Dario Russo grew up on the road. The son of itinerant workers in California, he had no friends, no stability, and no concept of a normal life. Until the age of sixteen, when he meets Reverend Waters’ son, Billy Ray. The relationship is short lived, but it haunts Dario for the next thirty years. At the age of forty-six, he has the opportunity to return to Crows Landing, California, and the chance to track down the man who had meant so much to him.<br><br>But what he finds in Crows Landing is the last thing he expects. So wrapped up in his hopes for a second chance, he almost misses the very real interest from a local, Shawn Pederson. Shawn might not have the past working in his favor, but he’s willing to offer the future Dario always wanted.

Son of a Preacher Man

“You’ve got a little something,” Dario said, leaning toward him.


Shawn remained motionless, though his nostrils flared. His thick lashes dipped to watch Dario’s mouth as he got closer, and his lips parted long before Dario touched them. The moment Dario kissed the soft corner, though, snagging the bit of chocolate for his own, Shawn lifted a hand and rested it on Dario’s chest.


“Will you stay tonight?” he murmured.


Dario moaned his answer. It was barely a word, but as he claimed Shawn’s mouth in a proper kiss, he was sure that Shawn understood. He tasted like the chocolate he had just been eating, but even better than that was the unmistakable, heady taste that was simply Shawn.His fingers curled in Dario’s shirt, holding him close as they both deepened the caress. Their tongues slid together, and he was delighted by the way their mouths fit.


Chapter 25