Love Bytes says hello and welcome to Z. Allora visiting our blog today to share an exclusive excerpt of her new upcoming release “Lock and Key”.
Zack drove through the streets of his neighborhood. The familiar houses no longer welcomed him. He wiped at his eyes.
He’d tried. He really did! But it was exhausting.
It was stupid to have expected anything else. The moment his mother saw his stash of gay BDSM magazines, and she kicked him out.
He should just keep driving. Get on the turnpike and not look back. His older brother Dusty had given him an emergency credit card. He could go somewhere no one knew him and then maybe he’d have the freedom to explore who he was and what he wanted to be.
Dreams of disappearing vanished, as Zack’s car seemed to have a mind of its own. He pulled into his brother’s apartment complex’s parking and sat in his car.
A chirp indicated he’d gotten a text. He read the message from his little brother, Coming Out Party for ME! Come over the rainbow with me!
Zack got out of the car, responding to his youngest brother Jordon as he did. He rubbed his eyes and rang the doorbell.
His brother’s new boyfriend, Justin answered the door with a smile that dropped fast. He stepped into the hallway and called out, “Dusty!”
Dusty rushed over and grabbed Zack’s shoulders. “You okay?”
Was he? He shrugged. “Yeah.”
His older brother’s stare intensified.
Zack could flee. He should get into his car and just go. “No, I’m not.”
Without another word Dusty pulled Zack into his arms and wrapped him in a hug. Dusty quietly asked, “What happened?”
“I’ll let you two talk.” Justin started to go back into the apartment.
No, if Justin was in Dusty’s life he deserved to know. “Stay,” Zack requested.
They both waited for him to speak.
“Mom continued her rampage when she got home. She wanted to searched our bedroom to see… to see if there was anything that was gay, and then….”
Dusty exhaled hard.
A lie was on Zack’s tongue, but he let his version of the truth out. “She found my magazines and told me to get out.”
Dusty tried to piece it together. “Mom found magazines and threw you out for it?”
Zack wished his hair were longer as he admitted, “Mine. They were mine.”
“Yours… oh.” Dusty kept his expression to stay neutral.
Poor Dusty! Two brothers were coming out tonight but Zack needed everything out in the open. If Dusty couldn’t accept him then— “They aren’t what you think.”
Dusty squeezed his shoulder for a moment. “Hey, I don’t think anything.”
Zack blinked his burning eyes. “She said I was sicker than both of you put together.”
“Don’t listen to her!” Justin snapped.
Zack shook his head with conviction. “No, she’s right. I am a sick fuck.”
“You are not a sick fuck. You’re my brother and I love you. No matter what.” Dusty had always made sure Zack knew he was always loved unconditionally.
Dusty didn’t understand. He couldn’t. Zack wasn’t just gay. Some part of Zack demanded he uncover all his secrets and throw them at Dusty’s feet. “Even if this is what I like looking at?”
Zack pulled out his most hardcore BDSM fantasy magazine depicting his secret and handed what his mother called “filth” to Dusty. He waited for rejection.
There! Now let’s see if he still loves me!
“You’re my brother and I love you.” Dusty won the true brother award. “It’s okay. No judgment. Just remember sane, safe, and consensual.”
Zack bit back a sob at Dusty’s impromptu BDSM lesson and hugged him tight. He pulled Justin into the hug.
When the hug ended, Dusty played the practical big brother. “Okay. How many weeks until graduation?”
“About three and a half.” Zack scrunched his face.
“You’re eighteen. Move in with us. I’m going to work on paperwork to become Jordy’s legal guardian tomorrow. I want both of you to come on tour with me until it’s time for college.”
This again! Zack groaned. “I told you I’m not going to college. I want to be a roadie for the band.”
Dusty grimaced. “Fine. You can work as a roadie, but college is important.”
Wait—there was more than just the three brothers involved. “Justin, you can’t want us here. You guys haven’t been together that long,” Zack pointed out.
Dusty glanced over at Justin.
“Zack, I love your brother. That includes both you and Jordon by extension. Anything you need that I can help with, I’m here.”
Dusty shrugged. “Justin hasn’t even agreed to go with me on tour yet. So you’ll have to help me work on him.”
Justin snorted.
“Hey, brain giant! You can work as my personal roadie.” Dusty ruffled Zack’s hair as he bestowed the great honor upon him.
“Oh, right!” Zack teased. “And worry about mistreating your golden sticks?”
Dusty laughed. “Proper storage of my sticks is important. Come on, agree already. Traveling with The Dark Angels. Isn’t that like a high school boy’s dream?”
Ah, yes. Zack rolled his eyes. “Full of yourself much?”
“Just the reality, my dear brother, of having tens of thousands of adoring fans shouting their love. It’ll be a blast and you know it.”
Zack sighed, as if worn down by Dusty’s persuasion but he was thrilled. “Yeah, but I want to be a real roadie not just your lackey.”
“Not a problem.” Dusty pulled him in for one last, quick hug.
“What about the other stuff?” Zack asked, tapping his coat where the magazine was stashed.
“What? Are you asking for your very own dungeon?” Dusty must have decided to keep it light. “If so, I have to get off my ass and get a bigger place. Look, seriously. If you need to talk, I’m here. If I don’t know how to help you, I’ll find out.”
Justin said, “Keep it sane and safe. Okay?”
Zack nodded. “And consensual. I know. Got it.”
Dusty put a hand out to stop Zack from entering his apartment. “Oh, warning. This has turned into Jordy’s coming out party.”
“His coming out party? I thought his text was a joke.” Zack asked, “Was he ever in the closet to actually come out?”
Dusty’s laugh barked out. He opened the door to Jordon holding court. Their little brother may have been through hell tonight, but the kid was soaking up the attention the band gave him.
Zack allowed himself out of the shadows enough to take some acceptance for himself.
Lock And Key by Z. Allora
Publication Date: July 15th, 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: K-Koji
Rejected. Heartbroken. Devastated.
Zack Davis wanted to serve only one man, Andrew Nikeman. He was denied because Andrew thought he was too young and because their brothers were together. So Zack crushed his submissive tendencies and focused on being the perfect Dom, giving every sub he played with something he couldn’t have.
After years of denying his submissive side, Entwined’s charity auction “Are you Dom Enough to be a sub?” gives Zack an excuse to get a little of what he’s always craved.
Andrew doesn’t know when his infatuation turned into more, but it kills him to see Zack with a constant parade of submissives. He’d refused to jeopardize his brother’s relationship or become Zack’s regret; however, Zack isn’t a kid anymore, and his brother’s relationship is unbreakable. Now Zack’s popularity and success as a Dom might ruin Andrew’s dreams of collaring him, but he can’t wait any longer to confess his feelings or he risks losing the man he loves forever.
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Big hugs
Z. Allora
Z. Allora thinks everyone deserves a happy ending, and she makes sure they get one. Her stories are about love and romance and are tied together with erotic sex. She utilizes her time overseas and travels to bring you to places you’ve yet to visit. She introduces you to cultures you’ve yet to explore. But with every word she writes she tries to convey love is love.
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been looking forward to this one fora whi le. Have it on pre order. Cant’ wait to read