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

They lay there for some time, kissing, fondling, caressing. “I need to use the bathroom,” Br’er said. He got up. Randy took hold of his hand. “But you’re not going to leave, are you?” he asked.


Br’er smiled. “I’ll stay as long as you want me to.”


“Good. Don’t be gone too long, okay?” Randy said with a grin.


When Br’er returned to the bedroom, Randy held up the sheet and invited Br’er in. Br’er lay down and snuggled up to the older man, relaxing into his embrace. I’ll just pretend this is for love not money, that he’s not married, and interested in me, not just sex, Br’er thought.


It wasn’t hard to do. Randy and Br’er made love twice more—each time with more tenderness and loving emotion than the time before. Finally, they drifted off to sleep holding each other snugly. Randy’s strong arms were wrapped around Br’er. Br’er’s head lay on Randy’s muscular chest, an arm around the man’s waist, a leg draped over Randy’s.


Chapter 13