Whiskers of a Chance

by Tempeste O’Riley

Blurb: Jason Grant runs his own IT business from home, owns his own home, and has the best friend he could imagine. What he doesn’t have, or believe he will ever have, is love. When Jason catches a glimpse of his new neighbor on moving day, his libido ignites and his fascination in piqued. He even manages to concoct an excuse to go over and meet the man who makes him hope and want for more than he has in years.

Keith Skyler is a shifter in a world where his kind is known to only a few, but they don’t often mix and they never mate. Keith has been hoping for a mate since before he can remember, but gay lynx don’t have true mates. As far as he knows, they don’t have mates at all. However, while moving his little family across Seattle—and away from their tribe—his reality tips and spins more than he thought possible.

When these two men meet over a dish of five-cheese broccoli-noodle casserole, sparks fly. Who knew a welcome to the neighborhood gift could give both of them their chance at love?

Coming soon to Dreamspinner Press on September 30, 2015! Pre-order your copy here!

And the moment you’ve been waiting for! Whiskers of a Chance cover reveal…

An Exclusive Excerpt from Whiskers of a Chance

Two days. It had been two days since he’d left Keith’s place and returned to his own. Jason’s home had never felt so empty, and Keith hadn’t even been there yet. The only thing to occupy his time was the same thing as always: work. Later during the same night they’d met, Keith had left, saying he had more things to pick up and move, plus work to do, so he wouldn’t be back until the weekend.

Jason didn’t remember the days being so boring or the nights being so long before, but time dragged painfully as he waited for Keith to return. While Keith had been away, they hadn’t talked as much as Jason had hoped they would, but Keith did promise to spend the weekend with him. Reminding himself of that, Jason buckled down and got back to work on the code he needed to finish if he didn’t want to work while Keith was there.

When the phone rang hours later, Jason groaned, arching his back to stretch out and relieve the aches there before reaching over to answer his cell. He vaguely noted the popping-corn sound but was more focused on the relief and on answering the irritating ringing than the condition of his spine.

“Jason Grant, how may I help you?”

“You know, if you ever looked at the caller ID, you wouldn’t have to say that every time,” the voice of his best friend teased.

“Sasha! Sorry, I was so deep in code I didn’t bother. How are you?”

“Well, aren’t you the excited little thing today? I’m good. Wanted to know if you would like to come over Saturday. I hate when you stay holed up at your place all the time.” Before Jason could reply, Sasha singsonged, “I’ll even cook for you.”

He loved Sasha, but the man had seriously crappy timing. And missing out on Sasha’s cooking…. Damn! “Actually, I’ve got a date this weekend. So… as much as I’d love to eat dinner with you, I’m going to need a rain check this time.”

The loud squeal made him pull the cell away from his ear and frown at it. Good grief, the man was loud. He waited a moment before putting it back to his ear. “Are you done trying to rupture my eardrums? Seriously, Sasha!”

“You said ‘date.’ You mean like a date date?”

“Ha-ha. Yes, like a date with a hot guy. Don’t know if we’ll actually go out somewhere or just hang out here, but I’m hoping for a little of one and a whole lot of the other.” He couldn’t wait to see Keith again, and now that he wasn’t working, the craving was back just as strong as ever.

“Oh, I like the way your voice drops when you mention this guy. So who is he? Anyone I know?”

Jason chuckled, enjoying how excited Sasha sounded, and knew he was talking with his hands as much as his mouth—he always did when excited. “His name is Keith Skyler, he just moved in next door, and he likes my cooking.”

“Oh, so you’ve already had him over? You naughty boy!”

“No. I took him my special mac ’n cheese as a ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ gift, if you must know.”

Sasha gasped before he started in again, and this time his tone was harder and no longer playful. “You already put out, didn’t you? Dammit, Jason. You know better than that.”

Rolling his eyes, Jason sighed. “One, when have I ever done that before?” No, he was the one who demanded dates, in the plural normally, before more than kissing was allowed. Except with Keith, it seemed. “Two, he’s not like anyone I’ve ever met. He’s, I don’t know how to explain it. He was possessive but in an endearing way. Not in the crazy-stalker way, I promise. And three, how the hell did you go from food to sex like that?” He never could make sense of Sasha’s leaps in logic, but he was usually right, sadly.

“You’ve said that before, Jason,” Sasha snapped, ignoring most of what Jason had asked. As usual. “So that means you have or have not been with this guy already?” The growl in Sasha’s voice was adorable, not that he’d ever tell the man that. Sasha was all of five-six, with inky-black hair, light blue eyes, and swarthy skin, thanks to his Russian heritage, and was the best friend Jason had ever had, but the questions were getting on his nerves.

“That’s not really anyone’s business. You know I don’t play kiss and tell.”

Sasha grumbled a moment before saying anything understandable. “Fine. I just don’t want you hurt. You know that.”

“I do, but he’s different. I know I sound like a sixteen-year-old girl right now, but something about him just clicked with me. And he’s gorgeous! Like he could be a model or something.”

“Yeah.” Sasha chuckled. “You do, but if he makes you this happy, I’ll lay off for now. Do you need any help getting ready for your big date? Maybe with your clothing or dinner choices?”

“Sasha!”

Sasha’s giggle drew him in, and moments later they were both laughing so hard he thought he might cry. God, he loved his friend. “As if I’d ever let you do that. You’d have me making tree bark to serve for dinner and wearing all leather, or some such insanity.”

“No bark, I promise.”

“No bark,” James muttered. “You’re a funny man. Seriously, I need to get my work done so I don’t have to work this weekend. I’m not trying to be rude, but….”

“But getting laid is more fun than hanging out with me?”

“Something like that. I’ll call you later and we can get together soon. All right?”

As soon as they said their good-byes and he set the phone down, it rang again. Annoyed, he snatched it up again, but thinking of what Sasha had said, he checked the ID and smiled. “Keith?” he said as soon as he answered the call.

“Oh, I like the way you said my name,” Keith drawled. “Yeah, it’s me. Look, Jay, I was going to be there Friday, but things got rearranged so—”

“Oh.” He’d known it was likely to happen eventually, but Jason had hoped Keith would stay interested a bit longer.

“So,” Keith continued, as if he hadn’t spoken. “I’ll be back tomorrow night instead. I thought we could get dinner.”

Oh. “Oh! I…. You still want to go out?” Yeah, Jason, sound a little more clingy. That’ll work.

“I never say things I don’t mean, and I never make a promise I don’t intend to keep. Now, are you free tomorrow night? It’s only one day early, but I don’t want to mess up your work schedule either.”

“Y-yes.” Dammit!

“Good. I’ll pick you up at six and we can get some dinner and talk. As enjoyable as last time was, I’d like to get to know you some. Maybe learn what you do for fun or what you like to watch….” Keith said, his voice soft.

Jason nodded before he realized Keith couldn’t see him. “That sounds good. I’ll be ready.”

“Good. I can’t wait to see you again, baby,” Keith rumbled. His voice sent a shock of need though Jason so strong he was instantly hard and throbbing. A groan slipped out before he thought to control it. The dark chuckle on the other end of the line only served to make him harder.

“No starting without me, Jay.”

“Then you better not be late tomorrow.”

About Tempeste O’Riley

Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud omnisexual / bi-woman whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been her hero ever since.

Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.

Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance Writers, and WisRWA. You can find Tempe at these sites:

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