Dakota Knight's story is now out!
Never Too Late -- http://www.loose-id.com/prod-Never_Too_Late-987.aspxGenre: Contemporary, Gay fiction
ISBN: 978-1-59632-987-4
http://www.loose-id.com/prod-Never_Too_Late-987.aspx
Blurb:
After years of pleasuring others’ needs as an escort at Desires, Inc., Dakota Knight is finally ready to find a life he wants to live. That is, after one last request from his boss. He only has to fulfill thirty-six hours of submission and he’s free to find happiness, though he believes love is a four-letter word that isn’t for him.
Brice expected a weekend away with his best friend, Winter Chase. Instead he was led to a hidden playhouse containing a male escort bound and ready to please. Then he finds out that Winter hired him so that he could have a great first experience with a male lover.
Neither man expected lust to turn to love as Brice discovers many enjoyable firsts with Dakota, who in turn realizes that it’s never too late for love. Even for a man with a past like his.
Excerpt:
Dakota watched Brice fidget in his seat, and felt the sudden tension sizzle the air. He found the young man intriguing as well as tantalizingly handsome. Brice’s relationship with Winter interested him, and he wondered why he’d never met or heard about the kid before today, especially since he and Winter appeared to be quite close.
“What do you do, Brice?”
“Do?” He appeared shocked at the question. “Oh, you mean my job?”
Dakota raised his brow and tried not to laugh at the young man’s obvious edginess.
“I’m a massage therapist.”
That got Dakota’s attention. Lowering his gaze to Brice’s hands, he noticed how soft-looking they were. No calluses or cuts were visible. No signs that he did manual labor.
“You any good?”
This question caused Brice to choke on his food. Dakota watched without expression, gauging the reaction.
“Let’s just say that I have no trouble filling in forty hours of work in a week.”
“Tell me about your business. Is it just you? Do you specialize in a particular modality? Do you make home visits?” He took a bite of food as he waited an answer.
Brice stared at him for a moment, making Dakota a bit uncomfortable at the scrutiny. Amazing how after all this time at this job, he still disliked being the center of attention.
“You know a lot about massage therapy?”
“I’ve picked up some skill here and there.” He shrugged nonchalantly. Brice didn’t have to know that with his rates, he dealt mostly with the filthy rich who could afford private massage therapists. He’d looked into it and socialized with therapists to learn effective techniques to use on his clients. It never hurt to learn new tricks when the opportunity presented itself.
Brice sipped his wine. “I have a business with two other LMTs, and I work in a building near the hospital. I offer a variety of modalities, but my favorite is therapeutic massage.” He picked at his food while he spoke, pushing a piece of shrimp around in the rice. “I do some home visits. Got a couple of clients who pay me well for my time in the evening.” He met Dakota’s gaze. “I don’t think I have to ask if you’re any good at your profession.”
Dakota chuckled before speaking. “I’m retiring very comfortably at thirty-five. Not many people can say that.”
Taking a bite and chewing slowly, Brice nodded with agreement. “Hmm. Maybe you can become a chef. You’ve got a few more good years left.”
“Only a few?” Dakota’s lips twitched with a smile.
Brice felt his cheeks heat. “I didn’t mean to say you’re old. Just that…”
“Yes?” Dakota asked when his words dropped off.
“Never mind.” He laid his fork on the table, gulped the last of his wine, and pushed away to stand. He started to walk toward the bathroom. From the sudden blush to his cheeks, it was apparent that Brice was embarrassed. Over what, Dakota wasn’t quite sure.
“Brice.” Hearing his name stopped Brice, but he didn’t turn around. Though Dakota could have easily taken offence to the reference to his age, it truly didn’t bother him. He was well aware of the age difference between them.
Dakota ogled Brice’s back. Youth still clung to his body’s slender build. A couple of years of weight lifting could fill Brice out. But why should he care? He’d leave tomorrow and move on with his life, no longer subject to the whims of any client.
He stood and held out his hand. “Come here.”
Brice turned around but hesitated to move, and Dakota couldn’t blame him. However, he was hired to do a job. That’s what he needed to keep his mind focused on, not thinking too much about Brice’s insecurities or unlikely future possibilities.
When Brice finally approached him, his eyes were downcast and his movements slow. Unsure.
With confidence, Dakota grabbed his hand and dragged him to the bed. When they both kneeled on the mattress, Dakota leaned over and searched the bedside table drawer for what he needed. Winter had more than stocked up. There were a variety of condoms, all shapes, sizes, and styles; lubes galore; and some small sex toys, like vibrating eggs and dildos. An old childhood circus tune ran through his mind, only his version had different lyrics: Condoms and vibrators and lubes, oh my! Imagine marketing that to the public.
Shaking away the insane nonsense gathering in his head, Dakota turned back to his weekend client. He placed the paraphernalia within reach before lying back on the bed.
“Let’s see if there’s really any magic in those hands.”