Bio-Mechanical

Having grown up the son of a Southern Baptist preacher, James Gossett was expected to be one thing, and one thing only—a God-fearing, straight, Christian man. It didn’t help that from a young age, James knew he was different. He hid the truth about who he was from himself, and from his family, until a freak accident during a routine simulation right after basic training cost him both legs, and nearly his life. Knowing what he almost lost, James decided to come out—and with that, lost the rest of the blood kin he had left alive. Settling in Fairfield, James rediscovered what it meant to be part of a family who loved him for who he was—but he still had one big secret kept close to his heart. In spite of his promiscuous reputation, James was a virgin, in every sense of the word, and he wasn’t sure that would ever change. Rowan Balk was dedicated to one thing, and one thing alone—ensuring that no child would ever suffer what he did at the hands of a prejudiced system. Having been torn from his disabled adoptive mother shortly after her MS diagnosis, Rowan grew up with a fire in him to make sure no one ever felt his pain. But his determination came at the expense of ever finding love, and until he set foot in Fairfield, he was okay with that. Then he set eyes on the quiet, southern tattoo artist with secrets in his eyes and a mouth he could get lost in for days. But Rowan wasn’t the sort of person who was willing to turn his life upside down for one man, even if he knew deep down, James Gossett was probably the one. When it’s obvious James wants Rowan just as much, Rowan realizes he can’t say no. So he makes James a proposition—he’ll help James discover himself in the bedroom, no strings attached, until Rowan leaves the state. But will that be enough for both lonely men? Or will they somehow find a way to come together, in spite of the distance between them? No one taught James to hate himself better than the God-fearing preacher who called himself his father.After losing his legs in an accident during basic training, James leaves both the military life and his past behind him and starts fresh at Irons and Works. He’s the kind of man who always has a smile, even on the worst days, and never hesitates to pick up strangers in a bar. But James’ reputation his covering up a very important secret—and only one of his friends knows.James Gossett is a virgin.He can’t escape the years of listening to his father’s hateful words and promises of hell for homosexuality, but all James wants is to finally have sex and get it over with. And when he sets eyes on Sam’s attractive custody lawyer, Rowan Balk, he realizes he has an in. Rowan wants him, but he’s made it clear to James that it can only be physical—and that works perfectly for him.What neither of them expect is a spark. What neither of them expect is to trip and fall into feelings they were so desperately trying to avoid. Rowan isn’t staying in town, and James isn’t the sort of man who chases, so why does it feel like his heart is being carved out at the thought of Rowan leaving for good?