Cranberries and Spice Blog Hop

Please be aware: I write GLBTQ romance. This blog posting contains an excerpt from an m/m/m romance - that's male/male/male. As in male/male/male sex. As in a threesome. 

If that ain't your cuppa, please move along

 and make room for the next person. 

I don't have any Thanksgiving-themed stories, but I do have a hot little Christmas tale. So... I'mma be all rebellious and junk and share an excerpt from that one. It's called "Perfect Christmas." Like most things in my life, this snippet is Rated R!!

Leave a comment below and you'll be entered to win a free pdf copy. :-) 

Enjoy!!

Blurb: Depressed and lonely, Evan has nothing to look forward to on Christmas but his TV dinner and store-bought cookies, while his lover, Drake, spends the holiday traveling for business. But a special delivery changes everything, and Evan finds himself in the middle of a perfect Christmas. Worn out from his stocking stuffer, Evan's not sure how he's going to handle his present, but when Drake reveals that Evan's gift is a threesome with none other than their hunky friend Mike, Evan summons the energy!

Excerpt:

Drake straightened, stepped back, and stretched. He flashed Evan a dazzling smile. “Now we can head to the bedroom.”

“I was starting to like the bathroom,” Evan admitted.

“Well, if you want to open your present, you need to go to the bedroom.”

Curiosity piqued, Evan slid down off the sink. Drake took his hand and led him to the adjoining bedroom. In the middle of their big, black lacquer, four-poster bed, naked except for a pair of black leather underwear with a silver zipper, was their friend Mike. The soft glow of candles surrounded them but no heat radiated from them; Evan recognized them as the flameless battery operated ones he’d bought online last year but had never used.

“How?” Evan managed to whisper, just before his jaw dropped open.

“I called him on the way here and arranged it,” Drake explained, his tone full of pride.

“I snuck in the backdoor after Drake got home.” Mike grinned sheepishly. “No pun intended.”

“Remember when you said you wondered what he was like in bed?” Drake asked, pressing his lips to Evan’s ear.

Evan nodded, mouth too dry to talk. Not that he didn’t find Drake’s boyish good looks and curly blond hair attractive, and not that he didn’t feel content and fulfilled with their relationship, or their sex life—he did. But there was something about Mike—an animal magnetism in those large, dark eyes—that had always tempted Evan. Mike was the tallest man Evan knew, towering well over six feet, with a hunky build and chestnut skin that bespoke of exotic travels, action and adventure, and completely belied his ordinary, down home life as bartender at the local gay club. Evan would never have acted on his fantasy, of course, but with Drake giving permission and Mike willing, how could he say no?

“Aren’t you going to unwrap your package?” Mike wiggled his hips, flickering light glinting off the metal zipper.

Drake moved to stand behind Evan, pressing their bodies together, the proof of his excitement obvious as the long, hard ridge of his cock nudged Evan’s ass. “Go on,” he encouraged.

Evan took several slow, measured steps forward, reawakening cock swinging between his legs.

“He looks good enough to eat, doesn’t he, Mike?” Drake asked.

Mike nodded. “I’m eager for a taste.”

Evan shivered and sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching a trembling hand for the zipper. His fingers fumbled, bumping Mike’s cock through the leather and Mike let out a long, low moan that went straight to Evan’s cock.

An InLinkz Link-up

The Power of Love Blog Hop

For my part in the hop, I'm giving you a snippet of my m/m romance set in the zombie apocalypse, "Bad Moon Rising." (Don't worry - nobody gets sexy with a zombie - it's not *that* kind of zombie romance!)

One lucky reader will win a free pdf copy - just leave a comment below, including your e-mail, to be entered. Good luck!!!

Blurb:

Bryce never expected to find himself smack in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, and he certainly never expected to meet the man of his dreams along the way. But there's more than zombies in the way of his happily ever after. Richard comes with baggage, in the form of his on again, off again bipolar lover Cole, who is off his meds and descending into his own mental hell at an alarming rate. Will the three men be able to work out their romantic feelings? Oh yeah...and then there's that little issue of the zombies...
Excerpt:

Maybe I could try to talk some sense into Richard. Make him see Cole’s point of view. “Richard—”

He held up a hand. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear it. Just c’mon and let’s shower.”

I followed him reluctantly. Even the luxurious draw of hot water after so long couldn’t make me feel any better.

Richard turned on the shower water and fumbled with his clothing. I stood in the corner, suddenly unsure what to do. Should I wait for him to get in and then undress? Did he expect me to undress now? What would he think of my body, when he saw it? I wasn’t fit like him—my love handles were more like love steering wheels. Would he even notice me?

He glanced at me. “You need help?”

“Huh?”

“With your clothes? Are they stuck to your wounds or anything?”

“Um...” I couldn’t think. Richard stood before me, naked and beautiful. His big, burly chest, covered with a thick mat of dark hair that made me want to run my fingers through it, his little paunch of a belly that made me want to make raspberries on it, his powerful trunk-like thighs that made me want to lay down between them and lick them, his thick, stubby cock that made me want to fall to my knees and wrap my lips around it.

“Bryce?”

“I...um...” What had he asked me? If I needed help? Jesus Christ, no. Help meant that delicious body of his being close to mine, and I didn’t think I could handle that at the moment. “No. No, I’m... you’re... I can do it.”

I felt like a child learning to tie his shoes, shouting I can do it and holding up his foot to show off his success as I unzipped my jeans and pushed them past my hips. I peeled my shirt off over my head and stood there with my arms in front of my body like an idiot.

“You trying to kill two birds with one stone?”

“Am I...what?”

Richard laughed and pointed at my boxers. “You going to wash those in the shower too?”

“Oh. Yeah. No.” But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. One, Richard would finally see me fully naked, and I was nowhere near as sublime as he. And two, the raging erection between my legs was a bit of a nightmare.

Richard walked over, tipped my face up to his, and grinned at me. “I can see your boner through your underwear, you know. You’re not hiding anything.”

I gazed up into his face—bright eyes, days’ worth of stubble, and that sweet, pouty bottom lip. Fuck my life.

He knelt down in front of me and tugged my boxers down. “Step out,” he instructed, the heat of his breath grazing my cock. He laid his hands on my hips to steady me as I stepped out of my boxers.

“There. Much better.” Richard ran his hands up my sides as he stood. “Shall we?” He stepped into the shower and reached a hand out for me. “Careful,” he warned as I stepped in. “It’s a little slippery.”

I gasped as the water hit my back. I couldn’t recall anything so luxurious in my whole life. I’d never travelled or spent any time at any fancy hotels or anything like that, but I had to believe they didn’t have anything on Doctor Austin’s shower.

“He thinks I want you.”

Richard’s voice brought me back to reality and I opened my eyes to look at him. He stood there casually, not close enough to make contact, but not so far away as to insinuate contact would be unwelcome. I gestured to our bodies and the shower. “How is this supposed to show him he’s wrong?”

“Who says he’s wrong?” He arched an eyebrow and held out a bar of soap.

The bluntness of the question startled me, and I just stood there staring at him wide-eyed and open-mouthed for a few sec- onds. I reached for the soap, palm open, so I wouldn’t be tempted to touch him any more than was necessary. “You want me?”

Richard shrugged. “Of course I do. You’re handsome. You’re gay. I’m gay. We’re in a heinous situation. Emotions are high. Stress is high. I’m not getting it anywhere else. But wanting you and doing anything about it are two different things, and Cole ought to know that by now.”

“True.” And I supposed that, after being reduced to a situational convenience, I was just as happy he wasn’t doing anything about it after all.

We finished the shower, me trying hard to ignore Richard’s nakedness. Richard seemed so enthralled in the idea of hot water I didn’t think he even noticed me. He left the shower first while I was still busy picking dirt and dried blood off my legs and arms, and trying not to twist my ankle again in the slippery, soapy water. By the time I’d finished, toweled off and changed into a pair of pajamas I’d found, he was already ensconced in the living room couch, polishing off a glass of wine.

Richard poured another glass of wine and downed it in four gulps. He sniffed me as I walked by. “You smell good.”

“So do you.” I sat down next to him. “It’s the soap.”

“You look good, too.”

“Showers will do that. You’re half-drunk already.”

He turned and ran his fingers along my cheek, tipped my chin up and leaned in, his mouth just a wisp of air away from mine. “Do you care?”

I didn’t. God help me, I didn’t. “Cole might.”

He pulled his hand away, chuckled, and poured out more wine. “You know, it’s not polite to stare at a man when he’s trying to drink alone.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You want to be alone?”

“Want?” Richard shook his head slowly and took another gulp of wine. “No.” He looked at me, and the sadness in his eyes made my heart hammer. “But it doesn’t matter what I want.” He drank more wine, pointed to the door. “You should find something else to do. Before it doesn’t matter what you want, either.”

He looked me up and down and licked his lips, and I took the words for the warning they were. Drunk Richard was apparently not someone I wanted to trifle with. I couldn’t help but tempt fate, though. “If all I am is a matter of convenience, then what difference does it make to you what I want?”

“Who said that’s all you were?”

“You did. In the shower.”

Richard laughed and tossed back another few gulps. “I like you, Bryce. I don’t love you. I don’t know you enough to love you. But I know you enough to like you.” He leaned forward again, brushed his lips against mine and it took all my will power not to wrap my arms around his neck and turn that brush into a real kiss.

“And I know you enough to want you.” He pulled back. “And I do care what you want. That—” he belched and wiped his mouth “—that should be obvious.” He pointed to the door. “Door’s still there.”

I stood and walked out into the kitchen, found Cole seated at the bar.

Valentine's Day Gift Hop

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

For my part in the hop today, I'm offering up a free pdf copy of my m/m story "Cupid Knows." To enter, just leave a comment below, including your e-mail, and tell me about your favorite Valentine's Day memory. If you don't have one, gratuitous flattery will get you *everywhere*! GOOD LUCK!!

Here's the blurb:

Jack has been dreaming about Alan ever since they randomly hugged at a game. They haven't seen each other since, but when Alan crosses Jack's path on Valentine's Day, it's an opportunity Jack can't pass up. Can he convince Alan to take a chance on a Valentine's Day meeting when Alan has something to hide?


Excerpt:

Ugh. Valentine’s Day. If there was a better way to make a single man feel like crap, I didn’t know what it was. I stomped the snow off my boots and stared hard at the stupid little cut outs of hearts and cherubs adorning the bank door as I opened it and entered. Inside the décor was even worse; a giant inflatable Cupid, complete with bow and arrow and cheesy smile, stood off to the side. Cupid Knows You Should Bank at Mid Atlantic!, the sign above him proclaimed. I shook my head, wondering if I should bother to point out that anyone who was actually inside the bank probably already did bank there, or would shortly, and wouldn’t it make more sense to put Cupid out on the curb?

I had decided it couldn’t get any tackier when I turned and spotted little white bears hanging from the stanchion ropes. I smirked at the words Mid Atlantic Cares emblazoned across their furry chests, imagining bank tellers armed with tattoo guns hunting down polar bears. And then it happened: I looked up…and stifled a gasp.

There he was.

I didn’t know his name. Had never even formally met him. I’d hugged him at a football game. A playoff game, to be more specific. Our team won. I say “our team” since we had both been wearing team shirts. In the magic of the moment of the final ticking of the game clock, as the crowed had screamed “five…four…three…two…ONE!!!” we had turned to each other and hugged. That was it. Nothing more. No handshake. No “Hi, my name is…” Nothing. Stupid, insignificant nothing.

But I’d held onto that moment for three years. I had no idea why. Maybe because he’d set off my ‘gaydar’ back then, even in that brief contact. I had a knack for ‘finding my own kind’, as my friends said. I could still remember how it had felt to have his arms around me, how he’d smelled, how his hair had tickled my ear. And I knew with one hundred percent certainty that he was standing in front of me. Check that – he was standing at the next available teller. His hair was the same, neatly cut and trimmed, and that physique was the same as well: strong, wide shoulders, a back that tapered just so slightly, hips made for grinding against, and a wonderfully round, tight ass that made me think wicked thoughts.

And then my mystery man was done and walking back toward me, head down, studying the receipt in his hand. I stepped out in front of him, blocking his path. He’d no doubt run into me. I couldn’t tell you why I did it. Maybe to see if he remembered me as well? Would he?

Christmas Paws Blog Hop

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

Today I'm sharing some pictures of my baby girl Lollypop.

I work at a veterinary clinic, and one day, Lollypop came in. Her owners had been sent to prison, and she'd been abandoned with three tiny babies. The neighbors finally took action and brought her in after one of the babies died. She was emaciated, matted, and infested with fleas and roundworms. One of her two remaining babies did not survive. The other went to live with one of our doctors, and is almost as beautiful as her mom. We initially put Lollypop up for adoption at our clinic, but no one seemed to want her. One woman even said she was "too ugly to own!" Needless to say, by that point I was already in love with her, so she came home to live with us.

These days she is pleasantly plump, sassy, and full of mischief!

For my prize in the hop today, I'm offering up a free pdf copy of my m/m/m "Perfect Christmas" to one lucky winner! To enter, just leave a comment below, telling  me about your favorite furry friend. If you don't "own" one, tell me about someone else's!

GOOD LUCK!!

Blurb:

Depressed and lonely, Evan has nothing to look forward to on Christmas but his TV dinner and store-bought cookies, while his lover, Drake, spends the holiday traveling for business. But a special delivery changes everything, and Evan finds himself in the middle of a perfect Christmas. Worn out from his stocking stuffer, Evan's not sure how he's going to handle his present, but when Drake reveals that Evan's gift is a threesome with none other than their hunky friend Mike, Evan summons the energy!
Excerpt:


Evan waited in line at Pierce's, the only store open on Christmas Day in the sleepy, coastal town of Ormond Bay, absorbing the chaos as people hurried up and down aisles in search of forgotten holiday necessities. Across the store, a lady frantically called for help from a clerk, begging him to tell her they hadn't sold the last of the cranberries, and wailing about how she couldn't make the perfect meal without them. In front of Evan, a man dressed in a suit and tie tossed down a fifty, told the cashier to keep the change, and ran out the door with two frozen pies.

Evan emptied the contents of his basket—a motley assortment of store-brand frozen dinners, cookies, soups, and canned fruit—and frowned, feeling rather frumpy in the mix of brightly dressed people and festive, almost garish, decorations of the store. He ran a hand absent-mindedly through his hair, remembering only just then he'd neglected to gel and spike it this morning. Not to mention that he also hadn't bothered to get the red tips recolored. Above his dark roots, the tips looked more gray than anything else. Fabulous. It didn’t help that he was probably the only person walking around without a tan.

"That'll be seventeen fifty."

He dug into the pocket of his sweatpants and pulled forth his wallet, handed over a crisp twenty-dollar bill with a sigh. Even his money was snazzier than him.

"Merry Christmas, Mister Connor!" The bubbly cashier beamed up at him from under her picture perfect, curly blonde bangs, but Evan just scowled as he grabbed up his bag of groceries and walked away to trudge out the door and back down the street for home. Outside, even the bright Florida sun couldn't dispel his dreary mood.

Christmas, huh? Bah! Humbug! What did he have to be cheerful about, anyhow? Watching reruns of stupid movies over his microwaved TV dinner of Salisbury steak again? Dodging phone calls from his mother and other assorted supposedly well-meaning relatives whose main questions seemed to be where was his lover, Drake, and when was Evan going to stop putting up with that man's schedule and find someone who appreciated him? Spending yet another Christmas alone, while Drake jetted around the state with the annoying millionaire boss?

Evan sighed. Trouble was, Drake did appreciate him; Drake only worked so hard so that he didn't have to, so he could pursue his artwork. And he knew Drake felt just as bad as he did about missing out on holidays, but Drake's boss had made it quite clear in the initial interview that she expected her men, as she called them, to be at her beck and call, regardless of the time of day or night. Or year. But the money? The money was very, very good. And they were young now, only in their twenties. They had the rest of their lives to spend holidays together, didn't they?

Thanks to our hop sponsors:

A.R. Von
Bewitching Book Tours
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M.L. Ryan
Normandie Alleman
Susan Griscom
Denyse Bridger
Literal Addiction
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Patricia Tostado
Books to Go Now
Cristal Ryder
Jami Grey
Victoria Vane
Running with Scissors

NSFW - Thankfully Naughty Giveaway Hop

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

For my part in the  hop today, I'm sharing a snippet from my wickedly sexy m/m romp, "A Good Bargain." One lucky commenter will win a free pdf copy. Just leave a comment below, and be sure you include your e-mail. Good luck!!

Blurb:

Awkward and unsure, David has finally reentered the dating scene. A hot, young stud-muffin named Brandon seems like the perfect start, but things get complicated when Brandon makes a startling confession. Is Brandon the right choice for David, or did David just get way more than he bargained for?

Excerpt:

“There’s this odd look of mayhem on his upside-down face...”

“I love this part.” David chuckled, watching Brendan Gleeson’s character hanging by his ankle from a tree.

Brandon inched closer, laid his hand on David’s thigh. David bristled under the touch for a moment, forcing himself to calm down and relax. This was what he’d wanted, after all—to start dating again, to experience another man again, to have something more than fond memories and his Fleshlight to look forward to every night.

Brandon moved his hand, slid it just down to the inside of David’s thigh. Waves of fiery need pulsed through David. He tried hard to concentrate on the movie, but all he could think of was Brandon’s willingness. Brandon sighed and snuggled against David’s shoulder, slipping that hand a little higher.

Throat suddenly dry, David thought of all the reasons not to have sex: they’d only just met, Brandon was most likely barely even legal, what kind of example would this be for his son? David sucked in a breath as Brandon spun around and hopped over so he sat in David’s lap, knees straddling him.

Brandon leaned in for another kiss, this time not so soft and gentle. Demanding lips met David’s, and he gave in, opening his mouth and groaning as Brandon’s tongue slipped inside to twine with his. Brandon worked the buttons of David’s shirt open, dipping his hands under the fabric and running his fingers through the hair on David’s chest.

Fuck. Oh, fuck. That touch. David’s resistance melted, and he arched up against Brandon’s hands, tangling his own in Brandon’s long, dark hair, holding Brandon’s head tight. Brandon somehow managed to unbutton his own shirt and he pressed their naked chests together, sliding his arms around David’s back; fingernails raking him from shoulder to just above his waistband.

David broke the kiss with a fevered gasp. “Jump.”

Brandon grinned. “Booyah. Drop trou, baby.” He stood and dug into his pocket as David frantically worked his jeans opened and pushed them and his briefs down to his ankles. “Wow. Nice package, babe.”

David shrugged. At seven inches hard, he’d never considered himself well endowed. “It’ll get the job done.”

Hot Halloween Heroes Giveaway Hop

For my part in the hop today, I'm offering up a snippet of my m/m werewolf/werecat romance, "Omarati." I'm also giving away a free pdf copy to one lucky winner! To enter to win, just leave a comment with your e-mail. Easy Peasy!

Good Luck!

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

Blurb:

Everything changed for werewolf Calliph after the Shifter War. Now nothing more than a slave and plaything to human Prince Obyn, Calliph finds himself on the Golden Magus, sailing across the sea with his owner. But fate has something more in mind for Calliph in the form of First Mate Mateo—who just happens to be Calliph's Omarati—his soul mate . . . and a werecat. Heartbroken, Calliph knows he can't stay with Mateo—he is forced to follow Obyn wherever he leads. Years later, when an attack at sea lands Mateo in the hands of vicious pirates, the cat discovers that, though time has changed some things, his bond with Calliph is eternal.

Excerpt:  

Parry. Thrust. Right. Left. Left again. Right. Duck. Back step. Jump. Pain!

Mateo skidded to a halt and pulled the arrow from his shoulder with a grimace. "Archers!" he growled. And then he was back on his feet.

The Golden Magus lurched under a volley of cannon fire. Debris bounced crazily off the deck; chunks of wood flew into the air. Across the way, the enemy pirate vessel swung back around, maneuvering for a second run. The pirates' guns boomed so loudly Mateo was certain his ears must be bleeding from it.

The main mast snapped off with a great crack and came crashing down to the deck. They were taking on water, and quickly. Nothing for it now, no way to save the ship. Mateo gazed out over the water—he could just make out the coast of Namicia in the distance. So close."Abandon ship!" Ba'Tal yelled.

Mateo struggled to keep his footing on the slippery deck as he made his way to the railing. He sent a last, long look over his shoulder at the place he had called home for so many years of his life, dropped his sword, and jumped.

Mateo swam frantically against the pull of the Golden Magus as it sank, feeling his breath running out. Fear assailed him as his throat constricted and his chest tightened. Thickness filled his panicked, gasping lungs; a great weight pressed down on him. Blackness hovered on the edges of his vision, and the world slipped away from existence.

Dimly, Mateo realized his predicament, but exhaustion and cold were quickly pushing him beyond the point of caring. And then he broke the surface. Mateo ignored the fatigue of long days and nights spent working on board ship, ignored his injuries. Ignored it all, and swam for his life.

He could see no other survivors in the water around him, which brought him to the conclusion they had managed to escape, or they were all dead—as he soon would be, if he didn't find land. Or a rescue ship. The shadow of a large ship loomed above him, and Mateo gave a silent thanks to the gods. His celebration was short lived though. Pirate ship. Wrong ship.

>

Fall Into Romance Blog Hop

****PLEASE BE AWARE: I write GLBTQ romance. GLBTQ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. This means my works feature same sex relationships AND same sex sexual acts. If winning that kind of a book isn't your cup of tea, kindly pass on to the next blog in the hop and leave the spot open for someone else. Thank you.****

My favorite trio from my stories is Vance, Andrew, and Rayne. Vance and Rayne are both powerfully sexy, no nonsense Doms, and Andrew is their sub. Now, I haven't yet penned the tale of just exactly how they met, but their life together started in "Raine Fall."

One lucky winner will receive a free pdf copy! Just leave a comment below, including your e-mail. Easy, peasy!

Blurb:

Vance, Andrew, and Raine are back! We met this sexy trio in "Where He Belongs," but now we get to find out how it all started. Raine's world is turned upside down when his sister, Lilly, dies unexpectedly. She's left him the Dew Drop Inn, and everything seems very cut and dry - he'll sell the place and return to his calm, uncomplicated life. But his former lover, Vance, and Vance's saucy sub, Andrew, have other ideas, and when Vance makes a counter offer, Raine is left wondering what the right thing to do really is. Is everything he's worked for worth it without love? Can two powerful Doms even coexist under the same roof?
Excerpt:

Vance stepped around him and walked over to Bret. Vance held up his hands. "I just want to talk to you."

Bret nodded and the security guards each took a step to the side to allow Vance closer. The moment they moved, Vance balled up his fist and decked Bret. He stood over Bret's prone form as the guards yelled at him and the doctor rushed over. "This is more than over. Stay away from what's mine, you worthless pile of garbage."

Vance turned and went back to Raine, and Raine's chest filled with the sweet ache of pride and gratitude. Though Vance was shorter than him in stature, there were days Vance was a helluva lot bigger in spunk.

"Both of you get out of here!" the doctor shouted. "Before I change my mind and have you both arrested for assault!"

Vance pulled Raine down the hall, but Raine's attention didn't waiver. He stared Bret down until they'd passed through the double doors, then snatched his arm away from Vance. They walked in silence out to Raine's car. He stood there, leaning against the door, chest heaving, head pounding.

"You know what he said isn't true." Vance reached out and laid his hand on Raine's chest.

8"Of course it isn't." Raine looked down at Vance's hand. How bizarre that it had been four years since they'd been physically intimate, yet that touch still did so much to him. Comfort, strength, lust, assurance -- the warmth of Vance's hand seeped through his sweater and he imagined it swelled out through his chest, to his heart. He tugged Vance close and claimed Vance's lips in a hard kiss. He rested his forehead against Vance's afterward. God, he'd missed that.

Vance took a step back, licked his lips and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You're welcome to stay with us while you're in town."

"Us?" Holy shit, it hadn't even occurred to him that there might be someone in Vance's life. Well, someone else. That was, if what they had could still be considered a relationship. Probably not anymore.

Vance looked away quickly, took a deep breath, and met Raine's gaze. "Andrew and I."

He raised an eyebrow. "Andrew Baker?" Vance nodded. "How long's that been going on?" He couldn't deny a surge of jealousy. Andrew had been the one man to tempt him to stay in town, but the saucy sub had carried too much emotional baggage for Raine's taste back then.

"A year and a half." Vance looked down at his feet and then back up. "He's been anxious to see you since I got the call tonight." He reached out again and rubbed Raine's shoulder. "And so have I. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too," Raine admitted, though he hadn't realized quite how much until just that moment. He could let his guard down around Vance, and he'd forgotten how sweet a feeling that was. Wouldn't last long though, especially with Andrew around. Relaxing around another Dom was one thing. Relaxing around a sub was something Raine didn't do.

"C'mon. Follow me home." Vance turned and strolled across the parking lot.

Raine nodded. He got in his car and waited for Vance to pull out, then headed down the road behind his friend. His lover, he reminded himself. He and Vance hadn't exactly ended anything when he'd moved away, though he supposed random Internet chats and a couple sessions of phone sex didn't count as much. Still, if anyone made him ache for home, it was Vance. And Andrew. Good Lord. How would he deal with the two of them under the same roof without fucking them both blind? His guts twisted and he shook his head. He'd come for Lilly, not a tryst.