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

Gavin snickers and writhes beneath him. “Stop!” he cries, breathless. “If we’re doing that, then we need a safe word. You know I’m super sensitive.”


“I like watching you wiggle,” Brody says with a grin. He lunges for Gavin’s left nipple again, making his lover flinch. At the last moment, he switches direction and his lips close over the right one, instead.


With a laugh, Gavin twists away. Catching Brody’s hands in his, he wrestles Brody to the bed, and then it’s him on top, not the other way around. His shirt falls down like protective armor in front of his chest as he holds Brody’s arms up over his lover’s head. Leaning down over Brody, Gavin kisses the tip of his nose. “Now who needs a safe word?” he murmurs.


“Not me,” Brody says softly. “I’m as safe as I’ll ever be right here with you.”


Chapter 54