After model and actor Mason Adams nearly died from a drug overdose and served time in rehab, his agent is convinced the quiet life is the perfect way to get his life and career back on track. So Mason rents a beach house for the summer in a seaside town to get away from his fast-paced, partying lifestyle in Los Angeles.<br><br>Mason, however, isn't sure the sedate life is for him -- until he meets his neighbor, crime fiction author John Harding. Forced to retire from the fire department after a career-ending injury, John has found a new life in a modest beach house as a best-selling novelist. Life is good, but quiet and not exactly exciting, until Mason comes to stay next door.<br><br>Unable to resist, they begin an affair. Once the summer ends, Mason knows he'll return to LA ... and he'll have to leave the man who has stolen his heart.

The Beach House

“Listen,” John said, bringing Mason’s hand to his lips. “I’m your friend and I care about you. I don’t want anything from you. I just want to spend time with you. Yes, you are beautiful and I’m attracted to you, but it’s you the person I like.”


He nodded. “I know we’ve only know each other a short time but I still really like the person I’ve spent time with.”


Mason bit his lip. “I’ve never known anyone like you.”


He tucked a strand of blond hair behind Mason’s ear. “I can tell. I don’t want drugs or money or fame or any of that from you. I do love to have sex with you, but if you told me right now, you didn’t want to have sex again, I’d respect that and I’d still care about you.”


Mason’s eyes were just a bit shimmery when his gaze rose to John’s face. “Yeah?”


Chapter 18