Three times burned, Br’er Harris swears off efforts to find love. He still has needs, though, which he satisfies by becoming a paid escort. Widower Ray Cunningham wants to explore the feelings of attraction to men he’s had most of his life but has kept hidden for fear of rejection from his ultra-conservative family. Ray doesn’t want a relationship with a man; he just wants to satisfy his urges with no-strings hook-ups. And the easiest way to achieve this is to hire an escort. Ray’s first encounter is with Br’er, and they’re instantly and powerfully drawn to each other. The attraction is so powerful and disturbing, each privately vows to never see the other again. However, their feelings will not be denied. Br’er accepts a second meeting, which leads to a third, then a fourth. Despite his previous history with relationships, Br’er knows Ray is the one for him. Unfortunately, Ray’s fear of being outed to his family keeps him from being able to offer more than clandestine meetings in out of town hotel rooms. Br’er says it’s enough, but Ray knows he deserves better. Ray is faced with a decision. Can he let Br’er go to find the love he deserves, or will he be able to throw open the closet door and live openly with the man he’s hardwired to love?

Hardwired for Love

Br’er opened the door, stepped through, and was gone.


“I won’t do this again,” Ray said, looking at the closed door. “I can’t.”


Br’er got into the elevator. As the door slid closed, he raised his eyes and looked back at the door of the room he’d just left. He pressed L and leaned against the wall. “I won’t take him as a client ever again,” he said aloud. 6


“How’d it go tonight?” Mazie asked as Br’er came into the apartment. She was sitting on the couch with Mickey on her lap watching television, wrapped in a vivid chartreuse and turquoise muumuu, her hair colored to match. Mickey stood up to greet Br’er. Today his tail was wagging.


“Um…it was okay,” Br’er said, swinging his backpack off his shoulder and setting it on the floor.


Chapter 10