Book Title: Sucker For Love Mystery #6: Our Shellfish Desires
Author: K.L. Hiers
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Tiferet Design
Release Date: July 19, 2022
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tropes: MMM, First Time, First Time Threeway, First Time Throuple, Grumpy One Loves the Sunshine Ones
Themes: Learning to trust, Healing from trauma, Overcoming addiction
Heat Rating: 5 flames
Length: 65 000 words
It is a standalone story, BUT the author would highly recommend reading the rest of the series.
The book does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
You don’t need a body to have a heart.
Blurb
People talk about the marriage of true minds, but Alexander doesn’t think this is what they meant.
After a cruel experiment binds him to the soul of Rota, an old god, Alexander has one mission: find Rota’s body. Having a godly boyfriend is great, but it would be better to have one that he could actually touch. Unfortunately, even Alexander’s ability to command Rota’s divine power hasn’t helped.
A rare book of poetry may finally provide the answer. The expertise they need translating it brings them to Oleander Logue, a young man with plenty of problems that seem at odds with his cheerful nature. Ollie is happy to help, but he’s in trouble with a gangster who demands that Alexander and Rota solve a series of murders first.
Desperate, Alexander and Rota accept the case… but it’s not that simple. The gangster’s threats to Ollie’s safety disturb them both, but is that because they’re both growing more attracted to Ollie… or because he’s a potential host for Rota? If they can’t solve these murders, they may never find out.
“Hey, guys!” Ollie got up and then bolted forward to snatch Alexander up in a bone-crushing hug. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
Alexander grunted, but he managed to hug Ollie back this time, his heart pounding away. “Uh. Hi.”
“You came to rescue me!” Ollie was beaming. “That’s so very cool of you.”
We were worried about you, Rota said. Have they been treating you well?
“Yeah, no, I’m okay.” Ollie avoided looking at Stoker. “Just a little freaked out. The last time I got kidnapped, I died? So the bar has been set real low.”
Check around the room, Alexander silently commanded Rota. There’s a lot of magic here. Probably wards. Find them.
Why? Rota seemed to be frowning.
Just do it.
“You died?” Alexander finally caught back up to what Ollie was saying.
“Only a little! My uncle saved me.” Ollie was still hugging Alexander. “I’m really happy you’re here. Thank you.” He sniffed. “Why do you smell burnt?”
“Don’t ask.”
“As touching as this is, Alexander has some work to do,” Stoker spoke up.
“Work?” Ollie frowned.
“He’s helping me with a private business matter,” Stoker explained.
“No,” Ollie said. “Look, you don’t need to get them mixed up in any of this.” He squeezed Alexander’s shoulders. “Please, don’t do this—”
“We need you to translate that book,” Alexander said harshly.
Ollie flinched, clearly hurt.
That alien feeling of guilt rolled back through Alexander’s gut, and he tried again, “Big book, right? Might take you days to read? You can’t do that if you’re stuck in here.”
Ollie’s expression softened, and he was smiling again. “Yeah, sure. Right.”
We won’t leave you here. We promise, Rota assured him.
Did you find the wards? Alexander asked quickly.
Yes. They’re quite innovative—
Stoker cleared his throat.
Shit. Alexander offered a strained smile. “We’ll talk soon, okay? Be back as soon as we can.”
Okay, don’t get mad at me. It was Ollie’s voice inside Alexander’s head now.
“What?” Alexander was shocked at hearing Ollie speak like that.
So, my starsight did a thing, and I have an idea. Ollie drew Alexander in close, tilting his head downward. His eyes were hooded, and his lips had parted in a very inviting pout.
Alexander didn’t understand what was happening until Ollie’s lips pressed against his. He jerked, his hands tightening into fists against Ollie’s chest. What are you doing?
Stoker isn’t stupid, Ollie thought back quickly. He’s gonna know you guys are sitting here talking inside your heads, okay? We can’t just stand here staring at each other.
Oh… right… I…. Alexander awkwardly kissed back, his heart up in his throat. He forgot what they were supposed to be talking about, and Ollie’s hands on his waist felt really, really good.
Stoker sighed, but he was polite enough to turn away.
The wards, Rota said. They’re like nothing I’ve seen. Stoker or another very talented witch must have made them. They effectively block all teleportation and portal spells. Stoker must have a key of some kind to pass through, perhaps a phrase or an object.
So there’s no way to get me out of here? Ollie’s kisses were soft, gentle, and he seemed confident taking the lead. He was good at this kissing thing, and wow, there weren’t any signs of slowing down yet.
Alexander’s brain still hadn’t come back online, and his hands were trembling as they finally unclenched to slide up Ollie’s broad chest. This was only his second kiss, and it wasn’t Rota. He should have been more concerned about that, but all he could focus on was the sweet taste of Ollie’s lips and the strength in his arms as he pulled him close.
I didn’t say that. We will just need more time to examine them. They can be broken. Rota sounded very smug. How did you figure out how to talk to us?
It was hidden to me, and I needed it. Ollie tilted his head the other way, reconnecting his lips to Alexander’s with another sweet kiss. His tongue darted forward, and he groaned. I’m so very super sorry. I couldn’t think of anything else to do.
Tongue! That’s tongue. Alexander gasped.
Oh! I’m sorry.
It’s okay. It’s totally okay. I… I….
You couldn’t perhaps find a way to break those wards, could you? Rota pressed.
No. I’m sorry. Ollie sighed quietly. I’m telling you it doesn’t work that way. It just, well, it just happens. It kinda has a mind of its own.
Stoker cleared his throat again, louder this time.
“Right.” Alexander pushed away. His face was bright red, and he suddenly couldn’t catch his breath. We need to go. Right now.
Please don’t be mad, Ollie thought urgently.
It’s all right, Rota soothed. We’ll be back as soon as we can.
Stoker must have been tired of waiting because he transported them away without another word. The last thing Alexander saw was Ollie’s crooked little smile and his lips, still pink and slick from kissing.
Alexander barely had time to process what had just happened before he was caught up, looking over their new surroundings with a grimace.
They were standing in a morgue, surrounded by bodies hidden beneath white sheets.
“Now.” Stoker strolled over to the closest table, whipped back the sheet, and revealed the mutilated corpse under it. “What I need you to do, Alexander, is to catch a murderer.”
K.L. “Kat” Hiers is an embalmer, restorative artist, and queer writer. Licensed in both funeral directing and funeral service, they worked in the death industry for nearly a decade. Their first love was always telling stories, and they have been writing for over twenty years, penning their very first book at just eight years old. Publishers generally do not accept manuscripts in Hello Kitty notebooks, however, but they never gave up.
Following the success of their first novel, Cold Hard Cash, they now enjoy writing professionally, focusing on spinning tales of sultry passion, exotic worlds, and emotional journeys. They love attending horror movie conventions and indulging in cosplay of their favorite characters. They live in Zebulon, NC, with their husband and their children, some of whom have paws and a few that only pretend to because they think it’s cute.
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