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Giveaway + Blog Tour: Rules for Santa (Davey's Rules #3) by Susan Hawke


Rules for Santa is out now! Celebrate the release of this daddy kink holiday story with author Susan Hawke & Vibrant Promotions. Read an excerpt & enter in the giveaway for a $5 Amazon gift card & an e-copy of the book from the author! Good luck!

Rules for Santa
Susan Hawke
Davey’s Rules Series Book 3
Susan Hawke
M/M Romance, Daddy/boy
Release Date: 11.01.19
Rules for Santa Cover

Blurb
Rule #18: Daddy’s boy will always believe in his Santa Daddy.
Homeless, alone, and now jobless, Cameron Evans is lost… until he’s found after a prominent local attorney literally trips over him when the boy is passed out from dehydration.
Scott Hendrickson has two things in life: his job as an assistant district attorney, and his son Davey. Other than that, he lives alone in a house that’s too big, too empty, too… lonely.
It’s not just Cameron’s life that might change for the better when Scott takes him in. Scott can provide material things and security, but Cameron returns the favor by breathing fresh air into Scott’s stale life.
Two men who need each other… one magical holiday season. Could a little Christmas magic be all that’s needed to bring the biggest gift of all? Maybe Cameron doesn’t need a Sugar Daddy… because he already has a Santa Daddy.
This is the third book in a series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Get ready for all the squishy holiday feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book.
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Excerpt
After a sleepless night spent tossing and turning, I was up with the sun. Cameron came down right as I was pouring the fruit compote over a Belgian waffle. I noticed the backpack on his shoulder right off the bat.


His stomach growled—loudly—but he ignored it as he met my eyes. "I'm going to get out of your hair now. I just wanted to thank you for taking me in last night. I looked out the window and it's not raining right now, so I should be okay."



Shaking my head, I pointed to the island. "Drop your bag and come have breakfast. I didn't cook all this just for me, did I?" My chest fluttered when he instantly obeyed.



His cheeks were pink as he climbed onto the stool. "Sorry, I just didn't want to assume or impose. I thought you might be sick of me by now. But I suppose it won't hurt to stick around long enough to have breakfast, especially since you went to so much work."



"You’re not imposing at all. It's nice to have a little company in the house." I figured we would discuss his leaving later. First… food.



"Wow, that's a beautiful compote. You reduced it perfectly, I won't even need syrup." Cameron smiled brightly as he looked at the plate I set in front of him. There were already platters of scrambled eggs and bacon on the counter, along with a container of freshly squeezed orange juice. I might have been a little too busy.



"I just hope you like waffles." I spoke casually, setting a carafe of coffee on the counter along with a container of cream and cups for each of us. "I wasn't sure if you drink coffee or not. If not, that just means there'll be more for me."



His eyes were closed as he moaned around his first bite of waffle. I wasn't sure whether to be pleased or turned on. Maybe a bit of both? After he swallowed, his eyes popped open and he reached for the coffee. "I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I don't hate it. Especially with a rich breakfast like this, I’ll definitely want coffee today."



Susan Hawke LogoAs an avid reader and big romance fan myself, I love sharing the stories of the different people who live in my imagination. My stories are filled with humor, a few tears, and the underlying message to not give up hope, even in the darkest of times, because life can change on a dime when you least expect it. This theme comes from a lifetime of lessons learned on my own hard journey through the pains of poverty, the loss of more loved ones than I'd care to count, and the struggles of living through chronic illnesses. Life can be hard, but it can also be good! Through it all I've found that love, laughter, and family can make all the difference, and that's what I try to bring to every tale I tell.
I'm a happily married mom with one snarky teenage boy, and three grown "kids of my heart." I'm more widely known for my mpreg writings as Susi Hawke; this new name is a departure from that. Whether written by Susan or Susi, the books are filled with that all-important love, laughter, and family I mentioned; the only difference is that this name has no male pregnancy. I look forward to sharing my stories with you, and to bringing more romance and laughter into this world that needs it so very badly.
Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/2Hdgwvl

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: For Sam, times infinity by Suki Fleet


Suki Fleet and Signal Boost Promotions celebrate new release, For Sam, times infinity! Learn more about the contemporary romance and enter in the back list eBook giveaway today!





Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 60,000 words approx.

Blurb

After growing up in care, all Sam wants is to make a home for him and Tommy, his kid brother by choice. But it’s not as easy as he thought, especially when his social worker finds him a job miles away. And falling for the surprising boy at work only makes things harder.


Evra is different, his past a mystery. Being truly himself is not something he’s ever felt safe enough to be with anyone, not until Sam, the shyest boy ever, saves his life at work and Evra finds himself inexplicably trusting him. Wanting him.


Problem is, Sam is leaving, unable to stand being so far away from Tommy. And Evra can’t leave, not when he has consequences to face.


Making things work might seem complicated, but sometimes falling in love has its own consequences.


About The Author


Award Winning Author. Prolific Reader (though less prolific than they’d like). Lover of angst, romance and unexpected love stories.


Suki Fleet’s first novel This is Not a Love Story won Best Gay Debut in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Awards. Foxes won Best Gay Young Adult story in the 2016 Rainbow Awards.


You can contact Suki at sukifleet@gmail.com


If you’re interested in hearing about upcoming releases, works in progress, giveaways and freebies, please sign up to Suki’s newsletter.




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Blog Tour: The Lost Souls (The Grim Life #3) by K.D. Worth




Welcome author K.D. Worth as she chats a bit about her new Harmony Ink Press release, The Lost Souls (The Grim Life #3)! Don't miss the exclusive excerpt she shares from the series finale today!



The Grim Life: Book Three
Teenage grim reapers Max and Kody are already dealing with being dead... and now they’re expected to save the world.
With the help of their guardian angel, Slade, and each other, Max and Kody have finally discovered the destiny God planned for them—help the lost souls languishing in purgatory back to heaven. But they’re still growing into their roles. Kody, the Healer, struggles to understand the power born of his empathy, and Max’s abilities as Protector suffer because of longing for his best friend... along with Slade’s dire prediction that Max will lose Kody. So many are depending on them, and they’ll have to summon all the love and faith inside them to face a mass school shooting and bring love and hope to those who need it most.


NOW AVAILABLE!

Special offer for a limited time:
The Grim Life: FREE and The Wounded Heart: only $.99


My GRIM LIFE series tells the tale of Kody, a suicidal college student, struggling with his sexuality and his faith in God. Max is the grim reaper sent to take Kody to heaven when Kody tries to kill himself. Instead Max feels a deep, unexpected connection with Kody and Max saves his life. Now they are both serving as grim reapers, taking souls to heaven.
But dating is tough, especially when you’re dead.
The third and final book in the series, THE LOST SOULS is a story of redemption, ultimate forgiveness, trust, and friendship. After suffering unbearable losses, Max and Kody have learned that they are a part of a special prophesy that tells or two souls, twin flames, who will bridge the gap between purgatory and heaven.  But they have a lot of hurdles they must overcome before they get there. Enjoy this sweet sexy excerpt exclusive for Boy meets Boy!

EXCERPT:
“I made the force field.”
“You did?” I grinned and shifted to sit cross-legged beside him, thrilled he was using his light powers again. He’d been too depressed or weak—maybe both—since Meegan left that, even at my gentle urging, he hadn’t wanted to practice much until these past few days. Sure, he’d touched my chest and watched his hand glow, but it was only yesterday that he’d attempted to shoot a blast. The unfortunate chair in the library wasn’t as happy as we had been. That might’ve been the first genuine smile I’d seen from Max in a while.
All signs that I was slowly but surely getting my boyfriend back from the darkness of grief.
“Yeah, check this out.” Max’s fingertips began to glow, and when he connected them to his other hand, an opalescent light seemed to pour from his fingertips. As he moved his hands apart, the light stretched with them, sparkling and beautiful in a kaleidoscope of colors.
His face glowed from the magic and pride.
I beamed at him and reached out to touch the light. “That’s so cool.”
When I touched it, the light disappeared with a pop.
“I’m sorry!”
“It kept breaking on me every time too,” he admitted, crooking his mouth in a frown, though excitement still danced in his eyes. “It’ll take practice. But at least I can make it now.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’ll do it. I know you will.”
His expression grew serious. “I will, I promise. I’ll keep you safe. Forever.”
My heart fluttered with happiness, and sitting so close to him… on our bed, something else fluttered within me.
Without asking, I reached up and cupped his cheek. Max raised his chin a little, his eyelids drooped, and his lips parted.
We knew without words I wanted to kiss him and he wanted to be kissed.
I held still, though, soaking in how handsome he looked, patiently poised and waiting. I licked my lips and lowered my head, gaze locked on his full soft lips. My mouth watered, and I swallowed it back, my breaths coming a little rougher now, the blood pounding through my body and making me harden everywhere.
“I love you, Max,” I breathed, caressing his cheek with my thumb.
“Me too,” he gasped out, moving quickly to join our mouths in a passionate kiss.
We kissed for a long time, only our lips and tongues playing, my hand still on his cheek. Then Max placed both hands on my chest and gently pushed me back.
Breathless, I gazed into his eyes. “That was some kiss,” I whispered, heart pounding and skin flushed.
He rolled his lips as he smiled and nodded. “Yeah, it was.” He glanced down at his hands, and I followed suit.
I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I jumped a bit when I saw his palms glowing.
“I wonder…,” Max began, and then he chewed his lower lip and furrowed his brows in concentration. The light from his hands glowed like before, but then the shimmering white began to spread across my chest. His heat filled me, and I gasped even as I watched it inch across my torso.
“You’re doing it,” I whispered.
Slowly, he removed his hands from me, and the large sheet of light stayed on my body for a moment before flickering and fading out.
I looked up at him, and he had wonder in his eyes. “It’s easier when you’re here.”
“Do you want to practice more?”
Max shook his head quickly. “No more practicing. More kissing.”
When he dove for me, I laughed, embracing him close and giving him what we both wanted. I never tired of kissing Max, and if I did say so myself, we’d really found a rhythm, anticipating each other’s needs. We only banged teeth or got too slobbery when we were kissing at night, stealing a private moment, reaching for every purchase of skin, savoring every passionate stroke and rub.
In fact, the more we touched, the more we both wanted. It was like there was this unquenchable hunger inside me when it came to Max, an insatiable lust that was never satisfied. I knew it was because biologically and mentally we were hormone-laden sixteen- and eighteen-year-old guys, though realistically we were both twenty by now, in terms of life experience.
But my need to be close to Max was overwhelming at times, and like now, a little painfully tight in my jeans.
I pulled back from the kiss. “I don’t think anyone else is back from their jobs,” I murmured, quirking my brow. “How about more than just kissing?”
“Oh, um…,” Max fumbled for words. “Actually Kelli is in the common room. And I saw Dan and Jake head to the library when I got back.”
“We can be quiet. And it won’t take that long.”
Max laughed.
Another byproduct of our age, it was usually over pretty quick once things really started going. But I could sense Max’s shy side surfacing, and I wouldn’t treat Max how Tristen treated Heather.
“Never mind, we’ll just kiss.” I delivered a peck on his freckled nose and gave him a squeeze. “You just make me crazy for you.”
“That’s awful nice to hear.”
“It’s the truth.”
“I wish we could go back to our pavilion and have some real privacy,” Max whispered.
“It’s okay, I’m happy just kissing you,” I said, and it was the truth.
Suddenly Max gave me an impish grin. “How about we keep our pants on, just in case?”
I quirked my brow hopefully. “Unbuttoned?”
His grin widened. “Oh yeah.”
NOW AVAILABLE!

Special offer for a limited time:
The Grim Life: FREE and The Wounded Heart: only $.99

K.D. Worth has always considered herself to have the heart of a teenager with an old soul. When not talking to the characters living in her head, she loves to hang out at her favorite townie bar, then go dancing and partying with her husband and friends. There is always music playing in her home, and if it’s too loud, you’re too old! On the flip side, K.D. enjoys spending time in her vegetable garden, canning the food she grows, and making homemade jams and jellies. She also is known to crochet washcloths and blankets for her closest friends and smiles when they tease her for her “grandmotherly” ways. These two different sides to her personality create a layered tapestry of life experience that brings depth and believability to the characters she writes. She loves to hear from her fans almost as much as she loves her cocker spaniels. You can find her on online here: Facebook Twitter Bookbub

Giveaway + Release Blitz: A Christmas Deal by Keira Andrews


Join author Keira Andrews & Signal Boost Promotions in their celebration of The Christmas Deal! Find out more about this holiday story & enter in the giveaway for a backlist ebook from the author! Good luck!




Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

Length: 250 pages

Cover Design: Wicked Smart Design

Blurb


Will fake boyfriends become the real deal this holiday?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—except ex-Marine Logan is jobless and getting evicted. Worse, he’s a new single dad with a stepson who hates him. A kid needs stability—not to mention presents under the tree—and Logan’s desperate.

Then he meets lonely Seth and makes a deal.

Can Logan temporarily pretend to be live-in boyfriends to increase Seth’s chances at a promotion? If it provides a roof over their heads for the holidays, hell yeah. Logan considers himself straight—he doesn’t count occasional hookups with guys—but he can fake it. Besides, with his shy little smile, Seth is surprisingly sexy.

Make that damn sexy.

Shocked that Seth has only been with one man, Logan can’t resist sweetening their deal to teach him the joys of casual sex. No strings attached. No feelings. No kissing.

No falling for each other.

Easy, right?

The Christmas Deal is a steamy holiday gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening, a clueless single dad with an angry preteen, and of course a happy ending.


Author Bio

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”


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Release Blitz: Mr. Right Now by Annabeth Albert


Join Annabeth Albert and Vibrant Promotions as they promote new holiday romance, Mr. Right Now! Learn more today!

Picture_20191112_170817533
Mr. Right Now
Annabeth Albert
M/M Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 11.14.19

MrRightNow-AA-f

Blurb
He’s Mr. Right Now, but for how long?
When Russ suffers a Thanksgiving disaster, his gorgeous neighbor Esteban is there to save the day. And after an innocent mix-up leads to the former Hollywood hottie playing the role of Russ’s date, Russ thinks scoring Esteban as his fake boyfriend is a huge win. The newly discharged marine is healing inside and out and could use some holiday cheer.
For his part, Esteban is intrigued by his big, bad neighbor. He likes how his matchmaking cat brings out an unexpected caring side of Russ. Desire flares as the reasons to continue their ruse pile up for both men.
And pretending feels so good. From chocolaty kisses to late night cuddles, their burgeoning friendship is getting cozier and cozier. But as the end date for their little deception looms, all the real feelings they’ve tried to ignore come tumbling in. Each must decide whether they have what it takes to ring in the New Year as a couple.
Mr. Right Now is a stand-alone holiday novella with sweet, low-angst feels, spicy love scenes, and foodie inspired, quirky Oregon romance with a military flavor. Happy ending guaranteed with no cliffhangers!
Tags: neighbors-to-lovers, fake boyfriend, holiday romance, friends-to-lovers

Mr Right Now Kiss TeaserMr. Right Now Teaser PicsMr. Right Now Cat Teaser

Excerpt
Russ didn’t consider himself an angry guy, but as he carried the blackened and flaking skillet out to the trash, he was seriously considering violence toward the misbehaving onions that had transformed from raw to charred before he could save his pan. The mess was far too gross for pitching into his small under-the-sink can.
Adrenaline pumping more than it needed to be, he heaved the pan into the shared dumpster for his condo community where it landed with a satisfying clang. “Take that, Thanksgiving.”
Now he needed to go back into his place and decide how to cope with the loss of his one large skillet. If he didn’t pass out from the stench first. He sagged against the fence surrounding the dumpster and took some deep breaths.
“Problem?” A familiar, deep voice asked.
Hell. Of course, he wasn’t alone in his humiliation. No, his next-door neighbor was right there, neat white bag of trash in hand. And not the older woman who occupied the condo on the corner. This would have to be the hot neighbor, Esteban.
With his full head of dark hair shot through with silver strands, lush mouth, chiseled features, and lean build, Esteban always managed to look like a magazine spread of forty-something Hollywood heartthrobs. He even looked good taking out the trash. Today he was wearing a black T-shirt advertising last year’s Pride Run, turquoise running shoes, and gray shorts way too short for the dreary November Portland weather.
“Not really.” Russ tried for a casual tone.
“Trying out for the next Olympic shotput team? Or did that pan commit some unpardonable offense?” Esteban laughed lightly, in his usual good humor.
His voice was as Hollywood-worthy as the rest of him, rich and sinful even when teasing. Nothing seemed to faze him, not his escape-artist cat, not the continual parking issues for their condo complex, not mail mix-ups, and not Russ taking his frustrations out on his cookware.
“The second. Ruined my stuffing before it even got started.” He groaned, hating how the explanation sounded, but also not one to lie simply for the sake of looking better. Even if Hot Neighbor Esteban was totally worth a white lie or two.
“There’s a joke there…” A smile teased the edges of Esteban’s full mouth. “Let me guess, your family assigned you a dish you’ve never made before to bring to dinner?”
“Worse.” Might as well confess everything. “I’m supposed to be hosting. And I was supposed to have help, but then my…boyfriend broke up with me last night, and now I’m on my own.”
It still felt weird, that word “boyfriend” on his tongue, even when he was almost certain that Esteban, the guy his Realtor had described as a “hot, gay, former movie star,” wouldn’t care. Heck, if he was honest, that descriptor, plus the convenient single-story layout, had sold him on the condo several months back.
“Oh, man. He seriously left you hanging, didn’t he?” Eyebrows creasing, Esteban shook his head. “Didn’t he even leave you a cookbook or a menu for the meal?”
“Nope. Just me and Chef Google. Tried to make a plan this morning.” Russ tried for an upbeat tone again. “There’s apparently a limit to what cooking videos can teach on the fly.”
“Yeah, there is. Is there anything I could do to help?” Esteban seemed sincere in the offer, voice warm and sympathy clear in his brown eyes.
It was the kind of offer Russ would ordinarily turn down. He was a former marine, and he liked to think he could handle himself in most situations. As a result, he didn’t like relying too much on strangers, or even friends, and he’d gotten a little too good at distancing himself from well-meaning buddies from the military.
But Thanksgiving meant these were not ordinary times. He was well and totally screwed for hosting dinner.
“Do you have a large nonstick skillet I could borrow?” he asked. “Most stores are probably closed, and even for the ones that are open, by the time I go and come back…”
“I’ve got you.” Esteban clapped him on the shoulder, strong grip that belied his lean build.
The rumors were probably right about Esteban’s movie-star career. He was one of those perfectly proportioned people—neither tall nor short, shoulders more in keeping with his running habit than linebacker-wide, slim torso, toned legs, and long, elegant fingers that always made Russ feel that much bulkier and clumsier.
“I…uh… Can I get it now? I’ll bring it back later. And if another disaster happens—”
“It won’t.” Laughing again, Esteban shivered as a breeze whipped through their corner of the courtyard.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Russ admitted, trying his best to ignore the impulse to warm up Esteban. Between his electric touch and the adorable way his cheeks went pink in the chilly wind, there was no denying Esteban’s appeal, even if Russ had sworn just last night that he was over attractive guys forever. “But I’ll replace it if it gets ruined.”
“Appreciated, but I’m coming with the pan. I can get you started sautéing without torching anything at least. You need another onion? I’ve got plenty.”
“You want to help me?” Russ blinked. This was…unexpected.

Annabeth Coffee Logo
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Mr. Right Now joins her many other critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance series and stand-alone titles. To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and particularly loves uncovering unique main characters. In her personal life, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.

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Review: Best Man (Close Proximity #1) by Lily Morton

Zeb Evans doesn’t do messy. 


The product of a disorganised and chaotic childhood, Zeb likes order and control, and as the boss of his own employment agency he can give that to himself. Life runs along strict lines and he never mixes business with pleasure. Everything in his life lives in neat, alphabetized boxes. Until Jesse.


Jesse Reed is Zeb’s complete opposite. He’s chaos personified. A whirling cyclone of disorder. He’s also charming and funny and a very unwanted distraction.


Which is why it comes as a complete surprise to Zeb to find himself asking Jesse to pose as his boyfriend for a few days in the country at a wedding. 


Zeb doesn’t do impulsive, but as the time away progresses, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the merry and irreverent Jesse. But can he bring himself to break the hard-won lessons he’s learnt in life? And even if he can, how could Jesse be attracted to him anyway? He’s so much older than Jesse, not to mention being his boss.


From the bestselling author of the Mixed Messages and Finding Home series comes a warm and funny romance about one man’s fight for control and another man’s determination to circumvent it.


This is the first book in the Close Proximity series, but it can be read as a standalone.


Lily Morton has quickly become an author that I turn to for snark, banter, sassy characters, and comfort reads. Best Man fell right in line with having all of those components in heaps… just add in a 20 year age gap, hairy chest, and some OTT drama and we’ve got another enjoyable read.

The humor begins right away as Jesse and Zeb are introduced. Jesse is hired on at Zeb’s company and then they continue to work together for years. Jesse has a hopeless crush on Zeb while Zeb has slotted him under the employee category without any wiggle room. Nada. Well, that is until Zeb needs Jesse to escort him to a wedding where his ex-boyfriend is getting married. Cue silly shenanigans, uptight Zeb, carefree Jesse, and a getaway with one bed.

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I really like the way Lily writes main characters with sass and snark. Jesse is a hilarious yet well-meaning HOT MESS! He has been giving Zeb headaches for years (although, secretly Zeb enjoys it) and has ramped up his PDA for the benefit of the jealous ex… and himself. When Zeb and Jesse finally get down to business, they’ve got some pent-up frustrations that need to be worked out and ohhhh boy do they work them out. Yowza!

Patrick the ex is an asshole. An OTT asshole. There are a few parts that are a tad OTT but things revolving around Patrick were off the charts and some of the drama felt a little unnecessary. Zeb and Jesse get their HEA and IMO, Mr. Spitfire Jesse needed a little more of a backbone when it came to overcoming his conflict with Zeb. Still, I enjoyed Best Man, especially Jesse and Zeb together, and will absolutely continue on with this new series. Recommended.

Copy provided for honest review.


An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Holiday Gridlock (Cruised #2) by Gretchen Evans


Author Gretchen Evans and IndiGo Marketing celebrate the release of Holiday Gridlock (Cruised #2)! Learn more about the holiday romance and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit!


Title: Holiday Gridlock
Series: Cruised, Book Two
Author: Gretchen Evans
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: November 11, 2019
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 18600
Genre: Contemporary Holiday, LGBT, contemporary, holiday, Christmas, age-gap, interracial

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Synopsis

Gabe is way too happy. Mark is as close to a perfect boyfriend as you can get. He’s smart, good-looking, successful, and he cares about Gabe. He’s also way more serious about their relationship than Gabe’s ready for. He wants them to move in together.

The closest Gabe’s ever gotten to living with a boyfriend is accidentally leaving his boxers behind. But he and Mark are way past that. It’s terrifying.

Mark invites Gabe home for the holidays where Gabe gets an intimate look at Mark’s family, his childhood, and how different their Christmas traditions are. It’s loud, overwhelming, messy, and…really nice. Homey in a way Gabe’s never experienced.

But Mark wants more than for Gabe to just have a peek at this part of his life. He wants Gabe to become part of the family, to go to bed with him every night, and wake up with him every morning. He wants all their Christmases to be together. Moving in may be just the start.

It might take a Christmas miracle for Gabe to figure himself out and overcome his fears. Or maybe a little familial intervention.

Will Gabe and Mark take the next step, or will they get stuck in holiday gridlock?

Excerpt

Holiday Gridlock
Gretchen Evans © 2019
All Rights Reserved

DECEMBER 17TH
Pressure squeezed Gabe’s sinuses like a vice. A vice might be too extreme. More like he’d walked into a wall repeatedly, and now his entire face ached.

He blew his nose for the hundredth time. It wasn’t much relief. The best he could do was snuggle deeper into the nest of blankets he’d assembled on his couch and pray for the sweet release of death.

The scratch of a key turning the old, cheap lock on his front door roused him. The light coming through the blinds had dimmed a lot, and the Netflix “Are you still watching?” glared at him from the TV. He must have dozed off watching Planet Earth. Thank God for Nyquil.

No point in getting up. Only one person had a key to his apartment: Mark. If it wasn’t Mark, that meant someone was picking his lock and planned to rob him. Good. They could take whatever they wanted as long as they took this damn cold too.

“Hello!” Mark called from the hall.

Gabe managed to sit up, sort of. “In here,” he called out, voice cracking.

Mark appeared in the living room doorway wearing a devastatingly handsome three-piece gray suit. Gabe was sick, not dead. He could appreciate his sexy his boyfriend in almost any state. Mark gripped a brown paper Whole Foods bag in his hand.

His boyfriend. It was a thrill to think about. How often did a gorgeous, successful man you met on a hookup app turn out to actually be gorgeous and successful? And then be as interested in you as you were in him? Their early days of hooking up in public bathrooms—and one memorable time, a parking lot—were behind them. But those were some nice memories.

They had gone from an awkward “hey, let’s try this” to practically living in each other’s back pockets in only a few months. Gabe hadn’t had many relationships and sometimes felt a little lost at sea. But when Mark was with him, that didn’t seem to matter.

Mark’s legs were long, and Gabe’s apartment was small, so it only took a couple steps for Mark to reach him. He dropped the groceries on the battered coffee table and bent to kiss the top of Gabe’s curls.

“How are you feeling?”

Gabe pulled himself up to sit a little higher. “Like shit.”

Smiling, Mark smoothed back Gabe’s hair. Gabe stretched into it like a cat begging to be petted. It didn’t make his nightmare of a cold go away any faster, but it certainly made him feel better. He didn’t want Mark to stop but… “You’re going to get sick.”

“Maybe, but I take my vitamins.” Mark pulled away, picking up the grocery bag as he walked toward the kitchen. “I brought you dinner.”

Food sounded unappealing. He couldn’t taste anything. Couldn’t smell anything. It was like putting cardboard in his mouth.

Mark slung his jacket over the top of the lonely stool Gabe had at his breakfast bar, leaving him in white shirtsleeves and a vest that hugged his waist perfectly. He propped himself against the counter, rolling up his sleeves. Gabe could see the bulge of the veins in Mark’s forearms from the couch.

“I’m cheating a little.” He pulled a plastic tub with something gross-looking sloshing against its sides and a shrink-wrapped pack of chicken cut into bite-size pieces from the bag. “Premade stock and precooked chicken. Good chicken soup takes time, so we’ll make do with this. Add some fresh vegetables and noodles and it’s almost like the real thing.”

There was nothing like seeing a man who made your heart pound, dressed like that, proposing to make nearly homemade chicken soup just because you were sick. How could Gabe say no to dinner now?

He watched through the tiny opening between the breakfast bar and the kitchen as Mark quietly went about his business. Mark knew where the pots and pans were, where the cutting board and sharpest knife were kept. He knew to use the front left burner because the others were bent and the pot would wobble. Gabe hadn’t realized Mark paid so much attention to his dingy little kitchen.

They cooked dinner together often, but usually at Mark’s much nicer condo. His kitchen had granite countertops and an oven that didn’t burn things. Watching Mark move so effortlessly around Gabe’s space settled something warm and heavy in Gabe’s chest. Something that wasn’t congestion.

He must have dozed off again because suddenly Mark nudged his elbow with one hand and held out a steaming bowl of soup with the other.

“Here. Eat some soup and drink some water; then you can go back to sleep.”

Gabe sat up, his back against the armrest and legs stretched out in front of him, and took the bowl. The steam felt good against his face as he tried to smell it. “You gonna tuck me in?”

Mark balanced his own bowl of soup as he lifted Gabe’s legs to sit on the couch. He lowered Gabe’s legs back to his lap and made sure Gabe’s feet were covered before picking up his spoon. “You are far too sick to be lascivious.”

“Nice SAT word. And anyway, I read an article about how regular sex can help fight off colds.”

Taking a long moment to bring the spoon to his lips, Mark delayed answering. He shot a wicked grin at Gabe after he swallowed. “I thought you were worried about getting me sick.”

Touché.

“How do you feel about sex with hospital masks?”

“Decidedly unsexy.”

“Spoil sport.”

Gabe turned back to his soup. He couldn’t taste it, but it was warm and made his throat feel better. He managed most of it but left a lot of the noodles behind before Mark took the bowl from him.

Sounds of running water and clinking dishes came from the kitchen as Gabe snuggled down in his blankets. He found the remote wedged between the back of the couch and the cushion and clicked on the Antarctica episode of Planet Earth. That was a good one.

He hummed as Mark settled on the couch, putting Gabe’s legs in his lap again.

“This the one with the whales?”

Gabe hummed again, his eyelids sliding closed.

“Do you want me to wake you up before I go so you can go to bed? Or do you want to sleep on the couch?” Mark’s voice was quiet, and his palm rubbed circles on Gabe’s calf, which was not going to help him stay awake.

“How long are you staying?”

“At least until I see some whales. That’s the only reason I came over.”

Gabe tried for a playful kick, but even that took too much energy. It looked more like an uncoordinated leg spasm. Mark laughed at him anyway. Gabe refused to rise to the bait. Instead, he purposefully shut his eyes and went to sleep.

The next time he came to, it was dark outside, but a soft glow filled his apartment. Mark must have turned on a lamp. Gabe stretched his legs. Mark wasn’t on the couch with him anymore. He must have gone home.

There was a little dip of sadness in Gabe’s chest at the thought.

The dip didn’t last long. Mark’s legs came into view next to the couch. Gabe had to crane his neck to see the rest of him.

“Here.” Mark held out a glass of water and two green pills.

Gabe didn’t bother to sit up. He could swallow lying down. It was one of his hidden talents. He popped the pills and tilted the glass back. He spilled some on his shirt but couldn’t bring himself to care.

“How did you know I needed more medicine?”

Mark perched on the coffee table, resting his elbows on his knees and searching Gabe’s face. “Because I love you, and I pay attention. I’ve been here more than four hours and you haven’t had any. I figured it was time. Are you sure you don’t need to go to a doctor?”

Mark had been the first to say I love you, but Gabe had said it right back. Since then, Mark dropped casual I love yous every day. Gabe was more reserved, but Mark didn’t seem to mind. Gabe thought Mark knew even though he didn’t say it all the time, he still felt it.

He took another swig of water, managing not to spill that time. “Nah, it’s only a cold. Give it a couple of days, and I’ll be fine.”

A deep V creased the skin between Mark’s dark eyebrows, and the small lines around his eyes deepened. Gabe wanted to kiss him. Badly. He started to pull himself up, unsure if he’d actually kiss Mark or not, but at least wanting to be on eye level with him.

Mark cupped Gabe’s elbow and helped him sit. He didn’t look relieved by Gabe’s change of position. “I’ll take you to the doctor if you need to go. Whenever you need to go.”

Gabe smiled, but that didn’t seem to convince Mark either. “I’ll be fine. Promise. I already feel better than I did yesterday.”

He rose slowly as Mark pulled on the blankets wrapped around Gabe, keeping them away from Gabe’s feet so he wouldn’t trip. Mark was good at small things like that. Mark was good at everything.

He waited, shoulder propped against the bathroom doorway, while Gabe brushed his teeth. Gabe didn’t have the energy to shower or change from one set of sweats to another to sleep in. He wanted to collapse, face first, on the bed. Instead, Gabe let Mark pull back the covers and usher him in. Like he was a child.

It didn’t feel patronizing or condescending. It was comforting.

“You know, I could do this every night if you’d move in with me,” Mark teased.

Bringing up an ongoing argument with one party sick was unfair.

“You’re taking advantage of my weakened state.” Gabe rolled on his side and hugged a pillow to his chest. “Besides, you could do this every night if you moved in here too.”

Mark sat on the bed, tucked up against the bend in Gabe’s knees. “My place is closer to work.”

Gabe snorted. “You don’t seem to mind the drive anymore.”

“Yeah, but I’d rather have you at home, in a nice big bed on clean sheets, than in a bathroom.” He rubbed his broad palm from Gabe’s knee to his hip. The heat of it soaked through straight to Gabe’s skin.

“You didn’t complain before.” Gabe’s head pounded. He wanted to go to sleep, and to get out of this conversation.

Mark’s hand smoothed back down to his knee. “No complaints from me, just promise me you’re considering it.”

Of course Gabe was considering it. Mark first mentioned it weeks ago, around Thanksgiving, and Gabe had shut him down quickly. But the thought kept popping back into Gabe’s mind. He thought of it when his shower ran out of hot water and when his windows rattled in the winter wind. And when he’d started feeling sick without Mark there to take care of him.

He couldn’t spend all his time with Mark. He couldn’t move in with him.

And he definitely couldn’t afford the rent in Mark’s neighborhood. But that didn’t stop him from thinking about it.

Mark pressed a kiss to the crown of Gabe’s head. “I’ll come back tomorrow after work. Sleep and text me if there’s anything you need. Christmas is only eight days away.”

The bottom dropped out of Gabe’s stomach. Christmas. Meeting Mark’s family for the first time.

Maybe he’d stay sick all the way to next year. He could get out of it that way.

Mark kissed him again, stroking his lips across the curve of Gabe’s ear. “Sleep, love.”

He wasn’t getting out of this.

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Meet the Author

Gretchen Evans is a bisexual, cis woman living with her partner in North Carolina. Her day job involves figuring out the best way to ask people questions they don’t want to answer. In the evenings, she does hot yoga and watches any TV show that can be read as queer-coded. She only drinks beer disguised as root beer and her perfect Sunday involves half listening to an NFL game as she reads a book. She plans to continue writing queer romance with engaging characters, sexy times, and feelings. You can find Gretchen on Twitter.

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