Title: Living on the Inside
Author: Londra Laine

Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: About 55,000 words

Genre: Romance, Single dad, gay romance, interracial, ex-con, domestic abuse, work romance

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Synopsis

Micah Grayson lives in his baby mama’s guesthouse. It’s unconventional and awkward, but he’s happy for a chance to reconnect with his teenage son. He doesn’t have time for other distractions—no matter how sexy, independent, and compassionate that distraction might be. Besides, he’s not good enough for more than a fling—no one would ever take him home to meet their parents.

Adrien Darling has book smarts, but no street savvy—at least that’s what his family says. And after a heart-breaking betrayal by the man meant to love and protect him, Adrien believes them. But then a gorgeous guy with a defeated look in his eyes walks into Adrien’s coffee shop and makes him want to take a chance.

After years of living on the outside as two misfits looking in, both men are afraid to reach for more. But in each other’s arms, Micah and Adrien find out what it’s like to live on the inside. As their tender bond grows and blossoms, old insecurities bubble to the surface. Will their commitment crumble under the pressure? Or will the two find the strength to fight for each other.

***Please be aware that this book contains a flashback of and several references to domestic abuse that may be triggering to some readers.***

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Exclusive Excerpt

Adrien was gorgeous. His dimples were on full display in his russet-hued face as he wiped his black-rimmed glasses on the hem of his wine-colored long-sleeved pullover.

His full lips, stretched to reveal that slight gap-toothed smile, were damp and shiny from the beer. Micah wanted to get closer, feel those lips on his, run his fingers through Adrien’s soft, short, loose curls…

Oh fuck. His breath hitched slightly as his dick grew to a full erection.

“Oh, uh, um…” Micah looked up to see Adrien staring at the obvious bulge in Micah’s pants.

Micah jerked forward and went to cover his crotch with his hands, straightening out a leg he had bent under him on the couch. But as he stretched out, his leg caught Adrien’s hand that held the beer and brown liquid splashed all over the couch, floor, and table.

“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—” Micah stood halfway, but then sat again, because he was still pretty hard.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Adrien insisted, his eyes darting around the room. “Both things, the beer and the, uh—the other thing.” He waved his hand in the general direction of Micah’s crotch.

Micah felt like he was being scorched from his neck to the crown of his head as he covered his face in mortification.

What was he, thirteen? He got hard from the sound of a guy’s voice?

“Just a second,” Adrien said before the sound of feet slapped against the wood floor. A few seconds later, items rustled and shifted against wood and then footsteps approached the couch before a cloth landed on top of Micah’s bare feet.

Micah uncovered his face to find another cloth over the spill on the floor, Adrien down beside it, wiping the coffee table with another cloth.

Immediately Micah dropped to the ground with Adrien, between the couch and coffee table, grateful that his hard-on had wilted.

The blood had probably all gone to his face.

He reached for the cloth on the floor to wipe up the beer only to have Adrien’s hand land on top of his.

Micah went to pull his hand away, but Adrien tightened his palm over the back of Micah’s hand, making Micah’s chest constrict and sending a jolt up his arm. He looked up to find Adrien staring at him, his breathing labored, his glasses skewed.

“Adrien?” Micah whispered, leaning toward the other man.

Adrien mirrored his actions and slowly leaned in until they were so close Adrien’s warm breath caressed his lips, the spicy sweetness of the beer fragrant and enticing.

But then Adrien jerked away, cursing. “Fuck.”

A faint buzzing sound became louder as Adrien reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone.

Sitting back on his haunches, Adrien sighed, then typed out a message using his thumbs. A couple seconds later, his cell buzzed again and Adrien rolled his eyes before shoving the device in his back pocket.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly, standing and holding his hand out to help Micah up. “It was my parents. They heard us talking down here and wanted to know if I was okay.”

Micah nodded, trying to push down his feelings of disappointment.

They’d almost kissed. Micah had wanted to so badly. Needed to feel Adrien’s lips like he needed his next breath. And he felt cheated that they had been interrupted.

But as he accepted Adrien’s hand up, he realized how stupid that would have been in the long run. He needed this job, and getting involved with Adrien was too big of a risk. If things went south, what would he do?

Micah should be grateful Adrien’s parents were busy-body snoops. They’d probably saved him—both of them—from a world of trouble.

Standing, Micah reached for his jacket, which he’d tossed on the arm of the couch, and shoved his feet into his shoes before reaching down to pull the backs over his heels, his emotions a muddle of disappointment and longing.

“No worries, man,” he tried to sound casual as he avoided Adrien’s eyes boring into him. “I should probably get going anyway. I know you have brunch with your family in the morning. Thanks for having me over. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Micah headed toward the door and Adrien followed behind him.

“Hey, Micah?”

He turned around, finally looking at Adrien. The man had stuck his hands in his pockets, observing the hardwood floor.

“Do you maybe want to come over again next Saturday?”

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3.5

Heartbreakingly real! A wonderful story about second chances, trust and true love!

I loved this story! It’s heartbreaking and an emotional rollercoaster but Londra’s writing style made these characters feel so real to me, I felt like I knew them. This story deals with some serious issues of depression, self-worth, drug use, domestic violence, trust, doubt and teen pregnancy, just to name a few. (Please be aware of your triggers). Londra shows such respect and care for these issues and how they are intertwined and integral to the characters and their journeys, both separately and together.

This story follows Micah, an ex-con who’s served his time and just wants to reconnect with his teenaged son and move on with his life. He meets Adrien, a hot coffee shop owner with baggage and trust issues. They feel instant attraction but their personal issues stand in the way of them taking the chance on each other. They forge a flirtatious friendship that has its ups and downs and they are able to help each other through their issues slowly, while their feelings for each other grow. Their feelings felt really organic to me as the story progressed and I praise Londra’s writing for creating these men with so much heart! This is a great story of taking a chance, learning to trust again and has a wonderful happy ending. A highly recommended read!!!

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Meet the Author

Londra has loved reading since she figured out how to do it. She writes to give her guys the happy ending she wishes everyone––no matter their race, religion, gender, or orientation––could experience in real life.

Londra makes money as a communications manager. She is a former journalist, a runner and a mezzo soprano.

In 2010, she moved from her native California to New York City where she lived in Harlem for nearly eight years. In early 2018 she relocated to Seattle with her spouse.