GENRE: Gay Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 66,281 words
RATING:

Travis McAllan is one of America's top country music stars -- loved by fans, he lives the dreamed-of life of a country boy who has made it. The lifestyle of a star, however, comes at a cost, and Travis keeps his sexuality a secret until he meets Geoff Randsell. The attraction is immediate and jolts Travis from his life of pretense.

Geoff has a secret of his own -- he’s in a rocky relationship, and he isn't impressed by Hollywood glitz. When he falls for Travis, Geoff is swept off his feet, both dazzled by and apprehensive about the celebrity lifestyle of private planes, mansions, and travel.

When a photographer sells a picture of Travis and Geoff to the tabloids, their courtship and private world come under fire. Travis must risk his music career to be with the man he loves, and Geoff has to make the difficult choice to accept a life in the public eye.

In the face of increasing pressure, can Travis and Geoff stay true to themselves to get to the altar and say, “I do?”

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

Travis and Geoff jumped and turned at the same time. In the patio doorway stood the man Geoff had heard so much about. He was tall and balding, with piercing blue eyes magnified behind thick black eyeglass frames. He was dressed in a severe black suit. He watched them with cold eyes, and when he walked forward, it was with wide, purposeful strides. Travis and Geoff got to their feet as he neared.

“You must be Geoff, the one who recruited my nephew into the sinful state he resides in today.”

“Uncle Jim, this is Geoff.”

That was all Travis said. Geoff kept hoping the film crew would burst into the house and break up this awkward moment, but nobody showed up.

Geoff extended his hand to Travis’s uncle. “Nice to meet you, sir. I would have to disagree with you that I led Travis into sin. He was on that road, as you call it, long before he met me, and yes, sir, I live here with Travis.” Out of the corner of his eye he saw Travis kicking at the tiles nervously, not knowing what he should say.

Uncle Jim, who was standing inches away from Geoff’s face, flushed bright red and replied, “Son, I’m a doctor of religion, and I’ve known Travis here since he was knee high to a grasshopper. I ought to know what I’m talking about.”

“Uncle Jim, what Geoff means is that being gay isn’t anybody’s fault. I was born this way, and y’all can’t change me any more than you can change the way you are,” Travis said, and Geoff was happy that Travis came to his defense. Uncle Jim, meanwhile, stared at him, clenching his jaw.

“I love Travis, Uncle Jim, if I may call you that, and you may try and stop it, but Travis and I are going to be married on the first Saturday in October whether or not you give your blessing, perform the ceremony, or sit down and watch.” Geoff’s voice rose in pitch, and he felt Travis’s hand on his arm.

“Well, I’ll say one thing, Travis, you found someone who isn’t afraid to stand up to me. I would prefer not to watch this travesty at all, thank you very much. I came here to meet you, and to speak my piece.” Uncle Jim pressed his hands together so tightly they were turning white. He narrowed his eyes toward Geoff. “This wedding hasn’t taken place yet, boy, and if I have my way ... If you’ll excuse me, Travis, I don’t believe I’ll stay here in this den of sin with you and him. I’ll stay in a hotel ... but believe me, this isn’t finished,” Uncle Jim said, pointing at Geoff, and he stomped off.

Travis and Geoff waited until the door slammed behind Uncle Jim before they could breathe again. Travis pulled over a pair of chairs, and he and Geoff sat down facing each other in silence.

Travis’s phone buzzing to announce the arrival of the film crew and Travis’s two brothers was a welcome relief.