Exclusive Excerpt from Signs of Desire
by Tempeste O’Riley
Adrian didn’t want their date to come to an end yet, but he also wasn’t ready for anything that might lead to an intimate end to their evening, either. He’d been teased, sometimes playfully, sometimes painfully, for his attitudes about sex. He wasn’t a prude, he just wanted there to be more than physical attraction and need. He thought he and Simon had a chance, but he wasn’t willing to push things too far too fast and wind up alone the morning after.
This late there wasn’t a long line, as he’d hoped. “What do you want?”
“A cafe au lait with a shot of caramel and a shot of cinnamon.”
Simon’s eyes lit up when he stared into the dessert case. By the way Simon’s animated face moved, his lips pressing together or suddenly gaping slightly, Adrian assumed he was making “happy noises,” though he wasn’t sure what kind and having never heard such, just hoped they were all good noises. Simon said something, but he was turned to the case still, so Adrian could only tell that his lips were moving.
Annoyed, Adrian thought about how best to word his request. After a moment, he leaned forward and touched Simon’s cheek gently. Hoping not to sound too frustrated, he asked, “Please face me when you speak. I can’t understand otherwise.”
Simon turned bright red and stared at the ground for a minute before he looked up again. “I’m so sorry, Adrian. I didn’t think. What I said was, ‘Turtle cheesecake. Need a slice of that.’”
“Hey.” He made sure his smile was in place and tried to regulate his tone to be kind. “I’m not mad, no need to be upset. I just couldn’t understand. That’s all.” Adrian touched Simon’s cheek again, cupping it. “I like looking at your face, even when you’re not talking. Okay?”
“I….” Simon swallowed hard, drawing Adrian’s eyes to his bobbing Adam’s apple. “Thank you. I kinda like yours too.”
About Signs of Desire
Simon Tyler knows his job as a gay romance author makes his lack of faith in love more than a little ironic, but he’s tired of being used for his wallet. When a night out turns into a matchmaking scheme orchestrated by his best friends, Simon’s not thrilled, but since he’s not the target and he’s sworn off happily-ever-after anyway, he goes along with it… until he meets Adrian, the object of their efforts, and finds perhaps he hasn’t given up on love after all.
Professor Adrian Keys has tried to date Hearing men before, but being Deaf himself, he’s never had any success at making a connection. After his friends con him into going out and Adrian realizes it’s all an elaborate plan to set him up, he braces for yet another failure, only to discover there is a spark—except it’s not with the man his friends had in mind, but with Simon Tyler instead.
Not all their friends have found a way past their romantic failures, but Simon and Adrian might be on the path to happily-ever-after.
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
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:
Website ♥ Goodreads ♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ Google + ♥ DSP ♥ Blog
As part of this blog tour, Tempe is giving away Winner’s Prize: $25 Dreamspinner Press Gift Card & Runner Up’s prize: An ebook from Tempeste’s backlist!! To enter, just click the link below!
Rafflecopter Giveaway
Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway unless otherwise stated but are still welcome anyway.
Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Signs of Desire to see what she thought of it!
Good luck!
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