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Alex’s Appeal
ISBN # 978-0-85715-247-3
©Copyright Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason 2010
Cover Art by Natalie Winters ©Copyright August 2010
Edited by Michele Paulin
Total-E-Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s
imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons,
living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without
the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-
Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication
may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the
Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the
author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way,
Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for
mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.
Kindred Spirits
ALEX’S APPEAL
Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
Dedication
To my writing partner, who pushes, cajoles, curses and very possibly sticks pins
in voodoo dolls in order to get me motivated sometimes. I’m so glad I met you!
~ Jude Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the
following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Speedo: MacRae Hosiery Manufacturers of Sydney Australia Jeep: registered
trademark of Chrysler
Chef Boyardee: ConAgra Foods
ALEX’S APPEAL
Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
5
Chapter One
“What kind of a crap outfit leaves a customer standing at the door with enough
luggage to choke a small army? Lazy bunch of no good…”Alex Brookfield let
the rest of the sentence fade into nothingness while he bit the inside of his cheek
to keep from laughing out loud.
Across the beautifully appointed lobby, he saw the owner and his good friend,
Ethan Roberts, tense. The man spun away from the picture window and faced
him, a scowl distorting his normally handsome face. An instant later, the frown
faded, replaced by a gaping-mouth look of confusion.
Alex couldn’t stop the laughter from erupting. The look on Ethan’s face was
hilarious.
The wide-eyed stare, priceless.
“Well, fuck!” Ethan managed to get out after only a few more seconds of
obvious confusion. “Alex, I should have known it was you.”
Alex, dressed in his usual suit and tie, strode across the floor, leaving his large
suitcase where it was, blocking the doorway. “Possibly, but I’m glad you didn’t.
I haven’t had a good belly laugh like that in months.”
With his hand extended, Ethan took a couple of steps forward and grasped
Alex’s hand, giving it an enthusiastic shake. “Welcome to Whiskers’, Alex. It’s
been too long, my friend.”
The owner of the inn patted Alex on the shoulder then pulled him closer for a
warm hug.
“How are you?”
“I’m good. Thanks, Ethan.” Alex accepted the hug. For an instant, it brought
back memories of college days when he and Ethan had been more than friends.
But that was a long time ago, and they’d parted on the best of terms. “Really, to
leave a man’s luggage sitting by the door. Anyone could walk in and swipe it,
you know. And me being a lawyer and all, I’d have to sue.” The last words came
out with laughter that came bubbling up again.
out with laughter that came bubbling up again.
“Bloody hell, man.” Ethan grinned and pulled him towards the front desk. “My
luck, you’d do it and claim you’ve got all the family treasures, the deeds to any
property you own and the winning lottery ticket you purchased not ten minutes
ago.”
ALEX’S APPEAL
Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
6
“You know it.” Alex beamed. Tension he hadn’t realised had been knotting his
shoulders seeped out of him the further into the inn he went. “So, the place is
doing well, I hope.”
“Yeah, we’re just getting into the busy season. Bookings have really picked up
since the beginning of the month.”
“Excellent, I’ll adjust the numbers when I sue.” He tried deadpanning it but
managed to keep a straight face for only a few moments. It felt good to laugh.
Ethan chuckled along with him. “Nice. I’m so glad you’re a friend, not just my
lawyer.”
“Kidding aside, the place looks great.”
Ethan seemed to glow with pride. “We haven’t made many changes. A new coat
of paint, added some artwork that I felt suited the place better. Cade keeps the
grounds up and does all the little fixes that need attending to.”
“Cade? Would that be the same Cade Wyatt who’s been here for years?” Alex
remembered the man from a previous visit—a hunk if there ever was one, and if
he wasn’t mistaken, Ethan’s special someone.
“Yeah, the one and only.” He leaned closer and whispered, “My one and only.”
“If I remember the man correctly, and I always remember good looking men
correctly, you’re a very lucky guy. He’s a hunk.” Alex pushed down another
sudden flash of memory.
His own special someone was gone, and he still missed him terribly.
“He’s around here somewhere,” Ethan said and reached across the desk for the
register and a pen. He glanced down the list of names. “Tell me you booked
ahead.”
“Yes, a couple of weeks ago.” Alex leant in and scanned down the page.
“Here it is.” Ethan placed his finger on the line. “Logan probably took the call. I
have him manning the desk when I’m ‘occupied’,” he said with a smile and
wink. “How long do you plan to be with us, Alex?”
“Not sure, I’ve got some thinking to do.” He took the pen Ethan offered.
Bending forward, he signed on the dotted line then tossed the pen aside.
Reaching into the back pocket of his suit pants, he pulled out his wallet and
retrieved both his driver’s licence and credit card. “For sure the weekend. I’ll go
from there, if that works?”
ALEX’S APPEAL
Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
7
Ethan checked the registry. “Yes, but give me as much notice as you can if you
plan to stay longer. Logan put you down for five days, so a week won’t be a
problem. I don’t want to overbook, though. Tends to piss off the regulars.”
“I’ll definitely let you know if I plan to stay longer.”
Ethan took Alex’s credit card and walked around to the business side of the
desk. A moment later, he handed back the card.
Alex signed again then pocketed his plastic.
“Done. So, the upstairs corner room you had last time all right?” Ethan started
around the desk but stopped almost instantly when Alex didn’t move.
“No, I’d like a room on the main floor, if you’ve got one.” His heart raced. He
didn’t want to even go close to the stairs unless he had to. Memories of staying
here with Russ were strong enough without going near their old room.
Ethan hurried around the desk and laid a hand on Alex’s arm. “Damn, I’m a
dumbass.
I’m sorry, Alex.”
Taking a deep breath, Alex fought down the pain threatening to overwhelm him.
After eight months, it should be easier. “Not your fault. I’m fine, honest.” He
took a step back, hoping Ethan got the message and would just let it go.
“So, you said you had some thinking to do. Nothing upsetting, I hope?” Ethan
pulled his hand away from Alex’s arm. He headed for the front door, and the
suitcase still sitting there. Faced away, he added, “Damn customers, leaving their
crap in the doorway.” He peered over his shoulder and winked then reached for
the handle of the dark green case.
“Yeah, must drive you crazy.” Alex snickered and waited while the owner
wheeled his bag towards the hall. A noise from the kitchen caught his attention,
and he glanced that way, and did a double take. The young man standing in the
doorway was stunning. Blond hair, long lean good looks and muscular in an
outdoorsy kind of way. But young, so very young, he sighed. If I was only ten
years younger, I’d be on this one like a dog on a bone.
“Come on, this way. I’ve got a lovely room for you at the end of the hall.”
Ethan’s cheery remark dragged Alex’s attention back to the present. “So, what
was it you had to think about?”
ALEX’S APPEAL
Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
8
“I’ve been offered a judgeship,” Alex blurted, and even as he said it, wondered if
he’d take it on. “It means I’ll have to move north. Old Judge Colson is retiring,
and it seems I’m next in line for the promotion.”
“Hey, that’s great news!” Ethan smiled broadly. “Congratulations! Judge
Brookfield. Has a nice ring to it.”
“I haven’t decided if I want it yet. Moving, well, it’s something I’m not sure I’m
ready for.”
Ethan stopped in front of the furthest door and stood the suitcase up. He
produced a key card from a pocket of his shorts, swiped it then handed it to
Alex. A soft buzz sounded, and he pushed the door open.
“Room eight,” he said with a funny smile on his face.
“What’s up with room eight?” Alex asked as he entered. The sun filtered through
the full length drapes, yet the room wasn’t hot like he’d thought it would be. He
walked towards the window, and a sudden gust of cool air against his face made
him shiver. The curtains billowed.
“It was the room I stayed in the first time I came to the inn.”
“Really?” Alex looked around the room and smiled. Russ would have liked it, he
was sure. It was spacious and airy. Being so close to the ocean, the breeze
coming through the window was cool. “You haven’t changed it, have you?” he
asked, knowing the answer before the man spoke.
“No, it’s just as it was. Hard to believe it’s been only a year.”
“Why mess with a good thing?” He shifted his attention to the window and its
view.
“It’s gorgeous here.”
“Yes, it is. I really lucked out on this place.” Ethan dragged the bag over to the
stand, lifting it onto the sling. “So, this judgeship. Why would you refuse?”
