Cover and Excerpt Reveal and Giveaway: King of Regret by Bianca Borell

KING OF REGRET

Kings of the Underworld #2

by Bianca Borell

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: January 14, 2026

Cover Design: Tempting Illustrations

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance Standalone

Trope: Brother's best friend, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, touch her and d!e, forbidden love, jealous/possessive hero, she falls first/he falls harder, celibate hero, tortured heroine, unrequited love, secret relationship, emotional scars

She loved him first. He’ll fall for her last – and hardest.

In the shadows of the city he rules, Dahlia Ferrara has spent years in love with one man: Mikail Morozov. Her brother’s best friend. The underworld’s coldest king. The forbidden obsession she was never meant to touch.

He rejected her once.
Now she’s done waiting.

Dahlia offers Mikail ten days – no strings, no future, no promises. On day eleven, she walks away to build a life far beyond the brutality of their worldand the secrets that have scarred them both.

But being this close to her, is a crack in his armor he can’t afford.
Forced proximity ignites jealousy, desire, and a control he’s been breaking for years.
Because Mikail has a secret of his own –
he’s been celibate because no one has ever been her.

She’s sunshine in a violent world.
He's a king built from regret.
And their connection is one line that was never meant to be crossed.

Loving her is betrayal.
Keeping her is war.
But letting her go would destroy him.

A dark, intoxicating forbidden-love mafia romance featuring a jealous, possessive hero, a tortured heroine, forced proximity, unrequited turned devastating love, emotional scars, a celibate anti-hero, and a secret relationship that could get them both killed.

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Closing the door behind me, I come to an abrupt halt when the door to my right opens, and he struts out. I blink. Surely, I am still dreaming. He’s not here. It finally happened. I’ve gone mad.

He takes me in with those cold silver eyes—lethal to my heart like bullets.

No dream, no fantasy can wreak havoc through my insides like his presence, so I can’t be imagining him.

“What are you doing here?” I ask breathlessly but with a bite.

He arches a brow, taking me in, his intense gaze boring into me. “Still mad at me, I see.”

I purse my lips to stop myself from saying it’s his fault and he could rectify it.

He cocks his head as he studies me, raking his eyes over me. They linger on the patch of skin I show. I wear a beige lace crop top and shorts that mold to my curves, and by the heated gaze, he approves by not approving.

“Like what you see?” I egg him on, the temperature rising just like the tension constantly sizzling between us. It’s a wonder I don’t combust.

The vein in his neck threatens to burst. “Watch it, Dahlia.”

I should heed the threat in his deep voice that ends with an edge attached to my name. But it only makes me burn hotter, makes me push him further until he finally cracks.

There’s no cure for my delusion.

I sway my hips as I approach him. Owning his attention is a heady feeling. I lick my lips. “Hmm, empty threats, and we both know it.”

His heated gaze causes tingles to dance on my lips.

“Yet you’re doing your best to piss me off. Did we wake up and decide to be difficult?”

Nostrils flaring, I get in his face, pushing at his chest as I look up at him. I don’t even reach his chin. Of course, the mountain of a man doesn’t even flinch. It’s like I am pounding on titanium, hoping to dent it. In vain.

He lowers his face and whispers in my ear. “Hurt me if it makes you feel better. I can and will take everything you dish out, but never fucking hurt yourself.”

His hot breath fans my sensitive skin, and I fist his shirt to support myself. Goosebumps spread, a fever I can’t contain, a fire ravaging my insides only he can tame.

Palming his muscular chest, the steady beat of his heart reminds me of my duty—of that sacred promise I made him.

A word is a word. He has kept his.

Whatever happens, we’ll always have each other.

Snapping out of my reverie, I ask, “What are you doing here?”

He rakes a hand through his hair, looking disheveled. “Your brother asked me to stay here until they return.”

I stumble back, the news making me trip on my feet, but he’s there to catch me.

“You can’t,” I whisper, the anguish clear in my voice.

I can’t be held accountable. We need distance, time apart, to pull off this farce we have kept going on for four years.

A muscle in his jaw twitches. “I have to.”

There is more behind his words—a secret message only I can decode.

As our eyes lock, time and space distort. It’s only him and me, connecting on a soul-deep level. Nothing else exists but us. I could spend eternity just like this, unbothered by cruel reality—he and I, and nothing else between us.

Just as he does every time, he breaks eye contact, severing the bond. “Do you have something else to tell me?”

“I’m not sorry for last night,” I say haughtily.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” he groans low, and my stomach flutters at his deep voice.

It takes everything in me not to smile. Instead, I pretend I didn’t hear him, loving to mess with him.

“What was that?” I ask playfully.

He pins me with an unamused gaze. “You’re a brat.”

“Sure.” I shrug. “But I am your brat.” The words rush out of me.

For a moment, everything stills. My heart thumping wildly in my chest is the only sound penetrating the silence. That’s why proximity is dangerous. I am prone to slipping if my brother is not around.

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KING OF OBSESSION

Kings of the Underworld #1

PURCHASE

Bianca Borell is a contemporary romance author, voracious reader, nature lover, and unapologetic daydreamer. She spends her nights deciding between getting up to write or trying to silence the voices of her characters. The battle is never-ending.

She has a weakness for tormented characters, second chances, and happy endings.

She currently lives in Germany with her amazing husband and indulges in way too many pastries than she should.

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Cover and Excerpt Reveal and Giveaway: Forget Nashville by Savannah Maris

FORGET NASHVILLE

by Savannah Maris

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: January 8, 2026

Cover Design: Lori Jackson Design

Genre: Suspense Standalone

Tropes: Crime thriller, romantic elements

“Do you want to play a game?”

For the past year, late-night crime has plagued Nashville, Tennessee, and Detective Sean Chambers has worked on a slew of cases involving missing or dead strippers and prostitutes.

A new attack draws him back to The Crystal Palace – the site of a cold case from a year ago. This time, though, the victim didn’t vanish.

With his doggedness for solving crimes, Sean tries to unravel the mystery before him. But someone knows more about the crimes than he does. When a mechanically altered voice offers assistance, does he take it or refuse it?

Can Sean figure out the game before the rules change?

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His phone rang and he glanced at the screen, not recognizing the number. “Chambers.”

“Detective Sean Chambers?”

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“It’s Jo. Jo Lindler, the bartender at The Crystal Palace.” Her voice was all but a whisper. “We met last night.”

“I remember.”

“You gave me your card and told me to call you if I remembered anything.”

“Have you?”

“Not until I got to work tonight. It was more what was missing.”

“Can you talk now?”

“I’m on my break, but I don’t feel comfortable discussing this here.”

“What time does your shift end?”

“We close at two during the week, so I’m outta here by three.”

“Where would be good for you?”

“There’s an all-night diner at the truck stop out toward the Davidson/Wilson County line. Do you know where I’m talking about?”

“Yes, I’ll meet you there at three-thirty.”

“See you then.”

The phone went dead.

Just before three-thirty in the morning, Chambers pulled into the diner off Highway 40 in his personal vehicle. As he walked inside, he tried his damnedest to remember what the bartender looked like as a vision drifted into his mind—petite, pink spiky hair, and maybe a hundred pounds soaking wet. He remembered towering over her by at least a foot. At his height, that wasn’t uncommon.

He glanced around the small diner accented in yellow and bright blue. Not seeing pink hair, he found an open booth at the back of the room where he could sit with his back against the wall and have a full view of the door in front of him. He’d just settled into his seat when the waitress walked up to the table. “Coffee?” she asked as she laid a menu and a set of flatware down.

“Please.” He glanced at the flatware. “I’m expecting someone.”

She placed another menu and a set of utensils across from him before turning to retrieve a mug and a pot of coffee. “Freshly brewed,” she said as she poured the hot liquid.

He was taking his first sip when a hooded person with pink hair sticking out of the edge approached him. She had on tight leather pants, and he wondered if she had on more than a bra under the hoodie. He recognized her immediately and sat up straighter. The woman glanced over her shoulder, then slid into the seat across from him.

“You made it,” she said.

“I always follow up on a potential lead.”

“I know this was a long drive for you, so thanks for meeting me here.”

“Coffee?” The female voice came from beside her.

Jo glanced at the woman. “Please, cream and sugar.”

The waitress retreated and Jo looked back at Sean. He leaned forward with his arms resting on the table. “You got information for me?”

She nodded, but before she could answer, the waitress set her coffee mug in front of her and filled it up.

“Are you eating or just drinking?”

Sean handed the waitress his menu. “French toast, side of bacon.”

Jo looked up to see Sean staring at her expectantly. “Same,” she said as she handed the menu to the woman taking their order.

As the waitress left, Sean sipped his coffee, waiting for Jo to start talking. She took another glance over her shoulder and leaned toward him.

With her voice low, Sean leaned back in and focused on the woman in front of him. “Last night was the first time there hadn’t been a white van parked in the last spot behind the club for the last week.”

“Beside the loading dock door?”

She shook her head. “There are a few patron spots—overflow—around back. You can’t see them from the road.” She took a napkin from the holder and pulled a pen from behind her ear. After drawing a rough sketch of the building and the parking lot, she showed him exactly where the van had been. “Seems kind of odd that it had been there for a week. Jasmine goes missing, and the van doesn’t show up.” She shrugged.

“What can you tell me about the van?”

“White, utility type, no windows, Virginia license plate.” She furrowed her brow and closed her eyes as if trying to see the tag in her mind’s eye. “There’s an H in the third position. I don’t know why that stands out to me, but it does.”

Sean scribbled notes on the small pad he pulled from his jacket pocket. “Anything else?”

“Not off the top of my head.”

He slipped the drawing into his notepad and put it back into his inside jacket pocket.

“Order up,” a voice said from not too far away.

Sean sat back while their plates were placed before them. Once they were alone, he said, “Do you know if there are any cameras that will show the area?”

“I’m not sure, but I can find out.”

“Did you see anyone in the van?”

She chuckled. “I’m sure they’re male, but actual faces, no.”

Sean took in every aspect of Jo, her face, her actions. He knew what he needed, and she could either help him or hurt him. He was counting on the former. Stuffing a bite of French toast into his mouth and taking a sip of his coffee, he decided it was now or never. “Um, Jo, would you consider being my eyes and ears in the club?”

Jo bit off a piece of bacon and stared at Sean. “Like an informant?” she asked as she chewed her food.

“Yeah.”

Jo fidgeted in her seat. “I don’t know. If anyone found out…”

“I’ll talk to the sheriff to see if there’s any money in the coffers to pay you.”

She cut her French toast. Taking a bite, she stared out the window. “What would I have to do?”

“Meet with me, tell me anything you see or hear that could link to Jasmine’s disappearance, or anyone else, for that matter. You know as well as I do that the strippers and prostitutes talk. Maybe there’s a connection between Jasmine and some of the other girls that have vanished.”

She turned back to face him. “Yeah, I can do that.”

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FORGET AUGUSTA

PURCHASE

I’m Savannah Maris, a southern girl and hopeless romantic. I’m passionate about writing stories that incorporate southern charm with a little spice.

I grew up on a farm in a small southern town with a love of sports, dance, and music which usually find their way into my books. My husband and I have two grown children. When I’m not writing, my husband and I are attending sporting events, traveling, or working.

What will find in my books? You’ll find suspense and romance in the Riverton Crossing Series. If contemporary romance is what you’re looking for, try Crossroads of the Heart.

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Release Blitz: Stray Awakening by F.A. Ray

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Stray Awakening
By F.A. Ray

Rainbow Rescue Cat Café, Book 1

I fled my hometown seven years ago. I never planned to come back. I never planned to give up my city life for a small town. And I definitely never planned to fall for another man.

Henry

Tripp Lake, the place I love the most. Working at a cat café on Main Street gives me a chance to get some deserving cats their forever homes.

But when a blast from the past walks into my café, I’m not sure what to feel. Alex was always hot and popular in high school – and straight.

So it’s a shock when he keeps accepting my invitations to hang out. I don’t think I’m imagining the spark between us, but is Alex actually interested in me, or am I letting this straight boy break my heart?

Alex

Tripp Lake, the place I hate the most. I’m only here because of my father’s heart attack. But the second I return home, I remember all the reasons I ran away.

My parents are overbearing. This town is small and boring. And I want nothing more than to flee back to my new life in San Francisco - a life that doesn't come packed with any surprising new feelings about a guy I went to high school with.

Henry is a ray of sunshine amid this bleak journey home. But I've never been interested in a guy before. When a relaxing hike results in my first timid kiss with another man, I start questioning a lot more than just my decision to leave Tripp Lake. Is Henry worth staying in this crappy town for?

Stray Awakening is a small-town MM romance with first-time gay experiences, a sweet ray of sunshine winning over a jaded grumpy, spicy open-door scenes, and, of course, lots of cats. Go to linktr.ee/faraywrites for CWs.

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I don’t dare move, even when Alex rises to his feet and closes the distance between us. He doesn’t touch me, but he could, and that awareness thrums between us like electricity crackling in the air. Air I’ve forgotten to breathe in far too long.

I suck in a startled breath. It would be hard to miss the way Alex’s eyes flicker to my parted lips. But he’s straight, isn’t he? This can’t possibly be happening.

He steps even closer. The crackle is a lightning bolt spitting and sparking before it strikes. Alex raises his hands, lowers them, opens his mouth to speak but says nothing.

Then one single word escapes his lips: “Henry.”

I leap forward without thinking, falling against his mouth. Alex catches me, hands going to my shoulders. Even as he clings to me, Alex kisses me back. This isn’t some light, accidental brush this time, a mistake easily dismissed. His mouth presses hard against mine, and when I gasp for breath Alex tilts his head and goes in deeper. His mouth massages mine, his tongue glancing along my lips. It nearly takes me off my feet, so hungry, so passionate that it’s like a hurricane tearing down the walls to leave me windswept and exposed.

We finally break, both flushed and panting. I cling to my damp towel while Alex clings to me.

“Yeah?” he says.

“Yeah,” I agree. “Yeah.”

I drop the towel and grasp the front of his shirt, tugging him to the couch only a couple steps away. I’m too scared to attempt the longer hike to the bedroom. What if the frenzy fades? What if the distance sobers him up, makes him change his mind? I don’t know what’s happening, but I definitely don’t want it to stop.

I hit the couch hard and drag Alex down with me. One of my legs hangs off the furniture, giving Alex space to lay atop me. His weight presses me into the cushions, and I grab at his shirt, eager to pull him down and feel even more of him on me. The solidity of his body heavy against me is as strong an enticement as his mouth when it finds mine again. My hands sneak around his broad back, fingers curling in his shirt as he kisses me into the couch cushions with a hunger I wouldn’t have dared to expect when I invited him over here. Because seriously, what’s happening right now? I thought he might hate me for kissing him on Saturday, and here he is sucking the breath out of my lungs and licking into my mouth.

And he’s hard.

He shifts, and suddenly I can feel it. I gasp — or I try, anyway. It’s difficult with the voracious way he keeps his mouth against mine. He wants this. He really wants this.

His body’s blunt proclamation inspires a surge of confidence within me. I push at him, flipping us over on the couch before he has time to react. Alex lands on his back and blinks up at me, and the flash of startlement in his dark eyes sends me scrambling.

I shimmy downward to his jeans before he can overthink this, then start undoing the clasps. I glance upward before I pull his pants down. He has one last chance to tell me he’s straight and this is a huge mistake. But there’s no hesitation in his face. He watches me with rapt attention, cheeks and eyes bright, and I don’t delay any longer.

---

To celebrate the release of Stray Awakening, F.A. Ray's giving away 2 e-copies of the release!

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F. A. Ray started writing fiction as a child and has never stopped. When they aren’t writing, they enjoy rock climbing and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where they live with their partner and cat.

Visit linktr.ee/faraywrites to find out more. You can also sign up for my Patreon, where I post WIPs, updates, bonus scenes, deleted scenes and short stories that don’t appear anywhere else.

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Cover & Excerpt Reveal: Frat Wars by Saxon James

FRAT WARS: KING OF THIEVES 

by Saxon James 

Cover & Excerpt Reveal 

Release Date: November 8, 2021 

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs 

Genre: M/M College Romance 

Trope: Rivals to lovers, forbidden love

 

We’re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying.

Chad 

Being VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility.

Parties, pranks, and frat politics—college life has never been sweeter.

Until I meet Bailey Prince.

He has the face of a goddamn angel. I don’t know where he came from or why I’m so obsessed.

But I do know he’s a Kappa.

And our houses have a rivalry that’s written into legend.

Bailey 

At Rho Kappa Tau, I’m a legacy.

It’s a lot of pressure, but I’ve always been responsible, never had that rebellious need to rock the boat, and I like it that way.

But after a party at Sigma—the jock frat—I meet Chad Doomsen, and for the first time in my life I want to step outside my square.

Our houses have always had a rivalry, but some of the guys seem to hate Chad specifically, and I don’t know why.

He’s surprisingly sweet and kind. At least to me.

I need to stay away. A relationship with Chad would be betraying the very legacy that brought me here.

But I can’t help myself. And it seems, neither can he.

***

Frat Wars is a romance between MCs from rival houses. It has friendly competitions, no hazing, and a swoony romance kept secret.

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I perch on one side of the couch, and he switches on the desk lamp before taking the other side. We’re so close that when he angles toward me and stretches his arm over the back of the couch, his hand brushes my hair.

I swallow.

“I haven’t done this in a while,” frat boy says. His voice is deep and rumbly, and it might as well be a flute with how quickly my cock rises at the sound.

“Done what?”

“Ah …” His dark gaze darts away, and the same uncertain look he gave me earlier returns. I’m not sure if he’s nervous, or if I haven’t been obvious enough, so I might as well help him out.

“Hooked up, you mean?” I eye his impressive muscles. “I find that hard to believe.”

A relieved smile fills his face that sets off all these little nerves in my stomach. He looks all big and badass, but there’s something almost shy under his dude-bro first impression. “Hooked up … with a guy.”

“But you have before?” I’m not in the business of dealing with bi-curious guys. In my experience, they take up more time than I have to give.

“Don’t worry, I more than know what I’m doing.”

“Thank fuck. Playing teacher isn’t my kink.”

Something sparks behind his eyes. “You don’t wanna reward me for extra credit?”

“That came way too easily for you.”

“I’ve been around.”

I tilt my head. “Are you bi, or …”

“Yep. You?”

“Full blown homo.”

“So I take it you’ve done this before too?” He reaches over and rests his hand on my thigh. “This okay?”

Damn, he’s precious. I love this whole bashful bad boy thing he’s got going on. Instead of answering, I reach for his hand and slide it up my leg until he’s palming my erection through my pants.

“This okay?” I tease.

“Fuck.” He gives me a squeeze before a soft laugh falls from his lips. “I’m so nervous all of a sudden.”

“Nervous?” I don’t mean to sound so cynical, but come on. “Does that line actually work on people?”

“What? I am.”

“Uh huh.” I grab his shoulders and swing my leg over his lap until I’m straddling him. This close up, I hear his sharp inhale. My lips find his ear. “Still nervous, big guy?”

“If I am, I’m suddenly too turned on to care.”

“Much better.” I go to kiss him, but he tilts his head back and reaches up to cup my face. “Problem?”

He shakes his head. “You’re just so … pretty.”

A trickle of annoyance passes through me. “And?”

“I can’t stop looking at you.”

His voice has dropped with awe, and I frown as I puzzle out whether this is another pick up line. His face is so open though, his eyes soft as his stare traces my features. I want to believe him, but this is college and people will say anything to get laid.

“You can drop the flattery. I’m not going anywhere.”

He leans forward and nips my bottom lip. “Good. I hate rushing through the fun things in life, and I have a feeling I’m going to want a follow up.”

“We’re on the same page then.”

“Kissing okay?”

I card my fingers through his hair. “It’s the only way to start.”

His warm breath hits my skin a second before his mouth is on mine. His lips are cold and at war with the warm tongue he sweeps into my mouth. He tastes like sugar from the soda he’s been drinking.

For how nervous he apparently was, the kiss is borderline desperate. He groans as he presses forward, tilting me back under the force of it. Then suddenly his arms wrap around me and I’m being hauled back against his body. He leans against the couch and when I kiss him back, I’m just as needy for more. I’m glad he said there’s the possibility of round two, because while he might not want to rush, my dick has other ideas.

It needs to be touched.

“How pathetic am I if I come in the next five minutes?” I murmur against his mouth.

“Depends.”

“On?”

“Whether I beat you to it. Because fuck I don’t think it’ll take long.”

Excellent. It feels good to know I’m not the only one being driven mad here. His business shirt is unbuttoned halfway and the sliver I can make out of his chest, makes me want more. I hurry to reach for the rest of the buttons, and as soon as his shirt is open, I can’t help splaying my fingers over his abs.

“Fair warning, I don’t have any of these.”

“That’s okay, I have enough muscle for the both of us.”

“I’ll say.” I want to lick them. “Your body’s unreal.”

“Eh.” He reaches for my buttons and I meet him halfway. “I work hard, but …” He pushes my shirt off my shoulders. “This.” His fingers run from my throat, down to the sensitive skin on my stomach. “This turns me on so much.”

I look down at my scrawny, too pale body. “You need to watch more porn.”

He chuckles, and I cut the sound off with my mouth, giddy with the feel of his warm skin flush against mine this time. I’m desperate to get to our pants, to feel his dick gliding along my length.

I’ve reached for his zipper, fingers brushing an impressive erection, when someone pounds on the door so hard it makes me jump.

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---

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters. 

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee. 

Member of SCBWI.

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Cover Reveal: Encore by Eden Finley

ENCORE

FAMOUS #4

by Eden Finley

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: September 9, 2021

Cover Design: Cate Ashwood Designs

Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography

Model: Griffin

Genre: Bisexual romance

Trope: Co-star's to lovers

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BLAKE

Never make a bet with Jordan Brooks. That’s how I’ve ended up here, doing a movie that risks my entire acting career.

Taking on a gay role when I’m straight is problematic in its own right, but when production gets put on hold, and a fabricated story breaks out in the media, Jordan and I have to go into hiding.

Our livelihoods are put on the line all because of an ill-timed photo and Jordan’s bitter ex-boyfriend.

Scandals, lies, and PR nightmares. Welcome to Hollywood.



JORDAN

Why am I always drawn to the straight ones? You’d think I’d learn my lesson, but when our movie is delayed, I repeat old patterns.

My plan to bury my hurt and anger toward my ex by “method acting” with Blake Monroe is foolish. But Blake is as irresistible as he is good-looking, and he settles into his role easier than I thought he would. In fact, he likes it a little too much.

There are too many PR problems hooking up with Blake for real would bring, especially when the media thinks he’s the reason my relationship fell apart. Yet, I can’t walk away from him, and it seems, he can’t walk away from me either.

---

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---

The warmth in my gut isn’t from the heat of the hot tub. The edginess under my skin isn’t because I’m not used to Jordan touching me. I think it’s because I want more of it.

“Have you ever thought of being with another guy before?” Jordan asks.

“Thought about it, sure. Doesn’t everyone?”

“Oh, my sweet precious baby bi, sweetie. Honey.”

“Hooray for condescension! But I mean, we’re in Hollywood. Publicly, it’s not very queer, but on the DL, it’s like everyone and their dog is on the spectrum somewhere.”

“True,” Jordan relents. “Hollywood is a lot gayer than people want you to believe.”

“I think it’s only natural to wonder when you’re surrounded by it but can’t exactly ask questions, you know? I remember when I found out about both Harley and Ryder and seeing how our management team made them squash it down and basically told them to pass for straight or the whole band would suffer. We were not to speak of it or pay attention to it, and if we saw anything, it was our job to keep our mouths shut. So, yeah, I guess I’ve always thought about what it would be like, but maybe I’ve been scared into not entertaining those thoughts.”

“Welcome to the town of Repression. Population: the entire queer community.”

“It’s a sucky place to live.”

“It is. Which is why ...” Jordan moves so he’s in front of me.

The water sloshes over me, and then his big hands grip my knees and pushes them apart while he settles in between them. He must be on his knees on the bottom of the hot tub. He’s so tall, he still has his head above water.

“Why, what?” I ask.

“Why it would be a good idea for us to hook up.” He lowers his head, but I reach up and cover his mouth with my wet hand.

“You just want to win this stupid sex bet.”

He pulls away from my hand so he can talk. “Not at all. I want you to live out any fantasy you’ve remotely thought about before squashing it down because you thought it was wrong.”

“There are no fantasies. I haven’t thought about it that hard.”

“You have thought about kissing though. And that has nothing to do with the bet.” Jordan moves even closer now.

My breath becomes stilted, my cock begins to harden the closer Jordan gets, and he’s right. I have thought about kissing. Kissing him.

Maybe it’s the repressed thing or maybe it’s that the thought of kissing a man is new and exciting, but I’ve never been so turned on by the idea of someone else’s mouth on mine.

I nod but it might be too subtle because Jordan doesn’t close that small gap.

“I’m going to need you to say it,” he whispers.

“Say what?”

“Ask for it.”

Even though it’s a given, that if I say two little words, I’ll get exactly what I want, asking a man to kiss me is nerve wracking. I don’t know if it’s a power trip for him or if he wants to make sure this is definitely what I want before he makes a move.

“Kiss me,” I demand. He presses against me, but right before our lips touch, I smile. “And Jordan? Make it real.”

He kisses me harder than he has before while shooting a scene. Gone are the soft, tentative movements of his mouth against mine. The other times he’s kissed me, he’s let me lead. That is gone. Gone is any semblance of an attempt to keep his tongue away. Gone is any hesitance from his side or mine. But more importantly, gone is any inhibitions I had about doing this.

He cups the back of my hair with a wet hand, gripping tight to the short tendrils. My hair is usually kept short at the back for Coby movies, but this job required me to grow it out a little.

Jordan presses his tongue against mine and then moans into my mouth.

The hot water mixed with the frigid air on my face and shoulders makes me lightheaded, or maybe it’s the kiss doing that. I didn’t have trouble breathing until Jordan Brooks entered my orbit.

He moves in even closer, and I can feel his hardness against my thigh under the water. I have the sudden urge to reach for it, almost like it’s reflex and I’ve forgotten who I am or what I’m supposed to be doing. I run my hands up his chest to occupy them instead, but the hard planes under my fingers only turn me on more.

This stupid thong is already uncomfortable, the tip of my cock manages to peek out the top of the waistband, and it’s a little too tight. Too restrictive.

“Fuck,” I mutter against Jordan’s lips and reach to pull the thong down a tiny bit to get some relief.

Jordan breaks the kiss but keeps his forehead on mine. He breathes deep and says, “I can help with that if you want.”

Damn if I don’t want to take him up on the offer. “Just doing some strategic rearranging.” And I might give myself one hard stroke to get my dick to stop aching. “Plus, I’m not going to give it up that easy.”

“My hand on your dick only counts as sex if you come.”

“Is that in the gay man’s rule handbook?”

“I’ll send you a copy.”

I reach up and grab the back of his neck. “Stop ruining this with your words and use your mouth for something I actually enjoy.”

“So you admit it. You do like kissing me.”

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Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn't take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son's, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.

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