The Vampire and the Man-Eater (24 page)

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236

The Vampire and the Man-eater

by G.A. Hauser

"Adam, Keith O'Leary is on line one."

"Thanks, Natalie." Adam sat down at his desk and picked up the phone. "Keith?"

"Hey, Adam."

"Have you read the script?"

"I have."

Adam detected some hesitation in his voice. "Look, Keith, I know it's not what you were initially after. But before you turn it down, let me tell you how many other roles I've tried to hook you up with without success. Don't reject it outright until you've thought long and hard about it."

"Adam ... I understand that and I do appreciate it."

"But?" Adam tried not to grow angry.

"I have to touch another guy."

"I know. Forget it, all right?" Adam rubbed his forehead hating the fact that he had been sending out Keith's headshots and credentials for three months and no one was offering him a thing.

"Don't get angry with me, Adam."

"I am. Let me tell you why, Keith." Adam sat up in his chair and forced himself to speak calmly. "
Forever Young
is the hottest new drama on cable television at the moment.

Okay? People would kill to get an audition, let alone an offer for a steady paycheck. Once you are in as a main character, you're set for years. Are you listening to me?"

"Yes."

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"I haven't been totally honest with you because before this offer I didn't want to crush you, but I have to tell you, Keith, because of your..." Adam wanted to say it gently, but decided to just be blunt, "...your pretty looks," Adam heard his groan.

"No one wants you. Okay?"

"Pretty?"

"Yes. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Keith." Adam laughed at the irony of the conversation. "But, you're fucking pretty. Okay?"

"What should I do? Shave my head and grow a beard?"

"Oh, hell no. You'd never get work at all." Adam straightened his back and stared down at the paperwork on his desk. "Please, don't reject it based solely because you have to have contact with another male actor. And that's why they call it acting, Keith. Remember?"

"I just don't know if I can do it."

"Fine. I'll tell them you've declined the offer. Just don't whine when nothing comes in for you for another six months.

It's not because I'm not trying."

"Hang on. Don't call them just yet."

Exhaling in annoyance, Adam had too many other phone calls to make to get bogged down with this kind of indecision.

"I have to call them, Keith. If I don't, they'll offer it to someone else."

"Go over the figures again. How much?"

Wishing he had sent a gay man to do the job, Adam cupped the phone to shout, "Natalie!"

"Yes, boss?"

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"Can you find the offer for Keith O'Leary for the role of Dennis Jason in
Forever Young
?"

"Yes. One sec."

Adam listened to the other end of the phone line. "You still there?"

"I am. I want to discuss it with my girlfriend a little. I mean, this may weird her out as well."

"Why? Jesus, Keith, you're not expected to screw the guy.

You know these dramas, if two men kiss it's monumental late night news."

Natalie rushed in with a folder.

"Thanks, Nat." Adam took it and pulled the paperwork out of the envelope. "Right. Ready?"

"Shoot."

Adam read the terms of the contract including the salary.

Once he had he pushed the papers aside, he reclined in his leather chair. "I need to call them sometime today."

"I'll get back to you in an hour."

"Thank you, Keith."

"No, thank you, Adam."

Adam hung up and grumbled, "You better take it, baby, there ain't much out there for you."

Natalie stood at his office door. "Is he passing it up?"

Slipping the paperwork into its folder, Adam replied, "He's afraid to kiss a man. Believe it?"

Smiling wryly, Natalie approached him to retrieve the folder. "You should invite him over for dinner with you and Jack. Oh, and Steve and Mark."

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Adam gave her an impish grin. "That would either convert him or scare the nuts off him."

Natalie left his office, giggling as she went, to sit back at her desk.

Adam kept his smile as he looked at a photo of he and Jack he had propped up on his desk.

* * * *

Dropping down on the sofa beside her with the pad he had scribbled figures on, Keith showed her the numbers.

"That much?"

"Yes."

"Do it!"

Keith rubbed his face with both hands, leaning over his lap as he considered his options.

Patty curled around him to support him. "Keith, I'm struggling to pay my half of the rent waitressing and you're living off your savings. It's not good."

"I know."

"We both have been dying to get into acting. That soap is awesome. It's the hottest show on cable at the moment."

"I know," he echoed, moaning.

"You'd be insane not to take it! Look!" She held the pad with the amount of his salary on it as if he hadn't been the one to write it.

Flopping back to slouch on the couch, Keith connected Patty's worried eyes.

"Fine. I'll take it."

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She wrapped around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"Hollywood here you come!"

* * * *

Taking off his tie as he entered the house, hearing loud rock music, he peered into their home gym to find his blond hunk pumping iron. "Hello, handsome!"

"Hey, cutie."

"I'll be there as soon as I change."

"Can't wait," Jack replied, pressing an enormous amount of weight over his head while he lay back on a bench.

Ascending the stairs to their bedroom, Adam quickly shed his suit and dressed in a pair of gym shorts and a running top. Carrying his sneakers, he jogged back to the gym and sat down on a bench to tie his laces.

"How was work?" Jack shouted over the loud music.

"Good. Remind me to tell you something."

"Oh?"

"Yes." Adam gave Jack a smile.

After Jack set the weights down on their mounts, he sat up, crossed the room to lower the music. "Now what?"

"No. Nothing like what you're thinking. I know how your mind works, Larsen. I'm not in trouble."

"Good." Jack approached. "Don't I get a kiss hello?"

"Oh. I've been remiss! Get over here, stud." Adam jumped off the bench and onto Jack, wrapping his legs around his hips. Moaning softly at the taste of Jack's mouth, Adam enjoyed a good wet tongue kiss before he paused to stare 241

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into Jack's aquamarine eyes. "If we keep this up, we'll screw instead of working out."

Jack set him back on his feet gently. "What happened at work?"

As Adam stood on the treadmill, feeding it his info, he replied, "You know that incredible new cable television series,
Forever Young
?"

"I do." Jack began adding more weights to his already loaded bar.

"I sent a young pretty blue-eyed blond there for an audition for a new character. They loved him. Instantly made an offer."

"And?" Jack lay back down on the bench, adjusting his leather fingerless gloves.

"The guy is twenty-six and hasn't done anything but a few crappy commercials. But ... he's damn gorgeous."

"
And
?" Jack asked with more emphasis.

"He's straight and the roll is for him to play a gay partner to one of the regulars."

"Which regular?"

"If I tell you, it'll be a spoiler."

"Adam..." Jack chided.

"For Troy Wright. The character that plays the son of Sylvia and Marty. The actor's name is Carl Bronson."

"He's going to be gay?" Jack laughed. "I love that show."

"I know. He's fricken hot. Do you believe this client, Keith, almost turned it down because he has to touch the guy?"

"I'd touch him."

"Oi! You will not."

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"I'm teasing. So? Is he taking the part?"

"He is. He called me right before I left the office." Adam began a slow jog to warm up. "Jack, he'd be nuts not to. The money is phenomenal, and if his character melds well with the existing cast, he could have a job for years."

"He wouldn't be the first straight man to play a gay role.

What's the big deal? Gay guys play straight roles all the time."

"Shh, that's a secret." Adam winked.

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About the Author

Award-winning author G. A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA, and attended university in New York City.

She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England, where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer in Ohio, G.A. has written dozens of novels, including several bestsellers of gay fiction. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website at:

www.authorga.com.

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Other works by G.A. Hauser:

Murphy's Hero

Sometimes ... being a hero isn't about putting on a cape.

Alexander Parker has always been painfully shy and his job at the British Museum keeps him busy. Dedicated and serious, no one is more surprised than Alexander when the replica of a Greek warrior's helmet he impulsively places on his head suddenly transforms him from mild-mannered clerk into something else entirely.

Adrian Mackenzie, the editor of a famous erotic gay magazine, is about to get the scoop of the decade. The crime-ridden city seems to have a savior, a mysterious man who is righting wrongs, protecting innocents, and as luck would have it ... is extremely hot.

When Adrian happens to stumble upon the Good Samaritan in action he falls hard and fast discovering love
and
Alexander's true identity. Now, if he can only get Alexander to come out of the closet. But is the world ready for a gay superhero?

Let bestselling author G.A. Hauser take you on an unforgettable fun-filled adventure and discover the story that inspired Ewan Gallagher's famous movie roll in G.A.'s
For
Love and Money
.

Exposure

Exposure ... the truth will set you free
In politics for twenty years, Senator Kipp Kensington knows that even a whisper of suspicion about his sexuality 245

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by G.A. Hauser

could jeopardize his aspirations for the Presidency. Kipp thought he could be content living a lie in a marriage of convenience. Then he met Robin Grant.

Leather-clad, motorcycle riding Robin isn't accustomed to hiding what he is or denying himself who he wants. The instant he meets Kipp, the sparks begin to fly and what started as a chance encounter soon turns into a full-blown affair of sizzling proportions.

When the contract Kipp has had for nine years with his now alcoholic, bitter wife begins to crumble and he's threatened with blackmail, the senator needs to make a decision. Should he hide who he really is in order to avoid losing his career, or reveal the truth and set himself free?

Leather Boys

Book Four in the Men in Motion Series
Start your engines, mount up, and get ready for the ride of
a life-time...

Sexy gay fiction author Devlin Young donned his helmet, black leather jacket, and jeans. Then he mounted his Kawasaki and set off for what he anticipated would be a wild ride to Sturgis. There were thousands of motorcycles, thousands of men, but only one Sam Rhodes.

When web-designer Sam Rhodes joined a local group called The Leather Boys, he wasn't quite sure what to expect, but he knew what it was he wanted. Amidst the decadence and insanity of the monster event, all Sam could think about was what it would be like to share an erotic experience with the deliciously naughty Dev Young.

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Never one to apologize for who he is, or who he desires, Devlin doesn't understand Sam's reluctance to openly explore their relationship or his wish to keep their liaisons confined to the darkness of their tents while at the rally. Then he crosses swords with a tough-as-nails biker who both taunts and tempts him, unleashing a potentially dangerous craving and pushing Dev to make a choice.

Cruising

Book Two in the Men in Motion Series
Brodie Duncan expected to be taking a week-long Alaskan cruise with his girlfriend. But when she ended their relationship just moments before boarding, he ended up on the ship alone. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, Brodie considers a no-strings-attached fling. What he didn't bargain for was a man as appealing as Julian Richards.

Trapped in his own bad relationship with a selfish woman he was starting to resent, the charismatic Julian is shocked by his reaction to tall, dark, and handsome Brodie. Instantly attracted to each other, the men create enough heat on their trip to the Inside Passage to melt the Glaciers in the bay.

In the end, on a vacation full of surprises, Julian and Brodie discover that not only do they have strong feelings for one another, by
Cruising
they just might have found their soul mates.

Driving Hard

Book Two in the Men in Motion Series
They met on the highway. It was the beginning of ride
they'd never forget...