by Ava March
Viscount’s Wager
By Ava March
You never forget your first love, but is a second chance worth the gamble?
Anthony, Viscount Rawling, knows exactly what he wants in life and he isn’t above having a look about London for it. When he spots recently widowed Gabriel Tilden at a ton function, he thinks he might have found love...again.
Gabriel is as gorgeous and reserved as he was when he broke Anthony’s heart seven years ago. But they were only adolescents then...surely Anthony won’t hold the incident against him. And especially not when the attraction between them is stronger than ever.
Gabriel came to London in search of distraction, and a teasing Anthony is impossible to resist. As Anthony introduces Gabriel to the pleasures that can be found in the city—and in his bedchamber—their bond deepens into something more. Yet both men are hiding secrets that could pull them apart forever...
102,600 words
Dear Reader,
This month, Julie Anne Lindsey kicks off a new cozy mystery series with A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder. When a geek girl finds a friend’s body in her office, she puts her high IQ to work uncovering the killer. Check out this first book of The Geek Girl Mysteries!
Contemporary romance author Caitlin Sinead has a beautiful cover (seriously, go check it out) and a fantastic new story in Red Blooded. Peyton Arthur should be helping her mom become the next vice president of the United States, not investigating damaging rumors about her deceased father. And Dylan Torres, a campaign worker, should be keeping Peyton out of trouble, not falling for her.
Also in contemporary romance, Finding Center is Katherine Locke’s story of Zed and Aly. Ballet and Zed are two of Aly’s greatest loves, but it will take all of her strength to keep them both in her life. Check out the free online prequel Turning Pointe, as well as book one in the District Ballet Company series, Second Position.
Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson kept his promise but Layna Blair couldn’t escape her past—now that Blaze is wounded, it’s up to Layna to save them both in Sybil Bartel’s Impossible Choice, the follow-up to her contemporary romance Impossible Promise.
We’re pleased to welcome Jill Sorenson to our contemporary romance lineup. This month we’re reissuing her ultra-sexy romance that gives us a peek into the world of motorcycle clubs, Riding Dirty. Psychologist Mia Richards wants revenge. Her new client, tattooed Cole “Shank” Shepherd, provides the perfect means. She just has to manipulate the felon-turned-informant into eliminating her husband’s killers—members of a rival motorcycle club. The first step, seducing Cole, is simple. As for walking away before she falls hard—it’s already too late... Riding Dirty will be available at a bargain price to lead into her September new release, Shooting Dirty.
2015 RITA® Award-nominated author Lynda Aicher’s Penalty Play is the third book in the erotic sports romance Power Play trilogy. Starting defenseman Henrik Grenick has almost convinced himself he’s happy—until he meets unassuming Jacqui Polson. Fiercely independent with no need for hockey or the men who play it, Jacqui is the more Henrik wants, except sex is the only thing she seems to want from him. Can he change her mind or will the one girl he finally loves be the one who breaks his heart?
We have two fantastic male/male romances to share with you this month. Back with one of her popular erotic historical male/male novels, Ava March’s Viscount’s Wager, the third book in her Gambling on Love series, will have you turning the pages and then going back for the stories you missed. When a viscount’s teenage crush returns to London, can the men grab their second chance at love or will the secrets they hide tear them apart once again?
What’s life without a little risk? Or a lot of risk, if you’re Sebastian Carlisle. He’ll never live up to the legacy of his dead brother, so why try? Being the wild child in a family of stuck-up rich snobs suits him just fine. Until he meets Micah Burke and everything changes. Pick up Reckless Hope, the next title in the Letting Go series by j. leigh bailey, this August!
Last, what begins as a normal rescue mission turns deadly in Sharon Calvin’s Jayhawk Down, book two of romantic suspense series Gulf Coast Rescue. ER doctor and army reserve Black Hawk pilot Stillman Gray has nothing but respect for Coast Guard lieutenant Caitlyn Stone, but he’s not the only one who’s noticed her—a terrorist is looking to hijack a helicopter, and he’s decided Caitlyn is the perfect target.
Looking for more great beach reads to cap off your summer? Be sure to check out our backlist of fun summer reading, including Slow Summer Kisses by Shannon Stacey, Monster in My Closet by RL Naquin, Sharing Hailey by Samantha Ann King, No One Lives Twice by Julie Moffett, High and Tight by Vanessa North and Deadly Descent by Kaylea Cross.
Until next time, here’s wishing you a wonderful month of books you love, remember and recommend.
Happy reading!
Angela James
Editorial Director, Carina Press
Dedication
To Cooper Davis—my bwinsie, sorella del mio cuore, she who makes up mash-up book titles with me. Thank you for being there for me no matter what. My world is a better place with you in it.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Excerpt
Also by Ava March
About the Author
Prologue
August 1815
Cheshire, England
“Charades?” one of the girls offered.
“No.”
Anthony Hawkins wasn’t exactly sure who had replied, but the answer came from the general direction of his friend Pearce’s eldest brother, Stephan, who was doing his best to appear aloof and important while holding court with both Sherringham sisters and Charlotte Dunlop near the library’s massive fireplace.
Thank heaven that fireplace remained dark. The tall windows were all open, the drapes parted, but not a breeze wafted into the room. The day’s heat hung in the air, and even the setting sun hadn’t done much to diminish it.
With a teacup in hand as if it were a balloon of brandy, Pearce strolled over to Anthony’s place on the comfortable leather couch. “Any ideas for how we can pass the evening?”
Anthony shrugged. He had plenty of ideas for how he would like to pass the evening and with whom, but he kept them to himself. Yet he couldn’t stop his gaze from finding Pearce’s other older brother standing before one of the open windows, his back to the room.
Clad in an olive-green coat and with chestnut-brown hair, Gabriel Tilden was, quite simply, gorgeous. A solitary figure of youthful masculine perfection. One Anthony wanted more than anything to join, yet the crowded room kept him seated on the couch.
Did Gabriel or didn’t he? The question had plagued Anthony for the past fortnight, since he’d arrived at the country estate for an extended summer house party hosted by his friend’s family. There was a reason, after all, why Anthony had jumped so quickly to accept Pearce’s invitation. And that reason wa
s named Gabriel.
At two years older than Anthony’s own sixteen, Gabriel was old enough to know his own mind, and his own desires. Yet Gabriel’s reserved nature made it so hard to tell which direction his preferences leaned. Whenever Anthony had summoned the courage to seek him out—either at Eton or at the party—Gabriel had seemed to genuinely welcome his presence. And they had even played billiards yesterday evening. Just the two of them. During one shot in particular, he had stood so close to Gabriel that Anthony had been able to catch the faint scent of Gabriel’s cologne. Or maybe it had been his shaving soap. Whatever the source, the scent had been delicious. Intoxicating. Swirling in Anthony’s senses long after the game had ended and providing a tangible, realistic detail to add to his nighttime fantasy. The one where Gabriel stepped even closer to him, dipped his head and—
Gabriel looked over his shoulder and caught Anthony’s gaze.
Grass-green eyes held his. Anthony’s breath stilled.
“We could start a game of letters,” said a female voice.
His attention snapped off Gabriel and to the cluster near the fireplace. Damn Charlotte and her flirting. Of course she’d offer such a pastime. But he truly did not want to be pulled into that sort of game.
Anthony racked his brain, but before he could come up with another option, Charlotte’s offer was met with approval. Setting his teacup on the nearby side table, Anthony stood from the couch and turned not toward the group moving to the card tables, but toward the door.
“Leaving?” Pearce asked. “But the fun is just about to start.”
“It’s warm in the room. Going to step out to get some air.” At least his excuse was the truth.
Pearce shrugged, then joined the others.
Anthony closed the door behind him and quiet settled over the corridor. His pulse began to ease as he made his way to the back of the country manor house. As he passed the closed dining room, he heard someone’s raucous laugh from within. The older gentlemen and fathers were still seated about the table no doubt, indulging in brandy and whisky, whilst the mothers and chaperones were ensconced in the drawing room with tea.
He stepped out onto the back terrace, walked to the stone rail and took a deep breath. Even out-of-doors, the heat from the day lingered heavy in the summer night’s air. Not a hint of a breeze brushed his cheeks.
The click of a knob turning cut through the silence.
Anthony looked behind him. His heart leapt as a familiar outline emerged from the dense shadows cloaking the house.
This time, Gabriel had sought him out. That had to mean something, didn’t it?
Gabriel stopped beside him. Closing his eyes, Anthony took another deep breath while trying to not make it sound like he was doing so.
A faint scent, crisp and refined and delicious, just like the man himself.
“Are you really overheated,” Gabriel said, voice pitched a tad lower than normal, “or did you have another reason for wishing to vacate the library?”
Anthony’s eyes snapped open. His pulse slammed through his veins in earnest. It was all he could do to keep the shock from showing itself.
Oh God in heaven. Gabriel knew.
“You left rather quickly.” Oh hell, and now there was a touch of concern in Gabriel’s tone.
Anthony could only nod. He couldn’t very well debate the statement. And he couldn’t very well stand there and nod like an idiot. He needed to say something. “It was quite warm in the room.”
His mind spun, frantically circling around and around. Gabriel knew, or at the very least suspected. Of all the people in England, why the hell did it have to be Gabriel? Why him? Now Gabriel would never look on him with anything more than pity. Anthony fought back the cringe. But...
No, no. There was no way Gabriel could have discerned the truth. No one had ever suspected...except for the history master at Eton. The old man had come dangerously close to the truth last semester. Anthony’s solution had been to create excuses to avoid those lessons.
It had been downright stifling in the library. Perfectly valid reason for Anthony to have decided to step out-of-doors. For all Gabriel knew, the timing had merely been a coincidence.
That particular worry placated, the other reason for Gabriel’s appearance on the terrace jumped to the forefront of his mind. Excitement replaced anxiety. The heady thrill of possibility rushed through his veins.
“It is not much cooler out here,” Gabriel added.
“No, it’s not.”
“Did you merely wish to be alone?”
Anthony swallowed hard. He looked up to Gabriel. While Anthony had grown a couple of inches in the last few months, he still wasn’t on eye level with Gabriel yet. Close, but not quite. “Not entirely alone.”
With a nod, Gabriel looked out to the back garden, to the darkened shapes of the rosebushes and the winding paths between them. The moonlight touched Gabriel’s profile. The elegant shape of his nose, the soft curve of his lips, the distinct line of his jaw. Gabriel was gorgeous, no doubt about it. Not so much handsome or beautiful, but gorgeous. Sleek and refined like a racehorse, whereas his siblings were built like sturdy farm animals.
“There’s a pond on the property about a half mile from the house, beyond the copse of trees and the field.”
“Yes, I know.” He and Pearce and a few other boys had gone the prior day, though Gabriel hadn’t joined them.
“Likely the only place to escape the heat.”
Was Gabriel suggesting...
No, he couldn’t possibly. Gabriel wouldn’t do such a thing.
“You wish to go for a walk to the pond?” Anthony asked, needing Gabriel to clarify. If that was all Gabriel intended, then Anthony would more than happily accept any time alone he could get with him.
“Not just walk there with you, but take a dip in the pond together.”
The little thrill of happiness over the words with you coming out of Gabriel’s mouth shifted to astonishment.
“You want to leave the house and go for a swim together? Not that I’m averse to the idea, just surprised.” Quiet, reserved Gabriel wanted to go for a nighttime swim, and with only Anthony?
Gabriel inclined his head toward Anthony’s. “I’m feeling bold tonight.” The whispered words brushed Anthony’s ear, sending shivers down his spine, lighting up his senses in a way that only happened when he was near Gabriel.
A tremble racked Anthony’s entire body.
Gabriel did prefer men.
Thank you, God above.
“Maybe it has something to do with the heat,” Anthony said, sounding scratchy and breathless even to his own ears, “but I’m feeling bold, as well.”
A slow smile curved Gabriel’s perfect mouth. “Shall we take a walk then?”
Yes, please! “All right.”
As they turned from the stone rail and made their way down the terrace’s steps and to the back garden, Anthony did his best to gather his composure. Wouldn’t do to appear overeager, like an infatuated puppy bounding about in sheer excitement. He might be two years younger than Gabriel, but there was no need to remind the man of that fact. He should follow Gabriel’s lead.
Yes, that’s exactly what he should do.
He matched his strides to Gabriel’s as they wound around the rosebushes. Casual and easy, as if they were simply going for a stroll with no particular destination in mind. As if soon, very soon, Gabriel wouldn’t be stripping off those neatly tailored clothes and diving into the water with him.
Before the night was over, he would see Gabriel naked. He might even be able to touch his bare skin. And he might, just maybe, if the heavens smiled upon him, get a kiss from Gabriel.
Anthony’s cock thickened, grew hard. Never in his life had he been more thankful for the way nighttime shadows cloaked revealing details. He cast a q
uick glance to Gabriel. And never before had he so wanted to curse those same shadows. With the rosebushes on either side of them, he couldn’t make out anything below Gabriel’s chest except indistinct darkness.
The path led them through the copse of trees. The canopy above blocked the moon’s light, making it difficult for Anthony to see more than Gabriel’s outline beside him. The silence between them enveloped him, fairly ringing in his ears.
“Are you set to go to Oxford in the fall?” Anthony asked, needing to break the silence.
“Yes, that is the plan.”
“Must be pleased to finally have Eton behind you.”
The dark form beside Anthony shrugged. “It’s nice to be done with the place, but you’ll still be there.”
Had that been disappointment in Gabriel’s voice? Or merely wishful thinking on Anthony’s part? “Unfortunately, I still have a couple of years ahead of me.” A couple more years of ducking out of lessons and pretending as though he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Do you plan to attend university after Eton?”
Hell no. “Probably not. It would be nice to spend some time in Town. Perhaps obtain my own apartments.”
“Oh.”
That had definitely sounded like disappointment. Anthony tried to study Gabriel’s face, tried to get a glimpse of something to verify Gabriel’s tone, but they had yet to leave the darkness of the damned trees.
Would Gabriel truly miss him once the man went to Oxford? Did Gabriel want Anthony to eventually attend university with him? He would certainly miss Gabriel, not that they had spent a lot of time together. Gabriel was two years ahead of him, had his own small circle of friends separate from Anthony and Pearce’s. They saw each other frequently about the school’s grounds and spoke on occasion—conversations usually prompted by Anthony—but the differences in their ages had created a barrier of sorts between them at Eton. Hence why he’d been so eager to accept Pearce’s invitation for the house party.
“London’s not that far from Oxford,” Gabriel added. “Maybe eighty miles or so. A very long day of traveling, or two at a more reasonable pace.”
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