Because of a deathbed promise to his father, Elijah Peck reluctantly left his friends and successful career in Bridgeport to return to Willowby, Connecticut, the small town of his upbringing, in order to run the antique shop that had been in his family for generations. Now, in just the span of two years, Eli has morphed into a social recluse, isolated in what he believes is a stuffy, suffocating nowheresville. With no thriving gay community at his disposal, and with his entire existence wrapped around the store he never really wanted, Eli's devoted little time to his personal needs. As a result, instead of acting like a man in his mid-thirties, living out his own dreams, maybe even finding love with the right guy, he often feels like just another item in his shop -- a dusty, moldy antique that has seen better days.<br><br>But all that starts to change when a stranger moves to Willowby.<br><br>One night outside his shop, Eli has a chance encounter with Neville "Gray" Grayson, a wickedly handsome musician who's purposely left the bustle of New York City in favor of quiet country living. Eli is instantly drawn to Gray, and the flirtatious jazzman stirs dormant feelings inside Eli, reinvigorating his hopes for a brighter future. Not only does Gray make Eli feel attractive for the first time in years, but also makes him appreciate small-town life in a way he never has before. And Eli can't help but wonder if Gray's presence also offers the promise of finding much-needed companionship, sexual fulfillment, and perhaps even love ...

When the Jazzman Sings

As his fingers hit the last chord and the piano strings quivered a lengthy decay, he brought his lips to mine and kissed me. His tongue slid into my mouth, and his exhales added extra heat to the fire of his own affection.


My mind raced in festive pandemonium. Did Gray really care for me as much as it appeared? And as much as I cared for him? Did he also experience a stirring of love as the lyrics clearly suggested? It surely seemed like more than “just sex” when it came to his intentions for me, which certainly mirrored my own designs. But could two souls—strangers, for the most part, who came from different worlds—chance upon love so quickly? I didn’t know, but I was willing to explore the possibilities.


When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against mine. And for the first time since meeting him, I saw something that shocked me to speechlessness…rosy red cheeks. Me, always the blushing fool, couldn’t believe my eyes.


Chapter 27