Braving the Deep End and Known & Wanted

Title: Braving the Deep End

Series: A 1Night Stand Story

Author: Deanna Wadsworth

Genre: MM Romance

Release Date: April 27, 2020

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Cover Art: Fantasia Frog Designs

State Trooper Mike Martin considers himself straight. Until the day he met the sexy southern charmer Beau Abernathy. Mike’s world froze the first time he saw Beau climb from the pool at his local gym, leaving him thunderstruck. He’s never experienced such lucid thoughts, or the chill of desire for another man—did this mean he was gay?

As their friendship grows, so does Mike’s concern. What if Beau kisses him and he doesn’t like it? Beau is too important to Mike to just be a sexual experiment. Worried if he’s even physically able to be intimate with a man—it’s one thing to imagine, but another to act on it—Mike enlists the help of Madame Eve a no-strings gay sex-ed lesson. But Mike gets far more than he bargained for with his romantic weekend getaway. Will Mike be brave enough to face his desires and dive in the deep end, or will Beau’s dark secret destroy what they could become?

Title: Known & Wanted

Series: A 1Night Stand Story

Author: Wendy Burke

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: April 20, 2020

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Cover Art: Fantasia Frog Designs

Zoe Zimmerman wants to stay out of the spotlight, but years in media and her iffy choices in men has made that a difficult task. Jilted, heartbroken and left in the dust by those she thought loved her, she’s excited and terrified with a gift from her best friend, a 1Night Stand encounter. She hopes to find a connection and a weekend of no-strings-attached adult fun with a man who admires her for who she is and not her past.

Eli Martin is well-known and well-liked. He’s accustomed to taking care of people—his three children, the residents of Birch County as elected Sheriff, and anyone else who may need a helping hand. Regardless of his good looks and stunning personality, his high-profile position means the widower can’t go trolling for a night of sex. When a 50th birthday present from Madame Eve arrives, Eli is greeted with the perfect opportunity to salve his lonely heart.

What neither Eli or Zoe expect is to meet one another—although their jobs provided opportunities for corresponding and phone-flirting for nearly a decade, they’ve never met in person. Will Madame Eve’s magic do its trick or will Zoe’s insecurities and a bullet end it all before they realize they’re known and wanted…and in love

Braving the Deep End - 
Dear Madame Eve,

My name is Mike. I’m twenty-four years old, and I’m straight.

Well, I used to think so anyway.

Since I’m not the sort of guy who posts a random “needs advice” question on Reddit, I’m seeking your professional dating advice.

Life advice, actually.

There’s this girl—isn’t that how all stories start? LOL

Ryleigh’s been one of my best friends since high school. A couple of months ago, we both found ourselves single, and I was depressed after witnessing something unspeakable. After talking late into the night over too many beers, we hooked up. It became a regular thing for a short while, but I ended it for various reasons.

First, I think we’re better off as friends.

Second, she was getting serious, and I don’t want a relationship with her.

I’ll get to the third and biggest reason in a moment.

When I told her sex had been a mistake, she didn’t take it well. We haven’t spoken since, and I fear our friendship is finished. I still don’t know how to process it.

Now for the real reason I cut off things with Ryleigh.

There’s also this guy—and that’s not the way my stories usually start.

The first time I saw him, he was swimming laps at my gym. The gym isn’t a pickup place for me. I work out, and I leave. However, I couldn’t help but notice this guy. I’ve been an avid swimmer most of my life, and I know a natural when I see one. He was effortless in the water.

Then he got out of the pool.

Suddenly, I was watching one of those high-end perfume commercials where the guy gets out of the Mediterranean and every drop of water travels the contours of his muscles in slow-mo.

Something happened to me—and no, I didn’t sprout a boner in the pool area. But the whole world seemed to freeze, and I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. I stared at him, though gaped is probably a more accurate description. My heart pounded so loud, I swore he would hear it. I was literally thunderstruck.

It was the purest, most intensely clear moment of my life.

I’ve heard about moments like that, read about them in books, but I’d never experienced one.

After he left the pool area, I swam about hundred laps in a failed attempt to forget the way he made my blood sing but only ended up being late to work.

Oh yeah, I’m a state trooper. I spend every day surrounded by law enforcement. Men’s men, if you will. Can you imagine how unwelcome these thoughts are while living in a world drenched in testosterone and inflated masculinity?

I didn’t want to think about another man sexually.

Yet, the next day, I found myself arriving earlier at the gym, hoping to see him before he got into the pool. Maybe walk in together, hear his voice, or learn his name.

It’s Beau, by the way.

And yes, when he told me, I grinned like a fool and said, “Cool name,” even as I thought, what a cool guy. I didn’t even know him yet! How lame is that?

Turns out, Beau gets to the gym ten minutes before it opens, and he’s always the first customer in the door. Guess who’s now the second?

I didn’t spy on him in the locker room, but I wanted to. Damn it all, I really wanted to. But he’s a big guy—much bigger than me—so I had to show some discretion. I did delay putting on my suit in order to walk to the pool at the same time though. When we met in the doorway, he’d flashed me a smile that made my stomach actually flutter, which has never happened before.

“We keep meeting like this,” he said with a sweet Southern twang.

I melted. I think he was flirting with me.

Anyway, we chatted about swimming. We both were on the swim team in high school and he swam competitively in college. Now we swim to stay in shape. Then we each took a lane in the pool. I wanted to time my laps to end with his, but it would’ve been too obvious, and I didn’t want to be late for work again. After my swim, I watched his beautiful form cut through the water, hoping he would notice I’d finished, maybe turn and smile at me again. He didn’t, of course, too intent on his perfect breast stroke.

I’ve seen him almost every day since. We’ve taken to racing each other in the pool. He’s a far better swimmer, but I’ve bested him a few times. I think we’re flirting. He touches my arm when he talks to me, leans close when I’m telling him something. When I mentioned the tattoo sleeving his arm—a forest scene of rich green that complements his hazel eyes—he let me get close and admire the details. He smells magnificent. Once, I was brave enough to quickly squeeze his biceps and say, “These can’t all be from swimming.” He laughed and playfully jabbed me in the stomach.

It felt amazing.

He’s never said if he’s gay or not, but I think he likes me. Maybe he’s waiting for me to make the first move. Maybe his friendliness is just Southern charm, and I’m reading into it all.

Our friendship progressed from chitchat to getting a drink at the juice bar after a swim. Then we swapped numbers, and now we’re texting. Nothing serious, just casual texts about TV shows we like. A few weeks ago, we started going out for breakfast.

Are these dates?

I have no idea.

I like Beau. A lot. He’s cool, and he’s fun. Seeing him or talking to him is the highlight of my day. We never run out of things to talk about. No awkward silences. But am I capable of being more than a friend?

Could I kiss another man?

Honestly, the thought of kissing him terrifies me to my core because what if I liked it? Would that mean I’m gay? Bisexual? Maybe sexuality is fluid and it’s just Beau who makes me feel this way.

I want to pursue my attraction to him, but then I remember how sex ruined a lifelong friendship with Ryleigh. His friendship has become very important to me, and I don’t want to mess it up. I mean, what if he kisses me and I don’t like it? I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt him in any way.

I don’t want to live with regrets. I want to be the kind of man who goes after what I want.

Yet, I can’t just allow Beau to be a sexual experiment.

He’s thirteen years older than me—which isn’t a big deal—but I assume he’s much more experienced in the bedroom than I am.

What if I’m a disappointment to him? Worse, what if I freak out when things get physical and change my mind? Or regret it all in the morning? What if I’m so awkward and inexperienced he laughs at me?

We’re both rather competitive men, and I don’t think I could face him ever again if any of those things happened.

I need to test the waters. First, to see if I’m even physically able to be intimate with a man—it’s one thing to imagine but another to act on it. And second, I’d like to know what I’m doing so I don’t embarrass myself. What if I’m no good at it?

I can’t use hookup apps or go to local gay bars because everyone knows my family in this town, which is much smaller than it appears. After all, what if this attraction is a phase and doesn’t stick? If I change my mind, I won’t be able to stop rumors, and that could make my life at work a living hell. And for what? One night of sexual experimentation?

Madame Eve, would you please set me up with a nice guy to help me? Let him read this letter so he understands I don’t want strings, and I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I just need to figure out who I am and what I want. If this works, then maybe things with Beau could develop into something more. I can’t risk losing his friendship to find out.

Thank you in advance for your help.


Sincerely,
Mike Martin

Known & Wanted -  Unaccustomed to sitting at bar, Eli filled his time waiting for his date by contemplating is bizarre adventure gifted to him and, as the norm in his profession, making a study of those around him. A woman in a corner booth caught his eye. She chatted on the phone, laughing with someone. Probably the man she came here to meet. He kept a covert eye on her, if only for his own curiosity and entertainment. Her pixie-ish, hair style seemed to ooze melted dark chocolate, swirled with caramel and cherry. Even in the somewhat dim light of the bar, he could tell she wore little makeup. She doesn’t need it. His training and experience taught him to observe everything, including little nuances which told him, despite her outward happiness, uncertainty and nerves had her on edge. He looked into his beer, the mental self-flagellation he thought he’d tamped down and dismissed, winked at him from the remaining yeasty foam. This arrangement seemed perfect for his circumstance, private, consensual, anonymous. He couldn’t go out on a Saturday night for a ‘hook up’ for a myriad of reasons. Due to the nature of his position, on-call meant 24/7/365 and his constituents frowned on drunken, carousing county leadership. And being an elected and sworn officer of the State, he honored the trust Birch County residents had given him and his oath to them and the State of Ohio. And, like his kids said, ‘Everyone knows you, Dad.’ “Excuse me.” You’re slacking, Martin. You never saw her coming. The woman from the corner booth stood next to him at the bar. “Sheriff Martin? What a surprise.” “I’m sorry….” Don’t know who you are, but wouldn’t mind getting to know you. “No, really, I’m sorry,” she chuckled. What an adorable laugh. “We talk on the on the phone all the time, but have never really met.” She put out her hand, “Zoe—Zoe Zimmerman from Channel 8.” Wow, I had no idea you’d be quite this cute. He rose from his seat. “Zoe, well, what a pleasure.” He shook her hand, taking in her impish smile and bright green eyes. “Have a seat. After all these years, let me buy you the beer we always talked about.” He’d been phone pals with this local television station—What the hell does she do there, anyway? —producer, reporter, assignment manager, jack-of-all-media-trades for more years than he could remember. Always pleasant, with a constant exuberance in her voice, he welcomed calls from her. Although information she needed, or he needed disseminated eventually got traded, more often than not their playful banter many times was laced with friendly, subtle sexual undertone. “I’m sorry,” Zoe said. “I’m actually waiting for someone.” A chime sounded from the pocket of her fitted, navy blue blazer. “Oh, excuse me.” She turned a bit away from him, checking her cell. At the same time, Eli’s phone rumbled on the bar top. He took a sip of beer and touched the screen. Your date, the text read. Eli glanced about the bar, curious if someone spied on him, or if this ethereal Madame Eve had covert operatives stationed in the bar. But when a second text came with an attached photo of the woman standing next to him, a grin lit his face and he mentally high-fived his great fortune. When he turned to take a peek at his now-date, Zoe’s big green eyes were wide with shock. She fumbled for words. “There must be some mistake.”

Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions for different RWA chapters, including President of the Rainbow Romance Writers in 2017. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. An avid reader, she also loves gardening, cooking, music, and dancing. Often she can be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

When not playing with the people in her head, Wendy has a full time job behind the scenes in television. She lives with her cute chef husband and two fuzzy feline children in the Great Lakes region of the Mid-West. 

HOSTED BY:

The Boyfriend Cruise

Title: The Boyfriend Cruise

Series: A Pride of the Caribbean Vacation

Author: Deanna Wadsworth

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: December 25, 2018

The Pride of the Caribbean is a cruise ship unlike any other. Paranormals working onboard the enchanted ship hide in plain sight, under the benevolent protection of a demigod captain and his fairy husband.

And this is a shipboard romance unlike any other.

Josh Gilbert’s well-meaning family booked a gay-friendly cruise for Christmas in order to find Josh a steady boyfriend. Hoping to escape the constant parade of bachelors—and the collapsible fishing rod dangling mistletoe his mom keeps in her purse—Josh takes solace in a growing friendship with the ship’s photographer, Nathan. Though Josh is falling for Nathan, he worries it will never be more than a shipboard fling.

Nathan recently became aware of his incubus heritage, and has finally learned how to control his demon side. But Josh has awaken more than just the demon's need for orgasms--Josh has awaken Nathan's heart. What’s developing between them is the real thing, but can Josh ever accept Nathan’s promiscuous past… and love a sex demon?

Amid lush tropical settings, family hilarity, holiday costume parties, sexy snorkeling adventures, gingerbread martinis, and mythical creatures, will Josh get his Christmas wish and find true love?

DiverseReader - “Deanna Wadsworth's story telling of The Boyfriend Cruise, is a heartfelt tale of love that sees what's inside of the person and less of what's on the outside.”

Amazon Review - “I enjoyed a lot of the book. The plot was easy to follow, it was well written, funny and dynamic.”

OMGReads - “Cute story about all sorts of beings who call the cruise ship home. Throw in a little Christmas and the book was fun to read.”

Chapter One Day One, At Sea THE WARM Florida sunshine bathed Josh Gilbert, and he turned his face into it as he walked up the cruise ship gangway, rolling luggage in tow. His weather app said the temps back home in Indiana would reach a balmy fifteen degrees. Josh still couldn’t believe Mom and Dad had surprised their family—and Josh’s best friend—with a Caribbean cruise for Christmas. Falling in line behind his older brother, Luke, and his wife, Ramona, the Gilbert clan hauled suitcases and bags of holiday presents onto their new home for the week—the Pride of the Caribbean. Dwarfed somewhat by the giant cruise liners docked beside them in the Port of Miami, the elegantly appointed Pride made a grand first impression when they entered the lobby behind a slew of other passengers. “Check out this place,” Luke said, craning his neck, eyes wide. In awe, they all took in the plush red carpets, crystal chandeliers, and the sleek gold-and-glass banister of the impressive grand staircase. A colossal Christmas tree sat proudly on the first landing, a set of stairs branching to either side and draped in glittering garlands. The tree glistened with white twinkling lights, bows, seashells, and large glass ornaments that, when they caught the light just right, seemed to flicker and dance. How much did Dad shell out for this trip? Josh wondered. “Dang, this ship is da bomb,” Aaron muttered in Josh’s ear. Pleasantly stunned, Josh glanced up at his tall BFF. “No doubt,” he agreed, and then he flinched at something unexpected. In front of him, two men held hands, chatting with excitement about the cruise. Though it made Josh happy to see—and more than a tad jealous—openly gay couples in public still surprised him. If only Josh could ever have something like that in his life. “Have you figured it out, Josh?” Mom asked, gesturing toward a different couple boarding the ship—two women holding hands. Puzzle pieces began to fit together, creating a picture Josh wasn’t sure he liked. He narrowed his eyes at his mother. “What’s going on?” Mom twirled a brown curl around one finger, grinning. Curvy and short—he’d inherited that from her along with the brown hair and eyes—she looked ready to burst. But Josh’s sister-in-law exploded first. “It’s a gay cruise!” Ramona cried. Josh shook his head. “What?” “We’re gonna find you a boyfriend for Christmas!” Clare announced. Josh whirled on his sister. “What did you say, Clare?” She clutched her hands to her ample chest, her curvy figure promising the same weight struggle Mom and Josh suffered. “That we’re gonna find you a boyfriend for Christmas,” his little sister repeated. “This cruise line is gay-friendly, which means there should be plenty of guys for you to have a shipboard romance. Isn’t that great?” Dad and Luke squirmed, as if caught in the women’s schemes too, or perhaps they feared Josh’s response. Dad was an aged version of his eldest son, as tall and lean as the rest of the family was short and round. “It’ll be fun, Josh,” Luke assured him, shifting from foot to foot. “No pressure.” “Yes, pressure,” Ramona insisted, slapping her husband on the arm, her white teeth as dazzling against her brown skin as her white sundress. “He’s getting on board single, but he’s not leaving that way.” Aaron laughed, and Josh glared at him. “And I have just the trick,” Mom said, rummaging in her giant purse. Unable to believe his ears, Josh frowned at Dad. “Were you in on this?” Before Dad could answer, a stranger stepped in front of Josh. Middle-aged and overly tanned, he wore a lecherous grin. “What’s this?” the stranger asked. “Mistletoe?” Then shocking Josh into a stupor, the man kissed him right on the lips. “What the—” Josh recoiled. “Name’s Brian,” the guy said, still grinning. “Find me later for a dance.” Then he slipped into the crowd of passengers. “What the heck?” Josh spun to face Mom. Grinning like a fiend, she had a children’s fishing rod in her hand, and rather than a worm dangling from the hook, she’d hung a clump of mistletoe. “What are you doing?” he cried, too stunned to be as angry as he should’ve been. “Getting you a man,” Mom said, her face serious now. Josh set his rolling suitcase on all four wheels and then crossed his arms to glare at her. “You are certifiable, you know that?” “Certifiably the best matchmaker you know,” she quipped. “Ask Clare and Luke how good I am.” Luke threw an arm around his pretty wife, and they shared a loving kiss. “Luckiest man in the whole world that Mom introduced me to her tennis coach.” After six years of marriage—sans kids, though not for lack of trying—Luke and Ramona were living the high-end life with their goldendoodle, Fred. Patting Josh on the shoulder, Clare sighed. “Seriously, dude, you should let Mom pick a guy for you. She has the gift.” Clare’s husband, William, was the son of a lady in Mom’s bunco group. They were married last Valentine’s Day. “No,” Josh declared, waving his hand in a sweeping gesture of finality. He couldn’t argue against Mom’s success thus far, but Mom would not be how he found his first real boyfriend. “You can find me a boyfriend, Mrs. G.” Aaron took the fishing rod from her and waggled it over his own head. “Mistletoe, boys!” Sure enough, Josh’s attractive friend soon had a line of four guys waiting to kiss him. Josh’s face flamed with embarrassment when the third guy added some tongue action and a grope on the ass, which Aaron didn’t seem to find offensive at all. Josh would die a million deaths if some guy kissed him like that in public—especially in front of his family. Mom laughed and took back her fishing pole. “You don’t need any help,” she told Aaron, who was still whispering something in bachelor number three’s ear. Josh pointed at his mother. “Keep that thing away from me.” “You’re such a party pooper,” she scolded. “That’s enough,” Dad decided. “Let’s find our rooms.” As the Gilbert clan moved forward, much to Josh’s further horror, Ramona announced, “Single hot gay guy coming through!” “Ramona,” Josh hissed, face on fire. “It’s my job to take pictures of all the single hot guys on this cruise ship,” a sultry voice said from off to the left. Josh jumped and turned, shocked by the camera pointed at him. Click. The lens lowered, and the hottest man Josh had ever laid eyes on was grinning at him. Tanned, blond, and straight off a Ralph Lauren yacht, the man wore white pants, a navy jacket, and a red ascot. He was tall, lean, and broad in the shoulders, with green eyes a man could get lost in and a face like Adonis himself! “Uh…?” “Nathan Bradshaw, shipboard photographer,” the man introduced himself, his blond hair glistening in the sparkling lights of the chandelier. Or maybe Josh just imagined it glistened. The guy was startling to look at. Nathan extended a well-manicured hand. “Welcome aboard the Pride.” “Uh…?” “This is Josh,” Ramona piped up, bodily pushing him closer to the handsome stranger. A warm hand, soft but firm, took hold of Josh’s. “He’s single,” Clare said. “Is that so?” Nathan drawled, shaking Josh’s hand and not letting go. “Well, so am I, Josh. It’s very nice to meet you.” “Yeah, um… you too, Nathan.” That’s when clarity came to Josh’s stunned brain. He scowled at his meddling family. “You guys, just stop,” he hissed, dropping the man’s hand like a house afire. Clare’s big brown eyes widened innocently. “What?” Nathan chuckled, and Josh’s face heated further—if such a thing were possible. “Everybody needs a cheering section,” Nathan said. Then he gestured to the whole Gilbert clan. “Everybody, get closer. Let’s immortalize the moment you began the best vacation of your life.” Josh squished between Clare and Ramona, while Dad, Aaron, and Luke took the back and Mom the far left. Josh somehow managed to say “cheese” along with everyone else while Nathan snapped a few pics. Nathan looked at his display. “Perfect. Now, let’s get one of each couple.” “We’re a couple.” Ramona pointed at Luke, then Mom and Dad. “And so are they. Those three are all flying solo.” “So you said.” Nathan eyed Josh with a sideways grin that could almost be described as predatory. Josh’s cheeks warmed, and he couldn’t smile. I must be losing my mind. This is all some sort of twisted dream. Please wake up. Wake up! But nothing happened, except Aaron and Clare posing on either side of him and Nathan raising the camera again. “C’mon, smile for the camera,” Nathan prompted, and somehow Josh managed to suck in his gut and smile. Looking only at Josh, Nathan stepped toward them. “The pictures will be displayed on the viewing screens near the purser’s desk at 7:00 p.m. tonight. They’re available for purchase anytime during the cruise.” He leaned in close and whispered, “But just a tip, they go on sale the last day, so keep track of the numbers for the ones you want.” Not leaning out of Josh’s personal space, Nathan winked at him. “Just don’t tell anybody or it might get me fired.” Josh swallowed, nervous all of a sudden with how close Nathan had gotten and how delicious his cologne smelled. Like honey or something else equally warm and inviting. Josh couldn’t quite place it, but he liked it. Before he could get another chance to identify the alluring fragrance, the gorgeous photographer had slipped back into the crowd, smiling and flirting with the next group of passengers. For a hot second, Josh had imagined Nathan was actually flirting with him, but he quickly pushed such thoughts away. It’s his job to flirt. Get over yourself! “He was handsome,” Mom said. He flinched at her hovering behind him, and then he frowned at her. “So is Brad Pitt. Doesn’t mean he wants me.” She scoffed. “Oh, if Brad Pitt ever saw this face, he’d switch teams, for sure.” And then, to Josh’s horror, she pinched both of his cheeks. Hating it when she did that, but grateful she didn’t add her usual “just look at these chipmunk cheeks,” Josh wriggled out of her grasp. “Don’t pull on my skin. You’ll give me wrinkles.” She scoffed again. “You’re only twenty-seven. What do you know about wrinkles?” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Aaron chimed. Yeah, it was bad enough that at twenty-seven Josh had never had a real boyfriend. The last thing he needed was premature wrinkling. His family was already going to make him prematurely gray. “C’mon,” Dad said. “I’m tired after all the driving. Let’s get to our rooms and get settled. I think there’s a manhattan somewhere on this ship with my name on it.” Several crewmembers with tablets mingled in the crowd, giving directions to staterooms. Dad made a beeline toward a man in a Santa hat, holding a tablet, who stood beside a distinguished-looking fellow in a captain’s uniform. “Welcome aboard,” the man with the tablet said. Though he looked almost Mom and Dad’s age, his tanned skin was flawless and his hair a rich brown. “I’m Raoul, your purser, and this is Captain Leonides.” “Welcome aboard,” the captain said, with a tip of his hat. He was quite handsome, in an exotic Mediterranean sort of way, with the faintest hint of gray at his temples. Definitely looked competent to captain their ship, a man born to be at sea. I might die of embarrassment, but at least not from shipwreck. “Thank you,” Dad said, and everyone else repeated similar greetings. “We’re the Gilbert family. I believe we have four rooms booked.” Raoul swiped a few times and tapped on his tablet. “Yes, the Gilberts. You are in cabins F1, 2, 3, and 4, on the Fiesta deck. Very nice accommodations you’ve chosen. Some of our finest suites, each with ocean views and balconies.” “Balconies?” Luke cried, sliding down his shades, his brown eyes wide. “How much money did you spend on this, Dad?” Dad raised a hand. “You know it’s rude to ask that. This is your Christmas present, and I want us all to have a great time. I even got us the unlimited drink package.” “Woo-hoo, margaritas, here I come,” Aaron declared, raising his hand for a high five from Clare, which she returned after a slight frown. “You guys better have a great time,” Mom said. “Because none of you are getting birthday gifts from us this year.” Josh laughed. Dad had an overly generous spirit, but Mom kept a tight rein on the family purse strings. She might have married a renowned heart surgeon, but she never forgot the trailer she was born and raised in. She passed along the value of money to all of her children—well, maybe not to Clare. As the youngest and the only girl, Clare was more than spoiled. Dad had bailed her out of credit card debt twice that Josh knew of. “No birthday present for me? Mrs. G, that’s just cruel,” Aaron cried. She patted his cheek rather than pinching it, Josh noted. “Oh, well, maybe for you.” “That’s fair,” Clare muttered to Josh, and he wisely said nothing. Clare might be spoiled and bad with money, but Josh adored her. And since her husband was currently in Afghanistan fighting for their freedoms and she would be spending her first Christmas as a married woman without him, he kept the comment to himself that she shouldn’t worry. Daddy’s girl always got a present. A large, stoic bellman loaded their suitcases, gift bags, and wrapped presents onto a trolley, grunting a “No” when Dad tried to help. Raoul gave him instructions to deliver their things to the suites, and the man lumbered toward an elevator. Raoul snapped his fingers, and as if out of nowhere, a very petite woman with a bright smile and a pink streak in her hair appeared. Aaron jumped back and put his hands to his chest. “You just came out of nowhere, didn’t you?” “I’m little,” she quipped. “Penelope dear, please show the Gilbert family to their suites,” Raoul told her. She grinned impishly. “Right this way, family,” she said in a cheery voice. All but floating up the grand staircase with her hands at the small of her back, Penelope led them to their rooms. “Have you sailed with us before?” Penelope asked Dad, gazing up at him with big doe eyes she batted coquettishly. “No, first time.” Dad smiled down at her, seeming smitten with how cute and tiny she was. “Isn’t she adorable?” Mom whispered to Josh. “Yeah, sure, I guess,” he said. For a flash, Josh thought Penelope frowned at him, but the change in her face happened so quick he probably imagined it. Penelope was very pretty, but her long eyelashes were as fake as the pink streak in her blonde hair. The glitter across her brow and eyelids might’ve been unprofessional, but this was a gay-friendly cruise. He wondered if she was on the rainbow, but couldn’t be sure with the way she giggled so flirtatiously with Dad. “Here is the first suite,” Penelope announced, pausing outside F1. She studied Josh and Aaron. “I pick this one for you two.” “Um, okay,” Josh said, figuring it was her attempt at being cute and the rooms were assigned. The act worked on Dad and Luke, if the way they tilted their heads and smiled at her were any indicator—as if they couldn’t decide if she was real or not. Regardless, Luke had better stop staring or his feisty wife would smack him one. But when Penelope opened the first room, all their eyes went straight to the spacious suite and dazzling view. Josh gasped. “Holy ocean view, Batman,” Aaron exclaimed. The room was gorgeous, not cramped like the cruise he went on for spring break in college. They each had a double bed, and there was a sitting area with a couch, a door that probably led to the bathroom, and sliding doors that opened to a balcony, which currently faced the Port of Miami. Towels folded into wreaths with soaps for ornaments and big red bows lay on each bed. A pretty Christmas tree with blown-glass ornaments that seemed to glisten and dance in the light was perched on the table between the beds. Mirrored closet doors visually doubled the space, and much to Josh’s surprise, their luggage had already arrived. “Wow” was all Josh could say. Dad and Mom grinned, and rubbernecking behind them, his siblings had eyes as wide as their mouths. “Have fun, boys,” Penelope sang. Josh pulled out his wallet to tip Penelope, but Dad raised a hand. “No, no, save your money for souvenirs.” “Thanks, Dad.” Aaron went up and hugged first Mom, then Dad. “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. G. Can you adopt me?” Mom laughed. “I think we did that a long time ago.” “Moving this way, family,” Penelope announced. “Let’s see which of you get the next room.” Then she flitted away, the rest of the Gilberts following and her voice fading like tinkling sleigh bells as their suite door shut. Once alone, Josh and Aaron exchanged looks. “This is going to be the best vacation ever,” Aaron declared. Josh put his hands on his hips. “Fess up. Did you know Mom and Dad booked a gay-friendly cruise to find me a boyfriend?” Aaron waved him off. “Why are you looking a gift horse in the mouth?” He was tall, fit, and had the prettiest dark curls and blue eyes—which was why he never had a problem scoring a date. “I’m not.” “You are.” He made a beeline to the balcony door and slid it open, filling the suite with warm, salty air. “And yes, I knew it was gay-friendly, and the girls have this notion that you’ll have a shipboard romance and fall in love. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. All I know is that you’re the luckiest SOB on earth to have a family who would pick a gay cruise line just for you. And your mom even booked us all mani-pedis this afternoon. Your dad and Luke are getting massages. Bet they’re hoping that little pink pixie, Penelope, is the massage therapist.” He snorted at his own joke, obviously noting the same thing Josh did about the way Dad and Luke had been enraptured with the woman. Chagrined by Aaron’s speech, Josh shuffled his feet, studying his sandals. He knew he was lucky. Aaron’s family would never go on a ship like this. Especially his father. The man could barely look at Aaron sometimes. His mom and brother were never cruel, but Josh always sensed they weren’t sure how to take the flamboyant Aaron. Sometimes, if Aaron had too much to drink, he’d cry or bitch about them, saying he felt more love from Josh’s family than his own. Evidenced by the coin Dad put out for this trip, the Gilberts viewed Aaron as family too. “Yeah, I know I sound ungrateful—” “You do.” “But I hope they don’t run around the ship looking for a man for me. That will be so humiliating. And that mistletoe fishing pole? What the heck?” “That mistletoe got me a hot date for the Christmas costume party tonight. And your family means well,” Aaron said, leaning on the railing and tipping his face up to the sun. Not a fan of heights, Josh popped his head out onto the balcony. “Nice view. I won’t be sitting out here.” “Why not?” “Haven’t you heard about all the people who fall off cruise ships?” Aaron scoffed. “Only jealous husbands push their wives overboard. That would never happen on a gay ship.” Josh chuckled but wisely stepped inside. “Promise me you won’t go on the balcony after we’ve been drinking, ’kay?” “Okay, worrywart, as long as you promise to let loose. Have fun.” Aaron gave Josh a shimmy. “This is a cruise custom designed for us!” “Okay, I promise to have fun.” “Ground rules.” Aaron sprawled out on the bed closest to the balcony, lacing his fingers behind his head. “If the Do Not Disturb is on the door, we won’t interrupt any hookups. Any overnighters, we have to okay with the other, that way one of us can sleep in Clare’s room.” “Okay.” Josh laughed, doubting very much he’d have an overnight guest. “And no fucking in each other’s bed,” Aaron added. “I love you, but even I have standards.” “I’m fine with whatever,” Josh said. “We both know you’re the only one who’s going to be hooking up in this room. I should probably just move my stuff into Clare’s room right now.” “You don’t know that. You could meet the man of your dreams.” Josh scoffed, his mind revisiting a pair of green eyes and golden hair sparkling in the sunlight…. Nope, never gonna happen. “Yeah, like I’m gonna meet the man of my dreams.” “You never know what could happen.” “I’m too fat.” “No, you’re not. I know how hard you’ve been trying to lose weight. You look amazing.” “I could stand to lose another twenty pounds.” “Don’t,” Aaron scolded. “I hate it when you get down on yourself.” “It’s just the truth.” “Says you. Just try and chill out for once. Don’t worry about your waistline or whatever rules you’ve made up in your head. Just go out there and have fun. Who knows? Maybe something magical will happen.” As he unpacked, listening to Aaron list all the activities and excursions the ship offered, Josh knew he could be a stick in the mud. Well, in comparison to Aaron, anyway. But he’d been looking forward to a relaxing vacation with no computers, deadlines, or spreadsheets, and no worries. He didn’t even have to worry about any homophobes on this trip. His thoughts alighted again on the cute photographer, Nathan. Maybe this boyfriend cruise might not be so bad. His family loved him enough to pick this ship, and honestly, until this moment, a shipboard romance hadn’t been an option. He hadn’t been on board half an hour and he’d already been kissed once—even if he wasn’t pleased with Mom about it. This ship was full of potential for a guy like Josh. Aaron was right. Josh needed to let loose this week. He’d waited his entire life to find romance, so if a chance presented itself, he should not squander the opportunity. Even if that meant his family embarrassing him all over the Caribbean.

Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions at her local RWA chapter and is the current President 2017 for Rainbow Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. She loves music and dancing, and can often be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

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