Sometimes love just ain't enough…
River Cortland trusted the person he loved. His faith couldn't protect him from the bitter sting of a cold-hearted Domme. If he's going to learn to trust again, he's got to deal with his past. His roommate and best friend, Tory, has seen the physical damage and hasn't walked away. Can he deal with the emotional scars as well?
Tory McClellan wanted the carefree life…until one night with River changed everything. There's more to the shy art teacher and Tory wants to know everything-how he tastes, the scent of his skin, the feel of his body as they make love. What terror lies behind River's brown eyes? Better yet, how can Tory make the sadness go away and be in River's life, permanently?
Reader Advisory: This story contains flashbacks of a rape, anal sex, light bondage and spanking.
General Release Date: 26th December 2011
Friends help friends no matter what.
Tory stomped on the gas and floored his Jeep across town. Rain pelted the windshield and blurred the road before him. Who needed a stupid party anyway? He barrelled down the winding asphalt road until the hazy neon of the Darkness sign came into view. Why the hell would River call? He had a car. All the other times he’d gone to Darkness, he’d come home with no issues. The fragments of the call from River played on a loop in his mind.
"Come get me. Need help. Please?"
The guy was usually unflappable and placid. For River to freak out, it had to be something huge. Tory’s heart hammered against his ribs. The fear and pain in River’s voice ate at him. Sure, he knew River liked to play at the club, but always in the past River had come home just as happy as when he’d left.
Tory wrenched the Jeep into the parking lot. Was he supposed to go inside? Wait at the door? As he drove through the parking lot, he spied a figure huddled next to the ebony column. He knew that plaid shirt. He’d given it to River last Christmas, but dear God... According to the Jeep’s display it was below freezing out. Tory jerked to a halt and burst from the vehicle. He knelt next to his friend. The bright white and deep greens were almost unrecognisable in the midst of the dark marring the cotton.
"What happened?" Tory propped River on his arm, supporting him as he stumbled to the car. "That’s what you get for being bombed." Although he worked to sound nonchalant, something wasn’t right.
River tilted his head, making Tory gasp. Both of River’s eyes were swollen, one completely shut. A cut bisected River’s cheek and blood slipped down the dirt-stained skin. His body trembled. His hair lay in damp hanks about his forehead.
"You’re shivering. Are you going to be sick?" Tory helped River into the passenger seat then grabbed a blanket from the cargo bay. He tucked the cover around River, being careful not to jostle him any more than necessary. The stench of urine emanated from River’s clothes. Tory wrinkled his nose as he clicked the seatbelt into place. The guy was in shock.
Tory drove out of the parking lot with thoughts swarming around in his head.
For six miles, he said nothing. As they passed a sign for the hospital, the thought struck. A healthy, hundred-and-eighty-pound guy didn’t just go into shock. Someone had beaten the living shit out of River and it pissed Tory off. "We need to get you looked at by a doctor."
"No," River replied quickly and grabbed Tory’s arm. "They’ll blame me."
"They?" Tory swerved against River’s grasp. "Who are they? Come on. What if something is broken?"
"I can’t go to the hospital. I won’t."
"What are you afraid of? The nurses? It’s for your own good—in case you have internal bleeding or something."
"Please? They won’t understand any of it."
"Man, you’re in shock. This could be serious."
"No." River pulled away and curled into the seat. He covered his head with his arms and sobbed. "I’ll be all right."
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.
Find out more about Megan on her website, and sign up for the newsletter here. You can also check out her Blog, Amazon Author Page, Bookbub and Instagram.
Reviewed by Two Lips Reviews
I loved the emotion and heart and soul you can feel from these characters. That is what makes this book memorable for me.
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