Bryson Merritt may have started life as a broken baby in a basket, but he got lucky with an extraordinary set of circumstances that brought him his adoptive parents. Rich, supportive, and kind, they've given Bryson everything he's ever needed in order to deal with his ongoing recovery issues. If only they could give him some luck when it comes to picking out the right kind of guy.<br><br>When Bryson meets Duke at a horse auction, all he can think about is getting Duke's sweaty hands all over his body. Until he meets Beau -- the beautiful dark horse in Duke's care, who shares Bryson's mobility and pain issues -- and realises exactly where Beau's final destination is. Enraged by what he sees as an unfair, undeserving, and cruel punishment, Bryson decides to buy Beau, problems or not, experience or no, and walks away without looking back.<br><br>However, once again forces have gathered to help Bryson out, and Bryson finds himself working alongside Duke for the sake of Beau. Bryson's attraction is rekindled, but now Duke isn't interested at all. Worse still, it looks like a possible relationship with Duke isn't the only thing that is going to end in tragedy.

Still Standing

“Yeah,” Duke mumbled, his voice as slick as hot butter. “I’d like that an awful lot.”


Bryson wrapped his other arm around Duke’s neck and hooked his hands together. He didn’t have to move much in order to grind against Duke’s crotch, so when the motion caused Duke’s lips to part and Duke’s breath to hitch, Bryson did it again. Then again. Then he couldn’t do it because Duke had put both hands on his ass and pressed the two of them together even tighter. Duke lowered his head and kissed Bryson on the mouth. It was a light, questioning kiss, but it deepened when Bryson responded. Duke’s tongue tasted like sweet, cheap, peppermint candy, and for some reason, that taste instantly became one of which Bryson couldn’t get enough. He wound his tongue around Duke’s, laced his fingers through Duke’s hair, and kissed Duke hard. And he kept doing it until they both had to pull away for air.


Chapter 12