GENRE: Gay Paranormal Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 10,038 words
RATING:

Detective Lieutenant Kieran Gallagher goes to see popular singer Lucas perform, attracted by his beautiful singing voice. Watching Lucas on stage, Kieran is rocked by the realisation the singer could be his mate. But before he can come to terms with that revelation, he finds Lucas, and the group he sings with, are suspects in a murder.

He fears their burgeoning relationship is going to be de-railed when Lucas thinks Kieran's only interest in him is as a suspect. When Lucas's life is threatened, the bear will do whatever it takes to protect its mate.

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

Slightly uncertain, Kieran followed Imogene into the bar.

He was so far out of his comfort zone he almost squirmed as Imogene spoke to one of the staff. Only the thought of hearing Lucas’s beautiful voice kept him from running.

“The band’s playing out back. The opening act’s already on.

Come on, Kieran. I want to try and get somewhere I can see them.” Imogene was already on the move even as she spoke, and Kieran hurried after her.

He positioned himself at the back, a beer in his hand, and quickly realised that Imogene had simply wanted someone to go with, now that she was there, she’d left him to fend for himself.

The opening act, a red-headed female singer, took her bows and left the stage. Instruments were already set up, and as she left, several men came out from the wings to take their positions.

Kieran watched with little interest until two silver-blond men came out, and then he stood speechless. They were incredibly good-looking and, as they took up their positions, Kieran saw they were the band’s drummer and lead guitarist. Each tested their instruments, their musical duet quickly getting the audience to stamp and clap to the beat. They were alike enough to be kin, but if they had been a surprise, when Lucas entered, Kieran’s entire universe shrank to that one distant, platinum-blond figure.

Lucas’s hair was pulled back from his face, and secured in a conical grip at the crown of his head. The mesh top he wore shimmered in rainbow colours. Kieran moved closer, needing to get closer, to see more. Lucas wore a necklace that glinted in the lights; a plain chain with a circular pendant. Kieran licked at his suddenly dry lips, and his gaze travelled lower.

He stared at black leather shorts, studded with the odd diamante, that were so tight they moulded to Lucas like a second skin. Kieran heard his own low groan as Lucas hip-bumped the lead guitarist. But even that wasn’t all. Lucas then strutted effortlessly up and down the stage in over-the-knee red leather boots, complete with iron stiletto heels. He laughed with sheer delight, and encouraged people to clap.

Then their gazes met. For Kieran, it seemed as if the world around him ceased to exist except for the cornflower-blue eyes that stared back at him. He watched them widen, and then darken, and was only dimly aware of the low, rolling growl emanating from his chest. Movement at Lucas’s side distracted him, and the spell was broken. People pushed in front of Kieran and a microphone was shoved into Lucas’s hand, he instantly became the showman again.

Kieran stomped back to the edge of the crowd. I’ve never felt that kind of attraction before. I almost climbed on stage to get my hands on him. What was I thinking? He rubbed his face with his hands and stared once again towards the stage. Who am I kidding? I was thinking mate.

He gave brief consideration to leaving, but instead Kieran stood entranced as Lucas sang. The blond sang pop, rock, a couple of ballads, and the audience was entranced. Everything Lucas did was greeted with enthusiasm.

He performed a couple of additional songs as an encore, and Kieran was transfixed when Lucas sang “Like a Prayer . ” Despite his position at the back of the crowd, Lucas managed to see him, or at least that how it felt to Kieran. For a few seconds, their gazes met once more, and the words Lucas sang sent an image of him on his knees before Kieran. He groaned and then shook his head as Lucas danced down the stage. I have to find some way to meet him.