Title: Out in Winter
Series: Out in College, Book 8
Author: Lane Hayes
Narrator: Michael Dean
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: January 21, 2021
Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Friends to Lovers, College romance, Humor, Jock, Age Gap
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Synopsis
The grad student, the jock, and some winter fun…
Drew
My new job at the bistro is fun. The owners are good guys, and the staff is made up primarily of boisterous water polo players. I know nothing about the sport except there’s a Speedo involved, and Liam likes to wear his everywhere. Yes…Liam—the chatty, handsome, utterly charming waiter I can’t seem to stop thinking about. Ugh. Note to self—do not fall for another younger man.
Liam
Getting Drew to notice me hasn’t been easy. He’s a little intense, and he knows how to keep his distance. Something tells me he’s not immune—he’s just stubborn. Maybe a weekend of bonding on the ski slopes will win him over. And if I can get him to come out in winter, I might be able to convince him that we have a chance at something special.
Out in Winter is a low-angst MM, bisexual romance starring an oh so serious grad student, a goofball water polo player, and a little winter magic. This story is part of the Out in College series, but each book can be read as a stand-alone.
Note to self…stick to your strengths and remember, skiing isn’t one of them.
It started out okay. Liam was armed with his equipment and a thermos full of coffee when I picked him up at his friend’s cabin. He piled his stuff into the back of the Jeep, pleased to see that I was prepared.
“I thought we’d have to make a stop at the rental shop. This is great. More time on the slopes.” He fastened his seat belt, then twisted to flash a sunny grin at me. “How’d you sleep?”
That smile dazzled me. I returned it, pausing to admire Liam in the daylight. He hadn’t shaved and no lie, there was something uber sexy about his scruffy beard. He wore a puffy navy jacket, matching ski pants, and a striped beanie cap. I’d never considered a beanie cap a sexy accessory, but I obviously hadn’t seen one on the right guy. The hint of blue in Liam’s made his twinkling eyes pop and—
Okay…he caught me staring. Again.
I cleared my throat noisily as I put the Jeep in Drive. “I slept very well. You?”
“Fan-fucking-tastic,” he drawled. “It’s amazing what a good blowjob will do for you.”
I let out a half laugh. “I didn’t give you a blowjob.”
“Guess you owe me one.”
I didn’t have to look at him to know he was giving me his patent mischievous eyebrow waggle. I chuckled. So much for good intentions. Liam was too hard to resist.
“Maybe I do,” I hummed.
“Boner alert, boner alert. Commence abrupt subject change.” He straightened his arms and made a squealing burn-out noise as he turned his pretend steering wheel sharply to his right.
I tried not to laugh, but it was pretty funny. “I’m skiing with a teenager. I don’t think I’ve had enough coffee for you yet.”
“Here. This was for you anyway.” He unscrewed the cap and handed over his thermos. “Catch up, man. I’ve been awake for hours. I’m so wired on caffeine, I’m gonna whip down that mountain like Speedy Gonzales.”
I slowed at the stop sign and sipped the coffee gratefully. I’d had more than my fair share too, but I was happy to have an excuse to pull my thoughts together. I handed it back to him, then continued up the hill, turning into the ski resort’s half-empty parking lot. I had to tell him. I just wasn’t sure how much honesty was required.
I pulled my keys from the ignition and grabbed Liam’s sleeve just as he opened the door, interrupting his spiel about which runs to tackle first.
“Hey, um…real quick. I don’t want to slow you down at all. If at any point you want to ski ahead, I won’t be offended. I can meet you at—”
“No. I’m with you.” He furrowed his brow as he smoothed his thumb over my jaw, lowering his eyes briefly before meeting mine. “I can ski any time on my own. But this is the first time I’ve ever been with you. So, you set the pace. I’ll follow.”
I grabbed his wrist. “I might be too…slow.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind.” Liam pulled me toward him and kissed me just as I opened my mouth to tell him why I was a bad bet on the slopes. He licked the seam of my lips, pushing his tongue inside. Damn, he was good at that. I closed my eyes and felt my shoulders relax as I leaned into the connection. He nipped my jaw and pulled back. “If I go too fast, tell me. You ready?”
I nodded mutely, sending a quick prayer to whichever guardian angel was in charge of preventing broken limbs: Please don’t let me do anything stupid. And please…don’t let me wind up on the five o’clock news.
“Yeah. I’m ready.”
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Meet the Author
Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
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Meet the Narrator
Originally from Chicago and currently based in New York City, I have performed around the country and the world on stage, television, and film. I studied acting at the University of Arizona and the University of Kansas City Missouri. Find out more on Michael’s website.
