Craig and Mitchell have been friends for years, but each of them reached a point where that camaraderie became ... more. Mitchell’s kept his feelings close to his chest. So has Craig, but now that they’ve graduated from UMKC, he knows it’s his last chance to show Mitchell they’re meant to be before their careers take them to opposite sides of the country.<br><br>He insists they can’t leave Missouri behind without one last adventure. Mitchell agrees to a road trip to visit all the touristy spots and say goodbye to their home state.<br><br>As they spend their days and nights together, buried feelings rise to the surface and hope blossoms. When their journey ends with a dance beneath the Branson stars, will they find love and a future together at the end of the road?

Gateway to Love

The stairway was narrow, and they were among a large group of people, so they were all very close to begin with. Craig was on a step just above, so when Mitchell backed up a little his shoulder bumped into Craig’s stomach and the quick touch sent feather-like tingles over his skin.


He expected Mitchell to move forward a little, but instead, he leaned back, just enough that they were still touching. His shoulder and part of his back pressed against Craig’s belly.


Fuck, his body was going haywire. He leaned down to whisper in Mitchell’s ear. “You doing okay?” Craig bit back a smile when Mitchell shivered and leaned back harder.


“Yeah. Just…hungover,” he said, his voice cracking.


The line moved forward and this time they ended up on the same step, bodies still pressed together. If there hadn’t been so many others around, Craig would have taken a moment to revel in the forced intimacy because he knew it wouldn’t last. At least not here.


Chapter 21