Drake is just back from a war zone, and he’s cruising the neighborhood bar, hoping to catch a glimpse of Chris. Chris knows that a new bunch of guys are in, but he certainly doesn’t expect to see Drake sitting on a stool. The two men have a past, one that ended badly, but they can’t seem to resist each other. They come up with a game of one-upmanship, just to see who gets to be on top, but will they end up with more than they bargained for?
"The author’s writing style is very readable and visual and shows a gift for adding layers to a story that almost sneak up on you, so skillfully are they incorporated into the whole. When the characters reach an impasse in regard to the physical side of their relationship, the author resolves it in a fun, amusing, quite erotic, and ultimately very sweet way. I enjoyed this one and very much recommend it. Easily a five-star story."
–Tamara Yollick, a reader review from the Torquere Press website. Read the whole review here.
"I was very impressed, and if you are looking for a nice little story that is well told, sexy and subtly romantic at the same time, spend ten to fifteen minutes with Dakota, Chris and Drake. I think you’ll be glad you did. At least, I know I was."
–Paul G. Bens, Jr., at Uniquely Pleasurable. Read the whole review here.
"There were tender moments between Chris and Drake, the dialogue shone and the sex when it happened was sensuous and hot, all of which all made this a tremendously enjoyable story."
–Jessewave, at Reviews by Jessewave. Read the whole review here.
"I love a quick read that has a slow building ending with searing sex. The Match is a read you do not want to miss."
–Raine, at Joyfully Reviewed. Read the whole review here.
"Drake and Chris are both so very, very hot together that you can’t help but want more of them after turning the last page."
–Bella, at Two Lips Reviews. Read the whole review here.
Excerpt
“Drake…I only have another hour or so if you want to hang out here and wait. We could talk.” Drake wasn’t positive, but he could almost swear Chris sounded nervous.
Trying not to get his back up, Drake asked, “Talk about what exactly?”
“Well, I just thought…you were gone a long time and I’m glad you made it back in one piece. I just thought if you wanted to talk, I could listen.”
“I’ll fight you for it.” Later, Drake couldn’t be sure what had made him suggest such an asinine thing. It might have been the way Chris looked at him, like he had been worried and he missed him and he cared. Or it might have been the way Drake felt standing a few feet away from Chris. The beer he had steadily consumed since the evening started might also have had something to do with it. In any case, the expression on Chris’ face was priceless.
“Fight me for what, Drake? I can’t wait to hear this.” Yep, Chris sure sounded pretty incredulous.
Deciding it couldn’t do anymore harm since he’d already suggested it, Drake tried to brazen it out. “Let’s fight it out. Whoever wins get to top, whoever loses gets to bottom.” He tried not to sound like he found the idea as exciting as he really did.
“You know, I thought you couldn’t possibly be going where I thought you were going with that. But once again, you’ve proven what a jackass you can be. You’re nuts. No way am I going to fight you for sex.” Red was crawling up Chris’ neck and Drake really wished Chris wasn’t standing behind the bar so he could see if he was as hard as Drake was. He wondered if he could taunt Chris into accepting. Chris never could seem to resist when Drake challenged him.
“Are you afraid you’ll lose? I can understand your worry; I’m pretty hard to take down.” Seeing Chris’ eyes flash at that, Drake hid a smile and continued, “How about this: we’ll set a time limit and whoever dumps the other on their ass more times in say, ten minutes, wins. Unless you really are scared…”
***
When he heard Drake asking if he was scared, Chris knew he would agree. It was insane, but he was going to do it. He knew Drake was trying to taunt him into it, but he wasn’t going to agree just because of that.
Chris wasn’t sure exactly why he was agreeing. It might be a result of the intense relief he felt when Army Captain Thatcher Drake had first walked in the door of Finn’s Pub earlier that night. Or it might be because of the way he dreamed of Drake the whole time the man was overseas. Or because he was still angry that Drake hadn’t bothered to send one letter, one e-mail, one stinking little word to let Chris know he was alive and doing well. Or because they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Or because of the look in Drake’s eyes when he thought Chris wasn’t looking.
