Desires’ Guardian
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires Entwined, #2
M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 6, 2014 (ebook/print)
Length: Novel / 200 pages
Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.
Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.
Chase originally comes across as the party boy who goes home with anyone - but that couldn't be further from the truth. He loves to party, don't get me wrong, but he always goes home alone. He is also very close to his friend James whom we already met in book one.
Chase does meet Rhys while out dancing one night, but Rhys totally insulted Chase that night and now Chase tends to avoid him at all costs. Rhys does regret what he said to him, almost straight away, but hasn't had the chance or rather the guts to apologise to him.
They meet again when Chase thinks he is going to lunch with his BFF James but Rhys is also there and has a work proposition to put to him - Chase refuses before Rhys has finished but after being told off by James he decides to give it a try.
From the first day that they work together it is like both of them are walking on egg shells around each other! However things get worse when Rhys's ex-boyfriend suddenly appears at the office and Chase really takes exception to being called a boy. This ignites his temper and once Rhys has thrown his ex-boyfriend out he tries to talk to Chase but instead has to try and avoid all the missiles being thrown at him!
Now OMG it really hots up - Chase realises he has hit Rhys with one of his missiles and his whole demeanour changed, and suddenly they are all over each other. Chase takes charge and Rhys has a night to remember - which is all he has as Chase has disappeared when he wakes next morning. Rhys would love more of the same with Chase, but Chase is running scared again.
Rhys keeps pursuing Chase and eventually they meet up again, and again, and things seem to be going well for the couple, until the case that Rhys is investigating suddenly makes a huge impact on Chase, and not in a good way. At this point I really felt for both Chase (for going through what he did) and for Rhys (he was a loss of how best to help).
I am not going to spoil what happens, but suffice to say I could not put the book down, and was actually willing Chase and Rhys to stay a couple. It hits home to both of them how much they care for each other (although I should point out that Rhys realises far quicker than Chase does), when Chase is put in harm’s way, and it is up to Rhys, his brother Dal and their friends to ensure that Chase is safe and sound.
Throughout this book, you also meet Dal and then eventually Alex, and these are the main characters in the next book in the series, and I love how Tempeste has set up the Desires Entwined series so that you really get to know the characters, and even once their story has been told they are still around in the series.
Designs of Desire – Simple Desires*+ – Bound by Desire* – Desires’ Guardian – Temptations of Desire – Truth in Lace* – Desires’ Pride*
Micah’s Medicine+ – Caged Sanctuary – Whiskers of a Chance
*shorts in series +shorts in anthologies
Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.
Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance Writers, and WisRWA. Learn more about Tempeste and her writing at http://tempesteoriley.com.