Always the Best Man
Destiny Ink Romance, Book 13
by Deanna Wadsworth
Blurb:
What happens in Vegas doesn’t 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 fiancée 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 isn’t very heartbroken.
In fact, Jackson is being unusually attentive with Dillon. Flirty even.
It has to be Dillon’s imagination, right? There’s 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 Jackson’s 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 he’d never experienced before—being pleasured by someone who truly loved him—washed over him, until a startling thought hit him.
You can’t fuck this up.
If he ruined this, he would break Dillon’s heart.
It would shatter his own, too.
When he saw the honesty, the vulnerability in Dillon’s 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 he’d 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 could’ve foreseen. But if Jackson had acted sooner, he would’ve destroyed Dillon’s heart and a friendship that meant everything—to them both.
Recently, after being reminded of pleasure with men, he’d only felt emptier, more wanting than ever before. Because Jackson didn’t want gay porn, angry make-up sex, or hot three-ways.
He wanted Dillon.
Needing to reassure his husband, reassure himself, Jackson stroked Dillon’s hair, his gaze locked, emotions flayed open.
I can’t 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. “You okay? Change your mind?”
The fear in Dillon’s voice kicked him in the figurative gut, and Jackson’s eyes popped open. He caressed Dillon’s brow until the wrinkle disappeared. The fearful look Dillon wore broke his heart.
You’re putting that fear there.
Sober, this was scarier than expected—not the sex, he wanted that—rather, the magnitude of tonight.
“No,” Jackson whispered. “I didn’t change my mind.”
“Then what is it?” Dillon let go and pushed onto one elbow, leaning against Jackson’s leg. Dillon traced the prominent veins on Jackson’s forearm, almost distracting him.
He’d never keep secrets from Dillon again. “I’m scared.”
Dillion’s eyebrow arched in concern.
Fearing Dillon might change his mind or stop touching him, Jackson hurried to say, “I want to be here, like this. But this is, I dunno, significant? Our first time. We’re really doing this. It’s for real. It hit me for a second how important this is.” He stroked Dillon’s cheek, heart swelling with love. “I don’t wanna hurt you, or lose you, or disappoint you. I’m afraid I’ll never be good enough for you.”
Rodgers Jackson McCaughey III had never said anything like that to anyone, even when concerned about losing past relationships.
But this was Dillon.
He didn’t have to be the person his parents wanted. He didn’t have to put on a front. There were no games, no expectations.
With Dillon he could just be Jackson.
“You’re worried you’re not good enough for me?” Dillon scoffed. “How do you think I’ve felt forever? The nerdy friend with a crush? The hanger-on—”
“Don’t,” he begged, not wanting his father’s degrading bullshit to tarnish tonight.
“You know what I mean, Jacks,” he said softly. “I’m terrified you’ll change your mind, too.”
Sitting up and forcing Dillon to his haunches, Jackson grabbed his arms fiercely. “Never! I love you. I want to be your husband. I’m just…”
Dillon’s lips quivered—wet and swollen from blowing me.
Jackson could hardly meet his eye but forced himself to. “I’m so damn afraid I’ll fuck it up.”
“Then don’t fuck it up, Jacks.”
Jackson laughed mirthlessly. He cupped Dillon’s face and kissed him hard. “I’ll try.”
“There is no try. Do or do not.”
He laughed harder, for real this time. “That is honestly the first time someone’s quoted Yoda before they sucked my dick.”
Dillon smirked. “Oh, I have more up my sleeve.”
His heart skipped. “And that would be?”
“Talk no more. Show you I will.”
“That is the worst Yoda I’ve ever heard!” With a hearty laugh, Jackson dropped back on the pillows, cradling his head in one hand. “But I love what a dork you are.”
“You’ll love this even more.”
*****
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 isn’t 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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*****
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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