STORY EXCERPT

He pressed the call button and waited while the phone rang several times. Was he calling too late at night? Would Marcus be awake, and more importantly, was this still his friend’s phone number?

“Hello, darling,” Marcus said when he answered, his familiar voice making Brooklyn smile.

“Hey, Marcus,” Brooklyn said. “I was wondering if you were up for company.”

“For you, any time. What made you decide to come visit? The last time I was home, you were stuck so far up Blaine’s ass that you didn’t have time for me.”

Brooklyn winced. “Yeah, sorry about that. Blaine’s actually the reason I’m calling.”

He told his friend about how he’d just left Blaine.

“So glad to hear that.” Marcus sounded relieved. “I heard about his affairs while I was visiting Clover.”

“Is it cool if I crash at your place until I find one of my own?” The gravity of the situation finally hit him, and his throat burned as a lump formed.

“Oh, sweetie. You sound like shit. When will you be here?”

“In about an hour.” Brooklyn wiped his eyes. As hard as he’d tried to stay numb, talking to Marcus was more than he could handle. His mind raced with different thoughts and emotions, overwhelming him with a mixture of anger, sadness, and heartbreak.

“Okay, I’ll make sure there’s a bottle of wine waiting for you when you arrive.” Marcus’s tone was gentle and soothing.

Brooklyn breathed a sigh of relief. Marcus always knew how to make him feel better. “Thanks, Marcus. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Always, my dear. Always.” Marcus hung up, and Brooklyn drove on, the lights of Ridgeway growing brighter on the horizon. He was a little apprehensive about starting over in a new place, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Blaine had hurt him deeply, but Brooklyn refused to let that define him.

When he finally arrived at Marcus’s house, he was exhausted. His friend met him at the door with a hug, and Brooklyn’s eyes fill with tears. It felt so good to be embraced by someone who cared about him. Marcus led him to the couch and handed him a glass of wine.

“You need to rest, Brooklyn. It’s been a long journey for you,” Marcus said, placing a warm hand on his friend’s knee. “I’m not just talking about your trip here, either. Do you want to talk about it?”

Brooklyn nodded, taking a sip of the wine. The rich, velvety taste seemed to calm him, and he began to relax as he recounted his relationship with Blaine. He told Marcus about the good times and the bad, about how he had ignored all the signs of Blaine’s infidelity until he couldn’t take it anymore.

As he spoke, the floodgates opened, and he cried harder than he had in years. But Marcus was there for him, holding him close and offering words of comfort.

When he finally stopped crying, Brooklyn was drained but also relieved. It felt good to have someone to confide in, someone who understood what he had been through. He leaned back against the couch and sighed.

“Thank you,” he said, looking at Marcus. “I don’t know how to repay you for this.”

Marcus smiled as he draped an arm over Brooklyn’s shoulders. “You know I’m here for you, right?”

Brooklyn leaned into his friend’s embrace. “Forever in your debt.”

“I’m just glad you’re here,’ Marcus said. “You’re always welcome in my home, Brooklyn.”

Brooklyn smiled, feeling the weight of Blaine’s betrayal lift off his shoulders. He knew it wouldn’t be easy starting over, but he had no other choice.

“I know,” he said. “And I’m grateful for it.”

“Get some rest.” Marcus showed him the guest bedroom.

Brooklyn slept soundly that night, the warmth of Marcus’s home lulling him into a deep slumber. When he woke up the next morning, he felt a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in years.

He took a deep breath and stretched his limbs. It was a new day, and Brooklyn felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

He got up and headed to the kitchen, where Marcus was already making breakfast. The smell of coffee and bacon filled the air, and Brooklyn’s stomach growled in response.

“Morning,” Marcus said, turning to greet him with a smile. “How did you sleep?”

“Great.” Brooklyn poured himself a cup of coffee. “Thanks for letting me crash here.”

“Anytime, hon.” Marcus handed him a plate of bacon and eggs. “You look better this morning. I’m glad you’re feeling more like yourself.”

So was Brooklyn. He hated being all weepy and hated even more that he’d shed tears over Blaine. The guy didn’t deserve them.

“I was thinking, since you’re a man who is newly free, we should hit a club tonight.”

When was the last time he’d gone out to party? “I could definitely go for a night out.”

“Great.” Marcus took a seat opposite him at the table, with his own helping of food. “Let’s take it easy today and have some fun tonight. Then, tomorrow, the fresh start can begin.”

ADULT EXCERPT

The man’s hips swayed to the music as he navigated through the crowd. As he came within arm’s reach, Kieran brushed a lock of hair away from his face. “Can I help you with something?”

The twink smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. “Just admiring the view,” he cooed, his voice as soft and gentle as velvet.

Fuck. How was Kieran supposed to turn away when the guy was so damn gorgeous and inviting? He knew he couldn’t lose sight of why he was there, but the stranger’s words and the way he looked at him made Kieran feel something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I’m Brooklyn,” the man said, extending his hand.

Kieran hesitated for a moment before shaking it. “Kieran.”

Brooklyn’s touch sent a shockwave through him, and Kieran had to fight to keep his canines from extending.

“Do you want to dance?”

Before Kieran could think better of what he was doing, he found himself nodding. Brooklyn led him to the dance floor, where all Kieran could focus on was the way Brooklyn moved against him and how perfect their bodies fit together to the pulsing beat of the music.

As they danced, Kieran scanned the crowd, searching for any signs of the vampire he was after. But he couldn’t concentrate, not with Brooklyn’s hands on him, pulling him closer.

Kieran knew he was making a mistake, but he couldn’t resist the human’s allure. Brooklyn was like a drug, addictive and intoxicating, and Kieran couldn’t help but succumb to his touch. He had forgotten what it was like to be close to someone, to feel another body against his.

The music slowed to a sultry beat, and Brooklyn leaned in closer to Kieran, his lips hovering just a breath away from his neck. Kieran’s eyes fluttered closed as Brooklyn trailed kisses down his neck, making him forget why he was there in the first place.

They were lost in their own little world, the music and the crowd fading away as they moved together as one. Kieran could feel Brooklyn’s heat, smell his desire, and it was driving him wild.

Then Brooklyn’s lips grazed the shell of Kieran’s ear. “Do you want to take this to one of the back rooms?”

Hell yeah. He took the guy’s hand and led him through the crowd. As soon as they were in one of the back rooms, Kieran locked the door so they wouldn’t be interrupted.

 Brooklyn pressed Kieran against the wall, his lips finding Kieran’s neck again. Kieran moaned as Brooklyn nipped at his skin, sending waves of pleasure through his body.

He grabbed Brooklyn’s hair, pulling him closer. It had been so long since he had let himself feel anything, and it made his wolf growl.

Brooklyn’s hands roamed over Kieran’s body, exploring every inch. Kieran couldn’t get enough of him. The way Brooklyn’s hands felt on him, the way his lips tasted, it was all intoxicating.

Brooklyn pushed Kieran against the wall, his body pressed against his as he whispered in his ear. “I want you, Kieran.”

Kieran’s heart raced as he looked into Brooklyn’s eyes. He could see the desire there, feel it in the way Brooklyn touched him, and smell it in the air around them.

Without another word, they shed their clothes, each of them hungry for the other. Kieran felt like he was on fire as Brooklyn’s hands moved over his skin, igniting a passion within him.

They moved together in a frenzied rhythm, their bodies entwined in a dance of pleasure. Kieran felt like he was being consumed by the fire that had been ignited within him, and he was down for some back-room sex.

Brooklyn’s breath was warm against Kieran’s ear as he whispered, “I want you to fuck me so hard I won’t be able to walk.”

Sweet Jesus. Kieran was all for that. He turned Brooklyn around and pressed him against the wall. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” he said, his voice rough with need.

Kieran’s lips curved into a smile as Brooklyn reached down to stroke Kieran’s cock.

He leaned close to Kieran’s ear. “I know exactly what I’m getting myself into.”

Kieran’s heart beat violently as Brooklyn kept stroking him. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out. His body ached for Brooklyn, for his touch, for sweet release.

He pulled back then reached for the travel lube in his jeans. “Grab some wall.”

Brooklyn’s blue eyes flared before he did as Kieran commanded. Goddamn, the man was gorgeous from behind. Kieran couldn’t wait to have him.

He pressed two fingers into Brooklyn’s tight hole, scissoring them. The guy groaned, thrusting back as Kieran stretched him.

Leaning in close, Kieran growled softly, “I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re gonna feel it for a week.”

His cock throbbed as he heard Brooklyn gasp at his words.

The guy leaned his head back against Kieran’s chest, his body trembling slightly. “I’m ready for you,” he said, his voice full of lust and need.

 Kieran kissed him. “Tell me how you want it.”

Brooklyn’s gaze met Kieran’s, the look in them pleading. “Hard,” he said, his voice rough. “Hard and fast.”

Kieran lined himself up with Brooklyn’s hole and pushed inside, teasing him before slamming home.