Finding home by Lauren Baker.pdf

Finding Home

Her family, her friends and her conscience all say it's wrong to fall for the hustler she rescued from the

streets. How come it feels so right?

When Megan first meets Mouth, a homeless teenage hustler, on the streets of L.A., he’s the perfect subject

for the street life expose she hopes will help her break into journalism. She doesn’t expect to be drawn

into his life and become his friend—or to take him in after he’s been beaten and robbed by thugs.

As they learn to live together, a powerful attraction flourishes between Megan and the young man.

Although he’s street smart, tough and mature, he’s also a youth in transition. When they finally give in to

the sexual heat between them, Megan fears she’s taking advantage of her position as his mentor.

Their relationship challenges every aspect of her life. Megan must make difficult choices between the

conflicting demands of her friends and family, her career and love.

Warning: Explicit sex, reference to underage sex, graphic language, violence

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on

the copyright of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s

imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to

persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

2932 Ross Clark Circle, #384

Dothan, AL 36301

Finding Home

Cover by Anne Cain

ISBN: 1-59998-305-2

www.samhainpublishing.com

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever

without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and

reviews.

First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: January 2007

Finding Home

Bonnie Dee & Lauren Baker

Dedication

Heartfelt thanks to Annie for her invaluable editing of our raw copy, and to Erin for her professional

advice; and also to Siobhan, Mel, Amanda, Becky, Brandy, Barb, Kathryn, Jo, Nancy, Sonia, Kassie, Jeri,

Michelle, Shannon and all the flisters who provided encouragement and support for our writing from the

start.

Bonnie Dee & Lauren Baker

Chapter One

The street steamed and Megan’s high heels left indentations in the tacky asphalt as she crossed to the

sidewalk. Glancing down at her outfit, she decided her camouflage would serve. She wore a tight black

skirt, a hot pink halter with crazy green swirls, three-inch heels and more make-up and jewelry than she

ever wore. It was a look she might adopt when going out clubbing, but kicked up an extra notch. She could

pass for someone who belonged on the boulevard. Sort of.

The trick was to watch what was going on without appearing like she was looking, so she leaned against a

shadowed wall, her bare back scraping rough brick, and crossed one leg over the other. She took her time

lighting a cigarette and was careful not to really inhale. She’d invested way too much money on patches to

start that habit again.

Breathing in the humid, rancid air trapped between tall buildings, she let the cigarette dangle between her

fingers and watched the show.

A couple of trannies in mile-high boots, sequined clothes and shimmering body glitter stood at the curb

shouting at each other and gesturing dramatically. Their fight escalated to name-calling and expletives

before the queens strolled off down the sidewalk, still arguing.

Megan’s attention was drawn to a vintage red Corvette which pulled to the curb. A young man with

dreadlocks and skintight leather pants swaggered up to the passenger side and leaned down. His upper

arms rested on the frame and his ass jutted out behind him. He talked to the 6

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Finding Home

driver for only a couple of seconds then opened the door and climbed inside. Megan wondered what

signals had passed between the john and the hustler. How had eye contact been made from inside the dark

confines of the car? It happened so quickly, she’d missed the silent communication.

Her cigarette burned down, and Megan pretended to take another puff. She was one of the very few

women on the street. Hookers traditionally worked Sunset Boulevard. Santa Monica was for the boys.

The sexual vibe here was thick and sultry as the summer air. Boys and men stood in pairs or groups or

walked past on the sidewalk. Watching their conversations and pickups, Megan felt completely out of

place and awkward.

She’d always wanted to be a reporter but was currently a copy editor at a weekly L.A. paper. Correcting

other peoples’ writing was not what she had in mind when she entered the journalism program in college.

Megan decided the best way to get ahead fast was to write a freelance exposé that forced her boss to take

notice of her talent. The homeless street kids who traded ass for cash were the focus of her story, but now

she wondered how she’d thought it would be simple to approach one of them and strike up a conversation,

let alone ask for an interview.

She looked around for anyone who appeared like he might give her a moment of time.

Farther down the sidewalk under the neon lit awning of a strip joint, a guy leaned against the wall,

smoking a cigarette. He was sandy blond, wore a white muscle shirt, low-riding jeans and engineer boots.

He gazed out at the street like he had all the time in the world to make a sale, like he’d be doing the

customer a favor if he graced him with his presence.

Relaxed and easy, he lounged and surveyed the street.

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Bonnie Dee & Lauren Baker

Megan crushed her cigarette under her heel and walked his way. She could bum a smoke or a light off him

to get conversation started.

As she drew closer and saw his face, she noticed that while his posture might be relaxed, his eyes

weren’t. Light reflected off the whites as they moved restlessly back and forth scanning the people and

passing cars. He was vigilant and ready to respond to potential clients.

Megan’s pulse sped and her throat felt dry. She was completely out of her element here. There was no

way she could actually walk over to him.

Instead, she stopped and studied the posters plastering the window beside her. They announced that HOT

ALL NUDE boys were just inside the door. For a low cover fee, you could see Live! Hot! Action!

Dancers Reggie Lee and Dustin were appearing along with a bevy of pretty boys.

Megan turned from the window and caught the lounging guy glancing at her. She looked out at the street as

if waiting for someone and wished to hell she’d never left her safe, comfortable shadow.

A few minutes later, a beige sedan glided up to the curb, the passenger door opened and a skinny black

kid hopped out. He turned to address the driver, but the door slammed and the car pulled away from the

curb. The boy had to jump back to avoid being run over. He chased after the car, hitting his hand on the

rear panel before it accelerated out of reach. “Motherfucker! That’s right, you better run! I ever see you

again I’m gonna…”

The kid yelled after the driver for a few more seconds then turned to another teen on the sidewalk, a lanky

boy with greasy, shoulder-length hair and a T-shirt that read “Bite Me!”

“Fucker stiffed me. If that no-neck, fat-assed, tiny-prick bitch ever comes round here again, I’m gonna

personally make sure everybody on the walk knows! He ain’t never gonna get another piece of ass down

here.”

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Finding Home

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