Just a Sketch (24 page)

AUD ADJUSTED
the picture on the wall and quickly dropped a clean dish towel over it as Leo and Felix came in carrying a couple of boxes.

“I think that’s it.” Leo set his box down on top of the pile that dominated the midsized living room of the new house. “I can’t believe I actually had that much stuff.”

“I can.” Felix wiped his brow. “I just can’t believe it’s this hot in December.”

“Hey, at least we’re not moving in a foot of snow,” Leo said. “That wouldn’t be any fun at all.” His gaze found Aud and he smiled; then he looked behind Aud. “Hey, why is that picture covered? Wait a second. That’s not a mirror, is it? You didn’t say anything about being Jewish and covering mirrors when someone dies.”

Aud laughed. “I’m not Jewish, it’s not a mirror, and no one has died.” He gestured to the picture. “It’s a surprise for you. Uncover it.”

Leo walked over and wrapped an arm around Aud’s waist before kissing him. “A surprise?”

“Think of it as a housewarming for our first day in our own home.”

“Okay.” Leo reached for the dish towel and pulled it off the picture. His breath caught.

Aud’s smile widened as Leo took in the finished sketch Aud had matted and framed.

“It’s incredible.” Leo’s voice was little more than a whisper. “Do I really look that hot?”

“Yes.” Aud kissed him. “You really look that hot. I sketch them as I see them. I see you that hot.”

“It’s really nice,” Felix said from behind them. “Who knew a drawing class would lead to this?”

“So are you going to be taking more classes, Felix?” Leo asked. “’Cause you’re going to have to find your own art teacher.” He hugged Aud tight. “This one’s mine.”

Pleasant, warm feelings filled Aud as Leo hugged him. Leo made him happier than anyone else ever had. They really were a perfect fit in all ways. He kissed Leo. “I’m glad I’m yours, ’cause I plan on keeping you forever.”

“Good. ’Cause I’m keeping you forever too.”

Aud kissed him again.

Felix cleared his throat behind them. “I think you guys promised me dinner for helping with the move. I’d like that before you two start christening the rooms with your bodily fluids.”

Aud laughed. It was a hard, hearty belly laugh that rushed out to express exactly how happy he was at that instant. Still in his arms, Leo joined him. It felt so good to laugh together after everything they’d been through. It told Aud he’d made the right choice in asking Leo to move in. He knew it was only a matter of time before they made everything legal. But at that moment, neither the future nor the past mattered. They’d survived everything and were together.

As the laughter died down, Aud kissed Leo again. “I love you.”

Leo leaned into Aud. “I love you too.”

Every day Sam Benito watches his marriage fall apart. He and his husband, Charlie, a New York Times bestselling author, fight constantly, catching their teenage son, Iggy, in the middle. If there’s any love left, it’s hard to find. Charlie, bent on self-destruction, crosses an unspoken line, and Sam realizes it’s time to leave as the man he fell in love with is gone forever.

After leaving his high-powered corporate job years ago, Sam now works at a small feed store in an effort to keep his family together. It’s a job he never thought he would find pleasant, but working with Geary Ellis may have something to do with his job satisfaction.

Charlie digs himself deeper, and Sam is helpless to do anything. Torn between his budding love for Geary and his years with Charlie, Sam finds comfort in Geary’s arms, but it may not be enough to hold him together as Charlie falls apart.

The lion, the jaguar, and the owl against the werewolf. Who will prevail?

Phillip Twohands is a thief and a weremountain lion. When he takes a job stealing an ugly kachina, he never realizes it will change his life forever. Daniel Hernandez is a werejaguar who is hired to steal the same kachina by the same werewolf who hired Phillip. When their paths cross, it becomes clear the tension between them is not all about rivalry.

The local sheriff, Shannon O’Flaherty, catches them in the act and has no choice but to take the two into his personal custody, which quickly ends up with the three of them in bed together.

When they learn the kachina has an ancient wolf spirit trapped inside, they rally to prevent it from transferring its power to the werewolf who hired them, but it will take all the strength in their new bond to succeed.

Hugh Lafoux managed to survive the Civil War, but came out of it scarred for life and with an intricately crafted metal leg. Since the war ended, he’s wandered aimlessly, looking for the next card game and easy sex. He boards the Bayou Belle in Saint Louis, expecting a nice easy ride down to Memphis. But he runs afoul of Big Al Shank, the owner of the Belle, and ends up beaten and thrown overboard into the dark river.

Former slave Cotton Freeman spends most of his time hunting alligators along the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee. While looking for larger gators north of town one night, Cotton unexpectedly fishes a man out of the water. As Cotton nurses Hugh back to health, they realize a mutual attraction, and their love grows. But when Big Al Shank returns to destroy them, love might not be enough to win the battle.

A Ren Faire Romance

Former Olympic archer Robin Lockwood quit competing and now runs an archery booth at the Ren Faire. He enjoys his unencumbered life with few attachments but lots of casual friends. Traveling across the country from fair to fair adds spice to his life.

John Aquitaine found acting in college and started a comedy show with his good friend, Pete. They are the “Perfect Princes,” and it helps John escape real life. The gypsy lifestyle lets him keep people at arm’s length until an arrow nearly hits him and he meets the handsome Robin Lockwood.

The flame between them sparks quickly, but the relationship is slowed when John’s dark past catches up with him. John’s Uncle Fred, the source of his horrible memories, appears at one of the Perfect Princes’ performances, and it upsets John so much he needs Robin to rescue him. Their love is tested again as Uncle Fred plans to finish what he started when John was a child.

A Ren Faire Romance

Watching birds of prey soar gives Garret Nicholson a sense of peace. It’s exactly what he needs after his recent break-up. His ex never understood Garret’s work with the raptors, but the birds have been part of his life for years. Garret spends his time between The Sky’s the Limit Raptor Rehab Center and his dad’s falconry show at the Hawkwood Fantasy Faire, trying to prove to himself and his father he has what it takes to be a great falconer.

Trevor DePalma is in awe, but he isn’t sure whether the man or the falcons fascinate him more. Watching the birds perform at the Faire gives Trevor the first taste of joy he’s had since his father threw him out two years ago. Bonding with Garret over their mutual love of birds, Trevor eagerly learns all he can, and Garret proves a willing teacher. But as feelings grow, Trevor worries how Garret will react when he learns Trevor is homeless.

Life on the street is growing more dangerous for Trevor and his friends. Garret offers him safe space to find his feet. As the world crashes around them, Garret and Trevor will need each other’s support in ways they’ve never imagined.

A Ren Faire Romance

Dale O’Toole, aka Diederik, the Demon Duke of Denmark, takes his Renaissance festivals seriously. He has been on the jousting circuit for five years and enjoys his gypsy lifestyle, traveling to faires around the country. It’s fun and he has good friends.

Austin Renfro has worked in a pirate gift shop at the Colorado Renaissance Festival for several years but has a life outside the medieval fantasy world. When Austin spies Dale during the first joust of the season, he knows he must find a way to meet him, even if the jousters and royal cast don’t normally associate with the working class.

Their first chance meeting causes more than a little embarrassment for both men, but they don’t let that stop them. They try to let their budding love find its place while keeping it from becoming common knowledge. But when a particularly conservative knight catches them in flagrante, it’s bound to cause problems. After all, jousts are dangerous….