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Bodyguards in Love Volume One

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Brier's Bargain

Love is always special, but when you're a thirty-six year old man experiencing it for the first time, it's everything.

After spending his entire life in a hospital, Brier Blackstone is finally free to become the person he's always wanted to be. With the men of Three Partners Protection Agency as role models, how can he go wrong? And falling in love with bodyguard Jackson Benoit, is a dream come true, but the dream becomes a nightmare when Jackie is gravely injured in the line of duty. Feeling helpless, Brier makes a promise to God in exchange for his lover's life. One he intends to keep no matter what.

Jackie Benoit cherishes the love he's found with Brier. When his new lover insists on testifying against a violent man from his past in order to fulfill a promise, Jackie has no choice but try to stop him. If that doesn't work, Jackie will protect Brier with everything at his disposal.

Seb's Surrender

After a lifetime of abuse, Jared Grant was rescued by Brier Blackstone and taken to one of the safest places he knew, the bodyguard dormitory of the Three Partners Protection Agency. For the first time, Jared is surrounded by men whose job it is to protect, not hurt him.

One of his protectors, Sebastian James, knows a little something about abuse. Once a victim of abuse before he and his brother were taken from an abusive household and put into separate foster homes, Seb learned to harden his heart as a way of survival. Now, the soft spoken and scared Jared threatens the shell Seb spent years fortifying.

When Jared's tormentor threatens him from jail, it's up to Seb and the rest of the bodyguards to keep Jared safe until he can testify at his abuser's trial. However, the close contact might be more than Seb's hard shell can withstand.

Reviewer Top Pick

Book Details

Genre	Gay MM
Book Length	Print
Erotic Rating	Total-e-burning
ISBN#	978-0-85715-059-2

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Read An Excerpt:[Click here to expand/collapse]

EXCERPT:

By reading any further, you are stating that you are 18 years of age, or over.
If you are under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
Copyright ï¿½ Carol Lynne, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Total-E-Bound.

Excerpt From: Brier's Bargain

ï¿½ï¿½DEFGï¿½ï¿½ Brier placed the last file in the appropriate spot and closed the drawer. ï¿½Do you have anything else for me to do, Sheila?ï¿½

ï¿½No, sweetie, youï¿½re all done. Why donï¿½t you see if Bram is ready to call it a day?ï¿½ the accounting office secretary said with a smile.

ï¿½Okay. See you Monday.ï¿½ Brier picked up his coat and started to leave, but Sheila called him back.

ï¿½Brier? You forgot your paycheque.ï¿½

Smiling, Brier turned and picked his cheque up from the table where heï¿½d laid it earlier. ï¿½Iï¿½m gonna need this, too.ï¿½

ï¿½Yeah? Special plans this weekend?ï¿½

ï¿½The carnivalï¿½s in town. Bram and Declan promised to take me.ï¿½

ï¿½Oh, isnï¿½t that nice. You have fun.ï¿½

ï¿½I will.ï¿½ With one last grin, Brier went to find his twin brother. Since being released from the psychiatric hospital nearly three years ago, Brier had worked and lived with Bram and his partner Declan.

He knew Bram was taking him to the carnival to help get his mind off of Jackie. Brier stopped walking and rubbed his eyes. Thinking about the only man heï¿½d ever truly been in love with still made his chest hurt. Jackie had said he loved Brier too, but then Jackie had gone away to some foreign country and left him all alone.

Brier knew it was Jackieï¿½s job to go train bodyguards for Three Partnerï¿½s Protection Agency, the company they all worked for, but it didnï¿½t make it any easier to be alone. He waved hi to Mac as he passed his office on the way to Bramï¿½s.

He poked his head in and smiled. ï¿½You almost finished?ï¿½

Bram looked up from his computer, those little tiny reading glasses perched on the end of his nose that Brier thought made his brother look so smart. ï¿½Yep. Just give me another ten minutes or so.ï¿½

ï¿½Okay. Iï¿½m gonna see if Macï¿½s going to the carnival.ï¿½

Bram nodded and went back to his computer. Brier travelled back down the hall to Macï¿½s office. He leaned against the doorjamb and waited for Mac to notice him.

ï¿½Hey,ï¿½ Mac greeted. ï¿½How was your day?ï¿½

ï¿½Good. I got everything filed that Sheila asked me to, and I finished painting the break-room.ï¿½

ï¿½I know. The break-room looks terrific. Iï¿½m glad you suggested we go with the yellow. It really livens it up.ï¿½

Brier felt a blush creep up his cheeks. Mac always said nice things to him, but it was still hard for Brier to take a compliment without getting embarrassed. ï¿½Are you going to the carnival?ï¿½

Mac smiled and leaned back in his chair. ï¿½No, I think weï¿½ll skip it this year. You?ï¿½

ï¿½Yeah. Bram and Declan are taking me.ï¿½ Brier held up his paycheque. ï¿½Except Iï¿½m paying for myself.ï¿½

ï¿½Thatï¿½s good.ï¿½

Brier tapped his foot on the leg of the desk. He wanted to ask a question, but didnï¿½t want Mac to get mad at him.

ï¿½Something wrong, Brier?ï¿½

Brier shook his head. ï¿½I was just wondering if youï¿½d talked to Jackie? He hasnï¿½t called me for a while.ï¿½

Mac looked uneasy for a moment before his attention shifted to the door. Brier looked over his shoulder at Bram. ï¿½You ready?ï¿½ Bram asked.

ï¿½Yeah. I was just asking Mac if heï¿½d talked to Jackie.ï¿½

Bram took a deep breath. ï¿½I imagine Jackieï¿½s too busy to call anyone these days. Donï¿½t take it personally, brother.ï¿½

Brier stood and stuffed his cheque back into his coat pocket. He had a feeling something was going on. For several days heï¿½d caught Bram whispering to Declan. A couple of times Brier thought he heard Jackieï¿½s name, but when he questioned Bram, his brother always denied it. Maybe Jackie wasnï¿½t coming home. What if he fell in love with someone else and didnï¿½t want Brier anymore?

He felt that throbbing thing start in his head again. Brier lifted his hand to the thick scar on the side of his skull to rub away the pain, but it didnï¿½t help. The scar his father had given to him as a baby was a constant reminder that heï¿½d never be as smart as his twin brother. How a father could abuse an infant and then just sign over custody to the state when that abuse had permanent repercussions, Brier still didnï¿½t understand. At least he was happy his father had been convicted after abuse led to the paralysis of his younger brother Thor. Brier didnï¿½t feel a bit sorry that his father had been murdered in prison. He began to rub harder at the raised scar that ran in a large arc above his right ear.

ï¿½You okay?ï¿½ Bram asked, stepping into the office.

ï¿½Head hurts.ï¿½

ï¿½Did you take your medicine?ï¿½

Brier hated it when Bram tried to baby him. He wasnï¿½t a baby. ï¿½Yes. It just hurts sometimes when I get upset.ï¿½ He pushed past Bram to the hall. ï¿½See you Monday, Mac. If you talk to Jackie, tell him I said hi.ï¿½

Bram stayed in Macï¿½s office for a few more minutes. Brier decided not to wait on him and went out to stand by Bramï¿½s car. It was hot outside, so Brier took off his jacket. He thought it was weird how the mornings could be cold, but then the afternoons would get so hot.

Bram finally came out of the building and unlocked the doors. ï¿½I guess I shouldï¿½ve given you the keys. You couldï¿½ve started the air conditioning.ï¿½

Brier didnï¿½t say much. He got in and fastened his seat belt before leaning his head against the window. The hot glass felt good as it rubbed on the scar. ï¿½Are we going to eat at the carnival?ï¿½

ï¿½Whatever you want. This is your night.ï¿½ Bram pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home.

Brier turned to his brother. Bram had been very patient with him since Jackie left. He hated that heï¿½d had the meltdown while staying at the Triple Spur. Ever since that night, Bram had treated him differently. The way heï¿½d been treated when heï¿½d first been released from the psychiatric hospital in Oklahoma.

The hospital reminded him of Carl, Jimmy and Rick, the men whoï¿½d sexually abused him in the hospital. Bram had told him that Carl and Jimmy were in a little trouble, but they wouldnï¿½t be going to jail, and the police hadnï¿½t found Rick yet. Heï¿½d moved away. ï¿½Have you heard anything about Rick?ï¿½

Bram got a surprised look on his face. ï¿½What brought that up?ï¿½

Brier shrugged. ï¿½I donï¿½t know, just thinking about stuff.ï¿½

ï¿½Sounds like some pretty heavy thinking.ï¿½

ï¿½Maybe,ï¿½ Brier mumbled.

ï¿½The police havenï¿½t located Rick yet, but when they do, they want to put him in jail.ï¿½

ï¿½Because of me?ï¿½

ï¿½Because of what heï¿½s done to several men in the hospitals heï¿½s worked in.ï¿½ Bram shifted in his seat, and didnï¿½t look at Brier anymore. ï¿½They want you to testify, but I told them no.ï¿½

ï¿½Why?ï¿½ Brier asked.

ï¿½I donï¿½t think youï¿½re up to sitting in a courtroom with Rick, telling everyone in the room about the things he did to you.ï¿½

Brier pressed his scar harder against the glass. ï¿½I donï¿½t wanna see him. Heï¿½s scary.ï¿½

Bram nodded and reached over to squeeze Brierï¿½s hand. ï¿½I know, buddy. Thatï¿½s why I told the police theyï¿½d have to find another way to convict him.ï¿½ Brier felt better. At least Rick couldnï¿½t get to him if he didnï¿½t see him. Rick used to tell him heï¿½d kill him if he ever told. Brier knew heï¿½d do it to. Rick was a bad, bad man.

ï¿½I have money to buy us all corndogs for supper,ï¿½ he said, trying to change the subject.

ï¿½Are you sure thatï¿½s what you want to do with your paycheque? I can buy my own dinner.ï¿½

ï¿½You buy me dinner all the time.ï¿½

ï¿½Okay. Corndogs it is.ï¿½

Excerpt From: Seb's Surrender

Jared Grant pulled his thin jacket tighter around him and walked into the cold, blowing wind of a cloud-covered Albuquerque evening. He was so intent on getting to work on time, he didnï¿½t notice the car that pulled up beside him until a horn honked.

Jared jumped and spun around, ready to run. The driver of the shiny black El Camino SS rolled down his window.

ï¿½Whatï¿½re you doing out here?ï¿½ Sebastian James asked.

Jared took a tentative step towards the car, truck, whatever it was. ï¿½Going to work.ï¿½

Seb sighed and put the car in park. ï¿½Get in.ï¿½

Jared opened the door and a blast of heat warmed him within seconds. He buckled his seatbelt and waited for Seb to pull away from the kerb. ï¿½Itï¿½s just up here another six blocks.ï¿½

ï¿½Yeah, I know where it is. Mind telling me what the hell youï¿½re doing walking to work in this weather?ï¿½

Confused by the manï¿½s anger, Jared inched closer to the passenger door. ï¿½Umï¿½going to work?ï¿½

ï¿½Are you asking me?ï¿½

ï¿½Huh?ï¿½ Seb confused Jared more than anyone heï¿½d ever been around.

ï¿½You do that a lot, you know.ï¿½

ï¿½Do what?ï¿½

ï¿½Make statements into questions. Itï¿½s the lilt up on the end of your sentences, like youï¿½re not sure if youï¿½re going to work or not.ï¿½

ï¿½Oh. Yes, Iï¿½m going to work.ï¿½

Seb shook his head and pulled back into traffic. ï¿½So why are you walking instead of catching a ride?ï¿½

ï¿½Brier went home sick.ï¿½

ï¿½So why not ask someone else?ï¿½

Jared tried to concentrate on the questions, but he kept getting distracted by Sebastianï¿½s dangerous-looking beauty. ï¿½I donï¿½t know anyone else well enough to bother.ï¿½

With a disgusted sigh, Seb reached into the pocket of his black leather jacket and handed Jared a business card. ï¿½Call me when you need a ride. If Iï¿½m not on a job, Iï¿½ll take ya.ï¿½

Jared read the black and red printed business card. It listed Sebastian James as a security specialist and gave his phone number. ï¿½Whatï¿½s a security specialist do?ï¿½

ï¿½Whatever needs doing. Mostly I assess situations and make recommendations on the level of security a specific job requires.ï¿½

Sebastian pulled into the small gas station parking lot. Jared opened the door, glancing back at the handsome man. ï¿½Thanks for the ride.ï¿½

Seb reached out and grabbed Jaredï¿½s arm. Out of reflex, Jared tried to jerk his arm back and lowered his head. Sebastian released his grip with a growl of what sounded like irritation. ï¿½How lateï¿½re you working?ï¿½

ï¿½I donï¿½t get off until two.ï¿½

ï¿½In the morning?ï¿½

Jared nodded his head. He knew his job sucked, but beggars couldnï¿½t be choosers. ï¿½Itï¿½s the only shift they had available.ï¿½

Seb rubbed his hands over his face. Jared could tell he irritated the man, but he wasnï¿½t the one whoï¿½d asked for a ride. ï¿½Call me, and Iï¿½ll pick you up. Youï¿½ve got no business being on the streets that late.ï¿½

Jared walked home from work every night at that time. He wondered why he was suddenly being told he had no business doing it. As grouchy as Seb acted, Jared doubted the man would appreciate a wakeup call at two. Instead of arguing, he stuffed the card into his jacket pocket and got out of the car. ï¿½Thanks again for the ride.ï¿½

He walked into the store and acknowledged the older woman behind the counter. Mrs. Bell seemed nice enough, but she was the nosey type and Jared preferred to keep the skeletons in his closet safely locked away.

Jared stowed his jacket under the counter and watched out the window as Seb pulled out of the parking lot. Why had he waited so long? Jared shook his head. In the three weeks since heï¿½d come to Albuquerque with Brier, Sebastian seemed to run hot and cold where he was concerned.

Seb was the one whoï¿½d insisted Jared file assault and rape charges against Rick Sutcliff, but since then, it seemed like Seb could barely stand to be around him. Jared couldnï¿½t help but to think Seb was disgusted by him now that he knew everything Rick had done to him.

Even thinking of Rick had Jaredï¿½s stomach clenching into knots. It had been bad enough that Rick terrorized and raped him, Brier and Peter while in the hospital, but then Rick had showed up on his doorstep in Lubbock demanding to be let in.

Jared had been so afraid of the man, heï¿½d done as he was told. From that day until Brier came knocking on his door, Rick had made his life a living hell. It was the lowest point of his twenty-five years, which was saying a lot.

He glanced down at the long straight scars running up both wrists. Even the events that had pushed him into trying to end his life hadnï¿½t been nearly as hard as the punishment Rick doled out on a daily basis.

ï¿½Iï¿½m off,ï¿½ Mrs. Bell called, grabbing her purse from the locked cabinet under the counter.

ï¿½Have a good evening.ï¿½

Customer Reviews

Review from Dark Diva Reviews

Reviewed by Donna

Brier’s Bargain is a gift from Carol Lynne. The story is engaging, the characters are well developed and memorable, and the beauty of those characters shines through. Don’t miss this book.
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