Blurb: When my dad called to lecture me about how it’s time to settle down, quit partying, and get a job that will actually prepare me for life after college, I agreed. Mostly.
After spring break, I’ll buckle down and be ready to work, but until then, I’m getting my fill of fun. Which is why when I spot an attractive man sitting alone at a bar, I approach him with the hopes of being able to tempt him into a night full of pleasure. After all, being with an older guy is just about the only thing I haven’t done.
When I wake up in his bed with a note that makes it clear he doesn’t intend on seeing me again, I take it in stride. But when I show up to the job my dad set up for me, it turns out my new boss, Aleksander Drakos, is the guy who thought he’d be done with me after a one-night stand. On top of that, apparently he’s a friend of my dad’s.
Trying to remain professional is pointless. Working with him day after day is just too tempting to not have another taste.
Six years ago, my life changed and I went from being an unknown kid from a small town to a world-renowned rock star. Before leaving Gaspar, I told Ali we’d still be together. I made promises I didn’t keep, and I lied over and over again. I threw our plans out the window and made a life for myself.
I’ve barely had time to go home, because touring keeps me away. We haven’t been in touch in years, but after this tour, I’m heading home to find the only person who knows my deepest, darkest secret, and beg for forgiveness.
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend, and his name is Alejandro Barerra. My Ali.
He may never forgive me for the broken promises or for breaking his heart, and I’m afraid he’ll never want to talk to me again, but he’s the only one who knows the real me, and I’m determined to win him back. Even if it means risking it all.
Sprawled naked across the bed, I watch Merrick as he grips the bottle of Johnnie Walker and pours a small amount of the amber liquid on my chest. The alcohol drips off both sides, and travels down the middle of my stomach. Merrick leans over me and licks the whiskey from my skin. “Mm,” he moans, gazing up at me with hooded, lust-filled eyes. “This is the best threesome we could have.” “The only threesome we’ll have.” He chuckles. “Someone doesn’t like to share.” He crawls on top of me, straddling my hips while wearing nothing but his boxers. “Open your mouth for Johnnie.” I do as he says and he carefully pours a sips worth of the alcohol into my mouth. “Now open up for me.” Merrick frees his erection through the slit in the boxers and scoots up, running the tip across my bottom lip. I open my mouth and swirl my tongue around the circumference of his cockhead before he pushes in farther. “Goddamn,” he groans. He fucks my mouth for a minute before climbing off me. “Mm,” I moan, licking my lips. “Who tastes better? Me or Johnnie?” he asks teasingly. “I’m not sure,” I reply, reaching down to stroke my cock. “I may need another taste test.” Merrick shoots me an unamused look before wrapping his lips around the head of the bottle and swallowing down a mouthful of whiskey. “Come suck the taste off my tongue,” he commands. I scramble up and get on my knees, capturing his face in my hands, and plunge my tongue in his mouth. I suck his whiskey-flavored tongue into my mouth, eliciting a low moan from his throat. “Lay down,” I tell him. He lifts a brow but lies his large body across my mattress. I yank his boxers down, revealing his impressive erection. I keep to the side of him and steal the bottle from his hand, and pour a generous amount of the liquid onto his stomach. The man is so cut, the alcohol pools in the crevice between his abs. I drop down and slurp the liquid into my mouth, taking some time to lick up the trails that traveled a little lower.
#2 (Clean)
“Why me?” He furrows his brows. “What do you mean?” “Why do you want me?” “Have you not heard what I’ve told you?” he asks, taking a step forward. “You’ve said I’m everything to you. Yeah, I heard that.” “But,” he offers, knowing I have more to say. I drop my arms and grip the edge of the dresser. “But those are just words. We’ve said a lot to each other over the years. You’ve consistently told me one thing just to do something that completely contradicts it. Why should I believe you now? Or ever?” “I’m trying to get you to realize I’m not like that anymore. If I say something, I want you to believe it. I’ve had years to dwell on my bullshit. I’ve had so many regrets, and honestly, if I was in your shoes, I don’t know if I’d forgive me. But you’re better than me, Ali. You always have been, and you make me want to be better. For you.” My heart sings at his words, but I can’t allow myself to be naive. “Let’s pretend I tell you that I forgive you for everything and that you do have a chance. Then what? This is the problem we always had. I let you suck me back into a secret relationship because you weren’t out yet, and that’s still the case. I will not be a skeleton in your closet. I will not be forced to love you in secret.” He takes the remaining steps to reach me, wrapping his hands around mine. “Tell me I have a chance, Ali. Tell me you’d give us one last shot and I’ll risk it all. I’ll risk everything for you. For us.”
𝕆𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕤
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵…
On the Rocks is the first steamy standalone in the Kingston Brothers Series. Pull up a bar stool and prepare to be entertained as two people fall for each other in this angsty, slow burn romance that will have you fanning yourself!
Hey, all! I decided to drop chapter one so you could get a little taste of what’s to come. If you’ve read the other books, you might have noticed little hints here and there, especially in Against the Rules. Merrick’s book, in present time, is actually five years after Against the Rules, but we have flashbacks to witness how his journey with Ali began, and how it progressed. Chapter one is the “remember that night” moment he had with Elijah in Against the Rules.If you haven’t read any of the others, no worries, you don’t need to.
ONE
10 Years Ago
Merrick
“So, what’re we gonna do this summer?” Ali asks, taking a sip of beer.
“Shit, it’s not like we have many options. We can have bonfires out at the circle of trees. Go to the mall or the pool.” I take a drink out of my own beer bottle. “I’m fine just hanging out here. Me and the guys set up in the garage and just play music. Maybe we can find some events to play at.”
Ali nods and then puts the joint between his lips and inhales. He’s not real close with Jay, Carlos, or Sky, but they don’t hate each other either. Sometimes he hangs out in the garage when we play, but usually it’s just me and the guys, and occasionally some girls, depending on who’s dating who at the time.
“Your brother’s not home, is he?” he questions, passing me the joint.
“Nah. I think he’s at work.”
Me and Ali sit on the steps leading to my backyard, drinking the beer he swiped from his mom’s house and smoking the joint we got from Leo—the known pothead of our high school.
“You’re lucky you always have the house to yourself,” he says. “My mom’s always up my ass about something. I gotta clean, do homework, cut the grass, help my sister with something. It’s never ending.”
I finish the beer and open another one. “Yeah, but at least you have a mom.”
Ali cringes. “Sorry, bro. I forget. I’m grateful I have her, but … you know.”
“Don’t worry about it. I get it. Elijah makes me do shit around the house, too. It’s not like I don’t have a parent figure. He definitely acts like my dad, so it’s not like it’s easy around here.”
We’re silent for a minute, drinking and smoking, even though we both know we shouldn’t be doing either. We’re only sixteen, but it’s not like we’re the only people doing it. Our school is crawling with kids who are eager to do both. Some do it to fit in or be cool, but I started doing it in the hopes that it would keep certain thoughts at bay.
My parents died when I was eleven, leaving my oldest brother to care for me and my other two brothers. It’s hard thinking about them and knowing they’ll never be around again. Sometimes you need their advice and guidance, especially as you grow older.
I met Alejandro last year, and quickly started calling him Ali. He says he hates it, but I think he’s gotten used to it by now. He decided to get me back by calling me by my last name, but that doesn’t bother me.
Any time I’m not with the band, I’m with him. We became fast friends, and soon after, I started having these feelings … these urges.
Sometimes I want to kiss Ali. He makes me laugh constantly, and his smile makes me smile. My heart has threatened to burst out of my chest when I’ve been in his room and he started undressing. I’m not supposed to think about him like that, but I can’t help it. He’s the first person I’ve felt any sort of attraction to. At least like this.
Sure, I’ve seen guys on TV who I’ve thought were good-looking, but women are pretty, too. I just don’t feel anything when I look at them. I feel everything when I look at Ali.
Me and him can talk about anything. Well, almost. I haven’t told him about this. How can you tell your same-sex friend that you find him attractive? How can you admit to something that you don’t really want to acknowledge yourself?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m gay, and I don’t know how to deal with that. So I drink and I smoke and I try to pretend I’m into girls. That’s what most sixteen-year-olds do, right?
But there are moments, very brief moments, when I think Ali might like me too. Not just as friends, but as more. Maybe I’m seeing things that I want to see. Maybe he doesn’t glance at my lips when I talk. Perhaps that tiny little lip bite he did when I took off my shirt to jump in the pool was meant for someone else.
“What do you think about Mindy?” I ask, drinking more of the bitter tasting beer.
“What about her?” he asks, his voice dripping with disgust.
I laugh. “You don’t think she’s cute?”
“Fuck no!”
“Why not?” I ask, laughing harder. “She’s got dirty blond hair, pretty eyes, and a decent body.”
Ali scoffs. “So do you.”
I sober up, sitting straighter and wondering if I heard what I thought I heard. Did he compliment me? My body? “What?”
His eyes are wide when he looks at me, then he starts laughing. “I’m just saying … that doesn’t automatically mean someone’s attractive.”
It takes a minute before my heart rate slows down. “Oh. Well, she asked me out.”
“She asked you out?”
“Why do you sound so surprised? I am attractive.”
Ali rolls his eyes as he laughs. “Whatever, man. That girl asks out everybody. She’s just a slut.”
“Harsh.”
He shrugs, then takes a sip of his beer while I puff on the joint. “Why do you like her anyway?”
I blow out the smoke as I answer. “She likes me.”
He shakes his head. “That’s not a good reason.”
“Whatever, bro. Who do you like? I saw you with Stephanie the other day. What’s up with that?”
“Nothing is up. She’s just a friend.”
“Have you dated anybody lately? I can’t remember you ever having a girlfriend.”
Ali tenses up a bit. “Girls suck.”
“What are you? Eight?” I laugh.
“You haven’t dated anyone either.”
I think back as I finish the beer. “I went out with Jess.”
“Dude. I was there with you guys at the movies. That was not a date.”
“Okay, well, I made out with Rochelle.”
“Making out is not dating.”
“Why are you giving me shit?”
“You’re the one who brought it up.” He laughs and chokes at the same time, sputtering out smoke.
I finish another beer and he smokes the rest of the joint. We’re both feeling pretty good, laughing at stupid shit, and making plans for the summer.
“You’re right, girls do suck,” I say after a couple minutes of silence, leaning back against the railing.
He chuckles. “I know, but why do you say that now? I thought you were gonna go out with Mindy.”
I watch him until he finally looks up at me. Our eyes stay connected for several seconds, and I start having those feelings again. I want to lean over and plant my lips on his. I want to taste his tongue and run my hands under his shirt and feel his body. I want to tangle my fingers in his long, wavy brown hair.
“I don’t want to date Mindy.”
Stuck in this staring contest, the air around us becomes charged with electricity. His head tilts just slightly, like he’s asking me a question without words. I figure now’s a good time to try to drop hints. If it doesn’t go the way I hope, I can blame it on the alcohol and weed.
My eyes roam his handsome face. His skin is flawless and mocha tinted, and his eyes are like honey. I finally land on his lips. They look soft and plump, and they’re perfectly proportioned. His tongue swipes across the bottom one as I continue to stare.
“Merrick.”
The use of my first name feels different and instantly pulls me out of my daze. “Yeah?”
“What’s goin’ on?”
“Nothing. What do you mean?”
“You’re looking at me like…”
“Like what?” I ask, arching a brow.
Once again he glances at my lips, and there’s nothing about the way he’s looking at me that gives off a friend vibe. He’s looking at me like he wants me.
“Like…” he trails off again.
“Like you’re looking at me?”
We don’t say anything else. Instead, we slowly lean toward one another, each waiting for the other to pull away or ask what the hell is going on. Neither of us stops it.
My lips brush against his. We’re cautious, taking our time. One peck leads to two. And then I put my hand on the side of his face and keep him in place as I slip my tongue into his mouth.
He moans which gives me the confidence to keep going. Our kiss turns passionate, and both my hands cradle his face as he fists the sides of my shirt and yanks me into him.
After a good thirty seconds, I ease away just slightly, but my hands are still on his face and his hands are still on my body.
“Ali,” I whisper.
The back door swings open, and the creaking sound sends me and Ali flying apart.
“Merrick.” Elijah’s stern voice steals my attention.
My heart hammers in my chest. Did he see? He looks surprised. Angry. He crosses his arms and narrows his eyes at me.
“Are you kidding me? You’re smoking weed? I could smell that shit as soon as I got out of the car.” He looks past me and Ali and finds the empty beer bottles. “And you’re drinking?” Elijah huffs, his jaw clenching. “Alejandro, I think you need to go home.”
Ali quickly stands up. “Sorry, Elijah.”
My brother doesn’t say anything, he just steps to the side and lets Ali walk through the house.
I wait for him to start yelling and listing my punishments, but he just stands there and watches me. His anger quickly settles into something else. Disappointment? Concern?
“Go to your room, Merrick,” he says with a sigh.
I stand up and slowly lift my head to meet his gaze. He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I suddenly want to break down and cry and tell him everything. But I don’t. I just walk past him and go to my room.
The theme for this Fun Fact Friday is about the Kingston Brothers series.
When I first started “plotting” out this series, they were going to a bit different. I have plotting in quotations because I don’t really plot. I get a general idea and sit down and see what happens.
So I knew their names, but Royce was going to be younger than he ended up, but only by a few years. You know Cillian? Our tatted up tattoo artist and painter? He was going to be a writer! He had a whole different vibe. His previous relationship was going to be delved into a little more and kind of have a love triangle vibe with someone who WASN’T Midge. Wanna know why? Midge was never supposed to get her own book. I didn’t plan for her and Cill to get together until I was almost done writing On the Rocks.
One of the brothers was going to be divorced, but I decided to change that. I’m pretty sure it was Elijah.
I always knew Elijah would have the student/teacher theme, and Merrick was always going to be gay, but his story changed a little. At first I was going to have his love interest have a job that put him on the road with him for a little while. They were still going to have a past together, but I decided I wanted him to be in his hometown when their story took place.
If you read Against the Rules, you might remember this little exchange between Merrick and Elijah. “Hey, man. I’m not judging you. You’re attracted to who you’re attracted to.” And that was just a little hint into his story.
Like I mentioned in the acknowledgments in On the Rocks, the town this takes place in was named after my late father. Stores like Nae’s Gourmet Coffee Shop, Flaky Vicki’s, The Teacup (and Doreen who owned it) and Victor’s specialty soda shop are all named after family members. Small characters were named after family members, too.
Stories the brothers told around the table are things that my kids have done. Well, not all of them. And some were some I did as a teen. Hunter was based on an old ex-boyfriend, who I’m glad is an ex. Haha!
As far as the other stories go, more and more kept being added. In Risking it All, you’ll see the name Chaparral. It’s the town Ali lives in, but it was actually the street me and my husband first lived together on. Box O Tacos was a place in my own hometown, but that was actually called Taco Box. And it was me who ate my cheese sticks the way Merrick did, and I always argued that their strawberry Mountain Dew was better than the strawberry Sierra Mist, though my husband would disagree.
Honestly, there’s so many stories that came from my real life I can’t even keep track.
Have any questions about these guys? The stories? Anything? Leave them below and I’ll answer!
I have the blurb for the fourth and final book in the Kingston Brothers series. Yay! I’ve been dying to write Merrick’s story, and I’m already finished! It goes to the editor soon, and my cover will be created this month, so I’ll reveal that in August. I’ve loved writing these four brothers, and I’m so sad to be done with them already. I feel like it went by really fast. Anyway, without further ado…
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend.
Six years ago, my life changed and I went from being an unknown kid from a small town to a world-renowned rock star. Before leaving Gaspar, I told Ali we’d still be together. I made promises I didn’t keep, and I lied over and over again. I threw our plans out the window and made a life for myself.
I’ve barely had time to go home, because touring keeps me away. We haven’t been in touch in years, but after this tour, I’m heading home to find the only person who knows my deepest, darkest secret, and beg for forgiveness.
Ten years ago, I kissed my best friend, and his name is Alejandro Barerra. My Ali.
He may never forgive me for the broken promises or for breaking his heart, and I’m afraid he’ll never want to talk to me again, but he’s the only one who knows the real me, and I’m determined to win him back. Even if it means risking it all.
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