Here for You

Readers love

S
KYLAR
M. C
ATES

Exposed

“The story is captivating. It is an emotional journey of ups and downs and I loved every single second of it, even if I felt like covering my eyes and peeking through my fingers at some of it.”

—Joyfully Jay

“Almost from the moment you start it you know how it’s going to play out but you get so lost in the passion and swept up in the romance.”

—Live Your Life, Buy the Book

“With a very powerful start
Exposed
keeps building and building the intensity, until you literally can’t take it anymore and beg for a let out.”

—MM Good Book Reviews

Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart
(with Cate Ashwood)

“The story has all the perfect elements for a bestseller in M/M genre. The brilliance in carving out humanly characters gets a loud cheer from me…”

—Love Bytes

“…it was a great story, and I loved it.”

—The Novel Approach

The Holiday Hoax

“Gah! It’s stories like these that have me giddy during the holiday season.”

—The Blogger Girls

By
S
KYLAR
M. C
ATES

Exposed

with Cate Ashwood:
Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart

Here for You

The Holiday Hoax

T
HE
G
UY
S
ERIES

The Guy From Glamour

The Only Guy

The Last Guy Breathing

Published By
D
REAMSPINNER
P
RESS

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Published by

D
REAMSPINNER
P
RESS

5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886  USA

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Here for You

© 2015 Skylar M. Cates.

Cover Art

© 2015 AngstyG.

www.angstyg.com

Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-812-2

Digital ISBN: 978-1-63216-813-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014920194

First Edition February 2015

Printed in the United States of America

This paper meets the requirements of

ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).

For my readers, especially those who have experienced sudden loss.

And for my family—I love you through the sunshine and the storms.

W
RITING
CAN
be difficult. Thank you to a very special circle of early readers for making it less lonely: LJ, Trisha, Cate, Shira, Becky, Jackie, Tali, and Rebecca. I have been blessed to have you in my life. A big hug and thank-you to my loyal readers. Without your notes of encouragement, I might have stopped putting my work out there. I hope you all love this new series.

Thank you, Dreamspinner. Elizabeth N. really does make dreams come true. Thank you to the artists, editors, and staff there as well. You are all amazing! I’m crazy grateful to Dreamspinner.

Finally, thank you to wine and chocolate for getting me through the sad parts of this book.

When I began writing this novel, same-sex couples could not be legally wed in Florida. By the time I finished the galley, a pivotal month of change had begun in state. When you reach the line referring to same-sex couples being denied the right to marry in Florida, I’m thrilled to report that this may no longer be accurate.

C
OLE
LEANED
his long frame against the counter and gave his best killer smile. It was flirtatious and fueled by desperation, since he’d left his wallet on his bureau and needed that double mocha latte like he needed air.

“I’ll pay you tomorrow, I promise.”

“I’ve heard it before.” But Andrew, the owner of the Busy Day Café Cole frequented often, smiled back.

“Yes, however, unlike the other freeloaders, you know I’m good for it.”

“True.” Andrew raised his eyebrows. “Want a biscotti with that?”

“Ahh, bless you! You’re a prince.”

“So I keep on telling John.”

“Leave him for me, and I’ll treat you right. Buy you a castle—”

“In the air? Since you have no money?”

“I’ll let you do me in the glass carriage too.”

“You can stop now. I’m making the drink.”

Andrew, slim and blond, was cute in a boy-next-door sort of way. But they understood their banter was pretend. Andrew had a longtime boyfriend, and Cole, despite his reputation, didn’t cross those lines. He honestly liked Andrew and John. He’d never want to get between them.

Cole took a grateful sip, closing his eyes at the first taste of cream, chocolate, and coffee swirled together on his tongue. “You know I’ll be back tomorrow to even up.”

“I know. You’re a loyal customer.”

Cole thought he’d brought his wallet this time, but no. He’d remembered to leave his housemates and best friends a note about a “family dinner” on Saturday, but forgotten his money. Cole knew his housemates considered him a nag, but somebody had to get them all together to discuss their bills, or they’d be blowing each other off continuously—and not in the fun way.

“I’m loyal to your lattes, for sure.” Cole savored his drink.

“Well, you’re the only guy who usually wants my coffee so late on a hot day anyhow.”

“You wound me, Andrew. Big-time. It wasn’t my charm, after all?”

“Sorry.”

The door to the café jangled as another customer walked inside.

Oh crap, it had to be him.

It wasn’t that Ian Stark was so handsome. His features were far too arrogant for that. His nose was too sharp, his jaw too square, although his mouth was surprisingly lush. But no man who was off-limits should affect him this much.

Ian Stark was Brendan’s boss. He was unapproachable for that reason alone.

Brendan, the youngest of the roommates and Cole’s best friend, was still going to Florida Atlantic University at night, taking his prelaw classes, but he worked in Ian Stark’s fancy law office by day. He wanted to go into criminal law someday and defend the innocent. Cole teased him that there was no more justice left in the world, but Cole knew how important this job and his future were to Brendan.

He and Ian exchanged wary nods.

Cole focused all his attention on his coffee. He didn’t want to look again into Ian’s fierce blue eyes. Once was enough. Dressed in a formal suit and tie that flattered his broad shoulders and trim waist, he wasn’t even sweating. How was that possible? Everything about Ian was cool and sophisticated. Reason number two to stay away from him. Cole preferred his fun uncomplicated.

“Be with you in a moment,” Andrew said, as Ian approached Cole.

“No rush.”

Ian was directly behind him, and Cole felt Ian’s breath tickle the hair on the nape of his neck. Ian’s voice was always a surprise, no matter that Cole had heard him speak a dozen or so times. For a lawyer, his voice was lower and grittier than Cole would expect. It never failed to give him a small jolt.

Andrew gave Cole his biscotti. “How’s work going? Any good barfly stories for me?”

“Not really.” Cole dunked his biscotti into the coffee. “Same old, same old. Nothing much changes around here.”

“How about you, Mr. Stark?” Andrew asked, his tone much more respectful as he addressed him.

Ocean Vista was a small town; everybody knew everybody. But Cole noted how Ian Stark inspired formality even from his barista.

“Good. Signed a new client.”

Cole heard the pride in his voice. Since his housemate worked for Ian, Cole knew a lot about his practice. He knew Ian had left some big jazzy firm to create something of his own, building it up one case at a time through sheer will and determination. He wished Brendan didn’t talk about this so much because it only made Cole reluctantly admire Ian.

Unable to simply leave without saying a word to Ian, Cole forced himself to turn. Ian’s gaze pinned him immediately, and Cole swallowed hard.

“Tell Brendan to stop by the bar tonight. When he’s done with work.”

“All right.” Ian’s assessing expression didn’t alter, but a small muscle ticked in his jaw as he stared at Cole. “Maybe I’ll let him go early today.”

“You could try,” Cole said. God, could Ian have a sexier mouth? It wasn’t fair to give a stuffed shirt like Ian a mouth made for kissing. Cole gave a slight shake of his head and then frowned slightly when he realized Ian was still staring. Unlike Cole’s quick appraisal, Ian didn’t even bother to mask his. Ian studied him, head to foot, and Cole went still under his examination, daring only to breathe. It made Cole uneasy. He braced himself to meet Ian’s gaze. What were they discussing? Oh yeah, Brendan.