Red's Tavern Series by Raleigh Ruebins

My best friend’s a former quarterback, and I’m a nerdy math teacher. He has no idea how badly I want him. Back in high school, Mitch protected me from bullies and was at my side through tragedy. It didn’t matter that he was a football star and I was a mathlete, or that I was gay and he was straight. We stuck together like glue--until he married a girl and ran away. Now Mitch is back home, and he’s a divorced single dad... moreMy best friend’s a former quarterback, and I’m a nerdy math teacher. He has no idea how badly I want him. Back in high school, Mitch protected me from bullies and was at my side through tragedy. It didn’t matter that he was a football star and I was a mathlete, or that I was gay and he was straight. We stuck together like glue--until he married a girl and ran away. Now Mitch is back home, and he’s a divorced single dad. His son is in my math class, and I collide with Mitch everywhere in this small town. When he starts bartending at the only local gay bar, I’m screwed. Red’s Tavern is my haven, but how can I fake it for other guys when I’m in love with the big jock behind the bar? Then Mitch invites me into his bed, saying it's just for fun. But I’m addicted to him the second his body is on mine. I’ve done the math a million times. I know the odds are bad, but I know I want him. And now that he’s given me a taste, I can’t stop begging for more. less

Everyone wants to be with an adult film star. They clearly don’t know Liam Hardy like I do. Red:. At first Liam was just a regular at the bar, and I was the clueless cowboy bartender keeping his glass full… then keeping him full in my bed at night. I had no idea he was about to blossom into a famous adult film star. But he ripped through me like a storm, losing himself in reckless partying until I had to walk away. I left and opened my bar, Red’s Tavern, here in the middle of nowhere, Kansas... moreEveryone wants to be with an adult film star. They clearly don’t know Liam Hardy like I do. Red:. At first Liam was just a regular at the bar, and I was the clueless cowboy bartender keeping his glass full… then keeping him full in my bed at night. I had no idea he was about to blossom into a famous adult film star. But he ripped through me like a storm, losing himself in reckless partying until I had to walk away. I left and opened my bar, Red’s Tavern, here in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. I never expected to see Liam--all stormy-eyed, tattooed, and smoking hot--show up at my bar now, ten years after we’d cut things off. And it gets worse: he’s asking me to film an adult video with him for his new company. Two words: Hell. No. No matter how hot it sounds to ride in that rodeo again. No matter how much I want to fix that loneliness I’m noticing in his eyes. My bar is the only boyfriend I need, and I’m plenty happy with my dogs, my old-west house, and my friends. But I couldn’t help but kiss him. And now I’m aching for him and letting him film videos of me, doing things I’d never dreamed. And I remember how perfectly we used to fit together, body and soul. Liam’s always been the only one who could get to me. .. Like we were made to light each other the hell up. less

I rescue people from danger every day. But my love life? That’s a dumpster fire I can’t put out. I had a badass life, my dream job as a firefighter, and I could snag anyone I wanted in bed. But when an injury temporarily took me off duty, it all screeched to a halt. Now I’m healing, staying with my brother Red in Amberfield, this small town with jack-all to do. Other than flirt with Perry. A hot-as-hell, shy but smoldering silver fox... moreI rescue people from danger every day. But my love life? That’s a dumpster fire I can’t put out. I had a badass life, my dream job as a firefighter, and I could snag anyone I wanted in bed. But when an injury temporarily took me off duty, it all screeched to a halt. Now I’m healing, staying with my brother Red in Amberfield, this small town with jack-all to do. Other than flirt with Perry. A hot-as-hell, shy but smoldering silver fox. And I think he wants me bad, even though I’m a straight, babyfaced jock in a baseball cap. Perry is a family man, through and through. He would do anything for his mom, brother, nieces and nephews. When family drama threatens to ruin his big family reunion, I know I can help. I offer to be Perry’s fake boyfriend for the reunion, so all eyes will be on us. And then the plan works. A little too well. Turns out Silver Fox isn’t as bashful as he seemed. Now I’m becoming addicted to the feeling of his lips on mine. His skin pressed up against me in bed. Soon, I’m fantasizing about going all the way with him, and I’m not sure I can call myself “straight” anymore with a straight face. At first I just craved the attention. But Perry isn’t just great in bed--his family is fun as hell, too. For once, I feel like I belong somewhere. And once we're done faking it, I don’t know how the hell I’m going to leave. less

As a newly single dad, I had hard rules. And a sensitive, smoking hot military vet is breaking every last one…. I’ve always had everything figured out. Dream job? Check. Three beautiful kids? Check. Married my high school sweetheart? Check. …Until my marriage fell apart. Now I only see my kids for half of each week, and for the other half I’m left alone in my big, empty house, figuring things out all over again in my thirties... moreAs a newly single dad, I had hard rules. And a sensitive, smoking hot military vet is breaking every last one…. I’ve always had everything figured out. Dream job? Check. Three beautiful kids? Check. Married my high school sweetheart? Check. …Until my marriage fell apart. Now I only see my kids for half of each week, and for the other half I’m left alone in my big, empty house, figuring things out all over again in my thirties. My rules were simple: no hookups for two months, no dating for a year, and nobody meets my kids. I blew right through that first rule with Luke. He’s got deep eyes, beautiful tattoos, and a big, wounded military vet’s heart. At night I’m also chatting online with a guy that feels kind of like home, but is totally off limits. I find myself wishing… hoping? … that he might even be Luke. Before long Luke is flexing his handyman skills, helping me fix up my house and transform my life into something that feels like home again, too. We have baggage the size of mountains, and pasts that haunt us. But we both know that nothing is serious… so what’s the harm? less

Sam’s guide to summer:. Step 1: Get stuck on an epic family road trip with your straight, cocky, filthy-rich stepbrother. Step 2: Pretend he didn’t kiss you on the first night of the trip. In high school, Fox was my rival. My new stepbrother was already a career-obsessed city boy, and I was a proud small-town theater geek. I said good riddance when his cocky ass finally moved to the big city, leaving us behind. But now after years apart, Fox agreed to come on our big family road trip... moreSam’s guide to summer:. Step 1: Get stuck on an epic family road trip with your straight, cocky, filthy-rich stepbrother. Step 2: Pretend he didn’t kiss you on the first night of the trip. In high school, Fox was my rival. My new stepbrother was already a career-obsessed city boy, and I was a proud small-town theater geek. I said good riddance when his cocky ass finally moved to the big city, leaving us behind. But now after years apart, Fox agreed to come on our big family road trip. And he’s _definitely_ not a teenager anymore. We’re sharing way more than just an RV. I’m closer to Fox than I’ve ever been before--camping, hiking, and swimming in the summer heat. I’ve grown out of my acne and glasses phase, and I’m not afraid to talk back to him. But I’m also getting lost in his eyes. When he kisses me, I’m not sure if I’d rather strangle him or push him into bed. . .. But I want his lips on mine again. Even though I should know better. Fox has secrets, too. He’s been through hell, and I’m discovering the sensitive man behind his exterior. He takes me seriously, when everybody else sees me as a boy-crazy gym bunny in a tank top. But when Fox finally starts to win my heart, he gets an irresistible job offer back in NYC. But it doesn’t matter. It’s not like I was falling in love with my damn stepbrother, anyway. Right? less

He’s the hot, charming movie star that everyone craves. But what he needs is my protection. My whole life, I’ve been training in martial arts, learning security protocols, and keeping my body strong. I was a bouncer at clubs and an overnight security guard, but in my heart, I’m just a small-town guy. Until recently, I haven’t had much to “protect” other than the chickens in my mother’s backyard. Then Theo Castille crashed into my life—like the wild, beautiful shooting star he is... moreHe’s the hot, charming movie star that everyone craves. But what he needs is my protection. My whole life, I’ve been training in martial arts, learning security protocols, and keeping my body strong. I was a bouncer at clubs and an overnight security guard, but in my heart, I’m just a small-town guy. Until recently, I haven’t had much to “protect” other than the chickens in my mother’s backyard. Then Theo Castille crashed into my life—like the wild, beautiful shooting star he is. Theo is a world-famous actor who gets more attention than any person could handle. He’s pretty and flirty, but on the inside, there’s something broken. When I learn that he’s being stalked by a dangerous man, all of my protective instincts kick in. Theo hires me as his personal bodyguard, and for the first time, I feel useful. I’m by his side at all times. He can’t take care of himself, so I teach him how. He can’t sleep, so I sleep next to him. But soon I’m addicted to being close to him. And when he kisses me, desires I’ve had for years come roaring to the surface. I’d do anything to protect him. But I’m not sure I can protect my own heart from falling in deep when Theo’s in my arms. less

He’s my best friend, my best worker, and it was just a silly crush. Then he kissed me. Now it feels like he's mine…. I’ve shown my best friend Tristan everything: how to use a circular saw, how to lay grout, and how to do a kitchen renovation right. On the job, we became close friends—then even closer as we learned to share a camping tent. It was all harmless. Just like my crush on him. Then one night at Red’s Tavern, Tristan pretends to be my boyfriend... moreHe’s my best friend, my best worker, and it was just a silly crush. Then he kissed me. Now it feels like he's mine…. I’ve shown my best friend Tristan everything: how to use a circular saw, how to lay grout, and how to do a kitchen renovation right. On the job, we became close friends—then even closer as we learned to share a camping tent. It was all harmless. Just like my crush on him. Then one night at Red’s Tavern, Tristan pretends to be my boyfriend. And apparently he likes it, because he’s trying things with me he never has before. …Like kissing me. Touching me more. Dragging me into bed. He invites me on a trip back to his Colorado mountain hometown, and I fall in love with his big, awesome, quirky family, then end up in bed with him each night. He’s moving back there soon, and I know this is just a last hurrah. But I’m addicted to his touch. When he casually asks me to move back home with him, it shatters my world. I’m done with “casual. ” I want the real deal. My whole world is back in Kansas, and I have no idea if he just wants me for a fling. They say to never fall for a straight guy and never fall for your best friend. What happens when you accidentally do both at once? less