About River’s Edge
Author: BA Tortuga
Word Count: 59100
Page Count (pdf): 258
ISBN: 979-8550495-10-0
Price: $4.99
Pairing: MM
Series: Banished book 2
Genre: Paranormal
Date Published: 11102020
Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives
Heat Rating: 3 Rainbows
File Types available: pdf, epub and mobi
This title is no longer available here and has been moved to KU
Summary:
Miguel is convinced he and River weren’t the fated mates he thought they were, so when his best friend asks him to go back to Lobo Canyon, New Mexico, he knows it’s a really bad idea. Why set himself up to see River again, and to go through all that pain and weirdness again? Wulf is desperate not to be the only banished one at his niece’s christening, though, and Miguel finally, grudgingly, goes along.
River knows how bad he screwed up with Miguel, but he’s been able to tell himself it was meant to be. At least until Miguel shows up. All of his fine plans to stay away from the man go out the window then, and River decides he has to figure out how to win Miguel back. Even if the pack doesn’t seem particularly helpful, between the constant interruptions and the visiting family making his job harder.
What’s worse is that Miguel seems to be accident prone now. Until River realizes what’s going on is no accident. Someone is targeting Miguel with violence, and they have to figure out who it is, and how their love can possibly work out, all at the same time.
Excerpt:
Three Years Ago
The pack politics here in Lobo Canyon was fascinating.
Okay, so Miguel hadn’t been here long, but it was long enough for three things to happen. One, the pack alpha, Stephen, tried to scare him to death. Two, Miguel figured out his bestie and boss, Wulf, was totally into his ex. And three, he realized that not only did they have to fit the bride, who was way sweeter than her growly alpha fiancé, but Laurel came with a vast amount of sisters to be fitted as well. And that didn’t even include the groomsmen.
Miguel was ready to go home. As soon as this wedding was over, he was grabbing his boss, and they were heading back to Santa Fe where they belonged.
He was a banished one. Just like Wulf—who was back to going by Trey while they were here. Every single time he heard Wulf answer to the name he’d had before, it made him a little queasy. He just needed to go home.
“Ow!” Damn it. He sucked his finger, not daring to get blood on the fabric he was hand stitching.
“You okay?” The big brute who was one of the alpha’s enforcers stood in the doorway, just like Miguel had summoned him.
“Perfect. Right as rain.” Go away.
That long nose quivered. “You’re bleeding.” The big guy stepped right up to him, pulling a snowy-white handkerchief out of his pocket.
“Good-good nose.” He held out his hand, and his finger was wrapped up, just like that. Oh man. Tall and broad and… so fucking hot.
And when the guy touched him, well, his heart thundered.
“I don’t want to stain your handkerchief.”
“Oh, I have more.” The guy grinned at him. “That’s a heck of a puncture.”
“Yeah, the needles are sharp, and I jerked.”
“Ah. Well, it looks like it’s slowing down.” The guy pulled back, looking at his finger. “Neosporin.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t suppose you have a bandage?” I don’t suppose you want a blowjob?
“Sure.” Something flared in those bright hazel eyes, but then the man walked away and returned a few moments later with a Band-Aid.
“Thank you. You rock.”
Remember, this was the pack that turned Wulf away. They didn’t welcome banished wolves, and Goddess knew, he was one of those. Scarred. Beaten. Thrust out. He didn’t belong here. He offered the big guy a half-smile, and then he turned back to his job. Sewing. He was here to sew and help his best friend and alpha.
When the man didn’t leave, he glanced back up. “I won’t be doing groomsmen’s fittings yet.”
“No? So you’ll be measuring me?”
He blinked. “I will.”
“Excellent. I’m River, by the way.” River held out one big hand to him.
“Miguel.” He took River’s hand, and pure electricity shot up his arm. “Whoa.”
River stared at him, eyes wide. “Hell, yeah.”
“Uh-huh.” He couldn’t move. He was stuck, right there.
They held on, both of them just frozen, mouths open a little. He wanted… Well, he wanted to climb that body and hump.
“The door locks.”
“Wh-what?” Had he heard that?
“The door. It locks. I could go lock us in…” River’s voice had gone all deep and husky, really hot and making him twitch.
It took maybe a full minute for the words to sink in too.
“I—” He didn’t want to let go. Ever.
“Is this where I get measured for my dress?” One of the bridesmaids popped her head in.
“Yes.” Miguel cleared his throat, his cheeks going so hot he thought he might go up in flames. “Come on in.”
“Hey, River. How’s it going?” The girl gave him a flirtatious smile, and Miguel fought the urge to growl.
“Fine. Fine.” River had let go of his hand but was still staring. “I’ll see you later about that, Miguel.”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll—see you.” By the moon, that son of a bitch was pretty.
River waved, and the lady still in the room sighed. “He’s always so busy.”
“Is he? He’s not the police, I know.” The cop was Wulf’s lust. Him? He wanted to play with Big, Red, and Pretty.
“No. He’s Stephen’s right-hand man, so to speak. Cory is the law, but River is the enforcer.”
“Ah.” Dammit. “That’s fabulous. The dresses are right here, so just choose the one with your name and go try it on. Then come out and I’ll mark hems and such.”
“Got it. I’ll need help with the zipper.”
“It’s not in yet.” He smiled for her. “Makes it easier. You’ve got sleeves, though, so you won’t be in danger of a costume malfunction.”
“I bet you’ve seen way more boobs than mine.”
She had no idea. “It’s not as common as you think.”
“Huh. Okay.” She headed to the rack, and Miguel peered at the door where River had disappeared.
Crazy. He was just hyped from zooming up here to rescue his boss. That was reasonable, right?
He liked a handsome manly man. That was all.
He was a healthy gay wolf. He could admire. And he had. That was so crazy, the electricity when they’d touched. He wanted more.
But he wasn’t here for that. He was here to work.
That was it.