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

The disappointment of not being able to see Br’er this week, was coupled with the thought that his fears had come true: Br’er was his dirty little secret. The realization made him cringe. Br’er wasn’t just some sex on the side. He was the man Ray loved. The fact that the words ‘dirty secret’ had entered Ray’s mind when he’d thought of Br’er, caused him great pain and guilt. Br’er deserved more than this. Yet what could Ray do. He couldn’t risk his family, his job, or his friends finding out.


While Ray grappled with the horns of this dilemma, the phone rang again. This time it was his sister, Anne. “Hello, Raymond,” she said cheerily, “How are you doing?”


“Hi, Annie. Things are going fine,” he said, hoping his tone didn’t betray his real feelings.


Chapter 19