A Man's Desiring

By Ardith Bale

Joshua Riess and Christopher Murphy have been best friends since college. When Chris ends his latest relationship just before Christmas, Joshua can't help but reflect on their past as lovers and wish that their intimate relationship had never ended. 

One small confession on his part makes it impossible for him to hide his feelings. He's ready to lay it all on the line no matter how much it might hurt. Will he get his heart's desire this holiday season? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cobblestone Press
• Release date: Mar 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386200505

Book preview

Dedication

For my favorite grand old dame in Australia.

Chapter One

Joshua Riess let himself into the house he shared with his business partner and best friend since college with a little sigh of relief. Riess & Murphy Designs was well on its way to being the top design firm in Miami, so his work day hadn’t been all that stressful, but it hadn’t been fun either. It was never all that much fun when Chris wasn’t there, and his partner had taken the day to get the house ready for a date.

The Christmas tree in the corner of the great room was twinkling with the white lights Chris had insisted on. Silver and red ornaments hung artfully on the branches. Matching presents were tucked underneath. Joshua dutifully made sure to use the red wrapping paper and silver gift bags his friend had supplied.

Mostly the display was for the benefit of Chris’ girlfriend and the various parents that would be in and out of their house over the next week. Each room in the house had a little, tasteful hint of Christmas. Not enough to be obnoxious, but just enough to make it perfect. He checked his watch; he had about an hour before he had to be gone for the evening. He’d promised Chris the house so he could entertain his girlfriend, Marta.

He went into the kitchen and stopped at the sight of Chris at the table. Hey.

Chris took a deep breath and sighed. Hi.

What’s up? Josh grabbed a beer from the fridge and opened it with a quick twist. No food on, the table isn’t set... Did Marta cancel?

Chris grimaced. I’m actually having the meal delivered. Couldn’t cancel it at this hour. He checked his watch. Italian from Burtucci’s.

Did she have to work? Josh asked. I thought she was off until the New Year.

We broke up, Chris said in a rush. She... It’s done.

Josh absorbed that, more than a little shocked. Chris had been shopping for rings for three weeks, and as far as he knew was very close to picking out one so he could propose on New Year’s. That’s... Hmm. He took a long swallow of his beer. Dude. Help me out here.

Chris laughed weakly. She was an asshole about something, and I told her that if she couldn’t handle it then we were done. She said a few foul things that made me want to slap her, and I knew I had to get out of there because I’ve never even come close to hitting a woman before. So I told her we were finished, and I left.

About? Josh prodded, frustrated that Chris was being purposefully vague.

You, this house, our company, and my plans for the future.

Marta worked for another design firm, which had never bothered Josh one way or another, at least until now. She wanted you to come to work at her Daddy’s company, right?

Yes, Chris said. And she wanted to move in and didn’t see why I couldn’t ask you to move out since she really liked this house a lot.

Except this house belongs to our business, Josh said dryly.

Which pissed her off even more so than the fact that I refused to leave our partnership for a job with her father. Chris sat back in his chair and frowned as the doorbell rang.

I’ll get it, Josh said quietly and walked through the house. He answered the door and faked Chris’ signature on the credit card receipt before accepting the box of food. He had to admit it smelled great.

By the time he returned to the kitchen, Chris had put out some plates and opened a bottle of wine. Josh