Between Friends

by Sean Michael

Overview

Two very different couples. Two very different lives. Yet somehow they manage to keep things between friends.

Jason and Harry have settled back into life together after Harry was nearly killed when kidnapped on the job. But when Harry starts acting strangely, withdrawing from Jason and displaying bouts of mysterious anger, Jason starts to wonder if he's losing his hold on what he and Harry share. He turns to his friend Sammy, for a little moral support.

Antique dealer Samuel has enough on his plate, though, buying a new house with his lover, Peter, and keeping up with their inventive love life. But when Peter hears about the troubles between Harry and Jason, he forces Harry to confront his demons, and to give Jason the chance to help. Can Harry and Jason come to terms with secrets that might change their lives forever?

With Samuel and Peter's help, they just might, as they truly find out what friends are for, and what it means to let someone help share the load. This final book in the Between Friends series tells the tale of a finely woven web of friendship, where two couples and two sets of friends become family, and where the intricate dance of everyday life comes alive in the most beautiful way.

Originally published by Torquere Press.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940180349552
Publisher:	Sean Michael
Publication date:	05/15/2024
Series:	Between Friends
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	278,813
File size:	414 KB

About the Author

Best-selling author Sean Michael is a maple leaf–loving Canadian who spends hours hiding out in used book stores. With far more ideas than time, Sean keeps several documents open at all times. From romance to fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi, Sean is limited only by the need for sleep—and the periodic Beaver Tail.

 Sean fantasizes about one day retiring on a secluded island populated entirely by horseshoe crabs after inventing a brain-to-computer dictation system. Until then, Sean will continue to write the old-fashioned way.

 

Read an Excerpt

Moving sucked big hairy rocks.

Sammy frowned and winced as a bunch of hairy, overgrown hooligans carried boxes from their apartment toward the van. "Those vases are worth a fortune, guys! A fortune!" He was beginning to get shrill; he knew it, but he still wasn't sure they should buy a house. A real house. In like a neighborhood and stuff.

What if everyone hated them?

What if things broke?

What if the 'net connections were horked and he couldn't work?

What if...

"Goddamn it! Don't bang that mirror around!"

Peter came around a corner, one eyebrow climbing up into his hairline. "Samuel. I think perhaps you should leave the movers to their job and come with me."

"They're not being careful, love. Those are our things. Some of them are incredibly fragile. What if things break? What would I tell my clients? My artists?"

"I could fire them. I'm sure it would only take you ... a week, maybe two, to do it yourself." One of Peter's hands landed on his back, rubbing.

"We could just stay here..." His head fell forward, the pressure exactly what he needed.

"No, we couldn't." Peter's fingers dug in harder. "We're vacating these premises and moving into the house we bought together. And you're going to like it."

"Are you sure?" It was a huge, rambling old thing and the light was beautiful and it was up on a hill and ... it was different.

Peter's breath slid over his ear. "I'm sure. Once you see the renovations I made on the big room in the north corner of the second floor, you're not going to want to live anywhere else."

"Oh." Sammy shuddered, eyes closing a second. "Tell me?"

"Only if you come with me." Peter'sarm went around his shoulders, leading him out of the way of the movers.

He followed, Peter--solid and warm beside him--leading him. Guiding him. Peter took him out to their little balcony and leaned against the rail, tugging him to stand between long legs.

"It's navy blue so at night the walls will disappear, and the floors are carpeted the same dark color in a thick pile." Sammy reached out, fingers sliding over Peter's face, loving the stubble, the way it caught his fingers. Peter smiled, nuzzled against his hand. "There's built in cupboards to hold our toys and a huge bed--I made the head and footboards myself, complete with custom made restraints."

"Oh, Peter. Really? Like a whole room to play?" A room to get into his head space and relax and just be Peter's.

"A whole room just for us, with everything we could possibly need. It even has a little fridge with bottled water and sodas, some snacks."

"That seems so decadent. So ... indulgent." They'd been making due with a section of the walk-in closet, with their own bed.

He was held in place by a piercing look from green eyes. "You deserve the indulgence, the decadence."

Sammy caught himself shaking his head, disagreeing instinctively, without even thinking about it.

Peter slapped his ass, fingers stinging through his trousers. "Stop that."

"Ow!" Damn it. He ... damn. Almost six years they'd been together and he still shuddered at that sting.

"No denigrating yourself, Samuel. I will not have it."

"I..." He blushed dark, eyes flashing over to see if anyone was watching. "Yes, Peter."

"Eyes on me." He was given another slap. "This move has you really rattled, doesn't it?"

He met Peter's eyes, staring into that bright green as he nodded. "What if this is a mistake? What if we're supposed to stay here? What if they hate us in the 'burbs? What if..."

Peter's mouth crashed down onto his, stopping the flow of words as their teeth hit and clicked.

Oh.

Sammy held on, the world tilting beneath his feet as Peter stole his breath, his sense. Peter bent him back, deepening the kiss, promising him the world. It might have gone on forever except for the throat clearing.

He blinked, but he didn't tense up. Peter had him. It was cool. He was cool.

He was.

Peter gentled the kiss and then ended it, bringing him back up to lean against his lover. "Jason. How nice to see you."