lovely with those deep, dark eyes, and dark curving brows contrasted with the shock
of silver hair. “I thought I’d rescue you.”
Trelain smiled. “And I thought I was getting champagne.”
The man stared at him for a moment then looked up and waggled a finger seemingly
into space. Moments later, a waiter appeared out of the crowd carrying a tray
packed with bubbly. The man grinned. “Would you like it all?”
Trelain smiled back. Daniel seemed a man who got what he wanted. But then, so was
Trelain. He selected a full glass from the tray. “One should be sufficient.”
The man took another one, though he didn’t seem to drink it. “But more is better.”
The waiter left, and Trelain took a sip. “Your philosophy of life, I presume?”
“Totally.”
“So who are you, Daniel?” Trelain noticed that people milled all around them, but no
one interfered.
“A child of the universe. A lover of art in its myriad forms. A surfer and diver. Oh,
yes, and I dabble in computer software sometimes.”
Trelain glanced at him sideways. “Dabble? Like Bill Gates?”
The guy gave a huge smile. “Yes, precisely like that.”
No doubt richer than Croesus, based on the deference everyone seemed to show
him. “So, what exactly does ‘rescuing’ me look like?”
“If you’ll let me, I’ll take you to my home in Laguna Beach. Sun, surf, relaxation.”
“Mr. uh…”
“Terrebone. Daniel.”
“Are you propositioning me?”
The man leaned down so his lips were close to Trelain’s ear. His breath smelled like
peppermint. “I am propositioning you at every level, Cavalier. You are the most
beautiful thing I’ve ever seen on two feet, and I want you near me. Preferably under
me for hours at a time.”
Bloody hell. Trelain smoothed a hand down his arm to try to control the
goosebumps.
The man chuckled. “I think that sounds good to you.”
A little distance was required. Trelain stepped back. “You are more than persuasive,
uh, Daniel, but you also impress me as a man who is used to getting what he wants.
Perhaps I don’t enjoy being one of a multitude.” Yes, he was being flirtatious, but it
was also true. Maybe part of the appeal of the reporter had been that he wasn’t
usually attracted to men. Trelain liked being special. Hell, who didn’t?
Daniel very discreetly ran his fingers up Trelain’s arm. Good. He wasn’t trying to
make a show of possession. “It’s true, my friend, that I have had many brief
encounters in my past. I don’t think you know anything about me—why would you?
But others will delight in telling you of my peccadilloes, so I might as well come
clean. That was the past, however. I have not been in a relationship of any kind for
many months. I am weary of the game. I want someone special in my life, and you,
my friend, are very special.”
Trelain smiled. His thoughts had been answered. He opened his mouth to speak, but
Terrebone put up a hand. “One more thing. I won’t rush you or crowd you. I would
love to have you come to my home as a guest with no strings attached.”
Trelain cleared his throat. “I am dancing three nights this week, and I believe Laguna
Beach is some distance from here.”
“About an hour. But you’re free on Thursday, I believe?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you pack your bathing suit”—he gave that charming, lecherous grin—
“or not, and I’ll send a car for you after your performance. I’ll have a massage
therapist standing by, my chef will prepare all your favorite foods, and you can have
a quiet vacation for a few days.”
Suddenly, Trelain was too tired for banter. A vacation sounded like heaven, and if it
was with this beautiful man, all the better. He might have a thing for that silly
reporter, but it was a stupid, fruitless crush. This man was handsome, rich, and
seemed sincere. And he knew he was gay. A huge improvement. “I would love to
come.”
Daniel looked surprised, then delighted. “You are a world of surprises, Cavalier. I
like that in a man.”
Trelain sipped the last of his champagne and glanced at the still-milling crowd of
patrons. He sighed. “And now I must continue my role as money-grubber- in-chief.”
He bowed slightly. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Oh, one more thing. Please give this to Allison.” Terrebone handed him a scrap of
paper. It said IOU $1,000,000.
“Fucking hell.”
“Not enough? I just wanted Allison to know I hadn’t been wasting your precious
time.”
Trelain carefully folded the paper. He laughed all the way back to the group of
donors surrounding the anxious program director.
About the Author
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her bestselling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soulmate husband and her soulmate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!
This book sounds interesting. I think I would like the dynamic between the three main characters, and I like the element of dark danger that is hinted at.
Thank you, Barb. It was my first romantic suspense and so much fun to write. I’m creating my first murder mystery now! : )
Thanks so much to Read Love for having me on the blog! I love being here. : )
Woohoo! Thanks for hosting!!!