to see the light changing. Nodding, and feeling much better, he pulled up across from the address that Stone’s hacking abilities had gotten them. “It looks quiet,” he spoke more to himself than to his lover. His trained eyes roamed the building and surrounding area. It was a habit. Every time he was to go into a potentially dangerous situation, he had to scope things out first. He had to find doors, windows, for a possible escape. He looked up to see a fire escape and frowned. That led all the way to the roof and that was the typical destination for crooks on the run. He never did understand that because once on the roof there were three options; one, they could try to go through him. The second option was that they could give up and the third was the most used one in most of Brent’s cases – the perp tried to jump from one building to another. Of course, they would misjudge the distance and end up with a face full of concrete and death to show for their troubles. All they had to do in the first place was not break the law – simple.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 29 Picking up his cell-phone, Brent dialed and waited. “Hey, Gerald,” he greeted. “Get me a search warrant for a man name Author Fieldstein’s apartment.” “What? What for?” Gerald questioned and Brent could tell the young man was nervous. “We managed to track the Caldwell Effect. Stone Caldwell did it.” “What’s he like?” Gerald wanted to know. “I tell you what, when you see him, you can judge for yourself,” Brent chuckled. “Get me that warrant, man.” “What was that about?” Stone’s voice rang through Brent’s zone. “My lab guy thinks the sun rises and sets around you.” Brent was feeling a tad jealous. He wasn’t sure if he liked another man ogling Stone. Stone laughed, “Aww, you’re jealous.” “Hardly,” Brent frowned and sunk down lower into his seat to wait for the phone call from Gerald.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 30

Chapter Eight “How many of these have you been on?” Stone questioned to break the painful silence that fell around them. “Stake outs.” “I don’t know, a few.” Stone wondered to himself how Brent did it without going crazy but that was something up for debate. He chuckled to himself. “Why are we just sitting here?” “We can’t go on that property without a warrant. I want to make sure that whatever we find on this guy sticks. I don’t want him walking on a stupid technicality.” Stone nodded at Brent’s reply and saw the sense in it. Resting his head back against the seat, he took a deep breath, causing his chest to puff up and fall. He was getting slightly irritated for he hated just sitting around doing nothing. The club ran without him, but he always made sure he was there to oversee things, especially when big stars were attending, but here he was sitting beside a man that did something to Stone. Shuffling in his seat, Stone almost jumped out of his skin when Brent’s phone suddenly began ringing. Taking a deep breath, he watched Brent open his eyes and reach for the phone. “Harrison ... yeah ... yeah....” Stone watched the house while Brent spoke on the phone. There was one reason he went there with Brent, aside from wanting to keep an eye on the cop. Stone wanted to beat the stuffing out of Author just for being an idiot. “Okay, any minute now,” Brent spoke. “You all right?”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 31 Opening his eyes, Stone realized that Brent was off the phone and looking at him. Stone nodded, “A little anxious. There are other things I would rather be doing at this very moment.” Brent smiled and Stone looked away from Brent’s face because it seemed that Brent could read him like a book and Stone wasn’t sure he was comfortable with that. “Can I have a kiss before I go into this?” Stone turned his head and smiled at Brent before leaning in to press a kiss to Brent’s forehead. Stone then kissed the cop on the lips, savouring the taste and feel of them. For the first time, he felt how scared he was. If this guy could kill people during a bank robbery, he wouldn’t think twice about killing a cop. “Please be careful....” “Are you scared for me, Stone? Why?” Brent wanted to know softly. Before Stone could answer, a knock came at the glass and they jerked apart. Stone wanted to kill the person who had interrupted them but he didn’t have time to complain for Brent was out the door and speaking to the young man. “You got the warrant?” Brent wanted to know and Gerald produced the folded piece of paper. “Do you know who you are?” Gerald beamed. “Ah ... yeah,” Stone spoke and Brent turned around to smile before sticking the paper into his pocket. “My friend is star-struck but can you to wait until after we do this?” Brent was nervous. No matter how many warrants he served, he was always tense before knocking on the door. “You two stay here.” “But!” Stone began. “No buts, Stone, you promised,” Brent interrupted before looking both ways and hopping across the street. Stone felt his heart begin to race as he watched Brent disappear into the building across the street. A horrible feeling washed over him and he winced.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 32 “Shouldn’t you be in there backing him up or something?” Stone questioned as he moved to sit on the hood of the car. His eyes didn’t leave the door where Brent went in and Stone couldn’t remember the last time he blinked. His muscles ached with stress and worry and when Gerald didn’t answer him he growled and glance around. “Am I talking to myself?” “Oh, sorry. Thought that was a rhetorical question. No, I’m not a cop.” “Fucking lot of help you are!” Stone snapped and began pacing. The man he loved with all his life was in a building with a suspected bank robber and murderer and there was nothing he could do about it. How had he gotten himself into this and if things worked out with Brent, could he really sit by while Brent went to work everyday? Stone’s heart throbbed painfully and he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if anything happened to Brent. That was when it happened. From somewhere in the silence of the night, a loud bang shattered everything and took Stone’s sanity with it. “Brent!” Stone yelled before tearing across the street, being narrowly missed by cars. Then a second bang came....

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 33

Chapter Nine Brent hadn’t seen it coming. When he knocked at the door, no answer came so he taped the warrant to the front door and walked into the apartment. He was searching through the rooms when hot metal burnt through the flesh of the left side of his body. The force from the bullet had caused him to slam into the wall and he growled in pain and anger at his own stupidity. He should have assumed that the perp would come back. Using his good hand, he pulled out his gun and whipped around in time to dodge a flying chair and fired. The man slammed into the ground and with gritted teeth, Brent moved over the shooter and kicked his gun out of reach. The perp didn’t move and Brent sent his foot flying into the man’s side in revenge. Reaching for his cell phone, he dialed only to hear footsteps thundering through the house. “Brent!” his name swam through his fuzzy brain and he turned around as a voice began speaking in his ear. “Yeah, this is Detective Harrison ... shots fired!” “Brent!” Stone burst into the room then and Brent felt himself falling. Arms grabbed him and he sighed before looking up into Stone’s face. As Stone held him and fell to the ground protecting his head, Brent smiled up into Stone’s face. “What a day to change your life, huh?” Brent tried to joke but he could tell that Stone wasn’t in a joking mood. “Oh, God, Brent,” Stone whispered as he cradled Brent’s body and stroked his face. “Why’d you have to go and get hurt? I can’t lose you

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 34 again, not like this. I just got you to like me and you’re going to leave me? Not cool, man!” “I’m sorry,” Brent whispered. “This hurts like a mother....” A voice could be heard and Brent tried to lift the phone to his ears but Stone grabbed it, “Look, send an ambulance! What? No! Just send a damn ambulance. Brent’s hurt!” “Stone....” Brent lifted a weak hand to touch his lover’s face and smiled. His body was weak and he was cold. He began shiver slightly, “I don’t know what’s going to happen to me. But please, you need to be strong.” “Strong? Are you kidding me?” Brent sighed as his hand slipped to the ground. Although he didn’t want to leave Stone, Brent knew what was coming. Brent kept his eyes focused on the one man who had touched his life in such an intricate way. Fear tore through Brent’s body and soul as he realized that he was going to die and leave Stone. Struggling to hold onto Stone, to let his heart cling to Stone, Brent felt the darkness moving in and he gasped, fighting for air. But he wasn’t strong enough. Sighing, he closed his eyes and let it all go. “Stone....” **** “No, please no!” Stone panicked and tapped his hand against Brent’s cheek. Brent’s skin was cold and clammy to the touch. Stone’s heart stopped and he felt a sharp pain run through him as he bowed his head, pressing his forehead against Brent’s chest. It had been years since Stone cried; years meant since high school graduation. That was almost twelve years but now that his heart was lying dead in his arms, tears pooled down his face and soaked through Brent’s shirt. Guilt washed over Stone for he was wearing Brent’s bullet proof vest. He felt that he

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 35 had killed Brent and it was a horrendously disgusting feeling; a painful, nauseating feeling. Stone stroked the side of Brent’s face, desperate for a pulse, a breath, anything that would tell him that Brent was still with him. But nothing worked and when Gerald dashed into the room with paramedics, they literally had to pry Stone away from Brent. Stone kicked and yelled, fighting to keep holding Brent but they wouldn’t let him. Strong hands pulled him away and pressed him into a wall. “Don’t take him away!” Stone yelled and shoved hard against the men. One went tripping over the dead felon and the other staggered backwards. Shoving between them, Stone moved like a man possessed to be by Brent but instantly two other hands grabbed him. “Calm down or we will have to cuff you,” Gerald warned and Stone turned to send a fist flying into the young man’s face. Someone grabbed the flying fist and pulled it roughly behind Stone as the paramedics began leading the stretcher with Brent on it out the door. While that went on, Stone heard them mutter something about a weak pulse and his adrenaline soared. “Where are you taking him?” Stone fought. “Calm down!” “Like hell!” Stone yelled. “Where are you taking him?” “Bathsheba,” one paramedic yelled over his shoulder before the door closed. Then and only then did Stone slump down on to the ground; all fight drained from his body as he fell and hung his head. He had never felt like fighting for another man in his life, but Brent was different. Brent was it, no matter what. “Mister Caldwell?” a voice called and Stone looked up angrily. “What?” “I’m Detective Powell. Gerald told me that you were the one to lead Brent to the perp?”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 36 “You kidding me? You’re really going to ask me about this now?” Stone could not believe what was happening. Standing up slowly, he walked for the door. “Where are you going? You can’t leave until you answer my questions.” Stone stopped and took a deep breath, trying to hold on to his temper. Squeezing his eyes shut, he counted to ten one way, then backwards but didn’t feel any calmer. Still he turned around and walked back to where Powell stood. “Let me point something out to you. The man I love just took a bullet to the chest. He’s dying and you want me to stay here, and answer some questions about some little jerk-off that got a high off pirating software, robbing banks and killing people? You want me to give a damn? Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to walk out that door and I’m going to be by his side and there is not a power in this world that will keep me here.” He stopped to look around for Gerald. “Start the car,” he ordered, and Gerald instantly darted out the door. Stone then turned back to Powell. “Now I’m walking out that door. Try and stop me!” Without another word, he turned and left the room.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 37

Chapter Ten “Hold on, baby,” Stone whispered to himself as he sped towards Bathsheba. He only hoped they could save him. Bile rose in his throat as he remembered thinking Brent was gone. That was a feeling he would not wish on anyone, not even his worst enemy. He sped through a red light with cars honking at him but he didn’t care. Gerald screamed in fright but Stone didn’t hear it. Before the car even came to a complete stop, Stone was out and darting into the hospital. Skidding to a stop at the front desk, he leant in. “Detective Brent Harrison,” he called. “How is he?” “He’s in surgery at the moment, and you are?” “His boyfriend, Stone Caldwell,” Stone spoke without even stopping to think. Normally he would say he was the person’s partner but he was so beside himself that the truth spewed from his lips. He didn’t take time to take in the sickening look on the woman’s face. “How long is this surgery going to be?” “Another couple of hours.” Nodding, Stone moved into the waiting room but he couldn’t sit down. He tried to gear his mind to calm so he could sit, but nothing he did worked so he began pacing back and forth like a man possessed. A million and one thoughts were flying through his mind and he felt sick to his stomach. He had spent so many hours teasing Brent and plotting revenge for something that happened years ago that shouldn’t matter anymore. Those hours, he could have taken to get to know Brent again, get to know the real Brent but human emotions were dangerous things. Regret was just as painful as a broken heart and he cringed visibly.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 38 “Have you heard anything?” Gerald asked from behind Stone, but by then Stone had turned around to pace back the other way and crashed into Gerald. “Yeah, he’s in surgery,” Stone reported without an apology and began pacing the other way. “You and him, huh?” Gerald asked as he slumped into a seat. “Yeah, me and him,” Stone frowned. “I don’t know if this is any of my business, but when I came to work at the station, I was fresh out of the classroom. Everyone there gave me a hard time except for Brent. I guess what I’m saying is, if you’re only toying with him, leave him alone.” “You’re right. It’s none of your business,” Stone grumbled before falling into a seat because his body was too tired to remain standing or pacing. He glanced at the clock and sighed, “But I’m not playing him. I’m too old for head games anymore.” “Good. I didn’t mean to be rude but Brent is like a brother to me and....” “I understand.” “Ah, Stone Caldwell?” a voice called and Stone glanced up to see the doctor. Not realizing he wasn’t breathing, Stone slid from his chair and stood up. He was afraid of what was going to be said because the doctor had no expression on his face. Everything around them froze and for that moment they were the only two people on the planet. The clock’s tick-tock was more pronounced and the beating of Stone’s heart got louder as his heart hammered. Doctor Sanchez, please report to room 2010. “Well, he got through the surgery just fine,” the doctor spoke with a sigh. “The bullet missed any vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood. We’ve gotten the bullet out and I assume he’s going to want it, all the

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 39 cops do. We won’t know anything definitive until tomorrow but right now he’s stable.” Nodding, Stone fought to wrap his mind around the information that the doctor was giving him. It was good news. Smiling, he pressed a hand over his mouth to fight off the tears that burnt his eyes. “Can I see him?” “I don’t know if he’ll be lucid enough to hold a logical conversation, but sure.” Stone nodded and followed the doctor down the corridor. When the doctor motioned to the door where Brent was, Stone stopped. No amount of practice could get a person ready for entering the hospital room of someone you cared about. The doctor was gone but Stone stood outside trying to build up some strength that he had lost waiting for the doctor. Slowly, bit by bit, his feet led him into the room, past one bed with a sleeping man on it and toward Brent’s bed. He was so calm, so quiet as he lay there and that caused Stone’s breath to catch in his throat. Moving towards the bed, he sat down gently on the side, afraid he would touch something he shouldn’t touch. The moment Stone had entered the room, no matter how drugged up Brent was, he could still feel Stone. And when he got to his bed, Brent moaned and opened his eyes. His eye-lids were heavy but he had to see Stone, to make Stone know that he was all right. “Stone,” he moaned. “Shh, don’t say anything,” Stone’s voice was like heaven to him. All he had heard before going under for surgery was panic. Bright lights were everywhere, when he wasn’t going in and out of consciousness. Even as he looked up into Stone’s sad, brown eyes, he was still dazed. “You scared me.” “I scared myself,” Brent whispered with a small smile. “I’m so tired.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 40 “Then rest.” “You’ll be here when I wake up?” When Stone smiled at him Brent felt his heart rise as if there was nothing wrong with him. “I’ll be here. I promise.” That was all Brent needed. He closed his eyes and let the darkness take over.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 41

Chapter Eleven The next time Brent opened his eyes, his body felt a little better except the sharp pain where the bullet had gone through him. Moaning softly, he tried to sit up. Glancing around the room, he saw Stone sitting in a chair across from him, asleep. With a smile on his lips, Brent admired the way Stone’s large body was extended, with his legs straightened to their full length. His head had fallen to one side and his chest rose and fell softly with each breath. Brent wanted to walk over and kiss the slopes of Stone’s lips but every movement caused him to wince. He watched as Stone’s eyes fluttered open and Brent waved at him with a sheepish grin, “Hi.” That got Stone flying to his side. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” he whispered before pressing a kiss to Brent’s lips. “How are you feeling?” “Better than yesterday,” Brent smiled before reaching up for another kiss. “You’ve been here all night?” “I promised I would,” Stone told him truthfully. “I got you your own room because your roommate snored.” “And you bought me flowers,” Brent motioned to the flowers that were on the windowsill behind the chair that Stone had been sitting in earlier. When Stone looked away from him, Brent grinned. “I’m going to go home and shower and come back. Some people from the station are waiting outside for you. I’m gonna give them some time to see you.” “I’d rather you stay here.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 42 The smirk Stone gave him made Brent’s groin dance with anticipation but he knew that even if he begged, Stone wouldn’t touch him. Not when he was hurt. No matter how Stone’s body had changed, Brent knew that Stone’s goodness hadn’t. He smiled and nodded. “A kiss?” Stone asked and Brent willingly gave up his lips. “One more for the road?” Brent laughed. “Get going and hurry back!” he chided but still accepted Stone’s laughing kiss. **** The truth was, Stone didn’t care if he showered. The reason he wanted to leave for a bit, was to allow his body to mourn and release his shock and awe. As he stood in the shower at home, he lifted his face to the downpour of water and allowed his tears to be mixed in with the water. He had come so close to losing Brent and although he hadn’t cried before Brent, he felt as though a part of him had died and for a few moments, he had thought that he would had have a heart attack. It was killing him inside that it all started because he was wearing Brent’s vest. If only Brent had worn his vest. If only Stone hadn’t helped him find this killer. If only.... The moment that Brent’s eyes had opened to him, Stone felt his world turning into a perfect ball again. He had never been so happy to see anyone open their eyes in his life. With his forehead against the cold wall of the shower stall, Stone prayed. Rubbing a hand over his face and down his neck, he thought about their lovemaking session in the rain. It had been raw, pure and delicious. He would never trade that for the world, but he craved Brent again. The thought of Brent being hurt haunted him for he knew he had to hold off on making love to his lover until Brent was well again. That didn’t bother him emotionally, but his body needed Brent’s warm touch.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 43 Showered and dressed, Stone grabbed his car keys and drove by the club. He stopped for a quick meeting telling his guys that he was taking a few days off before leaving again. He had no intentions of leaving Brett’s side until Brett was well again. Stone only stopped again for some chocolates, something to lift Brett’s spirits before making his way back to the hospital. He walked into the room to see Gerald speaking with Brent. Without hesitation, Stone walked over and dropped a kiss on Brent’s lips and turned to greet the man. Gerald was blushing and Stone laughed before the tech simply dashed from the room. “How you feeling?” Stone inquired. “Better,” Brent grinned. “The doc said I could leave, but he didn’t want to let me go on my own. He said something about some TLC?” “Oh, no,” Stone grinned before reaching in for another kiss. “You’re going to stay in bed and no sex until you’re better.” Brent sighed and Stone laughed. “I brought you some chocolate.” Stone crawled into bed beside Brent. “I know you got me this room. You didn’t have to.” “Yes, I did.” “Why?” “Because I couldn’t do this,” Stone put a piece of chocolate into his mouth and leant in to feed it to his lover. The feeding turned into a delicious, dark chocolate kiss that left Stone breathless. When he sat up, he smiled down at Brent. “And this...” he trailed off and moved a hand down beneath his blanket to grab Brent’s cock and began stroking. “Damn, Stone, not here,” Brent’s voice was breathy as the touch strained his control. “You know I can’t be quiet when you touch me.” “Try,” Stone leant in again to taste chocolate from Brent’s lips. “On second thought, yell. Growl your release for the whole world to hear.”

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 44 “You’re a freak,” Brent joked before grabbing the back of Stone’s neck and slamming his lips upward against Stone’s. ***** It was a few hours later when Brent allowed Stone to walk him into a beautiful room at Stone’s large house. It wasn’t the room they had made love in the day after their shower. This room was bigger, the bed was covered in beautiful, white sheets and pillows. When Stone tried to lay him against the bed, he wrapped his good arm around Stone and pulled. Stone lost his balance and fell on top of Brent who groaned in pain. “Brent,” Stone got out before getting up but Brent simply pulled his lover back down to him. “Fuck me,” Brent demanded and when Stone shook his head, Brent moved his hand down the front of Stone’s pants and wrapped his hand around Stone’s hard, dark, member. When Stone’s head fell backwards and he growled, Brent chuckled. “Still want to deny it?” “Now who’s the tease?” Stone joked before leaning in to run his hot, wet tongue over one of Brent’s sensitive nipples. Brent felt a delightful shock flow through his body as he lowered Stone’s zipper. “Brent, I have to say this before we go any further.” “All right,” Brent’s heart began racing. “I love you,” Stone admitted before burying his face into Brent’s neck. Brent smiled blissfully as he squeezed Stone’s cock. “That’s all right, baby,” he whispered against Stone’s ear. “Because I love you, too. I think I’ve always loved you. That’s why I gave you such a hard time back then.” Brent felt Stone lifting his head and the look in his eyes caused Brent to smile because Brent knew then that life with Stone might not always be perfect but it would certainly be an adventure.

The Caldwell Effect by Remmy Duchene 45

©Copyright Remmy Duchene 2008 Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers.