Release & Instagram Tour & Giveaway:
Kicking it with the Billionaire
By Riley Long
Out and Kickin', Book 4
One grew up pinching pennies. The other with a silver spoon in his mouth. Can they find a way to meet in the middle?
Bennett has spent his life scraping to get by. When he learns his mom has cancer, he hustles to find a trial treatment she's eligible for to get her the care she deserves thanks to a charitable foundation.
It's at the grant awards dinner when Bennett locks eyes with Dex, a strikingly handsome older man. Their attraction is immediate. Their chemistry electric. In the following days, they can't bear to be apart.
It doesn't take long for Bennett to discover Dex is harboring a huge secret. When he finds out that Dex is the benefactor of the charitable foundation, will he be able to look past Dex's riches and see him for the man he truly is? Or will Bennett be too blinded by his own pride to allow himself to be seen as a charity case?
Excerpt:
Once we were on the highway, orange-yellow street lights zipping by the window, I called Jude after all. He answered at once, as always.
"Hello," he said cheerfully, despite the late hour. "How was the banquet?"
"It was lovely. Thank you for asking. Ross and Eric did an excellent job of getting things together, as always."
"Good. I'm glad to hear it. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?"
"Nothing in particular." I had just called to debrief, to have someone to talk to—and I knew how sad it was that my closest friend was the person I paid to take care of nearly every need I had.
Jude knew me well, though, and encouraged me to keep talking. "Tell me more about the evening."
I gave him a brief rundown of the event, the food and decor, the jazz quartet Eric had arranged for, the recipients and how much fun they seemed to have had. Well, most of them seemed to have had fun, anyway. I didn't know how much Bennett had enjoyed himself, if at all. When I stumbled on my words, letting memories of Bennett infiltrate my mind as I spoke, Jude chuckled softly, knowingly.
"What aren't you telling me?"
"Well, there was this one recipient that caught my attention."
He hummed. "Really? Which one?"
"Bennett Cantrell," I said, my mouth dry.
"Oh him. He's pretty cute."
I scoffed and tried to ignore the singsong tone in Jude's voice, the way he extended the word "cute" into two syllables. "He's perfectly fine, I suppose, if you like that sort of thing."
"Which you clearly do," he countered.
Flustered at how quickly he'd nailed it, I cleared my throat and tried to regain my composure. "He gave me his number."
Another soft laugh came from Jude. "You didn't need him to give you his number. It's all in the files I sent you."
"I didn't tell him who I am."
"Oh. Well. That's interesting."
Interesting. Bennett had used the same word to describe my questions. I shifted uncomfortably in the leather seat of the car, but the discomfort was really internal and had nothing to do with the luxury vehicle I was riding in. "I didn't want a repeat of what happened last night."
"Understandable." Jude was quiet for a moment on the line, waiting me out.
I hesitated a beat before doing what I always did—asking for Jude's opinion. I trusted him implicitly, and I was sure he'd steer me in the right direction. "What do you advise?"
He seemed to weigh his words as he spoke. "I think you should tread carefully. Maybe keep some things close to your vest."
Disappointment settled on my shoulders like a lead blanket. "Yes. You're probably right. I'll throw out his number."
"That's not what I said. I definitely think you should go for it. Call him. See where things go. Just… keep being careful with what you tell him."
The car pulled into the driveway and Frank put it in park, waiting silently for me to finish my call.
"Maybe you're right." What I really meant was, maybe if I don't tell someone who I really am, I have a shot at happiness for once in my life. It was a bleak thought, and my stomach felt like it turned to stone.
"I'm always right. Now, get some sleep."
Enter the Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Kicking It With The Billionaire, Riley is giving away 3 e-copies of Book 1: Kicking It With My Best Man!
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!
A Rafflecopter Giveaway
Direct Link: https://bit.ly/KIWTBGiveaway
Catch up on the series with Book 1:
Kicking it with the Best Man
Out and Kickin', Book 1
I've been out and proud for years, happily living my truth. Never did I imagine I would be asked to step back into the closet.
Until that night at the club.
After one too many cocktails, I ended up in a bathroom stall enjoying a hot and steamy tryst with a super sexy guy named Nate. We exchanged numbers and indulged in some spicy sexting.
But when I asked him to meet up again, he ghosted me.
I tried distracting myself by acting as a friend's plus one to a wedding. Who do I see standing next to the groom, looking like a snack? Nate. He claims no one knows he's gay and asks me to be discreet. Still, my years of hiding are behind me. Can I help him find the strength to come out to his family and friends? Or will his reservations be too big an obstacle to overcome?
About the Author:
Riley Long is an author of gay romances novels spanning many genres from contemporary to paranormal. They live a quiet life in Virginia, with their husband, son, and two very silly pit bulls.
They spend their evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television).
For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs.
They like things with silly acronyms.
Riley can tell you two different stories about getting covered in dairy products for a hug.
Connect with Riley:
https://www.facebook.com/WriterRileyLong
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097122257097073
https://www.instagram.com/writerrileylong/
https://sendfox.com/writerrileylong
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