He had his very own family. Stepchildren he would help raise, and the love of a fantastic man. They were building a home together, and even getting ready to entertain for the first time. Evan, Roberto, and Vaughn and his boyfriend, were coming over for dinner and drinks in a few days, and Cedric couldn’t be more excited… or more scared.
“You know, after spending almost two hours in Germ Central, I think you’ve earned a reward,” Kevin said, handing Cedric a napkin so that he could wipe his mouth.
“You’re bloody right I have.” After cleaning the little table, he gave in to temptation and sat on Kevin’s lap.
Kevin looked around them. Although he was completely out of the closet, Cedric knew he was still very mindful of not ruffling feathers, as Kevin was convinced it could affect his kids somehow.
“Relax, love,” Cedric whispered after a brief peck on the lips. “We’re secluded here… Nobody can see.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Kevin pulled him down, and ravished his mouth.
“Wow.”
Kevin’s smile couldn’t be more satisfied. “What are you getting yourself as a reward?” he asked.
“That cookware set we saw on QVC the other night.”
“Cookware,” Kevin repeated, dumbfounded.
“I’m going to cook you dinner on Thanksgiving Day.” Kevin stared at him for the longest time, and Cedric had to laugh. “I know I have other pots and pans, but this set is supposed to be really good. The lids are made of copper and stainless steel, and they seal in the flavors and nutrients of the food.”
“You’re weirder than I thought.” Kevin shook his head, and closed his arms around Cedric’s back, hugging him tight. “But thank you for wanting to celebrate Thanksgiving with me. It’s an American tradition I’m sure you’ll enjoy, and I know the food will be delicious, no matter what pots and pans you use.”
Cedric smiled, and rested his head on top of Kevin’s head.
His boyfriend was right. Cedric was weird.
An oddball.
A pain in the arse.
There was no changing that.
But after half a life spent wishing he was normal, Cedric finally realized normalcy was a relative thing, and he and Kevin were on the path that would lead to their own.
And he wasn’t a twat anymore.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taylor V. Donovan is a compulsive reader and author of gay romantic suspense. She is optimistically cynical about the world; lover of history, museums and all things 80s. She is crazy about fashion and shamelessly indulges in mind-numbing reality television. Passionate about civil rights and equality for all.
When she is not making a living in the busiest city in the world or telling the stories of gorgeous men hot for one another, Taylor can be found raising her two daughters and two terribly misbehaved furry babies in the mountains she calls home.
You can find out more about Taylor at: http://www.taylorvdonovan.com
TRADEMARKS ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Doctor Who: British Broadcasting Corporation
Olive Garden: Darden Concepts Inc.
iPod: Apple Inc.
Cinderella: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
The Little Mermaid: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Listerine: McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
Lamborghini Murcielago: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
Resident Evil: Capcom Co., Ltd.
Aston Martin Vantage: Aston Martin
Chevy Tahoe: General Motors
Harry Potter: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Downton Abbey: ITV plc
Monty Python: New Media Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Real Madrid: Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
Twilight Zone: CBS Broadcasting Inc.
Cialis: Lilly USA, LLC.
Viagra: Pfizer Inc.
Glee: FOX Broadcasting Inc.
Modern Family: American Broadcasting Company Inc.
MLR PRESS AUTHORS
Featuring a roll call of some of the best writers of gay erotica and mysteries today!
Derek Adams
Z. Allora
Maura Anderson
Simone Anderson
Victor J. Banis
Laura Baumbach
Helen Beattie
Ally Blue
J.P. Bowie
Barry Brennessel
Nowell Briscoe
Jade Buchanan
James Buchanan
TA Chase
Charlie Cochrane
Karenna Colcroft
Michael G. Cornelius
Jamie Craig
Ethan Day
Diana DeRicci
Vivien Dean
Taylor V. Donovan
S.J. Frost
Kimberly Gardner
Kaje Harper
Alex Ironrod
Jambrea Jo Jones
DC Juris
AC Katt
Thomas Kearnes
Sasha Keegan
Kiernan Kelly
K-lee Klein
Geoffrey Knight
Christopher Koehler
Matthew Lang
J.L. Langley
Vincent Lardo
Cameron Lawton
Anna Lee
Elizabeth Lister
Clare London
William Maltese
Z.A. Maxfield
Timothy McGivney
Tere Michaels
AKM Miles
Robert Moore
Reiko Morgan
Jet Mykles
William Neale
N.J. Nielsen
Cherie Noel
Gregory L. Norris
Willa Okati
Erica Pike
Neil S. Plakcy
Rick R. Reed
A.M. Riley
AJ Rose
Rob Rosen
George Seaton
Riley Shane
Jardonn Smith
DH Starr
Richard Stevenson
Christopher Stone
Liz Strange
Marshall Thornton
Lex Valentine
Haley Walsh
Mia Watts
Lynley Wayne
Missy Welsh
Ryal Woods
Stevie Woods
Lance Zarimba
Mark Zubro
Check out titles, both available and forthcoming, at
www.mlrpress.com
GLBT RESOURCES
RAINBOW ROMANCE WRITERS
Raising the Bar for LGBT Romance
RRW offers support and advocacy to career-focused authors, expanding the horizons of romance. Changing minds, one heart at a time. www.rainbowromancewriters.com
THE TREVOR PROJECT
The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves lives though its free and confidential helpline, its website and its educational services. If you or a friend are feeling lost, alone, confused or in crisis, please call The Trevor Helpline. You’ll be able to speak confidentially with a trained counselor 24/7.
The Trevor Helpline: 866-488-7386
On the Web: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
THE GAY MEN’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT
Founded in 1994, The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male survivor of domestic violence and developed through the strength, contributions and participation of the community. The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project supports victims and survivors through education, advocacy and direct services. Understanding that the serious public health issue of domestic violence is not gender specific, we serve men in relationships with men, regardless of how they identify, and stand ready to assist them in navigating through abusive relationships.
GMDVP Helpline: 800.832.1901
On the Web: http://gmdvp.org/
THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION/GLAAD EN ESPAÑOL
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
On the Web: http://www.glaad.org/
GLAAD en español: http://www.glaad.org/espanol/bienvenido.php
SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).The SLDN provides free, confidential legal services to all those impacted by DADT and related discrimination. Since 1993, its inhouse legal team has responded to more than 9,000 requests for assistance. In Congress, it leads the fight to repeal DADT and replace it with a law that ensures equal treatment for every servicemember, regardless of sexual orientation. In the courts, it works to challenge the constitutionality of DADT.
SLDN Call: 800-538-7418
PO Box 65301 or (202) 328-FAIR
Washington DC 20035-5301 e-mail: [email protected]
On the Web: http://sldn.org/
THE GLBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER
The GLBT National Help Center is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian National Hotline, which began in 1996 and now is a primary program of The GLBT National Help Center. It offers several different programs including two national hotlines that help members of the GLBT community talk about the important issues that they are facing in their lives. It helps end the isolation that many people feel, by providing a safe environment on the phone or via the internet to discuss issues that people can’t talk about anywhere else. The GLBT National Help Center also helps other organizations build the infrastructure they need to provide strong support to our community at the local level.
National Hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)
National Youth Talkline 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)
On the Web: http://www.glnh.org/