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 walked out of the store into gathering dusk. “You hungry?” Ray asked.


“For you? Always,” Br’er said, putting an arm around Ray’s shoulders and kissing him on the cheek.


Surprised at his lack of embarrassment, despite being on a crowded street, Ray laughed and said, “I said hungry, not horny.”


They finally found a place to eat that didn’t require reservations. The Shop was located inside the Andaz Hyatt. After a satisfying dinner, Br’er having had the chicken schnitzel, Ray the Bolognese, they relaxed over a glass of chardonnay.


“Still feeling disappointed we didn’t get to see Carousel?” Br’er asked.


“I got an idea,” Br’er said. He took out his phone and googled ‘Off Broadway Shows’. He furrowed his brow as he looked down at the screen.


Chapter 32