Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

some stitches come loose. Boys will be boys, I suppose." She still had her professional smile on as she turned back to face the room, but it changed into something different, something that seemed almost tender as she looked in Cade's direction. It honestly seemed as if the threat from another source had made her take Cade under her protective wing, and he was finding that it was pretty damned cozy in there. "Ready?" she asked.
    He hopped obediently to his feet, then winced and let himself sag against Aiden. He was back to feeling his pulse in the injury, a throb of pain with each beat of his heart.
    "You're okay?" Aiden asked.
    "Yeah, you?"
    "Yeah. We're both okay," Aiden said, and he took the chance to press a quick kiss to the side of Cade's head before starting them toward the car. "We're good."
    "Get him to the edge of the driveway and I'll bring the car around," Mrs. St. John said, and strode off toward the parking area.
    "I'm really, really sorry about all this, Aiden." The words weren't enough, but Cade offered them because he had nothing else.
    "It's not your fault, Cade. I'm sorry if I made you feel… If I made you feel like you're anything but perfect."
    Cade wanted to let himself bask in the words, but he wasn't that delusional. He snorted, instead, and said, "I'm so far from perfect." And then, because it really felt like maybe things were going to be okay he let himself add, "For one thing, I'm bleeding all over your kitchen."
    "Shit," Aiden said, and he looked around as if hoping a solution would appear. "Okay, there's towels on the deck. I'll grab a couple on the way by. And we'll leave the blood on the floor—my dad likes to clean when he's stressed, so it's helping him out, really."
    "I'm a bit of a mess, Aiden," Cade said, but Aiden just shook his head.
    "Messy's just part of life, right?" Aiden looked serious. "I still need some time to think about all this, and I'll probably want to talk about it some more, and I can't absolutely guarantee that I won't freak out at some point. But I love you. I want to be with you, no matter what."
    Cade let himself exhale a breath he hadn't even known he'd been holding, and he leaned against Aiden as they made their way out to the driveway. Aiden's mother was waiting there, and Aiden pulled the back door of the big Mercedes open and helped Cade inside. Aiden eased in after him and told his mother, "I'm going to ride back here with Cade."
    "I know," she said, and she eased the car away from the cottage.
    THE END
    Author bio: Kate started writing at about the same time she got back on a horse after a twenty-year break. She'd like to think that she's far too young for it to be a mid-life crisis, but apparently she was ready for a few changes!
    Kate's writing focuses on characters and relationships, people trying to find out how much of themselves they need to keep, and how much they can afford to give away. She tries to find that careful balance between drama and humor – she wants readers to have an intense experience and feel drawn into the book, but she also wants them to enjoy the time they spend reading.
    Kate started writing in the m/m area of Romance, but she's excited to have two m/f Romances coming out in 2012! Kate definitely plans to continue writing in both sub-genres, and is drawn to YA, as well. And maybe some women's fiction. And urban fantasy. Possibly sci fi. Thriller? The possibilities are endless!
    Kate can be found:
    On Facebook
    On Twitter
    At her webpage
    And at her blog
    And, of course, Goodreads !
    That seems like enough, right? Unless you want to e-mail, in which case, try Kate's Email .
    There. THAT'S enough!
    ****

INCONGRUENT ANGEL
    by Cherie Noel

    Travis grinned at the incongruous sight of Aaron made up as a Renaissance angel for the photo shoot. Anyone who knew the bass player as well as he did would be aware of the disconnect between his cherubic appearance and the unholy thoughts that were doubtless running through his mind…
    ~ Trinity

    genre: contemporary
    tags: musicians; friends to lovers; sweet; angsty; grief; HFN
    word count: 10,312
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    Acknowledgements
    This story is dedicated to two very special people.
    Trinity, you dreamed up names for Aaron and Travis, and showed me a glimpse of the naughty imp living inside Aaron's angelic facade. I'd never have met these boys without your timely introduction.
    And of course, Patric, always and always it's for you. I'd still be poking a stick at the