Tory Cuthbert is the owner of Misty View Motel, and he’s mostly satisfied with his life. He rarely thinks about the time, fourteen years ago, when a boy he loved -- Wheeler Ridley -- left him behind. Maury Landrum, one of Tory’s employees, is a tempting morsel, but Tory can't seem to bring himself to take the next step, even though he knows Maury would be more than willing.<br><br>Then Wheeler turns up at the motel and doesn't even recognize Tory when he hits on him. After Wheeler’s repeated attempts to get into Tory’s pants, Tory reveals that they knew each other and what happened when they were kids. Wheeler remembers things differently, however, and Tory realizes he’s actually been wrong -- all this time.<br><br>When Maury abruptly resigns, Tory finally wakes up to what’s been right under his nose. And he has to get Maury back, no matter what.

Love, Love Me Dude

“And you’re not used to rejection, are you?” I asked, smirking.


“No. I don’t like it. Feels weird.” He was actually pouting.


I laughed at him. “Welcome to the real world, Wheeler. Just because you’re beautiful, charming and well-to-do doesn’t mean you get whatever you want. You might actually have to prove yourself to someone, make an effort to get into his good graces.”


“Sucks,” he muttered, and poured himself more wine.


“Does he completely despise you, then?” I asked.


“He says he does, but the way his eyes undress me tell another story.”


“So he’s into you, but suspicious of your motives,” I deduced.


“Poor baby,” I crooned, then snickered at the glare he gave me before I got up from the table to stash my plate in the sink.


When I sat again, I poured myself another glass of wine and said, “You’re just gonna have to wait this one out. If he’s truly what you want, then it’ll work out. But it may take time.”


Chapter 9