The Other Side

Chapter 1-2

He should not be checking out the man’s ass. But damn, Nick Sorenson was a fine looking man. Not that he was Ray’s type.

Ray had dated white guys before. Generally they looked like stock brokers or models for GQ. They definitely did not wear faded ass-hugging jeans, Led Zeppelin T-shirts with coffee stains, and a five o’clock shadow. Not to mention a tattoo peeking out from the short sleeve of that same T-shirt and a gold hoop earring.

Usual type or not, Ray found the sandy-haired, blue-eyed detective absurdly attractive. He did not normally find muscle-men sexy, yet the defined biceps of Nick’s arms had drawn his attention several times during their brief conversation.

He’s probably not even gay.

True he saw no wedding ring and he had the hoop, but that didn’t mean he was gay. Lots of straight guys had earrings. Hell, he was gay and he wore no such adornment. Even still, he couldn’t stop picturing Nick naked. He shifted in the seat to relieve the pressure of his hardening c**k. It would be a fine thing for Sorenson to come in and see his boner. He snatched up a file he’d brought with him and covered his lap. Probably too obvious that’s what he was doing.

Ray tried to remind himself the man was a cop and therefore the enemy. Cops beat his younger brother nearly to death just for being black. Devon was no criminal. Their father, before his retirement, had been a minister and their mother an executive at a bank. They’d been raised in a hard working middle-class family with values. Ray had worked his way through medical school to become a well-respected neurologist. Devon owned his own restaurant. Yet the color of their skin made them automatically suspects in the corrupt LAPD.

Even now Nick Sorenson tried to deny the culpability of the cops who’d beaten Devon. Next he supposed they’d claim Devon beat himself. No way. He would hire the best lawyers in Los Angeles if necessary. With his intent to run in the upcoming city council elections, Ray had wanted to handle the matter himself. He might have to change his mind.

The door opened and Nick entered again. He ran his long fingers through his wild, somewhat spiky sandy hair. Ray’s gaze went to the man’s full sensuous lips that boasted a slightly twisted smile.

“Sorry about that, Dr. Carmichael.”

So now they were back to formality, Ray noted. He tapped his fingers on the conference table. Earlier he thought he’d detected a hint of interest in those cerulean blue eyes. Now, however, Nick looked like he was back to business. A pity.

Nick sat down. “Look, like I said before, I can’t really give any details, but I assure you we’ll be in touch with your family very soon.”

Trying to push aside overwhelming disappointment at being so thoroughly dismissed, Ray shook his head and picked up his laptop and papers he’d brought with him. He didn’t know what he’d expected. The cops would always cover for each other.

“Very well, detective. I will be calling you later this week.”

Nick nodded. “You’re certainly welcome to do that.”

“And I’m sure you will be conveniently out to my call.” Ray sighed, frustrated, and stood. His irritation at getting no answers had taken care of his erection at least. Too bad he still found the damn detective so appealing.

Nick stood, too, and was only an inch or two away from Ray. “No, I’m sorry about that. I’ll be around. Really.”

He could smell the detective’s arousal. Damn. His own c**k perked up again in reaction. They were so close he could grope the detective through his jeans. He wouldn’t, of course.

Ray didn’t like to mix dating with business. He’d have to get over his attraction to Nick. The last thing he ought to be doing was ogling the guy covering for his brother’s attackers, anyway. Only, he didn’t want to forget his attraction to Nick.

“You, uh, married, detective?” Ray heard himself ask. Smooth, Ray.

Nick blinked rapidly and stared at him. “Excuse me?”

Ah, hell, he’d started it now. “Married? I don’t see a ring.”

“No.”

Was it his imagination or had Nick’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink? Man, that was sexy. While Ray wasn’t shy, he didn’t know how exactly to ask Nick about his s****l preferences.

“Girlfriend?”

The light pink darkened to a red. “Um, n-no. Well, I’m, that is,” Nick broke off and opened the door of the conference room. “Do you need help finding your way out of the station?”

Ray smiled. “No, I know the way. See you, Nick.”

Nick stared at him, his tongue darting out to trace his bottom lip. He nodded. “Yeah.”

Ray walked out of the police station to his car, aware of the glares he received from most of the cops he passed on the way. He supposed they all must know who he was by now. He’d appeared with his brother on television after the beatings and of course in interviews about his candidacy.

But now he had a new dilemma. It was probably crazy, but he didn’t want Nick Sorenson investigating the beating of his brother. He’d spend far too much time admiring the man’s ass and wanting to kick it at the same time when he stonewalled Devon’s case. That sealed things for him. He would have to talk to Kent, Nick’s captain. Ray never mixed business with pleasure and he would be way too distracted. Of course, if Nick weren’t on the case there could be other possibilities.

* * * *

That afternoon Nick had just come back from lunch when Captain Alex Kent poked his head out of his office.

“Sorenson, in my office now.”

Nick frowned and set the fresh mug of coffee he’d just poured from the station coffeemaker on his desk. He glanced at Jessica sitting at her nearby desk.

“What’s up?”

“I dunno. Just got back myself.”

Nick walked down the aisle to the captain’s office, wondering at the sharp tone in Kent’s voice. Shrugging, he knocked.

“Yeah?”

Nick opened the door and stepped into the cubicle sized office. “You wanted to see me, captain?”

“Yeah. You’re off the Carmichael case.”

A heavy pit formed in Nick’s stomach. “I’m what? Why?”

Captain Kent, an aging bald man with dark piercing eyes, raised an eyebrow. “This case has controversy all over it, Sorenson. I’d think you’d be happy to be taken off.”

“No one likes to be taken off a case, sir.”

Kent nodded. “Maybe. Anyway, the case will be handled by Johnson.”

Nick wondered if his being white and Johnson being black had anything to do with the change. He grimaced. “Did Dr. Carmichael request this change by any chance, captain?”

Kent crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, staring at Nick for a moment. Finally he shrugged. “Yeah. He said he doesn’t trust us to investigate it fairly, but if he has to have cops investigating cops he would prefer an African American investigator. He said it was nothing personal against you.”

“Sure. Bastard,” Nick said angrily. “I didn’t give him the platitudes he wanted so he had me removed.”

“Whatever. You’ve got plenty of other cases, Nick. Be grateful you’ve got one less headache. I want a report on the alleged m*******a use in the valley division on my desk by Friday. Now get out of my office.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * * *

His desk phone rang at five-thirty that night. He’d just been considering going home. He stared at it wondering if maybe he should ignore it.

He picked it up. “Sorenson.”

“Nick, it’s Ray Carmichael.” The rich, deep, sultry tone was back. A shiver went up Nick’s spine. His balls tightened. f*****g bastard.

“I’m not on your brother’s case anymore, Dr. Carmichael.” You s**t, you got me removed.

“Ray. I know, that’s why I’m calling.”

“Hmm?” Nick frowned into the phone.

“I wanted to tell you why I wanted you off the case, Nick.”

Nick plopped his legs on his desk and crossed them at his ankles. “I know why. Captain Kent said you wanted a black detective.”

“That’s what I told him, yes. It seemed easier to tell him what he would have expected to hear. But that’s not why.”

“What is the reason then? I didn’t give you the answers you wanted?”

“No, although, you didn’t. You spent more time avoiding me than just giving me simple answers.”

Nick opened his mouth to retort but Ray cut him off.

“Anyway, the truth is…I wanted to see you socially.”

Nick’s jaw dropped. He straightened instantly in his chair. “You…you what?”

“I hope I’m not way off base here, Nick. I sensed you were physically attracted to me this morning. If I’m wrong I’d like to know.”

Fuck. His erection pressed against his jeans. He glanced around the station, certain the remaining detectives knew. No one glanced his way.

Nick licked his lips and lowered his voice. “Dr. Carmichael—”

“Ray.”

He closed his eyes, feeling his cheeks heat. “I…yes. Yes, I am attracted to you.”

A low, throaty chuckle sent electric jolts through his hard c**k. “Excellent. I’d hate to be the only one interested. I’m unable to mix business with pleasure. It’s unethical. That’s why I asked Captain Kent to remove you from Devon’s case. I’d like to see you. Are you free for dinner?”

His mouth went dry. “Tonight?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?”

“Well…no.” Okay, this was a first for him. No one involved in a case had ever asked him out. He wasn’t even sure if it was a good idea. Of course, he was off the case, so maybe.

“Good. I’m a fairly decent cook. I’d like to make you dinner. I’ll give you directions to my home in Bel Air.”

Nick swallowed, stared at the phone receiver. His own apartment was in Van Nuys, for crying out loud. And a dump. He knew Ray was well-off, but…Bel f*****g Air?

“Nick?”

“Okay.” Nick ran his fingers over his stubbled jaw. “Uh, Ray?”

“Yes?”

“We have nothing in common. We’re completely different. I drive an old run-down Ford Pinto.” Nick winced, briefly wondering what Ray’s Bel Air neighbors would think when the Pinto rattled into their hood.

The same low, throaty sexy-as-hell chuckle rumbled from the phone. “What can I say, Nick? Opposites attract.”