“Because in my experience people have to fight their demons on their own. Though I admit I was about to come in and do some punching because I was tired of waiting. I should have known I wouldn’t have to. You always come through in the end, baby.” Randy ran a finger down Ethan’s nose. “I don’t want to kiss anyone else but you tonight. I don’t care who that disappoints.”
Ethan smiled and stroked his hip. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Why don’t you go close up my office while I make our excuses and call up the car?”
Randy grinned. “Why don’t I indeed?”
“Oh, but first—” Ethan withdrew a folded piece of paper from the inside of his jacket and handed it over. “Merry Christmas, Randy. A little early.”
Randy opened the paper and frowned at it, not understanding. “Why am I looking at a photo of someone’s house?”
“Because, if you take a tour of it and find it acceptable, it will eventually be your house.” Ethan ran a finger under a series of smaller photos. “The kitchen is exceptional in this one, though there are a few other properties we’ve toured that you might want to consider as well.”
Randy stared openmouthed, first at the paper, then at Ethan. “You…got me a…house for Christmas?”
“Well not yet. I’d never buy a house without your consent. I really can’t tell about the kitchen. But Sam and Mitch helped, and—”
Ethan couldn’t say anything else, not for several minutes, because Randy’s tongue was down his throat.
When Randy finally came up for air, he stroked his husband’s face, nuzzling his nose. “You got me a house. With a fucking amazing kitchen. I love you. I cannot tell you how much I love you. Let me take you home and attempt to show you instead.”
He started to rise, but Ethan pulled him back down. He took Randy’s face gently in his hands and brushed a featherlight kiss against his lips. “Merry Christmas, Randy.”
Merry Christmas to you too, Randy wanted to say, but his heart was overflowing. Christmas music played over the murmur of the crowd, fairy lights hung everywhere, and the air was full of the smell of rum and pine and Ethan. So he just smiled as he shut his eyes and leaned forward and kissed his husband.
Again.
Want to find out what happens next to the Special Delivery boys? The story continues in Tough Love, available now wherever books are sold.
It takes a strong man to be this fabulous.
Crescencio “Chenco” Ortiz pulled himself up by his garter straps after his father’s will yanked the financial rug from under his spank-me pumps. He doesn’t need anyone, yet when Steve Vance steps into his life, the prospect of having a sexy leather daddy on tap begins to take on a certain appeal.
There’s a hitch when he learns Steve is friends with Mitch Tedsoe—the half-brother Chenco never knew except through his father’s twisted lies. Despite his reservations, soon Chenco is living his dreams, including a performing gig in Vegas. Now if only he could get Steve to see him as more than just a boy in need of saving.
Steve’s attraction to Chenco is overshadowed by too many demons, ones he knows his would-be lover is too young to slay. Yet as he gets to know the bright, determined young man whose drag act redefines fierce, Steve’s inner sadist trembles with need. He begins to realize Chenco’s relentless tough love might be the only thing that will finally set him free.
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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OTHER TITLES IN THIS SERIES
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 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.
TOUGH LOVE
Chenco Ortiz harbors fierce dreams of being a drag star on a glittering stage, but when leatherman Steve Vance introduces him to the intoxicating world of sadomasochism, he finds strength in body and mind he’s never dreamed to seek—strength enough maybe to save his tortured Papi too.
Other Books by Heidi Cullinan
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THE ROOSEVELT SERIES
Carry the Ocean (also available in French)
Shelter the Sea
Unleash the Earth (coming soon)
Shatter the Sky (coming soon)
LOVE LESSONS SERIES
Love Lessons (also available in German; French coming soon)
Frozen Heart
Fever Pitch (also available in German)
Lonely Hearts (also available in German)
Short Stay
Rebel Heart (coming soon)
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
CHRISTMAS TOWN SERIES
The Christmas Fling
THE SPECIAL DELIVERY SERIES
Special Delivery
Hooch and Cake
Double Blind
The Twelve Days of Randy
Tough Love
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
Nowhere Ranch (available in Italian)
Family Man (written with Marie Sexton)
A Private Gentleman
The Devil Will Do
Hero
Miles a
nd 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.
The Twelve Days of Randy Page 10