Trey Winters had always been a user. So arrogant and self-centered. Being co-owner of eliXXir, one of the highest profile clubs in Hell’s Kitchen meant he never failed to attract the hottest men around and toss them aside after one encounter. Trey had a life most would envy. One he reveled in, until a mystery man crossed his path one Valentine’s Day, complicating matters both in and outside the bedroom.
He didn’t want to want him.
Didn’t want to need him.
But fate, it would seem, had other ideas.
Noah Middleton craved to express himself the only way he knew how. Reach his full potential, chronic illness be damned. Accepting a place at a prestigious New York dance academy might have made his goal so close he could taste it, but after admitting to his best friend he’d been unable to stop thinking about the beautiful stranger he’d met on his last visit, said friend took it upon himself to play Cupid.
The man was irresistible.
A temptation like no other.
And for Noah, that was the scariest part of all.
Excerpt:
February 14th
Noah Middleton
“Welcome to Hell’s Kitchen, buddy. So great to see you after all this time.” Justin Blake, my best friend in the world, smiled as he closed the door behind us, then drew me in for a hug before taking my overnight bag and setting it down next to the hall table.
“Gee, you didn’t have to get all dressed up on my account.” Justin’s attire drew out my smile. The red boxers and a matching robe hanging loose and open around his slender form left little to the imagination.
“Don’t be dissin’ the outfit, or I just might have to kick your ass. By the way, love the ‘do.” Mussing my hair, Justin laughed.
My chestnut, shoulder length tresses had been cut and bleached to suit a role as James Dean in a dance production about the actor’s life back in San Francisco. I could not have appeared more different than my usual self.
“Thanks,” I said as a behemoth of a guy emerged from the bedroom wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist and a brilliant smile.
“Wes, this is my best friend in the whole world, Noah Middleton. Noah, meet Wes Bradford.”
“It’s great to finally meet you.” Justin had gone on nonstop about the guy I had yet to meet before now.
Wes pulled me in for a hug so tight, I was finding it difficult to breathe. I was doing all I could to keep my junk away from his as well as praying the towel stayed put. Accidental dick touches would be awkward, considering Justin was like a brother to me, and Wes had the potential of becoming his future husband.
“Take it easy, sweet cheeks. You’re going to suffocate the poor boy if you’re not careful.”
I stared at Justin over Wes’s shoulder, and he chuckled, then blew me an air kiss.
“Oops. Sorry.” Wes loosened his grip, eyes filled with apology.
I gave him a smile and straightened my glasses. I usually wore contacts, but my eyes had gotten a little dry during the flight.
“How about we get you settled? We don’t have much time if you want to check out your new school.” Justin picked up my bag and grabbed me by the hand.
After a brief tour of the neat, modern apartment, Justin’s brash taste showing through with the abundance of bright furnishings and unique artwork, Wes headed out, and I was left in my room to change. I got out my medicine cooler and plugged it in. Reaching into my jeans pocket, I pulled out my test kit and gave myself the usual workup, growling out a low, “Fuck,” when my phone buzzed with an incoming call.
The past six months had seen me through a break-up, the excitement of receiving my scholarship, as well as being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Talk about the best and worst aspects of my existence colliding. Mom pitching a fit over the fact I wasn’t about to let a chronic illness stop me from moving to the other side of the country was part of the reason I’d taken the plunge anyway. After all, was it too much to ask to be treated like a regular human being for once?
I sat on the edge of the bed and answered the call.
“Hey.”
“So, you made it there safe and sound? I was getting worried you’d—”
“Go into a diabetic coma on the subway and fall face first onto the tracks? Don’t sweat it, Mom. Everything’s cool.” I heard her let out a huge rush of air.
“If you say so. How’s Justin doing?”
“Great. We’re leaving to check out the school in a few, so that’ll be good.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m so relieved he’s there to make sure you look after yourself. You will be making an appointment with Dr. Hampson as soon as possible, right.” It was a directive, not a question.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I heaved a lingering sigh, then stood and began to pace. Her empty nest syndrome had never been quite this chronic.
“Like I said, I’ll do it the second I have time.”
“Well, don’t leave it too long. He’s one of the most sought-after endocrinologists in the city, and you’re overdue to get your HbA1c checked as it is.”
And hadn’t that sentiment been drilled into my skull nonstop ever since I’d told the family about my scholarship to one of the most prestigious up and coming dance schools in the country.
“I’ve been away before and looked after myself just fine, and besides, my blood sugar average was good last time I got tested.” Setting the phone down on the dresser, I put it on speaker, then unzipped my backpack. I took out a clean pair of sweats and a Henley before peeling off my jacket.
“But this is the first time I haven’t been able to get in the car and come see you,” she complained. I’d been based at my family home in L.A. and had flitted between there and San Francisco to perform, but that hadn’t stopped Mom from driving to wherever I was to see me.
“I thought you’d be grateful for the peace and quiet now Charlie’s there cramping your style.”
My older brother by six years, Charlie hadn’t lived under my parents’ roof since marrying his college sweetheart, Zoe. Their subsequent divorce had given him no choice other than to move back home, at least till he got his life together. Since they didn’t have any kids, their split was reasonably amicable, but I knew Charlie still missed his former wife.
“You’d think so, but I have to admit I love having him around again, what with how your father’s been.”
“The old man driving you nuts already, huh?” As I set about changing my clothes, my mother updated me on Dad’s latest quest to figure out what to do with himself since his recent retirement.
“If he doesn’t find a hobby soon, I swear I’ll end him. He tried to bake cookies the other day and almost burned down the house.”
A fit of laughter overcame me. “Oh, please. You love having him around and you know it.”
“Maybe, but he’d better not set foot in my kitchen again if he knows what’s good for him.” There was a smile in her voice. “Anyway, I’d best let you go. Don’t forget to send through some pictures of your new school, all right?”
“Promise.”
Ending the call, I glanced out the window, taking in the sight of the busy street below, grin firmly in place. The hustle and bustle that was New York City was unlike any place on earth, and I couldn’t believe I was going to be in it for good.
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