Contributors: Jodi Payne, BA TortugaSeries: The Sin Deep Series #3
Genre: Co-Authored, Gay, Kink/BDSM Light, MM, Novel
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Buy the Book: AmazonWidower Charles Martin has been very alone. His husband was lost to him long before Tad physically passed and Charles is at loose ends in their big, empty house. When a mutual friend suggests he hire a cowboy named Ryder as a personal assistant, he isn’t sure what to expect.
Ryder Vales lost his bull riding career to a serious head injury that left him a different man. He’s searching for something to do for work and for some peace in his life. He finds what he needs in taking care of Charles, serving and cooking for him, and in keeping him company.
Charles might be a good deal older than Ryder, but the two of them find comfort and then more together, building something that could seem odd to others, especially Ryder’s twin brother Roper, but that makes them both happy. Ryder isn’t sure if what he wants with Charles is what he deserves, though. Can Charles convince him that they’re the only two people who need to care what their relationship looks like?
Gemini: Ryder, the first book in a duet, is an opposites attract, D/s romance featuring a retired bull rider and a wealthy widower.
Also in this series:
Chapter 1
“These are gorgeous, aren’t they?” Charles tugged at the cuff of his husband’s black silk pajamas. “Dolce and Gabbana. I knew you’d love them. Black suits you so well.”
Although Tad hadn’t been out in the sun for years and his skin wasn’t tan anymore. In some places, it was actually translucent now. The deep black silk washed him out slightly, but it had always been Tad’s favorite color, and it looked striking against the white sheets of the hospital bed.
“I had lunch with Brady; he sends his regards. We had champagne—you’re jealous, right? I told him you would be.” Brady was a good friend and their attorney. “Next month will be five years, Tad.”
Five years was the limit. Five years and not a day more. The instructions in Tad’s medical directive were very clear, and he had followed them to the letter, even when he felt like he couldn’t anymore, or even shouldn’t.
Brady had met with him to remind him that it was time, as if he’d needed reminding. It had been a long, difficult conversation after their initial toast, and he’d been glad for the little buzz the bubbles had given him.
But he was ready. He’d been ready for a long time.
“Good morning, sir. Ooh. Are those new pajamas? Spiffy.”
He smiled at Jeremy, Tad’s daytime nurse. “Do you like them?”
“I do.” Jeremy felt the fabric and hummed appreciation. “Mm. They feel like heaven.”
“I thought so. I hope he does too.”
Jeremy hadn’t brought it up yet, but he felt like something was in the air. Their five-year contract was ending soon and that knowledge sat like the proverbial elephant in the middle of the room.
Fortunately, Tad’s room in their Lake George estate was very large.
“I—” Jeremy checked Tad’s vitals, all the silent machines that kept him alive. “Is there anything you need, sir?”
“You’re very kind, Jeremy. He hasn’t got much time left, as you know, and I just want him to be comfortable and spoiled. I suppose that’s ridiculous at this point.”
“Of course not, sir.” But Jeremy knew what he did. Tad was being kept alive by those machines now.
“Mm.” Charles shrugged and wandered to the window. He’d chosen this room for Tad’s hospital suite because of the huge windows and natural light, with its wide open view of the lake. It had been Tad’s favorite view in the house. Really, it had always been Tad’s room. It had been at one time Tad’s home office.
“If you need me, please let me know. Would you like some tea?”
He would, in fact, but he wouldn’t dream of asking Jeremy. Jeremy was here for Tad.
And pretty soon Jeremy wouldn’t be here at all.
This house was going to be very big and lonely a month from now. Very big, and very lonely.
“Thank you, but I’ll manage that for myself. You have work to do.” Maybe he should hire someone as Brady had suggested, just so he wasn’t knocking around this house alone. “I’ll be heading back to the city shortly anyway.”
“Yes, sir.” He could tell that Jeremy didn’t know what to say, so he simply left.
“I’ll see you next weekend, darling.” He kissed Tad’s forehead and squeezed his hand, the ritual so familiar he hardly gave it a thought anymore.
He went straight to his office, skipping the tea, and picked up the business card Brady had given him at lunch. Was this what he wanted? Did he really want a stranger in his house, in his apartment in the city? Did he need a—what had Brady called it? A companion?
That word made him feel old. But then his husband dying so young at over a decade his junior made him feel old too. The thought of getting back out again as Brady had suggested—attending social events or worse, entertaining guests himself as he and Tad used to, shouldn’t be so intimidating. It shouldn’t make him so anxious, and yet it created such a feeling of dread, a heaviness in his chest that made it a little difficult to breathe.
Still, he probably should have someone to help him deal with the details—not for Tad, he would handle all of that himself with Brady’s help—but for everything else.
Whatever “everything else” was.
A personal assistant. That was acceptable.
That was a call he could make.
Title: Gemini: Ryder
Published by: Tygerseye Publishing, LLC
ASIN: B0FPDNFVFH
ISBN13: 978-1963644203
