Eli Bell is the only son of a police chief inspector and a forensic scientist. He's grown up wonky in a world that only deals with the straight and narrow -- and his new boyfriend isn't helping. Rob Hawkes is six feet of muscle, tattoos, and arrest warrants. A career criminal and a former guest of Her Majesty's Prison Service, he'd rather hit Eli's parents than sit down to dinner with them. One wrong move, and Rob could destroy Eli -- and his family -- without a second thought. But this isn't what it looks like. Rob's not in control here -- and Eli's the one to blame.

What It Looks Like

“I’ve chosen you,” he whispered. “I chose you when I refused to dump you when Dad found out who you were. I chose you when I came to Scotland. I chose you when Dad tore up the Christmas present you gave me. You’re what I want, Rob. And if it really comes to it, I’ll walk away from my family over you…but I don’t want that. I want to have both.”


Rob closed his eyes, and his head dropped. Eli stroked the hair at the nape of his neck hopefully.


“I want you to be able to come to some of our family days out without my parents throwing a total fit. I want to be able to come over without getting a lecture about it. I want to be able to bring you to my Aunt Judy’s wedding next year without having to threaten to not go at all if they won’t let me invite you. I don’t want to fight with them about it all the time. And if having lunch the odd weekend on neutral ground will let Mum and Jenny see you’re not what they think you are—”


“They think I am what I fucking am, Eli.”


Chapter 65