Dear Readers,

Below is a teaser from my newest novel, Black Mahogany.

Can marriage be a shield, sword, and healing balm? That’s Aidan’s hope: use marriage to get out

of town, preserving his relationship by saving his lover’s mind.

Before whoever stood on the porch could ring the bell again, Mike yanked the door open. “Yeah? Do you have any idea what time it is?” His mouth dropped open at the half-naked spectacle waiting outside the door.

Aidan Kelly laughed as though he could see Mike’s expression. He resettled the quiver of arrows on his bare back. “Mind if I come in?” he asked sotto voce. “It’s damn cold out here.” He pinched one of his hard nipples as if for emphasis.

Mike stepped back. “Yeah”¦ Damn! Did you walk here like that? Without your white cane?” He tweaked Aidan’s other chill-hardened nipple. “Not to mention without a coat?”

Aidan stooped and caught up a small bag that had been hidden by a convenient pile of snow. A winter coat peeked out of the top.

Mike’s father””or Mike in recent years””always kept the porch snow-free whenever possible. Mike snorted. “Come in, you sneaky pain in the ass.”

Once Aidan was inside with the door closed behind him, Mike took the backpack and set it out of the way. He spotted Aidan’s white cane tucked into a loop on the bag’s side, and his smile grew. “Do you want a blanket, Cupid? You’re going to freeze your diaper off.” He tugged at the sheet tied around Aidan’s waist and up between his legs. It would have been a passable costume, especially with the authentic bow and the crepe-paper-tipped arrows”¦if the pseudodiaper hadn’t featured a well-known superhero.

“Are you inviting me upstairs?” Aidan asked.

“Not yet. My mom’s still asleep.”

Aidan sighed. “I guess a blanket and a cup of tea will have to do.”

They settled against the kitchen counter with two mugs a few minutes later, and Mike nestled against Aidan, resting his head against the taller guy’s chest. He snuggled in and closed his eyes, inhaling Aidan’s musky scent and luxuriating in the feel of soft hair against his cheek.

“Rough night?” Aidan asked.

Mike stiffened. “No. Do I need an excuse to hug you now?”

“Never.” Aidan reached backward, fumbling his mug onto the counter. He caressed Mike’s face with his warmed fingers. “I came here to share Valentine’s Day with you.” He inhaled deeply, his chest expanding under Mike’s cheek. “I smell cookies. Something for us?”

“When they’re””” Mike shut up. Even if Aidan gave him a free pass to pretend everything was fine, he didn’t have to take it. “Sorry I snapped at you.” He twisted away long enough to set his own mug on the counter. Then he resettled against his boyfriend, refusing to look up into the sightless blue eyes that nevertheless seemed to see exactly what he felt. “Yeah, I had another bad dream.” He relaxed slightly as Aidan’s lips brushed the top of his head. “Knowing I would see you this morning helped when I woke up. I’m fine.”

“It was about Hanlon siccing McCormick, Kennedy, and the other guys on us?”

“Yeah.” He twirled a curl of Aidan’s russet chest hair between his fingers.

Aidan moaned. Then he caught Mike’s hand. “What happened?”

“I didn’t stop McCormick.” You died. But he didn’t need to add that part. Aidan knew how this particular nightmare ended. Mike had repeated it often enough.

Aidan turned Mike in his arms so they stood face-to-face. “Are you looking at me?”

“Yes.” Mike reached up with both hands and ran his fingers through his boyfriend’s shoulder-length red hair. As always, its coarseness made the skin on Mike’s fingers tingle.

“I go very few places without you. And”””

“And you’re a second-degree black belt.”

“Not what I was going to say.” Aidan leaned forward until their lips met.

But when Mike tried to deepen the kiss, Aidan drew back.

“And we’re both stronger now. More careful too. We can’t predict the future, but we’re protecting each other as much as possible.” Then he kissed Mike.

Groaning, Mike threw himself completely into passion, refusing to think beyond this: Aidan was here now, and Aidan was safe. What else mattered?

Black Mahogany is part of Loose Id’s “I Do, Unless I Don’t” June fest, celebrating marriage.

Teaser: www.emilycarrington.com

Black Mahogany is now available at Loose Id, LLC: http://www.loose-id.com/authors/a-f/emily-carrington/black-mahogany.html#product_tabs_description