Book Title: The Experiment
Author: Rebecca Raine
Cover Artist: Bec Rivers
Release Date: Tuesday, 18 August (AEST)
Genre/s: Contemporary MM Romance
Trope/s: Friends-to-Lovers, Gay for You, First-time Gay
Themes: Friendship, Self-discovery, Self-experimentation
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 85 000 words/ approx. 210 pages
It is a standalone book.
When a single kiss calls your sexuality into question, there’s only one sure path to a reliable answer: further research.
Patrick
I like to think I know myself outside and in. As a developmental psychologist, I’ve spent years exploring the true foundations of my identity. So, when losing a bet means kissing my best friend, Logan, I already know I’m going to hate every second of it. All the relevant questions regarding my sexuality were asked and answered years ago. The results were conclusive: despite the odd same-sex attraction, I dislike being touched by men.
That is, it seems, until Logan is the man doing the touching. The intense desire aroused by his kiss contradicts all my expectations and I have no idea how to integrate the new information. Thankfully, I know exactly how to uncover the truth about myself—once and for all.
Logan
I’ve put a lot of effort into keeping Patrick out of my fantasies and in the friend-zone. Our recent lip-lock may have unleashed my feelings for him temporarily, but I’ll get them back on their platonic track in no time. Falling for a friend, especially a sexually ambivalent friend, is a one-way ticket to heartache.
I like to think I know myself outside and in. As a developmental psychologist, I’ve spent years exploring the true foundations of my identity. So, when losing a bet means kissing my best friend, Logan, I already know I’m going to hate every second of it. All the relevant questions regarding my sexuality were asked and answered years ago. The results were conclusive: despite the odd same-sex attraction, I dislike being touched by men.
That is, it seems, until Logan is the man doing the touching. The intense desire aroused by his kiss contradicts all my expectations and I have no idea how to integrate the new information. Thankfully, I know exactly how to uncover the truth about myself—once and for all.
Logan
I’ve put a lot of effort into keeping Patrick out of my fantasies and in the friend-zone. Our recent lip-lock may have unleashed my feelings for him temporarily, but I’ll get them back on their platonic track in no time. Falling for a friend, especially a sexually ambivalent friend, is a one-way ticket to heartache.
But, when the unforeseen impact of our kiss inspires Patrick to conduct an experiment into the extent of his bisexuality, I can’t resist volunteering to help. If any man is going to join Patrick on his journey of self-discovery, it’s sure as hell going to be me.
“I refuse to give up,” Patrick insists. “I came here to kiss a man and I’m not leaving until I do.”
Dropping my head back, I swear at the ceiling. “Fine, but you’ll have to find him yourself. I’m done.” It was a stupid bet anyway.
“I will.” He tugs at his bottom lip with two fingers as he leans on the table, eyes intent. “I just need someone more like…” The words trail off uncertainly. “Someone like…” His head swivels and those blue eyes widen as they lock with mine. “You.”
My eyebrows make a leap for the ceiling. “What?”
“I could kiss you.” His whole body turns towards me, catching up with the insanity of his brain. “Why not? You’re hot. Guys fall all over you, and if I had a guy-type it would totally be you—obviously.”
“Obviously?” I repeat. “How is that obvious?”
He tuts. “We don’t hang out all the time because you rub me the wrong way.”
I haven’t rubbed him in any way—right or wrong. Still, the words make my stomach drop, in direct counterpoint to my cock.
“I don’t kiss straight guys,” I tell him. “You’re more trouble than your tight little virgin arses are worth.” I’ve already learned that lesson, and I don’t need a repeat.
“I’m not some random straight guy. We’ve been friends forever.”
“It’s been a year, Patrick.”
“Yeah, but it feels like forever.” He licks his lips. “I would feel comfortable doing this with you.”
My jaw drops. “It’s nice to know the thought of kissing me makes you feel so… comfortable.” I make sure to emphasise the last word, exposing it as the flaming insult it is. “It’s still not happening.”
“But—”
“Nope.” I hold up a hand to cut him off.
Releasing a breath, he slumps forward over the table. “Fine. Don’t kiss me.”
The silence isn’t comfortable this time. Actually, it’s really fucking awkward.
“I’m gonna go get us another drink,” Patrick announces, straightening from his lean. “Then I’ll kiss the hell out of the first guy who says yes, and we can call it a night.”
He doesn’t look at me as he walks away. I sure do look at him though. From the top of his brunette head all the way down to his well-formed arse. It’s not a temptation I give in to often. I wouldn’t be doing it now if he hadn’t opened his bloody mouth.
The second he suggested the stupid bet I should have known it would end badly. I didn’t even bother trying to win the game of pool. Kissing a woman would have been no big deal. I’ve done it before, back when I was a kid and I wasn’t ready for the world to know my interests lay elsewhere. At least me losing the bet wouldn’t have ended in all this drama.
Gazing out at the sea of men, I wonder who Patrick will end up kissing. Probably some arsehole who’ll try to grope him or get his grind on before the kiss is done. The idea doesn’t sit well. If anybody is going to grope my friend, it bloody well should be me.
“Fuck it,” I mutter before taking off after him. If he kisses some wanker before I get my hands on him, I’m gonna be pissed.
Rebecca is a long-time lover of all things romance. Whether it’s a book, movie, or real life, she will always have more fun if there’s a love interest thrown into the mix. She lives in Queensland, Australia with her very own hero husband, two quirky kids and one big, black dog. Other than reading and writing books, her favourite things include loud music, enjoying a glass of wine on the patio, organising everything in existence, and spending too much time on the Internet.
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