Vodka and Hand cuffs (A Mary's boys novella) by Brandon Witt | Cat's Review, Excerpt & #giveaway @Dreamspinners @wittauthor

A Mary's Boys Novella

Vahin Arora, Hamburger Mary’s sexy bartender, plays the flirtatious role so well even his closest friends—his chosen family at Mary’s—don’t realize Vahin hasn’t had a hookup in months. Then Tall, Dark, and Handsome steps through the door, and Vahin’s libido races back to life.

Being a black cop on the Denver police force is no easy job—Marlon Barton can’t imagine adding being gay to the equation. And while Marlon loves his work as an officer, his life has taken a turn for the hellish because of his new partner, the nephew of a senator.

Fleeing his partner’s company one night, Marlon stumbles into Mary’s for the first time… and wakes up with a hangover in the bartender’s bed. The one-night stand heats up into a budding romance, but not without stress as Marlon’s partner’s actions threaten Vahin’s livelihood and Marlon’s future on the force. Can Vahin and Marlon face the challenges and hold on to the love, friendship, and family they’ve found?

Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon 

Cat gives this one 4 meows with a 4 purr heat index...

Vodka and Handcuffs is a fast paced story about a police office with a bad partner and the Bartender at Mary's Burgers. Both are men of color and have had their battles in life, and both have their own stories. 

Marlon, a police officer, is out but not. His chief knows, his ex-partner and family know, but none of the other officers or his new, arrogant, mean partner know. One night he wanted to escape his partner, so instead of hanging out at the usual place with the other cops he ended up at Mary's, and after two many beers he wakes up in the bed of the bartender. Marlon isn't one for relationships, so part of him wants to slip out the other says yes to a date.

Vahin is the head bartender at Mary's and loves his job and family there. He is pretty much a man whore but is tired of hookups. He finds something appealing about the sexy cop. But won't go back in the closet for no one.

As in all of Brandon Witts books you can expect great characters, an interesting story, and some hot romance.

Excerpt...

The man looked up at Vahin, and his eyes widened slightly. His expression was back in place in less than a heartbeat, but it was enough for Vahin to know he’d liked what he’d seen. So, not a straight guy in a wrong place. Maybe still on the down low, though. 

Whatever. Vahin could work with that. At least for the night.

“Nah, just beer, please.”

Vahin wasn’t sure if he’d kept his own expression under control or not, but if he hadn’t already wanted to take the man home, the guy’s voice would’ve sealed the deal. Low and warm. So deep, it was almost hard to hear.

“Easy enough. What kind?” There, see that? He managed to speak without panting or drooling.

The man shrugged. “You got Heineken or Guinness?”

“Both.”

“Cool. I’ll do a Heineken.” He held up a hand abruptly. “Actually, know what? Let’s start with one of each. In bottles. Don’t bother with a glass.”

This time Vahin didn’t control his reaction. “Double fisting, huh? Rough day?”

The man let out a snort. “You have no idea.”

“Well, I won’t waste time, then.” He managed not to look over his shoulder as he retrieved the beers. Staring at the guy wouldn’t help get in his pants. Though, if he was starting with two beers, a little staring probably wouldn’t be a deal breaker for too long.

As he popped the caps, Vahin motioned toward Alex with his chin.

The other bartender finished pouring his drink, slid it to the woman at the bar, and came. 

“What’s up?”

“You mind covering me for a few minutes?”

“Sure, you gotta go out?”

“No. Just might talk with someone for a bit.”

Alex’s gaze darted past Vahin. “Seriously, him? You’re calling dibs on him? I doubted I had a chance, but now I know I don’t have a shot.”

“Dude, quit staring.” Vahin grinned at Alex. “And yeah, sorry, newbie. I’m calling this one.”

Walking back toward the man, Vahin realized he was nervous. He didn’t remember the last time a man made him feel remotely close to that. He slid the bottles across the bar. “I popped the caps but placed them back on. Wasn’t sure which you’d want to drink first.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He grabbed the Guinness and glanced around again.

“First time here?” Like Vahin wouldn’t have noticed a man like this one if he’d come within a block radius of the place.

“That obvious?”

“Maybe a bit.” Vahin hesitated, not sure how far to push. “There’s always a good mix of gays and straights here, if that makes you feel better.”

The man lowered the beer and swallowed before replying. “Oh, no, it’s not that. It’s just different than my normal. I expected a bunch of drag queens or something.”

“No, not tonight.” Maybe he wouldn’t be taking Mr. Adonis home, after all. Down low he could do; too good for fem-gays, he couldn’t. “Though, it’s too bad. We have the best drag queens anywhere.”

The man shrugged.

“Don’t like drag queens?”

He shook his head. “I don’t dislike them. Just not my thing.”

“You ever see a drag show?”

Another head shake.

“Well, you’ll need to come by on a different night. I don’t care what kind of bad day you’ve had. Five minutes with ManDonna and you’ll be laughing your ass off. Trust me.”

The man gave a partial smile. “I for sure could’ve used that tonight. I’ll have to remember to come back and see… ManDonna the next shitty day I have. So probably tomorrow.” He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound.

Okay, maybe not a judgmental douche bag—just virgin territory. “Work sucks, huh?” Vahin leaned forward, both to indicate interest and to highlight his shoulders.

“Yeah. It’s my new—” The man halted abruptly. “Actually the last thing I want to think about right now is work.” He took another swig of beer, his longest yet, and leveled his brown eyes on Vahin’s. He lowered the bottle and stuck out his hand. “I’m Marlon.”

Vahin accepted the shake, loving that Marlon’s hand was as massive as his own. “Nice to meet you. I’m Vahin.”

Marlon held his grip a split second too long. That brief moment told Vahin all he needed to know.

Marlon drew his hand back. “Glad I came in here this evening, Vahin.” He took a long swig of beer and finished the first bottle, his gaze never breaking contact and making it perfectly clear Vahin wasn’t the only one who had plans for them that night.

Brandon Witt resides in Denver, Colorado. When not snuggled on the couch with his two Corgis, Dunkyn and Dolan, he is more than likely in front of his computer, nose inches from the screen, fingers pounding they keys. When he manages to tear himself away from his writing addiction, he passionately take on the role of a special education teacher during the daylight hours. I grew up in El Dorado Springs, Missouri for the first 18 years of my life. The day of my 18th birthday my mom, dad, brother, and I loaded up the cars and moved to Estes Park, Colorado. I now live in Denver with my two perfect corgis, Dunkyn and Dolan. Growing up in an ultraconservative, Christian environment, then moving on to get my bachelors in Youth Ministry, I struggled with being gay for most of my life. This included five years in reparative therapy (ex-gay therapy), meeting one to three times a week. At the age of twenty-six, I finally accepted who God make me to be and never looked back, and have never been happier. Each struggle, whether it be church, fearing damnation, heart shattering break-ups, and losing family to cancer and accidents, seems to make it’s way into everything I write, as well as a core of loving being alive. Life is hard, but man, is it ever wonderful! I’ve worked with children (ages 8-18) with emotional disabilities since 2000, first as a counselor in a residential treatment facility, and now as a special education teacher. During my sophomore year in high school, Ms. Hungerford introduced me to creative writing, and since that day, I’ve dreamed of being an author. Having Elizabeth North offering a publishing contract was one of the most life-changing days of my existence. I now dream of being a writer full-time. My boyfriend, Stephen, is hoping for that as well, as he wants to tag alone on a world tour. Big dreams. Big dreams. Though my writing seems polarizing to many readers, both positive and negative, regardless of which of my books you choose, I pray that in its pages you find both the struggle and immense joy of life. I am humbled and honored by each person that reads my books. Thank you so much for making my dreams come true!

Brandon Witt: http://www.brandonwitt.com

The Witty Hour: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5cFqYKyNyDCxExAonFPRA/videos

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