STORY EXCERPT

As Jaylen drove through the late evening, tears sprang to his eyes. He wiped them away, telling himself that Michael wasn’t worth crying over. He’d physically assaulted Jaylen, and Jaylen knew it wouldn’t be the last time if he stuck around. Michael hadn’t even apologized for striking him, and that meant he wasn’t sorry and would do it again.

Jaylen was a paramedic for Brac Village and had been called to too many scenes of domestic violence, the same homes more than once. He’d given medical care to women who’d refused to press charges, and he’d wished he could slug the men who’d harmed the women. He wasn’t going to become one of those victims.

“Over my dead body,” Jaylen grumbled. “Consider yourself lucky I didn’t call the cops and press charges, you limp-dick bastard.”

What Jaylen needed was a drink. Not like the people he’d just left behind. Jaylen drank socially, responsibly. But if there was ever a time to throw one back, it was now.

To hell with the house and bills. Jaylen was calling tomorrow to cut off the utilities since they were in his name. The electric, gas, and internet.

Next he would call his landlord and tell Cody what was going on. The guy was nice, and Jaylen didn’t want to spring any surprises on him. Even Cody’s boyfriend, Keata, was sweet. Jaylen felt bad for bailing on his landlord, but he wasn’t staying in a dead relationship where his ex-boyfriend had no qualms about laying a hand on him. He also wasn’t staying somewhere with three other adults who didn’t pull their weight. Jaylen wasn’t a big enough sucker to let them freeload off of him or let Jenna talk smack to him.

Jaylen might be small in stature, but he’d be damned if he allowed anyone to walk over him like a mat.

He entered Willow Point’s town limits. It was late evening, but people were still out driving or walking. Some businesses were still open, but Jaylen had only one place in mind. Loose Lips, the local tavern. Jaylen had been to this town plenty of times, so he knew where he was going.

He pulled into the gravel parking lot and got out, pocketing his keys. He’d stay for a drink or two before heading to the motel. He was already exhausted, but after his confrontation with Michael, he also felt wired. He stepped into a semi-crowded bar, the smell of food making his stomach rumble. Jaylen hadn’t eaten since breakfast, and he was starving.

As country music played on the jukebox, Jaylen strode to the bar and sat on one of the empty stools. Already he felt better, even though his life had fallen apart. Just putting distance between him and Michael seemed to do him a world of good.

A bartender walked over and looked Jaylen over. “You okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

The guy touched his own cheek. “You got a bruise forming.”

Jaylen touched his cheek. The backhand had stung, but he didn’t think it would bruise. Then again, Michael was a big guy with a heavy hand. The more he thought about it, the more his face throbbed. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

The guy stuck out his hand. “Name’s Tay.”

“Jaylen.” He shook the offered hand, expecting a hard grip. It wasn’t.

Tay withdrew his hand, and for some insane reason, Jaylen wanted it back.

“Want some ice for that bruise?”

That would be the smart thing to do. Jaylen couldn’t show up to work with a bruise on his face. “Sure, and a shot of vodka, too.”

Tay rapped his knuckles on the counter. “Coming right up.”

“Can I get a menu, too?”

Tay’s smile was downright gorgeous. Jaylen was disturbed at how he felt. He’d just left Michael. He shouldn’t be checking out another guy. What was wrong with him? Jaylen wasn’t that type of person. He didn’t hop from one bed to another. He and Michael had dated for weeks before Jaylen had slept with him.

Tay returned with a bag of ice and a shot of vodka. He set the menu in front of Jaylen. “Order whatever you want. It’s on me.”

Honestly, Tay’s offer was a bit jarring. Jaylen was so used to footing the bill that the offer threw him. “I can pay for my own food.”

Tay leaned his muscled arms on the countertop. “You look like you’ve just been through something. Let the kindness of a stranger relieve some of that burden.”

Jaylen didn’t like how easily he could be read. Sure, he had a bruise, but it felt like Tay could see right through him. “Who said I had burdens?”

Tay gave him a lopsided smile. “Been helping out here way too long, Jaylen. Bartender therapy has heightened my ability to read people.”

Jaylen squirmed. Tay seemed like a nice enough guy, but Jaylen had always handled his problems on his own. He wasn’t one to spill his guts to anyone, let alone a stranger, and he wasn’t going to start now. “Burger and fries.”

“The works on the burger?”

Jaylen nodded. “Well done, too.” He hoped it didn’t take too long because now that he was there, smelling the delicious aromas, his stomach was trying to eat its way out. The bar was noisy, but Jaylen was afraid everyone would hear just how hungry he was.

He touched his cheek as Tay walked away to put in his order to the kitchen. Jaylen picked up the shot glass and swallowed the vodka down. He coughed and sputtered, wishing he had some water. Holy hell! How did anyone drink the stuff on a regular basis? It was Jenna’s drink of choice. How had her esophagus and stomach not eroded already?

Tay slid a glass of water to Jaylen. “I take it you’re not a drinker?”

Jaylen sucked half the glass down. “No.” The word came out strangled because he was still trying to catch his breath. As his eyes watered, Jaylen pressed the bagged ice against his cheek, wincing at how tender his skin was.

“Maybe switch over to something else?”

Jaylen nodded. “Soda.”

“Good choice.” Tay grabbed the soda gun, sprayed some dark soda into a glass, then slid it toward Jaylen. “On the house.”

After a few more sips of the water, Jaylen smiled his appreciation. “You’re determined to make something free.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“Do you say we go for it?” Jaylen felt a nervous energy pass through him. Was he really ready to just jump in feet first? That was the opposite of who he was and how he handled things. So why was he willing to do so now?

“I might need a taste test first.” Tay slipped his underwear off and moved to the end of the bed.

Jaylen’s excitement built even higher. He trembled like he was in a blizzard as Tay kissed his ankles, his calves, then his inner thighs. He scraped his beard against Jaylen’s skin along the way, adding to the pleasure that was already mounting.

“I’ve never had anyone taste-test me,” Jaylen said as a laugh spilled from his lips. “I think I’m ticklish.”

“Let’s find out.” Tay trailed his tongue back down Jaylen’s calf.

Jaylen burst out laughing as he jerked his leg from Tay’s grasp. “I’m definitely ticklish.”

Tay nipped Jaylen’s other foot, and then he moved between Jaylen’s legs before flicking his tongue out and running it up Jaylen’s thigh. He pulled back long enough to remove Jaylen’s underwear, tossed them aside, then reached for Jaylen’s balls. Jaylen hissed in pleasure, spreading his legs wider.

The air left Jaylen’s lungs in a rush when Tay pushed Jaylen’s legs back and rimmed him. A warm puff of air sent tingles up Jaylen’s spine before a fiery rocket went off in his head. And then there was heat. Heat and sharp currents of electricity shot where Tay’s tongue moved down the crease of Jaylen’s ass.

It was intense—intense like Jaylen had never felt. The sensation short-circuited any thoughts or brain waves he might have had. Tay made Jaylen’s cock throb and ache as the wet warmth of his tongue circled, licking down the seam again before pressing hard against Jaylen’s hole.

Tay’s strong fingers dug into Jaylen’s skin as Jaylen felt the man lift him closer, and then the tongue pressed harder before Jaylen’s body gave way and allowed it to delve in.

A noise caught in Jaylen’s throat. It was a mix between a moan and a gasp. Like the air had just been pushed out of his lungs and he couldn’t complete the sound.

The pleasure had his skin humming and his heart racing so hard that he could feel sweat forming at his temples. Jaylen’s body was starting to take over, his mind completely closing up shop, his cock desperately wanting to find friction, needing it to finish.

Jaylen curled his hands into the sheets as his cock bounced with the throbbing of his pulse. He was flying, flying high at what Tay was doing to him, and Jaylen didn’t want to land anytime soon.

Tay buried his face into Jaylen’s ass, his tongue fucking as Jaylen jerked his cock. Jaylen snapped his hips forward and then shoved his ass onto Tay’s mouth. Fireworks were going off in Jaylen’s head, making him see stars as his lips parted to accommodate more air.

Gripping his cock harder, Jaylen lost himself in what Tay was doing to him. He felt—actually felt—something stir inside of him, making his heart pound faster.

Jaylen craved to belong, to be loved, as Tay’s tongue expertly fucked him. Jaylen wanted Tay pressing him into the mattress. He wanted to feel the man’s thick, muscular body over him, snapping his hips as he drove his cock into Jaylen’s ass.

Almost as if Tay could read his thoughts, the guy pulled back. But he didn’t go far. Tay gazed up at Jaylen with those beautiful eyes while he inserted two fingers into Jaylen’s ass. “I can’t wait to sink my cock into your body.”

Jaylen had to be certifiably insane to want to hitch himself to someone for eternity. This was happening too fast, yet not fast enough. Too many emotions and thoughts were bombarding Jaylen, so he slammed a lid on them and just let himself go.

“Yes,” Jaylen hissed as Tay inserted another finger. He spread his legs wider, closing his eyes as he drifted along.

Tay leaned over Jaylen and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “Keep your eyes open, baby. I want you to see everything I’m doing to you.”

Jaylen loved that Tay kept using endearments. It made what they were doing feel more intimate and also made Jaylen open his eyes.

Tay smiled.

“I’ll watch anything you want to do to me.”

And he would. Jaylen would let Tay fulfill all his fantasies, let him help Jaylen feel alive again when it came to sex. It had been so long since he was this ready, his body trembling at the mere thought of Tray taking him.

Pulling his hand free, Tay reached into the nightstand and pulled a bottle of lube free. Jaylen jerked with anticipation as need burned deep inside of him.

Tay lubed his cock before positioning himself between Jaylen’s legs. He stretched over Jaylen, the head of his cock tapping just under Jaylen’s balls. Tay began to kiss him, his tongue flicking over Jaylen’s lips as he inched his cock into Jaylen’s body.

“Oh my god,” Jaylen grunted at the burn. He lifted his legs, wrapping them around Tay’s waist as the man sank deeper. Jaylen held his breath, his body stretching as Tay moved in slow increments.