As a youngest son, Jag Martin has eagerly walked a life-long path toward the priesthood. Then his once-great family falters under a mountain of debt. Their only hope -- marry Jag off to an appropriately wealthy suitor.<br><br>Brace Rivers desperately wants more than just a short fling. However, his economic and political reality makes finding an appropriate male partner next to impossible. When the Martin family offers Jag's hand, it's a dream come true. But he fears the young man is being forced into an unwanted marriage.<br><br>Following tradition, Brace offers Jag a pearl ring valuable enough to save his family's fortune. Jag has twenty-four hours to accept the gift and turn his back on Brace, or return the gift and accept Brace's hand. Brace only hopes he will convince Jag that a life together is worth more than all the pearls in the sea.

If All the Sand Were Pearl

“Yes. I don’t think I would like a different Brace Rivers as much as I like you.” Brace smiled. “I don’t think I’d like a different Jag Martin as much as I like you.” Jag straddled him, gently pressing against Brace’s erection. Brace put both hands on his back and pulled him forward, until their lips were almost touching. He liked having the weight of this boy—his husband—settled on his body. He liked the way his skin smelled with the night air, and the coolness of his mouth when they finally kissed. He sampled Jag’s lips with his tongue, testing the texture, thinking of all the ways he could kiss and touch Jag in the future. A future that only a few hours before didn’t seem possible at all.


“You ever kiss anybody before?” Brace asked.


Jag smiled against his mouth. “Why? Am I really bad at it?”


“I must have a good teacher, then.”


Chapter 20