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

“What? Remember last week when I brought meat lovers pizza with double cheese? You said you needed to start watching your weight?”


Br’er set the bags on a small table in a corner, walked back to Randy, and gave him a hug, running his hands all over Randy’s back and giving his butt a hearty squeeze. “Well, I like you just the way you are, but I want you to be happy, so it’s tuna subs on whole wheat, salad, and plain, no butter popcorn for my health-conscious man. Oh yeah, and lite beer.”


Randy smiled and kissed Br’er. “Well, thank you for going to the trouble of making them.”


“No need to thank me. Mazie made them.”


Br’er kissed his nose. “No worries. She only knows you as Randy and no details. She won’t figure it out and even if she did, I trust her to keep our secret. She and I have been friends for a long time.”


Chapter 16