Tristan used to be top salesman at his firm, but when his friends suffered a tragedy, he stepped in to support them. Their ordeal over, Tristan turned to partying to ease his new solitude. Now his job is at risk and he stands to lose his home. Rain spent years putting up with his husband Milo's bad behavior before moving out. Single again and insecure, Rain dreams of creating a marionette show to celebrate kids on the autism spectrum in honor of his son. When Rain meets his neighbor Tristan, he's drawn to Tristan's sex-appeal and protective nature. But Milo keeps pulling on Rain's strings and messing with his head. Tristan loves everything about Rain, including the strange sandwiches, mismatched socks, crazy marionettes, glitter makeup, and messy apartment. And Rain wants to give Tristan everything, but can he cut lose from Milo's hold?

A Touch of Rain

Tristan tilted his head. “Thank you.”


Rain didn’t know what he wanted, but he knew what he didn’twant, and that was for Tristan to leave. It was Friday night and he’d been alone all week, and now this gorgeous man was standing in his door, and—oh, to hell with it—he’d take a chance. “I can make some coffee or something, and we could sit out here and talk if you like?”


“That would be fantastic. But no coffee for me. I’m an insomniac.”


Rain gently shut the door behind him. “I thought I heard you walking around all night.”


“You heard that? Sorry. Just can’t sleep lately and I can’t keep still either.”


Rain looked around the porch. “Do you wanna sit on the steps or—”


“Steps are good.” Tristan settled for the first stair and leaned up against the railing.


Rain didn’t know where to sit, but finally decided on the second step, sitting a little lower than Tristan, but facing him. “I can’t believe how quiet this street is.”


Chapter 8