To most people who know him, Nick Fontana is the owner of a prestigious advertising agency. To a select few, he’s known as Niko, a man who deals with very sensitive problems no one else can handle. As a result, Nick has never found a man to love -- because he won't allow it to happen. Then he meets flirtatious Greg Tyson while out running. He thinks nothing of it until Greg applies for a job at Nick's ad agency. Greg is exactly what Nick is looking for in an employee. Hiring him, however, might turn out to be the biggest mistake of Nick's life ... or the beginning of something new, if Nick is willing to open himself up and let Greg in. Doing so will require an amount of trust Nick isn’t certain he can give without endangering Greg's life -- and losing his love -- in the process.

Love Was Not an Option

“You’re doing that mind thing, aren’t you?” Rinaldo said. “Should I be jealous?”


“Not at all, my love,” Isidora replied. “What you should be is in bed. You’re going to need every bit of energy you can summon to withstand what will happen tomorrow…well, later tonight, since it’s already after midnight. Niko, I have several spare bedrooms. You’re free to use one of them.”


Saturday went exactly as Niko expected. He awoke around noon, joining Rinaldo for a very late breakfast, as the young human had just gotten up himself. Rinaldo gave him a tour of the house and grounds, chattering nonstop about anything and everything in an obvious attempt to stop thinking about what would happen that evening.


Finally, Niko put a hand on his shoulder, saying, “If it’s what you want, if you love her as much as I think you do, it will be worth it.”


Chapter 22