Hollywood Meets Horse Racing: A Sneak Peek at Out of the Gate by @EMLynley #gayromance @dreamspinners

My next Dreamspinner novel releases next week! Here’s a special excerpt to whet your appetite for British actor Wes and horse-trainer Evan’s story.

 

BLURB: British actor Wesley Tremayne thinks he’s close to hitting the big time—a film career—with his role as a hunky explorer on a popular American TV show. Success should be just around the corner, as long as he keeps his sexual orientation a secret. Wes’s best friend and beard, Julia Compton, forms the other half of a glamorous Hollywood couple that’s merely a façade.

 

Evan Taylor left his acting career behind five years ago without looking back. He’s always been more comfortable around horses than people—especially Hollywood types. His new life training racehorses is a dream come true, but increasing financial problems and an abusive boyfriend have him doubting himself and his choices.

 

Then Wes and his friends buy a third-rate racehorse—partially for publicity—and send him to Evan’s stable. Wes’s friendship with Evan soon develops into an overpowering attraction he can’t act on. He’s never met a man like Evan, but if there’s any chance for a future together, Wes must choose between a career he loves and the man he adores.

 

 

 

 

EXCERPT

 

Evan woke up alone. A glance at the clock told him it was nearly eleven. He had just enough time to shower before Mister Twister and his owners would arrive at the farm.

“Gary?”

It was only when Evan got no answer that he realized Gary’s suitcases were gone. There was a note pinned to the other pillow.

Flight got pushed up to 1:00. Didn’t want to wake you. Talk to you soon.

—XO G

Evan heard a car engine. “Gary?” Maybe he could catch him for a proper goodbye. He grabbed a towel and raced out onto the porch just in time to see Gary climb into a sleek black Escalade.

And then he came face-to-face with Wesley Tremayne.

* * * *

 

Wes couldn’t take his eyes off the gorgeous, half-naked man barely holding on to a towel. Not a good idea with Vanessa and Lance there….

Vanessa ruined the mood—and the view—with a snigger that snapped Gorgeous out of his thoughts.

“Excuse me,” the guy said, turning away in clear embarrassment. “Uh, this is….” He scratched the back of his neck, which was a peculiar shade of salmon, matched only by his cheeks. “Let me change. Please, wait here?”

“Okay,” Wes said. Julia didn’t say anything, and even though Wes couldn’t see Lance, he knew his mouth was open to comment, but the door slammed shut before he had a chance.

“Evan?” Brent took the steps up the porch and knocked on the door. “It’s Brent….”

Wes heard a muffled reply, and Brent opened it and went in.

“Well, he made quite an entrance,” Vanessa said. “Too bad I didn’t have my camera!”

“Vee, that’s not cool,” Julia replied, shaking her head.

“Maybe this horse racing thing will be fun after all!” Vanessa rubbed her hands together and sat down gingerly on one of the chairs on the porch after examining it for a moment.

“Yeah, don’t get your hopes up, hon.” Lance said. “He’s not exactly your type.”

“Everyone’s my type, Lance-a-lot!”

Everyone but Lance. Wes bit his tongue to keep from speaking out loud.

“Not this one. The dude with the suitcases is his, you know, partner.”

“So? This is a big place. I’m sure he can’t run it on his own.”

“Not that kind of partner. Boyfriend kind. You know?” Lance made a limp-wristed gesture.

“Lance!” Julia snapped. “He can hear you.”

Wes saw her glance in his direction without making eye contact, and he knew she hadn’t only meant Evan Taylor. He appreciated the gesture, however small and ineffective.

“Okay. Don’t be so damn touchy. He knows he’s gay. It can’t be any surprise at this point.” Lance said. “And Vanessa, even you can’t un-gay a f–”

“Lance, don’t even say it. I can’t believe you.” Vanessa shook her head and glared at Lance.

Wes appreciated Vanessa’s comments, especially because she was still in the dark about him. He wasn’t likely to enlighten her anytime soon, despite her reaction to Lance’s homophobia.

“I don’t care if he’s not into me. I can still enjoy looking at him. I don’t even care if he’s a good trainer. I like him.” Vanessa winked at Julia. “What do you think?”

Wes tuned out their chatter, smiling as he replayed that first encounter in his mind. It had been only a few seconds, but it made quite an impression on Wes. Evan Taylor was damn fine. Lively hazel eyes reminded him of vintage champagne, and the straight nose, and strong, square jaw wouldn’t have been out of place on Wes’s interpretation of a Greek god. He was several inches shorter than Wes, who had a thing for tall men. But with a face like that, well, he could make an exception.

In fact he already had. This was the good-looking trainer he’d been ogling through binoculars the previous week and occasionally daydreaming about.

But only in his wildest fantasies, because Evan already had a boyfriend, though anyone who wouldn’t turn around when he shouted didn’t deserve him. Wes thought the dark-haired guy leaving as they arrived had glanced at the porch as if he hoped Evan wouldn’t come out. What was going on there?

 

 

 

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