Jacqueline

Valor on the Move: Growing up gay in the White House hasn't been easy for Rafael Castillo. But once his family's out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef. It's definitely not part of Rafa's plan to get a new Secret Service agent who's a walking wet dream. Test of Valor: With his father no longer president, Rafa Castillo can finally be with ex-Secret Service agent Shane Kendrick. Eager to get away from the questions and judgement, Rafa and Shane are building a new life together in Australia.

Sometimes you meet someone and you just know they're going to mean something to you. That's what happened with Col Langdon. Sure, he's a cranky, uptight New Yorker who seems strangely immune to my serenading, but he's been living rent-free in my head since the night we met. I'm the king of casual. But with Col . . . it's different.

Casey Cox presents Book 8 in the Vet Shop Boys series. Contains mature themes.

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike's flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike's arrival would spark from Zack's teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can't refuse. Pike Reynolds knows there won't be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He's an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun.

Conor: It starts with a drunken text pic. The kind I would normally never send. Only, instead of it going to the flirty hotel bartender, it goes to some random stranger who actually responds. Wells: The first thing I notice about Conor Newell when he sits down in my high-rise conference room is how delightfully nervous he is. Then I see his tie. The same geeky tie that’s held hostage on my phone. The one that belongs to my anonymous late-night texter. And it changes everything.

The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it. Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately. If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall. They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.

Christmas just isn't my jam. The crowds. The cold. That Mariah Carey song blasting everywhere I go. Thanks, but no thanks. Don't get me wrong. I'm no Grinch. The holidays are awesome if you have a great family and money to shower them with gifts. Unfortunately for me, I have neither of those things. All I want for Christmas (great, now I'm quoting that damn Mariah song) is to focus on my internship at the Vet Shop Boys clinic and hanging out with my best friend and roommate. Turns out Chester has got other ideas.

There's a long list of things I don't handle well: Change. Relationships. Breakups. But there's one person above everything else I can't seem to get a handle on. Brody Wallace. In short, he's perfect. The reality, he scares me. He's the opposite of what I usually go for. He's bigger. Intimidating. He reminds me of someone I'd rather forget. When I need to find a new place to live, Brody offers me his spare room, but I have no plans on taking him up on the offer. He doesn't know what happened to me five years ago, and I want to keep it that way.

Josiah Evans is the orphan who lost both his parents. He's sweet, shy, and all heart. He wants nothing more than to be loved. Mateo Sanchez is the son of a gang leader. He's seen it all, and never hesitates to do what needs to be done, no matter what it is. Tristan Croft is the wealthy attorney who clawed his way up from the bottom to rule his own world. He'll never depend on anyone but himself again.

Sex comes with a price tag. One I’m quite willing to pay. In fact, I prefer it. It’s easier that way, and in my life, I prefer ease. Prefer for most things to be transactional.