Book Title: The Runner
Author: Thom Collins
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron-Hill
Release Date: January 18, 2022
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance, Erotic romance, Sports
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, sporting heroes,
Themes: Reconnecting, rivalries, forgiveness
Length: 30 353 words/ 121 pages
It is a standalone story within a themed series and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links
Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Pride Publishing | Kobo | B&N
An Olympic hero faces his longest run – to make up for the past.
Blurb
Alex Schaefer is a sports journalist and commentator at the top of his game. He hosts a successful weekly podcast has just written the biography of a world class football player. With his career on an upward trajectory, Alex has never been busier. There is no time in his life for love or romance.
Ethan Bower was used to success. As a British sprinter, he won a host of silver and gold medals at the Olympics, European and Commonwealth championships, and spent over a decade at the top. Persistent injuries brought Ethan’s career to an abrupt halt in his mid-thirties. Now he has to start over again. Trying to get his foot in the door of athletics commentary and presenting isn’t easy.
Ethan and Alex have history. Eight years ago, at the height of Ethan’s success, Alex was chosen to ghost write his autobiography. An experience they would both rather forget. Ethan hated what Alex wrote about him; a fact he’s made very public. When Ethan attends the launch of Alex’s latest book, they meet again for the first time in years and something becomes apparent to both of them – they have each improved with age. Now in their thirties, they are older and more mature.
Can they put the past behind them and their ambitions for the future to take a chance on each other now?
Ethan realised his heart was beating fast. He was nervous. Because of Alex? That seemed crazy. And yet it was true.
Alex sat back in his chair, his forearms resting on the table, nipples still hard and erect. In the soft light of the bar, he looked more handsome than ever. “So, what else is new?”
Ethan gazed into his wine glass, avoiding that impenetrable gaze. It was too intense. “Oh, this and that. A bit of TV, a bit of radio. I also do some coaching for the local athletics club.”
“Were you on MasterChef or something earlier this year?”
“Celebrity Top Cook.”
“That’s it. I don’t watch much reality TV, but I remember reading about it. I think it was in one of the Sunday papers.”
“I actually got commissioned to write a cookbook on the back of it. That’s one of the things I’m working on at the minute—putting together recipes and trying new things.”
“Wow. You have done well.”
“I won.”
Alex looked startled then embarrassed. The pink colour in his cheeks only made him more desirable. “Shit. Sorry. I genuinely didn’t know. I’m useless when it comes to anything but sports.”
“It’s not a problem. I was as surprised as anyone, believe me. Before going on the show, my cooking skills went no further than a grilled chicken breast and salad. I had no idea I could cook or had a natural aptitude for it. You never know what you’re going to enjoy until you try it.”
“I enjoy cooking but have a limited repertoire. When you’re on your own, there never seems much point in making a big meal.”
“A lot of people say that, but I always make the effort. Just because I’m by myself, there’s no reason to live off convenience stuff. I often make enough for two and it lasts me a couple of days.”
“I’ll look out for your book. I could do with some new ideas.”
Alex was single. Ethan had already established that. He wondered whether he’d be up for anything—maybe fooling around together. Those nipples were demanding attention right now.
Ethan was clueless when it came to hitting on someone. He relied on dating apps to get the small stuff out of the way. Whenever he met a guy for the first time, they both knew exactly what they were there for. When it came to meeting someone in person and asking them out, he had no idea how to do that.
As he enjoyed his drink, he also enjoyed Alex’s company, and Alex appeared to feel the same. Ethan berated himself for hating this guy for so long. Had they changed so much that it made the past irrelevant? He didn’t give a shit about that old biography, anyway. He doubted it was still in print. Why hold a grudge?
Alex chatted about his podcast, which Ethan had to admit he’d never listened to. That would change soon enough. As soon as he got home tomorrow, he planned to scope out a couple of episodes when he went for his daily run.
The whole time they spoke, his mind wandered to more intimate thoughts about Alex. What is he into? Is he top, bottom or vers? He looks kind of versatile, but it’s never easy to tell. He wondered about the body beneath the clothes. Alex’s trousers and shirt were slim-fitting, showing a trim figure. What secrets were concealed beneath?
Thom Collins is the author of Closer by Morning, North Point and the Anthem Trilogy. His love of page turning thrillers began at an early age when his mother caught him reading the latest Jackie Collins book and confiscated it, sparking a life-long love of raunchy novels.
Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world.
Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook, The Night.
Other links
Twitter: @thomwolf | Instagram: thomcollinsauthor | Newsletter Sign-up
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