For Otho Newcomer, the small village of Snowmelt is a haven from his old life. If he isn’t exactly a changed man, he at least hopes to keep his distance from all those easy romances, and the inevitable heartache and disappointment that always follow. Mason Dager is an idiot. His ex has cleared out his bank account, sold his car, and got him thrown out of his apartment. And he has no one to blame but himself. But what better way to celebrate a new chapter in his life -- one that includes homelessness and the humiliation of telling his family they were right all along -- than to spend Christmas at a swanky winter resort like River Cove? It’s already paid for, after all. When a very drunk Mason makes yet another dumb decision, Otho comes to the rescue, throwing the men together during the most magical time of the year. What should be the wrong choice for both of them might be exactly what they need. They’ll just have to survive a nosy best friend, an asshole of an ex, and the scars of their pasts if they hope to find something together.

Turning Wood

Need skidded over his skin when Otho deepened the kiss, his arm wound around Mason’s waist, pulling him closer.


“Perhaps…a minute.” The words were whispered against his lips before Otho resumed exploring his mouth.


Mason straddled him, not sure how far this would go, but needing more contact. His hands wandered over Otho’s shoulders, down over his arms, and up again until he had his fingers buried in his dark hair. He rolled his hips, desperate for contact, and there wascontact.


Otho moaned and rubbed against him. Shit. Mason was already panting. “Please,” he breathed in Otho’s ear.


Otho had big hands, strong hands, and they found their way in under his sweater.


“Yes.” The rough fingers roamed his torso, alternating between gently teasing and kneading. Mason moaned and begged, but Otho took his time exploring.


Chapter 12