English professor Gavin Dozier hasn’t had much luck when it comes to love. When his last boyfriend cheated on him, he was driven to experiment with women. Sex with Marian, though, had its own dangers, and before he knew it, he was a father. Now estranged, the only thing Gavin and Marian have in common is their daughter Evie, a precocious seven-year-old who stays with Gavin every other weekend. While out with her daddy, Evie meets the heavily-tattooed Brody Phelps, a sketch artist with serious talent who still dresses like a brooding punk rocker, even though he’s in his thirties. Brody is instantly attracted to the sexy college professor, but knows Gavin is out of his league -- the man has a kid, which probably means he isn’t gay, and besides, Brody never even graduated from high school. Guys like Gavin don’t go for guys like him. But when Evie leaves Gavin’s cell phone behind, Brody has the perfect excuse to meet up with them again. To his surprise they hit it off, and when he asks Gavin out, the professor accepts. Even though Evie brought them together, will her demanding personality pull them apart? Is Gavin ready to trust his heart to someone else again? Can Brody overcome his own fears of inadequacy and let Gavin in? And what will Marian have to say when the father of her child starts dating again?

Never Met a Stranger

“Stay with me,” Brody whispers into Gavin’s throat. He fits so perfectly here, in Gavin’s embrace. He never wants to let go of this man holding him so tightly. Not tonight, not ever.


Pressing his lips to Brody’s forehead, Gavin hugs him close. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving. If this is taking it slow, I can’t wait to see where things lead between us.”Section 2


When Gavin was younger, Friday was date night. There was always a party somewhere to crash, bars to hang out in, things to do. Movies, dinners, sex. The whole week seemed to drag by until five o’clock Friday rolled around, and then he was out the door. When he was in his twenties, he’d always assumed Fridays would be play time, like recess in elementary school, a reward for being a responsible adult the rest of the week. Saturdays were good, too, but by then, the weekend was half over, and Sundays he had to start thinking about Monday and work. But Friday held the promise of fun.


Chapter 30