Read Bonds of Denial for Free Online

treadmill controls until the belt slowed to a walk.
    There was part of him that was glad he’d never thrown off the gaydar signals. At least the majority of the hetero population had never picked up on any. There were a number of gay men who had no problem though. Such as the overmuscled dude across the room who couldn’t keep his gaze from wandering Carter’s way. It would only take one direct, long stare and they could be hooking up for a quickie if he were even slightly interested.
    He wasn’t.
    He’d had enough quickies to satisfy him for the rest of his life.
    A woman paused in front of his machine and he tried to ignore her by changing the music on his digital player. Damn it, he should’ve picked a treadmill that faced the windows instead of the weight area. Finally, he was forced to look up.
    The blonde gave a small wave, backed by a bright smile and warm green eyes. Tank dampened with sweat from her workout, the infinity link choker shone bright and out of place around her neck. “Hey, Carter.” Her greeting was muffled behind his music, but he read her lips just fine.
    He tugged his earbuds out and let his smile show. “Hi, Cali.” He stopped the machine and stepped off. It’d been awhile since he’d talked to his condo neighbor who lived a few doors down from him in the same building unit. “How’s it going?”
    “Good.” She pushed back a piece of hair that’d fallen out of the stubby ponytail at her nap. “I’m ready for summer.”
    “Aren’t we all?”
    “Yeah, probably,” she agreed with a nod. “I think I’m getting too old for all of this snow.” He never would’ve guessed she was fourteen years his senior. The effort she made to keep herself healthy and fit paid off.
    “Well, spring’s almost here.” He glanced out the big windows, displaying the bright sunlight in a promise that reflected off the snow that covered the ground and bushes. “Maybe.”
    Her laugh was light and full. “Right. After last year’s late storm, I’m not holding my breath.”
    “Good point.” He wiped his towel over his face and across the back of his neck. “How are things with Jake?” Her boyfriend had moved in late last fall and with the onset of winter, the condo gossip line slowed until summer rolled around and everyone caught back up at the pool or in the enclosed courtyard at the center of their building.
    “Good.” Her green eyes flashed with happiness. “It took some adjusting, but it’s good.”
    “And your kids?” Both of her children were in college. Or maybe one was done now. He couldn’t remember.
    “I think Steph’s goal in life is to turn my hair gray.” She chuckled and rolled her eyes. “And Logan’s settling into his job. He doesn’t enjoy being at the bottom of the food chain though.”
    Carter laughed. “No doubt. We’ve all been there.”
    “Right?” She took a drink from her water bottle. “So how’s your business going?”
    “Good. I might make a change though.” Which was true. The fact that everyone thoughthe was a self-employed software consultant didn’t even nick his conscience.
    “Really?” Her brows shot up. “To what?”
    He stared at the floor, kicking himself for saying anything. He cleared his throat and plowed on. Maybe saying it to someone would make it more viable in his own mind. “I was thinking of seeing if I could make a go of it with my photography.”
    Cali’s smile grew wide. “That’s a great idea. Your photos are beautiful.”
    He shifted his weight and ducked his head. He was used to people calling his body beautiful, but it tripped all of his insecurities when someone said that about his art. “Thanks.”
    “Let me know if I can do anything to help. Oh.” She snapped her fingers and pointed at him. “Are you looking for jobs, like parties and stuff, or are you going to focus on the artsy stuff?”
    “Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead.” It was a pipe dream really.
    “Well, I might have a job for you this