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

“I’m fine.” Greg took a few deep breaths. “Yeah. I’m good.”


They made it to Nick’s parents’ home ten minutes after he’d promised they would when he’d called to let his mother know they were on their way.


Jelena opened the door seconds after they landed on the porch, enfolding Nick in a tight embrace. Then she stepped back, surveying Greg. “So you’re the young man Niko has told us about. I’m Jelena, Niko’s mother.”


“A pleasure to meet you,” Greg replied, not meeting her gaze. “Although I’m not really young.”


She laughed. “It’s all in the perspective. By the way, despite what Niko may have told you about me, I have no intention of reading your mind. I believe in privacy. Come in, come in.” She took Greg’s hand.“Let me show you around.”


She did, on the main floor, before they went out to the patio. “?tienne, this is Greg, Niko’s young man,” she said by way of introduction when her husband came across the yard to join them.


“Greg Tyson, sir,” Greg said, holding out his hand.


Chapter 37