He sang “Live It Up” since he hadn’t performed it for anyone yet but Ethan and his team. He wanted the people he loved most to see it first. A few of his regular backup dancers accompanied him, but they had none of their pyrotechnics, no lifts, glitter cannons, only themselves, the stage and the music.
It was strange, almost surreal to play himself, not Caramela, but within a few beats of the song, he was so, so glad he had. For one, he sang both parts, Pitbull and JLo, moving fluidly between man and woman. He shook his booty with a vengeance to make the diva herself impressed, and when he sang the line about knowing they liked her bumper, he winked at Randy, who clapped and laughed—and waggled his eyebrows.
Ethan joined him on stage for the middle section of the song, leading him through a seductive ballroom dance. This was in the show as well, and Randy said he couldn’t wait to see how green everyone was when the hot casino owner got to dance with the sexy goddess, then go home with the grungy poker player from the shadows. Dancing with Ethan was as beautiful and erotic as it always was, and Chenco had to agree, it would be wicked fun to do it in full costume onstage.
When he finished, the small crowd erupted in whistles and wild applause. Ethan patted him on the back, Mitch beamed, and Steve—his husband—drew him into a tight embrace and kissed him hard, telling him he was wonderful.
Chenco accepted all their praise, thanked them for it—then turned to Carmelita.
She had tears in her eyes as she came forward, hands pressed together in front of her mouth. Behind her Sam wept openly, sinking into Mitch’s waiting embrace. Chenco couldn’t focus on them, though, couldn’t see anyone but his mother, his mama who was here, who had come to him after all.
“Mama,” he whispered, his throat raw, his heart aching.
Please, please have liked it. Please, please love me.
With a determination and strength that made Caramela look rather flimsy, Carmelita came forward, took Chenco’s face in her hands and squeezed.
“Crescencio,” she said, her voice quiet but strong, her soft, beautiful accent curling around Chenco’s ears. “Cariño. I am so very, very proud of you.”
Joy beyond Chenco’s imagining filled his heart, his whole body humming with love and pride as she smiled at him.
“Me too,” Chenco said, and hugged her tight.
About the Author
Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her cats, and watching anime, with or without her family. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.
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MORE BOOKS IN THE SPECIAL DELIVERY SERIES COMING SOON
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Sam knows he’ll never find the excitement he craves in Middleton, Iowa. Then Sam meets Mitch, an independent, long-haul trucker. When Mitch offers to take him on a road trip west, Sam jumps at the chance. One minute Mitch is the star of Sam’s X-rated fantasies, the next he’s a perfect gentleman. And when they hit the Las Vegas city limit, Sam finds out why: Randy. Sam grapples with the meaning of friendship, letting go, growing up—even the meaning of love—because no matter how far he travels, eventually all roads lead home.
HOOCH AND CAKE
All Sam and Mitch want to do is get married, but between their busy schedules and the judgment of a small town, it’s not as easy as it should be. Then their best friend Randy shows up, and the wedding that almost wasn’t is about to become the wedding Iowa never even dreamed to see.
DOUBLE BLIND
Randy can’t stand to just sit by and watch as a mysterious man throws money away on roulette. The man’s dark desperation has him scrambling for a reason—any reason—to save his soul. Ethan has no idea what he’s going to do with himself once his last dollar is gone—until Randy whirls into his life with a heart-stealing smile and a poker player’s gaze that sees too much. Soon they’re both taking risks that not only play fast and loose with the law, but with the biggest prize of all: their hearts.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF RANDY
Randy and Ethan are ready to enjoy their first Christmas at home together, but when Crabtree ropes Randy into wily holiday antics, Ethan feels left out in the cold. When Herod’s new owner discovers his husband only plays at being an imp to hide a Christmas spirit bigger and tackier than Las Vegas, Ethan vows to find a way to have his cake and eat it too. Especially if Randy’s the one jumping out of the middle.
Other books by Heidi Cullinan
There’s a lot happening with my books right now! Sign up for my release-announcement-only newsletter on my website to be sure you don’t miss a single release or re-release.
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THE ROOSEVELT SERIES
Carry the Ocean
Shelter the Sea
Unleash the Earth (coming soon)
Shatter the Sky (coming soon)
LOVE LESSONS SERIES
Love Lessons (also available in German)
Frozen Heart
Fever Pitch (also available in German)
Lonely Hearts (also available in German)
Short Stay
Rebel Heart (coming fall 2017)
THE DANCING SERIES
Dance With Me
also available in French, Italian coming soon
Enjoy the Dance
Burn the Floor (coming soon)
MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS SERIES
Let It Snow
Sleigh Ride
Winter Wonderland
Santa Baby
More adventures in Logan, Minnesota, coming soon
CLOCKWORK LOVE SERIES
Clockwork Heart
Clockwork Pirate (coming soon)
Clockwork Princess (coming soon)
TUCKER SPRINGS SERIES
Second Hand (written with Marie Sexton) (available in French)
Dirty Laundry (available in French)
(more titles in this series by other authors)
SINGLE TITLES
Antisocial (coming summer 2017)
Nowhere Ranch (available in Italian)
Family Man (written with Marie Sexton)
A Private Gentleman
The Devil Will Do
Hero
Miles and the Magic Flute
NONFICTION
Your A Game: Winning Promo for Genre Fiction (written with Damon Suede)
Many titles are also available in audio and more are in production. Check the listings wherever you purchase audiobooks to see which titles are available.
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