STORY EXCERPT

Milo Landon really didn’t want to be there. This wasn’t his job, but he was filling in for his Uncle Eric who’d had some kind of out-of-town emergency.

As the sun set and night descended, the twinkling lights strung throughout the venue came to life, casting a warm glow over the outdoor wedding reception. The sweet strains of a slow melody filled the air, luring Milo closer to the celebration. The bride rested her head on her new husband’s shoulder as they swayed gently on the dance floor, lost in each other’s embrace.

Other couples were out there, too.

Laughter bubbled up from tables where friends and family were gathered, their voices blending into a symphony of happiness. The delicious scent of food wafted through the air, tempting guests to replenish their plates at the buffet or refill their drinks at the open bar. The atmosphere was alive with celebration and love, a perfect moment frozen in time.

A moment Milo longed to be a part of instead of bussing tables, trying to remain invisible to the guests.

He paused, watching as an enormous guy in a sleek black suit slowly danced with another guy who had to be a good foot shorter than him. It wasn’t the size difference that caught his attention.

It was the pure love on their faces as they gazed at each other.

Why couldn’t Milo find someone who looked at him like that? Unfortunately, his past two boyfriends had deep-seated issues that eventually surfaced, turning them into jerks.

Sighing, Milo carried his tub to the next table, clearing away dishes and discarded napkins. As he bent down to collect a glass that was under a chair, he noticed a stranger watching him from a nearby table.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before someone walked over and drew the stranger’s attention away.

“You’re supposed to be blending into the background, not trying to catch a guest’s attention,” Dan said from behind him.

“I was picking up a glass off the ground,” Milo defended. He had to keep his tone polite because this was Eric’s gig, but it was hard when Eric’s boss kept breathing down his back, micromanaging everything Milo was assigned to do.

“Empty your tub then clear tables three and four.” Dan hurried toward another worker like he was about to scold the guy.

Which tables were three and four? For the life of him, Milo couldn’t remember.

“I could accidently spill red wine all over his white tuxedo jacket,” a deep, masculine voice said from behind Milo. “He seems pretentious.” A low, velvety laugh filled the air. “I just learned that word and love throwing it around now.”

His heart hammering, Milo looked over his shoulder and stared right into beautiful green eyes. It was the guy who’d been watching him. “You used the word correctly.” Milo swallowed hard at how breathtaking the stranger was.

“Colt.” He took Milo’s hand in his, lightly stroking the back with his thumb. “Who might you be?”

“Nobody.”

Colt raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “That’s a cruel name for someone as bewitching as you.”

“Milo.” He cleared his throat. “My name is Milo.”

“Much better.” Colt gave him a smile that set his pulse racing. “Do you have a break coming up? I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better.”

Milo nodded then shook his head, so enchanted with Colt that his brain wasn’t working. No man this good-looking had ever paid attention to him, let alone acknowledged Milo’s existence.

Colt’s sensual laughter rippled through Milo’s body like a sexual pulse. “Which is it?”

“Yes, I do have a break coming up. I’m just not sure when,” Milo admitted, glancing at Dan who was still hovering by the other waiter. “I’m not trying to be rude, because you’re the highlight of my evening, but if I don’t get back to work, Dan will have my head.”

Colt’s eyes followed Milo’s gaze. “That pretentious asshole?”

Milo snickered. “You really do like that word.”

The even whiteness of Colt’s smile was dazzling. “If the shoe fits…”

When Dan started toward him, Milo jerked his hand from Colt’s. Great. Now Dan was going to crawl all over Milo for not doing his job.

“I apologize, but I really do need my help to get back to work,” Dan said to Colt.

“If you hadn’t noticed, I was speaking to your help,” Colt replied.

“And you are?” Dan asked.

“The bride’s brother.” Colt raked a contemptuous glare over Dan. “If I’m not mistaken, if a guest needs attention, it’s the job of your staff to provide it.”

“You’re quite right, sir. Milo will help you with whatever you need.” Dan pivoted and walked away.

At least Dan was smart enough not to argue with a guest, but Milo wondered if the jerk would say something later to him about simply standing there and not working. Dan was too uptight and needed to breathe and trust his staff to do their jobs.

“I think you just got Eric fired.” Milo glanced at Dan’s retreating form. He hoped like hell that wasn’t the case. He didn’t need to give his uncle an excuse to explode.

ADULT EXCERPT

He was pulled from his thoughts once again when Colt’s hand slid over his stomach in a lazy downward descent, making Milo’s heart beat a little faster. Colt’s hand stopped at the waistband of Milo’s borrowed jogging pants, the tips of his fingers resting under the fabric.

Was Colt doing that in his sleep, or was he awake?

The guy’s breathing was even, but his hard cock was pressed firmly against Milo’s ass, causing Milo’s body to pulse as need filled him.

His own cock hardened, and Milo lay there wishing Colt’s hand would slide even lower. Unable to stop himself, he pressed his ass, just a little, into Colt’s erection.

Milo was so aroused that he was tempted to “accidently” elbow Colt to wake him. Having the guy’s hand so close to his cock and Colt’s erection against his ass was pure torture, especially when nothing was happening.

Screw subtly. This time Milo pushed his ass harder against the guy’s groin and felt Colt’s hard cock press firmly between his ass cheeks.

With a soft growl, Colt flipped Milo to his back and poised over him, his hands on either side of Milo’s head, his dark green eyes heavy-lidded. Milo gasped as he stared up at the guy, the pulse of need inside of him deepening.

The only thing Colt was wearing was a pair of boxer briefs, the hard outline of his erection visible through the thin fabric.

“Don’t look so surprised.” Colt nuzzled Milo, nipping his skin. “You can’t grind your sweet ass against my hard dick and expect me not to react.”

“I was just stretching.” Milo tilted his head to the side, his breath catching as Colt licked and nipped a path across his neck.

He felt Colt smile against his skin. “Then I guess I should go back to sleep since I misunderstood what you were doing.” He teased Milo’s earlobe between his teeth, his voice husky. “I thought you wanted my cock buried inside of you.”

There wasn’t a chance in hell that he was letting Colt go back to sleep. Milo curled his arms and legs around the guy and yanked him down.

Colt chuckled and lowered himself a little more but still kept his weight off of him. “Are you stretching again. or should I assume you want me?”

Milo gripped Colt’s nape then drew him closer, their lips inches apart. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since the night we met.”

“Since the moment I saw you.” Colt took possession of Milo’s mouth, chasing away the last remnants of sadness from his memories.

Tingles erupted through Milo as Colt plunged his tongue inside his mouth. Despite what Eric had done to him, Milo loved feeling trapped under Colt, loved having such a strong body surrounding him in such a sensual way.

As the last of the sun faded, leaving only a dim light from the bathroom to cast a glow, Colt broke away from Milo’s lips long enough to turn on the lamp that was resting on the nightstand. How that piece of furniture had survived was a mystery.

Colt grabbed something from the top drawer and set it aside. When Milo looked, he smiled at the clear half-filled bottle of lube next to the pillow. Colt pushed to his knees, and Milo lifted his arms, quivering as Colt helped him out of his shirt. Milo’s nipples hardened with anticipation. Colt brushed his fingers over Milo’s bruising, his eyes filling with something akin to regret. “I should have been there to protect you.”

“Don’t.” Milo curled his hand around Colt’s wrist. “It’s just us right now. No regret and no guilt.”

With a clenched jaw and a nod, Colt moved backward and slid Milo’s pants off, groaning as Milo’s cock sprang free, slapping his stomach.

That growl that Milo loved rumbled through Colt’s chest. The guy grabbed the lube before he slid to his stomach. Colt gripped the back of Milo’s thighs, lifting them as he trailed his tongue over Milo’s balls.

“Colt,” he groaned, tilting his head back and curling his fingers into the bedding. He gasped when his lover’s tongue trailed underneath his balls then circled around his hole.

Not his lover. His mate.

Colt’s tongue was warm and soft, contrasting with the roughness of his beard. Milo trembled as his mate explored him, the sensation incredible.

He heard the lube being opened, and then the coolness of it dripped down his crack. Then Colt’s finger was there, pushing inside him, filling him up. Milo’s breath hitched as his mate added a second finger, making his body tense for a moment before relaxing. Then Colt took Milo’s cock between his lips, sucking gently, his tongue swirling around the tip. Milo bucked his hips, a low moan escaping as a third finger was added.

His heart raced as he felt Colt’s fingers curl inside him, hitting that spot that made Milo’s toes curl. He gripped the bed sheets tighter, his breath coming in short gasps. Colt’s mouth moved up and down Milo’s shaft, his fingers working in the same rhythm.

This was so much better than any fantasy Milo could have conjured in his mind. The guy knew what he was doing, making Milo’s body come alive.