Title: Intoxicating Word Count:295 pgs
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Blurb: What he really lacks is discipline.
LINCOLN HUDSON has just been handed the easiest job in the world. Babysit the spoiled son of a conservative senator, keep him out of trouble, and receive a six-figure paycheck. A paycheck he desperately needs. Wyatt’s father claims he needs Linc’s firm hand and discipline. One look at him and Linc agrees. Wyatt needs discipline.
Being the closeted gay son of a family values senator has left WYATT EDGEWORTH with a reckless streak and a love of partying that just cost him eight months of his life and might cost his father his re-election. So now, he has a babysitter. A very sexy babysitter.
When Wyatt drunkenly confesses his attraction to Linc, they reach an understanding. Wyatt gets the companion he craves and Linc gets a paycheck, then, once Wyatt’s house arrest is over, they go their separate ways. For this to work, discretion is key, but with a reporter dogging Wyatt’s every move, that might prove impossible.
Staying together was never an option, but with each passing day, their feelings only grow. Will they risk it all for what’s supposed to be a harmless fling?
INTOXICATING is the first book in the Elite Protection Services Series and contains a HEA and no cliffhangers.
Warning: This book contains scenes which may trigger some people including self-harm, suicide attempt, past and present physical abuse, and implied past sexual violence.
My Review: From the very first moment Linc is tasked with guarding the Senator’s son , he knew he was in trouble.Being paid six figures surely sweetens the deal, especially when it’s money that would help his sister take care of their dad. Lincoln knows he needs the money to care for his dad who needs round the clock care and should really be in a home. He also knows he can’t walk away from the rich brat who pushes all his buttons. Wyatt is under house arrest after having a couple DUI’s. He is a brittle young man who feels like he’s never been loved by anyone or belonged anywhere. He knows he’s just a commodity to his parents. A commodity which has always been bent, molded and beaten to suit their perfect public image.
The first time Wyatt lays eyes on his new security detail, he knows he is in trouble. Linc ticks every little box for any little gay boy who lusts after GI Joe. There is no way that someone who’s in their early 40’s should be that hot. Wyatt gets so hot and bothered especially by the commanding tone Linc uses to lay out the rules. He didn’t expect that to be a kink for him, but it really turns his crank. After having such a visceral, cum-blasting reaction to Linc, he tries his best to avoid Linc.
Linc sees the vulnerability in Wyatt’s eyes, but there is just something in this beautiful broken boy that speaks to the demons inside him. He tries his best to keep it professional, he makes sure the little brat follows the rules, but he also makes sure he has enough to eat. Linc knows that with his PTSD issues, he is not necessarily fit for polite society. Sometimes, he feels like he is a ticking time bomb, but there is something about Wyatt that makes him want to be normal.
Their first sexual interaction is definitely not normal. When Linc wakes up in the grips of a nightmare, to find Wyatt underneath him, with both hands choking him, he is horrified. Even though Wyatt seems a little scared, he tries to soothe Linc. Linc is about to get off the kid and apologize when he notices something else, Wyatt is aroused. Linc tries, but he’s just not able to resist when he looks in Wyatt’s eyes and sees a hunger that matches his own. Linc suggests that they both do something to blow off some steam and get rid of their tension.Their chemistry together is earth shattering, but Linc knows he cannot allow this thing between them to go any further. Wyatt feels rejected after their encounter. For him, it was the best experience ever,but he sees how distant Linc has become.
Wyatt becomes even more rebellious after a run in with his father. When his father notices the bruises around his neck, he misinterprets the situation.Instead of concern, Wyatt overhears his father giving Linc carte blanche to punish him. His only request, just don’t leave any visible marks. Lincoln is sickened by this monster who he already suspected was never a caring father. Linc goes out to get some air and perspective after visiting his boss,who is also his old marine buddy. He comes home to a party in full swing and finds Wyatt in the bathroom being cut by a goth girl. Lincoln gets rid of all the party animals and tend to his boy. He knows what he needs to do now.
It becomes clear that Wyatt needs a ‘Daddy’ and Linc is drawn into fulfilling that role. He sees Wyatt spiraling and knows that he is the only one that can curb his self destructive ways. He promises to give Wyatt what he needs, only if he never self-harms again. Seeing the need in Linc’s eyes, he wants to be a good boy for his daddy.After months of sharing the same space, they’ve finally accepted this attraction between them. Wyatt craves his daddy’s praises and punishments. Even though he is as delicate as burnished glass, Linc knows exactly how far to push. They live in domesticated bliss and slowly open up to each other. Wyatt opens up to Linc about the abuse he endured at a conversion camp he was sent to for a few years. Linc aches for his boy ,wishing he could mend his boy’s broken heart and body. Linc’s stable presence
helps Wyatt to get through all the political dinners he is forced to attend by his father.
Things finally come to a head, when Wyatt’s abuser corners him in a bathroom at one of these fancy dinners. Wyatt tries to be strong. When Linc sees the distress on his boy’s face, he is ready to pummel the monster to the ground.Linc takes Wyatt to a private room to soothe him and things get a little bit heated between the two. Wyatt’s father catches him and Linc in a compromising position and he is enraged. With all the mental strain that Wyatt is under, he needs a little release. He knows he promised his daddy, but he needs to cut so his father’s poisonous words can be expunged. This time he goes a little bit too deep. Linc finds him bleeding out, and all he can think is that he never got to tell his boy how truly, madly, deeply he is loved.
Linc is devastated and he is hanging by a thread in the hospital waiting room. Wyatt’s father starts spewing his vile homophobic filth and shows no remorse that his son is dying. Linc goes ballistic and certainly tries to beat the hate out of him. He is brought back to his senses, knowing that he needs not be there for his boy for his recovery. Wyatt undergoes surgery and it takes him a few days to regain consciousness. Wyatt is overcome by emotion, when he sees how distraught his Daddy looks. He promises to get help and to never self-harm again. Linc professes his love for his boy. Linc is happy to have his boy safe and sound. He encourages his boy to pursue his dreams. Wyatt could never have believed he would be so happy. He has the loving support of his daddy / husband who indulges him and allows him to be as bratty as he wants to be. I give this my ratings of 4 – lose the underwear.
Gay Romance-opposites attract 