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

“Your mom has given me a lot of responsibility.”


Bryson closed his fingers where they rested on Duke’s chest, not into a fist, but a slow drag of his fingertips over Duke’s pec. “You know I’m an adult, right? And that Beau is myhorse. I’m just saying…”


Duke’s tongue wet his lips. “Regardless, she’s shown me a lot of trust. I intend to make good on that trust.”


Stupid, stupid, stupid, Bryson’s mind whispered. Had he not already learned this lesson? This guy could be a cold-hearted jerk. And a tough guy with an overrated assumption on the value of his opinion. Bryson had literallyjust accused him of being a control freak. And yet here Bryson was, waiting for that tongue to slip out again, pressing his palm against Duke’s chest and sliding it until he could catch Duke’s nipple between his ring and pointer finger.


Here he was, lightly squeezing those two fingers together…


Sucking in the air that rushed from between Duke’s lips when he did it…


Chapter 18