Relationship Status (Ethan & Wyatt)

  Relationship Status

  By K.A. Mitchell

  Falling in love is easy. Staying there is the trick in this third book in bestselling author K.A. Mitchell’s male/male Ethan & Wyatt trilogy.

  Life doesn’t come with a syllabus.

  Ethan knows firsthand that long distance is hard on love. If Wyatt is spending his summer at an internship in Pittsburgh, that’s where Ethan will be. Even if it means inventing his own career goal just to find a reason to stay with his boyfriend. He didn’t expect they’d be living in a hot, crappy apartment, with work schedules that keep them apart more than together.

  Wyatt’s past has taught him to keep his head down and focus on living through the day. Loving Ethan has him looking to the future for the first time; he’s just not in as big of a rush to get there. It’s hard to trust in happiness when life has been busy kicking you in the nuts.

  Together they’re getting the hang of real life, when a new responsibility for Wyatt throws everything off balance. Ethan’s doing everything he can to prove he’s in this forever, while Wyatt is torn between a future with Ethan and a debt to the past. Too bad they didn’t cover this in college.

  This book is approximately 31,000 words

  One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise

  Edited by Angela James

  Dear Reader,

  It’s hard to write about April when it’s the day before New Year’s Eve as I’m writing this. I’m still full of good intentions and big plans for 2017, with my head full of ideas and goals. One thing I’m excited about is my new 2017 reading journal that I’ve created in a 4x6 planner I was gifted. I decided to try tracking my reading a little differently this year and go old-school tracking it on paper versus electronically. I’ve completely decorated it and tricked it out with a reading challenge, TBR lists and so much more. I wonder if I’ll still be using it when you’re reading this! Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram (links at the bottom of this letter) and ask me how that’s going—I’ll show you pictures, too, if you want!

  This April, there are plenty of good reads to go in your own reading journal, starting with bestselling author duo Alexa Riley’s next full-length novel, His Alone, which features secondary characters from reader-favorite Everything for Her. A seemingly perfect hero has secrets only Paige can uncover, and his obsession with her becomes her greatest weakness. This sexy, romantic read is available in ebook, audio and print!

  Rhenna Morgan’s first book in the Haven Brotherhood series, Rough & Tumble, received many reviews like this one: “Holy Hell what a great book this is! My first read from Rhenna Morgan and won’t be the last.” And now it’s time for Zeke’s story in Wild & Sweet. He doesn’t always play by the rules, and he’ll do anything for the woman he loves. Available in digital, audio and print at online retailers.

  We have four fantastic male/male contemporary romance titles this month. Author K.A. Mitchell concludes the sweet but sexy story of Ethan & Wyatt in Relationship Status. As a couple, Ethan and Wyatt have faced jealous exes and disapproving parents, but now they face one of the scariest relationship tests ever: living together. Unfortunately, there’s no syllabus for real life. The first two novellas in this trilogy, Getting Him Back and Boyfriend Material, are now available. You can also buy the trilogy as one bundle in audio and print formats in June 2017.

  Sidney Bell, author of Bad Judgment, begins a new series, The Woodbury Boys. In Loose Cannon, Edgar-Allen Church’s violent past is about to catch up with him, and it’s going to put his best friend—aka the man he’s secretly in love with—squarely in the crosshairs.

  When a hard-nosed SEAL lieutenant and widower relies on his best friend’s little brother for child-care help, unexpected sparks fly—but will passion be enough to keep them together after the summer? Pick up At Attention by Annabeth Albert, the follow-up to the book readers raved about, Off Base. Both are available in digital and print at online retailers.

  For fans of romance author Mariana Zapata comes a long-lasting male/male tale of slow-burn romance from debut author M.K. York. In the high-intensity hospital world, there’s no room for romance between surgical resident Neil and his gorgeous superior, cardiologist Eli, but when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question arises: Is a life without love a greater risk than laying their hearts on the line? Necessary Medicine will captivate you from first word to last.

  Science fiction romance fans will be glad to see the start of a new series from Robyn Bachar. In Relaunch Mission, the first in The Galactic Cold War series, Privateer Captain Lindana Nyota faces her most dangerous mission yet, but to succeed she must rely on the one agent in the galaxy she trusts the least—Lieutenant Gabriel Steele, the man who betrayed her and broke her heart. This is a stand-alone romance, but look for the next book featuring secondary characters later in the year!

  Maybe you’re craving something a little more kinky and erotic. Debut author Brianna Hale’s Little Dancer can help with that. Abby thought attracting the ire of the theater owner was going to get her fired, but Mr. Kingsolver has other ideas—he wants to be her dom, wants her to call him daddy and will bring her face-to-face with her darkest fears.

  Last but not least is the rerelease of paranormal romance Bonded Pair from award-winning author Lauren Dane’s much beloved Cascadia Wolves series. Cade would do anything for his pack family, but his life isn’t complete without someone to share it with—only, he didn’t expect to find his reason for being in the heart and soul of the sister of his greatest enemy. Previously rereleased titles in this series include Wolves’ Triad, Wolf Unbound and Alpha’s Challenge, all now available in digital and print at online retailers.

  That’s all for this month, but we’ve given you quite the lineup of romance genres for your April reading! If you’re interested in hearing more about my 2017 reading journal (now I’ll feel like I have to keep it up so I don’t embarrass myself!) you can Tweet me @angelajames or find me on Instagram @angelajameseditor.

  Coming next month: two anthologies of paranormal romance, plus much, much more.

  Once again, until next month, my fellow book lovers, here’s wishing you a wonderful month of books you’ll love, remember and recommend.

  Happy reading!

  Angela James

  Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Dedication

  For my “Monroe” cousins in the Valley.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Also by K.A. Mitchell

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Ethan

  Hot. Sticky. Sweaty. If I was talking about sex that would be all right. Instead, it was the way the kitchen linoleum felt under my bare feet as I made my way back from the bathroom to the tiny back bedroom. Hell, it was the air everywhere in this apartment. Something prickled, then gave—no, smushed—under the ball of my foot.

  Bile surged in my throat, and I squeezed my lips together. We’d been here three days, and I was already counting down the days until summer end
ed. With a sigh, I pushed open our bedroom door and scraped the dead cockroach off my foot on the metal threshold bar.

  Even though it was at the back of the apartment, our room was never dark. Too much light from the street. Wyatt turned over in bed, but the sound of his breathing told me he was still asleep. The bangs he always hid his darker eye behind were sticking up from his forehead, plastered there by sweat and him sleeping on his face.

  I made sure all the roach parts were off my foot and hurried across the crappy carpet to the mattress on the floor that made up our bed. As shitty as this place was, I still smiled every time I said that. Our bed. Where I got to sleep with my boyfriend. Have sex with my boyfriend. That is assuming we were in it and awake at the same time. I checked the time on my phone as I slid onto the sheet next to him.

  Three twelve a.m. Wyatt would be getting up for work in half an hour. I could at least send him off with a smile. I know I’d definitely trade half an hour of sleep for a bj. And I gave awesome ones.

  I crawled over him, then let my legs slide off onto the carpet so I could put my face between his thighs. He had on briefs, soft cotton clinging to his dick. I pressed my nose against the base of his cock and rubbed. The smell of sex sweat made my mouth water and my dick fill. I parted the slit in his underwear enough to give my tongue a taste.

  Blood pulsed, in him, in me. I loved feeling him stiffen against my tongue. I licked, shooting a glance up to his face.

  Either he was good at faking it or he was still asleep. I cupped his balls through the cotton. The fabric rose, stretched into a tent. I put my mouth over it, breathing on it, wetting it so the material clung tighter. His thighs spread wider.

  I slipped my hand in under the waistband, pulling the briefs away so I could finally get the satiny head of his dick in my mouth. He sucked in a breath and let it out.

  “Hey.” His hand landed on my head. His voice was shaky with extra breath.

  I lifted my mouth. “Hey.” I breathed it back onto his dick.

  He cooperated as I peeled down his briefs, kicking them off as soon as I got them down to his knees. I shifted so my whole chest was between his legs and I could run my tongue over his balls.

  “Ah-uh. Am I dreaming a new special alarm clock?”

  I kissed the inside of his thigh. “Depends. Is it a good dream or a bad dream?”

  “It’s a very good dream.”

  I smiled and lifted his sac toward my mouth. As I drew one of his balls in, I let my thumb stroke down to his hole.

  He went rigid. “What time is it?”

  “Early enough for you to enjoy it.”

  He pulled on my hair. “Specifically, Ethan.”

  I smirked against his thigh. “Specifically look at your phone, Wyatt. I’m not exactly in a position to see a clock. Though I am enjoying the view.”

  He fumbled around and blue light flashed on his face for a second before he set his phone aside.

  Propping himself up on his elbows, he frowned. “I’m sorry, but my uncle is driving all the way across the river to get me and then all the way back over for work so I—”

  I sighed and pushed back onto my knees. “I know.” I did. Wyatt already felt bad that his uncle was driving out of his way to get Wyatt to work. I wouldn’t have started anything if it was going to make him late. But my paying job started that afternoon, and by the time I got home, Wyatt would be asleep. I thought that living together meant I’d get to see him more.

  “So I guess I fucked up and hit the snooze button on my really awesome new alarm clock.”

  I was only a little frustrated. It wasn’t him. It was our stupid schedules. “You did.” I dropped my head forward and faked a loud snore.

  Wyatt sat up and grabbed my shoulders, dragging me down on top of him. “Guess I’ll have to reset it.”

  “I’m positive I’ll enjoy your efforts.”

  His hand dropped between us, reaching for my dick.

  I moved my hips back.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He rolled us onto our sides and shot me his c’mon-Ethan look, though it wasn’t as effective since it was missing his squint through his bangs.

  I pressed my back against the cooler plaster of the wall and sighed. “I—just wanted to give you something to remember me before work.” It sounded pathetic when I said it out loud.

  That got me a look I wasn’t used to seeing on Wyatt. I didn’t even know what to call it.

  “Do you seriously think I forget about you when I’m not in the same room with you?”

  “No. But—now that I’m starting work we won’t see each other at all.” And I’m stuck spending my summer in this shitty, hot apartment for no fucking reason.

  Wyatt slumped onto his back. “And I fucked it up for you.”

  People who didn’t know him would think his face was blank. I knew it wasn’t. He was thinking, trying to get it right. For me. Sometimes I got frustrated because I felt like I was trying to make things between us good all by myself. Then I remembered I was the one who got to see him without the defense of his hair and his hoodie, and I got proud and happy and scared at the same time.

  This was why the roaches and the lack of air-conditioning and riding the fucking bus everywhere was worth it. Wyatt.

  Everything else was bullshit. I had him.

  “Nah. Not fucked up, just a little off track.” I kissed him, but when I tried to make it deeper, he pulled away.

  “Thanks, dickbreath.” The corner of his mouth curled. He almost never smiled, but there was something happy in the gleam from his different-colored eyes.

  “Your dick.”

  “So share.”

  He wanted to suck his dick with me? No. But he hadn’t wanted to kiss me.

  He rolled his eyes, then shifted, sliding toward my feet while his legs came at my head.

  Oh. He pulled my dick through the slit in my boxers. Just his breath on the head made my belly shiver. My hips pumped my cock toward his lips.

  We’d never tried this. I’d never tried this. It was a weird angle. Not like I was lost or anything, it was still Wyatt’s dick, but when I wrapped my lips around his cock, it felt different. Then he licked the head of my dick with his mouth tight around me and I gasped.

  He echoed the sound, creating sensation on my dick.

  Okay. Maybe this would work.

  I couldn’t figure out how to use my hands at first, then I got it, one on his shaft, one wrapped around his hips. I slid my mouth down to meet my fingers, concentrating on all the things I knew he liked, that I knew I was good at.

  He sucked me, flicked his tongue under the head. Hell yeah, that would work.

  A gasp and my dick popped out of his mouth as he jerked against my hold. I let him slide out.

  “What?” I whispered.

  “Teeth.”

  “Shit, sorry.” I made sure my lips were over my teeth and used my tongue, flat then curled to cradle him as I took him deeper.

  He bobbed on me, his tongue driving me crazy. I had to pull off again. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Sorry,” I said to his dick as it brushed my lips. Why couldn’t I do this? “God, wait.”

  He didn’t stop, though. This was all not what I had in mind, but I couldn’t argue with how fucking good he was making me—He gripped my cheeks and pulled me deeper into his mouth, and the velvet texture of his throat squeezed me.

  Wyatt. I wanted him to know how crazy he was making me, but my mouth was busy.

  I tried again to concentrate on his dick. I’d been blowing guys for almost five years, I could fucking manage to get this right for him. But shit. I was going to come.

  I got in one last suck, then lifted my head. “Oh fuck. Wyatt, mm.” That was all the warning he got. He hummed, vibrations making it hotter, sweeter, as
I emptied my nuts in his throat. “God, fuck, Wyatt,” I kept panting as I came back down. He licked the head, a slick, soft caress, but it was too much and I jerked back.

  I sighed out a deep breath. It must have chilled his wet dick because he jerked his hips back from me. His cock sagged. I needed to finish him but I was still breathing too hard.

  He wiped his face on my thigh.

  “Sorry.” I’d said that a lot already this morning and meant it every time. This wasn’t what I’d planned.

  A tickle as his lips curled against my skin, a tug on one of my leg hairs from the stubble above his lip. “I think you coming was kind of the point to me sucking your dick.”

  I shifted onto my back. “Yeah, but I wanted to do something for you.”

  Wyatt twisted around, reaching over me to grab his phone. He waved it in my face. “You’ve got fourteen more minutes to rock my world.”

  “Great. No pressure.” I was only half kidding.

  He looked down. His full mouth, that sexy mouth that had driven me crazy from the first time I saw it, curved in a hint of a smile. “I have faith in you.”

  * * *

  I scanned the top layer of flyers, posters and brochures scattered across Delores Bivens’s desk. Advocacy Begins with You. Poverty Should Not Equal Prison. Humans for Humans. Shield, Shelter, Safely Separate. Beneath, I glimpsed another layer, a few random words. Voting, HIV, Housing.

  “Sit down, Ethan.” Delores Bivens, the intake attorney, sat across from me and waved her hand at the chairs in front of her desk.

  A pile of folders teetered on one of the seats, a box of folded brochures occupied the other.

  Eyeing my new boss nervously, I scooped up the box and sat with the brochures balanced on my lap.

  I was still trying to think of anything I’d done wrong. I’d been half an hour early because I didn’t trust the buses. I had all my paperwork, paperwork that had this woman’s name at the top of it. Should I have waited until nine before knocking on the door?

  “Welcome to the Pittsburgh ACLU.” She was a lot younger than any of my bosses at the Registrar’s office. Medium brown skin, short black hair. Her eyes looked tired, but her smile was warm.