Chapter 43

 

Even after Sam and Wyatt left, the party took a while to wind down. Grandma kept the food coming and the booze flowing, so it was no wonder. She entertained Judge Ron while his older brother dozed in a lounge chair.

By the evening the last of the stragglers had gone home and the party was officially over. Rico, Mitch and Sammy stayed over at his grandmother's so Sammy could watch the decorations being dismantled and taken away. Every few minutes she would go, "Oh, no!" and "Bye bye."

Though the guests had cleared out and most of the decorations were gone, Rico felt like he was under the influence of the whole amazing day, sort of drunk on it. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see the green of that orchard, smell the scent of peaches, hear the vows while his eyes strayed to Mitch. The memory made Rico's heart feel full all over again.

While Rico was leaning on the veranda railing and basking in the post-wedding glow, Mitch came over. Stepping behind him and putting his arms on either side of Rico, Mitch gripped the railing and whispered right in his ear. "How would you liked to go somewhere so we can be alone?"

"Always," Rico said immediately and turned to give him a beaming smile.

 

Grandma and Sammy were taking some of the flowers inside to decorate the house, so they were going to be busy for a while. Mitch and Rico checked in with the two of them then they were free to go.

"Where to?" Rico asked.

"Let's go to our bell tower," Mitch said.

"Our bell tower?" Rico said as they headed toward the abandoned church.

"Yes. I want to watch the sunset," Mitch told him.

Rico was all for it. They climbed up just in time to see Peach Tree Hill start to glow with the coral and gold of the setting sun. Sitting on the rough bell tower floor, they arranged themselves just like last time, with Rico sitting between Mitch's legs and leaning back against his chest. The view shifted very slowly, becoming more beautiful though it would all soon go dark.

"I feel like I should make a wish," Rico said with a chuckle. "Here goes. I want Sam to be happy and Wyatt too."

Mitch kissed him on the cheek and Rico could feel him smile. "The hill looks spectacular," he said as the sun lit it up from behind and they could see the trees outlined against the deepening red.

"That's why Sam and Wyatt had their hearts set on having their wedding there," Rico told him. "But they hit a snag. They didn't allow weddings in the orchard, too disruptive or something. Then grandma worked her magic and got the owner to agree to make an exception."

"The owner didn't have a problem with a gay wedding, I guess," Mitch said and held Rico tighter.

"That might have been the deciding factor actually. Turns out the owner of the orchard is gay too," Rico said and dropped his head against Mitch's shoulder. "He decided to make a new rule. Weddings on the hill are for locals only. Too bad they didn't have the wedding in the spring. Wyatt wanted a wedding when the peach trees were in bloom, but he couldn't wait that long."

"Good," Mitch said for some reason.

"Good?"

Mitch didn't explain himself. Instead he asked, "Do we count as locals?"

Rico started to answer without thinking. "If you stick around and I..." Then it hit him. "What? Why...?" Rico trailed off, dumbfounded. He fought to catch his breath and just stared straight ahead while Mitch spoke in a deep, mellow voice like something out of a dream.

"We can have our wedding at sunset under the peach trees in bloom. That is, if you think you might like to get married."

"Mitch?" Rico gasped then he swallowed. Slowly he turned to face Mitch then just blinked at him. He had to say something, but words just wouldn't come. Hell, he wasn't sure if he was even breathing.

Watching him struggle to speak or at least breathe, Mitch took his hand and stopped him. "Hold on. First, let me tell you something. I love you. That's why I want to marry you. Even if you don't feel the same way, I just want you to know how I feel, how much I want to be with you."

"Do you have wedding fever?" Rico blurted out. He touched Mitch's forehead and then let his hand drop like he didn't have the strength to hold it up.

Staring into his eyes intently, Mitch grabbed his hand again and brought it to his lips. He gave it a soft, lingering kiss that made Rico lose all sense of time as the reflection of the sunset colored the rough wood and peeling paint. Everything was so unreal and beautiful.

But this wasn't a dream, Rico reminded himself as he realized he couldn't space out like an idiot. Not when he hadn't answered Mitch yet.

Before that, he had to confirm that he didn't imagine the whole thing after all. "Hey, did you just ask me to marry you?"

"I did," Mitch said, his voice gravelly.

"And did you mean it?"

"I did. But I'll wait for your answer. If you..."

"Yes, I'll marry you," Rico said. Then he let out a shaky laugh as tears started to fill his eyes. "Of course I'll marry you. I love you." He practically sobbed the words as he threw himself into Mitch's arms.

Mitch kissed him hard then stared at him while smiling and mussing his hair. "Fuck, you make me so happy. You're incredible."

"No, you are. You're always surprising the hell out of me. I love you so damn much, but one thing," Rico said as he sat so he straddled Mitch's legs. He sniffled and wiped his ones then he got serious. "When we tell the story of how you proposed, I'm not crying, OK. You proposed, and I was totally chill about it, like, 'Cool idea, bro. Let's do this thing.' And I punched your arm. No crying. That's the version we're telling."

Mitch nodded. "Whatever you say. " He gave Rico an ironic, blue-eyed look before he kissed him again.

His future husband was kissing him, and the thought of it was just too much. In the next second, Rico was shaky again and leaning heavily against Mitch just trying to breathe. "I feel like I'm going to fall apart."

"This is too soon?" Mitch asked worriedly as he rubbed his back.

"No," Rico said quickly like he was afraid Mitch would take it back. He sat up and reassured Mitch. "I'm happy. You just shocked the hell out of me. You do that a lot, you know. And I love it. I love you. God, I love you so much."

"Maybe I did rush a little," Mitch said. "But I couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I had this idea that I had a better shot at getting a yes today than any other day."

"Because I was still in a post wedding swoon. You're crafty," Rico told him, but he was thrilled at the thought that Mitch wanted him like that.

"I didn't know how you would feel about getting married, but I had to take a chance," Mitch said, looking into his eyes while his hands smoothed down Rico's back and locked around his waist.

"A yes was guaranteed. I'm all yours till the end of time," Rico told him and angled his head for a sweet, long kiss.

"I'm glad I finally got up enough courage to tell you how I feel," Mitch told him with their lips only inches apart as they shared small kisses and caressed each other in the fading light of the sunset.

"I had things to confess too," Rico told him. "Like how I'm crazy about you and want to be with you more than anything. But there's no rush. I have my whole life to tell you that. That's how long we're going to be together."

"Yes, we will. Forever," Mitch said and kissed him deep and hard.

 

Rico didn't know how long they kissed until he noticed how dark it was and that the stars were already out. They were lying together, wrapped up in each other.

"All this time I was afraid that some day soon you would decide to leave town, and I kind of had this crazy idea of going wherever you went," Rico said.

"I wish I had known. Every time I thought about leaving, it hurt so much because I didn't know if I could get you to come with us," Mitch told him.

"I would have gone anywhere. I still will if you want me to," Rico told him.

"This is the right place for us as long as you're here," Mitch told him. The back of Rico's head cradled in the crook of his arm, Mitch leaned in and kissed him.

 

There had been plenty of daylight left when they came, but now they had to use their phones to light their way back. Arriving at Grandmother's place, they found Sammy bustling around the table on the veranda, placing napkins decorated with flowers at each plate.

"Let me guess. We're eating wedding food," Rico said to her while Mitch gave her a hug.

"Yes!" Sammy said. "And all the desserts too."

"Not all the desserts," Mitch said a little alarmed.

Rico wasn't sure when they would be telling her they were engaged, but then Mitch gave him a nod. He got on one knee in front of Sammy and told her. "I have some news. Enrico and I are going to get married because I love him very much."

Sammy gasped. "Another wedding," she said. Then she looked startled. "Daddy!" she squealed and looked like she would cry. "That means Rico is gonna be with us forever and ever and ever."

"Yes, it does," Mitch told her and now he looked a little teary eyed too.

"I'm gonna cry like DJ because I'm too happy," she said with a pout as she blinked at Mitch and at Rico.

"You're not crying," Rico told her and got down to hug her. "You're a grown up lady, and we love you."

"Rico, we're gonna have a wedding too!" she told him excitedly, like he might not have realized.

"Yes, we are," Rico told her.

"With lots of flowers." She looked from him to Mitch, and they both nodded. "And a cake," she reminded him very seriously, like she thought the wedding cake might somehow be left off the list.

"The biggest cake you ever saw," Rico told her just as his grandmother came out to set a big platter of hors d'oeuvres on the table.

Sammy rushed over to her. "Rico's grandma! We're gonna have a wedding! Another wedding!"

"Oh, my," Grandma said and she looked from her to Mitch and Rico. "And who is getting married?"

"Daddy and Rico. Daddy loves Rico," Sammy told her.

"And I love him too," Rico told Sammy, who looked so happy.

"You give the best news," Grandma said to Sammy and wrapped her in a hug. "And now that we're gonna be family, you can call me Grandma."

"OK, Grandma," Sammy said.

Now Grandma came over to Rico and he got a big hug too. "You sure know how to make your grandma happy. And so do you," she said and reached out to pull Mitch into a hug.

 

As they sat down to dinner, Rico wasn't sure he could eat. He was so overwhelmed, but Sammy knew what they needed to do next.

"We have to tell Natalie and Veronica about the wedding," she said.

"They'll be so excited," Rico told her.

"They will," Sammy insisted.

Actually, Rico couldn't wait to tell Sam that he got engaged on his wedding day, but he wasn't about to interrupt his honeymoon. Rico wondered what it would be like when he told his parents. Tomorrow when he called them, he would find out. They were going to be shocked, but Mitch was bound to win them over in the end. Looking across the table at him, Rico smiled then he winked at Sammy.

 

That night, Grandma invited Sammy over for a sleepover. Though Sammy missed the kittens, she was happy to get to stay and eat more cake. As he and Mitch left, Grandma and Sammy waved from the porch.

"Kiss the kitties for me. Tell them I love them lots," Sammy called out before they drove away.

Once they arrived at the house, Rico did her one better and let her faceTime with them. Natalie kind of attacked his phone, and Sammy loved that, so the faceTiming was a success.

 

While Rico was doing that, Mitch had gone up to his bedroom. Now Rico was going upstairs too. On the way, he wondered what Mitch was doing up there. Walking into the bedroom, Rico got to see for himself what had kept Mitch busy.

The light was off in the room and several candles had been lit and set up on the two nightstands. Grandmother had sent them off with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. They were in Mitch's hands now as he came over to greet him.

"I thought we should do this by candlelight," Mitch said and he kissed him.

Rico was speechless. The setting was simple but it did the trick. Mitch handed him the glasses and uncorked the champagne. He poured then kissed Rico again.

"I've never done this kind of thing for anyone. You know, tried to set the scene," Mitch said as he looked around the room like he wanted to do more.

"It's perfect. I love it," Rico told him as he pressed himself against Mitch. "And I love you for doing it and for tons of other reasons."

They sipped champagne and stared into each other's eyes. But they couldn't wait much longer. Setting aside the glasses, they wrapped their arms around each other and dropped on the bed still kissing.

They rolled around, stripped one another however they could. As Mitch's incredible body stood revealed, Rico moaned low in his throat and started kissing every inch of skin he could reach. Mitch was on top of him, but Rico needed him even closer.

Aching for him so hard, Rico wanted to taste him, devour him. He was ready to lose control. Rising above him, Mitch stopped him by capturing his mouth with a kiss.

His lips tasted like champagne and his beard teased Rico's skin as he moved lower. Sliding down, Mitch let him feel every kiss lingering against his throat then down the center of his chest.

The whole time Rico groped him and moaned his name. Then Mitch had his cock in his mouth and Rico's whole body became electrified. Mitch sucked him and made his bones melt, but he didn't let him come like that.

Releasing his cock, Mitch moved up his body once more, biting and licking, his breath hot against Rico's skin. Rico was crazy for him, wild with unsatisfied need, and that's just how Mitch wanted him.

"I love you like this," Mitch said and pushed his arms up. Mitch kissed his face, his throat, his heaving chest while Rico begged to be fucked.

"Tonight, I'm going to love you," Mitch corrected him.

Lowering himself on top of him, Mitch kissed his mouth and grabbed condoms and lube. Heavy and muscular, Mitch felt so good. But then he was up and folding Rico's legs out of his way.

Kissing his inner thigh, Mitch stroked his hole and pushed his fingers in, making Rico slick and shivery. A few more strokes and Rico couldn't take any more. In a begging voice, Rico told him he was ready, but Mitch wanted to make sure.

"I want you to love it," Mitch told him.

"I will. I love you. Please," Rico gasped.

With a nod and a sexy grin, Mitch got into position. Rico cursed and grabbed the backs of his knees, dying for it.

Mitch said his name and pushed in. The pressure of Mitch's cock opening him up, it was just right. Rico hissed through gritted teeth and shuddered as Mitch went deep.

All the way in, he kissed Rico then started thrusting. He went slow at first, pumping inside him with a steady rhythm. Rico's senses were consumed by the steely heat filling him up.

"Oh, fuck. So good," Rico moaned helpless to the feeling. It was better than good and the pleasure only kept building.

The pounding got faster, harder, rocking him and shaking him apart until he was whimpering uncontrollably. Mitch's blue eyes were everything he saw. His cock inside him, his muscles flexing under his groping hands were the only things Rico felt.

Then he was losing it, tightening around Mitch as his come shot up and he screamed Mitch's name. The only thing he needed now was to feel Mitch come. He did, coming hard, growling Rico's name then kissing him like none of his desire had burned away.

Rico never felt so wanted in his life or so satisfied. That was perfect. Everything he wanted in one man.

"You're a dream," he told Mitch as they lay entwined together. "I can't even believe how amazing you are."

"I'm just a handyman who barely scrapes together a living, but I do love you," Mitch told him.

"You're perfect. I love you, but you also piss me off a lot," Rico said.

"You have that turned around," Mitch told him as he rubbed his hands through Rico's damp hair.

That's when they heard a familiar sound at the door. "The kittens want in," Mitch said and he got out of bed to go get them.

As soon as he brought them over, Veronica jumped out of his hand and onto the bed. Then she pawed across the sheet and climbed over Rico's chest until she was nose to nose with him. "What do you say? You think we'll be fighting all the time?" Rico asked the kitten.

Mitch didn't let her answer. "We won't fight all the time."

"See. We're fighting already," Rico pointed out to Veronica, but she just climbed off him and perched on the pillow above his head.

"She's not on your side," Mitch told him as he placed Natalie next to her.

"Doesn't matter. There is no one I'd rather fight with," Rico declared and he kissed Mitch.

Mitch rolled them over so he was on top of him. He gazed down at Rico and told him, "I love you like crazy."

"Do you?" Rico challenged him.

"Yeah, I do. You kill me." Mitch kissed him then he said into his hair, "And you make me happy."

"Me too," Rico said in a hoarse voice. Right then, he experienced such an intense feeling of happy terror. It tightened his chest and stole his breath away.

He was going to be Mitch's husband. Did he know how to be a husband? To hell with it. Even if he did it all wrong and screwed up all the time, he would just hold onto him for dear life and never let him go.

 

The end

Also by Trina Solet

Wyatt was never the good brother. He was the troublemaker, the one who escaped to Europe when his family couldn't accept who he was. But now that his older brother is gone, Wyatt is the only one who can take care of his two little nephews, DJ and Riley.

Is Wyatt up to the daunting task? No one is sure, not even him.

It's a big change in his life, but his nephews need him. After losing their parents, the two little boys are heartbroken. Wyatt doesn't want to uproot them so he moves to the small town of Peach Tree. He doesn't expect small town life to be to his liking until he meets Sam, the young guy who works at the cafe in town.

They have an immediate connection, and Sam is the sweetest guy. But Sam is prone to panic attacks and he only just escaped his abusive ex.

Sam doesn't plan to get involved with anyone until Wyatt comes along. He thinks a real relationship between them is impossible, but Wyatt isn't so easily discouraged. He's a man who knows what he wants, and he's not afraid to go after it. Sam came into his life on the heels of tragedy and that makes Wyatt treasure him all the more.

Just when Wyatt is sure to get his way, trouble finds them. With Wyatt by his side, can Sam finally fight back against his fear, or will it wreck everything he found?

Christmas is approaching fast and Gary Radcliff is still recovering from an injury. He can use some help especially with his little boy, Scotty. Gary doesn't want him to be cooped up when there might be snow out there any day now. He hires Wayne to help him give his kid a happy Christmas.

Wayne has worked as a health aid before but never as a manny. He takes his work seriously, but it turns out that working for Gary and Scotty is more fun than work. Right away, he fits in with those two.

He also finds himself incredibly drawn to Gary. Unaware that Gary feels the same way, Wayne thinks it's hopeless. If only Wayne can be brave enough to speak up, their attraction might turn into so much more.

It doesn't take much to ignite their desire, but will demands of real life get in the way of their happy life?

After getting burned in his last relationship, Diego isn't looking to get involved. He is willing to allow only one little guy into his heart. That little guy is his irrepressible, four-year-old son, Jamie. But Trevor, a young neighbor who just moved in, might turn out to be too much of a temptation for Diego.

Trevor is taking care of his one-year-old cousin, but he's worried he might lose custody. He has quite a few challenges in his life, and Diego is driven to help him overcome them.

As the two families bond, the guys find their feelings for each other growing stronger. It's only a matter of time before they'll have to admit that they found in each other everything they ever wanted.

Until this fateful night, Will Galen lived an ordinary life in his family cottage and peaceful village. Tonight Will has set out to finally satisfy his curiosity about the mysterious, forbidden river that everyone fears. He finds no answers at the riverside, but he does find a helpless child and takes him home.

Though the child is only a sweet, three-year-old boy, he is greeted with superstition and fear by Will's father and his grandmother. They claim the boy carries the river's curse and want to cast him out. To keep the child safe, Will must take him away from there and not look back.

As he leaves behind his family and the place where he has lived all his life, Will finds one bright spot. The man he has been lusting after comes to his rescue and takes Will and the boy home with him.

Russ is a rough looking man with a big heart. Will is more taken with him every day, but what will happen when Russ discovers the secrets Will has been keeping about the boy?

Even if Russ can accept the strange child, their troubles are not over. As Will and Russ become close, they must risk everything when a terrible curse threatens to take away the little boy they have come to love and think of as their own.

Marshall Bowen is more comfortable sitting in a boardroom, but now he has his baby niece, Tessa, to take care of. Until very recently, Marshall didn't even know he had a sister, and the baby is a complete shock to him. He's out of his comfort zone and doesn't know the first thing about taking care of a baby. But he'll have to learn fast.

He does have some help. Cody is his late sister's best friend, and he has become incredibly attached to the baby. After he and Cody meet, Marshall is determined to keep the young man around. It's only for Tessa's sake, of course. He would never indulge in his budding attraction to the baby's manny.

Cody is glad to help Marshall take care of Tessa, but it's only a temporary arrangement. Once Marshall gets the hang of parenting, Cody will go back to his old life. He can't stay Tessa's manny forever, can he?

But what will happen when Cody wants more? Will Marshall want a future with him?

Miles is not looking forward to a lonely Christmas when a chance encounter with his ex boss changes his prospects.

When Miles worked at his bookstore, Gavin was a strict boss and a secret crush. Gavin's life has changed since Miles saw him last, but he still seems unattainable.

Miles can't stay away from him though and ends up spending time with his little boy too. Benji is the big change in Gavin's life, and being a dad suits him perfectly. But will he see Miles as someone who can join their family, or will his misgivings win out in the end?

Ned needs a babysitter for his daughter, Mina. When he hires Jeff, he ends up with a manny and so much more.

Mina is a vulnerable child who has endured too many losses. Ned has given her a new life, but she doesn't come out of her shell for just anyone.

When Jeff comes into their lives, he wins her over and starts out babysitting for only a few hours a day. That's long enough for him to realize that he's incredibly attracted to Ned.

Ned feels the same way, but he's a professor and Jeff is a student at his college. Ned is determined to keep his distance. That only lasts until he learns that Jeff has been keeping something from him. When Ned finds out that Jeff has no place to live, he invites him home and hires him as Mina's manny.

There's no turning back now. Living in the same house, neither man can deny his feelings for long. But when danger disrupts their happy life, Jeff blames himself. Can Ned convince him to stay? The next time danger strikes, Jeff might be the only one who can protect what's most precious to them both.

Phillip Morton is a disciplined and self-assured young executive, but that's only on the surface. His heart is in turmoil. He has just discovered that his late brother might have left behind a child. This child is only a rumor, a possibility, but Phillip sets out to find him.

To help him with his search, he brings along Leon, his assistant. Leon is very young and new to his job. Phillip doesn't want things between them to turn too personal, but he needs Leon to keep him sane.

Even as he searches for his nephew, Phillip is afraid to hope. After the heart-wrenching loss of his estranged brother, it seems too much to expect that this child could be real.

It turns out that Ant, short for Anthony Morton Junior, is very real indeed. He is a sweet three-year-old living in precarious circumstances with an elderly relative. Phillip has found them just in time.

As Leon lends a hand with all the new challenges in Phillip's life, the two of them are growing closer every day. If only Leon can free himself of the demons from his childhood. While Leon's past still haunts him, he and Phillip can't rush into anything.

Will Phillip's love and patience win out in the end so they can all become a family?

"Can you get me a man for Christmas?"

When he said those fateful words, Ben didn't know what he was setting in motion.

Ben is a busy dad to a four year old little girl. He doesn't have much time for a social life, but he wasn't serious when he asked for a man for Christmas. His daughter, Maya, doesn't know that. She is determined to play Santa and get her dad the gift he asked for.

The man she picks for her dad is her preschool teacher, Jason Kenney. Neither Jason nor Maya think he's the right man to be a present for Ben, so why is he standing there on Christmas Eve with a gift bow in his hair?

Smarting from a recent breakup, Jason isn't looking forward to the holidays. Despite his reservations, Jason gets tangled up with Ben. There is something about Ben that he just can't resist. As their feelings intensify, will spending Christmas together turn into something more?

Mack and Enzo are roommates and nothing more. While sharing the same apartment, they live separate lives. Enzo is sweet but painfully shy. Mack is gruff and kind of intimidating. He's had a hard life and doesn't let his guard down easily.

Now Mack is anticipating a lonely Thanksgiving dinner, but Enzo won't let that happen. When he hears that Mack is going to be all alone for Thanksgiving, he gets up the courage to make him an offer. But things don't go as planned in more ways than one.

With the best of intentions, Enzo has woken up something in Mack that he might not be ready for. Can Mack stop hiding and holding back? When Enzo asks for too much from him, can he say yes anyway?

Alex and Vaughn have been frenemies for a while, but they never spent any time alone together. That all changes on Thanksgiving night. When they become concerned about a friend in crisis, Alex and Vaughn are thrown together as they go in search of him.

The guys make an unlikely team. Alex thinks Vaughn is too uptight and would never be interested in a carefree guy like him. Vaughn thinks Alex is irresponsible, but being around him breaks down his resistance. The more time they spend together, the closer they get. By the end of the night, they can't keep their hands off each other. But will they admit how they really feel or will it all be over when their mission ends?

Wes is living a lonely, stark existence when he meets Colin, a lively young guy in desperate circumstances. Wes is so taken with him that he has to have him. His decision to invite Colin to spend the night is going to turn his quiet life upside down.

Colin almost finds himself sleeping on the street. When the tall, blond man makes him an offer, he can't say no either to the money or to the man. Colin is impulsive and full of contradictions. He refuses to sell himself for money and ends up homeless because of it. But when Wes offers to pay him for sex, Colin jumps at the chance to go home with him. Something about Wes strikes a chord with Colin. He knows there is a warm heart under the serious, impassive exterior and an awesome body under all the layers of winter clothes.

Things don't go as planned when Wes decides that Colin is too young and inexperienced and refuses to sleep with him. That doesn't mean that he can stay away from someone who shakes up his world.

The more time Colin spends with Wes, the more he wants him. Colin isn't shy about getting what he wants. His relentless pursuit might pay off if Wes doesn't let family complications and his fears about the future keep them apart. Will Wes let go of his inhibitions and allow himself to love the younger man?

Jacob and his son, Toby, have just moved to a small town. Everything is going well so far, except for one thing – who is Toby talking to in the back garden? There's no one there.

Ian is wondering the same thing. He's taking time off from college to be with his dad. One day he sees the little boy acting strangely, and he decides to look into it.

While Ian is trying to solve the mystery of what Toby is seeing, he and Jacob grow closer. Jacob is a man Ian can trust and lean on at a difficult time. Jacob has some reservations about Ian, but his feelings are too strong to be denied. Even as unexplained events surround them, these two can't stay away from each other.

Good thing because when Ian finds the answers he's looking for, he's going to need Jacob more than ever.

Blake Adler is back in town on a mission. Years ago Blake's father cut him out of his life so completely that he never spoke of him. Now that his father has passed away, Blake finally gets to meet his younger brother and sister. But Blake didn't come back to Meadowview for a reunion with his lost family. He's desperate to find the man he can't live without and win back the love he threw away.

Blake and Reese were once best friends. They could have been more, but Blake screwed up the most important relationship of his life. Now he wants to fix things with Reese, if he can only find him.

Blake isn't the only one looking for Reese. No matter how far Reese runs, trouble follows him. Wild and vulnerable, he always had it rough. The one good thing in his life was Blake.

Now Reese is taking a big risk coming back to town. It might be worth it if he can reclaim the man he can't stop thinking about, the one who rejected him, the one he loves more than anyone.

Is there anything Vince and Cal won't do for each other? The two of them grew up together and fell deeply in love. They were poor but happy until Cal made a big mistake and ended up in jail. He did it for Vince. To get him out, Vince is willing to do anything. Roland Granger has the power and influence to make Cal a free man. All he wants in return is Vince. Even if Cal never forgives him, Vince is willing to sacrifice himself. Now he has to make sure that Cal accepts this unwanted help. And while Vince is trying to set things right in his own life, can he reunite Roland with a self-destructive young man who loves him?

Alec has retreated to his childhood home after a life of too much fun. When a little boy is abandoned on the road leading to Alec's home town of Seaview Pines, Alec is the one who ends up taking care of him. Now Cory is on his way to join them. He was abandoned by his mother as well and wants to give Teddy, his little brother, the family he never had. As they spend time together, it's up to Cory to draw out the serious, silent little boy. He also has to convince Alec that his home town isn't just a temporary refuge. It's where all three of them belong.

While looking for solitude, James finds love.

As soon as he arrives at the secluded, tropical villa, James knows he has found the ideal spot. Tranquil and remote, this place is just what he needs to get over a painful breakup. In perfect solitude, James's heart can begin to heal. But what if his solitude isn't so perfect, and Rob is. He is the young man who intrudes on James's privacy and steals his heart.

Rob is too much of a temptation for the cautious and uptight James. Even as he gives in to his desire, James reminds himself that this is just a vacation fling. Then why is the thought of leaving Rob tearing him apart? He can't get enough of the younger man. Once James has his body, he can't live without having his heart.

James thinks his yearning is hopeless. Then a revelation about Rob's circumstances changes everything. Will James have the courage to act on his feelings? He has to. This is his chance to have Rob, to give him the life he deserves and to truly love him.

Why would Owen be terrified of Connie and Maggie, his two adorable little nieces? Because he is about to be left alone with them. Owen thinks he is going to have to take care of his nieces by himself until Dan shows up. If Owen approves, Dan is ready to be the girls' manny. Right from the start, Dan is a big help and an even bigger temptation. And Owen isn't the only one being tempted. When he was younger, Dan had a crush on Owen. Now that he is living with him, Owen has never looked hotter. The crush is back in full force. Too bad Dan isn't the kind of guy Owen is into. But even a hint that he is interested might spur Dan to make a move. Unfortunately, Dan is bringing trouble with him, and he doesn't even know it. When Owen becomes a target, will Dan be there in time to save him?

Mark is a struggling college student who has been working as a nanny for a nice family, but they don’t need him any more. Zack has been raising his son, Al, by himself and needs help. Al is a funny kid, and Zack is a funny dad, but more serious issues lurk under the surface. Will Mark be able to deal with these two? And how will Zack and Mark deal with their mutual attraction?

A very young, rich widower needs a nanny, but a hot manny would be even better. That's where Nate comes in. Brent is a loving but irresponsible father to two young children from a marriage of convenience. He needs Nate in his life, but how will Nate, a first time nanny, fit into his unconventional household? The kids are a handful, especially little Georgie. Her big brother, Ricky, has a few issues of his own. But Nate is more than ready to take on the challenge and let all three of them steal his heart.

Patrick and his little sister, Wendy, have just moved into Duncan's building and that means trouble. Patrick is exactly the kind of guy Duncan can't resist. Together he and his little sister might be the family Duncan has been yearning for but only if he takes a chance and lets them into his heart. Unfortunately, Duncan hasn't been lucky when it comes to relationships. After getting his heart broken too many times, he has sworn off younger men. While Duncan struggles against his attraction to him, Patrick is determined to win him over. As Patrick tries to change his mind, can he also heal Duncan's broken heart?