by GA Hauser
As Keith rose to his feet with Carl, the audience went crazy. There was no lack of support in front of the camera for them. It was behind the scenes that was the brutal reality.
Carl released Keith’s hand as they closed in on the handsome movie star who handed Carl his award. Once he had, Carl reached back for Keith. Keith was standing shyly behind him, more nervous than when he received his own statue. At Carl’s insistence, Keith stood next to him, feeling Carl’s hand wrap warmly around his waist.
“Thank you.” Carl held the award up. “To the producers, Derek Dixon and Will Markham who steered me in the right direction. To Charlotte Deavers whose constant creative genius astounds me. To my co-stars who are infinitely talented and inspire me. To all the fans who watch the show and make it what it is.” Carl gave Keith a demonic grin that made Keith’s knees wobble. “And to Keith O’Leary. My strength, my support, my guiding force, and my lover.”
When Carl kissed him, Keith blinked in shock and had to hold onto Carl to prevent fainting.
Once he had parted from Keith’s lips, Carl waved the statue at the roaring crowd and held Keith around the waist as they were led off the stage.
The comedian MC returned to the microphone. “Another first for Emmy night. The first gay kiss. I hope the censors keep it in. Well done, men!”
Carl sat down again, staring at Keith with a big wild grin on his face.
“You are amazing,” Keith laughed in awe.
“Get over here.” Carl grabbed him and planted a good, wet tongue kiss on him. When Keith peeked up, it was being broadcast on the big screens behind the host.
“Now, now, boys,” the comedian teased, “you’re liable to coax others out of the closet with that behavior.”
Carl roared with laughter and held Keith tight. “I love you.”
“I love you to, you sexy thing,” Keith purred. Seeing Charlotte’s proud smile, Keith didn’t know how their night could get any better. But it would. The best was yet to come.
Chapter 18
On the beach in Malibu with the choppy Pacific Ocean at their backs, the September light beginning to wane, Carl stood next to Keith, surrounded by all their friends and co-workers.
Still high from the award ceremony, Carl held Keith’s hand tightly as a private photographer took photos.
A Justice of the Peace stood with an opened book in his hand in front of the happy couple. “Repeat after me. I, Carl Bronson, take you Keith O’Leary to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love.”
Carl gazed into Keith’s teary blue eyes. “I, Carl Bronson, take you Keith O’Leary to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love.”
“I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you.”
Carl choked up, trying to keep his voice strong. “I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you.”
“I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come, I will always be there.”
Dabbing at his eyes, Carl repeated, “I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come, I will always be there.”
“As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep. So help me God.”
“As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep. So help me God.” The last syllable cracked from the emotion Carl felt.
As Keith repeated the same vows back to him, tears ran from Carl’s eyes.
The Justice of the Peace asked, “Both of you repeat after me. Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you, for where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.”
Struggling with his words, Carl heard Keith’s voice quivering as well. “Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you, for where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.”
“And where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do with me and more if anything but death parts you from me.”
Unable to contain it, Carl was sobbing he was so happy. “And where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do with me and more if anything but death parts you from me.”
“Do you have the rings?”
Mark handed Carl a gold band. Carl slipped it on Keith’s finger.
Adam gave Keith one next.
Keith pushed it on Carl with trembling hands.
“By the power invested in my in the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and husband.”
Keith pounced on Carl and kissed him, almost knocking him over. Carl wrapped around him and lifted him off his feet.
They were showered with rose petals as they raced into Adam’s Malibu home.
“I love you, husband.” Keith giggled like he was drunk.
“I love you too, husband!” Carl broke up with laughter.
As the crowd filtered into the home, popping champagne bottles sounded in every direction.
Adam raised a glass. “To two very brave, wonderful men!”
The crowd agreed, tapping glasses.
Carl kept kissing Keith. The feeling of being married to Keith thrilled him.
“Can I kiss the bride?”
Carl found Mark’s luscious smile. Both he and Keith dove on Mark and dipped him precariously backwards as they chewed on his neck and lips.
When Mark was set back upright he appeared completely woozy. “Wow.”
Carl broke up with laughter and grabbed his husband again. “I love you. You know that?”
“Even though we may be out of work in five years?”
“Yes. Even though. Screw it. I can direct.”
“And I can do gay porn.”
Carl caught Keith’s impish smile and held him tight. While they teased each other with the tips of their tongues dueling, Charlotte shouted, “Perfect for next season! Your wedding and honeymoon night.”
“She’s a horny lady.”
“I know. Lucky us.” Keith hugged him, locking onto his lips once more.
Pulling the men closer to her, Charlotte whispered, “Can I confide a secret to you both?”
Carl felt his skin tingle at her serious tone. “What is it, Charlotte?”
Laughing, Keith asked, “Are you coming out, Charlotte?”
“No. Sweetie, I have a confession to make.”
“Oh?” Carl felt the smile fall from his face.
“It was me who leaked the story to the press and set up the YouTube site. Will you ever forgive me?”
“You?” Keith pointed at her.
“Yes. Derek and Will were putting a huge amount of pressure on me for the February sweeps. Please forgive me.”
Carl met Keith’s eyes. “What choice do we have? If we don’t forgive you, we’re out of work.”
“No. That won’t happen. If it was up to me, the show would go on like a soap, for twenty years.”
“Oh, Charlotte,” Keith sighed sadly. “You caused us a lot of grief.”
“I’m sorry, boys. Honest. But in reality, didn’t it help you get here?” She gestured to the party. “To coming out and getting married?”
Carl thought about it. There was some truth to her words. Without all the devious tactics, he and Keith would still be hiding. What would happen to their future careers was still up for debate.
“I forgive you,” Carl sighed.
“Me too, Charlotte.”
“I love you both, you know that?”
“Group hug!” Keith laughed as she embraced them.
“It’d be group sex if Charlotte has her way,” Carl laughed.
“Oh?” Charlotte’s eyes sparkled, “Oh, Mark…” she sang. “Mr. Richfield?”
“Bad girl!” Carl admonished.
“I can dream, can’t I?”
“Go to your husband. Y
ou’re making him jealous.” Keith nudged her.
After she walked away, Carl drew Keith against him. “We thought it was her.”
“Yes. Ratings mean more to Charlotte than anything.”
“Forget it. It’s meaningless now.” Carl kissed him.
“I love you, Mr. O’Leary.” Keith grinned slyly.
“What? Aren’t you, Mr. Bronson?”
“Who cares, kiss me.”
Carl wrapped around him tight and sucked at his mouth. A cheer of applause rang out around them. That was the kind of feedback Carl craved for he and Keith. A standing ovation.
The End
About the Author:
Award-winning author G. A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington, where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England, where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written dozens of novels, including several bestsellers of gay fiction. For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website at:
www.authorga.com.
Other works by G.A. Hauser:
When Adam Met Jack
Attorney Jack Larsen may not have everything he wants, but between his successful career and best friend Mark Richfield, he’s content. But when Mark comes out of the closet only to declare his love for ex-LAPD officer Steve Miller, Jack is devastated. Months later and still wounded, he’s not looking to be swept off his feet, but it’s hard to say no to handsome Hollywood hotshot Adam Lewis.
Adam Lewis has made a name for himself representing some of today’s brightest stars. But when his business partner is accused of unethical behavior, he finds himself in need of legal advice. When Adam walks into the law office of Jack Larsen, it’s strictly business until he sets eyes on the powerful and sexy hero that’s about to rescue his reputation.
When Adam Met Jack is an amazing new novel by Amazon best selling gay fiction author G.A. Hauser featuring characters from Love you Loveday, For Love and Money, and Capital Games. It’s got the glamour of the entertainment industry, the drama of the courtroom, and the amazing passion that you’ve come to expect from every G.A. Hauser book.
Love you, Loveday
Angel Loveday thought he had put his life as a gay soft-porn star of the 1980s behind him. For seventeen years he’s hidden his sexuality and sordid past from his teenage son. But when someone threatens Angel’s secret and Detective Billy Sharpe is assigned to his case, he finds himself having to once again face them both.
Since his youth Billy Sharpe has had erotic on-screen images of Angel Loveday emblazoned in his mind. Now Angel is there in the flesh, needing his protection and stirring up the passionate fantasies that Billy thought he’d long ago abandoned.
As the harassment continues and the danger grows, Billy and Angel become closer. What began as an instant attraction turns into an undeniable hunger that unlocks Angel’s heart. It’s a race against time as Billy tries to save the man of his dreams from a life without love and the maniacal stalker hell-bent on destroying him.
To Have and to Hostage
When he was taken hostage by a strange man, Michael never expected he’d lose his heart…
Michael Vernon is a rich, spoiled brat with a string of meaningless lovers and an entourage of superficial friends. With no direction in life, he wastes his days spending his father’s money and drowning himself in liquor…until he crashes into a man even more desperate than himself, Jarrod Hunter.
Jarrod Hunter grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Out of work, about to be evicted, and unable to afford his next meal, Jarrod thought he’d reached the end of his rope and was determined to take his life. Then fate intervened, delivering him Michael Vernon. Why not take him home, tie him up, and hold him hostage to get the money he needs?
Two men from two different worlds…one dangerous game. Trapped together in close quarters, Jarrod and Michael find themselves sharing their deepest thoughts and fighting an undeniable attraction for each other. As the hours tick by, the captor becomes captivated by his victim and the victim begins to bond with his abductor. This wake up call might prove to be just what Michael needs to set himself free. To Have and to Hostage…sometimes you have to hit bottom before realizing that what you need is standing right in front of you.
Giving Up The Ghost
The visit from beyond the grave that changed their lives forever…
Artist Ryan Monroe had everything he wanted and then, in a blink of an eye, he lost what mattered most of all, his soul-mate, Victor. Tortured by an overwhelming sense of grief and unable to move on, his pain spills out, reflected in the blood red hues of his paintings.
Paul Goldman thought he’d found the love of his life in Evan, his beloved pianist. Their mutual passion for music was outweighed only by their passion for one another. They were planning a lifetime together, but then one fateful night Evan’s was taken. Drowning in sorrow, unable to find solace, the heart-broken violinist has resigned himself to a life alone.
Now it’s two years later and something, someone, is bringing them together. Two men, two loves, two great losses…and one hot ghost. Giving up the Ghost by G.A. Hauser, you won’t be able to put it down!
Capital Games
Let the games begin…
Former Los Angeles Police officer Steve Miller has gone from walking a beat in the City of Angels to joining the rat race as an advertising executive. He knows how cut-throat the industry can be, so when his boss tells him that he’s in direct competition with a newcomer from across the pond for a coveted account he’s not surprised…then he meets Mark Richfield.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth and fashion-model good looks, Mark is used to getting what he wants. About to be married, Mark has just nailed the job of his dreams. If the determined Brit could just steal the firm’s biggest account right out from under Steve Miller, his life would be perfect.
When their boss sends them together to the Arizona desert for a team-building retreat, the tension between the two dynamic men escalates until in the heat of the moment their uncontrollable passion leads them to a sexual experience that neither can forget.
Will Mark deny his feelings and follow through with marriage to a women he no longer wants, or will he realize in time that in the game of love, sometimes you have to let go and lose yourself in order to really win.
Secrets and Misdemeanors
When having to hide your love is a crime…
After losing his wife to his best friend and former law partner, David Thornton couldn’t imagine finding love again. With his divorce behind him, he wanted only to focus on his job and two children. But then something happened, making David realize that despite believing he had everything he needed, there was someone he desperately wanted—Lyle Wilson.
Young and determined, Lyle arrived in Los Angeles without a penny in his pocket. Before long, however, the sexy construction worker nailed a job remodeling the old office building that held the prestigious Thornton Law Firm. Little did Lyle realize when he gazed upon the handsome and successful David Thornton for the first time that a door would be opened that neither man could close.
Will the two men succumb to the tangled web of societal pressures placed before them, hiding who they are and whom they love? Or will they reveal the truth and set themselves free?
Naked Dragon
Police Officer Dave Harris has just been assigned to one of the worst serial murder cases in Seattle history. The Dragon is hunting young Asian men. In order to solve the crime it’s going to take a bit more than good old-fashioned police work. It’s going to take handsome FBI Agent Robbie Taylor.
Robbie is an experienced Federal Agent with psychic abilities that allow him to enter the minds of others. You can’t hide your secrets and desires from someone that knows your every thought. Some think what Robbie has i
s a gift, others a skill, but when the mind you have to enter is that of a madman it can also be a curse.
As the corpses pile up and the tension mounts, so does the sexual attraction between the two men. Then a moment of passion leads to a secret affair. Will their love be the distraction that costs them the case and possibly even their lives? Or will the bond forged between them be the key to their survival?
The Kiss
Twenty-five year old actor Scott Epstein is no stranger to the modeling industry. He’s done it himself between acting jobs. So when his sister, Claire, casts him in a chewing-gum commercial with the famous British model, Ian Sullivan, he doesn’t ask any questions. He’s a professional. He’ll show up, hit his mark, say his lines, and collect his paycheck. Right?
Ian Sullivan is used to making heads turn. Stunningly handsome, he’s accustomed to provocative photo shoots where sex sells everything from perfume to laundry soap. Ian was thrilled when Claire Epstein cast him in the new Minty gum commercial. He has to kiss his co-star on screen? No problem. Until he finds out Scott is the one he has to kiss!