Alluring Ties, A Bayou Stix Novella (Book 2.5)

By Skye Turner

Bradi St. James is a force to be reckoned with. She’s strong, independent, and has something to prove. All of her life, she’s watched the world around her and is determined to have a different fate from what she’s grown up with. The path you’ve always believed to be the right path, may not be your destiny after all.
Erik Jenson is a kind man. A nurturer and the kind of friend everyone wants to have. Growing up surrounded by friends and family who support him, he’s a confident man. The choices he must make and the chances he must take as he lives and grows make him the strong, loving man he becomes.
Alluring Ties is a companion novella to the Bayou Stix series. It’s Book 2.5 Bayou Stix. In Alluring Turmoil, we were introduced to Lexi Sloane’s two best friends, Bradi and Erik. Alluring Ties will take you on a journey into their pasts and bring you to their present.
*Alluring Ties contains explicit sex, including some male/male, strong language and adult situations which may be triggers for some people. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who does not like M/M romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skye Turner
• Release date: Apr 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005276294

Skye Turner

Skye Turner is an avid reader and an editor turned International Bestselling Author of Sexy Adult Romance across the board! (See her book list for her abundance of titles!)She has recently expanded her writing capabilities and is writing Paranormal Adult Romance as Sloane Nicole. Her Bewitching Bayou PNR Series is called L’Amour Bayou with the first book being Antoinette’s Fall.She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University where she majored in Mass Communications, centering her studies in Journalism. Unfortunately, life intervened and she never finished her studies.She lives in small town Louisiana with her husband, two children, and far too many rescued fur babies.When she's not chained to her laptop pounding out sexy stories she can usually be found playing ‘Supermom’, reading, gardening (playing in the dirt), listening to music and dancing like a fool, cooking, baking, crafting, or spending time with those most important to her.She loves to incorporate pieces of her home state of Louisiana into her writing.

Book preview

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my amazing Beta readers:

Betsy Whitley, Badass Bitches Book Blog

Christine LaCombe

Christye Cagle, Badass Bitches Book Blog

Joely Bogan, Book Worms

Lindsey Lawson, Daisy Dog Photography and Design

MaryAnn Litton, Lost in Romance Books

Noelle Kinberger

Pam Mitcham

Tiffany Tyler, Tiffany Talks Books (and my amazing PA)

Thomas Noble

Thank you Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs for once again blowing me away with the cover!

Thank you Mandy Hollis for the beautiful cover photography!

Thank you to my baby brother, Rich Roth, who is also an amazing photographer for my kickass Author Bio photo!

Special thanks to A.M. Madden for allowing me to incorporate her books and characters into my own!

Books by Skye Turner

Alluring Turmoil, Book 1 Bayou Stix

Alluring Seduction, Book 2 Bayou Stix

Alluring Ties, Book 2.5 Bayou Stix

Disclaimer from Bradi St. James

Alluring Ties is NOT a full length novel, but is a companion novella to the Bayou Stix series.

It is recommended to be read in this order:

Alluring Turmoil, Book 1 Bayou Stix

Alluring Seduction, Book 2 Bayou Stix

Alluring Ties, Book 2.5 Bayou Stix

There are some situations which are not for everyone included in this novella: cheating, male/male romance and sex, and like all of Skye’s books, explicit language and hot ass sex.

If you can’t handle it, don’t read it. It’s that simple. But if you want to know more about myself and Erik, then turn the page and get started!

Chapter One

Bradi

7 years ago

Finally! I’m finally on my own. I’m settling into my dorm, waiting on my roommate to get here. God, don’t let this chick be a Goth or a timid little bird. I need a fun roommate! I’m eighteen years old and enrolled at LSU. Laissez le bon temps rouler. Let the good times roll. Parties, boys, and fun. Of course I’ll get some classes in too, since I’m here on scholarship. That’s important, but I really intend to have some fun.

I’ve just unpacked my last box and I throw the final lime pillow on my bed. It bounces off of the zebra comforter. I love the mix of the animal print and the hot pink and lime. It’s loud, but fun, like me.

I hear the knob turn and look up as a beautiful, petite girl with long auburn hair walks in. Her arms are loaded down with a few boxes and then, this gorgeous, muscled, perfect specimen of a man captures my attention. He’s holding a few large boxes and walking in behind her. I’m so busy checking him out—lord, he’s so hot!—I completely forget about her. Until I hear a giggle and she speaks. Hi, I’m Lexi. Lexi Sloane.

Shit, I’m sorry. Is that your boyfriend? I’m still checking him out, but I look at her as I say it. I’m Bradi. Bradi St. James.

She snorts and the gorgeous Adonis in my room starts to laugh. Erik? She’s doubled over, holding her stomach as she laughs. No. No, he’s not my boyfriend.

My ears perk up and my eyes take him in. I smile the smile that makes men pant. I know it’s wrong, but work what you’ve got, right?! Hell, that’s the only thing the bitch that birthed me ever taught me that was worth a damn. Cocking my hip out and running my tongue over my perfectly straight, white teeth, I wink at him. Well hello, gorgeous. If you’re not Lexi’s boyfriend, then please tell me you’re her brother. And then, tell me you’re single.

His cheeks darken and Lexi laughs even louder. I look at her sharply. Her eyes are downright twinkling.

What the hell is funny? She just said he wasn’t her boyfriend. So, what the ever living hell is so funny?! Shit, are they fuck buddies?

Her brow arches and I can see she’s biting the inside of her cheek. Erik uncomfortably shuffles from foot to foot and drops the boxes on the floor. As he straightens, his shirt rises and I catch a glimpse of his rippled abs. Fuck me! That’s at least an eight-pack. My mouth is watering looking at this guy. I must test him out. If they are not together, that is. I don’t do sloppy seconds or infringe on another girl’s territory.

She looks at him and says, Are you going to tell her or do you want me to?

He shrugs and if it’s possible, he looks even more uncomfortable.

I’m really pissed now, so I blurt out, What the fuck?! Tell me what?

Lexi jumps at my sharp tone and Erik glares at me. Then crossing his arms over his broad chest and making his sleeves strain over his biceps, he stares me down. He growls at me. I’m not her boyfriend or her brother. I’m her best friend… and I’m gay.

My mouth drops open in shock and I gasp.

What the hell? I know this guy does not expect me to believe that bullshit. He’s gay?! Yeah, right! And I’m a fucking virgin!

I can’t control my anger. I feel humiliated. Ok, so he’s not interested, but to say he’s gay?! Hell no! I let out a harsh laugh and he looks from me to my new roommate. Standing tall and glaring at him, though he’s not looking at me, I rage, You’re gay!? Yeah fucking right. I get it, dude! You’re not interested. That’s fine! Your loss, but don’t insult me by saying you’re gay. Be man enough to fucking say you’re not interested.

His head swivels around and he cuts me with his crystal blue eyes. Lexi, my new roommate, mutters, Oh, no, and quickly sits on the unmade bed.

He’s looking at me like he’s daring me to say something else. I’m not insulting you. His gaze rakes me from head to toe and he doesn’t even twitch. "I really am gay. I’m not attracted to girls. At all. You are a gorgeous girl, but I’m not into girls, gorgeous or otherwise," he says in exasperation.

Looking into his eyes, I see he’s telling the truth. Oh boy! Well shit. My back relaxes and I unclench my fists. That’s a shame. You are gorgeous. Damn! Want to give it a go and see if I can change your mind? I wink at him.

He smirks and blushes again. Lexi starts choking and he has to hit her on the back to clear her airway. She looks up at me with tears running down her face and I think she’s about to walk out of the room and go demand a new roommate, until she smiles at me. Then she laughs through the coughing. Oh, hell yes. I like you. I’m so glad I didn’t get a stick-in-the-mud roommate. The three of us are going to be great friends.

Laughing with her, I sit down on my bed and cross my legs. I check them both out from my lower vantage point. The beautiful, petite redhead and the gorgeous, beefy, so perfect it’s not even acceptable that he likes dick, dude. Oh yes, this is going to be fun.

Chapter Two

Erik

7 years ago

Today is the day. She’s finally here. I can’t believe I talked her into staying in my dorm. I just wish we’d been able to bunk together. But LSU doesn’t allow co-ed roommates in the dorms. Besides, my roommate, Micah, is great. He’s a nice guy and he is even cool with the fact that I’m gay. He just made it very clear he’s not gay and didn’t want to catch me checking out his goods. Once I told him he wasn’t my type and that I preferred blonds, we laughed about it, and have become great friends over the past year.

I check the time on the wall clock in our room and realize Lexi should be here in fifteen minutes. I call out to Micah that I’m heading down to help her unload as I reach the door. He tells me to call his cell if we need help, but otherwise he’s catching a nap since he didn’t get in until three this morning.

Before I can answer him, he’s snoring. Chuckling, I grab my keys, let myself out of the room, and race down the stairs.

I dance on the balls of my feet as I wait for her Mustang to pull up. You’d never know I was at her house helping her pack just last night. Lexi is my best friend. She’s like my sister. I can’t believe we’re going to be attending college together, just like we’ve done