Hi there! I’m Kris Bethke, and I’ve stopped in to talk about
my latest release. His Needs is a holiday novella featuring two men who have
been in each other’s lives since childhood, but have yet to take that next
step. Travis Kinslow has long wanted Noah Mastriano, but Noah didn’t know. When
they finally get together, everything settles in their world. But first they
have their first real date.
Enjoy the excerpt and Happy Holidays!
Excerpt:
“You look really nice.” Noah’s voice was close, as if he were only a foot
or two behind me. That was confirmed when he tugged on the hem of my sweater.
“I love this color on you.”
I knew that. It was why I’d chosen the dark blue cabled sweater in the
first place. Well, that and because it was a bit loose and comfortable. I’d
managed to put on a pair of older, soft jeans. They were a little bit baggy and
worn with age. I needed a loose shirt as well, as my side was still a mess of
bruises and any sort of pressure on them made it uncomfortable. But I’d had
several sweaters to choose from. I’d gone with the navy because he had
complimented me before when I’d worn the color.
“Thank you,” I said quietly after I shut off the water. I set the pitcher
on the counter, then quickly opened the roses and placed them inside. Noah took
the cellophane and threw it in the trash, and then he came back to fuss with
the roses a little until he was happy.
He stepped up close to my left side, and one of his hands landed on my
waist. “You really like them? I worried it was too much.”
His gaze searched mine, looking for the truth, and I smiled and wrapped
my arms around him, pulling him into a hug. I would have loved to squeeze him
tightly, but my body wasn’t quite up to that yet. Instead, I kissed the top of
his head, and then, when he tilted his face back to look at me, leaned down far
enough to give him a gentle, soft kiss on the lips.
“I love them.” I leaned in again. One taste was not enough. I needed
more. The first kiss had been chaste, nothing more than a lingering peck. This
time I pressed for entrance, and Noah responded beautifully. He pushed into my
arms, his mouth opening, and his tongue snaking out to meet mine.
I cupped his head, tilting his mouth for a better fit. He sighed and then
made a hungry noise. He kissed me back hard, his lips and teeth devouring, and
I moaned low in my throat. He tasted so good, like mint and coffee and him, and
I wanted to eat him up.
Suddenly Noah pulled back, turning his head to the side to break our
kiss. My mouth landed on his jaw, and I nibbled his skin even as I asked, “You
okay?”
“Yeah,” he panted. “Just fine. Hard as fuck and wanting you. But fine.”
I groaned and tried to pull him closer. The instant I felt his
resistance, I froze. “Noah?”
He closed his eyes and exhaled sharply, but he slid his fingers up my
neck and into my hair. He massaged my scalp, and then took a slow, deep breath
before opening his eyes and giving me a serene smile.
“Want you,” he murmured, pushing a bit closer. “But lunch and shopping
and date first, yeah?”
I laughed, kissed him quickly, and then made a show of stepping back and
lifting my hands in surrender. “Absolutely.”
Buy Links:
Blurb:
When State Trooper Travis Kinslow is injured
right before Thanksgiving, the only positive is that for once he won’t be
working during the holidays. Since he has no family, Travis was absorbed into his best friend, Joe’s, and he
considers them as good as his own. Everyone except Joe’s brother Noah. Travis
has been in love with the younger man for much of his life, but he’s always
kept his distance.
As an ER nurse, Noah is a caretaker by nature.
When his brother’s best friend is hurt, he’s happy to help Travis while he
heals. He’s only ever allowed himself to think of Travis as the next best thing
to an older brother, but by the light of the Christmas tree, Noah finally sees
Travis’s true feelings. And in that moment, everything changes.
When faced with opposition and a Christmas
nothing like they imagined, will their hopes for the future be enough to carry
them through?
Author
Bio:
Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for
pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as
long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her
head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or
knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a
way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will
always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty
pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy
cat and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a
pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of
people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.
