GENRE: Gay Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 27,980 words
RATING:

Officer Chad Charming absolutely does not believe in love at first sight, or even love at all. Apple Grove is famous for their Fairy Tale Parade, and Chad is working when a horse carrying the parade’s Prince Charming kicks him, landing him in the hospital.

Jeff Garner’s family has a history of love at first sight and the local high school drama teacher is mortified when his horse kicks the sexiest man he’s ever seen. One look and he knows Chad’s the man for him.

Jeff sets out to woo the man, even though Chad makes it clear he isn’t looking for a relationship. While Chad recovers from his injuries, the two become close, but can Chad ever get past the idea love isn’t real and allow himself to love his very own Prince Charming?

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.

A little while later, Chad jolted awake as he heard Jeff coming through the front door. Blurry eyed, he looked around, trying to get his bearings. How long had he been asleep?

“Hey, sorry, Chad. It took a little longer than I thought. Looks like you had a little nap, huh?”

Chad focused on Jeff and smiled. God, he was cute.

“What? Do I have something on me?” Jeff asked as he looked down at his clothes.

Chad shook his head. “Sorry. Just waking up.”

Jeff pulled out his pill bottles and read the instructions before opening one of them. “Looks like you need to take one of these right now and another one tonight before bed,” he said as he handed over the pill.

Chad took a swig and swallowed the pill. “What about the other?” he asked, gesturing with his hand toward the second pill bottle.

“It says as needed. The nurse said you should take them for the first couple of days whether you think you need them or not, though.”

Chad’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

“She said that with what happened to you, it will feel like you were in a car accident and you know how you always hurt the worst on the third day?”

Chad nodded. That was definitely true.

“Well, she said they want you to take them every 8 hours for now and then in two days you can decide.” He paused and looked at Chad. “You want one now?”

“I took a pill this morning around six. What time is it?”

“A little after two. It’s time, then.” Jeff made quick work getting the pill out and handing it over. “This one will make you drowsy. Want to get settled in bed?”

“Yeah. But I think I can make it myself, Jeff.”

“Probably so, but how about I just follow you and if you need me, let me know, okay?”

Chad shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He took another swig of his drink and swallowed the second pill.

He pulled himself up and made his way slowly up the stairs to the second floor. He couldn’t believe how achy he was feeling. The arm in the cast didn’t really hurt, though. At the moment, it was more annoying than anything. He walked into his bedroom and was glad he had picked up yesterday. Didn’t need dirty boxers laying around.

Chad settled himself on the bed, his feet still on the ground and reached down to slip his shoes off and nearly tumbled off the bed.

Jeff swooped in and caught him, pushing him back up. “Whoa there, big guy.”

Chad closed his eyes and waited for the spinning to stop. “What the hell?”

“The meds are probably making you loopy,” Jeff said. “Or it could just be that your equilibrium is off from the accident. Here, let me help you get ready.” He slowly let go of Chad and reached down, gently pulling off his shoes and setting them aside. Jeff looked up at Chad and their gazes caught for a moment. Chad’s heartrate sped up and he reached out to stroke Jeff’s cheek, letting his finger trace along his jawline.

“Your skin is so soft,” Chad murmured. “So soft.”

Jeff blushed and looked away. “Um, so you want to sleep in your sweats?”

“No. Boxers and T-shirt.” Chad attempted to yank at the waist, but feeling dizzy and with only one usable hand, it was useless.

Jeff stood up and leaned over him, hooking his hands into the elastic waistband. “Lift a little,” he whispered.

Chad obeyed and Jeff dragged the pants out from under him and had them completely off in seconds. He looked down at his boxers and briefly hoped that he wasn’t hard. Because he always seemed to get hard around Jeff.

“Lay back,” Jeff urged him. “Let’s get you settled. I’ll head out after you fall asleep, but I’ll come back around seven tonight. Sound good?”

“Take my keys, Brown Eyes,” Chad mumbled, letting his head fall to the pillow. Sleep was pulling him under, but he was pretty sure he felt Jeff tuck the blanket around him before he left.