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

“Maybe when we go to Davida’s party together, and they see you with a partner, they’ll start to see you a little more grown, hmm?”


Wait, what?“You’re going with me?”


For the first time ever, I saw Holden’s confidence falter just a little. “Well, yes. If you want me to, that is. I assumed, but I shouldn’t—”


“I want you there!” We both laughed at my shout, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Yes, please. I didn’t think you’d want to. Seeing as we’ve barely been us, and my family is crazy. Good people, but crazy. I wasn’t going to put you in the middle of that until you’re ready.”


“Oh, baby boy, we might have just started, but this isn’t casual and this isn’t just a fling. It’s the beginning of what I hope is going to be a very long-term relationship. Maybe even forever.”


“Me, too,” I whispered, almost too choked up to get the words out of my throat.9


Chapter 22