Ten years ago, Maxwell you-can-just-call-me Clark thought he would spend his life as a military man. But his world turned into a nightmare when a suicide bomber destroyed Clark's career. It's been a long road to recovery, but now Clark finally has peace. His bar, Glow, is the place to be in the city of New Amsterdam; Lucian Gray, the son of the mayor, employs Clark as a confidential information man; and Clark’s side venture as part-owner of a BDSM club is quite the profitable release. Clark’s life is a good one, so long as no one gets too close.<br><br>Then a man walks into Glow who will forever change Clark’s rules and reality. Thinking Professor Daniel Germain is just another handsome face ripe for Clark’s kind of good time, Clark puts on his smoothest moves. When the professor turns him down, Clark goes on the hunt, and what he discovers shows him that even the deepest wounds can be healed by submitting to love.

Hearts Under Fire

Clark gave up trying to breathe through his nose and panted out his mouth. The sound of rushing air gave him something to focus on, and his legs shook from panic, adrenaline, and sheer proximity to Daniel. The want and heat swirled with everything else in Clark’s head, and it was just…


Clark bent until the bridge of his nose rested on the back of his own hand on Daniel’s shoulder. The movement was jerky and halting, but he did it. “Just starting to…huh…” he managed to say. His voice was small and weak, for all it attempted humor.


Daniel chuckled and stroked Clark’s back. “No, I liked you the moment I first saw you: the strength of your hand, your wit, your confidence, and your smile. I just…I knew too much, like you said. Your reputation preceded you, and I just couldn’t see.”


Chapter 35