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Mikael Ferreira seems to have it all—a great career, looks, intelligence, and charm to boot. But his work as a full-time caregiver at Hawthorne Manor barely leaves him time to breathe, let alone date. Then a new employee arrives at the manor and makes Mikael question whether he’s been living at all or merely existing…
Elliot Olsson is Mikael’s polar opposite. Elliot’s autism has always made him feel isolated. Until now. Mikael truly sees Elliot in a way no one ever has. Elliot wants to open his heart to Mikael and connect with him on a deeper level. But wanting won’t make it any easier to overcome the obstacles Elliot knows they’ll face as a couple…
As Mikael and Elliot’s story is beginning, eighty-eight-year-old Walter Hawthorne’s is coming to an end. But while his health is failing, Walter’s mind is sharp as ever—and he has a thing or two to share about life, intimacy, and love with the two young men who seem to know nothing about any of it . . .
Hawthorne Manor, a contemporary LGBTQ+ romantic novel, is an exploration of the foibles of aging, friendship, love, and the beauty that can exist in a found family. It features a house full of eccentric characters, witty banter, and a deeply emotional M/M romance. HEA guaranteed. Download today, and enter Hawthorne Manor.
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“Are you okay?” Mikael felt bad that he was the cause of Elliot’s stress. The two stood in silence for what seemed like minutes—very long minutes.
“Yeah… Just never been kissed before.” Elliot’s gaze dropped to the floor for a second.
Never been kissed? Mikael was at a loss on how to respond to such a profound statement.
“I liked it.” Elliot’s cheeks turned pink.
“You did?” A sea of blue in Elliot’s eyes, his rose lips, the pink in his pale cheeks… Mikael wanted to kiss all of him. He wanted to lift the sorrow from Elliot’s eyes, remove it from his lips, and wash it from his cheeks. He fought the urge to kiss him again. His heart pinged harder. He wanted to kiss him a million times to make up for all the kisses he’d missed. He touched Elliot’s cheek with the back of his hand, envisioning that he was wiping the sadness from it. Elliot trembled at his touch.
READ MOREElliot’s stare was piercing. His brows danced as a tiny smile slowly emerged, softening his expression.
“Do you know that you do this darling little thing with your brows? It’s barely noticeable how one goes up and the left one dips. It’s adorable.”
“I do?”
“When did you become so freakin’ hot?” Mikael’s voice dropped to a whisper.
Elliot wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think I’m hot.”
Mikael took Elliot’s denial as modesty. It was hard to believe he could be so attractive and not be aware of his good looks. “Yeah, and you know what? That makes you even hotter.” Mikael lifted Elliot’s chin. “I can’t believe you don’t know how nice-looking you are?”
Elliot shook his head, pulling loose from Mikael’s grasp. “No—”
“Yes.” Mikael raised Elliot’s chin. “You are.”
“I always thought you had a nice smile….” Elliot’s voice quaked. “Especially when you’re looking at me.”
You’re sooo freakin’ adorable. Mikael couldn’t avoid the big smile that accompanied his laugh.
“And you have pretty teeth,” Elliot mumbled.
“I think that’s a first. Someone complimenting me on my teeth. Usually, it’s my fat ass. But I’ll take teeth, too.”
“Your butt is nice too, but your teeth….” Elliot’s gaze drifted up to meet Mikael’s stare. “They’re really white.”
“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Olsson?” Mikael grinned as if he was in a toothpaste commercial, ensuring his white teeth were front and center. “I certainly hope so because I like you… I like you a lot.”
“I don’t know how to flirt. But your teeth are really white.” Elliot raked his fingers through his hair, then tucked it behind his ear. The protruding vein on his forehead subsided a little.
So, he does like me! Mikael’s heart thumped as he took a step closer to Elliot… and kissed him. Again.
It was only a soft kiss, but it was on lips he’d been dreaming of… and it was glorious!
He pulled back, assessing the situation. Seeing Elliot moisten his lips with his tongue, he did the same, wanting to savor every bit of the kiss. The dude that had never been kissed had the ability to set off fireworks within him.
COLLAPSE
Other Books By Bryan T. Clark
Genre: Contemporary
Genre: Historical Fiction
Genre: Military
Genre: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Genre: Sports
Genre: Suspense
