Rescue My Heart

by Avery Ford

  With a new job he was excited for and a man he couldn’t get enough of, Arthur had found his happiness. And if he were to discover that happiness wasn’t enough? There was still time to turn his life around. He was young. The world was still within reach.

  But snuggled up in Dmitri’s arms while Dmitri whispered sweet things in his ear, Arthur was certain he’d found what he was meant for.

  Love.

  Nothing made him richer than that.

  Epilogue - Dmitri

  Summer gave way to fall. Fall gave way to winter. By the time next summer arrived, Dmitri had moved Arthur into his house. Living together was bliss Dmitri didn’t know was possible, and every day he woke up by Arthur’s side left him happier than the day before.

  Dmitri was tending to his young Belgian Malinois when Arthur came through the side door of the kennel. Annie was at his side, following him with the grace and ease of a well-trained, utterly devoted dog.

  “Is it six already?” Dmitri asked.

  “It’s six already,” Arthur said. He let himself into the kennel Dmitri was working in and kissed the top of Dmitri’s head. “I picked up some dinner on the way home. You wanna put the dogs away for a second and come eat?”

  “Of course.”

  The last of Dmitri’s dogs had been sold. Every one of them had found a home perfectly suited to their strengths. Jagger was with Martin now, an integral part of his team. Lily had found her home with a family with three young children, who she loved dearly and looked after as if they were her own. Voss had found a young, single woman looking for a loving pet who could double as a safeguard against home invaders. Even Poindexter had found a good home, although Dmitri hadn’t charged anything to his new owner. Quip and Poindexter made a good team, and Dmitri had never seen Poindexter happier than when he was with Arthur’s best friend.

  That left Annie, who lived in the house with Arthur, and her puppies, who Dmitri now raised. They were gearing up for their first AKC rally, and Dmitri had high hopes for the young dog he’d once considered giving to Arthur, now affectionate named Excalibur.

  Dmitri placed the dogs in their individual kennels, intending to come back after dinner to finish up with training and to let them run around in the enclosure for a few hours before bed. Arthur had placed Styrofoam containers of take-out on the counter — Chinese by the looks of it.

  “How was work today?” Dmitri asked as they settled. It was Chinese. Arthur had brought him chicken chow mein.

  “Amazing.” Arthur smiled. “We’re working on a fundraiser for a children’s hospital in Lincoln. It’s going great, and I am very excited about what it’s going to accomplish. But beyond that, I’m also planning an event in town for Locust Hill that I think is going to be fantastic.”

  “I can’t wait.” Dmitri looked Arthur over. A year hadn’t changed him much, but there were small differences. Arthur’s confidence had bloomed. He’d entered the professional world running, and Dmitri was sure it wouldn’t be long before he was climbing up the chain and taking the world by storm.

  There was nothing Arthur couldn’t do, and Dmitri loved him for it.

  “You know, I’ve got some time off coming up,” Arthur said. “Maybe after your rally, we could go somewhere? We can call in someone to look after the dogs and just… go vacationing somewhere. What do you think?”

  “Like where?”

  “I don’t know.” Arthur paused. “… Vegas, or Seattle, or maybe somewhere in Hawaii?”

  “That sounds a little pricey.” Dmitri furrowed his brow. Arthur was typically very frugal. “Is there something going on that I don’t know about?”

  “A little bit.” Arthur looked down at the table, but Dmitri saw the grin on his face. “I um, well, I was kind of given a promotion the other day, and I figured we should celebrate.”

  Dmitri’s pride for Arthur swelled. He got up from the table and drew Arthur into a hug, even as Arthur remained seated. Arthur laughed.

  “I’m so happy for you,” Dmitri whispered into his ear. “I love you, Arthur. You deserve all the recognition you’re getting. You put your heart and soul into this.”

  “Thank you. I love you, too.” Arthur rested his head against Dmitri’s chest. “So… we can afford a vacation, if you want. Or we can stay in, too.”

  “A vacation sounds amazing. Let’s see what kind of romantic get-aways we can find tonight. How does that sound?”

  “Great.”

  Arthur turned his head. Dmitri got the hint and kissed him, unable to keep the smile from his face.

  It was good timing. The engagement ring that he’d been carrying around for the last week would be much better given on a vacation than it would at the kennels. Not only would they get to celebrate Arthur’s win, but they’d get to celebrate their commitment to a future together, too.

  Dmitri wasn’t nervous. In the past year they’d grown together, just like they’d promised they would. He was closer now to Arthur than he’d ever been before, and he was ready to take the next step.

  He knew Arthur was, too.

  It was going to be a vacation neither of them forgot — but then again, every day with Arthur was a memorable day. They’d taught each other to slow down and enjoy life, but to never give up.

  And Dmitri knew he’d never give up on Arthur.

  Not even when death did them part.

  Afterword

  Thank you so much for reading Rescue My Heart, I hope you enjoyed it! If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate a small (or long if you prefer!) review on Amazon to help others decide if they want to try my books out. Thank you!

  Please join my newsletter to hear of all my plans and new releases:

  Avery’s Newsletter

  Social Media:

  If you think you might like to be friends with me on Facebook, you can find me here:

  Avery Ford on Facebook

  Also by Avery Ford

  Protector by Avery Ford:

  “I never thought I’d be forced to return to my hometown.”

  Celebrity designer Reed Luxe has the fashion industry on its knees. Making appearances at the hottest events with the right people around means his budding career is starting to attract attention, professional and otherwise. Reed’s been looking forward to meeting the man of his dreams, but he never counted on coming face to face with a man straight out of his nightmares.

  With a stalker on his tail, Reed does the only thing he can think to do: he hires brooding, muscular heartthrob Logan Price to keep him safe.

  “Who’d want to love a damaged man?”

  The last thing ex-SEAL Logan Price needs is to babysit a privileged and wealthy celebrity, especially one who runs his mouth like Reed Luxe. But with bills to pay and business at his motorcycle shop slowing to a crawl, Logan doesn’t have much of a choice. He’s been through deployments and lived in squalor, and he’s got the scars and emotional barriers to prove it, so how hard could two months spent playing nanny be?

  When his battered heart gets dragged into the fray, it turns out to be harder than Logan ever imagined.

  “How can two people so different be so right together?”

  Forced into close quarters as the stalker’s threats grow potentially lethal, not only will Reed and Logan have to face their pasts—they’ll have to face their present. Can Logan trust himself with more than Reed’s safety and win his heart?

  Protector is a steamy, stand-alone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhanger. 56,000 words.

  Gingerbread by Avery Ford

  "I've been hurt too many times...I'm not giving my heart away again."

  Alex MacElhaney doesn't know what to do with children. He's more than satisfied with his two English Setters, Molly and Duke, and his fledgling bakery business. But when an emergency with his sister in law's family leaves him in charge of his two nephews in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Alex buckles in for a crash course in parenting.

  "A second chance with the one man who unin
tentionally broke my heart?"

  Police officer Kellen Walker's deepest wish is to have a husband and children. The happy families he sees all around him at Christmastime leave him feeling cold and alone. He'll never have that - coming out as gay would break his ailing father's heart. The only thing he can do to combat his loneliness is to throw himself even further into his work, burying his needs in service to others.

  "Is their love strong enough to risk everything?"

  When Kellen investigates a break in at Alex’s bakery, he comes face to face with the one man who almost tempted him into defying his father and coming out – but that’s in the past. Kellen resolves to do his job and be the friend that Alex wanted all along. But when Alex suggests a Christmas fling, can they both love the other without their hearts getting attached?

  Gingerbread is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is set in the same world as Protector - Reed and Logan's story.

  Blue Christmas by Avery Ford

  "I feel like I'm destined to be alone...so I may as well isolate myself..."

  Xander Hart has always dreamed of living on the beach – and thanks to a bequest from his grandfather, a home on a private island in desperate need of repair, and some hard-earned construction skills, he’s planning to spend Christmas alone on his new property, preparing it to host his family after the New Year. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a lover.

  "My past has always haunted me...how will it shape my future?"

  Frederick ‘Bing’ Thurgood has it all – a stake in the family fortune, a beautiful fiancée, and a loving family all gathered in town for his upcoming Christmas wedding. So what if he has a feeling in his gut that something’s not quite right? On the surface, it’s all perfect. Then Bing walks in on his fiancée with his best friend, and his perfect future comes crumbling down.

  Both are running away, but can they stop to see that what's perfect, is in front of them?

  When Bing flees the disaster his life has become, he takes shelter in his family’s secluded beach house, intending to drink the holidays away. That is, until he comes face to face with the only other man on the island – his new neighbor.

  Blue Christmas is a standalone novella of approximately 25,000 words.

  A Marriage Resolution by Avery Ford

  "I know The One for me is out there.”

  Ethan’s never been the type of man to handle loneliness well. Sure, he can fit the stereotype of someone big and tough, muscles straining the fabric of his security uniform – but underneath, he has a heart as open and as loving as anyone’s. And he wants to share that love with another man. Which is why he comes up with one single New Year’s Resolution: to get married before the new year is through.

  "Commitment for me means heartache and scars.”

  Owen knows that life doesn’t always have a happy ending. He’s been there and done that, and he’s not looking to open his heart to anyone else. His bed? Sure. He can wine and dine and screw with the best of them. But when Ethan gets under Owen’s skin, the baker isn’t sure what to make of it.

  "Does true love really exist?”

  But Owen’s secrets are a heavy enough burden for him to bear, the scars they leave flayed into his soul. He can’t risk getting any closer to Ethan than a simple fling – and he certainly can’t risk his heart enough to marry him.

  A Marriage Resolution is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is set in the same world as Protector - Reed and Logan's story, and Gingerbread - Alex and Kellen's story.

  Scars by Avery Ford

  Caleb always knew that his work was dangerous. For years, he'd thrived on the adrenaline rush, the danger thrumming under his skin, the tangible efforts of his labor a secondary reward when the flames flickered away to nothing and he was able to save a building, or save a life. He'd thought that the Johnson City Fire Station 10 was his home - until he got caught in a building with no way out.

  Henry wasn't always shy and meek. As a child he'd always been buoyant and vivacious; in university he was the life of the party. And then he met Pritchard, and before he knew it he was skipping classes, flunking out, and isolated from his friends and family on threat of Pritchard's fists. Finally finding the courage to leave him was the best thing that Henry's ever done for himself - and also the hardest.

  Caleb and Henry are both trying to put their lives back together, both scarred in different and lingering ways. Henry's bruises might have healed - but Pritchard's fists had left their mark on his soul. And Caleb's body is still healing from the burns and broken bones he'd suffered in that burning house. Neither of them are looking for love. Neither of them want someone to look beyond the surface. A quick jolt of pleasure is all they need before going their separate ways again... right?

  Scars is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers.

  Slander by Avery Ford

  Benedict d'Arcy has never had to worry about where his next meal was coming from, or whether he'd have enough to purchase the season's latest fashions. Growing up in the prestigious d'Arcy family meant comfort, stability, and a certain amount of lavish opulence. But when his beloved father dies, leaving his stepmother in charge of the family's assets, Benedict is demoted from shining star to suspicious freeloader.

  Kota's parents have always been wealthy, too, but Kota chose another path in life - becoming a police officer. He's comfortable in his small home, knowing that he's benefiting his community and making a difference in the world. He's a simple man, with simple pleasures, and the only thing that's missing from his life is a committed partnership with someone he loves.

  When Benedict's suspicions about his stepmother's involvement in his father's death begin to grow and manifest, he decides that it's time for him to leave the family home - at least until he has concrete proof against his stepmother. But he mistimes his efforts, and something goes wrong - he's being followed. When he stumbles into the next county's annual Policeman's Ball, he doesn't expect for a man with kind eyes and gentle hands to help him to his feet and claim that they're together. He doesn't expect an immediate show of trust and willingness to get to the bottom of his situation.

  And he sure as hell doesn't expect their one night of pretending to be in a relationship to lead to something more - something authentic.

  Slander is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is set in the same world as Scars.

  Secrets by Avery Ford

  Crew Turner didn’t make his decision to leave the military lightly. He’s always enjoyed being with his brothers in arms, even if it did mean traveling far from his home and family and seeing unspeakable horrors. He’s enjoyed serving his country – but he also recognizes that the military life has taken its toll on him, and he’s ready for a change.

  Mark Hartnett doesn’t go out much. Ashamed of the large birthmark that covers his upper body, and too nerdy to have much in common with the general public, he has few friends, preferring to live his life behind a computer monitor. But ever since his best friend, Benedict, has found love with a small town policeman, Mark’s been drawn slowly out of his shell.

  When Benedict invites Mark to his elopement, he can’t say no – even if it’s all the way in Vegas. But when Mark loses control of his liquor and wakes up married to the most gorgeous man he’s ever met, he’s afraid of what that means for his future.

  Crew makes Mark want all the things he never thought he’d have – but Crew is hiding something underneath his good old boy façade, and those secrets might just tear them apart.

  Secrets is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel, with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is set in the same world as Scars and Slander.

  HATE/ Love by Avery Ford

  Hot shot reconstructive surgeon Dylan Mitchell has everything going for him - a prestigious career, fantastica
lly good looks, the kind of car his teenage self would have killed for, and recently paid off student loans. Everything should be perfect - but there's a yawning emptiness in him, a loneliness that he can't quench - and wouldn't dare to try.

  Brad Cooper can't believe his luck when his new business lands one of the biggest gigs in town - providing security for the local hospital system. He's determined to oversee the team transitions personally; he's worked too hard to get his security business off the ground to have it flounder just because some new hire makes a mistake. He doesn't have time for a boyfriend - and he sure as hell doesn't have time for Dylan Mitchell, the older kid who'd made his life hell growing up.

  Dylan is just as surprised as Brad is to run into him at the hospital. He tries to apologize for his past mistakes, but Brad won't give him the time of day. When they are together, sparks fly - but not the good kind. They can't stand one another. But when suspicious things start to happen around McDuff Memorial, they'll have to learn to work together if they want to keep the hospital - and all the patients in it - safe and sound.