Scene designer Charlie Cox is in a clandestine relationship with the theater's lead actor, Ricky Moore. Charlie knows it will never be more than that because Ricky is too egotistical to want to be seen in public with a man who has deep burn scars on one arm. Not that Charlie blames him, since he's certain he’s a freak in almost everyone's eyes. Jace Parish, the scene shop boss, is in love with Charlie but will never let him know. Jace thinks he’s uninteresting because he’s thirty and starting to bald, which makes him look middle-aged. He also has never admitted to anyone he works with that he’s gay. Liam Dolan owns the gym where Jace comes to work out his anger and frustration. Liam has been drawn to Jace from the beginning but believes Jace is straight, so has never revealed his feelings to Jace. Ricky Moore knows he is using Charlie for his own selfish ends. What Ricky can't figure out is why, when he can and does have anyone he wants in his bed, he keeps coming back to Charlie. These four men have preconceived ideas about themselves and each other. What will it take for them to realize love is possible, if they will only give it a chance?

Hell, Look at Me

Liam had to admit, as he watched Jace work out, that the man interested him. If he was going to be honest with himself, he had since they met. He was smaller and leaner than Liam’s six-one, muscular build. Still, he wasn’t a man to mess around with—if his occasional bouts in the sparring ring were any indication. Now, his interest was more personal since he’d found out Jace was gay. He would never have suspected that if Jace hadn’t inadvertently blurted it out yesterday. Not in so many words but he had.


Not that Liam was going to do anything about it. He’s going through a really bad time, thanks to the guy he called a friend. Some friend. Liam shook his head. Okay, so maybe I’m prejudiced, but how could the guy not see that Jace is worth ten of whoever it was he’d hooked up with. Of course love, if that’s what was involved, makes people do stupid things.


“God only knows I’m a perfect example of that,” Liam murmured.


Chapter 22