Title: Always Been You
Author: Jess Buffett
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Reckless Lovers Press
Release Date: 7th February 2015
Cover by Jess Buffett
Blurb
After recovering from a shooting that took the lives of his best friends, Seth Hall returns to his hometown for the first time in eleven years with his two children in tow. Intent on setting up a happy, stable life for them, he vows not to allow his past to intervene with their future. That is until Jared, the boy who had broken his heart all those years ago, returns to his life a full grown man who knows exactly what he wants...Seth.
Jared Stewart thought he had lost his only chance to be with Seth after a series of misunderstandings and mistakes. When Seth finally comes home and back into Jared’s life, Jared vows to do anything it takes to keep him there. However, while Jared and Seth grow closer, they discover that not everyone is so happy for them.
Will they be finally able to make a life for themselves together? Or will they be torn apart again, by people they thought they could trust?
Excerpt
Walking through the bakery, Seth he proceeded to write his own lists for everything else. He became so involved that he hadn't heard the chime from the front door. Remembering he needed the measurements for the new sign out front he spun around, and collided with a wall.
"Oh, damn. Sorry," a deep baritone voice said. Long arms reached out and grabbed his hips before he could land on his ass.
Okay, so not a wall, but darn close. Stepping backward to see what, or more to the point whom he ran into, Seth's gaze locked onto a pair of striking green eyes. Shards of ice ran down his spine as recognition hit him. God, he remembered those jade orbs that used to make him lose his breath.
Jumping back, Seth struggled for breath as he stared mutely at Jared. He couldn’t believe the guy was actually here. And he was still as gorgeous as ever. Jared stood roughly at six foot three, a few inches taller than Seth's six foot. He was also wider, all of it muscle, and Seth noticed his blond hair was still cut short with just enough length to style it. The man wore charcoal gray slacks and an emerald-green shirt, that were tailor made.
Seeing Jared looking so good made Seth more than aware of the old Oktoberfest t-shirt he wore, and the jeans and sneakers that had both seen better days. Fiddling with his notes, Seth shuffled from foot to foot, not knowing what to do. Jared was right in front of him looking all yummy, casually leaning against the counter with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, and all Seth wanted to do was run. Taking in a deep breath, Seth snapped his head up when Jared finally spoke.
"Hey, Seth. It's been a while."
"Yeah, it has." Apparently not long enough, Seth thought, as he tried to discreetly shift the ever growing bulge in his pants. Now was not the time for a hard-on. Not five seconds ago, he had forgotten how to draw air into his lungs, and now he was going to have a zipper indent. Seriously?
Silence descended, as the two of them just stood there staring at each other. Awkward much?
"So, what is it I can do for you?" Seth asked, trying to ignore the slight tremor in his voice as he walked around the other side of the counter. Hopefully that would hide one of his problems as he tried to regain some composure. Why did he still have to look so good? Wasn't there some rule stating assholes were meant to look like toads.
"Actually, I'm here on Izzy's behalf. She was roped into some fundraising thing for the school she works at and asked me to come meet you instead," Jared replied as he lent forward, resting his forearms on the counter in front. A smirk formed on his handsome face as Seth took a step back.
"Ah, yes. I was told she was a teacher now. Brave of her," he said, giving an awkward laugh, spreading his hands out onto the flat surface before him in order to support himself. Clearing his throat, he added, "Well, you can just tell her that she can come see me whenever she's free."
Jared stood straight, folding his arms across his chest as he studied Seth. "Yeah, she is brave. And no need to rebook, I know what she wants. I'm quite sure we can work something out."
Why did that sound like an innuendo? This was definitely not going as he had planned. And why did Jared seem to be taking so much pleasure in this? Was this a game to him? Silly little gay boy, isn't it cute that he still blushes. Well, he'd be damned if history was going to repeat itself. He was a successful businessman and baker. He had two beautiful children, and had survived a fucking bullet.
Straightening his back, he met Jared's gaze.
"Fine. Let's take a seat and get this over with, shall we?"
"Is that the way you talk to all of your clients? Cause I have to say, I'm surprised you get much business then," drawled Jared.
Ignoring the comment, Seth led them to one of the booths. He cast a glance towards the kitchen, but Sal seemed to be preoccupied. Maybe telling the man to just ‘go for it’ hadn’t been a smart move. Something told him things were going to cost more than he thought.
Taking a seat opposite one another on the old scuffed booth with weathered red leather seating, that he absently noted to himself had to be added to the ever growing list of things that needed replacing, Seth launched straight into professional mode. He needed details to come up with something that the future bride wanted and that’s all he was focused on. At no time did he notice how good Jared looked, or how muscular he had gotten. Seth hadn’t even taken note of Jared’s soft pink lips or his large firm hands.
Really.
Not at all.
Dammit.
Author Bio
Jess Buffett was born and raised in New South Wales, Australia. She is a mum of two, married to her high school sweetheart.
Jess is a hopeless romantic who is a huge fan of M/M and M/F romance with a happy ending—anything with hunky men in all their glory, whether they be Shifters, Vampires, Cowboys, or the boy next door.
A caffeine addict who shamefully can’t make a decent cup of coffee to save her life, Jess believes in soul mates, happily ever afters, and in love at first sight, but that sometimes people need a second or a third for the brain to catch up.
Links
Giveaway
Jess Buffett is giving away the following –
$10 Amazon Gift Card
An e-copy of “Always Been You”
Contest Begins: 2nd February, 2015
Contest Ends: 15th February, 2015
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