Series: All Saints Security
Author: Jess Bryant
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 26, 2021
Aaron Laughlin is young, rich, and a star among the Nashville political elite. That’s why nobody is more surprised than him when he ends up abandoned at the altar. But here he is, dumped on the most important day of his life, embarrassed in front of his entire city, and left with a bruised ego in place of a broken heart.Needing time away to regroup after the fiasco that could very well derail his career, he decides to head to the mountains and enjoy his honeymoon on his own. Only, he isn’t alone. His imposing new bodyguard refuses to let Aaron out of his sight, or his reach, and the way his dark eyes follow Aaron’s every move gets under his skin in a way he can’t shake, and isn’t sure he wants to.
Isaac Chinn is practical, professional and takes pride in being good at his job. He’s never even considered breaching the client/bodyguard boundary, which is why being stuck on the side of a mountain with the gorgeous jilted groom that isn’t quite as straight as he’d like people to think, is such an imposition. The mayor might annoy and intrigue him in equal measure but Isaac knows better than to cross the line.
Only, the heat that flares between them refuses to be ignored. They’re like gasoline and a match, destined to consume each other if they get too close. But when faced with the cold of loneliness, is it worth the risk to feel the heat of passion, even if it might destroy them both?
“I don’t know why you got assigned to deal with me, maybe it was fate, but I’m glad it was you. I’m glad you're here with me so I’m not just wallowing and tearing myself apart. I like you, Isaac.”
“I like you too.” Isaac managed as Aaron removed his chin, propping himself up on an elbow on the sofa again.
“Thank you.”
Isaac’s brows furrowed, “For what?”
“Everything. Today was a total nightmare but somehow, you made it better, bearable I mean.”
“I didn’t do anything but my job.”
“You did more than that and you know it. You stopped me from making a scene at the church. You got me out of there. You talked to me in the lobby and on the plane to keep me from getting lost in my head. You got drunk with me even though you told me you don’t normally drink because you don’t like the feeling of being out of control. You’ve been there for me every step of the way today and I appreciate it more than I can say.”
Isaac was surprised by the mostly coherent words. Not just because Aaron didn’t stumble over a single word either. He hadn’t realized Aaron knew he kept talking to him so he wouldn’t dwell on what was happening. Aaron had been paying more attention than he’d realized and he didn’t sound as drunk as Isaac thought he was either.
“It is my job to take care of you.” He admitted, “But I’m glad I was able to be here for you too.”
Aaron was silent and Isaac took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He wasn’t sure why the lack of response felt like a slight but he pushed the feeling down. This conversation was getting too deep and too personal. It was better that Aaron had either fallen asleep or gone back to watching the movie. He was still trying to decide if he should call it a night and go to bed or finish watching the movie with Aaron when he heard his name whispered softly from just over his shoulder a few minutes later.
“Isaac?”
“Hmm?”
“Isaac?”
“Yeah?” Isaac turned his head to look at Aaron where he lay on the sofa behind him when he said his name again.
In the dim light of the television he realized they were a lot closer than he’d thought. The light flickered over Aaron’s handsome face and Isaac’s eyes automatically fell to his lips. Aaron’s mouth parted slightly and Isaac watched as his tongue flicked out to wet his bottom lip. Isaac’s groin tightened even as he told himself to look away, to move away, that whatever closeness he was feeling was only because of the alcohol in his bloodstream.
But before he could talk sense into his inebriated brain, Aaron leaned forward and pressed his lips against Isaac’s in the softest flutter of a kiss.
“I like you too.” Isaac managed as Aaron removed his chin, propping himself up on an elbow on the sofa again.
“Thank you.”
Isaac’s brows furrowed, “For what?”
“Everything. Today was a total nightmare but somehow, you made it better, bearable I mean.”
“I didn’t do anything but my job.”
“You did more than that and you know it. You stopped me from making a scene at the church. You got me out of there. You talked to me in the lobby and on the plane to keep me from getting lost in my head. You got drunk with me even though you told me you don’t normally drink because you don’t like the feeling of being out of control. You’ve been there for me every step of the way today and I appreciate it more than I can say.”
Isaac was surprised by the mostly coherent words. Not just because Aaron didn’t stumble over a single word either. He hadn’t realized Aaron knew he kept talking to him so he wouldn’t dwell on what was happening. Aaron had been paying more attention than he’d realized and he didn’t sound as drunk as Isaac thought he was either.
“It is my job to take care of you.” He admitted, “But I’m glad I was able to be here for you too.”
Aaron was silent and Isaac took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He wasn’t sure why the lack of response felt like a slight but he pushed the feeling down. This conversation was getting too deep and too personal. It was better that Aaron had either fallen asleep or gone back to watching the movie. He was still trying to decide if he should call it a night and go to bed or finish watching the movie with Aaron when he heard his name whispered softly from just over his shoulder a few minutes later.
“Isaac?”
“Hmm?”
“Isaac?”
“Yeah?” Isaac turned his head to look at Aaron where he lay on the sofa behind him when he said his name again.
In the dim light of the television he realized they were a lot closer than he’d thought. The light flickered over Aaron’s handsome face and Isaac’s eyes automatically fell to his lips. Aaron’s mouth parted slightly and Isaac watched as his tongue flicked out to wet his bottom lip. Isaac’s groin tightened even as he told himself to look away, to move away, that whatever closeness he was feeling was only because of the alcohol in his bloodstream.
But before he could talk sense into his inebriated brain, Aaron leaned forward and pressed his lips against Isaac’s in the softest flutter of a kiss.
Jess Bryant is an avid indoorswoman. A city girl trapped in a country girl's life, her heart resides in Dallas but her soul and roots are in small town Oklahoma. She enjoys manicures, the color pink, and her completely impractical for country life stilettos. She believes that hair color is a legitimate form of therapy, as is reading and writing romance. She started writing as a little girl but her life changed forever when she stole a book from her aunt's Harlequin collection and she's been creating love stories with happily ever afters ever since.
Jess holds a degree in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma and is a lifetime supporter of her school and athletic teams. And why not? They have a ton of National Championships! She may be a girlie girl but she knows her sports stats and isn't afraid to tell you that your school isn't as cool as hers... or that your sports romance got it all wrong.
For more information on Jess and upcoming releases, contact her at JessBryantBooks@gmail.com or follow her on her many social media accounts for news and shenanigans.
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