Blog Tour, Exclusive & Giveaway: Calling Your Bluff by Saxon James
Blog Tour, Exclusive & Giveaway: Calling Your Bluff by Saxon James
Love’s Gamble Series, Book 2
Zane Four years ago, I met Liam Holdsworthy. Hot, snarky, and hiding behind a sadness I couldn’t place. I wanted him, even back then. There were only two problems. One, I was deeply closeted. And two, he was dating my best friend. Now I’m retired from the NFL and openly out, there’s nothing to stop me from getting my gay on. When Liam comes back into my life, and I find out he’s single, I’ll find any reason to spend time with him. That’s how I created a list of gay first experiences I coax him into helping me with. But I don’t just want his help. I still want him.
Liam After leaving a long-term relationship with a closeted NFL player, I went through a string of guys trying to find the one. None of them were boyfriend material, let alone the forever type. I’m looking for a guy to come home to. Someone serious and down to earth. I’m definitely not looking for Cooper Zane. Yet, I can’t shake him, and not only because I’m helping him with his big bi bucket list. Every time I see him is like a shot of adrenaline to my system, and I’m always left wanting more. I need Mr. Serious, and Cooper’s the least serious person I’ve met. He’s newly out. He’s never had a relationship. And most importantly, he may be retired, but he’s not done with football. He’ll do anything to get it all back. And I’m not prepared to be relegated to the sidelines ever again.
“Can we…” He breathes deep. “Can we spend this weekend together? I want to take you out on a proper date. I want to show you what it would be like to be with me.”
My heart is screaming say yes, dumbass but I already promised Kelsie. I shake my head and his grip goes slack. “Actually, I already have plans.”
“I’d say ‘what about next week’ but I’m not sure if your plans are legit or if you’re blowing me off. But god tell me it’s not another date.”
“No date. And I’m definitely not blowing you off.” I pause, thinking of what Kelsie said. “I…” No, I can’t. It’s way too soon.
“You… what?”
I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”
“Well if you don’t tell me, I’m going to assume you were about to say, I… love you, Zane. And I hate to break it to you, but whoa there, Nelly. Way too fast.” His serious expression melts.
I snigger and lightly punch his abs. “You’re an idiot. Which makes me doubly sure I don’t want to tell you.”
“I… want to jump your bones?”
“Nope.”
“I… want to buy a ranch and move there so we can raise our fourteen children together?”
I snort. “Definitely not.”
“Not into kids?”
“Or a ranch.”
“Ah… but you like the idea of you and me together.” His smile is apparent in his voice. “It must be my first guess then.”
“I… Okay.” An awkward laugh slips out. “I’m going to visit my sister to help her out with my nephew. And because I maybe sort of told her about you—”
“You told her about me?”
I ignore his grin. “She suggested that I ask you to come.”
“Huh.”
My excitement drops. Huh? That’s it? “It was a dumb idea, I get it, that’s why I didn’t want to ask.”
“Do you want me there?”
Goddamn, how am I supposed to answer that truthfully after his lackluster response. “It doesn’t matter. I get that it’s too early for that kind of thing. I don’t want you to think I’m pushing.”
“Well, how about you let me decide what I think?”
“You already did,” I snap.
“When?”
“When you… huh-ed me.”
“That wasn’t my answer because you didn’t actually ask me anything.”
I frown, trying to remember what I’d said. “Of course I did.”
“Nope. You said your sister wanted you to invite me. So do it. Invite me.”
Is he serious? “Do you maybe wanna come?”
“Not with that kind of proposal.” He crosses his arms. “Once more with feeling.”
I pinch my nose, holding back a laugh. When I feel like I can speak coherently, I try again. “I’m going to see my sister this weekend, and I’d love it if you would come.”
“Still not a question.”
“I’m about to uninvite you,” I warn.
“You can’t. You haven’t invited me yet.”
“Why are you like this?”
He narrows his eyes. “I’m dangerously close to assuming it’s the ‘I love you’ option again.”
“Fine.” I push away from him and grab both of his hands in mine. “Cooper, you delicious sex god, I need you to come with me this weekend. Please say yes?”
He’s quiet for a moment, and I almost think the asshole is going to say no. “Geez, yes, fine. Stop smothering me.”
I give him the driest look I can manage. “Yep, definitely taking it back.”
“I’m adding this to the list. I’ve never been on a weekend away with someone before.”
I give him a dry look. “So glad to be of service.”
“Seriously though.” Cooper scoots closer. “This weekend, no matter where we are, I … I want us to use it as a chance to see how we’d go in a relationship.”
I screw up my nose, because he’s already hard enough to be around him and hold back, that actively picturing him as my boyfriend might break me. “I don’t know.”
“No sex stuff”—He holds up his hand—“promise. I won’t try anything. We’ll both keep our hands to ourselves and focus on … whatever it is between us.”
No sex stuff? Hands to ourselves? Okay, that might actually help me survive the weekend. “You want to pretend to be in a relationship with me?”
“No. I want to be in a relationship with you. But I’ll take what I can get.”
Enter the Giveaway:
To celebrate Saxon’s new release, we are giving away $25 Amazon GC and an e-copy of Book One in the Love’s A Gamble Series, Bet On Me.
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!
Saxon James is an author from Australia who’s obsessed with writing queer characters. She has a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love. When not writing, Saxon exists on a diet of coffee and chocolate while putting her KU subscription to the test.
Losing a long term boyfriend to my football career highlights one thing: it’s impossible for me to have both. With only a few years left to play, I decide to throw my full focus into the game. Then I meet Elliot. The flirty texts are immediate, trusting him comes easily, and when we’re together, I’ve never experienced something so explosive.
Until he drops a real bomb on me. He’s a bookie. And suddenly, being closeted is the least of my worries.
Elliot
I have a plan. Make a large amount of money in a short amount of time, set myself up for life, and then get the hell out of bookmaking. Good at it or not, it’s illegal, and that’s a very gray line I’d prefer not to keep crossing. Especially when I meet Taryn. He’s the first guy who’s been able to steal my focus away from my goal, and I’ll do anything to deserve him.
Even quit.
But the thing about illegal jobs is, they’re not always so easy to walk away from.
A thrilling, exciting, and sexy tale that goes beyond the NFL star and the man that changes his world…
I really loved this story. Taryn and Elliot were brilliant together! While opposites and challenges from their jobs caused trouble, their dynamic was hot, sweet, and lovable. I loved the edge of thrill, suspense, and danger at every turn kept me hooked and needing to know what would happen next!
I found Taryn surprisingly open and trusting for such a closeted character. His care, love, and worry for Elliot was wonderful to see and unfold and just proves that when the right person comes along, it’s not hard to face your fears to keep them. Elliot was a unique chacrater. I don’t feel like I’ve read anyone like him before. He’s driven, smart but not nerdy or sporty, he’s just Elliot. His dynamic with Taryn was hot from the start and grow into so much more. His job is somewhat dangerous and I was floored when Saxon actually included such violence towards a main character in a shady situation. It added a great level of authenticity to the overall story and proved she’s not me4ssing around with her characters!
Saxon’s writing was a breeze to read and I was caught up in the lust, attraction, and danger from the start. An awesome story that’s SO much more than a sports romance!!! I really can’t wait for more in this series and loved so many of the secondary characters I really hope we get their stories soon!! A highly recommended read!!
Hi! I'm Katie and I'm an obsessive reader, wife and mum. I love books, support all things LGBTQ+ and love tattoos and tea!
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