Loving the Partner

By Shawn Lane

Gay but in the closet, Jacob Butler has made a big mistake. He’s fallen in love with his friend, Walt Donnelly, who is not only Jacob’s business partner, but also straight. After a drunken kiss that turns to more, he realizes his business partner is bisexual.

Walt, however, makes it clear he’s not interested in anything serious with Jacob or any man. Broken hearted and afraid he’ll always be alone, Jacob tries to forget his attraction to his friend.

Walt’s always assumed he knew what he future would contain. But his night with Jacob makes him question exactly who he wants forever with ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Mar 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685504441

Shawn Lane

Shawn Lane is a multi-published author of gay romance. She lives and works in Southern California. She has been published by Loose Id, Amber Quill Press, Evernight Publishing, MLR Press, JMS Books, and Ellora’s Cave. For more information, visit smlgr8.blogspot.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jacob Butler was in love with his best friend. His straight best friend. He had no idea when it had happened, exactly, but now he was rather obsessed by it. By him…Walt Donnelly.

Together with their friend, Jackson Ridgley, they’d formed the accounting firm, Butler, Donnelly, and Ridgley. The firm was doing great. So much business they’d had to hire other accountants. But somewhere along the way of building their friendship and their careers, Jacob had made the mistake.

Walt had no idea, of course. For one thing, Jacob was in the closet. He’d told next to no one that he was gay. It had taken him until he was in his early twenties to even accept the possibility himself. And now he lived a lie. Having clandestine rendezvous with men as far away from his real life as he could. It was getting to him even before he realized one day that he felt not only a deep attraction for Walt, but love.

There was a short tap on the door to his office, and when he looked up, standing in the doorway was his admin assistant, Gloria.

If there’s nothing else tonight, Jacob, I was thinking I’d go home, she said.

Sure, go on home. Have a good weekend.

She smiled. You, too. Don’t stay too long.

Jacob nodded and turned back to the email he was drafting. Honestly, it could wait until Monday. But there was no reason for him to rush out of the office. He had no immediate family to rush home to and no current dating prospects.

The go-to guy he’d had for sex, and who lived in the next county had informed him the week before he’d met a great guy he wanted to try having a relationship with. Sure, Jacob could go to a club or something, but he just wasn’t in the mood for that.

You still here?

His finger hovering over the K on the keyboard, Jacob glanced to the doorway of his office. Of course, he’d known he would see Walt standing there, arms crossed over his muscular chest, leaning against the doorjamb. His heart lurched at the site of his sexy partner.

Walt had rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt to his elbows and removed his tie, unbuttoning the shirt to reveal just a bit of his chest. Enough for Jacob to salivate over. His short dark hair was impeccably styled, like some cover guy from GQ. No wonder all the women in the office swooned when Walt walked by.

I’m finishing up a few things, Jacob said, reluctantly dragging his lust-filled gaze away from his friend.

I’ll bet it can wait. Just go home.

Jacob glanced his way, taking in the suit jacket and tie tucked in the crook of his arm. "I take it