First Kiss Excerpt! Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert

Tipping his head back, Wes brushed his lips over Dustin’s chin. Huh. Guess that answered the kissing question. “You’re a good friend,” Wes whispered.

“I’m really not,” Dustin said softly. A good friend wouldn’t lead Wes on. A good friend would be able to give him everything he needed, everything he deserved.

“Yeah, you are. You knew what would help tonight.” Wes stretched, eyes telegraphing his intent long before his head moved, and Dustin had plenty time to pull away.

But he didn’t.

God, he’d waited years to know what this was like, wanted Wes for months, wanted his first kiss with another guy to be him. No way was he pushing him away now, even if that would be the sane thing to do.

Wes’s mouth was as soft and lush as it looked. But firm too. Commanding. An edge there that wasn’t present in other kisses Dustin had had, and oh, he liked that. Very much. Wes’s chin was bristly against Dustin’s, and the rasp of stubble made Dustin shiver. Wes took ownership of Dustin’s mouth painstakingly slowly, little brushes of his lips, a flick of his tongue against the seam of Dustin’s mouth, little sips and soft sighs that completely undid Dustin.

The angle was awkward, and Wes spun in Dustin’s arms, chests colliding. Dustin loved how warm and strong Wes was, how…substantial he felt in Dustin’s embrace. Solid. Something Dustin could cling to even as he came apart. It felt both new and foreign, entirely out of his prior realm of experience, but also like he’d been kissing Wes for years. This kiss said, “Hello, I’ve missed you, I need you,” all at once, a language and rhythm that felt as familiar as his favorite pair of jeans.

When Wes deepened the kiss, tongue searching for Dustin’s, he moaned. Yes. This. This was what he’d waited for. This was the answer to every question he’d had about himself.

“Like that?” Wes’s blue eyes sparkled, earlier sadness gone, replaced by an almost palpable desire.

“You know I do,” Dustin growled.

“Good. Don’t want you freaking out.”

Wes kissed him again, this time more forcibly, tongue fucking its way into Dustin’s mouth, lips sucking and claiming. Dustin felt like one of Wes’s explosives, just waiting for the right spark to set him off, and completely dependent on Wes’s whims. Which seemed to be more kissing. Dustin was used to kissing as an entry point. A way station along the path to other, more fun activities, but Wes’s mouth made it clear that he was going to stay awhile and that Dustin was just going to take it.

Wes’s hand snaked under Dustin’s tee even as he continued to plunder Dustin’s mouth. Pushing him back against the couch, Wes made a possessive little noise that made Dustin’s dick throb.

Fuck. They should not be doing this. And he should not be loving it. He groaned in frustration, both at Wes for making him wait through endless kisses and at himself for loving this. He needed to put a stop to this. Now before they went further.

“Wes…”

Wes pulled back, brushed a hand down Dustin’s face. “Don’t say no,” he whispered. “Please. Not tonight.”

Series: Out of Uniform #4

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 6th, 2017

Subgenre: M/M Contemporary Military Romance

Links: Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo

Book Blurb: Their love is forbidden, but their hearts aren’t listening to rules and regulations…

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a twentysomething hell-raiser, he’s his SEAL team’s new XO—and a man with a secret. Or seven. He’s kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semi-anonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction—they’re taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.

Petty Officer Wes Lowe has a smart mouth, a take-charge attitude and an uncanny ability for making things go boom. The life of an enlisted man isn’t always enough to satisfy him, but one wild, no-questions-asked weekend with his online love comes close. When a transfer order comes in, Wes feels ready and centered. He’ll make a good impression on his new SEAL team and keep his growing feelings for Dustin on the down low.

But as they log more time online and some very real emotions surface, Dustin and Wes struggle to pretend they’re just a harmless fling. And when his commander introduces Dustin to his team’s newest member, they’re in for the shock of a lifetime…and a crushing disappointment: their difference in ranks means even a friendship without sexual contact could end their navy careers for good.

With their hearts on the line, Dustin and Wes may not survive their next mission, let alone find a way toward a future together.

Author Bio: Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two active children.