Heart Strain
Interlocking Fragments Series, Book 1
Sammi Cee & Michele Notaro
M/M Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 07.22.19
Cover Artist: Soxsational Cover Art
Blurb:
Holden~
When I get a call that my twin brother’s been shot, I’m in shock as I head back to Baltimore to be with him. Seeing him in a coma is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do; sitting here not knowing whether he’s going to live or die is the worst thing I can imagine. But at least Jameson is with me—he makes it more bearable, and I don’t feel like I’m in this alone. With everything going on, I probably shouldn’t be checking out my brother’s work partner, but I can’t seem to help it. Jameson’s been so sweet and kind and considerate; not to mention he’s so sexy I can’t keep my eyes off him.
Jameson~
My partner getting shot and ending up in a coma brings everything in my world to a screeching halt. He’s not only my partner on the police force, but my best friend and confidant. When I see his twin brother, Holden, sitting in the waiting room, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that he neither blames me nor pushes me away. Now I’m doing my best to take care of him and support him; if only I’d stop noticing how his emotions reflect in his eyes and wondering how it would feel to touch him.
Will the bonding that takes place during their long bedside vigils become more than they expected? Can they be honest enough with themselves and each other to take it to the next level? And if they do, will Holden be willing to sacrifice the life he loves for the brother he’s kept at arm’s length for almost ten years and the man who could end up being his everything?
Heart Strain is the first book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+.
Holden~
I shoot him a sad smile. “Thanks. It was a long time ago.” I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant and change the subject. “I can’t believe how hungry I am. I didn’t really eat lunch.”
“Why not?”
That’s an innocent enough question, but I don’t think answering with I was scared of being left alone since Gavin was leaving and I didn’t want to puke on him at the airport is really something he needs to know, so I shrug and ignore the question. “This is one of my favorite restaurants.”
“Really? Mine too.”
I smile at him after I put the car in park. “Awesome. Then you won’t think it’s weird when I order a meal to go so I have it for tomorrow night, too.”
He chuckles as we get out of the car. “I’ll still think it’s weird.”
“Hey, where else can you get the best teriyaki and tacos?”
He shakes his head as he laughs, and we walk into the restaurant together. Luckily, it’s a weekday, so we get seated right away, and when the waitress takes our drink order, I ask for an order of chips and salsa because I hadn’t been lying, I was freaking starving.
“We should definitely get dessert, too,” I say as I eye the chocolatey thing on the menu.
He grins at me. “Are you planning ahead so you don’t eat too much of your meal?”
“No way. I’m eating everything. That was just a warning that you might be stuck with me for a while.”
He snorts out a laugh without looking up from his menu, so I take the opportunity to look him over. The years have been kind to him. Who am I kidding? He’s even sexier now than he was back in high school, and that’s saying something. Even when he’s tired and stressed, he looks good with his soft green eyes and chiseled jaw covered in scruff. His lips are plump, and I bet they’re soft and would feel remarkable on my skin. The way his lips keep tugging down in the corners makes me want to make them smile. Even with his short-cropped hair a little on the messy side—like he’d run his hands through it a few times—he looks stunning. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone look so sexy without knowing how sexy he is. Jameson doesn’t put off that vibe that he thinks he’s hot, yet he’s the hottest guy I’ve seen since coming back.
When I finally pull my eyes up from his lips, I realize I’ve been caught staring. Shit. Way to blow it with your brother’s straight partner, Holden. Now he’s going to avoid you even more than he already was.
I clear my throat and look down at my own menu, avoiding eye contact as my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I can’t believe he just caught me ogling him. Of course, I had to go and make it awkward the first time I get him to talk to me again. I’m a jerk.
“Do you know what you’re getting?” Jameson asks, making me snap my eyes back up to him. Surprisingly, he’s looking me in the eyes and not avoiding the gay dude’s gaze.
“Um… the tofu tacos, I think. I might order the enchiladas with tofu to go later.” He’s still holding eye contact, so maybe I didn’t mess up as badly as I thought. Or maybe he’s just good at ignoring things. Either way, I’ll take it since he’s the only person I even remotely want to be around in this town other than my brother.
He shoots me a grin. “I forgot you’re a vegetarian. I’m surprised you like this place.”
“They have a lot of things I can eat, and they always substitute with tofu if I ask, so they actually have more than a lot of places around here.”
“That’s good.”
When his eyes sweep down at his menu again, it takes me a full minute to realize I’m staring—again—and I end up jerking my head back and glancing around the restaurant. I’m pretty sure he didn’t see me being creepy that time. At least, I hope not. God, I hope he didn’t notice. I don’t need to keep making the only person I like in this place uncomfortable. Jesus, Holds, get your act together or you’ll be all alone again.
I try to avoid watching him, but for some reason, I can’t seem to help it. His eyes keep surveying the room, but I don’t think he’s really focusing on anything in front of him. He just seems so disheartened and I have a feeling it’s more than Drix being in the hospital that’s making those frown lines appear on his face. And yeah, okay, I like looking at him because, well, hot damn.
God, Hendrix is gonna kill me when he wakes up and notices how much I like ogling his partner.
Michele is married to an awesome husband that puts up with her and all the characters in her head—and there are many. They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with their two young boys and two crazy dogs. She grew up dancing and swimming and taught dance—ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, & modern—for ten years before her kids came along. Now she stays home to write about the sexy men in her head and does PTA everything—as long as coffee is involved. Two other tattooed moms run the PTA with her, and though she wants to rip her hair out from it, she still loves it.
Michele Notaro Links:
Website: https://notarobooks.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/author.notaro/
IG: https://instagram.com/michelenotaro.author
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/michelenotaro
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cseIXT
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2yBe2RD
My FB Group, Notaro’s Haven: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NotarosHaven/
Reading Past the Realm (Paranormal group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingPastTheRealm/
Sammi Cee was raised in a family of readers. Summer vacations consisted of a good book while sitting lakeside from as far back as she could remember. After growing up and having her own children, her appreciation of how the written word could transport you on an adventure, bring you to tears, or give you hope, took on a whole new meaning.
These days Sammi is watching her children develop into fine young ladies while doing the things she enjoys most: drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and writing her own stories.
Sammi Cee Links:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSammiCee/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cee_sammi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammi_cee_author/
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/sammicee
My FB Group, Sammi Cee’s: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SammisSanctuary/
Prolific Works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/aZYLOwCi
Reading Past the Realm (Paranormal group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingPastTheRealm/
Thank you for the post. The book looks great.