Renowned interior designer Fredi Zimmer is surprised when outdoorsman Max Greene, owner of Greene’s Outdoors, hires him to revamp Max’s rustic cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Fredi is an out-and-proud Metro male whose contact with the outdoors is from his car to the doorway of the million-dollar homes he remodels, and to Fredi, Max is a typical straight man’s man. When Max blatantly and clumsily flirts with Fredi, Fredi’s stereotypical view of Max is shattered. Is this a build-up to a gay bashing? Cautiously believing Max is closeted and is trying to come out, Fredi decides he’s game to put a little spice into Max’s life, whether it’s in the colors and fixtures he’ll use to turn Max's dilapidated cabin into a showplace or over one of the many lunches and dinners they share talking about the remodel. Who can blame a guy for adding a little sensual pleasure as he retools Max’s life visually? Besides, Fredi has a backup plan if he’s wrong about Max’s intentions. Life would be all wine and roses if it weren’t for Max’s former friends and their conservative families. Alarmed with Max’s obvious infatuation, they make it their business to save him from sliding into hell. With the battle on, will Fredi and Max win the fight for a life of happiness together?

Redesigning Max

I held Boner at eye level in front of me.


“I think you’re overstepping here,” I said, my tone as menacing and loud as I could make it. “You insulted me and now you’re threatening me. If you touch me, I’m acting in self-defense.”


The thug’s expression changed. He looked down. Looked up. Grimaced.


“Why you pissant little…” His hand flew past my face as I swerved.


The hand holding Boner went to his groin and I nicked his fly. Just a tiny slit to let him know I meant business. He’d attacked me, after all.


He looked down in surprise at the way his jeans had been so swiftly and cleanly cut. He started to move forward, but took one look in my eyes and backed away. This was no idle threat from any little gay man.


The thug stopped moving and everyone could see a ripple of hard-won restraint run through him. One meaty hand ran over his face, then both hands went into the air. He took a step back.


Chapter 14