Jaxson Hartfield has very specific desires, and they involve muscular men. Problem is, he hasn't been able to make any of his relationships last. Thus he's forty-one and single, but not for lack of trying. So Jaxson buries himself in work and late nights and admires Carter Daniels, the very buff eye-candy at his gym, without any hope for more.Carter Daniels is a weightlifter whose biceps and triceps distract Jaxson to the point of tripping over his own feet. And it doesn't get any better from there. Just a whiff of the man's sweat turns Jaxson's brain to mush, making conversation practically impossible. Carter knows Jaxson is attracted to him. But getting the man to stop acting like a scared rabbit around him might take a lot of effort. Still, he may be just the muscleman for the job.

Lysander "Fitz" Fitzgibbon used to teach at a university, but quit when his father grew ill and needed someone to take care of him. Years later, after his dad's death, Fitz has given up on his dreams, drives a bus route, and endures visits from Jerry, who can't really be called a friend, and barely a benefit. Fitz is lonely, worries about his weight, and figures life won't be getting any better.Then, Fitz stumbles over a dead body in the park. As if life couldn't get any worse, he has a run-in with Detective Holland Simms, whose infuriating arrogance and brash behavior provokes Fitz to punch him. But strangely enough, Fitz feels more alive around Simms than he has in a long time, though he finds it hard to believe that the confident Simms would want anything to do with him. Should he take a chance on more?

Derrick Choi hasn't had sex in months, and he's about to explode. While he's happy that his brother Joey is finally getting the care he needs, the stress of the daily grind, recalcitrant customers, and life in general has taken its toll. At the end of a rough day, he decides to unwind at a club and is surprised when the lead guitarist of the band turns out to be the manager at one of his delivery stops.Paul Fontana is a sexy older man who takes what he wants, with no apologies. He's had his eye on Derrick for a while, and finally gets to know him up close and personal. Both men find out that they have a special chemistry and must decide whether to leave things as a two-night stand or pursue something serious. It could be, though, that they have all the time in the world.

Logan Winston makes a deal with his younger brother Marco to pose in the buff for an art class. Why? Because Marco is threatening to quit high school, and Logan doesn't want his sibling to go through difficulties in life because of bad choices. Still, all Logan sees in the mirror is an average guy with dreadlocks and grease under his fingernails pretending to be a model. Then he meets Wayne Rodriguez, the hunky art teacher who causes Logan to want like he's never wanted before.Wayne Rodriguez is getting over a bad relationship and desires nothing more than friendship. Logan is raising his little brother and feels inadequate in Wayne's presence. Angry words and fear make things worse, and sneaky brothers try to get them back on track.They have to find a solution, if only to stop their siblings from meddling.

Adrian Mitchell is miserable. His boyfriend, Brandon Perez, cheated on him, so he kicks him out of the house. But when a friend points out that Brandon's cheating is a symptom of a deeper issue — Adrian being a control freak — he has to face some harsh truths about himself. Yes, Brandon made a huge mistake, but Adrian isn't a peach, either.To get Brandon back, Adrian will have to open up about his past, and why he's always been afraid to give away control to anyone. He'll have to convince Brandon that he's willing to change, because he can't live without him anymore, cheating be damned. He needs Brandon to come home.

Martin Wesley's job as a CFO is very stressful. All he seems to do lately is work, with no end in sight. But one morning he answers a knock on his door and comes face to face with a social worker and a sad little girl named Samantha Wesley ... his niece. Martin is her only next of kin, and he has no idea what to do.In steps daycare worker Ryan Gentles, who is very understanding and helpful, and Martin is beyond grateful. It doesn't hurt that the man is cute as a button, too.With his heart pulled in two directions, Martin has to make a choice: continue to be a pawn in his company's games or find a new purpose by taking care of his niece, quitting his job, and reaching out for a love he never thought possible.

When Terry turned eighteen, he became homeless, abandoned by family and friends for being gay. Though it took him years, he has found his feet again. Then, a man from his past knocks him right back down, dredging up a memory of the time Terry stood by and did nothing as that same man was assaulted for being gay, driving home to Terry that he will never be worthy of friendship or family.Ishmael is shocked, angry, and hurt at seeing Terry so many years after high school. After Terry's apology, however, Ishmael realizes that Terry is hurting and scarred, too. He and Terry become cautious friends. Ishmael wants to help, but Terry is reluctant to trust anyone with his pain, let alone love.Can Ishmael and Terry get over their past for a future together?

John Dornbrook is forty-nine years old. He's been doing the same job for fifteen years and hates it. But when he's laid-off, it hits him hard and his world turns upside down. When he meets Hollis Lombard, his neighbor's grandson, the unexpected happens.Hollis Lombard is determined to get John out of his funk, so he offers to take him on a summer road trip. They head out west in search of adventure, but John is touchy and lashes out easily. Hollis, aware of the attraction between them, doesn't want to take any chances which could hurt their budding friendship.It's all a frightful muddle, and it remains to be seen if they can overcome their issues in time to reach their final destination. Will the journey be worth it?

Joseph "Joey" Choi has been to hell and back. A war veteran, he was in a bad place for a long time until his brother Derrick got him the help he needed. Joey figures the least he can do is learn how to do things on his own, for a change. His first step is to apply for a job at a farm.Barrimore "Bear" Lancett, the farm's foreman, is larger than life and seriously hot. And God, those dimples! Both Bear and Joey a "moment," but Joey immediately pushes the wayward, intimate thoughts aside, convinced he's not relationship material, much less with his boss.That doesn't stop Bear from trying, but he has to convince Joey to take a chance on them, and maybe find his new normal.

What does a lonely sheriff do when all his friends are no longer single?Nicholas "Bulldog" McMurtry might prefer being footloose, but underneath it all, he longs for companionship in a way he can understand. When Russ Soames gives Bulldog a night to remember, the sheriff isn't sure if his fancy-free notions are worth the loss of someone who could become special.Note: This short story was originally published in the charity collection, Love Is Proud.

Engelbert Trentworthy -- call him Trent -- doesn’t take himself seriously. He sleeps around, thinking that’s all he deserves because of his black past. And then, he meets photographer Elias Lane, whose photos of Trent cause havoc in his life. Elias wants more from Trent, but Trent’s not having it. So the dance begins, and Elias will do anything to get past Trent’s barriers, because he’s perfect.

Trev Harding is a truck driver in his forties who loves having sex with a different twink every night. The only exception to this is one-time trick Grant Hess, a mid-thirties forklift operator on his daily route who could pass for twenty-three. Trev's life takes a startling turn when he's told by his latest conquest that the guys at his usual pickup spot see him as a shallow, dirty old man, and pathetic.Tail tucked between his legs, Trev is forced to do some soul-searching and asks the one man who might be willing to give him some advice — Grant. Their frank conversation leads to an unexpected development, and Trev might be willing to try something new, if he can get over his insecurities.

Llewellyn "Llew" Dane lives for his job, or rather, to pay down his student loans. He enjoys what he does, but also appreciates the eye-candy provided by Marc Temple, a senior manager. A pair of jeans had never looked so good on a man.In the open-minded atmosphere of the company where people date each other constantly, it would be easy to approach Marc and announce his interest. But Llew has been rejected so often by men in the past that he doesn't see the point in trying. And yeah, he's broke. How impressive would that be to a man like Marc?Turns out, Marc doesn't care about such things, and he has his eye on Llew, even if crossed lines of communication and serious self-doubt make a possible romance complicated. Llew needs to learn to relax and enjoy life. And maybe, give Marc a chance to show him how.

Nye Havers is in his forties and has given up on love. Life hasn't done him any favors, and his acerbic nature has just gotten worse over time. He rides a bicycle to work, gets splashed by cars in the rain, and is constantly in trouble because he can't resist being a smart mouth.He is the co-owner of a small courier service that has sadly become his life. But there is one surprisingly bright spot in his world, even if Nye feels he doesn't have a chance in hell of getting the guy.The guy, Donal Soames, is a client. He and Nye encounter each other on occasion, but when Nye is his usual snappish self, he ruins everything. Nye has to learn to curb his snarky behavior and catch a clue, because the love he's been looking for might just get away.

When Gabriel "Gabe" St. James leaves the city behind and moves to a small town with his dad, the first person he meets is Lucifer Beelzebub "Beebub" Beaumont, who becomes his best friend. Now Beebub is quite the character, loves anything purple, and is larger than life in every way. Gabe simply tries to keep up, dreading the day his partner in crime and secret love will grow up and leave him behind, breaking his heart.It's many years before Beebub returns home, with scars both physical and mental. But he's still the overly confident, arrogant person he's always been, and expects Gabe to fall at his feet and declare undying love.Just the opposite happens, however.Both men must start over and learn who they are after all this time, and how to trust each other again. Will it be worth the trouble in the end?