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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: Francis thought he had it all until danger came into his life?and he realised the man he'd always liked had become the one man he longed to love. When Francis agreed to let his cousin stay at his place, he had no idea it would trigger a chain of events that would change his life forever. Bill Timmons had watched Francis for months waiting for the perfect time to insert himself into the other man's life. When Francis gets into trouble, Bill decided this time nothing was going to stop him from protecting Francis.
eBook Publisher: Total-e-bound, 2011
eBookwise Release Date: December 2011

17 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [107 KB]
Words: 17891
Reading time: 51-71 min.

If you are a fan of Amber Kell like I am you MUST READ Protecting Francis...Ms. Kells characters are so wonderful you want them to stick around a little longer.Night Owl Romance

Francis

Some days the mirror depresses me. People think I have it all--good looks, a great job, plenty of money, amazing friends...and I do. However, my bed is constantly empty and I'm what my best friend Marcus calls a loser magnet. If there's a possessive, shallow asshole within a hundred mile radius, I'll pick him as my new lover.

Which unfortunately leads to a constant opening for a new bedmate. And I hate dating. Nothing depresses me more than going to a club and having dozens of people I don't know grab my ass. I would never presume to grope someone without at least discovering his name. The same can't be said for everyone else.

Shoving down my self-pity, I slid into a pair of fitted black jeans and a tight red T-shirt before pulling a crisp, white button-up shirt over the outfit. I'd look nice for dinner, then I could lose a layer at the club when I got too hot from dancing. I had promised to meet Marcus and his lover Charlie at eight. We were going to dinner where I would try to enjoy eating while watching Marcus make goo-goo eyes at the love of his life.

When Marcus had first told me years ago about his love for Charlie, I have to admit I'd thought the man was making it up--that he was another gay man in denial. However, when I dragged him to every gay bar I could find, he didn't once drool over or show interest in even one of the beautiful men I introduced him to. Hell, the fact he never gave me a single lustful glance should've been a tip off. I don't like to brag, but I've never had a complaint about my looks--about many other things, but never my appearance.

Once I met Charlie, I sort of understood Marcus' obsession. The man had an innate sweetness that pulled at you--making you want to wrap him up in cotton and take care of him. Add in the fact he was an amazing artist and gorgeous to boot and I kind of wished to have a Charlie of my own.

Instead, I had an empty bed and an even emptier date book. Luckily my workload was heavy, helping combat my loneliness. Going to bed exhausted every night kept me from noticing the aching emptiness of my life until morning. What I wouldn't give to not wake up alone anymore.

My phone rang.

I snatched it up, not bothering to check the readout. I didn't need to. Marcus lacked patience, he always had. "Marcus, I told you I'd see you in a bit."

"Evening, Francis. Is that the same Marcus you roomed with in college?"

I smiled as my Aunt Janie's voice came over the line. "Evening, Aunt Janie, how are you doing?" I firmly believe there isn't a sweeter woman on the planet than my Aunt Janie.

"I'm doing just fine, honey." There was a hesitation in her voice that told me I wasn't going to like what she had to say. "I was hoping you could do me a little favour."

"Of course." I didn't hesitate. When I came out to my family, she made me cupcakes with little rainbows on them to celebrate. She said to always hold my head up and not take shit from anyone. My mother bought me a box of condoms to keep me safe, while my father signed me up for boxing classes.

I love my family. They might not always understand me, but I can't say they don't try.

"Raymond is moving and I was hoping he could stay with you for a month or two until he finds a place."

Hell.

Raymond was the exception. As much as I adored my Aunt Janie, she had a freeloading asshole for a son. I'm convinced the dictionary has a picture of him underneath the word entitled. If he moved in with me, I'd never get him out.