Hi, I’m Elizabeth Noble and I’ve brought an excerpt from my new release, High Test. There’s also a contest! The winners will be announced Dec 23. Thank you Dani and everyone at Love Bytes for hosting me today.
Neal had flipped on the television but wasn’t watching it. He’d donned a robe and was sitting at the table with a laptop and open sketchbook. Every few seconds he’d tap on the keyboard, then turn to the sketch pad and make some alteration to whatever he was drawing on the paper. Hayden stood quietly near the bathroom door, leaned back against the wall, and watched Neal work.
Staring intently at his project, Neal sucked his lower lip between his teeth. He combed the fingers of his free hand through his hair. It was more disheveled than normal, and a few thick strands had fallen out of place and lay across his forehead. When Neal put the end of his pencil in his mouth and moved his jaw so the pencil bobbed around a little bit, Hayden’s cock gave a slight twitch.
Neal stopped what he was doing and looked up. “I had that being watched feeling.” He closed the sketchbook and smiled. “I thought I’d get a bit of work done.”
“You’re cute when you work.”
“Oh, that’s what I always go for. The cute work ethic,” Neal teased and stood up to stretch. The robe fell open, giving Hayden a glimpse of bronze skin with a dark line of hair running along his midline to vanish beneath blue-and-gray boxers. “I’d better start getting ready.” He closed his laptop and shoved it into a carry bag.
Neal headed to the bathroom but stopped when Hayden put his arm around his waist. “I… um… feel…. Us. It hasn’t been that long, but it’s special, what we have,” Hayden whispered.
“It is.” Neal put one finger under Hayden’s chin and tilted his head up. He brushed his lips over Hayden’s. “I don’t fall into bed with just anyone.” He ran the backs of his fingers gently over Hayden’s cheek and murmured, “I won’t be long.”
Hayden let his head fall back against the wall and stood there until he heard the water in the shower begin to run. Heaving a deep sigh, he finally pushed himself into motion and headed to the closet. As he dressed, he played over various scenarios in his head about how he’d disclose everything to Neal. He kept telling himself over and over it would all work out and Neal would understand. Maybe they’d even get a good laugh out of the whole thing.
He was standing in front of the big mirror over the dresser tying his tie when Neal left the bathroom. Hayden met his gaze in the mirror and smiled shyly.
“Wow. Mr. Owens, you look fantastic. I love the color of your tie. It’s perfect for you.” Neal took hold of Hayden’s shoulders and turned him so he faced Neal.
Hayden’s cheeks warmed when Neal’s gaze roamed appreciatively up and down Hayden’s body. “Who does your tailoring?”
Hayden looked down at himself, then brushed his hands over his jacket. “I was hoping you’d like it. My friend Rick is working on breaking into men’s clothing design.” He grinned and shrugged. “I’m sort of his guinea pig a lot. I figure I get the better end of that deal—most of the time. The shiny, multicolored checkered pocket squares that were supposed to look hip failed miserably.”
That made Neal laugh. “I bet they did, but sometimes you have to take chances.”
“Those were a tiny bit too chancy.”
Blurb:
Hayden Owens is just your typical graduate student working his way through school as a barista for the Owens Coffee Company—no relation. But he keeps the “no relation” part to himself when he meets dashing, older Neal Kirchner, a successful architect from an old-money family. Hayden doesn’t exactly lie, but he figures it can’t hurt for Neal to believe he’s a rich kid. After all, Hayden doesn’t want Neal thinking he’s a gold digger.
The closer they become, the harder it gets for Hayden to come clean. Something always seems to get in the way. When a company bankruptcy and a jilted, vindictive woman threaten to expose his charade, Hayden thinks it’s all gone down the drain. Luckily Neal is ready with some innocent trickery of his own.
Mystery, action, chills, and thrills spiced with romance and desire. ELIZABETH NOBLE started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into books and fan fiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with others is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming.
Elizabeth has three grown children, two grandchildren, and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed-breed canine princess and her sidekick tabby cat. Elizabeth lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening and winter and summer sports (go Tribe and Cavs!) and stargazing all year long. When she’s not writing, she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives.
Elizabeth has received a number of amateur writing awards. Since being published, several of her novels have received Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Jewel Cave was a runner-up in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category in the 2015 Rainbow Awards. Ringed Love was a winner in the Gay Fantasy Romance category of the 2016 Rainbow Awards.
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Thank you for hosting me!
A first kiss is magical…because the future can be glimpsed in the connection you’re making. And your toes tingle.
Ah… memories.