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 ate at the hotel’s sports bar that night, a much more casual atmosphere than that of the elegant main dining room the night before. As they were finishing their meal, Ray looked at Br’er, smiled, and said, “I had a great time today.”


“I did, too. What would you like to do this evening?”


“I’ve been kind of calling all the shots since we got here. Why don’t you decide?”


“It’s a nice night. We could wander around Times Square, walk up to see Rockefeller Center, and…” Br’er hesitated, looked down at the table, and ran his finger around the lip of his beer stein. “And maybe go to a gay bar?”


He looked up. Ray was staring at him with a deer in the headlights expression.


Chapter 24