J.D. Walker

Darwin “Dare” Mancuso owns a string of food trucks across the city. His friends often tell him he works too hard and has too little fun. Dare knows it’s true, but he has high standards for both his business and his love life, and isn’t about to fall into bed with just any man he meets, no matter how hot he is.<br><br>Then Abel Messler comes into his life, and Dare takes notice. Unlike the entitled business types to whom he serves every day, Abel has an innocence that’s hard to ignore and draws Dare in. When Abel loses his job, it’s all Dare can do not to hug him and kiss all his troubles away.<br><br>Instead he invites Abel out for a good time with friends, and the end result gives both men more than they ever expected.

Hot Dogs and Kisses

The bartender nodded, lingering a little over releasing Abel’s hand.


I staked my claim by grabbing his hand in my own. I was here first, mister.


“So you seem to be in a better mood now than you were earlier,” I offered, and tried not to drool as I watched him take a few swallows of beer.


Abel wiped his mouth with the back of a hand. “It took me an hour or two, but I finally decided that life’s way too short to worry about stuff like that. It’ll sort itself out, eventually. And I wanted to have a good time with a newfound friend who saved me from the doldrums. Thanks again.”


Ricky chimed in, “He means that literally.” I rolled my eyes and D’Andre shut him up with a kiss.


The music changed to a driving beat, and Abel started to sway to the music. “I want to dance. Come with me?” he asked, finishing his beer with a few gulps and placing it on top of the bar.


“You go ahead. I’ll join you in a bit.”


Chapter 5