Heavy metal backbeat vs. the classics. Bassist Kit Barlow doesn't have time for romance. He's holding down two jobs and playing in a heavy metal band -- while raising his seven-year-old son by himself. But when Ebon joins the Cub Scouts, Kit can't help but notice his group leader, Max Hill. Max is everything Kit likes in a man: tall, dark, and determined. The two men come up with a way to keep their nosy families from trying to set them up with every available man in the city: they'll pretend to be dating each other. In between the afternoon pool games and the Sunday mac 'n cheese, Kit and Max find their pretend romance is developing some real heat. There's only one problem now -- Kit finds out Max despises rock and roll music. How's a heavy metal rocker supposed to woo a man who only likes classical music? Can they make their relationship work, or will they find their differences hit a sour note?

Backbeat Rhythm

Over dinner, they talked about Scouting and school, letting Ebon take center stage in the conversation.As they watched the movie with the boy between them, though, Kit was surprised to feel a strong hand close over his along the back of the couch. He glanced over, and Max actually winked at him.


Kit didn’t care if it was real or not. He felt a surge of heat as the long fingers threaded between his.He wanted nothing more than to lean over and rest his head on Max’s shoulder. How long had it been sincehe’d actually just held hands? How had he not realized how much his body craved the simple touch of another human being? He felt warm and safe, and Ebon’s bedtime struck all too soon.


“I want Mr. Hill to read me a story, too,” Ebon said with a yawn. “I got The Haunted Library at school. It’s funny.”


Kit sent the boy into the bathroom to shower, put on his pajamas and brush his teeth. “You don’t have to…”


Chapter 16