Standby (4 page)

“I think maybe you'll like it there,” Tom said.

The man beamed and stuck out his hand. “I'm Rafael.”

They shook, but Tom didn't reply at once. Did he know this guy from somewhere? He seemed so familiar. But Tom couldn't imagine that he'd forget someone so spectacularly hot, so... compelling. He swallowed and tried to clear his head. “Tom.”

They chatted for a while. Rafael asked questions about good neighborhoods to live in and places to eat. But in truth, Tom was fairly certain that Rafael was more interested in him than where to get the best burgers or coffee. And good God, Tom was interested right back.

He could have been embarrassed when his stomach rumbled loudly, but Rafael grinned in a way that tempted Tom to grab his shoulders and kiss the breath out of him.

“How about we go find some breakfast?” Rafael said.

“But your plane's about to begin boarding.”

As if on cue, a male voice announced over the PA system that pre-boarding to Cedar Rapids had started. But Rafael only smiled. “I bet if I talk to Gabi, she could find a seat next to you on your flight instead.”

Tom's heart pounded and a deliciously warm feeling spread through his body. “Really?” He was fully aware that he sounded outrageously eager.

“Really.” Rafael reached over and settled his hand on top of Tom's, making Tom's skin tingle. “We'll be flying home together, Tom.”

And because sometimes you just had to chuck rational thought and believe in beautiful magic, that's just what they did.

KIM FIELDING
is the bestselling author of numerous m/m romance novels, novellas, and short stories. Like Kim herself, her work is eclectic, spanning genres such as contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and historical. Her stories are set in alternate worlds, in 15th century Bosnia, in modern-day Oregon. Her heroes are hipster architect werewolves, housekeepers, maimed giants, and conflicted graduate students. They're usually flawed, they often encounter terrible obstacles, but they always find love.

After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.

KIM FIELDING
can be found at:

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