In 1934, life in Brookburn, Indiana, is quiet, simple, and peaceful, but young dreamer Levi Beckerman yearns for more. When the carnival shows up for the Fourth of July, he’s entranced by its many temptations. None is more seductive than the charismatic barker, Sebastian Gustineau.<br><br>Seb’s been a part of the carnival for almost a decade. Once, it provided him the escape he needed from a life he thought he didn’t want, but now, he craves things it can never offer. Flitting from dusty town to dusty town, he loses himself in pretty dalliances. Levi seems like the perfect distraction, until a single conversation convinces him that preserving Levi’s innocence and way of life is more important than his momentary satisfaction.<br><br>However, his plan to discourage Levi goes horribly wrong. When Levi’s family is threatened, Levi fights to protect them, doing what he can to hide the secrets he’s sheltered his entire life. The only person he trusts is Seb. He just isn’t sure if the growing bond between them is enough to save them all.

A Simple Charm

“I can’t even imagine all the places you’ve seen,” he mused, changing the subject. Rather than put Seb on the spot, or worse, have him think Levi was considering running away with them again, he added, “Which one’s your favorite? And you can’t count here. That’s cheating.”


Seb chuckled, the sound vibrating into his shoulder. “Only people who cheat are the ones who think they can’t win all on their own.”


“Fancy talk coming from a carnie.” But he said it playfully, and poked the back of Seb’s hand. “And you’re not answering the question.”


“Favorite place I’ve ever been…”


Seb fell quiet, and Levi stilled. He wanted to know every tick and tock of Seb’s body as he contemplated his response. The soft rush of his breaths. The faint dampness where the tip of his hard cock touched the small of Levi’s back. The tangy sweat clinging to his pores. So lost in the sensory input, he’d almost forgotten what it was he’d asked by the time Seb began speaking again.


Chapter 28