Chance to be King

About The Book

2nd Edition

After working nonstop for two years, actor Eric Pawlowski desperately needs a respite from his grueling schedule and the crippling migraines that come with it. Thinking that a few weeks in a secluded cottage is just the thing, his vacation gets off to a rough start when he almost mows down the only other guy who lives on the remote road. Fortunately Thomas is quick to forgive, and soon he, Eric, and Eric’s two dogs are palling around like they’ve known each other for years.

But when Eric witnesses Thomas coldly order a lost stranger off his property, he starts to question how well he knows him. Despite a mutual attraction that has Eric cursing every time a well-meaning member of the nearby small town interrupts their attempts to get intimate, Eric wonders if acting on his desire for Thomas will get him involved in a situation he shouldn’t be in. When his rented cabin catches fire in the middle of the night and the firemen call it arson, it confirms Eric’s suspicions.

To keep Eric with him, it’s up to Thomas to come clean about who he is… and his involvement in a decade-old web of tragedy and revenge into which Eric has unwittingly walked.

Excerpt

“So… you’re Sky Davies, huh?”

Worried, Eric twisted to look over his shoulder at Thomas. “Is that a problem?”

Thomas looked up and caught his eye. “Not really, I guess. I can understand why you kept it quiet. Ted and Mark will be discreet. They have good practice at that,” he said cryptically as he patted Eric’s shoulder gently. “All finished.”

“Have you seen any of my films?” Eric asked as he put his T-shirt back on. His skin did feel soothed, and he made a mental note to get some of that cream for future use.

“Most of them, actually. I just didn’t put two and two together.” Eric looked at Thomas incredulously. “What? I’m not completely isolated here. We do have a movie theatre nearby.” Thomas seemed almost defensive.

“I wouldn’t have thought action films were quite your style.”

“I may be queer, but I’m still a guy. I like explosions as much as the next man. I suppose you think I’m into arty French films?”

No. Well, yes. But actually, Eric had got stuck on “queer” and hadn’t really moved past that. “So you’re gay?”

“Yes. Yes, I am. Is that a problem?” Thomas’s voice had hardened, and he sat back on his heels, a frown marring his face.

“No.” Thomas didn’t look convinced by Eric’s denial. “Honestly, Tom, it’s not a problem. I’m gay too.”

Thomas nodded slowly, and his eyes softened a little. “You flirted with me. I was pretty sure you were, but we didn’t really get that far.”

“I don’t make an issue of it. You know what Hollywood is like.” For some reason Eric felt the need to justify himself. “Are you in a relationship?” Thomas asked bluntly. The way his gaze focused on Eric intently made Eric feel the question was significant.

Eric gave Thomas a direct look. “No, I’m not. I haven’t been for a long time. I’ve been too busy with my career and, well, it’s not easy being in a long-term straight relationship in my business, let alone a gay one.”

“I guess.” Thomas got off the floor and wiped his hands on some tissues before sitting back on the sofa with his cup of coffee.

Eric thought it was time for some direct questions of his own. “What about you? Are you seeing someone?” Shaking his head, Thomas said, “No, and like you, I haven’t been for a while. A long while. Been a few one-night stands, though.”

Confessions on the table, they looked at each other, a little shy now they had admitted they were free and single. Eric was about to say something when his stomach got there first. The rumble broke the uncomfortable silence and made them both laugh.

“Guess I should be feeding you that steak before your dogs get there first.” Thomas got up and held out a hand to Eric. “Come on, let’s feed you, big man.”

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Author Bio

Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot and has gotten expert at ignoring the orders.

Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.

Sue can be found at her –
Website: http://www.suebrownstories.com/
Blog: http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.co.uk/
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