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 came over to them. “Mazie, I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t bailed us out. I could kiss you.”


“Better not, someone might see and get the wrong idea, think we were a threesome,” Mazie said in a clearly sarcastic tone.


Ray must have missed her cynicism completely. “I don’t care.” He gave her a hug and kiss. “You saved me just now.”


“I’d like to help Adrienne and Alex pick out a tree,” Ray said, his excitement clearly showing. “Then we’d like to have lunch, and I’ve got some last-minute shopping to do. Can you guys handle getting the tree up to the apartment?”


“We’ve done it all these years without you, we’ll be okay today,” Mazie said, her tone still revealing she felt Ray wasn’t taking advantage of the moment.


Br’er and Mazie watched Ray and the women disappear among the trees.


Mazie sighed and shook her head. “It was right there. All he had to do was open his mouth.”


Chapter 40