Title: The Arrangement
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: July 20, 2016
Blurb
Carter Haywood lives for the weekends—specifically the one weekend every month when he escapes real life, with all the pressures of work and caring for his special needs brother, to do whatever he wants, with whomever he wants. Sex is only a release; he's not looking for love, a relationship or even a second night with the same man, until he walks into a bar and finds someone who makes leaving it all behind impossible. After one incredibly passionate encounter, he breaks his rule and goes back. He needs to see this man again. And again.
Damaged goods. That's all Reed Kincaide sees and hears when he looks in the mirror. Anxiety and ADHD define his life and he’s learned to keep people at a distance, never letting them get close enough to know who he really is. When Carter proposes a monthly weekend of sex without strings, it's the ideal arrangement for him. Or so he thinks. Every month, leaving Carter proves to be more and more difficult. It’s not only the intensely hot sex they have in their hotel suite; Reed wonders about the secret life Carter refuses to share.
As months pass and they grow closer Reed finds himself falling for Carter, but he needs more than hurried hugs and farewell kisses. He wants it all. Letting Reed into his carefully constructed family life could upset Carter’s whole world, but it might be the risk he’s finally willing to take, if it means keeping Reed. Once bodies are engaged, the heart is sure to follow, and Carter and Reed discover that holding on to each other is the first step in letting go of the past.
Damaged goods. That's all Reed Kincaide sees and hears when he looks in the mirror. Anxiety and ADHD define his life and he’s learned to keep people at a distance, never letting them get close enough to know who he really is. When Carter proposes a monthly weekend of sex without strings, it's the ideal arrangement for him. Or so he thinks. Every month, leaving Carter proves to be more and more difficult. It’s not only the intensely hot sex they have in their hotel suite; Reed wonders about the secret life Carter refuses to share.
As months pass and they grow closer Reed finds himself falling for Carter, but he needs more than hurried hugs and farewell kisses. He wants it all. Letting Reed into his carefully constructed family life could upset Carter’s whole world, but it might be the risk he’s finally willing to take, if it means keeping Reed. Once bodies are engaged, the heart is sure to follow, and Carter and Reed discover that holding on to each other is the first step in letting go of the past.
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Excerpt
It wasn’t the same standard room this time, Reed noticed. Carter had a suite, and Reed hadn’t ever been in a hotel room quite as large or luxurious. The outer room boasted a dining table with four chairs, a credenza with a flat-screen television, a large, comfortable-looking sofa, and two club chairs. A low light glowed from an interior room, which Reed assumed to be the bedroom. His stomach clenched tightly in response.
“Uh, sure. I wasn’t working the bar, just doing some of the office work for Vernon, so he didn’t care if I left.” Still holding on to his waist, Carter walked him over to the sofa where Reed dropped his knapsack and duffel bag, then managed to break Carter’s hold on him so he could remove his jacket. On the pretense of looking around the room, Reed walked around a bit before halting by the wall of windows overlooking the congested streets of Times Square.
“It’s bizarre, you know?” He touched the cool pane of glass. “There’s so many separate worlds going on all over the city. We’re in this secluded bubble up here where we don’t even hear the sound of the traffic. Anything could happen, and no one would realize it; love, death, every day it all goes on around us and we remain oblivious.”
He sensed Carter behind him. “That’s very philosophical. Is that what you’re studying—philosophy?”
The disbelief in Carter’s voice caused Reed to smile, but he kept his gaze fixed on the glittering light show outside the window instead of turning around to meet Carter’s eyes. “No, I’m studying hospitality management. I’d like to eventually manage my own restaurant or a hotel.”
“Good. For a moment I thought you were wasting your tuition money on nonsense. You’ll never make any money studying that crap. It’s not like you can open up a philosophy store and spend your day spouting all that bullshit to people.”
Strangely enough, Carter’s obvious disdain quieted Reed’s nerves. “I don’t know; I could see myself sitting in a nice quiet space, talking to people about their lives, thinking deep thoughts.”
“Oh yeah?” Carter pressed him against the window, covering Reed with his body. He’d forgotten Carter had been naked when he entered, and Reed could feel the thrust of his cock against his ass. “Maybe you have something there ’cause I like it when you get deep.” Carter kissed behind his ear, sending shivers down Reed’s spine. “Deep inside me.”
“Uh, sure. I wasn’t working the bar, just doing some of the office work for Vernon, so he didn’t care if I left.” Still holding on to his waist, Carter walked him over to the sofa where Reed dropped his knapsack and duffel bag, then managed to break Carter’s hold on him so he could remove his jacket. On the pretense of looking around the room, Reed walked around a bit before halting by the wall of windows overlooking the congested streets of Times Square.
“It’s bizarre, you know?” He touched the cool pane of glass. “There’s so many separate worlds going on all over the city. We’re in this secluded bubble up here where we don’t even hear the sound of the traffic. Anything could happen, and no one would realize it; love, death, every day it all goes on around us and we remain oblivious.”
He sensed Carter behind him. “That’s very philosophical. Is that what you’re studying—philosophy?”
The disbelief in Carter’s voice caused Reed to smile, but he kept his gaze fixed on the glittering light show outside the window instead of turning around to meet Carter’s eyes. “No, I’m studying hospitality management. I’d like to eventually manage my own restaurant or a hotel.”
“Good. For a moment I thought you were wasting your tuition money on nonsense. You’ll never make any money studying that crap. It’s not like you can open up a philosophy store and spend your day spouting all that bullshit to people.”
Strangely enough, Carter’s obvious disdain quieted Reed’s nerves. “I don’t know; I could see myself sitting in a nice quiet space, talking to people about their lives, thinking deep thoughts.”
“Oh yeah?” Carter pressed him against the window, covering Reed with his body. He’d forgotten Carter had been naked when he entered, and Reed could feel the thrust of his cock against his ass. “Maybe you have something there ’cause I like it when you get deep.” Carter kissed behind his ear, sending shivers down Reed’s spine. “Deep inside me.”
A surge of lust jolted through Reed, stiffening his dick, and heat flooded through him. Carter’s tongue traced a slow deliberate pattern across his neck and Reed’s pulse raced. “I like that too,” he whispered, and Carter’s lips curved in a brief smile against his ear, his breath hot and humid.
Author Bio
I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, my characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
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REVIEW
* PERFECT!*
Every time Felice Stevens's book is coming out, I always full of anticipation, who else people's gonna hate that I will love. Seriously, Felice has her own way to drive me to love an annoying MC that people wants to slap or put a fist on his face.
Micah from Memories of the Heart is one of the example. Its almost everyone wanted to punch Micah, while I loved him and wants to wrap him in a mama bear hugs.
Carter has the same vibes as Micah. Arrogant, stubborn, selfish and soon as you know what he did to Reed, you'll have a feeling to hate him and punch him in the mouth !
Not me. Nah. Never.
I knew he has issues, and I was right. It's just need people with patience like me and Reed to find out. (Pat my back).
From a one night stand arrangement to a life time arrangement, the two MCs having an an interesting development.
I know that Carter won't let Reed slipped easily from his arms after the night Reed broke down with his panic attack. He can't, because Carter knows how to handle people like Reed, and he knows he's the right person for Reed.
He's just too stubborn to admit that he also needed Reed in his life. I liked Carter's relationship with his brother, that's what brothers relationship supposed to be, IMO.
Reading The Arrangement, makes me happy. That brotherly love is still there, that people with some disability deserves to have love and even more love (I won't called ADHD as an ability tho, since I have one as well, and I feel as normal as I can be, no matter what people sees in me).
It warmed my heart that Reed is finally has a place and person he can called 'home' in Carter.
I'm glad Felice is an auto read author for me, because I's a sucker for a guaranteed HEA.
Well done Felice, can't wait for your next work !
ABOUT FELICE STEVENS
Felice
Every time Felice Stevens's book is coming out, I always full of anticipation, who else people's gonna hate that I will love. Seriously, Felice has her own way to drive me to love an annoying MC that people wants to slap or put a fist on his face.
Micah from Memories of the Heart is one of the example. Its almost everyone wanted to punch Micah, while I loved him and wants to wrap him in a mama bear hugs.
Carter has the same vibes as Micah. Arrogant, stubborn, selfish and soon as you know what he did to Reed, you'll have a feeling to hate him and punch him in the mouth !
Not me. Nah. Never.
I knew he has issues, and I was right. It's just need people with patience like me and Reed to find out. (Pat my back).
From a one night stand arrangement to a life time arrangement, the two MCs having an an interesting development.
I know that Carter won't let Reed slipped easily from his arms after the night Reed broke down with his panic attack. He can't, because Carter knows how to handle people like Reed, and he knows he's the right person for Reed.
He's just too stubborn to admit that he also needed Reed in his life. I liked Carter's relationship with his brother, that's what brothers relationship supposed to be, IMO.
Reading The Arrangement, makes me happy. That brotherly love is still there, that people with some disability deserves to have love and even more love (I won't called ADHD as an ability tho, since I have one as well, and I feel as normal as I can be, no matter what people sees in me).
It warmed my heart that Reed is finally has a place and person he can called 'home' in Carter.
I'm glad Felice is an auto read author for me, because I's a sucker for a guaranteed HEA.
Well done Felice, can't wait for your next work !
ABOUT FELICE STEVENS
Felice
Standalone,mba?
ReplyDeleteIya, SA. Bagus banget. Besok terbit kayak nya.
DeleteI'm totally getting this book. Love your review.
ReplyDeleteThis is Berry btw.