Holding Tight; Book 32 of the Action! Series

By GA Hauser

In book 32 of the Action! Series, we catch up with the gang from LA. Mark Antonious Richfield and his ex-husband Steven Jay Miller work as a dynamic duo getting the mega corporation, RICHIELD-MILLER INTERNATIONAL back to its prime. And, as Mark’s formal wedding ceremony looms, they are contacted by a style magazine to cover it. He and his twenty-six year old modeling partner, Stan Charles, are set to celebrate their union for Stan’s family in New York, even though the couple has eloped; both men eager to move forward, with babies on the brain.
Stan and Alexander Richfield, Mark’s son, end up cast in a steamy gay romance film, and are forced to do simulated sex scenes, which the two of them dread.
Mark and his son spend some quality father/son time in hopes of helping Alex’s anger at the divorce.

Holding tight. Whether it’s for love, or for control, sometimes you can’t get what you want, until you loosen the noose and set your fears free.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GA Hauser
• Release date: Jul 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463493977

GA Hauser

About the AuthorAuthor G.A. Hauser is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA. She attended university at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and has a BA in Fine Art from William Paterson College in Wayne NJ where she graduated Cum Laude. As well as degrees in art, G.A. is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 1994 G.A. graduated the Washington State Police academy as a Peace Officer for the Seattle Police Department in Washington where she worked on the patrol division. She was awarded Officer of the Month in February 2000 for her work with recovering stolen vehicles and fingerprint matches to auto-theft and bank robbery suspects. After working for the Seattle Police, G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began to write full length gay romance novels. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has penned over 200 novels and short stories. Breaking into independent film, G. A. was the executive producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES which included TV star Shane Keough in its cast. CAPITAL GAMES had its Film Festival Premiere at Philly's Qfest, and its television premiere on OutTV. G.A. is the director and executive producer for her second film NAKED DRAGON, which is an interracial gay police/FBI drama filmed in Los Angeles with the outstanding cinematographer, Pete Borosh. (also the Cinematographer for Capital Games)The cover photographs of G.A.'s novels have been selected from talented and prolific photographers such as Dennis Dean, Dan Skinner, Michael Stokes, Tuta Veloso, Hans Withoos, and CJC Photography, as well as graphic comic artist, Arlen Schumer. Her cover designs have featured actors Chris Salvatore, Jeffery Patrick Olson, Tom Wolfe, and models Brian James Bradley, Bryan Feiss, Jimmy Thomas, Andre Flagger, among many others.Her advertisements have been printed in Attitude Magazine, LA Frontier, and Gay Times.G. A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, and Best Author 2007.G.A. was the guest speaker at the SLA conference in San Diego, in 2013, where she discussed women writing gay erotica and has attended numerous writers’ conventions across the country.

Book preview

HOLDING TIGHT

an Action! Series Book

By

G.A.HAUSER

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2018

HOLDING TIGHT

Book 32 of the Action! Series

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2018

Model: Mark Goldberg

Photographer: Boris Kogerer

ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1719-5309-1-0

© The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this 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.

WARNING

This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: graphic language, homosexual relations, adult situations. Please store your books carefully where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.

First The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC publication:

July 2018

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Chapter 1

Becca McKenna held an early pregnancy test in her hand. Waiting for the results to appear, Becca held her breath while standing in her bathroom in her studio apartment in West Hollywood.

Yes, she was anxious. No, she wasn’t late…yet…but, come on!

Shoot. She was not pregnant…yet.

~

Mark Antonious Richfield worked at his desk in his high-rise office in Sacramento, California. Slowly, he was getting his father’s company back to its prime, updating inventory, buying fabulous new fabrics from around the globe, and inviting college students to submit designs and fresh ideas.

Taking a break from the computer, Mark rubbed his face and dragged his hair back from his eyes. It was getting long, longer than he liked. He looked more like his son, Alexander, than himself when the length grew past his shoulders.

He just needed a minute of down time to get to his stylist, Javier. Life had been so hectic, Mark felt as if he didn’t have time for much…but…

It was going to get worse before it got better.

He and his ex-husband, Steven Jay Miller, had just acquired the estate in Paradise. Mark had grown up in that mansion in the hills, and couldn’t believe he had it back.

In June, when they had a weekend free, they could move their clothing to the stately home.

The sellers were friends of one of Mark’s lovers, the talent agent, Adam Lewis. Jason Phillips and Ewan Gallagher purchased the estate from Mark’s mother a few years ago. The two men were from England and desired to return to the United Kingdom. They had completely remodeled the thirteen room palace, updating the interior as well adding solar panels to the home.

As Mark took a break from working on the computer, he touched his new gold/platinum/sapphire and diamond wedding ring. Although he and his young partner had eloped in Las Vegas, Stan Charles’ mother, Ali Bergman, insisted on a large New York wedding with her family.

So, Memorial Day weekend, they were scheduled to fly out, then, Steve and he were going to hit Paris and London, visiting the two offices of their International branches.

Richfield-Miller International.

As Mark thought about the effort it was going to take to get through the ceremony and festivities of their wedding celebration, complete with a photographer from a style magazine, Mark was already exhausted.

He looked up from his computer when Steve entered the large office, a stack of fabric samples in his arms.

He set them down and brushed off his hands, then walked over to Mark.

On Steve’s desk was a tiny toy black and white police car. It had been with Steve in Parsons and Company, the advertising firm where the two had met; and, was once more on the former cop’s workspace.

Hullo. Mark smiled at him; his Steven, in a designer suit, macho good looks, blue eyes to die for, and a heart of gold.

Steve dug his fingers into Mark’s hair and drew him to his lips. Hungry, gorgeous?

Since Mark’s new husband was still in Los Angeles, and he usually brought him and Steve lunch, Mark checked the time. Not really. It’s only eleven-thirty, love.

I am. I’m going to hit the deli. I’ll get you something. You can stick it in the bar fridge. Steve kissed him again. Fruit and yogurt?

Rubbing his belly, Mark wasn’t hungry at the moment. No. Ta.

~

Steve admired his ‘Top Model’ business partner, falling in love with him over and over. He touched the gold band on his finger, one bought for him by his new husband, Tadzio Andresen. The lovely blond Swedish runway model and he had recently married in a civil ceremony in the courthouse in LA.

So? Now Tadzio couldn’t be deported, right?

Tadzio may be his legal husband, but Steve was only madly in love with one man.

Mark.

I’ll get you something light. Steve ran his hand over Mark’s silk necktie. And a latte?

Yes. Iced?

You got it. Steve winked at him and left the office.

~

‘Overwhelmed’ wasn’t enough to describe how Stan was feeling. He’d gone from driving a limousine for a living, to becoming ‘Mrs Mark Antonious Richfield,’ to starring in a huge feature film with Mark’s superstar son Alexander.

And…Tadzio had found dozens of auditions for him to attend for acting roles in everything from television to independent films, to commercial voiceovers.

While Adam Lewis was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his husband Jack Larsen, Tadzio had used Adam’s computer at his talent agency.

There, the young twink had located lists of auditions Adam had not sent him on, had not sent Tadzio on.

Last night, Stan had taken the time to research every role he was offered, and then he lined up appointments to audition for them.

Why Adam had not sent them to him, or to Tadzio, was a mystery. It wasn’t a secret Adam disliked him. After all, Stan had taken Mark away from his husband, Steve Miller.

But, that wasn’t any reason for the agent to breach his legal contract.

Since Stan had to go to the studio in Burbank, he had not joined Mark in Sacramento. Mark had gone with Steve.

Steve was on the prowl for Mark’s ass.

Stan could stress himself out over it, or trust Mark.

He chose to trust his new hubby.

Stan added the auditions to his personal calendar and then sat back from the computer in the house he shared at the moment with Mark, Steve, and Tadzio, in Bel Air, California.

He stood from the desk in the home office, jogged to the upper floor, and readied himself to go to the studio for a rehearsal after he auditioned for the commercial voiceover.

The ads were for a large vehicle manufacturing company, for their pickup truck line.

This current project, a new feature film he was cast to play the lead in, also starred Alexander Richfield. It was a fabulous cast, an award winning director, and had all the makings of a huge hit.

Lover Boy; he played a security guard for a jewelry store that winds up falling for the guy who robbed it.

Since neither he nor Alex was backing out of the production, they had to pretend they were lovers.

No, it wasn’t porn, but it was gay romance.

Stan tucked his wallet and keys into his tight jean’s pocket, and spotted the two tuxedos they had recently rented for their wedding.

White.

White tuxedos. They had tried them on as a joke. Tadzio was the driving force for them to actually wear them. Since Mark and he had already married in Las Vegas, Stan wasn’t sure it mattered.

Yes, the wedding was going to be covered by a style magazine, but hell, what was wrong with a white tuxedo?

He smiled to himself, read his phone for missed text messages, and jogged down the carpeted stairs.

Slipping on shoes, Stan armed the security system, left the house through a door connecting the kitchen to the garage, and climbed into his green Aventador Lamborghini, a birthday gift from his top model husband.

Stan backed out of the garage, lowered the door, and took off, headed to Burbank; first to audition for the truck commercial, then to film the movie.

~

Tadzio Andresen sat in a waiting room at a movie studio. Since Adam had gone to Florida to help with Jack’s father’s failing health, and he had worked on his computer, Tadzio had located auditions for himself and Stan that Adam had not offered.

No, they weren’t perfect, but Tadzio craved being an actor, not working in Adam’s office matching stars with roles. He was the star needing a role.

He had his paperwork with his lines, his ‘sides’ and had them memorized. Tadzio paced nervously, since auditioning was stressful.

The description for his character was for a supporting role in a comedy film. Did he like the script? Not really. Did he fit the character? Not really.

Was that why Adam hadn’t given it to him?

Probably.

But, if he didn’t try, he wouldn’t get anything.

With memorized lines running through his head, Tadzio, his blond hair brushing his shoulders, wore white, skin-tight pants, and a see-through white muslin top and red shoes. He wanted this audition over with. The waiting was the worst part.

Tadzio? was called from a woman holding a clipboard.

Tadzio cleared his throat, straightened his back, and walked towards her.

Go right in.

Thank you. Tadzio entered the room. A group of three was behind an oblong desk, a camera was set up to film his audition, and a piece of tape marked a spot on the floor.

The woman who had invited him in made the introductions.

Tadzio shook hands after wiping his clammy palms on his pants.

State your name, and the part you’re reading for.

Tadzio stood on the tape, brushed his hair out of his eyes, and said, I am Tadzio Andresen, and I shall read for the part of Lester.

When you’re ready. The woman nodded.

Tadzio stared into the camera and said his memorized line, Iz cold in here. Why do we always go where it iz cold?

He noticed the panel of three exchange glances as he continued.

This wouldn’t be the first time Tadzio was eliminated from the running simply because, he had a slight accent. He ignored the expressions of doubt, and powered on.

~

Adam Lewis sat on a sunny screened in porch in Fort Lauderdale. The back of the home in this gated community faced a high hedge-blind, and a canal which handled the heavy rains.

The heat and humidity was already building to an intolerable level by noon. But, he was sick of breathing the A/C.

He and Jack had arrived here a few days ago, to help Jack’s mother. Jack’s father, who was suffering the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, had fallen, breaking his wrist, and Mrs Larsen was struggling to care for him.

Adam sipped iced coffee as he zoned out, hearing the birds singing loudly, and seeing lizards climb up the plants right outside the screens.

Jack stepped into the lanai. It’s already hot out here.

I know. I just needed non-air-conditioned air.

I’m going shopping for food. Do you want to come, or stay with Dad?

Is your mom going? Adam admired his gym-junkie hubby. A big blond hunk with blue eyes.

If you come, she’ll stay, if you stay, she’ll go.

I’ll go. Adam finished his coffee, and stood from the padded chair. He followed Jack into the house, closing the slider to keep the heat out.

Mr Larsen was zoning off in front of daytime TV, and Jack’s mom was folding sheets and towels near a basket of laundry.

Mom? Adam’s coming with me. Jack thumbed to him.

Adam headed to the guest bedroom they were sleeping in, grabbed his wallet and phone, and slipped on sandals.

Both he and Jack were in shorts and light cotton shirts.

Adam returned to Jack and he held a list and a wad of canvas shopping bags.

See you later, Mrs Larsen. Adam waved to her.

Thank you, Adam.

Jack led the way outside, and they took his mother’s Buick. It was so hot outside, Adam winced and knew he could not live here. So, the debate had been to get Mr and Mrs Larsen to either move to Southern California, or, hire Mrs Larsen help in caring for her sick husband.

Jack started the car and backed out of the driveway, the air conditioner blowing on them as he did.

Adam stared at Jack’s profile. Jack Larsen was a named partner of his own law firm. This hiatus wasn’t a vacation, it was a burden on them both.

Seeing Jack looking preoccupied and upset, Adam rubbed Jack’s leg affectionately.

Jack pulled up to a traffic signal and reached out his hand to Adam. It looks like the only thing she’s going to agree to is for me to hire a nurse.

Okay.

Help me interview them?

You got it. Adam squeezed Jack’s hand.

Fuck. Jack appeared defeated by this ordeal.

Adam watched the traffic as they drove across the intersection. We’ll get through it.

I need to go back home. I’m too busy for this.

Adam thought about the work he’d left. Though he was a busy man as well, he didn’t mind being away from the agency for now. As a matter of fact, he was enjoying not being there, a lot more than he anticipated.

~

Alexander sat in the parking lot of the studio in Burbank in his new cherry red Ferrari. He fucking loved this car.

Loud music playing from his speakers, Alex slid his sunglasses to the top of his head and read his text messages. His father was in Sacramento with Steve, Tadzio was working at Adam’s office, and his Police Chief hubby, Billy Sharpe, had wanted to take time off with Alex, but…

Alex’s new film was beginning production.

That meant, no time off for at least four weeks.

He picked up the ‘dailies’ or paperwork from the scenes he was going to rehearse today. Alex, the A/C blowing his long hair, the music blasting, committed the words on the page to memory.

With the cable TV show on hiatus again, Alex was able to focus on this film. The only other commitment he had was for the appointments with his shrink.

The psychiatrist his father had seen for decades, Dr Van Eldon. So far, the only thing the guy had done was to push valium at him, and make Alex rehash the nightmare that was Stan Charles…Richfield.

Alex checked the time on his phone and sent Billy a text before he had to shut the phone for most of the day. ‘Love you, chief.’

‘love you too, babydoll.’

Alex smiled and turned off the engine, folding the papers, and climbing out of his low slung sports car. Just as he did, he spotted the green Lamborghini cruising by.

Alex lowered his sunglasses to his nose and watched it. When he read the personalized plate he choked. MARKSMAN. That personalized plate had nothing to do with shooting a gun.

The amount Alex resented Stan Charles for luring his dad away from Steve, and then eloping! Alex was grinding his teeth in rage.

The pricy sports car shut down near his red one, and the big handsome twenty-seven year old hunk, spotted Alex.

The hairs on the back of Alex’s neck prickled. He crossed his arms and waited.

Stan approached him. Hi, Alex.

The urge to lash out, to scream, to accuse Stan of everything from home-wrecking to gold-digging rushed up on Alex.

But, he had a job to do. He had to act. He had to maintain some modicum of peace. If he didn’t, if it appeared he was the one creating an issue, no doubt he would be removed from this Zoe Xiu-directed film.

He didn’t greet Stan, but he didn’t bite his head off either.

In the warm sunshine, and even warmer breeze, he and Stan walked to the entrance of the studio where they were going to film their first few scenes of the new movie.

They had their read-through of the entire script already, and now were set to begin filming the interior shots. The exterior? Well, some of that was going to be shot in New York City, right around the time of Mark and Stan’s wedding celebration.

If Alex thought about it, he’d turn towards Stan and punch him in the face.

And, all the while, on their walk across the hot tarmac, Alex kept asking himself, ‘What did you do to get my dad?’ It was a question he had no answer for…other than…offering his father a chance to have babies.

Babies.

Mark Antonious wanted more children.

For some reason, Alex wasn’t enough.

And, that thought enraged Alex to such an extent, it was making him ill…and need a shrink…and need fucking valium.

~

Stan felt the icy chill from Alex. He didn’t think Alex was ever going to accept him. He had to be okay with that.

They waited at the door where a guard checked off their names before allowing entry.

Alex Richfield. Alex pocketed his sunglasses.

The guard nodded.

Stan stood in front of the uniformed man. Stan Richfield.

Alex tensed up and made a noise of anger.

Okay. The guard acknowledged him and both he and Alex kept going.

Knowing this pairing of him with Mark’s son was indeed done for hyping the new film, Stan wasn’t going to allow it to influence him. No. He wanted Mark’s name. He was Mark’s spouse. So? Screw anyone who had an issue, and that included Mark’s son.

As the two of them made the silent trip to the correct studio, Stan wished it could be different. But, he had no control over Alex. None.

Soon, he and Mark would move to the estate in Paradise.

How he was going to make that long air commute, even with a private jet, daily, was beyond him. They still had his apartment in West Hollywood, and the home Mark and Steve had shared in Bel Air, which was great. But, that would mean he was going to live in LA, while Mark and Steve lived up north.

That thought did not sit well with Stan.

Alex opened a door and entered an area in the building with spectacular set designs creating bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas of aging tenement houses.

The filming of the jewelry store as well as exterior shots of Manhattan, were going to be done on location. But, the rest, shot here in the studio in Burbank.

And, another thing Stan wasn’t prepared for mentally, was the first scenes they were shooting.

The sex scenes.

Go figure.

Alex walked over to a craft table and poured himself a cup