Firm Hand
Page 26
The last step had been to wash the sheets that had been on the bed, the sheets that had still smelled like his dad, and he and Cornell had both lost it when they’d held them for the last time. Now they were clean, ready to be used again for new memories.
They made the big king-size bed together, the one Cornell had shared with his dad numerous times. But it didn’t feel strange or inappropriate. No, it felt right, like they were honoring him by not pretending that part of their lives had never existed.
Above the bed, they’d hung three pictures that symbolized their history. There was one of his dad and Cornell that Rhys had made a year ago, the two men smiling broadly at the camera, their arms slung across each other’s shoulders. Then there was one of Rhys with his dad, taken at his college graduation. His dad’s smile had been so broad you couldn’t help but smile when you saw it. And lastly, there was a picture of Rhys and Cornell, taken a few days ago by a photographer. They looked so in love, so happy, that it made Rhys’s heart do a dance every time he looked at it.
They pulled the covers tight, put the pillows back on, and then found each other again, looking at the bed together. “I think we’ll feel sadness in this room for a while, maybe,” Rhys said, but Cornell shook his head.
“No, not sadness. Melancholy mixed with gratitude that we got to know him. Happiness that we’re able to move forward. Joy for the love we’ve found with each other,” he said, and he sounded like a poet.
Rhys pulled him close, gathering his arms around him and seeking his mouth for a kiss. “Love,” he whispered against his lips, leaning his forehead against Cornell’s. “So much love.”
Cornell’s smile lit up Rhys’s heart. “Yes, Daddy.”
Thank you for reading Firm Hand! I hope you loved Rhys and Cornell as much as I did. What a ride it was for these two.
If you loved this book, please leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub. This is a huge help for an indie author like me since reviews help other readers decide if this is the right book for them and make my books get more visibility on Amazon.
Thank you so much!
PS: did you know I send out a newsletter every Saturday which not only includes news about me and my vastest releases and projects, but also about that weekend’s best new releases, 99c deals, and freebies in gay romance? Stock up on awesome MM romances for a bargain price!
Sign up here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
Books from Nora Phoenix
No Shame Series
If you love steamy MM romance with a little twist, you’ll love the No Shame series. Sexy, emotional, with a bit of suspense and all the feels. Make sure to read in order, as this is a series with a continuing storyline.
No Filter
No Limits
No Fear
No Shame
No Angel
And for all the fun, grab the No Shame box set which includes all five books plus exclusive bonus chapters and deleted scenes.
Irresistible Omegas Series
An mpreg series with all the heat, epic world building, poly romances (the first two books are MMMM and the rest of the series is MMM), a bit of suspense, and characters that will stay with you for a long time. This is a continuing series, so read in order.
Alpha’s Sacrifice
Alpha’s Submission
Beta’s Surrender
Alpha’s Pride
Beta’s Strength
Ballsy Boys Series
Sexy porn stars looking for real love! Expect plenty of steam, but all the feels as well. They can be read as stand alones, but are more fun when read in order.
Ballsy (free prequel)
Rebel
Tank
Heart
Campy
Pixie
Ignite Series
An epic dystopian sci-fi trilogy (one book out, two more to follow) where three men have to not only escape a government that wants to jail them for being gay but aliens as well. Slow burn MMM romance.
Ignite
Stand Alones
I also have a few stand alone, so check these out!
Kissing the Teacher (sexy daddy kink)
The Time of My Life (two men meet at a TV singing contest)
More About Nora Phoenix
Would you like the long or the short version of my bio?
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norasnook/
My weekly newsletter not only gives you updates, exclusive content, and all the inside news on what I’m working on, but also lists the best new releases, 99c deals, and freebies in gay romance for that weekend. Load up your Kindle for less money! Sign up here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: @NoraFromBHR
On Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-phoenix
Acknowledgments
The idea for this book came to me while on a trip in Australia. I can’t even remember what triggered it, but all of a sudden I had this story in my head…and it wouldn’t let go of me.
I wrote the first chapters by hand as I traveled, too excited to wait till I got home. And I even wrote on the loooooong plane ride home, in my cramped seat on the plane. By hand. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get that story on paper!
I’m so happy it’s done and these two have their HEA. *starry eyes*
A big thanks to Sloan Johnson from Sloan J Designs who made the super sexy cover for this book. I bought it as a premed but it fits the story perfectly.
My beta readers were amazing as always with their feedback. Kyleen, Amanda, Abbie, Tania, Anna, thank you so much. You made this book better.
Jamie, thanks for doing a fab job on the editing. As always, I learned new things from you, which I so appreciate.
Vicki: you not only alpha read this book, firing me up with your enthusiasm, but you helped type it up, made gorgeous teasers, and as always, functioned as my listening ear and holding hand when needed. If I were prone to getting sappy, I’d say you’re the wind beneath my wings, but that could get awkward fast, so let’s not indulge in that mushy crap. We’re way too snarky for that.
And last but not least, a huge thanks to my Nookies, the wonderful readers in my FB reader group Nora’s Nook, and to all my other readers out there. Your love and support means the world to me. Thank you.
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