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

Ray heaved a great sigh of relief once they were in the privacy of their room. He’d run the gauntlet of an attentive bellhop, a solicitous check-in agent, and a helpful concierge with whom they made reservations for dinner in the elegant Webster’s Steak House dining room at the hotel.


As the door closed behind the bellhop who’d brought their bags to the room, Br’er pinned Ray against the wall, covering his face with kisses. “I’ve been waiting the whole drive to be able to show you how much this means to me. I know it’s really a big step for you.”


Ray returned the kisses. “I wanted you to know that you’ve become very important to me. I can’t promise how much further I’ll be able to go, but I’m going to try.”


“No matter where this all winds up, if you never can take another step, just knowing you love me this much makes it all worth it.”


Chapter 21