RELEASE TOUR – Heath by R.M. Neill
Can tattoos induce a sexual awakening?
Length: 301 pages
Series: The Broken Horn Ranch Bk 4
Genre: Contemporary
Heath
I met this guy, Marko. He has the best tattoos.
We hang out all the time and he even loves the farm animals as much as I do. He’s Croatian and he kisses me on the cheek sometimes, too. That’s such a kind gesture and I really like it when he does that.
He speaks another language and even likes to paint on paper, not just the skin of his tattoo clients.
I can’t imagine not having our weekly coffee meetings. Or missing the rides on his motorbike.
The guys on the ranch tell me we’re dating, but I’d know if we were.
Wouldn’t I?
Marko
Heath is the quintessential boy next door. He’s all sunshine energy and a smile that makes my heart stop.
And I’m the tattooed son of a criminal. I keep to myself and prefer the company of my motorcycle and the open road over people.
But Heath isn’t like most people. He has a pet peacock for one thing, and he’s beyond thoughtful.
He makes me wish for more.
Now that we’ve grown close, I want to take our relationship further, but there’s a problem. He doesn’t know we’ve been dating and I’m already half in love with him.
This story contains an insatiable Heath once he gets a taste, a peacock who interrupts, and all the men of the Broken Horn Ranch quietly waiting for Heath to figure out he’s never really been straight. Swoony dates and gestures galore, and a heartfelt trip to Croatia. Low angst, adorable discoveries and the babble that can only come from Heath and his golden retriever energy.
EXCERPT:
Unpacking the lunches, I place them on the blanket and wait to eat until Marko comes back. Zane left a sticky note with our names on each box, and I leave the drinks inside the bag to stay chilled longer.
Marko doesn’t sketch this time and returns quickly, plopping himself onto the blanket and rubbing his stomach with a grin.
“I’m too hungry to get lost in a sketch. What are we having?”
My cheeks heat and I sort of wish I didn’t go through this trouble, but Zane assured me it was a kind gesture.
“I, uh…” Clearing my throat, I point to his small brown box. “I looked up some food from the island you talked about. Hvar, you called it.”
Marko’s lips part and before he can say anything, I just want to spit it all out first.
“When you talked about it, you just looked really happy and I enjoy making people happy. So I tracked down these sugared almonds that might be close to what you’d find at the open markets there. And Zane made the cookies filled with the walnut paste. I wanted to get you a lamb sandwich but couldn’t get that on short notice.”
Marko opens the lunch box to find the Croatian treats he mentioned enjoying while his family vacationed, and he’s quiet as he pokes around. The longer he remains silent, the bigger the knot in my guts grows.
“Do you like it?” I finally whisper because I just wanted to make him happy, not silent and gloomy. He does the broody look well, but it’s more of his smiles I want to see.
“Yes, Heath. Very much.” His voice has a huskiness that wasn’t there before, but he smiles at me as he tastes an almond. “These are great. Not quite exact but close enough. You did good. Thank you.”
“Yeah?” My grin grows with his praise and my gut settles.
He grins back. “Yeah. Real good, Heath.”
Fuck if my insides don’t combust with his words and seal of approval. I’m always trying to please people, but this time it feels a little more special. Something that sits a little warmer in my chest.
“Here, try one.”
Marko leans over and rather than take the almond like a normal person with my hand, I part my lips. His brows scrunch, but he places the almond at my lips and I close them together, pulling it into my mouth.
I crunch and lick my lips. “Those are great! I can see why you like them so much.”
Marko stares at me with an expression I can’t quite read.
“Yeah, they’re common, but what makes them so good is that even though they’re at every market and you might see them every day…you appreciate them.” He clears his throat and turns his attention back to the garden.
I stare at my lunch, unsure of what I’m feeling.
“Do you mind if I sketch a bit more before we head back?”
“Gosh, no! Sketch all you want.”
Marko strolls through the gardens, stopping here and there, and all I can think about is how easy it is to be with him. It’s a different kind of easy. Not like with the guys at the ranch. With Marko, I feel a happiness I don’t get from goofing off in the barns with Dante.
It’s like a fuzzy happiness. Like a baby duck, maybe? Nah, that’s not right either.
Whatever it is, he sure makes me smile and I already smile a lot, so that’s saying something.
Tropes and fun things
Found Family
Hurt comfort
Doesn’t know they’re dating
Sunshine ranch hand and shy tattoo artist
Bi awakening
Meddling father figures
Small town
Coffee dates with a peacock
Croatian MC
Swoony non dates (they’re totally dates)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m a wife, mom, animal lover and a hopeless romantic.
I want my stories to make you smile, swoon and snort laugh, but not necessarily in that order.
I hope I can be the author you turn to when you need a story to make you laugh, or add light to an otherwise dark day.
Coffee always wins, you can’t change my mind.
You can find me on facebook or visit my website rmneillauthor.com
FACEBOOK PROFILE: https://www.facebook.com/rm.neill.1
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rmneill
IG: @r.m.neill_author
CC Belle 