Bill Cascade knows what it’s like to have nothing, so it’s easy for him to recognize another human being on the brink. When Bill visits his favorite bar one night, he comes across Thorn Blackstone, a twenty-something hottie who has everyone eating out of his hand. A fight breaks out and Bill comes to the rescue. Thorn, however, doesn’t want Bill’s help and pushes him away, at first.<br><br>When Thorn finally shows up on Bill’s doorstep, he’s dirty, hostile, and starving. Bill ignores all of that and gives Thorn a chance to start over. Trouble is, Bill wants Thorn for his own, but thinks he isn’t good enough for someone with such a bright future ahead of him. Naturally, Thorn thinks that’s hogwash.<br><br>What’s a guy to do when the love of his life won’t take no for an answer? Hold on and never let go.

He's So Heavy

Thorn was wearing loose jeans and a plain yellow T-shirt when I arrived. His hair was damp and he was sitting on his bed, reading one of my books. It looked like a mystery. He smiled widely when he saw me.


“Hey! You have a good day?” I was still getting used to the air of happiness and hope that surrounded him now.


“It wasn’t bad,” I replied, letting him take the grocery bags from my hands and put away the items. “Sleep well?”


“Yeah, better than I have in a long time. I should have asked, but is it okay for me to read your books?”


“Oh, sure, read whatever you want. You don’t want to watch TV?” I pointed to the flat screen on the dresser.


Thorn shrugged. “I can take it or leave it.”


“Okay.” I took a quick shower, and when I returned, Thorn had begun making pancakes on the portable gas stove I’d had for years, gathering dust. I smiled. “Breakfast for dinner, huh?”


His cheeks pinkened. “It’s one of the few things I know how to make. At least it’s filling.”


Chapter 10