Free Boyfriend Chronicles 02 - The Boyfriend Mandate by River Jaymes Page A

hugged the underwear model’s form. He wore the damp, tousled, just-been-blown-up look well, and awareness simmered in Tyler’s gut.
    Why the hell had he brought him back here? Oh, yes, to make sure Memphis didn’t slip into a coma and die.
    As if sensing Tyler was in a hurry to escape, the elevator slowed to a stop several floors below their intended destination. After a soft ping , the door opened, and a woman with gray hair entered, a Chihuahua sporting a pink bow nestled under one arm. The smartly dressed female, who appeared to be in her late sixties, glanced at the two of them and gave a small start.
    Oh, no…
    The stuntman opened his eyes and, with a light frown, studied the dog. And then he shot the owner a smile. Judging by the friendly grin, he was feeling well enough to realize she’d recognized the two of them.
    The frown she sent in return was almost rude, and Memphis’s dimples slipped away. Two beats passed in strained silence.
    “Don’t worry,” Memphis finally said dryly, “queer isn’t catching.”
    Oh, God. Tyler recognized that look. It was the same one the man had worn with the reporter. Tyler watched the doors slide shut, leaving him no way out, and sensed a pending altercation.
    “I’ve lived in San Francisco longer than you’ve been alive,” she said as she pushed the button for the top floor. “So I’m well aware of that.”
    Memphis lifted a brow but didn’t say anything as she gazed at the two of them before going on.
    “Is the tabloid article true?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Memphis. “These days, people seem to toss the bisexual label around just for attention. I told my friends your story was just to gain publicity.”
    Memphis reacted with an amused huff of annoyance and an aborted eye roll. “What is up with all the wild speculation?” He rubbed his head with his fingers before gesturing at Tyler. “Do I have to provide everyone with a little demonstration?”
    Christ.
    Heat shot through Tyler’s limbs, and the woman’s lids went higher. Was she shocked by Memphis’s response? Annoyed? Amused? A strained lull filled the elevator marked by the slow, pinging passage of each floor. And then the dawning realization hit Tyler. The woman didn’t look annoyed. In fact, a lewd gleam slowly appeared in her eyes.
    No. Just… no .
    Every day this week, Tyler had cursed the slow elevators in Noah’s building but never as vehemently as he did now. When another ding occurred, the doors slid open on Noah’s floor. Memphis pushed off from the wall, preparing to leave, and the woman actually seemed disappointed.
    Memphis held the door open for Tyler and sent the woman a wink. “Maybe next time we’ll give you a show.”
    “I live in the penthouse suite if you two think you can handle me,” she said.
    Jesus Haploid Christ .
    Tyler just managed not to swallow his tongue. And, for the second time since coming back into Tyler’s life, Memphis went completely still. The proposition was almost, almost, worth the shocked look on Memphis’s face. Smothering a smile, Tyler picked up Memphis’s duffel bag and grabbed his arm, pulling him out of the elevator. The doors slid shut behind them.
    “I was trying to offend her so she’d leave us alone,” Memphis said, still sounding stunned.
    “I think your plan produced the opposite effect.”
    “How was I supposed to know the woman would invite us to a three-way granny kink?” Memphis shuddered. “Does that even exist?”
    Tyler fought the urge to laugh. “Do a Google image search and find out.”
    Memphis grunted. “Right after I gouge out my eyeballs.”
    They started down the hallway, and a faint barking sound drifted down the elevator shaft.
    “Figures she’d have a little yappy dog,” Memphis muttered.
    The tension in his voice was surprising.
    Tyler stopped at the condo door and pulled out his key, forcing the smile from his face. “Are you telling me you have no problem with nearly getting yourself killed,