Exiled to an abandoned presidio in southwestern Texas, Father Alonzo Vargas is accustomed to being utterly alone except for his white donkey, Angelica. He is also fully acquainted with the corrupt and rotten sheriff, John Cullen, the man responsible for his semi-permanent exile. When he finds a victim of the sheriff hanging upside down from a tree, he immediately cuts the man down and vows to nurse him back to health.<br><br>Ben McKinnon has never done anything to cross Sheriff Cullen -- except defend the land he inherited from his father. The land Cullen covets. He's surprised when the exiled priest makes it clear that he will not only be a nurse, but will also become Ben's ally in the fight against Cullen. He's even more shocked when he realizes he doesn't just want Father Alonzo as a friend. Ben cherishes the other man's mind, his body, and his heart.<br><br>But Alonzo is not a free man. And if Sheriff Cullen has his way, they will both be dead men.

Those Who Cherish

“You’re still hard…” Alonzo’s fingers brushed across Ben’s arousal. “Can I…ask something?” At Ben’s nod, Alonzo smiled, almost shyly. “I want to watch you touch yourself. I want to see you finish.”


He was on the verge of reminding Alonzo that he’d done the same thing the night before, but then chided himself for such foolishness and losing this opportunity. Sitting back on his heels, he grasped his erection, half-smiling when Alonzo moistened his lips and stared. He would have preferred Alonzo’s hand, but the familiarity of his grip was more than enough, the smooth strokes he knew it would take for his release. His head fell back, and his eyes closed as he let his need take over. Already, his thighs quivered. One pull of his balls, the image of Alonzo on his knees with his mouth open and hungry burned on his imagination, and Ben shattered.


Chapter 31