Is It Magic? Rest of Chapter One

 

Blurb:

Relath Talasar is not a scam artist although that’s what Khat, the local sheriff, thinks he is. Actually, Relath is a true wizard, even though, admittedly, not a good one. He is still able to break simple curses every day. Sheriff Khat does not believe in wizards or dragon shifters or magic of any kind. Mainly because belief in such things can land you in the castle dungeons and practicing magic can get you executed. All Khat is trying to do is encourage Relath to leave town so he doesn’t get himself killed. But after coming to LockShire, following an evil Angel Walker, Relath has fallen hard for the big lawman. Now, not only does Relath have to protect the clueless sheriff and defeat the Angel Walker, he has to stay ahead of the colonel hell bent on seeing him hang.

Rest of Chapter One

Could it be? How could he have not known? “Um…Khat, I…I thought…”

“Should I tell you exactly what it is I want to do to this ass?”

His voice had gone all sultry and whispery. “Yes!” Relath didn’t want to move. He wanted to go on feeling the pressure of that one finger—or was it two now?—forever, even through the fabric of his pants, which were irritatingly in the way. But it was still so damn good, so much more than he had ever expected from this man. He could come hard just by Khat continuing to do only this. But if the big, beautiful lawman deemed he might be willing to do more…

“Oh, big yes on all of it. Any of it. More…of it.” He had no idea what he was agreeing to, but if Khat kept only this up he would be happy.

Of course Khat didn’t. He stopped and moved away. Relath let out a disappointed moan until he realized Khat was removing the cuffs.

Khat’s low, commanding voice sounded from behind him. “Take off your clothes, Relath. Slowly. I want you naked.”

Relath sucked in a breath. He turned around to face Khat and took a step back to allow more room.

Khat growled, “Did I tell you to move?”

A small whimper escaped Relath as he took that step back into Khat’s very private space. He shed his coat pretty easily, but he was eternally grateful he wanted Relath to go slow because suddenly his fingers had no idea how a button even worked as he fumbled with the first one, nearly losing the battle. If he wasn’t so aware of Khat right there in front of him, knowing ripping off his shirt was not what the big man had told him to do, buttons would no longer be on the shirt anyway. But he willed his fingers to obey, to do the impossible, as his mind filled with Khat’s presence, his scent, and his maleness. Finally the shirt was coming off, slipping from his shoulders and floating away to land somewhere behind him. He then moved his hands to his pants, intent on undoing the simple bow that held the drawstring trousers up, but Khat’s rough callused hand came up and caressed Relath’s chest, his fingers rubbing deftly over his erect nipples. Relath let out another moan and stood with his eyes closed, his mind toppling over and over the sensations Khat was sending through his body.

“Your pants, Relath. Move.” Khat breathed down into Relath’s face.

Pants? What the hell are pants? Oh yeah. I know. Irritating, flesh covering, fabric. He directed his hands back to the strings and knew he only needed to pull one and it should let loose. Of course that particular brain cell that would have been able to tell just by touch which one of those strings it was, no longer functioned. Once again his fingers fumbled and by some miracle he had absolutely nothing to do with, the pants loosened and dropped all the way to the floor.

“Thank the gods,” Relath whispered.

“Oh yes, thank the gods.” Khat’s raspy voice breathed out as his other hand went straight for Relath’s hard and dripping cock. He pumped it up and down, using the taut skin for friction. “I need this in my mouth, Relath. I need to suck hard on you. Tell me I can do that.”

No air. There was no way air was going to get back into Relath’s lungs. Not after that statement. His knees were no longer locked either and he would have gone down except he reached up and grabbed Khat’s shoulders just in time. He was also pretty sure he got out a desperate “please” but all his ringing ears heard was an incoherent grunt.

Then Khat was gone and Relath’s cock was being consumed by wetness and heat and amazing pressure. Relath cried out in shock, the pleasure so sudden and intense he honestly should have come on the spot. Somehow he held on, kept that delicious moment at bay, dancing around in his head making him stupid. He spread his legs, trying valiantly to stay upright while he let the sensations wash over him.

But he had to see this. Had to witness it. He felt it but seeing it would be more than amazing. He forced his eyes to open and he looked down at Khat on his knees in front of him, taking his cock into his mouth again and again and again. He watched as Khat sucked hard, then released as his lips traveled up to the tip, saw his tongue dart out and drill into the tip, then stared as his cock disappeared once again into that hot mouth, Khat’s lips working his flesh. Again and again he repeated the movements, taking a tight hold of Relath’s hips as he moved him back and forth, aiding the motion. Then one of those hands sneaked around to his backside, the fingers pushing between his bare cheeks into the cleft, finding his opening and pushing up against it, not going in, just putting rhythmic pressure on it. It was over, too much, Relath was coming. He let out a long cry of ecstasy, digging his fingers into Khat’s shoulders, but there was no longer any way he would support his own weight. He went down.

Khat caught him. He lifted him and carried him to the cot, just a couple feet behind him, as those powerful waves still tumbled over him. Khat laid him down on the cot and climbed in next to him. With sudden renewed energy and overwhelming need, Relath pulled himself up and climbed on top of Khat. With a grunt, Khat allowed it and even helped pulling his shirt off and lifting his hips when Relath pulled Khat’s pants down and off, pitching them over his shoulder to land somewhere in the cell. The glorious sight of Khat’s gleaming, rock-hard member was life changing. Letting himself fall between Khat’s spread legs, he immediately put his lips around the oozing tip. Tasting the muskiness of him, the maleness of him, was overpowering. Relath used his tongue to lap up all the taste, and then he enveloped the large staff in his mouth, taking in as much as he could, closing his lips and sucking as he came back up. Tightening his lips, he slurped the shaft in, continuing to draw hard he pulled it back out. Licking around the tip, holding the magnificent cock like a sucker, Relath looked up into Khat’s face. The astonishment he saw there spurned him on, wanting desperately to please this man.

Coming off Khat’s cock for a moment, Relath wet his fingers. Then he let those fingers move to Khat’s ass, parting the cheeks and sliding up and down until he found Khat’s opening. He pushed, breeching the tight ring, sliding his finger in until it reached the middle knuckle, then he slowly slide in and out and in and out while he took Khat’s cock back into his mouth.

Suddenly Khat took a hold of Relath’s head and shoved himself as far down Relath’s throat as he could go. With a roar, he started to fuck Relath’s mouth, barely coming out of his throat long enough for Relath to pull in a breath. Relath relished the movement, knowing very soon Khat would be shooting his cum. He concentrated hard on being able to continue to move his finger in and out of Khat’s opening while keeping his throat open to take Khat’s cock. Then Khat was coming. Khat lifted his hips, shoving himself deep, as the spasms took over and juices flowed. Finally, Khat’s orgasm subsided and he loosened his grip on Relath’s head and hair. Relath let the spent member slip from his mouth, giving it one more hard lick, making Khat jerk up in response.

“Ahhh!” he shouted. Then he said a few more nonsensical words and Relath collapsed onto Khat’s chest.

Exhausted.

 

 

Is It Magic?

 From an older story of mine. Do you want more?

 

“Talasar! What have I told you about scamming the citizens of LockShire?”

Relath Talasar startled and turned to see the large beautiful form of Khat Warmark, sheriff and major thorn in his side. “Sheriff Warmark, sir! I assure you, I’m not scamming anyone.” He smirked at the lawman. “Simply passing a few companionable moments with these good folks, is all.”

“Yeah, Sheriff! Leave this boy alone!” An old man stepped forward, waving his cane at Khat. “He cured my chillshade right up. No medicine’s been able to even make me feel better, and this boy healed me!”

“Chillshade?” Khat turned to the old man. “Ben, who the fuck told you that you had chillshade?”

“This young man right here and he got rid of it just as quick!”

Khat roll his eyes. “Come on now, Ben. You of all people shouldn’t be encouraging this kind of thing. As good as it is to see you up and around, we all know that chillshade is a…a…” Khat sighed and put his hands on his hips. “Damn it, Ben. That’s crazy talk and you know it. This”—he waved a hand at Relath—“this child hasn’t cured you of anything. He’s scamming you. How much did he want for this miraculous cure from a disease that doesn’t even exist?”

“He never asked for a thing, Sheriff, not a thing. And you say chillshade don’t exist? Look at me!” Ben held his ever-present cane up in the air and did a little two step, first dancing a couple paces toward the sheriff, then a few back. “I was near to being bedridden, as you well know. Now look at me! Fit as a damn fiddle.”

“But chillshade, Ben?”

“That’s what Relath said. Then he cured me good and proper. Why would I question it? Damn alchemists couldn’t even come close to it, not like this young man. Now off with you, and leave a wizard to his work!”

Relath cringed at Ben’s last words. He wasn’t afraid the lawman would believe he was actually a wizard or anything. He had proven that many times over. Good, old-fashioned, down to earth, big feet flat on the ground, Khat Warmark, did not believe in magic. But mentioning the word “wizard” was bound to set the man off. It would be a wonder if the handcuffs didn’t come flying out this time.

Not that Relath minded handcuffs…or the thought of the big guy manhandling him enough to cuff him. In fact, he just might have to resist.

But what he was imagining, even in this volatile moment, would never come to be. Khat Warmark had given no indication he was interested in men. And even if he was, Relath Talasar was not high on his “I want to get to know you better” list.

However, Sheriff Warmark was actually one of the main reasons Relath did not move on. Normally, once the law noticed he was selling his talents in the form of miracle cures for, in their opinion, “nonexistent” diseases, Relath couldn’t get out of town fast enough. There was always the next settlement, the next village, maladies of all kinds, real, imagined and magical, all waiting for the Talasar Elixir.

Okay, yeah, so what if he put his name on the pond water he would bubble into bottles and sell off to the God-fearing public who thought a little extra insurance against “that which went bump in the night” was a good investment. It wasn’t the bottle they were buying. It was the spells Relath wove around each bottle that gave the dirty brown water its healing properties. Have the sniffles? Colds were no match for Relath. Stiffness in the joints? Not a problem. Stomach ailment? Relath had it covered. It wasn’t some alchemist concoction either that ultimately took more lives than it saved. His magic cured people. Faster, better and for good. And he never lost a customer. Not one. But alchemy was still the trusted method endorsed emphatically by the king. Wizardry and magic were myths, and belief in them could cost you your house, your land, and your family. Using them, could cost you your life. Even though the crown said it didn’t believe in such things, they still made the practice of it against the law. So it was always in Relath’s best interest to keep moving.

However, when he arrived in LockShire he ended up falling hard for Sheriff Khat. The big man oozed masculinity and authority. Today he was clean-shaven. He wore his beautiful black hair tied back, a simple leather vest over a dusty white shirt that was, oh my, halfway unbuttoned down that glorious chest. Relath especially liked how the man’s thick thighs filled out his tight black pants, and the nearly knee-high leather boots he wore certainly did not disguise his strong calves. Perfect white teeth, stunning blue eyes, dark lashes. The man was impossibly beautiful. But he was also kind, gentle and had an amazingly infectious laugh. His voice was low and hypnotic, almost as if the man carried a bit of magic himself.

When he first arrived in town, Sheriff Khat caught Relath sleeping in an alley, huddled behind some trash bins. The wind had been especially fierce that night and it was the only place he could find to stay relatively sheltered. Khat took him back to his office, gave him food and allowed him to sleep in an open cell. They chatted over coffee the next early morning and Relath couldn’t help but be strongly attracted to the man’s scent, his voice, his protective nature, his very presence. Even his smile was amazing. He wanted to weave a spell around the big man and have his way with him. The lawman would never be the wiser.

But Relath didn’t do things like that.

However, it didn’t stop him from imagining all the things that would happen if he did. Quite a few dark nights after that, suddenly feeling lonely and somewhat depressed about his situation, he would bring out those thoughts, along with his stiff member, and rub himself to utter completion and at least calm the fever.

But those imaginings only made it more difficult to leave, and, unfortunately, as the days and weeks wore on and Relath tried valiantly to hide what he did for a living, he fell deeper and deeper for the beautiful man. Even the man’s stern protectiveness of the citizens of LockShire was strangely alluring. Relath found himself wishing he could stay and be one of those sheltered people under Khat’s wing. He wondered what it would be like to be the recipient of those amazing smiles given along with a slight tip of his hat, simply meeting him on the street as he walked by on his way to wherever. He dreamed about being able to relax for the first time in what felt like eons, and be what the king deemed normal. But of course that couldn’t happen. He had already stayed far too long. He might be helping to cure illness and disease, might have even broken a few curses, too, but word got around. Not everyone was going to be as supportive as Ben was. And Khat had not arrested him as of yet, on purpose he said, giving him ample time and opportunity to find greener pastures. Mainly because an arrest would turn into a transfer to the castle and a sure hanging. If he continued to stick around and do what he did, Khat was bound to be forced to take action.

Like now, since Khat had caught him pretty much dead to rights—in the act, so to speak.

“Wizard, Ben? Surly you jest. Because pretending to be a wizard would be against the law!”

Those perfectly gorgeous blue eyes landed on Relath and smoldered. Relath wasn’t sure if what he saw was exactly anger, but it had to be at least partly what it was. There was some sort of heat there.

“So, Relath, you tell them dragon shifters are real, too?”

Relath heard a couple of gasps in his very attentive audience. No, he hadn’t told them that. He had only mentioned it that one time to Khat. Which, obviously, had been a mistake.

“How many times have I told you that you need to stop this shit? I’ve told you time and time again, if you kept this up you would leave me no choice!” He watched as Khat dejectedly reached behind him and pulled out a clinking set of metal cuffs. “Relath?” his gruff voice ground out, sending shivers up Relath’s back. “Come here.”

Damn. Relath’s arousal hit so fast and hard he actually felt dizzy. He didn’t move. Couldn’t. His own pants weren’t exactly loose fitting and the long tunic did little to hide what those words did to him. Not that the lawman would notice or understand.

Relath heard a growl. An angry growl. “Relath!”

“Um…yeah…coming.” Or at least he probably could. But since he was standing in the middle of a small crowd, that made it that rather impossible. Well, not impossible, and that was the real problem. Probable was a better term for the state he was in. “What…what do you plan on doing?” He was buying time. That’s all. He needed to calm down and actually be able to walk without embarrassing himself even further.

“We’ve talked about this, Relath. If you didn’t leave, if you kept doing your little magic act, I would arrest your ass.”

Relath smirked. “Just my ass?” Probably shouldn’t be flirting with the man but, damn, he couldn’t help it. Teasing the sheriff was a favorite pastime. He knew he would get no further than that with him, but it was just so much fun. “What are you planning to do with just my ass, Sheriff?” That elicited a giggle from Ben and a few of the others still standing, watching the show, although, Relath noticed, from a few steps back and in a continual retreat.

Khat turned red. Oh. That’s just too damn adorable. “Relath Talasar! Get you and your ass over here!”

“Yes, sir.” The little banter had the effect Relath needed. He was able to at least take the few steps to stand nose to aromatic chest hair sticking out from that unbuttoned part of Khat’s shirt. Relath decided to throw any caution he had ever had to the wind, ignore the warning bells that were clanging around inside his brain, and took a step even closer. He breathed deep. Musky, manly, deeply sexual. Well, so much for ever being able to move again.

Khat sighed heavily and took a step back. “Turn around,” he growled.

“And bend over?”

“Damn it, Relath, just do as your fucking told!”

“Yes, sir,” he whispered, his heart actually cringing.

He had gone too far. Always did. He truly didn’t mean to upset the man and make him hate him any more than he already had to. It was the exact wrong direction he wanted the sheriff’s feelings to go. Not to mention, being arrested this publicly meant the king’s men would have to be called, and that meant leaving town. He wasn’t concerned about being captured. There was no jail that could hold him. But the unfortunate thing was, he was going to have to allow for the king’s men to pick him up. Escaping Khat would land the lawman behind bars. Escaping a couple of the king’s lackeys would keep the big man safe. Miserably, he turned around and put his hands behind him, unexpectedly feeling despondent over the fact this was an opportunity totally lost. He should have used his magic on the big man. As much as he knew Khat would have hated being controlled in that manner, he still should have woven a love spell over one of the two bottles of water he still had stuffed inside his coat and made Khat drink it. But now it was too late.

The cuffs went on, Khat’s big warm hands barely touching him. Relath’s heart sank even further. It had been the first time in a very long time he had allowed himself to think about sticking around any one place. Too damn bad it had to end this quickly and completely. He could never come back. Which was actually sadder than even his own pathetically lonely life. There was an Angel Walker here. He was pretty sure he had been following the evil thing all along anyway. Even though the curses he had found, like the chillshade, were not hard to break, nor were they complicated in the least. But they were consistent, and cast for the specific purpose of stealing energy. Classic Angel Walker.

But an Angel Walker was bad news in more than just its irritatingly gluttonous presence. It had to be sitting in this small town waiting for something. And Angel Walkers came in one of only two varieties: vicious, mindless, rogues, which were not good personality traits in something so incredibly deadly; or assassins. Probably not much better in the “get to know your neighbor” department either but at least they had specific targets and didn’t normally leave a ton of bodies in their wake. Unless that was what they were supposed to do. And Relath had no idea which one, if not both, this one was. In the meantime, it was feeding heavily off the people. Leaving the thing behind would be a death sentence to the town. If its mission did not take it from here soon, eventually the putrid thing would end up sucking more energy than the good citizens had and they would start to die, one by one, and never understand why. Curing Ben of his chillshade would mean nothing.

And, Relath realized, breaking that particular spell was most likely noticed by the Angel Walker.

Khat put a large hand on Relath’s shoulder and propelled him away from the now-dispersing small crowd. Funny. As long as a mob was being entertained, fed, or its hand being held, it was behind you one hundred percent. Even if the law stepped in. But it soon became apparent that even Ben was more apt to duck and cover when it came to the matters of defying the crown. There had been far too many gory stories being whispered around hearths at night, horrific stories of what happened to those who didn’t follow the king and his dictates.

“Where you taking me?” Relath didn’t even try to take the despair out of his voice. If the lawman felt at all guilty about what it was he was doing, it might make him think again.

“To jail. You know that. You have left me no choice.”

Ahhh. Is that gloominess I hear in the sheriff’s voice as well? Even if it was, it failed to make Relath feel any better.

They walked in silence until they arrived at the sheriff’s office entrance. He reached around Relath, pushing him slightly forward with his body, and unlocked the door. He then cleared his throat, straightened himself and pushed on Relath’s back to indicate he was supposed to go inside. Oh how Relath wished Khat was instead pushing him up against a wall, intent on doing something far more physical. But Relath obediently took a couple of steps through the doorway and into a spacious office area. He had, of course, been there before. He looked quickly over to the cell he had slept in. The last time the door had been left open. He would not have that luxury this time.

Khat dropped his hat on the desk off to their right and huffed as he stood too close behind Relath. A moment or two passed before Relath thought to turn around to see if there was a problem. But before he did, he heard the door to the office shut and lock.

What the hell?

Khat pushed Relath hard toward the open door to the cell and Relath nearly stumbled. But Khat was there to stop the fall. Breathing hot and heavy on the back of Relath’s neck, Khat righted Relath and this time pushed more gently. “Get in there,” he growled.

“Why…why did you lock—”

“Never mind what I did.”

It was obvious the man was battling something in his mind. Had the Angel Walker gotten to him? He had heard Angel Walkers could possess other beings, including humans, although it was incredibly rare. However, he hadn’t smelled anything and he felt pretty sure he would have if an Angel Walker had materialized.

“O…okay.” Relath walked slowly toward the cell. He took a step inside and stopped, assuming Khat would uncuff him and close him in the small space. Khat did take a hold of his cuffed hands, but instead of making a move to take the cuffs off, he simply held Relath’s wrists firmly away from his body. Next thing Relath knew, Khat’s other hand was caressing an ass cheek. Relath drew in a breath. “Am I…supposed to still never mind what… Oh! Fuck!”

One of the big man’s fingers slid into the cleft of his ass and pressed hard as it traveled up and down. Relath spread his legs to give the sheriff better access. If he didn’t come in the next sixty seconds it would be a miracle.

“You’ve been driving me crazy,” Khat whispered from behind him. “This amazing round ass has been driving me out of my mind. I want to see it, taste it, I want to feel your naked skin. But doing any of that will cause nothing but trouble. I tell you time and again to get out of town yet here you are, enticing me with this ass.”

His Fake Boyfriend another sneak peek

Here is the rest of the first chapter. And a sneak peek at the cover :)

“All Griffin needs is another girl, right? One he hasn’t pissed off which basically means one he hasn’t dated.”

“One that hasn’t met him then,” Genny laughed.

“Real funny, Genny,” Noah deadpanned.

“Well,” Marcus continued loudly. “as luck would have it, I not only have the perfect girl for you, but it just so happens her name is ―get this ― Lauren.”

“How is that the answer to my problem?” Griffin huffed.

“Simple. She’s just your type.”

“Which is?”

“Model gorgeous, not to mention, as Genny so eloquently put it, a girl you haven’t met.”

“What are you suggesting?” gulped Noah.

“I am offering a fake girlfriend.” Marcus once again lifted that chin of his. “She’s a struggling actor and will jump at the chance to do it. Provided you pay her well.”

“A fake girlfriend?” Griffin narrowed his eyes and seemed to ponder.

“No way!” Noah gasped as he stared at Griffin.

“Hmmm,” Griffin hummed. “A fake girlfriend,” he repeated more confidently.

Noah put a hand on Griffin’s shoulder. “You’re not seriously thinking about doing this, are you?”

Griffin turned to Noah and hesitated for a moment. “Why not?”

“Just tell your mother you broke it off with Lauren,” Noah begged. “She’s your mother. She’ll understand.”

Griffin grunted. “Noah, you know that’s not true. She’s been looking forward to meeting Lauren for some time but they’re only just now back from Europe. Dad did try to get Mom to extend the trip, to encompass… well, you know, this time period. But clearly that didn’t happen. So now we have this… this ridiculous birthday weekend he launched to help take her mind off it. I can’t ruin it with telling her I broke up with yet another girl. I don’t want to be the one that does that. Especially since they… well, they really thought this one was it.”

“But it’s a terrible idea!”

“No, it’s a terrible idea to tell them. At least for the moment. It just reinforces this impression they have of me being frivolous and immature. It doesn’t matter at all what I do for the company, what I’ve done. They don’t understand how high in my academics I am, the fact I will be graduating top of the class in my Master...” He sighed and shook his head. “Which was something they decided for me and maybe that’s it. I simply walked in my father’s footsteps, that’s all. Even though I excel at this, enjoy it, love it. It’s not mine. I’m inheriting it, so to speak, and maybe this inability they have of trusting me, of being proud or even happy with me, they believe I’m just a cog in their machine. Who can be proud of a cog? Someone who can’t think for themselves. Even so, I don’t want this weekend of all weekends to end up in a fight. You know that’s what will happen if I tell them. Don't you see, Noah?”

Noah blinked hard. Yes, he understood. But there had to be another way. He turned to Marcus. “How in the world would this friend of yours be able to pull off something like that anyway? You said it yourself, she doesn’t know him. Lauren’s been with Griffin for months.”

“To be fair, Noah,” Genny said gently. “Lauren didn’t know him either. I mean, giving him that ultimatum? Really?”

Noah flumped back in his chair. “True.”

Marcus chuckled. “I have the solution to that, too.”

Noah glanced up at Marcus. “To what?”

“To Lauren not knowing Griffin.”

Griffin grinned. “Oh yeah?”

“Yep.” Marcus dug in his pocket and pulled out a small container. When he opened it, it revealed tiny little dots, flat and barely the size of the head of a thumb tack, and he dumped them on the table.

“What are those?”

“Believe it or not, wireless earphones slash microphones. It’s the newest thing my company, Foster Security, invented. I’ve been tagged to test them and this is a perfect opportunity to do that.”

“Earphones? Microphones?” Griffin laughed then reached out to pick one up. Or at least he tried. They were so thin he had trouble getting a hold of one. “How the hell does it work?”

“Simple. You put one behind an ear. It’s both a speaker and microphone. Anything you say will be broadcasted to another dot or several that you program together and vice versa. So, we have both Lauren and Noah wear one. Noah would be off in the background, away from the action but close enough to see so whenever there is a moment Lauren needs to have insight into Griffin’s life, Noah provides the answer. Voila. Instant girlfriend-for-months knowledge.”

“Hold on,” Noah jumped in, suddenly overly warm as if the air had disappeared. “Me? Why me?”

Marcus cocked his head with a smirk on his face. “Who knows Griffin better than you?”

Oh shit, does my obsession show that much?

“Griffin,” Marcus continued. “Go ahead and put one right behind your ear. They are designed to stick using body heat.”

Griffin did as he was told, thankfully oblivious to Marcus’s provocative comment.

Marcus looked at Noah. “Noah, you do the same thing. Put one on, right behind one of your ears, then walk over to the bar and order Griffin another beer.”

Noah scowled at Marcus. “What does ordering another beer have to do with anything?”

“I want Griffin to see that he can hear everything that you say when you are away from the table. Not only that, but you will hear what he says too. Just do it.”

“These things are too small.” Griffin countered. “They can’t possibly work the way you say.”

“They do,” Marcus affirmed. “You’ll see.”

“Alright,” Noah uttered as reached for one of the dots on the table. Once he was able to pick one up, he placed it behind his ear and surprisingly, it stuck. “Will it come back off?” he asked a little panicked.

“Of course. Just pull.”

Noah did and sure enough, the dot came off as easy as it went on. “Wow. Pretty cool.”

“Now, to activate them…” Marcus tapped a few things into his phone.

There was a snap in Noah’s ear and Griffin turned to him with a grin on his face. “Now – go – order – me – another – beer,” he articulated slowly, then he laughed. “Do you hear that?”

Griffin’s voice had gone right into Noah’s ear, actually overpowering the fact he was sitting right next to him. “I do,” Noah marveled. “Weird.” He got up and walked the several yards to the bar. “Okay, here I am at the bar. Can you still hear me?”

“I can,” Griffin exclaimed. “This is amazing! Marcus, it’s loud over there but I’m only picking up a little of that surrounding noise.”

Marcus said something but Noah didn’t hear much at all. “What did he say?”

“He said that the range is very small right now but it’s adjustable. It doesn’t matter though. For our purpose, this is perfect!”

“Again, Griffin, you really cannot be considering this.”

“Just order the beer and get back here. Order yourself another Cosmo, too.”

“Okay,” Noah sighed. Just then Ray walked up to him.

“Hey, Noah. What can I do for you?”

“Hey Ray. I was just going to order another round of drinks.”

Griffin growled.

Ray beamed at Noah. “I can do that for you, if you want.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Thanks what? What’s he saying? Why are you thanking him?”

“So, Noah, I was wondering….”

“Yeah?”

“Are you… busy… you know? Like… tomorrow night?”

“What’s going on, Noah? What’s he saying?”

“Am I busy… tomorrow? I… I don’t think so.” Oh no. Ray was going to ask him out. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the man. He was cute. Incredibly nice. But so not Griffin. Noah needed to get over this fixation he had with a straight man, but it was difficult. Impossible, actually. Especially now that Lauren was history. At least that Lauren.

“Yes, you are,” Griffin announced in his head.

“What?” Noah blurted out.

Ray cocked his head, a confused expression on his face. “I… I asked if you were busy―”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sorry. I just…”

“You― are ―busy. Tell him.”

Noah almost rolled his eyes. “I just was reminded ― I mean, I just remembered. I do have something planned.”

“Oh. I see,” Ray sighed and glanced away. “Okay. Another time?”

Ah, Crap. Ray appeared broken-hearted. “Yeah,” is what came out of Noah’s mouth. “You bet. Another time,” he finished. There was a definite moan in his ear.

“Are you kidding me?”

Except Noah back peddling got a big smile out of Ray. “Great,” the man effused as he reached out and rubbed Noah’s shoulder. “I’ll call you. Next round coming up.” He turned to leave. “I’ll get you some peanuts, too,” he called as he hurried away. “I know you like those honey roasted ones.”

“What is he saying now?”

“You hush!” Noah whispered. Then, “Wow, thanks!” he shouted after Ray. But Griffin was right. Why had he encouraged the man? When he got back to the table, he grinned at Genny who was clapping her hands. “What?” he chuckled as he removed the ear dot and set it next to the one Griffin had been wearing.

“I knew Ray liked you!” she effused. “Are you going on a date with him?”

“No,” both Griffin and Noah said at the same time.

“No?” She tipped her head at Noah. “It certainly looked like he thought―”

“Not happening.” Griffin snarled. “I don’t trust that guy. Besides, Noah told him he was busy.”

“Yeah,” Noah said as he sat. “About that. What is it I’m busy with?”

“Moving,” Griffin said as he glared at Noah. “Or did you suddenly forget?”

“Um. Basically, if you had someone bring over my bookcase and books, I’m moved. Done.”

“What about your clothes and personal items? You must have some things.”

“True.” Noah nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that. That will take time. Maybe all of ten minutes. One trip and I’ll be done ―”

“I will go with you.” Griffin drained the last of his beer.

“You do not need to come with me.”

“I absolutely do have to go with you. Neither one of those assholes are going to ever lay a finger on you again.” He glanced back in the direction Ray had gone. “Neither will someone else, if I can help it.” he murmured.

“I have to agree with him,” Genny chimed in. “I don’t like that they got physical with you. That kind of behavior can lead to other things.”

“They won’t hurt me,” Noah snorted.

“You are exactly right,” Griffin grabbed the back of Noah’s neck and forced him to look at him. “Because I am going with you, end of discussion.”

“Okay, okay, you’re coming with me.” Noah glanced at Genny. “Wanna come too?”

“Sure!” She squealed. “I would love to see Griffin pound those jerks. I hate people who abuse animals.” She turned to Marcus. “Come on! We’ll make it a force to be reckoned with.”

“There’s not going to be any pounding!” Noah declared.

“Oh, come on, Noah.” Genny implored. “Let Griffin loose on those guys. Locking a poor defenseless animal up like that? They deserve it.”

“Let them handle it,” Marcus implored. “Beating people up, Genny? Really?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Griffin exclaimed. “It will be just Noah and me.”

“No fair, Griffin,” Genny whined. “I want to be there for Noah, too.”

“Sounds more like you want to be there for the dog.”

“That, too.”

“Enough,” Noah announced as he slapped the table. “Let’s get back to this…this fake girlfriend business.”

“I agree.” Marcus leaned forward again. “Let’s map it out. Griffin, where is this restaurant that your family is going to?”

“Restaurant?”

“Yes. You said it was a big affair, right? It starts tomorrow night. The dinner before the charity event or something?”

“Oh yes. The charity kickoff. It’s going to be at the Western Tower Hotel downtown.”

“Holy crap. Of course, it would be there. But I’ve never been inside. Do they even have a restaurant?”

“You mean does he have a restaurant,” Noah interjected. “His family owns the Western Tower, remember?”

Marcus frowned at Noah, then returned his attention to Griffin. “Fine. Do you have a restaurant?”

Griffin chuckled. “Well, they do, but it’s not big enough. It’s going to be a special menu and in the Grand ball room.”

“Oh wow,” Genny gasped. “I’ve heard about that place. It has crystal chandeliers the size of VW buses! Can I come and see it that night, Griffin, please?”

“Sure, I guess. It’s a black-tie affair though.”

“I have a nice dress I can wear. Do you really think I can come?”

“Hang on,” Marcus interrupted. “Noah will need an invite to that. It might be best if he has a date.”

Genny squealed again. “Me, me, me!”

“What?” Noah blustered. “Wait! What are you talking about? Contrary to popular belief, I do not have a nice dress.”

“You are going to have to be there,” Marcus insisted. “To hear what the family talks about. Especially if Lauren has a question posed to her that she can’t answer but should be able to.”

“But wait. Griffin couldn’t hear―”

“I will adjust the range in order for you to pick up surrounding conversations. Genny can be there so that when you’re talking with Lauren it won’t look like you’re talking to yourself.” He turned to Griffin. “Plus, I guess I should be there, too. Just in case something goes wrong with the equipment.”

Noah tapped the table to get Marcus’s attention again. “You’re suggesting that both me ― and the fake Lauren ― will be wearing these things?” Noah indicated the dots still on the table.

“Yep.”

“Me too,” Griffin insisted. “I want one too.”

“I suppose,” Marcus said cautiously. “As long as you don’t blow it.”

“Me?” Griffin laughed. “Mr. Calm and Steady?”

“In everything except for when it comes to Noah,” murmured Marcus. 

Noah glared at Marcus and mouthed the words 'shut up?'. Marcus might have some idea of Noah's fixation, but there was no need to advertise it.

“What?” Griffin asked distractedly as he messed with the dots again, thankfully remaining clueless.

“Nothing,” Marcus grinned then stuck his tongue out at Noah.

“So, we’re doing this?” Noah’s heart was in his throat. Yes, he knew everything there was to know about Griffin Colewater. Probably too much. No. Not probably. Creepily too much. More like a stalker. A rabid fan. A guy in love… “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“You got a better one?” Marcus glanced at Noah.

“Yeah. Tell the truth.”

Marcus huffed, clearly dismissing such a notion, and announced he would call his Lauren to set it all up.

Griffin turned to Noah. “I will tell them. Just not this weekend. I haven’t seen my parents in a few months, and you know every time I talked with them what happened.”

“Yeah, I do. Your mother asked endlessly about Lauren.” Noah’s heart had broken with that knowledge too. More and more Lauren had seemed to be ‘The One’.

“This first birthday of Mom’s without grandma needs to pass without the drama my having broken up with Lauren will cause. You know she will end up, oh God, crying or something and because of me. She’s done it before. Even in public. I just… fuck, Noah, you know that won’t go well, not with all those people and reporters around.” He took Noah’s hand again. “However, I will tell her. In fact, maybe the fake Lauren and I can break up this weekend. Right in front of them.” Griffin smirked. “Maybe make it her fault.”

“That’s not the truth. And you wouldn’t do that because that would be cruel.”

Griffin shook his head. “Yeah. You’re right. I wouldn’t do that. But please, Noah. Do this for me?”

Oh shit. Those beautiful baby blues were actually pleading? How could he say no? “Yeah. Okay. But promise me you will tell them the truth afterward.”

Griffin hesitated for a moment as he stared into Noah’s eyes, seemingly to be reaching right into Noah’s soul. Then he nodded. “Yeah. I will. I promise.”

For some reason a shiver chased up Noah’s back as if something had fundamentally changed. Like there was a shift in life itself.

Noah swallowed and couldn’t help but pull Griffin into a small hug.

“What’s this for?” Griffin chuckled.

“I’m not sure. I just needed it.”

Noah had a very sinking feeling it could very well be the last one he would ever get.

His Fake Boyfriend (sneak peek)

The actual title for this book is supposed to look like this:

His Fake GirlBoy Friend

 Below is a part of chapter one. I will post the rest of chapter one tomorrow. I don't have a blurb just yet, but you should get the idea of what the story is about from the first chapter. Very long chapter...

Chapter one

“Oh my God!”

The scream jarred Noah awake and nearly off the couch. With eyes wide and his heart in his throat he darted his gaze around the large living room expecting big foot or murderers or at the very least a hot guy running naked across the floor. But there was none of those things. Just Griffin’s latest, his longest actually, standing there trying to cover her nakedness with perfectly manicured fingers. Her hair was only a bit out of place; however, she had definitely gone to bed with her makeup on.

“What’s wrong?” Noah croaked out, trying to calm his heart as Griffin came tearing―okay stumbling―up the hallway behind her yanking on a robe.

“Lauren? What the fuck?” Griffin made it into the living room to stand beside Lauren. He, too, had perused the room with eyes that were barely open, squinting against the bright early sunshine already pouring in the windows. “Why are you screaming?”

She pointed a finger, having to bare a plump breast to do it, right at Noah. “There’s a man in our house.”

Griffin glanced at Noah and grinned. “Where?”

“Funny,” Noah deadpanned as he let his head drop back to his pillow. “What time is it, anyway?”

“Fuck,” Griffin grouched. “Six. Lauren, what the fuck are you screeching at six in the morning for?”

“I’m not screeching!”

Oh, she so totally was.

“There’s a stranger sleeping on the couch in my living room!” she insisted.

Wait. Her living room?

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Griffin yawned. “That’s Noah. You know Noah.”

Which was true. It would be hard to not know him if anyone met Griffin even a little. They were pretty much inseparable.

“How did he get in here and what is he doing in our condo at six in the morning?”

“You know he has his own… wait…” There was movement and suddenly Griffin was hunched down near Noah’s head. “Hey buddy, she has a point. What are you doing here? What happened?”

“I was kicked out,” Noah moaned sleepily.

“What? That asshole!”

“Who’s an asshole?” came that shrieking voice again. Evidently, she felt it safer to shout from a distance.

“Can you tell her to tone it down a bit?” Noah whimpered.

“I can tell her. She won’t listen.”

“Quit talking about me like I’m not here!”

“Pretty tough to forget that,” Griffin murmured.

She squealed again but seemed to storm off because it was blessedly quiet again. Noah really did need to learn to like her better. Or at all. The problem was, she hated Noah.

“You’re going to pay for that,” Noah said.

“Believe me, I already am. Tell me what happened.” Griffin picked Noah’s head up, scooted himself under it so he was sitting on the couch and laid Noah’s head in his lap.

“You need to go do this with Lauren.”

“Do what? Besides, I want to find out what happened.”

Damn. Noah should never have come here. He wished now he had barged in on Genny and Marcus instead. Except he didn’t have a key to their apartment. Still… “Sorry for… well, ruining your morning with Lauren.”

“You didn’t ruin anything. Quit stalling. Was it that asshole, Sebastian?”

“Who else? He…”

“He what?”

“He’s a jerk. They’re both jerks. They fucking kicked me out last night.”

“Fuck, Noah, you’re the one on the lease. Not even that asshole you let move in with you. Why do you… never mind. I’ll deal with it.”

“How?”

“I don’t want you to worry about it.” He patted Noah’s head and smoothed his hair. “What time did you get here?”

“About two.”

“Really? Wow. Go back to sleep.” He continued to stroke Noah’s hair. “Even I got more sleep than that.”

Noah opened his eyes and turned his head to stare up at Griffin. “Are you serious? Two o’clock, Griffin. You guys were going at it like… like… well, whatever. I shouldn’t have come.”

“Of course, you should be here, you know that. Why didn’t you just sleep in the guest bedroom?”

Noah rolled his eyes and turned back away. “You mean the one next to your room? You know why.”

Griffin harumphed. “Come on. We were noisy?”

“You were deafening. Earsplitting. God. I hate the sound of hetero sex.”

Griffin laughed. “Wait a minute. Sex? At two this morning? I’m thinking I was just watching the action at that point. Well, maybe dozing through it. So, it wasn’t me you heard.”

“No, no, no!” Noah moaned as he momentarily put his hands to his ears. “I don’t want to hear this.”

“Yeah, I think she was trying to put on a show for me, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh my God, Griffin, Stop! I don’t want the image in my head.” But Griffin dozed through it? Was something wrong in paradise? “Ug,” he moaned. “It’s kind of sad, really. For what you have to pay for this monstrosity, you would think the walls wouldn’t be so paper thin.” He cuddled into the warmth of Griffin’s lap, feeling more guilty than ever. But, to be fair, this position was fairly common for the two of them. Especially on Thursday nights when the three of them, Gwen, Griffin and him, would go out to dinner, a tradition that had started a year or so back. “Anyone can fake a Friday,” Genny would say. Then they would usually end up back at Griffin’s pricey condo to watch something on Griffin’s monster T.V. and Noah right here, head in Griffin’s lap. He loved it.

But he shouldn’t.

Because things had changed.

There were five of them now that both Griffin and Genny had significant others and insisted on bringing them on what they called their Thursday Date Nights. Well ―Genny insisted Marcus come but Noah was pretty sure it was Lauren who tagged after Griffin, hell or high water. Griffin didn’t seem to care one way or the other. He still sat next to Noah. They still shared their meals, talked each other’s ears off as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages, and argued like an old married couple.

"You guys are so damn cute,” Genny had gushed once. “The only thing missing is the two of you kissing and making up.”

Unfortunately, Lauren just happened to be there at the time, and she proceeded to basically take Genny’s head off.

“Oh my God, Genny, that’s disgusting!”

Of course, it didn’t help that Genny had also leaned into Lauren to make sure she heard. “And especially,” she had whispered. “the making up part, right?” All while doing air quotes and wiggling her eyebrows.

Lauren seemed quite taken back by that. There might have also been some derogatory comment which had substituted the word “gag” with “gay”. Noah hadn’t caught the whole of it. Whatever it had been pissed Griffin off. Which might have been the reason Lauren being in the room didn’t stop Griffin from being just like this.

It wasn’t right, obviously. Griffin should have quit this type of behavior and certainly Noah could have stopped it too. Except, it was simply second nature now, habit. And definitely, Griffin meant nothing by it. Even so, it always warmed Noah’s heart to be the recipient of his attention.

Mainly because he loved Griffin.

Oh God, in love was the actual term. Yep. With his best friend. And had been for a while.

So very not cool.

Thankfully, Griffin was clueless about it. He wasn’t into men in that way and that meant he would marry someday and have kids and a life that Noah prayed to stay a part of. But that was just it. He would only be a small piece of it. He had always known that, anticipated it, told himself day in and night out, especially Thursdays, Griffin was not his. He would belong to some girl down the road and even though Lauren had been a steady presence lately, it wouldn’t be today.

Which became his mantra.

It would happen but not today.

Except there was no denying Lauren had been by Griffin’s side off and on for the better part of seven months now. Which brought that fateful ‘someday’ closer than ever.

It did make sense. They wouldn’t be young forever. He supposed Lauren was at that age, too, probably early to mid-thirties, even Griffin wasn’t sure exactly, where she most likely was hearing that biological clock pretty loudly. And Griffin? Not only wildly handsome and attentive and protective and funny and smart and, oh, so many beautiful things Noah couldn’t name them all. But was rich to boot. Sure, he started out that way, but Griffin was brilliant and had strengthened his family’s coffers with the ideas and changes he had already brought to the board table of Colewater Properties.

And then there was the fact his parents were also on him all the time about “settling down” as well. “Carrying on the family name”.

“You need to quit hanging around these friends, Griffin, and show some effort on growing up,” would be his mother’s greeting every time she saw Noah standing at her door with her son. “You need a nice girl.”

Yep. Girl.

Damn it.

Griffin was the oldest son of the owners of a multi-gazillion-dollar hotel business which he was expected to take the reins of at some point, and even though Griffin was already well along in that extensive process, it would begin in earnest as soon as he got his master from Hamilton University. With honors, of course. Not that Griffin didn’t deserve it. He did. He studied hard, did well on his academics and stayed out of trouble. Unlike his semi-sort-of-rich-but-not-really-compared-to-the-Colewaters so called friends. Which they weren’t. Friends, that is. Having money meant parties and skipping classes and whole semesters altogether. After all, what was mama and daddy’s money for if not to slick up the rails of life?

The Colewaters unfortunately didn’t feel any different. In fact, Hamilton University had an entire wing of the main building named after Griffin ―Griffin Colewater Hall. Genny and Marcus still teased Griffin sometimes, often calling him Lord Colewater or Prince Griffin or some such nonsense. Noah never did. It was a very tender spot for Griffin. He was torn between horror and embarrassment wanting to believe his parents meant well when they paid a fortune for the naming privilege.

“It’s always something with them,” he would moan. “An Italian car, a quaint twenty-three room cottage on the ocean, some grand charity event in my honor. I wish they would just ― I don’t know ― send a card on my birthday, not a private chef.”

Noah had gasped that time. “Oh yes,” he gushed. “Raffiel. He was kind of adorable though, you have to admit.”

“He was straight.”

“Yeah,” Noah had sighed wistfully. “I know.”

“And too old for you,” Griffin had grouched and cuffed Noah on the back of the head.

And no, it wasn’t that Griffin was a poor little rich boy. All Griffin really wanted was his parents love, his parents to be proud of him now, not of what they envisioned his future to be. It broke Noah’s heart how often Griffin’s parents behavior seemed to break his.

“Come on. Up.” Griffin tapped Noah’s head.

“Where we going?” Noah yawned.

“I’m tucking you in to the bed in the guest bedroom. You can sleep for another hour or so.”

“I have to go to work.”

“I’ll get you up in time to get you there by nine. I’ll even stop at our favorite coffee shop and buy you coffee and breakfast, okay?”

That got Noah’s attention. “The breakfast crepe with extra whipped cream? Oh! Wait! It’s Thursday. They’ll have the Maple Waffle sandwiches! I think I want the strawberry and blueberry one. No! The burnt brown sugar and peanut butter!”

“I’ll get you both. All of it. Whatever you want.” He slapped Noah’s bottom. “Now up!”

“You’re my hero.” Noah rose to his feet drawing the blanket he pulled off the guest room bed around himself tighter. He turned to tug Griffin up with his fingers just peeking out of the folds.

“Of course,” Griffin chuckled. “It’s my only aim in life.”



After work that day Noah took the subway to the restaurant, one of four they rotated on a weekly basis. Noah liked this one best. Tazzio’s offered an extensive pasta menu, the spinach ravioli with gouda cheese was Griffin’s favorite although he would never order it. So Noah always would and was lucky to get a quarter of the dish eaten with Griffin “stealing” bites the moment the plate hit the table. But it was fine. Griffin always tried to share whatever meat dish it was that he would order.

“You’re too skinny. You need some meat.”

Noah wasn’t a big meat fan but Griffin would usually order something with chicken which was okay. Noah drew the line at anything beef or seafood. Or lamb. And Griffin knew it so, like the awesome best friend he was, stayed away from those.

“Actually, I don’t like lamb, either,” Griffin had told him once. “Even the smell of it.”

Genny and Marcus were already at their table, always the same one if they could get it, with a view of the busy sidewalk.

“Hey, you two,” Noah said as he sat.

“Noah!” Genny rose and hugged Noah’s shoulders. “We ordered drinks and apps,” she announced as if she had done something drastically different than any other Thursday. But Noah still sighed relief. It had been a long day and he was exhausted and if he were honest in that moment, would have rather gone back to Griffin’s condo and gone to bed. But a drink, or several, and a meal with his best friends in the world, was a close second.

“Where’s Griffin and that woman he’s dating?” Marcus asked. Marcus had made it incredibly clear he disliked Lauren. “She isn’t good enough for him,” he had once told Noah under his breath.

“Why, Marcus,” Noah had countered, a little jealous. “You want to date him?” Noah did sometimes wonder.

“No, you goof,” he had chuckled. “I love Genny.”

As if that answered the question.

“That woman,” Noah cocked his head at Marcus, “has a name and it’s Lauren and I would imagine they will be along shortly.” At least he hoped they would. Griffin rarely missed their Thursday night dates. But lately, as he got closer to graduation, and especially since his parents had been out of the country for the last several months, Colewater Properties had demanded more and more of Griffin’s time.

Plus, there was that little mishap this morning…

“What’s it been now,” asked Marcus. “Seven months?”

“Almost,” Noah said as he took a swallow of the Cosmo that the waiter put down in front of him.

“Getting serious.”

“Maybe.” Noah’s heart tripped a little.

“Hey guys,” the waiter said as he set the other drinks down. He eyed Noah and winked.

“Hey Ray,” they said in unison. Ray did a little wave.

“You should ask him out, Noah,” Genny said watching as Ray pretty much danced away throwing a smile over his shoulder. “He really likes you.”

“He’s not Noah’s type,” Griffin growled as he took the seat next to Noah.

“Griffin!” Noah gasped. “Crap. You scared me.”

“Yeah, Griffin,” Genny said. “Way to sneak up on us.”

“I didn’t sneak.”

“Where’s your girlfriend?” Marcus asked.

“Not coming.”

“Are you kidding?” Genny chuckled. “She trusts you out all by yourself?”

“We broke up,” came the reply.

“What?” both Genny and Noah shouted.

“Settle down. It was time. Is this mine?” Even though it was a question, he evidently knew the answer as he lifted the indicated mug of beer to his lips and took a long drink.

“Time?” Genny asked. “How was it time? And what’s not Noah’s type” ―She did air quotes ― “about Ray?”

“Everything. And she was starting to get on my nerves. She was noisy and loud, left shit all over the place and besides, she gave me an ultimatum this morning. I had to choose between her and you guys.”

“Us?” Genny exclaimed. “No way! You mean she wanted you to dump us?”

“Well ―more like just Noah.”

“What?” Genny gasped. “Why Noah?”

“Yeah, why me?” Although Noah was pretty sure he already knew.

“She thinks I hang around you too much.” He grinned at Noah, a tiny bit of foam from his beer clinging to his beautiful mouth, and Noah’s heart thumped hard enough to make him whimper. Instantly the grin morphed into concern as Griffin put a hand on Noah’s cheek. “What’s wrong?”

Noah pulled back and shook his head, trying to hold back a smile so big and wide over the turn of events that it was sure to hurt his face should he let it out. “No, nothing. Just… I’m sorry ―you know ― about this morning.” But… he really wasn’t. If indeed this put an end to a relationship that was beginning to look permanent…

Crap, he was awful. A miserable friend.

“This morning?” parroted Genny. “What happened this morning?”

“It wasn’t that,” Griffin scoffed, ignoring Genny’s question. “Like I said, she’s been getting on my nerves. Always complaining about how much time I don’t spend with her. I have school and the Colewater firm and she’s been coming along with me every time I ever hang out with you guys, so I didn’t get the problem. I just don’t fathom women, I guess.”

“Who does?” Marcus chuckled and Genny elbowed him. “Ouch!”

Guilt swept over Noah as he thought about how cute Griffin and Lauren really were together. She looked good on his arm, all petite and gorgeous. She was perfect for him. Even her family was perfect. They were not as rich as the Colewaters but certainly far wealthier than Noah’s family, which was just him and his grandma.

“Sorry, Griffin,” Noah murmured. “I really shouldn’t have come over last night.”

Griffin grabbed Noah’s hand and squeezed it. “Now just stop. If I loved her or wanted to be with her, we would have worked that out, I promise. I can never be with someone who doesn’t love you guys just as much as I do. Understand?”

“But ―”

“No buts. That’s the way it is. She didn’t get that. Which tells me she didn’t love me. Just what I represent. Because if she did, she would see how important all of you are to me.” He glanced at Marcus. “Well, not Marcus. Just you two.” He grinned at Genny’s sour expression.

“And Marcus is important to me, mister,” Genny countered. “So if you loved me ―”

“Yeah, yeah, I would love him too.” He blew a kiss at Marcus who smiled slyly and winked at Noah lifting his chin slightly.

Noah sneered at Marcus and stuck out his tongue. If anyone was going to get an air-kiss from Griffin, even a fake one, it would be Noah, thank you very much. But Griffin was still holding his hand. So…

“What happened this morning?” Genny insisted.

“Nothing,” both Griffin and Noah said at the same time.

“Bull! Tell me.”

Noah sighed. “Fine. I… I ended up on Griffin’s couch and Lauren ―”

“She freaked out,” Griffin finished.

Genny inhaled sharply at the same time Marcus asked ‘Why?’ She elbowed him again. “That’s not important.” She turned to Noah. “What happened, Noah?”

“Sabastian is such an ass,” seethed Noah. “He was at the apartment yesterday. Evidently Jason had the day off. Anyway, he brought his dog with and locked him in my bedroom while he and Jason ― well, retired to Jason’s bedroom. The poor thing was in there for hours I guess, and he peed and pooped on my bed. When I got home and found out I told Sebastian he was going to have to buy me a new mattress. Well, maybe I yelled it. But it stunk in my room. The apartment doesn’t even allow for pets. Jason knows that. Sabastian will get us evicted and I told Sabastian he was a terrible dog owner and he needed to get his dog and leave. Plus, he owed me for a new mattress. But all they both did was laugh at me.”

“Is that why you left?” Genny asked.

“Well ―kind of. I got up in Sabastian’s face and next thing I knew…”

“What?” Genny cried. “What happened?”

“They somehow both picked me up and tossed me out into the hallway. I thought I broke my elbow. Then they deadbolted the door. They evidently put a chair or something under the knob, too, because, even though I was able to unlock it, I couldn’t get back in.”

“Bastards!” exclaimed Griffin.

“Yes! They’re both asses, Noah,” Genny said. “I don’t know why you let that jerk Jason take such advantage of you.”

“Which reminds me,” Griffin said as he dug in his pocket. “I stopped over there before I came here.” He gave Noah a wad of cash. “Now I wish I had waited until after I got the full story. I would have brought a couple of heads, too.”

“What’s this?”

“Your damage deposit and three months of rent.”

Noah stared at Griffin. “Come again.”

“That housemate of yours and his insignificant other decided they owed it to you.”

“They simply gave you this?” Because that wouldn’t happen.

“Well, it took a little convincing but as of today, you’re off the lease.”

Off the lease? “How… how did you accomplish that?”

“I told you I would take care of it. You’re free of that situation.”

“But… that was my home. Where am I going to live?” Okay. Screeching. Not cool.

“With me, of course. Until you can find something else,” Griffin shrugged. “if you want.”

“With you?” Noah laughed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Lauren and I are through, remember?” He leaned in and whispered, “No more hetero sex noises.”

“That’s not the problem.” Although it kind of was. “Your parents are never going to allow it.”

“I am a grown man and can make my own decisions.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“I’ve got some movers going to your old place too,” he looked at his Bell and Ross aviation watch, “Should be there about now, to move your furniture out.”

“Griffin! I don’t have any furniture. With the exception of my bookshelf and my bed, which is just the frame and mattress and I no longer want the mattress, all the rest belongs to Jason. It’s the only reason I accepted his offer of being roommates. I had the actual apartment and he had furniture.”

“Well, now he doesn’t.”

“Griffin, You can’t do that. Besides, it’s crap. Sebastian’s very untrained dog has done his business over all of it. I wouldn’t want it even if it was mine. Which it’s not. And Genny, this is not funny!”

“Yes, it is,” she laughed.

“Calm down. I happen to agree with you,” Griffin continued. “I’m having them drop all his shit at the secondhand store.”

“Oh my God, you are kidding me.” Visions of Jason coming home to an empty apartment, calling the cops and Griffin being arrested, flashed through his mind.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

“You can’t do that. I’m ser…” Noah scowled and, with his free hand, punched Griffin on the arm who proceeded to pretend it hurt. “Oh, I absolutely hate you sometimes.”

“You absolutely hate me never.” Griffin grinned widely at Noah, patted his hand and let go.

“Yeah. True,” Noah muttered.

“Besides, I never agreed for you to move in with that guy―”

“Jason.”

“―in the first place. I offered to buy you anything you needed. Furniture, house, condo, motorhome. There was no reason to take on a roommate.”

“Motorhome?”

“If that was what you wanted."

“I never wanted a motorhome.”

“It was still on the table.”

“No, actually, you offered for me to move in with you back then, too, and, if I remember correctly, your mother went ballistic.”

“She didn’t go ballistic. She had an opinion.”

“She threatened to have me kidnapped and shipped to Australia. In a crate.”

“Whatever. I had no problem telling her to mind her own business.”

“You actually did have a problem telling her and you are her business.”

Griffin sighed as he put his elbows on the table and his head in his hands. “Yeah, I know. I… I wish she would just back off for once.”

“Never going to happen.”

Marcus let out a laugh. “You would have to denounce the crown. Abdicate the throne.”

Genny slapped Marcus on the arm. “Knock it off. He has enough stress as it is.”

“His own doing,” Marcus muttered. “He needs to stand up to both of them.”

“Oh no!” Noah gasped. “That brings up another problem.”

Griffin narrowed his eyes as he gazed at Noah. “What’s that?”

“Your mother’s birthday.”

“What about it?”

“It’s tomorrow.”

“No. Not tomorrow. But damn, it is Saturday. And oh shit.”

Genny gulped. “And you broke up with Lauren!”

Marcus smirked. “Been wondering when you would get around to that little detail.”

Genny turned to Marcus. “I said hush!”

Noah cleared his throat. “You’ll… you’ll just have to make up with her.”

“Not an option.”

“Why not?”

“Let’s just say when it ended it ― um ended.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’m fucked.”

“How come?” Marcus chimed in. “Just tell your parents.”

“I can’t. Not on my mom’s birthday. It’s also…” Griffin sighed.

“The anniversary of your grandmother’s death,” Noah whispered.

“Oh yes, that’s right.” Genny reached across the table and put a hand on Griffin’s arm. He immediately put his hand on hers. “I am so sorry. I know how painful this whole year has been for you.”

“Thanks,” Griffin murmured. “Nowhere near as difficult as it’s been for mom and dad. I… I just don’t want to add to that, you know?”

“Okay,” Marcus continued. “Pick another girl. You know enough of them. Oh wait. They all hate you.”

Genny turned to Marcus with a scowl on her face. “Tell me again why I like you?”

Marcus grinned. “You don’t. You love me.”

“Really? That is very debatable right now.”

Marcus put his own elbows on the table and leaned forward. “Too bad. And just when I am about to bestow on you the answer to Griffin’s problem.”

Griffin jerked his head in Marcus’s direction raising an eyebrow. “I’m afraid to ask,” he said after a moment.

“Then don’t,” Noah interjected.

Genny waved a hand at the both of them. “Hang on. At least he’s thought about this.” She turned to Marcus, “What’s your idea?”

The Ex's Boyfriend on sale NOW

 Mark has always been a Dominant. The Top in every relationship. Just ask Leon, his very ex-boyfriend, because that’s what he told Mark he was.

Okay, Mark’s only had the one relationship so the ‘always’ was a reach, but it didn’t matter. It was more than over with now, and Leon was long gone. That is until Leon felt it necessary to show off his new boyfriend, a gorgeous mountain called Rogan, by evidently telling him that Mark was stalking, bullying, badgering, harassing and get this, abusing him.

“He’ll kill you, Mark, because he loves me and wants to protect me.”

From whom? Skinny little Mark? What a joke. Because all Mark has ever done was exactly what Leon told him to do and that now included staying as far away from Leon as he could get. But how can he do that when Leon is hell-bent on proving all the lies he’s told Rogan about Mark were true, and by any means possible except the actual truth? Thankfully, it seems Rogan’s not quite as clueless about Leon’s wild imagination as Mark has always been. In fact, the big, beautiful man has come to Mark’s rescue a couple of times and has made it clear, Leon and he are not a thing. At least, not anymore.

Which is good since Mark is going to need Rogan’s help. Mainly because something else is out to get Mark. Something not Leon.

This something isn’t even human…

BUY LINKS HERE

The Ex's Boyfriend is OUT

Mark has always been a Dominant. The Top in every relationship. Just ask Leon, his very ex-boyfriend, because that’s what he told Mark he was.

Okay, Mark’s only had the one relationship so the ‘always’ was a reach, but it didn’t matter. It was more than over with now, and Leon was long gone. That is until Leon felt it necessary to show off his new boyfriend, a gorgeous mountain called Rogan, by evidently telling him that Mark was stalking, bullying, badgering, harassing and get this, abusing him.

“He’ll kill you, Mark, because he loves me and wants to protect me.”

From whom? Skinny little Mark? What a joke. Because all Mark has ever done was exactly what Leon told him to do and that now included staying as far away from Leon as he could get. But how can he do that when Leon is hell-bent on proving all the lies he’s told Rogan about Mark were true, and by any means possible except the actual truth? Thankfully, it seems Rogan’s not quite as clueless about Leon’s wild imagination as Mark has always been. In fact, the big, beautiful man has come to Mark’s rescue a couple of times and has made it clear, Leon and he are not a thing. At least, not anymore.

Which is good since Mark is going to need Rogan’s help. Mainly because something else is out to get Mark. Something not Leon.

This something isn’t even human…

Buy links HERE

COVER REVEAL - The Ex's Boyfriend

Mark has always been a Dominant. The Top in every relationship. Just ask Leon, his very ex-boyfriend, because that’s what he told Mark he was.

Okay, Mark’s only had the one relationship so the ‘always’ was a reach, but it didn’t matter. It was more than over with now, and Leon was long gone. That is until Leon felt it necessary to show off his new boyfriend, a gorgeous mountain called Rogan, by evidently telling him that Mark was stalking, bullying, badgering, harassing and get this, abusing him.

“He’ll kill you, Mark, because he loves me and wants to protect me.”

From who? Skinny little Mark? What a joke. Because all Mark has ever done was exactly what Leon told him to do and that now included staying as far away from Leon as he could get. But how can he do that when Leon is hell-bent on proving all the lies he’s told Rogan about Mark were true, and by any means possible except the actual truth? Thankfully, it seems Rogan’s not quite as clueless about Leon’s wild imagination as Mark has always been. In fact, the big, beautiful man has come to Mark’s rescue a couple of times and has made it clear, Leon and he are not a thing. At least, not anymore.

Which is good since Mark is going to need Rogan’s help. Mainly because something else is out to get Mark. Something not Leon.

This something isn’t even human…

OUT October 29