
Always the Best Man
Destiny Ink Romance, Book 13
by Deanna Wadsworth
Blurb:
What happens in Vegas doesnโt just stay in Vegas.
Since high school, Dillon Hintz has been in love with his straight best friend, Jackson McCaughey. He knows nothing will come of his crush, however, because Jackson is getting married… until his fiancรฉe leaves him at the altar. WTF?
To compensate for a lost honeymoon, Destiny Resorts offers Jackson a jilted groom vacation at their luxurious Las Vegas casino, courtesy of the sisters Fate. Jackson invites his twin cousins and Dillon to be his plus-threes, and the guys set out for a fun-filled weekend to help Jackson party away his heartbreak. But Dillon is surprised to find his best friend isnโt very heartbroken.
In fact, Jackson is being unusually attentive with Dillon. Flirty even.
It has to be Dillonโs imagination, right? Thereโs no way his straight best friend is interested in nerdy Dillon.
But after one night of too much fun and alcohol, Dillon wakes up in Jacksonโs bed… wearing a wedding band. WTF?
Just what did they do last night?
Be sure to check out all the stories in the Destiny Ink Romances
*****
Excerpt:
Sensations heโd never experienced beforeโbeing pleasured by someone who truly loved himโwashed over him, until a startling thought hit him.
You canโt fuck this up.
If he ruined this, he would break Dillonโs heart.
It would shatter his own, too.
When he saw the honesty, the vulnerability in Dillonโs eyes, felt it in his soul as he rose up and down on his cock, sudden fear whipped through Jackson, dampening the pleasure.
This was why heโd waited.
Right here, right now, was exactly why Jackson had denied the magnetic pull toward Dillon. Their souls had been trying to unite for years, waiting for Fate to give them the destiny neither couldโve foreseen. But if Jackson had acted sooner, he wouldโve destroyed Dillonโs heart and a friendship that meant everythingโto them both.
Recently, after being reminded of pleasure with men, heโd only felt emptier, more wanting than ever before. Because Jackson didnโt want gay porn, angry make-up sex, or hot three-ways.
He wanted Dillon.
Needing to reassure his husband, reassure himself, Jackson stroked Dillonโs hair, his gaze locked, emotions flayed open.
I canโt hurt you.
Jackson whimpered at the thought. Dropping his head back on the pillow, he squeezed his eyes closed, the intimacy suddenly too overwhelming.
Dillon pulled off, still gripping his shaft. โYou okay? Change your mind?โ
The fear in Dillonโs voice kicked him in the figurative gut, and Jacksonโs eyes popped open. He caressed Dillonโs brow until the wrinkle disappeared. The fearful look Dillon wore broke his heart.
Youโre putting that fear there.
Sober, this was scarier than expectedโnot the sex, he wanted thatโrather, the magnitude of tonight.
โNo,โ Jackson whispered. โI didnโt change my mind.โ
โThen what is it?โ Dillon let go and pushed onto one elbow, leaning against Jacksonโs leg. Dillon traced the prominent veins on Jacksonโs forearm, almost distracting him.
Heโd never keep secrets from Dillon again. โIโm scared.โ
Dillionโs eyebrow arched in concern.
Fearing Dillon might change his mind or stop touching him, Jackson hurried to say, โI want to be here, like this. But this is, I dunno, significant? Our first time. Weโre really doing this. Itโs for real. It hit me for a second how important this is.โ He stroked Dillonโs cheek, heart swelling with love. โI donโt wanna hurt you, or lose you, or disappoint you. Iโm afraid Iโll never be good enough for you.โ
Rodgers Jackson McCaughey III had never said anything like that to anyone, even when concerned about losing past relationships.
But this was Dillon.
He didnโt have to be the person his parents wanted. He didnโt have to put on a front. There were no games, no expectations.
With Dillon he could just be Jackson.
โYouโre worried youโre not good enough for me?โ Dillon scoffed. โHow do you think Iโve felt forever? The nerdy friend with a crush? The hanger-onโโ
โDonโt,โ he begged, not wanting his fatherโs degrading bullshit to tarnish tonight.
โYou know what I mean, Jacks,โ he said softly. โIโm terrified youโll change your mind, too.โ
Sitting up and forcing Dillon to his haunches, Jackson grabbed his arms fiercely. โNever! I love you. I want to be your husband. Iโm just…โ
Dillonโs lips quiveredโwet and swollen from blowing me.
Jackson could hardly meet his eye but forced himself to. โIโm so damn afraid Iโll fuck it up.โ
โThen donโt fuck it up, Jacks.โ
Jackson laughed mirthlessly. He cupped Dillonโs face and kissed him hard. โIโll try.โ
โThere is no try. Do or do not.โ
He laughed harder, for real this time. โThat is honestly the first time someoneโs quoted Yoda before they sucked my dick.โ
Dillon smirked. โOh, I have more up my sleeve.โ
His heart skipped. โAnd that would be?โ
โTalk no more. Show you I will.โ
โThat is the worst Yoda Iโve ever heard!โ With a hearty laugh, Jackson dropped back on the pillows, cradling his head in one hand. โBut I love what a dork you are.โ
โYouโll love this even more.โ
*****
Review:
**some mild spoilers**
I feel so bad for Dillon. To love your best friend, and pretty much have everyone know it, only to have him be with every one but you. I can totally understand why he struggles so much after waking up married to Jackson. There’s so much there and while there’s good, there’s a lot of hurt too.
Jackson, oh my goodness poor Jackson. That poor man has been through so much and he’s so lucky to have Dillon there for him. It’ll take patience and honesty but he knows a life with his best friend is worth just about anything.
Readers will get plenty of steam but even more emotion with Wadsworth’s newest. The characters have heart and I just felt for them every step of the way, anxiously waiting for them to figure things out and get the HEA they deserve. The author is new to me, as is the series, but I’m looking forward to more.
*****
Author Info:
Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions for different RWA chapters, including President of the Rainbow Romance Writers in 2017. When she isnโt writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. An avid reader, she also loves gardening, cooking, music, and dancing. Often she can be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.
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You can also find her young adult alter ego, K.D. Worth AmazonโTwitterโBookBub
*****
Giveaway:
To celebrate the upcoming release, Deanna is away 2 e-copies of Book 2 Accidentally Beautiful!
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!
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