When Jesse Reid needs emergency surgery, he calls his neighbor to come pick him up instead of one of his many family members. As the youngest of nine, Jesse is used to feeling like a leftover, and he doesn’t need their coddling.<br><br>Holden McRae is a big, beautiful man, everything Jesse wants. But Holden has made it clear he doesn’t want Jesse as a submissive.<br><br>Under the influence of Holden’s care, Jesse becomes bolder and makes Holden see what he’s been missing. The two men’s interests line up, and the attraction that has always been there is something they can finally act on. As Jesse heals, he shares parts of his life with Holden, and Holden helps him see he’s so much more than #9. Their love might not be the most conventional, but maybe it’s exactly what both men need.

Forever Nine

I watched him go, immediately feeling his loss.2


I dozed on the way home. It wasn’t a long trip, maybe fifteen minutes, but the lull of tires on pavement, the soft hum of the quite radio, and Holden’s presence made my slightly high brain too comfortable not to sleep. I woke up only when Holden opened my door and I realized we were home. He wouldn’t let me get down from the truck without his help, even though I tried to push away his hands.


I was self-sufficient. I didn’t need him to help.


Even if the feel of Holden’s hands on my body felt exactly right.


But he made a noise, half-grunt, half-growl, and I let my hands fall. He helped me down, then wrapped an arm around my waist, tucking me into his side. If I hadn’t been so out of it, I wouldn’t have pointed out how well I fit against him. But I was out of it, so I just leaned against him, let him hold me up, and direct us up the steps.


Chapter 4