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

“Yeah, okay. Well, that’s a good thing. I’m glad he’s helping.”


I squinted. “Are you okay? You sound funny.”


“Sure.” He squeaked, then after a second, let out a self-deprecating chuckle. “I get it, I really do. At first, I was pissed, obviously. We should know about these things. What if something bad had happened? But I get why you didn’t want to tell and I get why you’d choose Holden.”


“Uh, yeah,” he said as though it was totally obvious. “Holden is hotter than hell and very caring. You know he’s a Dom, right?”


“Yes,” I said suspiciously. “I do in fact know that. I also know he’s hot and caring. The real question is, how do youknow that?”


Dead silence. So complete I was sure he’d hung up on me. But when I pulled the phone away from my ear to check, I saw the timer still counting up seconds.


“Declan?” My voice was cautious and something crashed on his side of the phone. Apparently I’d startled him.


Chapter 8