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

Slowly getting out of bed, he made his way to the bathroom. He saw Br’er’s hazy image through the fogged-up glass of the corner shower-stall. After taking care of his morning piss, he knocked on the shower door. Br’er turned to him, wiped the condensation off the glass, and smiled.


Br’er answered Ray by opening the door and pulling Ray against his soap-covered body and into a kiss.


“Mmm, careful,” Ray said. “Head’s a little tender this morning.”


“Five Dark-n-Stormies’ll do that to you,” Br’er said, lightening up on the kiss.


“Six, I think” Ray said. “But I lost count. I didn’t do anything too crazy, did I?”


“Only the most wonderful thing I could’ve ever hoped for,” Br’er said, tightening his hold on his lover. “You remember, I hope.”


Ray took a deep breath, pulled Br’er’s head down on his shoulder, wrapped his arms more tightly around him, and said, “Every note.”


Chapter 28