Trusting Love

By Silas St. James

Sequel to Fighting for Love

Two years into his marriage to Eduardo, Nathan is happy. His career is taking off, and he’s scheduled to be the keynote speaker at an upcoming architecture conference. Eduardo and Nathan have weathered a few storms, and their relationship is stronger than ever. That is, until Nathan’s dark past finally catches up to him.

Nathan’s perfect life is thrown into chaos when Shane, a slimy older man from his college years, resurfaces with a menacing motive. Shane wants to leverage explicit photos of their time together two decades prior. Before he knows it, Nathan is being blackmailed as Shane says he will release the photos unless he’s paid. The worst part is Nathan hasn’t told Eduardo about his painful past and he fears how his husband will react.

Not only do Shane’s photos threaten to undo Nathan’s successful career and loving marriage, they threaten to undo Nathan himself. Having to confront the shameful memories from that low point in his life may be too much for him to bear. Will Nathan have the courage to face his past and prevent Shane from ruining everything he’s built? Will Nathan finally let Eduardo see the broken parts of himself and decide to trust love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Apr 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685504373

Book preview

Chapter 1

I stood in front of the mirror and tucked in my blue collared shirt, then adjusted my bright floral tie. The tie had been a present from Eduardo last Christmas. I still remember the handwritten note inside the gift bag: For my big boss husband.

I smiled at the happy memory and felt a blossoming of pride knowing that my husband supported me in my career. Things at work had taken off around the time Eduardo and I started dating. Once I learned Spanish, my boss gave me a raise to compensate me for being able to speak directly to our Spanish-speaking clients at the architecture firm.

But tonight wasn’t about me. Eduardo’s son, Daniel, wanted us to get to know his girlfriend better. Their relationship was getting serious, and I knew Daniel wanted his dad and stepdad’s seal of approval.

I threw on a gray cardigan and took a last look in the mirror. I was approaching forty, but I had a trim figure and still looked good. I didn’t have toned muscles and wide shoulders like Eduardo, but I held my own.

You look amazing, as always. Eduardo’s warm breath tickled my ear and sent a yearning shiver down my body. If my husband knew one thing, it was how to get my attention.

I turned to him with a smile and kissed him, his neatly trimmed beard gently brushing my face. Eduardo held me in his arms, which was my favorite feeling in the whole world.

Since meeting Eduardo three years ago, my life had never felt more complete. He brought so much love and joy into my life, and I felt secure in his commitment to me and our life together.

It hadn’t always been easy. It took work getting to this point. A big misunderstanding almost derailed our fledgling relationship because Eduardo had been nervous about how I would react to him being a father. Luckily, he had nothing to worry about, but then our relationship was tested even more on our honeymoon in Puerto Rico. When a tropical storm separated us, we both experienced separate sexual advances from two very forward men, but we resisted and stayed true to our vows.

I have to impress my future daughter-in-law, I said, teasing him. Even though Daniel was now twenty-four years old, Eduardo still wasn’t ready to see him as an adult who was considering marriage.

Hush now, I’m not old enough to have a daughter-in-law, he said, then glanced at his watch. Are you ready to go? Our reservation is at seven o’clock.

One quick thing before we leave, I said, leaving his embrace. I rifled through the top drawer of my dresser until I found what I was looking for. I held up a yellow jockstrap for him to see. For dessert, I said with a wink.

Eduardo and I had been married for two years now, and the spark was very much still alive, in our hearts and in our bedroom.

Is that new? he asked, relishing my mischievous grin.

It is, and it fits me quite well.

I can’t wait to see you in it. I’m more excited about this dinner, now that I know we’re having dessert afterwards, Eduardo said, slapping my ass.

* * * *

Dinner with Daniel and his girlfriend was a success. No one could deny that they were a cute couple with good chemistry. For the occasion, Daniel wore a suit and purple tie, and his girlfriend wore a wine-colored dress. Her name was Alicia, and she worked in the pharmaceutical industry, conducting research on treatments for muscular dystrophy.

Daniel and Alicia had met in college during a seminar on Edgar Allen Poe. Him a business major and her a pharmaceutical science major, they both were terrible at writing. The seminar was a way for them to satisfy their English requirement, and the rumor on campus was that the Edgar Allen Poe course was the most interesting option.

Daniel had been eyeing Alicia and working up the courage to talk to her, but she beat him to it. She invited him to join her at a poetry night that counted as extra credit for the class. He agreed, they hit it off, and they flirted in between readings of macabre horror poetry.

For tonight, Daniel had chosen an upscale French restaurant, and we sat on a gorgeous terrace overlooking the city square. Eduardo and I had met Alicia before, but mostly in passing, so this special dinner gave us more time to get to know her better.

By the way, I’m paying for dinner tonight, Daniel said as they looked over the menu, so everyone, get whatever you want.

Thanks, babe, Alicia said, putting a hand on his arm.

Business must be good, huh? I said. Daniel was a DJ who was gaining popularity in the city. That’s great to hear.

Is business good enough for these prices though? The French don’t play around, Eduardo said, eyeing the menu’s steep prices, especially the fancy wine.

Daniel had a look, too, and swallowed hard. Umm…

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