A Lover of Men Read Online Free

small but serviceable. The bedding was clean enough, and there were no bugs. That was more than most fine inns could boast.
    Gaudi slipped into the room behind him, then closed the door. “So. Sir Phineas Moore. War hero. Recently engaged to Lelia August, an unknown until her titled cousin gave her a fortune. What may I do for you?”
    “Someone is trying to harm my fiancée.” Gaudi had come prepared. Why waste time on pleasantries. “I need someone to discover who and why.”
    “I see.” Gaudi walked over to the bed and sprawled on it, looking like nothing so much as a large cat. “You are not without experience in these things.”
    “Mmm. My reason for wishing to employ you is twofold. You move easily in the shadows, which I do not. However, I also wish to protect my bride. I have a reputation, which she intends to use to her advantage, but I have not reinforced it of late.”
    Now Gaudi raised one dark brow. “A reputation. As a lover of men, you mean.”
    “What a lovely euphemism for sodomite.”
    Gaudi laughed out loud, the sound joyful, sliding like velvet over his senses.
    Where his fiancée was all restrained, sensible beauty, this man was exuberantly sexual.
    “Indeed. Well, then, I am to be your spy and pose as your male lover?” Gaudi sat up, arms on his knees. “I suppose you must call me Rafe, then. I think I shall refer to you as Phin. Appropriately familiar, no?”
    “Very.” His cock pressed against the tight breeches fashionable society required, and Phineas cursed them in his head. They left nothing to the imagination.
    “Tell me why you believe someone is trying to harm your affianced,” Rafe demanded, his smile widening. What a lovely man; so evil.
    “Well, we were out in the park for a ride today and a brigand shot at us. He had two fully loaded and cocked pistols and he was no coward footpad.”
    “Really. Has anyone made an attempt on her life before now?”
    “No.” Phineas blew out a breath. “No, just now. So it was not her inheritance that caused it. It must be her engagement to me.”
    “Well, then. This has to do with the idea of losing your lady’s fortune to someone else. That narrows the field.” Rafe chuckled. “You hope that by taking an alleged lover you will shift the target to your back.”
    “I do.” Phineas nodded easily. “If the assailants feel this is not a love match, they might decide that by getting me out of the way they still have a chance at Lelia’s hand.”
    “When do you and I make our first appearance as a pair, then?”
    “Tomorrow night?” Phineas tugged at his too tight collar, the heat in the room almost unbearable thanks to Rafe’s dark eyes taking in every detail of Phineas’ form.
    “Very well. That will give me time to begin my inquiries.” Rafe chewed his lower lip. “I might need to meet the lady in question.”
    Phineas crossed his arms over his chest. “Why?”
    “How else can I attain all of the information I require?”
    “You may ask me and I will relay the questions.”
    “Now, how am I to amuse myself that way?”
    “You are bold, sir,” Phineas said, deciding not to take offense. Instead, he chose to amuse himself a moment, striding across the room to rest one hand on the mattress next to Rafe’s hip and lean down so their faces were only inches apart. “You will have to content yourself with my company.”
    Rafe’s dark eyes widened, the color almost black now. “And are you a lover of men, Phineas Moore?”
    Phineas chuckled, his lips only a breath away from Rafe’s. “You’ll have to add that to your investigation, my friend. I expect you’ll find out soon enough.”
    Rafe nodded slowly, which rubbed their noses together. “Yes. I expect I will.”

Chapter Three
    Rafael Gaudi rarely took on jobs recommended to him by old acquaintances. They were generally messy, disorganized family affairs, just like the matter between Phineas Moore and his new fiancée, Lelia August.
    Those types of inquiries