The Anniversary of Love

By Pelaam

Dustin first loved Liam like a big brother, but as he got older, that love became much more than fraternal. On the eve of Liam returning to university, with Dustin old enough to declare his love, they spend the night together.

Over the ensuing years, fate intervenes and keeps them apart more often than either man would like, but their love proves strong enough to endure it.

But when a pandemic sweeps the world, will their feelings remain strong enough to ensure they get their happy ending?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jul 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685502140

Pelaam

Living in clean, green New Zealand, Pelaam is a multi-published author of gay romance and erotic books. When not busy writing, she can be found indulging in her other passions of cookery and wine appreciation. Pelaam's books: Smoking Mirror, 2017 finalist in 2017 Rainbow Awards in Gay Futuristic/Sci-Fi; Stranded, Evernight Publishing Readers’ Choice winner 2016 for Sci-Fi; The Avian Emperor, runner up and Honourable Mention in 2016 Rainbow Awards Gay Futuristic/Sci-Fi.

Book preview

The Anniversary of Love

By Pelaam

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2022 Pelaam

ISBN 9781685502140

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Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

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The Anniversary of Love

By Pelaam

Chapter 1

July 2015

The last of the bars were closing and Dustin knew without doubt he was more than a little tipsy, otherwise he wouldn’t have spent the last half hour openly flirting with Liam in front of their mates. But they’d been friends since childhood and by the time Dustin was thirteen, he’d fallen in love with Liam. Five long years of waiting to reach the age of consent.

Not to mention Liam was the only person who knew Dustin was gay, having confessed his love when he was sixteen. Liam, ever the mature and logical thinking one, had made Dustin wait.

Until I was old enough, which I am, and when I’d come out, which I haven’t. With having more mature parents who are very old-fashioned in their ways and thinking, my coming out to them isn’t going to be an easy conversation. But he goes back to uni in South Island in the next day or so, and I won’t see him for months.

Dustin sighed and Liam gazed down at him where he leaned on Liam’s shoulder. Think it’s time for home.

We’re all gonna crash at Steve’s. The voice came from someone at the table, but Dustin didn’t notice who. Plenty of room.

I left blankets or sleeping bags dotted around the rooms. Share or find somewhere a little more private. Whatever. We have a sleepout in the back, as well as my dad’s mancave shed. But whatever you do, wherever you crash, no smoking.

It’s a warm night for June, Dustin whispered. We could go to the mancave. Quieter, more…intimate.

Are you sure? Liam asked. I don’t want this to just be the alcohol talking.

That thought went a great