In 1873 Arizona, were fox Kenny Hawkins is in a world of trouble. Accused of embezzling from the bank he works at, Kenny is on the run. There's only place to go, the town he grew up in. Kenny hides out in the caves near Crystal Springs, trying to heal from being shot. Unfortunately, Silas Everett, the owner of the bank and real embezzler, is hot on Kenny's trail. When he's discovered by his old childhood friend, and teenage infatuation, Nigel Garrett, Kenny finds the love he has always been looking for. But he also realizes nobody will accept the relationship between two men. Kenny has the proof to clear his name, and he takes the chance to return to Gold City. Will he be able to reveal the truth before Everett or the were tribe catch up to him? And even if his name is cleared, what chance does he have to be with Nigel in a world where men simply don't belong together? |
| Unjustly Accused |
"I'm not going to get into trouble. Already talked to Bentley, and he said we need to get your proof over to Gold City as soon as possible. You remember the Bentleys? The youngest boy works at the newspaper in Gold City, and the oldest is a lawyer there."
With the sound of Nigel's voice in his ear, Kenny had to suppress his own reaction. He could have sworn he felt something hard digging into his backside, but it had to be his imagination. "You haven't even seen the proof yet. Ya know, I could be lying about it."
"I know you better than that, Kenneth Hawkins. You told me you have it. I don't need to see the proof to believe that."
Turning his head, Kenny found Nigel's lips too enticing close to his own. Their eyes locked and Kenny could swear Nigel was leaning toward him. What would it be like to see Nigel's eyes lit in passion and to feel those lips on his own? His breath escaped him in a sigh as his gaze lowered to Nigel's lips.
"I'm glad you returned." An odd note crept into Nigel's soft voice. "Really glad."
He heard the words but his thoughts were distracted. Did he dare? Kenny opened his mouth to say something, anything but nothing came out.
As if reading his thoughts, Nigel lifted his hand and the light brush of his fingers strayed over Kenny's cheek. "I've thought a lot about you since you left with your parents, Kenny."
His gaze flew back to Nigel's as he took in the words. It felt like there was a deeper message within them, but Kenny wasn't sure if it was what he thought. "I thought a lot about you too, Nigel."
It was the only thing he could think of to say, and it was the truth. Dreams of Nigel had haunted Kenny for most of his life. Something must have shown in Kenny's expression, something that gave away what he tried desperately to hide.
"If I kissed you, would you run from me?"
With Nigel's question, all thought left Kenny's brain. "I'd never run."
It has some erotic sexual scenes but I had to build the plot too, ya know. This is an Outlaw Heat Sheet for Phaze, coming out in October. |