Free Chasing Justice (Gay Detective Romance Novella) by Corynn Crawford

“Why don’t you spread your wings a little bit?”
    “And what, go out and date men?”
    Eddie shrugged his shoulders.
    “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” Luke scoffed.
    “I could be persuaded to show you the ropes…if you’d have me.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You and I could date.”
    Luke blinked. “Are you being serious?”
    “Why not? I don’t have anyone tying me down. You can stand to be in the same room with me for more than five minutes—which, I have to be honest, is a record for me lately—and you’re sexy as hell. What’s to think about?”
    Luke considered the ramifications on his own life. His separation was nearing the divorce stage. He was fairly certain of that at this point. He thought back to the comments he made to Elizabeth about how the work came first and nothing got in the way of that, and how he was now thinking about breaking his own rule. For a man. What a hypocrite. He had to admit it to himself, though: the thought about having sex with someone like Eddie made him curious.
    “But you live in L.A.,” Luke said.
    “Minor inconvenience.”
    “What about our work schedules? Or fraternization rules if we work with the Marshals again? Or—”
    “Luke,” Eddie said, interrupting him by placing a hand on his chest, “believe me, I’ve already gone over this in my head a thousand times. I’m not asking to get married or anything. I’d just like to try . God knows we both could use a little comfort in our lives. I feel like I can trust you enough to give that to me, even if it’s only for a little while.”
    Luke sighed. “I haven’t been on a date since I was sixteen.”
    “I haven’t given a New York City detective a blowjob in a back alley until tonight. There’s a first time for everything.”
    “You make it sound simple.”
    “Oh, it’s not, believe me. But I’d like to go out to dinner and for once not be worried about telling someone that I catch dangerous criminals for a living. You and I understand each other. We can have some drinks, talk, argue over baseball, maybe get to know each other better. Fuck once in a while. I’m not asking for exclusivity. I’m looking to have fun without someone I don’t hate.”
    Luke thought about the lonely nights that were ahead of him once the divorce was final. Eating meals alone, decorating a new apartment with his meager possessions when they eventually sold the house and he had to move out, watching TV until he couldn’t keep his eyes open simply because he didn’t want to sleep in a bed by himself for the first time since he was eighteen. None of it sounded particularly good to him.
    “I’d love to get to know you better, Eddie.”
    Eddie put his hands against the wall on either side of Luke’s head and leaned in for a kiss. It was lingering and deep with lots of tongue, and it made Luke’s stomach quiver.
    “I take it that means you’re looking forward to it,” Luke laughed.
    “I am, Detective. I’m just glad you said yes. But even if you’d said no, well…that dance tonight would have been enough.”

Chapter 8
    They’d been driving in cross-town traffic for about twenty minutes when Eddie finally said something.
    “I’m no expert, but…I feel like we’re leaving Manhattan,” he said, staring out the passenger-side window.
    A green sign for the Queens Midtown Tunnel came into view, and Eddie turned to Luke with a questioning look on his face.
    “You’re right,” Luke said.
    “They’re waiting on me to transport Thayer,” Eddie said.
    “I know. They can wait a little longer.”
    “Luke—”
    “I thought we’d go for a drink to celebrate,” Luke said.
    “Where? There are a thousand bars in Manhattan.”
    “My place seemed more appropriate.”
    “Your place. In Queens, I suppose, based on that road sign?”
    “I don’t know when I’ll be able to see you again after tonight. So I’m trying not to think. I’m just going to enjoy the feeling.”
    “The feeling? Of