[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Romance, M/M, public exhibition, light consensual BDSM, light spanking, HEA]
Brooks Price loves a challenge. So when a frenemy dares him to sleep with a dorky, over-tall film major, Brooks amps up his considerable charm.
Matt Porter can’t guess why Brooks is flirting with him. Raised religious, Matt doesn’t believe in sex before relationships. Unfortunately, Brooks is all about sex, and Matt doubts Brooks is interested in anything else.
Slowly, Brooks chips away at Matt’s armor—taking him on dates, asking for kisses, holding hands—baby steps, none of which Matt can resist or refuse. However, when Brooks pushes too far, Matt freaks out.
Despite his stoic exterior, Matt’s painfully conflicted over his sexuality—scared of his darker desires, worried about hurting Brooks. The pair explores boundaries, but when things turn rough and Matt unleashes his inner wants, he doesn’t know if he can overcome his shame about sex in order to be with the man he’s growing to love.
A Siren Erotic Romance
5 KISSES: "I’m hopelessly addicted to this series. In my opinion each book is getting better and better as the series continues. Ms. Harris seems to have really found her stride with each book. Every one of them reads fresh and unique and all of them have characters that seem to really live and breathe off of the written page. Since the blurb does an excellent job of describing the story, I won’t rehash it very much. I’ve read several books with this type of scenario before. Man is dared to ask quiet man out, takes dare, eventually gets quiet man to go out with him and in the process falls in love. The one thing that’s really great about this book is: even though the plot is one I’ve read before, it still read creatively interesting and fresh. Daisy really puts her own spin on a well-loved tale and makes it her own with her bold and remarkable voice. Both Matt and Brooks are well-written interesting heroes. I liked how even though at first they seemed to be total opposites, early on it’s easy to see how compatible they are together. I liked how they really began to like and respect each other AND the physical chemistry between them was smokin’ hot! Each man brought out the best in each other and in general, I really adored them as a couple. Ms. Harris also captures the ins and outs of college life making this book and series an even more fun book to read. I love all of her characters in this series and I can’t wait to read the next book! If you are looking for a fun, flirty and very sexy series about young men and how they survive life on a college campus, The Holsum series is definitely the books for you! Highly Recommended!" -- Gabbi, Top 2 Bottom Reviews
5 STARS: "Matt Porter is struggling with being raised with a religious background, being gay and dating, along with wanting to Dominate his new boyfriend, Brooks Prince. Matt is such a quiet, nice guy that I instantly fell in love with him. Then as the book progressed, Matt starts to think of these deliciously wicked things he wants to do Brooks and my heart melts. “He wanted to love Brooks, to be loved in return. Not treat him like a filthy slut — the way his torrid imagination wanted.” I must say Matt’s torrid imagination is a joy to read. Brooks has a few issues of his own he’s dealing with, his mom is a pushy social climber wanting him to make important friends and one of those friends in particular starts to put a strain on his relationship with Matt. Just like Matt, Brooks has to stand up for what he wants and it’s so sexy when he does; taking up for his man, declaring Matt as his. The thing about this series that I love is; it’s not typical romance per se, it’s more lust turned infatuation that leads to I’m falling in love with you and no matter the obstacles we face I’m not letting the best thing that has ever happened to me get away. This book is also the start of a hardcore D/s, BDSM relationship. Of the four books so far I would love to see where Matt and Brooks go next the most, I can just visualize the filthy, dirty things they would do to each other as they grow together. Yumm." -- Charnel Chante, Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 HEARTS: "I love the men of Holsum College. There is something so fun, so RIGHT about them, even when they are fighting inner battles. This may be my absolute favorite couple so far. While their beginning was very non-romantic, it morphs into a chance for Brooks to step away from his slutty, sort of selfish persona and become, in his words, a better man. And he is successful at that. It is Hunter, a completely spoiled, self-absorbed jerk, who makes the bet with Brooks while they are busy bitching about having to do community service as part of their college requirement- $500 that Brooks can’t sleep with the nerdy, quiet Matt. That Brooks accepts shows what kind of man he was. At that point, he couldn’t even really remember Matt’s name. Brooks claimed Hunter’s way of trying to psyche him out or get the upper hand bugged him, yet he fell into the trap over and over. Granted, some of it was Matt’s social climbing obnoxious mother wanted Hunter’s families contacts, but still! Brooks was, in Matt’s words, “like a public toilet – everyone had sat on him at some point”. I LOVED that description! Matt made the book for me. He was raised uber-religious and taught that not only was being gay cause for going to hell, but even touching yourself is a perversion. How does a person reconcile this with not only wanting other men, but having the inner yearning to be dominant, to talk dirty, to go all out with sex. He has so much shame for his thoughts, you want to scoop him up and reassure him, “you are normal, all right and it’s okay”. Even when Matt is just touching himself, he feels guilt and shame over what he wants. Matt has never dated, never done anything. Never had a kiss, for that matter. When Brooks does take him for a “date”, they go to the Art Museum for an erotic exhibit. Matt is angry about that, but does go. When the combination of the scintillating pictures, the proximity to Brooks, and the constant rubbing of his erection on his jeans (“Matt thought he was going to have to shove his pants off and hump something”), there is a scene in the bathroom that shows that just maybe Brooks has some hope to be worthy of Matt. An interesting aspect of this story is as it progresses, Brooks starts to lose sight of the fact that it was a bet that started it all. He moves so slowly with Matt, giving him space, respect and time. He is amazing at that point, and poor Matt, he’s trying so very hard to accept himself. Together the two of them do this dance through their baggage and come out victorious. There are just so many parts I loved, Matt admitting for the first time that he was ashamed and Brooks being moved to tears; Matt admitting what he wants in bed and being accepted by Brooks; the way Brooks handles Matt’s inexperience and insecurities.The topic of the bet does come up, poor baby. They are just so perfect for each other, and they would never have thought it. Just lovely." -- Lucy, Hearts on Fire Reviews
4 STARS: "PLAYER AND THE PRUDE is the closest to the first book in this series when it comes to the actual plot as well as the amount of eroticism. I loved it from the first chapter to the last and wouldn't think twice before recommending it. It all started with a bet where Brooks took on the challenge of bedding the awkward and badly dressed Matt. The push into their lives is really sudden and there is no time for a break because the story keeps on moving and Brooks slowly falling in love is a thing of beauty. I saw this book as a romantic beginning of something extraordinary between two men who were very different but who just didn't much care. Another thing I appreciated because there were no money issues and the opinions of their parents had no influence on their relationship. Matt's growth from a shy religiously raised man to someone who isn't afraid to admit his kinks and act on them thrilled me beyond words and their sex life spurred my own. Yes, it happens when the book is just that good. The only remark would be the slow ending that somehow didn't quite follow the intensity of the rest of the book. I still liked it and enjoyed the couple's encounters, but maybe I expected too much out of the conclusion and Daisy Harris decided to take it easy instead. Either way, this fourth book in the Men of Holsum College series is something well worth reading, even if you haven't read any of the other books in the series." -- Valentina Heart, The Romance Reviews
STORY EXCERPT
“I don’t believe in casual hookups.”
Brooks didn’t scoff, but Matt could tell he wanted to. So Matt added, “Say what you want, but that’s what I think.” He crossed his arms. Matt would have crossed his legs, too, if he’d had enough legroom.
“Okay.”
Matt snapped his gaze around, trying to figure out what Brooks was thinking. For once, his handsome face didn’t betray anything. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” The set of Brooks’s shoulders said that he was still angry, but his voice was less brittle. “If that’s the excuse you want to give yourself.”
Matt’s mouth fell open in outrage. “It’s not an excuse.”
Brooks glanced his direction, taking his eyes off the road for a split second before returning his attention to the street. “Have you ever kissed a guy? Or rubbed off with one? Y’know, you don’t have to have actual sex to get off.”
“I’m not an idiot.” Matt knew all this. Gabe was always on his case about dabbling in sexual activities. And Matt had opened his mind a lot since he got to school. More than anyone who hadn’t grown up like he had could understand. For Pete’s sake—he watched porn with his housemates sometimes. He had blatant, direct conversations about sex with people. He’d just been to an exhibit of erotic art. Back in his hometown, saying the word erotic out loud was enough for folks to brand you a pervert, even to lose your job.
“So, have you kissed a guy?” Brooks peeked over again. This time he seemed less angry, and more interested.
Matt folded his arms more tightly. Brooks’s car was way too small to get the kind of distance Matt needed. Not only was Brooks so close they were almost touching, but Matt could smell the guy. His pheromones were all over the car. The upholstery smelled like grass and sweat and a hint of rugged soap. And of course, as soon as Matt registered the smell, his dick got hard all over again. “No,” he bit out. “I never saw the point in kissing since I knew I wasn’t going to want to go any further.”
“Huh.” Brooks slowed the car, looking at street signs.
“Where are you going?” Matt knew the direction to the highway and wasn’t sure why Brooks was veering off course.
“I was thinking we could get something to eat.” After a few turns of the steering wheel, he pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall. There was no one around, and Brooks didn’t make a move to open the door right away. Instead he blinked at Matt, his eyes blue and his expression unreadable.
“I thought the date was over.” Matt twisted so he could look at Brooks head-on. Whatever Brooks was going to argue, Matt wasn’t going to back down on his beliefs.
“Can I kiss you?” Brooks asked.
Matt thought about it for a second. “Are you saying we’ll get food if we kiss, but we’ll head back to school if I say no?” He raised his eyebrows and uncrossed his arms, trying to sound strong and masculine and not like a blushing virgin trying to protect her honor.
“No,” Brooks said calmly. “I’m asking if I can kiss you before we get a bite to eat. If you say no, we’ll just grab dinner.” He waited—not angry, or pushing, or even teasing, but like a poker player who’d just set down a card and was asking for the dealer to give him another.
“I guess so.” Matt couldn’t think of a reason to say no, since kissing didn’t violate any of his personal rules. He didn’t see the harm in giving in to one moment of curiosity. “Yeah, that’s fine.”
He didn’t know if kissing would make Brooks his boyfriend, or if it meant that Brooks wanted a relationship, or what. But he tried not to think about it as Brooks leaned forward.
“Cool.” Brooks neared slowly, as if he were waiting for Matt to close the gap. When Matt didn’t, Brooks eased forward more, until Matt could feel the warmth of Brooks’s breath, smell his toothpaste or mouthwash or maybe the gum he’d been chewing earlier. Matt’s eyelids dropped to closed.
Brooks’s lips were soft and surprisingly cool. Brooks didn’t kiss him at first, but let Matt get used to the feeling. And then Brooks moved his mouth, a subtle brush of skin and wetness.
Matt forced himself to remain still. He didn’t kiss back, not even when Brooks stroked his tongue over the seam of Matt’s lips. But that slick caress wrung a moan from Matt’s chest—a sad, almost plaintive sound that made Matt wonder if he wanted more of the kiss or less.
Brooks pulled away, but Matt didn’t open his eyes for a long moment, not until he sensed that Brooks was far enough away that Matt wouldn’t drag him back for another.
“Okay?” Brooks asked.
Matt swallowed, making sure his heart was still beating and gauging whether he could talk without making a high-pitched squeak. He forced a calm he didn’t feel and said, “Yeah. That was fine.”
“Cool.” Brooks gave him a naughty little smile. Then, before Matt could get any more uncomfortable, he opened the door and stepped out of the car.
His dick pounded with a dull ache, but Matt opened the door and climbed into the parking lot. The sun was setting and cast a reddish-purple haze over the sky, and the smell of hamburgers pickled the air.
Brooks sauntered across the parking lot, a strut in his step, his jeans so tight they ought to be illegal. He grinned at Matt over his shoulder and Matt knew Brooks had won some kind of point between them.
“You coming?” Brooks called.
Almost.
ADULT EXCERPT
“Shit. I can’t believe I did that.” But he didn’t climb off. Instead, he thrust himself forward, as if he couldn’t get enough of their closeness. Like the damage to Brooks’s skin got him hot.
“M’okay.” Brooks’s cheekbone throbbed, but he wrapped his legs around Matt, making sure his boyfriend couldn’t pull away. The idea that he was wearing Matt’s mark on his face got Brooks so horny he could barely breathe. “Fuck, man. Do me.”
For a split second, Matt looked like he was going to argue. His jaw clenched, as if he was thinking. But then his eyelids dropped to half lidded. “God, you bring out the worst in me.” He locked lips with Brooks, crushing their mouths together in a harsh grind.
Their teeth clashed, and their tongues wrangled. Brooks ripped at Matt’s shirt, dragging it over his head. Then he scored his nails down Matt’s front, hard enough that Matt winced and grabbed Brooks’s wrists and yanked them over his head.
“C’mon.” Brooks’s body sang to life, his cock pulsing hard through his pants, and he felt Matt right there with him. He scissored his legs over Matt’s sweatpants, trying to get them down.
In a burst of movement, Matt bounded off the bed and shoved off his sweats and briefs. Then he ripped at Brooks’s clothes, tearing seams to get them from Brooks’s body. Before Matt could fall on him again, Brooks flipped onto his stomach.
“No,” Matt gasped. But he landed right where Brooks had wanted him, so that his cock pressed into Brooks’s crack and his hairy legs wound between Brooks’s smoother ones. Matt ground into him, a thick weight in his crease.
“God, I don’t know.” Matt’s body was two steps ahead of his mind, because he wrapped a hand to Brooks’s front, gripping Brooks’s cock, and stroking him in rough pulls.
Brooks crawled as best he could with Matt on top of him up to the bedside table. Before Matt could argue, he dug out the lube and condoms they’d been keeping there until they felt ready.
In a moment of hesitation from Matt, Brooks saw his chance and he flipped onto his back. Then, tossing a leg over Matt’s hips, he hauled them over—so he could straddle Matt’s torso and take control.
“Oh, God, oh, God.” Matt gripped Brooks’s hips. His cock slapped at Brooks’s back. He pinched his eyes closed, like he was struggling for control. But Brooks didn’t want to give him any. He wanted Matt to just let it go—to do his worst and make Brooks thank him for it after.
Brooks filled his hand with lube and reached behind to rub it into his ass. Then with hurrying fingers, he rolled the condom onto Matt’s cock and lifted to get it at his entrance.
“Brooks—” Matt shook his head in warning.
But Brooks didn’t heed. He took one relaxing breath and forced himself down over the head of Matt’s cock. He shivered, wishing he’d turned the lights out. His eyes were tearing from the stretch of it, and he didn’t want Matt to know. Didn’t want to give him an excuse to back down. He stroked his dick, feeling the hard weight of it in his hand, the delicious feel of Matt invading him—just the tip filling him wide.
Matt released a long breath—like a growl. His gaze was determined as he pulled Brooks lower, dragging his hips down and down. If he noticed Brooks’s discomfort, he didn’t seem to care. Or maybe it just turned him on.
“Wait…” Brooks pressed his hands on Matt’s chest, holding himself up. Matt was huge, and Brooks regretted having started this on his knees. “Can I get on my back?”
Matt nodded, but that serious expression never left his eyes. His gaze bore into Brooks as he gently rotated them so that Brooks was on his back. They disengaged in the process. When Brooks’s muscles stopped protesting, he was about to say thanks, but Matt was on top of him, his expression intent, and his cock forcing past Brooks’s rim.
“Slow…” Brooks tried to explain, but he wasn’t sure how much Matt understood, because he just kept coming and coming, his cock bigger than Brooks had remembered from when it was in his mouth. Brooks hissed, trying not to wince. “I haven’t done it in a while.” Still, his cock pulsed hard between their bodies.
Matt lifted onto his elbows. Fully seated in Brooks’s ass, he looked down, studying Brooks’s face. He ran a thumb over the bruise on Brooks’s cheek, his expression almost reverent. It was so intense that Brooks opened his mouth to say something. But Matt rubbed Brooks’s lips like he was wiping the words away.
“Sh…” Matt tucked his hips back, pulling almost all the way out, then slid home. Before Brooks could breathe, he did it again, and again. What Matt lacked in finesse, he more than made up for with enthusiasm. He fucked like a steam engine, a nonstop, grunting grind.
It seared Brooks from the inside—almost too intense, but the pain so sweet he didn’t want it to stop. Matt muttered obscenities the whole time, calling Brooks a slut and a whore, saying he hated him. But the words were like the sex—raw intensity. Brooks felt filled to overflowing with Matt’s cock, with his emotions. When, after a series of lightning-fast thrusts, Matt went still and shot inside him, Brooks felt like he was absorbing all of it—Matt’s love and even his hate. Brooks wanted both, because maybe he deserved it, and maybe Matt just needed to let it out.
Shivering, Matt lifted off Brooks’s body. He took only a second to disengage and toss the condom, but then he climbed onto the bed, between Brooks’s legs, and took Brooks into his mouth.
