Risk Taker
Mixed Messages Series, Book 3
Lily Morton
M/M Romance
Release Date: 07.22.18
Cover Design: Natasha Snow
BLURB
Being in love with your best friend is hard.
Henry’s the odd man out. All his friends are settling down, and his reputation as the Hook-Up King of London seems more like a curse than a blessing these days. Especially when it keeps photojournalist Ivo, his best friend and the brilliant man he’s loved since they were fifteen, at arm’s length. But that’s where Ivo wants him, right? Putting aside his feelings, Henry decides to give up casual sex and look for the real deal. After all, he has no chance with Ivo – or does he?
Henry is everything to Ivo. Best friend, soul mate, the one person who has never let him down. The one person he is loyal to above everything and everyone. But Henry’s in a box marked best friend and that’s where Ivo’s kept him for nearly twenty years, despite steadily falling in love with the gentle man. And besides, why would Henry want to date Ivo? Burned out and injured, he’s the walking embodiment of damaged.
Distance has helped Henry and Ivo keep a lid on their attraction, but when they find themselves in the same city for a change—Ivo hurt and needing assistance, and Henry more than willing to provide it—the two best friends grow closer than ever, forcing a realization, and a decision. Risk their friendship for their hearts? Or can they have both?
From the bestselling author of Rule Breaker and Deal Maker comes a tender love story about two best friends who are perfect for each other, and always have been – if only they knew it.
This is the third book in the Mixed Messages series, but it can be read as a standalone.
EXCERPT
I stand on the doorstep of Gabe and Dylan’s house and ring the bell. Then, for good measure, I bang very loudly on the door.
“I’m coming,” comes the irritated shout from inside, and I smirk.
Finally, the door opens, revealing Dylan in a pair of ripped jeans and a baggy sweatshirt that I’m sure used to belong to Gabe when we were at uni. “Henry!” he exclaims. He looks behind me. “I thought you were on another date?”
“I was,” I say grimly.
“Oh,” he says in an amused voice. “Gabe’s not here, though. He’s still at the office.”
I shrug. “I’m not fussy who I talk to. One friend is as good as another. Particularly when they’re both such wonderful matchmakers,” I say silkily.
Realisation dawns. “Ah,” he says nervously. “Are you sure you don’t really want Gabe?”
I smile blandly. “I think you’re fairly interchangeable in this situation.”
He blanches slightly and beckons me in.
I follow him inside and through to the kitchen. “Coffee?” he asks. His lip quirks. “Or vodka?”
I throw my coat over the sofa. “It’s definitely a vodka evening.”
He laughs and grabs a bottle of Beluga Gold Line vodka from the freezer and some shot glasses. “Bless Gabe and his multitude of good liquor.”
I eye the bottles on the side. “Is he stockpiling?”
He wanders into the lounge, and we settle down on the sectional sofa.
“He watched The Walking Dead the other night and got ideas,” he says happily.
“To hoard alcohol?”
He shrugs. “He said if conversation was going to be that basic in the new world order he’d stay drunk.” I laugh, and he sets my glass down on the coffee table in front of me. Pouring me a shot, he raises his eyebrow. “Was it bad?”
I groan and shake my head before tilting the glass and throwing the drink back. “I don’t think bad is a word that quite covers that experience.”
He smirks. “What happened?”
I look at him. “I think you know, Dylan. I’m becoming convinced that this is either some strange plan of yours and Gabe’s, or you are the absolute worst matchmakers in history.”
He leans forwards, his eyes alight with mischief. “Tell me.”
“My date tonight didn’t come alone. His grandmother joined us.”
Dylan blinks. “Well, that’s nice I suppose. I mean at least it means he’s family oriented.”
“Oh, he’s that alright,” I say grimly. “She’s dead.”
Dylan spits his drink out and I nod sternly. “Yes, I was introduced to her urn.” Dylan snorts, and I shake my head. “He consulted her over the menu and the accompanying wine.” I pause. “Actually, she picked a good one so I can’t fault her on that.”
“Well, that sounds nice,” he says slowly. “Weird but nice.” He pauses. “Let’s call it quirky.”
“Let’s not,” I say baldly.
Lily writes contemporary romance novels, and specialises in hot love stories with a good dose of humour.
Lily lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she bought her first Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else could she get to spend her time with hot, funny men!
She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – chocolate Baileys! Her lifetime’s ambition is to have a bath in peace without being shouted by one of her family.
I haven’t read the series yet…very intrigued!