His Fragile Heart

SUMMARY

After losing his lover in a car accident two years ago, actor Nathan Marshall wasn't interested in another relationship. Until he meets waiter Justin Kowalski. Something about him seems so familiar that Nathan is instantly drawn to the younger man.

Surprised at his capacity to love again, his relationship with Justin blossoms.

Justin Kowalski wasn’t expected to live to see his 21st birthday, but he defied the odds. Given a precious second chance at life, he’s embracing it with both hands, striving to live out his dreams. Falling in love with Nathan was more than he could’ve asked for.

Everything was perfect.

But then an unbelievable twist of fate is revealed—one that break both their hearts for good.

COPYRIGHT

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © October 2015 by Jamie Lynn Miller

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

In other words, I’d love you to post bits and quotes anywhere you like. (Just not the whole book.) For information, email me at [email protected]

His Fragile Heart—Second Edition

Previously published in the anthology Finding Love: Boxed Set of M/M Stories that Celebrate Pride

Cover Design by Jamie Lynn Miller

Photograph by Dan Skinner

HIS FRAGILE HEART

CHAPTER ONE

Nathan Marshall cursed the overcast sky as the first, fat raindrops started to fall over Los Angeles. Mark would absolutely kill him if he got his nice shoes and dress pants wet and spattered with mud.

C’mon, Tucker, Nathan encouraged his large, brown, happy-go-lucky mastiff, giving a tug on the leash.

Tucker turned his attention away from the tree he was currently sniffing, gave a bark and loped off down the sidewalk, pulling Nathan along behind him, toward the small house at the end of the block.

Nathan opened up the bright red front door, and he and Tucker tumbled inside just as the sky really opened up.

Whew, close call, buddy, Nathan said, grabbing a towel off the coat rack in the entryway, trying in vain to dry off his squirming dog. Nathan shook his head as Tucker wiggled out of his grasp, then gave up and headed for the kitchen as his pet sat down in the entryway, waiting dutifully for his other master to come home.

Tucker! Come eat! Nathan called as he set down the bowls of water and dry dog food on the kitchen floor.

Giving a long suffering sigh when Tucker failed to appear, Nathan walked out of the kitchen and past the dog, patting him on the head as he went upstairs. He’ll be home in a bit, boy.

And sure enough, just a few minutes later, as Nathan was in his closet picking out a tie, he heard the front door open and his lover’s voice call out over Tucker’s excited barking.

Nate? You home?

Up here, babe! Nathan answered, selecting a tie to match his green eyes and turning around just as a tall blond man with soft brown eyes walked in the room, Tucker behind him.

Make him go eat, Nathan said, pointing at their pet.

Tucker, go eat, boy, the man said, not taking his eyes off of Nathan as the dog obeyed immediately and left the room.

Then Nathan smiled as his lover of four years, Mark Connors, pulled him close and greeted him with a long, soft kiss.

Mmm … missed you today, Mark murmured as they slowly pulled back from the kiss, running a hand through Nathan’s short, dark spiky hair.

You, too, Nathan replied, running his hands across Mark’s back, keeping the other man close. What do you say we skip this dinner thing and just stay in instead? he suggested with a raised eyebrow, letting his hands slip down to ghost over the curve of Mark’s ass.

Oh, no. Mark chuckled. We’re celebrating tonight and I’m not missing the chance to see you in a suit and tie, he finished with a smile.

Nathan groaned playfully and thunked his head against the closet door before giving Mark a mischievous grin. Can I have dessert first, then? he asked, gripping Mark’s hips. Then in one fluid motion he spun them around and dropped to his knees.

And then it was Mark’s turn to hit his head on the closet door as Nathan unzipped his pants and took his cock into his mouth, licking and sucking as Mark hardened and lengthened and spilled hot and wet down Nathan’s throat.

Nathan ran his tongue across his bottom lip as Mark tugged him up, a satisfied smile on his face. God, I love you, the blond man grinned.

And Nathan kissed him long and deep.

~*~*~*~*~

An hour and a half later, Nathan and Mark were seated in a trendy downtown L.A. restaurant, glasses of wine in their hands.

A toast, Mark began. To you, Nate, for landing your first long-term role. I’m so damn happy for you. You deserve this.

Nathan touched his glass to Mark’s before shaking his head slightly. "I’m twenty-five years-old and it’s a soap opera, Mark. Not exactly anything to get excited over."

Yes, it is. This is going to open doors for you, Nate. All those years of one-shot bit parts is over. You’ll be on prime-time TV before you know it, Mark finished with a smile.

"And you’ll have your name up on a marquee before you know it, too, Nathan replied, raising his wine glass again. A toast to you for finishing a screenplay that studios will be fighting over, I know it. I’m damn proud of you, Mark. You’ve worked really hard on it."

It’s been a long road for both of us, Mark said. Who’d have thought that two boys from Dallas, Texas would be on their way to making it big in Hollywood?

The two men clinked their glasses together. To making our dreams come true, Nathan said softly, leaning over as Mark met him halfway for a kiss.

~*~*~*~*~

Nathan sighed happily as he braked to a stop in his dark blue Mustang at a traffic light on their way home from dinner. He reached over and took Mark’s hand, thumb brushing across the skin. Weather’s cleared up. Wanna take a ride out to the Observatory?

Like you have to ask, Mark answered. You know I love it up there.

Okay, it’s a date, Nathan smiled, leaning over for a kiss just as the traffic light turned green. Love you.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Nathan never saw the car run the red light as he entered the intersection, the black SUV smashing into the passenger side of the Mustang. He heard the breaking glass, the tearing metal and then…darkness.

~*~*~*~*~

Nathan felt as if he were underwater, struggling for the surface, using every ounce of strength he had to open his eyes, blinking sluggishly as consciousness finally returned.

He felt a hand on his arm and he slowly turned his head, his mother’s face coming into focus. Confused, he tried to say her name, but nothing came out of his dry throat.

Nathan? Are you with us, honey?

He nodded slowly and she squeezed his arm. Oh, thank God. Oh, Nathan… She wiped away a tear.

He tried again to speak and his mother stood quickly. Wait, honey. She picked up a cup and gently placed the straw against his lips. Go slow, just a few sips.

The cool water soothed his parched throat, reviving him a little more as he became aware that his entire body ached. His left