Puppy Tax

Warning
This e-book contains adult language and themes, including graphic descriptions ofsexual acts between
consenting adult males. It is intended only for mature readers, of legal age to possess such material in
their area.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is purely coincidental.
Puppy Tax
© 2010 by J. Rocci
Cover art by J. Rocci
Cover model: Phoenix
All rights reserved.
http://j-rocci.dreamwidth.org/
This version is a free promotional copy available at:
http://jrocci.blogspot.com/
Also available from J. Rocci at TorquereBooks (see page 22 for more details):
TACTION
ARMY GREEN (SEQUEL TO TACTION)
SAGE
COMMITMENT
CORNERSTONE (SEQUEL TO COMMITMENT)
THIS HOME WE MAKE IN “SHIFTING THEM”
THIS HOME WE DEFEND IN “BITE ME” (SEQUEL TO THIS HOME WE MAKE)
Coming Soon from Torquere Books:
YOUTHFUL GODS: PRETTY PLEASURES
IVORY
OILSMOUTH IN “SOMEPLACE IN THIS WORLD”
DREGGERS DEEP CHARITY SIP
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
1
Puppy Tax
J. Rocci
“I need a haircut,” Sky murmured to himself, checking his shaggy blonde hair again in
his rearview mirror. At five-foot-seven, in jeans and an old college hooded sweatshirt, he
looked more like a frat boy than a respectable business owner in his thirties, especially
with his hair in his eyes like that.
The impatient chuff from the passenger’s seat made him smile.
“Okay,” he conceded as he opened the car door, “so we both need haircuts.”
Phoenix just stood up on the seat, mismatchedeyes eagerly following him behind the
windshield as he came around to the passenger side to let her out.
When he held the door open, the black and white Border Collie jumped down to sit on
her haunches off to his left. Considering that she was sweeping the concrete parking
deck clean with her bushy tail, he’d definitely need to drop by the daycare on the way
home and toss her in the tub.
Sky grabbed her orange vest from the back seat, calling her over to his feet. She came
willingly enough, but fussed as he fastened the Velcro strap around her middle. Having
none of that, he tugged on her collar and she settled, letting him smooth her vest so that
the embroidered word “Therapy”was visible down her side.
Not that the hospital staff didn’t know her on sight by now. The two of them had been
making the rounds regularly for almost a year.
“Are you ready to be adored and adorable in turn, Miz Phee-phee?” Sky asked her as he
snapped her leash on.
She thumped her tail, yipping up at him.The sound echoed loudly in the hospital’s
parking deck, and Sky couldn’t help laughing at her expression.
“C’mon, trouble.”
They took the stairs down to the covered walkway that connected the parking deck to the
hospital entrance. Sky waited patiently, fielding questions and smiling as what seemed
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like every healthy breathing being within fifty feet had to come over and love on Phoenix
as soon as they hit the lobby. Phoenix just wagged her tail and went sniffing at pant legs
and fingers, planting herself in front of people like she owned the place.
“Well, if it isn’t Miss Phoenix and Mister Sky!” Barb, the volunteer behind the
information desk, exclaimed.
She came around to the front of the desk withhis visitor’s badge inone hand and a treat
held behind her back. Phoenix, knowing the routine, jogged over and sat primly at the
older lady’s feet, gazing up adoringly.
Normally, Sky discouraged people from givingPhoenix treats during her visits, but Barb
brought her toy poodle to the daycare for grooming once a week and Phoenix was
comfortable with her.
“And how are you, sweetheart?” Barb cooed, holding out the cookie so Phoenix could
pluck it gently from her hand.Barb scratched the top of the Border Collie’s head as
Phoenix inhaled the treat.
“Any requests today, Barb?” Sky asked as the older lady straightened.
“You’re going to be a very busy man,” she saidand handed over a room list. “As soon as
people hear about your visits, they all want one for their family, too.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Sky grinned and headed for the elevators. “C’mon, Pheephee.”
First stop was Four South. Good. The nurses there were friendly and most of the
patients were elderly people with cardiopulmonary problems. Phoenix could enjoy some
quiet time doing the rounds there,then they could head to Pediatrics and she could wear
herself out with the kids.
He fell into the comfortable routine of knocking on doors and announcing their presence,
Phoenix trailing at his side. Her obedience was one of the reasons he brought Phee and
not his other dog, Anubis. Anubis listened,but the Great Dane mix was too easily
distracted from listening to commands and his size often intimidated people. Phoenix
was just a medium-sized ball of fluff with a tongue, plus she’d never gotten into the habit
of jumping on people like Anubis.
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Sky kneeled beside one of the patient’s wheelchairs and guiding the older gentleman’s
hand to the top of Phee’s head, treasuring the man’s delighted expression. The reaction
of people to a fuzzy face was Sky’s favorite part of his work. He loved running his
doggy daycare and going to shows, but this— This was what he did to set his own heart
at ease.
“Her eyes are different colors!” Mr. Gardner said, voice hoarse from his pacemaker. “I
never seen that before. Is that normal?”
Since Mr. Gardner had just been admitted with pneumonia during their last visit two
weeks ago and had been drugged to the gills, Sky wasn’t surprised he didn’t remember
pointing Phee’s heterochromia out before. He gave the same answer he usually gave to
the question.
“Lots of dogs and cats have it, Mr. Gardner. Sometimes even people, too.”
Phoenix, tired of holding still, nuzzled the man’s outstretched fingers and got in a lick or
two. Mr. Gardner looked tickled, chortling, and the cheeky little beggar scooted on her
butt until her head was resting on his knee.
“Huh. Who’d’ve figured, eh, girl?” Mr. Gardner murmured as he stroked her ears. “I
have a schnauzer at home named Pippin. He’sa yappy little thing. Likes liver. Poor
boy’s with the grandkids. Terrors probably gave him a heart attack or stuck him in a
dress by now.”
“More like he’s cowering under the bed, pop,” his daughter said dryly from the doorway.
Sky introduced himself as she came in and they got to chatting. After a few more ear
scritches, Mr. Gardner was starting to look wilted, so Sky took that as his cue to move on.
He and Phoenix visited four more patients on the floor, spending about fifteen minutes
with each. One was eating lunch,so they came back to her last and then headed on to the
next part of their list.
Pediatrics was on Three West, and they waited in the floor’s small lobby for the elevator
to come, chatting with an orderly named Mike. Sky was never lacking conversation
when he had Phoenix with him, especiallysince she believed it was her god-given right
to be loved on by anyone in the same room and she made sure they knew it. Paying the
puppy tax, as Sky’s employees called it.
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When the elevator pinged and opened, Sky just about stopped breathing.
Dr. Tony had snapped a file shutand pressed the button to hold the door. Sky didn’t even
know the man’s last name since all the kidscalled him by his first, but the man was
gorgeous. Short dark hair, wire glasses that couldn’t hide his bright blue eyes, and a
physique that implied an active lifestyle. Lord bless whoever created scrubs, because
they clung to his ass even with the long-sleeved jacket on.
Sky probably drooled as bad as Phoenix with a rawhide every time he saw the man.
Mike, the orderly, got in the elevator first, and then they were both looking at Sky
expectantly.
“Is it all right if she comes on?” Sky asked automatically, hesitating before entering.
“No problem,” Dr. Tony said distractedly and waved them on.
“Thanks.”
The quick ride to the next floor was spent incomfortable silence. Mike rubbed Phoenix’s
scruff, and Sky got to stand next to Dr. Tony, inhaling his light cologne. It was
something musky Sky had smelled before, but he couldn’t place it. He honestly didn’t
care what the name of it was, as long as Dr. Tony kept wearing it so well.
Phoenix didn’t like to sit in elevators, so she surfed the floor, paws braced. She didn’t
stumble when the car stopped anymore, but she was all too happy to beat feet out of it
when the doors opened.
Sky was dimly aware of Dr. Tony exiting behind them, but the nurses were looking up
from their station and already starting to coo.Phoenix’s tail stirred up a cyclone, and she
let out an excited yip before Sky could shush her.
“A dog!”
Two small heads popped out of the lounge doorway, eyes wide. Sky stuck close to
Phoenix as they entered the pediatric ward’swide lounge. Phee was good with kids, but
he worried that she might get too worked up from all the noise and movement. There
were four kids clamoring around them, and a bored looking teenager playing with the
video game system in the corner.
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“Be gentle with her,” he reminded the kids when some of the hands got grabby. A parent
was there, too, and helpedride herd with a nurse.
“What’s its name?” A little girlwith a wrist cast asked.
“Her name’s Phoenix, but we call her Phee-phee.”
Sky smoothly intercepted another kid’s hand before she could latch on to Phoenix’s
collar.
The other boy with them giggled when he gota tail in the face. “She’s fluffy!”
Throughout all the chaos, Phoenix just stood there with her tongue lolling, head turning
this way and that as she was petted.
“Look, Dr. Tony! There’s a puppy!” Ashley called out excitedly over Sky’s shoulder.
He reflexively followed her line of sight.
“I see that,” Dr. Tony said with his brilliantsmile that made Sky’s knees weak and his
cheeks flush.
Sky refused to be distracted and turned backto Phee, willing his blush away. He wasn’t
a teenager for crying out loud. The man was just too damn pretty— and probably
straight, with a trophy wife and fivekids waiting for him at home.
Sky focused on Phoenix and the kids, but he could feel the weight of the other man’s
regard between his shoulder blades and knewthe moment Dr. Tony left the doorway.
Once the kids had their fill of petting and Phoenix started to get antsy, Sky announced
that she had to go see all the kids that couldn’t leave their beds. He wasn’t exactly
immune to the disappointed faces that followed, but he withdrew from the room with
practiced ease, promising to stopback in before they left.
He went to all the rooms on his list, heart breaking a little when the kids were too weak to
get up but still so happy to see Phee or werejust skin and bones from whatever ailed
them.
But they were smiling when he and Phoenix left, and that was what mattered.
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After they finished their last visit to the lounge, Sky checked his watch. They’d been at
the hospital for three hours and he’d given Phee a bowl of water about an hour or so ago.
He was surprised she’d lasted that long without tap dancing to leave.
“Leave it,” he said absently, and she stepped away from the cleaning cart shelf she’d
been eyeballing. When she saw that they were going back to the elevator, she picked up
the pace.
The elevator car was empty when it arrived, and Sky nudged Phee on. The doors were
starting to close when he heard,
“Hold the elevator!”
Sky mashed the door open button, refusing to cheer when the doors pinged back open and
Dr. Tony got on.
“Sorry about that,” the doctor said sheepishly,tucking his hands in his scrub jacket.
“I didn’t hear you coming, otherwise I would have held the doors sooner,” Sky shrugged,
tearing his eyes away from admiring how the stethoscope draped across the man’s welldefined chest. “What floor do you need?”
He lifted his gaze in time to see Dr. Tony glance at the lit button on the console.
“Basement’s fine.”
Phoenix chose that moment to nose the doctor’s knee, demanding attention.
“You must be the Phee-phee everyone talks about,” Tony said to her, holding out his
fingers for a sniff. When she nudged his palm, Tony started rubbing her ears.
“All my patients love you, pretty girl. Yeah, they do,” he baby-talked her.
“We’ve been coming for a year,” Sky said just to break the growing tension in himself.
The man liked dogs. Hewas so screwed…
“I’m Sky Bower, by the way.”
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He grinned and held out his hand, keeping his eyes on the doctor, who didn’t look away
from his direct and appreciative gaze.
“Tony Morasutti. Pleasure to meet you.”
Tony held his hand just a little too long, squeezing once before letting go. Sky’s pulse
picked up.
The elevator stopped at the basement level, where the administrative offices and the
hospital bistro were located. People werewaiting to get on, so Sky quickly guided
Phoenix out of the way.
Reluctant to just walk away, Sky turned to see where Tony had gone and found the man
right behind him. Sky slowed his steps even though Phoenix was straining to reach the
green grass just beyond the doors to the outside.
Tony paused when Sky did, rubbing the back of his neck and looking down at the floor,
then up at Sky from over the rims of his glasses. Sky’s stomach flipped like he’d just
crested the hill of a rollercoaster.
“I know this is a bit sudden, but I was just about to go on break, if you’d like to get some
coffee…” Tony trailed off questioningly.
Oh, score.
“I’d love to, but Phee’s not allowed in the bistro.” At Tony’s falling expression, Sky
quickly suggested, “But the weather’s nice and they have tables out on the patio, if you
don’t mind bringing the coffee outside? I can give you the cash for mine.”
“I’ll cover it.” Tony smiled, eyescrinkling at the edges.
“I don’t want to impose—”
“You can buy the next round,” Tony interjectedconfidently. Warmth unfurled in Sky’s
middle.
“Fair enough. I take mineblack with one sugar.”
“All right. See you outside.”
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Phoenix hauled ass as soon as Sky started walking again, and he let her relieve herself in
the grassy patch off to the side of the building, eyes tracking Tony’s white scrub jacket
through the tinted bistro windows.
Well. The day was definitely looking up.
He found a clean table in the shade, looping Phoenix’s leash around his wrist but giving
her room to roam a bit. Tony got through the line quickly, and found Sky easily since
there were only a few other people outside.
“Careful, it’s hot,” the doctor said as he placed Sky’s cup on the table in front of him.
“Only way to drink it,” Sky said and took a sip.
Tony shook his head but grinned, propping his chin on his fist and studying Sky.
“So,” he said as he cradled his cup withhis other hand. “You and Phee have been
coming here for a year. How’d you get started on that?”
Sky shrugged, reeling Phoenix back in before she could get too acquainted with an
unidentifiable lump on the patio.
“I own a canine daycare, and one of my clients was volunteering. When Phoenix was old
enough, I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did.”
Very glad.
The lady in question rambled back over to their table, sitting at the end between them and
staring hopefully up at the table’s edge. She sniffed the air with her shiny black nose,
and Sky laughed.
“There’s nothing for you up here, brat.”
“Is she an only child?” Tony asked as he reached out to scratch behind her ears.
Phee-phee, ever the attention whore, groaned and flopped down at his feet, exposing her
tummy. Sky could sympathize, since he’dprobably do the same thing if Tony was
touching him.
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“Ah, nope,” he responded after a moment’s pause, dragging his eyes away from Tony’s
broad hands. “Her brother, Anubis, is at the daycare right now.”
“Anubis?” Tony mused, bending over in his seat toreach her. “A bird that symbolizes
rebirth and a god of the underworld. I’m sensing a theme.”
“The real ruler of the house is my cat, Cait Sith. They live in fear of her.”
“Of course,” Tony laughed and looked up at him. “I miss having animals around. But
with my long hours, it just doesn’t seem fair, you know?”
“That’s understandable. At least I can take my babies to work with me.”
“It used to be worse, when I worked in the city. My schedule was so terrible; I couldn’t
even keep houseplants alive.”
“What city?” Sky asked, curious.
Since she had lost her audience’s attention, Phoenix rolled to her feet with a chuff and
started exploring under the table. Tony straightened up, resting his elbows on the table.
“Baltimore. I had a position at Johns Hopkins, and I was doing work I loved, but things
were just too crazy up there. I definitely prefer the slower pace of a county hospital.”
“Well,” Sky said with a wry grin. “I don’t know how much longer it’s going to stay
slower, with all the urban spread. We’re mostly horse countryout here, but DC is close
enough for the yuppies to commute. Not that I can complain, since that’s most of my
profits right there…”
Tony laughed with him.
“That explains the housing market. My apartment here costs almost as much as my last
one in the city.”
“That’s because we’re ‘Historical Virginia.’I was lucky enough to get a house out in
farm country dirt cheap before the housing boom. Not more than an acre, but enough for
a Border Collie and a Great Dane mix.”
“Great Dane mix?” Tony tossed a puzzledglance under the table at Phoenix.
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“Oh, not her.” Sky waved a hand. “Anubis, my great big beast. Eats me out of hearth
and home.”
“Ah,” Tony nodded with a smile, then frowned when he caught sight of his watch. With
a sigh he stood up.
“I have to get back in…”
Sky cocked his head, standing reluctantly. “That wasn’t a very long break.”
Abashed, Tony looked away while his cheeks heated under his olive complexion.
“I was technically on my way to fill out some paperwork, but I decided to seize the
moment.”
Oh, Lord, that expression was likely to kill Sky dead.
“Well,” Sky said in a flirtatious tone. “Consider it seized. Now what are you going to do
with it?”
Tony’s cheeks darkened further, but he grinned and pulled out a notepad from his jacket.
He scribbled something on it and held it out to Sky.
“Here’s my number. I would really like to meet Anubis some time... I have a soft spot
for Great Danes.”
Sky carefully folded the paper, tucking it in his back pocket.
“That can be arranged.When are you free?”
“Friday, say around eight?”
“Sounds good. I’ll provide the food, you bring the wine.”
“Great. I’ll call you for directions when I get off work.”
“In that case, I’ll talk to you then.”
Sky watched Tony walk back into the hospital with a grin. Phoenix nudged his leg and
he ruffled her fur.
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“I have a date, kiddo!”
Butterflies burst out in his stomach. He hadn’t had a real date in—
Well, far too long if he couldn’t actually remember. He’d been so focused on getting the
daycare up and running after he broke up with his last boyfriend, he hadn’t really done
much beyond going to the Bourbon Room in townoccasionally. The bar wasn’t exactly a
major hook-up spot for him, either.
A date. Wow.
“Time for that haircut, yeah?”
***
Friday at eight turned into Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays at eight for three weeks
straight. Granted, all he and Tony had done during those dates was talk and neck on the
couch like teenagers while ‘watching movies,’ but Sky was enjoying himself.
It had been far too long since he’d just let himself relax and have fun, and Tony made it
easy. They were taking things slow, seeing where it led them, even though they’d spoken
on the phone almost every day despite their busy schedules and spent pretty much all of
their free time together. He had the feeling they were setting foundations for something
much stronger than casual dating,and he didn’t mind it one bit.
Sky hummed to himself as he side-stepped a puppy tail with practicedease. Two hopeful
pairs of eyes followed his every movement, especially when he came close to the oven
and the roast beef hidden inside.
At the sound of Anubis licking his chops loudly and wetly again, Sky snorted and pulled
two bones from the top of the fridge. He opened the back sliding doors, bracing himself
against the frame for the stampede.
“Ya’ll are pathetic,” he said with a laugh as they barked excitedly around him. He waited
until they were sitting, whining through their noses, before giving them the bones at the
same time. As they took off to their respective corners of the porch, he slid the door shut.
Mutts out from underfoot, Sky washed his hands again with satisfaction. He didn’t have
long to wait before the oven timer went off, and he hurriedto get the roast out. Sky
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glanced at the stove clock and realized thathe’d actually be done on time. That was a
first. Of course, he always started things early when he was nervous, and thinking about
the purchase he’d made at the store earlier just made him fuss with his serving dishes
some more. They’d talked about going further last week, and the mere thought of Tony
naked made Sky’s guts clench and his cock fill.
Sky took a calming breath and artfully arranged the roast on a serving platter. The side
dishes were already prepared, and all he had to do was set the table. His house wasn’t as
fancy as some in the area, but he kept it clean and neat, so the candles didn’t look utterly
ridiculous with his nicest plates.
Tires crunching gravel set the dogs off, and Sky quickly covered the roast, taking it out to
the table.
“Don’t even think about it, furball.”
He pointed a commanding finger at Sith, who was on one of the dining room chairs, little
dragon eyes peering over the edge at the covered dishes.
“Down. Now.”
The calico yawned at him and stretched, hopping down to the floor with a thud. He
ignored the dirty looks as long as she complied, and hoped he wouldn’t find a hairball in
his shoes come morning.
A car door slammed and the dogs kept going nuts, barks changing to ones of ecstatic
recognition when Tony came to the back door. Sky could hear the doctor greeting them
lovingly, and checked his reflection in the hall mirror before heading back into the
kitchen.
“Something smells great,” Tony said with a grin as Anubis and Phee trailed in excitedly
behind him.
“Roast beef and potatoes.”
Sky leaned in for a quick kiss, but Tony had other ideas, pulling him in closer and licking
his way into Sky’s mouth. Sky groaned, opening readily for him. Oh, it had only been
three days but he’d missed this something bad.Phone calls just didn’t make up for kisses
every day.
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Tony’s hands settled on his hips, wrapping around him until their bodies were flush. Sky
stroked up to his shoulders, pushing Tony’s leather jacket off and sliding his fingers
along the nape of Tony’s neck, pressing against his silky hot skin.
Anubis chose that moment to wedge his headbetween them, the Great Dane level with
their stomachs. They broke apart ruefully, but Anubis didn’t stop until he’d barreled his
way in front of Sky.
“Noob!” Sky growled in exasperation, shovingthe wet nose away from his crotch. “Go
lie down!”
The dog blinked woefully up at him. Phoenix yipped from her corner of the kitchen.
“Now, Anubis.”
With a heart-broken look in his big brown eyes, Anubis lowered his head and trudged
into the living room. He flopped onto the floor behind the couch with a heavy sigh,
staring at them like Sky was the meanest daddy ever.
“Drama queen.”
Tony broke out in a deep belly laugh, shaking his head.
“I don’t think he likes that his person has someone to distract him now.”
Sky wiped his lips absently with a sigh. “Either that, or he wants your attention all for
himself, the way he carries on when you come over.”
“Too bad it’s all yours,” Tony murmured, catching his hand and squeezing it
affectionately. Sky held on.
“Good.”
He stole another kiss before releasing Tony’s hand, heartened that the other man didn’t
seem to mind his occasional displays of possessiveness.
Sky pulled away and herded his two troublemakers out the back door again. They went
easily, used to being exiled during formal meals; the disadvantages of having a dog tall
enough and sneaky enough to pull food straight off the table.
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“I hope you’re hungry,” Sky said as Tony retrieved his jacket from the floor.
“You have no idea,” Tony groaned. “Today was a nightmare and I missed lunch.”
As they settled down to eat, they traded their war stories of the day,Tony describing his
patients from hell and Sky recounting the fight between siblings he’d had to break up.
Sky took a good look at Tony and realized with a pang that he really did seem beat.
Maybe his plans for after dinner should wait…
They had to clear the table, otherwise the dogs would make a mess if given the chance,
but when they had everything piled in the sink, Sky caught Tony’s wrist, pulling him
close.
“I’ll do them later, babe,” Sky promised as he braced his back against the counter. Tony
melted into the vee of his legs, covering Sky with his solid mass. “Are you sure you’re
up for a movie, though? You look exhausted.”
Tony chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest.With deliberate care, he removed his
glasses and set them on the counter behind Sky, taking the opportunity to embrace Sky
and lower his head.
“I’m not that tired,” he said against Sky’s lips. “But I can think of something else to do
besides watch movies.”
“Oh, really?” Sky grinned, fingers working the other man’s button-up shirt out of his
slacks, then his t-shirt. Firmmuscle met his exploring handsand Sky deepened their kiss,
tongue sweeping along Tony’s pliant lips, tasting the wine they’d had with dinner.
“As long as you’re not too tired,” he said slyly when they came up for air, grin evil.
Tony’s response was to grind his hips forward,cock already hard, and Sky moaned as the
most delicious pressure was put on his own erection.
“Do you think I’m too tired?” Tony murmured against his neck, breath teasing the
sensitive skin. His hips pumping just enough to get Sky worked up.
“I think we have too many clothes on,” Sky panted back.
“I brought an overnight bag,” Tony said softly in his ear, tongue tracing the rim. “If you
don’t mind…”
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Sky groaned and caught those wonderful lips again. He figured his enthusiasm at the
idea was as good an answer as any. Now if only his fingers would cooperate—
He got most of Tony’s buttons undone, distracted by the corded tendons of the doctor’s
neck. Tony’s skin was salty, his cologne making Sky light-headed, filling his nostrils.
Tony’s hands were under his shirt, long fingers splayed across his back, wandering lower
until Sky clutched at the other man’s shirt convulsively as his ass was massaged by those
broad hands.
Tony took over his buttons, yanking the shirt off roughly when he forgot to undo his
cuffs. The counter was starting to dig into Sky’s tailbone, so he pressed forward until
Tony stepped back, then steered them towards the living room. The bedroom was too far
away, but the couch was in easy reach—
“I really want you naked right now,” Tony moaned.
Sky’s hands stuttered, a full body shudder, then he was scrabbling to get his t-shirt off.
Tony let him lift the shirt up, mouth latching onto Sky’s collar bone, bending down to his
nipples, teeth teasing them until they were hard nubs. Sky gasped and let the sensations
roll through him, unresisting when Tony lowered him onto the cushions of the couch,
grasping at the man braced above him. Their erections brushed again, Tony teasing him
with a wicked grin.
“Unn—” Sky’s mouth tried to form coherent words, but he couldn’t manage more than a
few syllables, ripped from his throat by Tony’s fingers pressing on his stomach, so close
to the button of his jeans.
Tony’s lips were scorching, kissing a trail from his mouth to his ear, nipping his lobe
until Sky groaned, shuddering again as goosebumps raised on his skin. Sky’s cock was
straining in his jeans to the point of painful,skin sensitive to the smallest touch. When
Tony’s lips moved to his collarbone, biting lightly, Sky couldn’t help it as his hips started
rubbing frantically against Tony’s muscled thigh.
“You’re so hot,” Tony grunted, finally poppingthe jeans button. Those talented fingers
had just slipped under the elastic of Sky’s briefs when—
Anubis started howling outside the back door fit to raise the dead. Phoenix’s yips
provided a counterpoint in the fugue. The baying echoed throughout the house, and
somewhere in the dining room Sith was spooked into tearing down the hall.
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The groping hands disappeared, and Sky wantedto sob with frustration. Bracing his
arms on the back of the couch and the arm, Tony pushed himself up.
“They’re not going to stop that, are they?” The doctor panted. His clear blue eyes were
bright and his cheeks were flushed,and he looked utterly fuckable.
“Probably not,” Sky groaned and maybe regretted having pets for the first time in his life.
“We should let them in.”
“We should.”
Neither of them moved. Then Phoenix reached a pitch only other dogs could hear, and
Sky sat up, Tony disentangling their limbs.
“I’ll let them in,” he sighed and stood, adjusting himself. Tony trailed behind him as he
went to the back door. Sky gave him a sultry look over his shoulder. “We could move
this to the bed, anyway. I have supplies there…”
“Sounds like a plan,” Tony grinned, reaching for the hem of his undershirt.
Sky opened the door so the dogs could thunder in, but his eyes never left Tony’s
washboard abs and dusky nipples. He didn’t even protest when Phoenix head-butted his
leg.
Tony stalked forward, capturing his mouth ina kiss. Sky swallowed a moan when the
other man pulled away.
“Why don’t you lock things up, and I’ll meet you in the bedroom?”
Sky had never gone through his nightly routine faster, checking that the doors were
locked and windows closed, turning off lights as he went. He made sure the dogs had
food and Sith’s dish was safe on her shelf in the laundry room. Two minutes later, he
was standing in his bedroom doorway, admiring the naked man sprawled across his
comforter and shutting the door on two nosy pups.
“God, you’re so hot,” he said, shucking his jeans as he approached the bed.
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
17
Tony smirked and ran a hand along his own stomach, briefly tugging on his engorged
cock.
“The view from here’s not so bad, either,”he said, voice husky. “Be better up close,
though…”
And after that, Sky couldn’t really resisttouching all that offered skin, could he?
Sky ran his hands along the hard body underneath him, settling his knees on either side of
Tony’s legs. Tony hissed at the contact, cockstraining as Sky proceeded to explore
everywhere except where Tony wanted it most.
Sky took his time, tracing a finger across a thin white scar down Tony’s ribs. He
followed the path with his mouth, smiling when Tony shivered as Sky’s lips heated his
chilled skin. When Tony reached for him, Sky caught the other man’s hand, turning it
over to stroke along his arm.
Tony relaxed back on the bed and let Sky have control. Good. Sky wanted to take his
time, the earlier need banked to a slowburn, something for them to savor.
“For a doctor, you sure have a lot of scars,” he said against a line of raised flesh on
Tony’s forearm.
“I, ah,” Tony swallowed as Sky moved on to his hands, running his lips across Tony’s
fingers and sucking a tip in. “I went through an extreme sports phase in college. Plus,
my brothers loved to see how many stupid things they could get me to do when we were
kids.”
“Really?” Sky swirled his tongue around a knuckle, pleased at the hiss that drew. “I
suppose that explains your choice of profession. Do I need to bemean when I meet
them?”
Tony chuckled. “Nah. We get along much better now that I have over twenty pounds on
both of them.”
“Hm.” Sky pressed a kiss to his palm. “Then their car tires are safe.”
Laughter rumbled in Tony’s chest and Sky shifted his attention to the smooth skin across
Tony’s abdomen.
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
18
“I love your skin,” he whispered, rubbing his cheek Tony’s belly, pleased when his light
stubble left the skin red. Tony moaned, and Sky quirked an eyebrow, smirking. Maybe
he wouldn’t have to keep shaving three times a day for Tony’s sake after all.
He kissed his way lower, letting his cheek graze Tony’s cock, grinning when it bobbed
reflexively and Tony twitched.
“You’re gonna kill me,” Tony moaned hoarsely.
“Not till I’m done with you,” Sky sing-songed, tracing a ropey scar through the light
hairs of Tony’s thigh.
“What’s this one from?” He murmured with a frown.
“Mountain biking,” Tony gasped.
“Mmm,” he growled into Tony’s hip.“Accident prone, much?”
Sky dragged his blunt nails down Tony’s side, reveling in the goosebumps raised amidst
Tony’s shivers. “I’m thinking I may just never let you out of this house again. For your
own protection, of course…”
“O-Of course,” Tony stuttered, hands clenching the comforter. “I wouldn’t mind—”
His words cut off in a gasp as Sky licked the crease of his hip. Hm. Someone liked
that…
Sky dragged his tongue along the skin another time, and chuckled atthe way Tony’s hips
rose from the bed. He waiteduntil Tony opened his eyes again, made sure he was being
watched as he switched to the other side, breath ghosting across where Tony was
desperate for him to touch.
“Yeah,” Sky breathed on Tony’s cock before wetly latching on to his other hip. “I think
I’ll keep you.”
An incoherent moan was his only response, but from the way Tony was writhing
underneath him, he was doing something right. His own cock was heavy between his
legs, occasionally rubbing against the comforter as he teased himself.And the more his
own desire spiked, the more he wanted to draw it out for Tony, make him feel as good as
he made Sky feel just by being there.
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
19
He glanced up at Tony’s flushed cheeks, the way his hair clung to his forehead, his fists
clenched in the sheets. Beautiful.
Finally, Sky took mercy on him and burrowed his face in the soft skin of Tony’s balls,
inhaling the musky scent. Before Tony could recover his breath, Sky licked his way up,
tongue pressing hard as he wet Tony’s shaft with his lips.He propped himself on an
elbow for a better view, and rolled Tony’s balls in his free hand as his lips finally closed
over the tip of Tony’s cock. He sucked him in deep enough to taste the bitter drops,
swirling his tongue.
“Oh God,” Tony groaned, back arching. His hands left the bed, reaching for Sky and
tugging at his shoulder. “Wait— I’m gonna—”
Sky let himself be dragged up, Tony crushing his mouth as soon as he could reach Sky’s
lips. Tony tore himself away and gulped in air, gripping his cock until he calmed down.
“Too much teasing?” Sky asked sympathetically.
“Mmm.” Tony grinned at him,rolling Sky over to pin him tothe bed. “Too much you,
maybe?”
“Heh.” Sky looked over at the nightstand. “Why don’t you grab that bag there, and we’ll
take the edge off?”
Tony arched a finely-sculpted eyebrow and reached for the plastic bag. Shaking the
contents out on the bed spread, he grinned and held up the lube. He popped the cap and
drizzled a copious amount into Sky’s outstretched palm until some ran over onto the
bedspread.
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly.
Sky shrugged. “It’ll wash. Just so long as we don’t run out—”
“I have more in my bag,” Tony chuckled against Sky’s throat, sliding between his legs.
“Oh good,” Sky said, ending on a moan as hereached down to coat them both.
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
20
The lube was cool, but warmed quickly as his fingers closed around Tony’s cock. Tony
pressed down, trapping Sky’s hand there, lips blindly seeking his as the other man panted
harshly.
“Nnn,” Sky moaned, wrenching his hand out from between them and grabbing at Tony’s
ass. He dug his fingers into the smooth skin, sweat breaking out on his chest as Tony
grunted and bore down again.
“Harder,” he demanded, arching up to meet the next thrust. Their cocks slid together,
blistering heat between them.
Tony complied, grip on Sky’s hip hard enough to bruise, stoking a growing inferno in
Sky’s guts that spread out to his limbs, tingling and throbbing and leaving him breathless.
When Tony bit down on his neck, muffling his groans, Sky shouted and came, letting
himself drown in the sensations.
Before Sky’s cock had finished spurting, Tony grunted and added to the flood of heat
between them.
They lay there panting, sticky with come and sweat, hearts racing, and Sky didn’t mind
one bit. He felt…
Like he’d been broken down into his component parts and put back together, only things
were just a little bit different now. More complete. Whole.
“Oh, wow.” Tony gasped into his ear, heartbeat thudding against his chest. “That
was…”
When Tony trailed off, pulling back to gaze happily down at him, Sky smirked.
“That was round one,” he said. “And since tomorrow’s Saturday, that means I can keep
you up all night. After a nap.”
With that, he turned his head and yawned, stretching a little so he could loosely embrace
Tony.
Eyes soft, Tony ran his fingers through Sky’s hair.
“Yeah. A nap sounds good.”
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
21
“Mmm.”
After a moment of rearranging, Tony curled up against his back, pulling Sky close. Sky
sighed, limbs pleasantly heavy and sated.
A whine came from the other side ofthe door, followed by a scratch.
“The furry children want in,” Tony murmured into his shoulder.
“They usually sleep on the bed.”
“Will there be enough room?”
“Doubt it.” Sky yawned again and burrowed into the pillow, gripping the arm Tony had
around his middle. “We’ll open the door in a minute. They need toget used to you
sleeping here anyway…”
He could feel Tony’s smile against the back of his neck.
“Yeah. They do.”
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
22
You can find J.Rocci on the web at:
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=33
http://j-rocci.dreamwidth.org
http://jrocci.blogspot.com
http://j-rocci.livejournal.com
AVAILABLE NOW FROM TORQUERE BOOKS:
TACTION
After Evan Miller is severely wounded in combat he finds himself with a medical retirement from the
Army and no idea as to what he’s going to do with his life. Fortunately, Evan’s grandparents offer him a
temporary job at their horse farm and the chance torehabilitate a rescued Thoroughbred seems like just
what he needs. Cam Jackson, their stable manager, takes exception to the grandson who hasn’t visited
his folks in over eight years. Only once Evan arrives and Cam gets to know him better, the two find they
have more in common than they thought and their friendship morphs into something deeper. Evan just
needs to decide if the new direction his life is taking is whathe really wants.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2507
ARMY GREEN
Evan Miller and Cam Jackson have run Glenhaven Farm together on behalf of Evan's grandparents for
the past couple years, giving the farm everything they have to make it a success. But when Evan’s old
commanding officer asks for Evan’s help with the wild child of their squad, Evan and Cam don’t
hesitate to find a place for Reo at Glenhaven, hoping he'll settle in. Reo is a cityboy with a penchant for
trouble, and he stirs up more dust than expected. Reo’s behavior — and Evan ignoring it — causes Cam
to confront issues he hasn't been able to verbalize until now. Evan has beenjuggling a whole set of
worries, though, and they takes their toll on his health. When he ends up in the hospital, it's up to Cam
and the rest of Glenhaven to make sure he followshis doctor's orders. Featuring the boys from the
Torquere Press Single Shot “Taction.”
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=33&products_i
d=2777
Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
23
SAGE
Yu Maguire has just been releasedfrom prison after bearing witness against the gang that runs Little
Earde, a "human"-only barrio in the planet's capital city. In prison, Yu had to face a lot of hard facts
about his previous life and, after being sheltered by the Earde his entirelife, he has no friends left. No
friends except Amergin, the police officer who opens his home to Yu. Amergin, who happens to be
Marazny, a race renowned for their icy exterior. Amergin may be reserved, but Yu finds peace and
acceptance in Amergin's ordered little corner of the word. Trying to make his way in a new city shows
Yu that he has so much more left to learn, but Amergin offers Yu a second chance at creating a home for
himself and a companion to share it with, if he's brave enough.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2644
COMMITMENT
It’s Valentine’s Day and OfficerJoshua Dabbs has big plans involving his boyfriend Garrison and a
certain set of rings. Unfortunately, between Muttlee the Destructo-Dog, a burned dinner, and missed
reservations, nothing is going the way Josh planned. Garrison doesn’t think the holiday’s ruined, though,
so Josh makes his own moment and pops the question he’s tied himself up in knots waiting to ask.
Featuring the boys from the Torquere Press Holiday Sip Cornerstone.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2506
NICE: CORNERSTONE
Josh is happy being a beat cop in a small Vermont town. He has his life partner, Garrison, their dog, and
a wide group of friends and family, even though he hasn't spoken to his blood relatives in years. Then
Josh gets called back home to Ohio right before Christmas, when his sister tracks him down to inform
him that his father passed away weeks ago. He arrives in Ohio to find that the requirements of his
father’s will regarding the family business have everyone in an uproar.Lucky for Josh, he has a live-in
lawyer at hand. He just has to come up with a solution that satisfies everyone, including himself.
Featuring the boys from the TorquerePress Valentine’s Sip Commitment.
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Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
24
BITE ME
edited by K.I.L. Kenny with stories by Sean Michael, Marie Carlson, Joyce Sully, Mercy Loomis,
CC Bridges, Julia Talbot, Giselle Renarde,Vic Winter, J. Rocci, and BA Tortuga
Hidden in plain view, taboo lovers bond in ways mundane eyes cannot see. When two are not enough,
"Bite Me" shows how three can seal their truest carnal connections. In This Home We Defend, by J
Rocci, Zev unwittingly brings his pack into danger when a new Alpha issues an unusual challenge.
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2142
SHIFTING THEM
edited by Vincent Diamond with stories from C.C. Bridges, Anah Crow, Dianne Fox, Kiernan Kelly,
J Rocci and BA Tortuga
When shapeshifters mix it up with threesomes, you can be sure that sparks are going to fly. That's the
idea behind Shifting Them, a collection of ménage shapeshifter stories that mix the boys with the boys
with the girls, from big cats to wolves and beyond. From the glamorous world of modern-day magicians
to a futuristic universe filled with danger, the stories in Shifting Them will sweep you away into a whole
new universe, where wolves scrabble about on city streets, where snake shifters plot from their nests,
where a seemingly innocuous dog helps to make sparksfly between humans. Whether it's fur or fangs,
these very human creatures have a wild side, one that excites and amazes.
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Puppy Tax by J. Rocci
25
COMING SOON FROM TORQUERE BOOKS:
OILSMOUTH IN “SOMEPLACE IN THIS WORLD” in September 2010
Steampunk! In the lawless town of Oilsmouth, reputation is everything and the local Dreggers don’t take
kindly to outsiders. Edge is a young mercenary with a reputation for being brutal, reliable, and fiercely
protective of Kit, a fragile-looking young tavern waiter. Then Edge’s latest client, Dax, has a new job
lined up for him that makes Edge’s blood run cold— The son of an Upper senator was supposedly
kidnapped by the centurion assigned to his protection detail and the centurions have finally tracked the
pair down into Oilsmouth, where no Upper dare tread. Dax doesn’t appreciate having the law come into
his town, but he also knows more than he says, and he knows that if Edge doesn’t want to lose Kit to the
pair’s previous lives, then Edge needs to take care of the centurions before it’s too late. Edge accepts the
job without hesitation, because it’s the only way he can protect the family — and home — he and Kit
have created for themselves.
DREGGERS DEEP CHARITY SIP in September 2010
More steampunk! Tulley is the head of security for the most influential business man in Oilsmouth. His
latest assignment from Dax is to escort the company’s new doctor down to the mines to tend to the
miners. Unfortunately, Dr. Edmund Peniwill and Tulley have a history — Edmund left Tulley behind to
attend medical school overseas, with little request for Tulley’s input on the idea. But Tulley isn’t the
type to hold a grudge, even if he’snot sure what he’s currently feeling, and he escorts Edmund to the
Dreggers Deep mines as planned. On the return tripto Oilsmouth, however, sky bandits attack the train
and as bullets fly, both men have some revelations...
YOUTHFUL GODS BOOK ONE: PRETTY PLEASURES in October 2010
Greg Barton worked at the renaissance faire for eightyears, but he hadn’t gotten up the courage to speak
to Boone, the traveling armorer, until the end of last season. Now it’s Greg’s last season with the faire
before he graduates college and he’s determined tolive it up. Boone remembers Greg, and even better,
returns his interest. The two reconnect and their attraction is smoldering. Greg finds himself tumbling
into Boone’s bed and dangerouslyclose to losing his heart.
Only, there’s something not quite right with Boone — From the way Greg couldn’t get him out of his
head for the past year to Boone’soverprotective friends who regard Greg with unwarranted suspicion,
Greg’s light-hearted romance is getting heavy and not just in the hearts-and-flowers department. When
strange things start happening, Greg has to decide if he’s willing to take the risk and stay, or if he’s
going to leave Boone to the dangers Greg’s seen in his own weird dreams.
IVORY in December 2010
Trapped by familial obligations, engaged to a fiancée he doesn’t love, and crippled by the regrets of his
past, Dr. Bradley Durrant is miserable and rapidly caring less about his own health as he works himself
to the bone at the family hospital. But then he meets Nashan Windham, the grandson of his late father’s
scandalous old friend, and Brad’s downward spiral is derailed, at least for the moment. He lets Nashan
pull him into a world where families support each other and understand that love is unconditional.
Nashan helps Brad get his life together again, now Brad just needs to convince Nashan that he wants to
stay.