Sawyer

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

When Sawyer Hudson has a run-in with the mercurial executive chef at The Gates where Sawyer works as a dishwasher, he’s certain he’s going to lose his job. For anyone that would be horrible. For Sawyer it’s a death sentence for the person he loves most in the world: his disabled brother.

Award-winning world-renowned executive chef, Alexander Larsen, has time for his kitchen, his culinary creations, and little else. As a member of a family known for its wealth and philanthropy, Alexander enjoys privilege few can imagine.

Living at the extremes of the life situation spectrum, Sawyer and Alexander find themselves thrown together in a series of events that bring the men closer in unexpected ways, and opposite attract becomes the understatement of the year.

Not everyone is happy about the burgeoning love affair, but these two men have found something neither ever expected, and to hell with anyone who tries to keep them apart.

SAWYER

The Gates – Book 7

M. Tasia

ALSO BY M. TASIA

The Boys of Brighton series

Gabe

Sam’s Soldiers

Rick’s Bear

Jesse

Coop

Travis

Grady

Vincent

Shadow

The Holidays

The Gates series

Saint

Finn

James

Joey

Bradley

Carlos

EVERYONE LOVES THE BOYS OF BRIGHTON

"I loved this book and I love this town. I hope there’s going to be more."

—Melissa Lemons on Gabe

"An amazing read that was filled with lust, love, crazy hot sex, danger, action and so much more This is the first book I have read in this series but I will definitely be reading more in the future."

—Gay Book Reviews on Sam’s Soldiers

"I was crazy impressed that the author made me teary over the ending of a relationship that I shouldn’t have even been invested in. I didn’t yet know these characters yet the author made me hurt for them. That takes some mad writing skills!"

—Love Bytes Reviews

"Jesse and Royce together have my heart. Jesse has it all by himself."

—The Book Junkie Reads on Jesse

"So much action, intrigue, drama and angst for the long awaited story of Grady and Ben. This was worth the wait. Sexy and sweet. I can’t wait for the next."

—SamD on Grady

"I knew this one would be my favorite to date! There was something about Vincent that said awesome then came Tristan."

—Booky on Vincent

"This installment of the Boys of Brighton was so good! I loved Shadow and Randy ‘s story I was hooked from the first page to the last. This book was definitely worth the wait!"

—AG on Shadow

"I have loved this series from the very first story and this holiday novella is simply perfect. We get a glimpse of all our couples and what is happening in their lives while the holidays explode around them. I cannot wait for more!"

—bookobsessed on The Holidays

EVERYONE’S NEWEST LOVE – THE GATES

"Having read the entire Boys of Brighton series, I was eagerly awaiting Saint’s story and it was so worth the wait. I enjoyed every word. I am always amazed by authors that bring characters to life so much that you can hardly wait for the next story. Cannot wait for Finn and Miguel to have their turn. While I’m waiting I’ll reread the Boys of Brighton series!"

—Debbie Kay on Saint

"Ms. Tasia has done it again! This is Saint’s story, for readers of the Brighton Boys, you’ll know he needs a break! After being forced to become a plastic surgeon by his father, he rebels by assisting people in 3rd world countries, which puts him in the position to be kidnapped and tortured. You really feel for him, that’s for sure! Max is the perfect man for poor Saint’s battered soul, not that he doesn’t have his own issues! Overall, this was engaging, steady paced and chock full of all the feels!"

—Avid Reader on Saint

"Finn and Miguel stole my heart. This is a great Sunday afternoon read. Finn’s character jumped off the page as his story developed through each chapter. I loved reading his truth and watching him and Miguel find their home in each other."

—K.A. Brown on Finn

"Another tale from the Gates of Heaven, another two brilliant MCs we get to know very well. I loved both the plot and the characters, all their emotions and insecurities on full display. All the descriptions and world building were very vivid, providing a great background for an emotional story of self discovery and developing attraction."

—AL on Finn

"James...what can I say. I couldn’t put it down. This is my first book in the series, so it definitely can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but it will not be my last. Now I’m going to read the previous stories. Solid writing with a gripping style, characters that are right up my alley, and the kind of chemistry I love in my romances. What more do you need for a great reading experience."

—cinnamon on James

"This is really a great series and I def recommend it. I loved James and Ross, it was a rough start for the two, but they worked it out. I can’t wait for more, love everything M. TASIA writes!"

—TammyKay on James

"I may have my new favorite book couple of the series. Joey and Sam just have that something special. At one point I was ugly crying but it was a good ugly cry if that makes any sense. I really love the series and I can’t wait for her next installment!!"

—Vine Voice on Joey

"M. Tasia is an automatic 1 click author for me...she definitely didn’t disappoint with Joey."

—Heather Weissman on Joey

"This author is really talented and I love her series, this one and the Boys of Brighton. Her characters are so well drawn and I can really get into the stories. I especially loved Eric in this particular book. I’m hoping Clay the rookie will be the next book. Keep ‘em coming!"

—Rosemary on Bradley

"All the stories in this series have their own brand of excitement, this being no exception. All previous books include former heroes from the series which I find very charming. Our heroes here, Eric and Brad, give us another great performance. A villain surfaces and wreaks havoc on the lives of good people and is, after a stretch, put in his place. The book is a love story with a dose of excitement and, unfortunately, a bit of homophobia thrown in. A story nicely told."

—Tappy on Bradley

"Accompanying the gentle blooming of love between the damaged men, is gorgeous description. M. Tasia captivated me with her vivid illustrations of scenery and tourist sites (I feel as if I’ve explored CA and AZ beside the leading men), mouthwatering food, and intriguing art. I found myself wondering, is M. Tasia so well-traveled? A foodie? An art connoisseur? Or did she simply do her author’s research very well?

Carlos is a tender romance coupled with mystery and suspense, not to mention several surprises at the end. In M. Tasia’s words, rebirth and determination are a profound theme of the story, relating to people and places. This is a moving read, and a quickly devoured one, too, as it’s difficult to put down."

—Kristen A. Remick on Carlos

"Carlos is ready to come out of seclusion. He wants to live near his brother, Miguel, experience the world outside his doors, allow the world to enhance his art. It’s this brother who brings Clay into his life, a cop who quickly becomes Carlos’ everything.

Two men with damaged souls come together and find love. A tried and true formula that works well here, especially when working with two lovable characters like Carlos and Clay. Carlos especially was interesting to me - the contrast of his appearance to his gentle nature, a true gentle giant. And Clay being all protective of the much larger, but more gentle man - so sweet! I really liked this story and am looking forward to more of The Gates now."

—Valeen on Carlos

www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

SAWYER

Copyright © 2021 M. Tasia

All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

ISBN: 978-1-953810-28-1

E-book formatting by Maureen Cutajar

www.gopublished.com

This has been possible because of the love and support of my family.

Love you Craig, Samantha, Katie, and Jason.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to my amazing publisher for taking the time to play tour guide in her diverse and stunning area of Southern California. Your indomitable spirit and strength inspires me to continue to grow as an author. Also, to my sisters-in-law, thank you for coming along and supporting my dream. The love and strength of family is the cornerstone of my career.

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

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Sneak Peek: Saint

About the Author

SAWYER

Chapter One

Sawyer pulled another rack of steaming plates and silverware from the industrial dishwasher’s conveyor belt that ran along the kitchen’s back wall at The Gates. He carried it over to one of the two stacking tables before returning to put a rack of dirty wine glasses through. He hoped he had time to get to the pots and pans, which were soaking in hot, soapy water in the extra-large stainless-steel sinks a few feet away.

It’d been another busy night in the restaurant, which meant a steady stream of dirty dishes from the moment he came on shift. He didn’t mind. Work was work, and it made the evening go by faster. Not that quick passage of time was a boon.

Once the wine glasses were in the dishwasher, he turned his attention to collecting the full dish bins from the wait staff area behind the restaurant. He was careful to look through the window of the kitchen’s swinging doors before opening the right side. Last week he hadn’t, and a waiter with a full tray of desserts was walking by, and everything the dude was carrying wound up on the floor. The head chef had torn a strip off him.

Sawyer looked both ways and slowly opened the door. The coast was clear. He stepped out into the fray and felt like he was playing that old video game where you tried to get your frog to the other side of the road without being hit by a car. He dodged a guy carrying six plates on a large round tray and wondered how the wait staff balanced so much food in one trip. Food would be hanging from the chandeliers if he tried that.

Quickly, he picked up a full tub of dirty dishes, turned to take them into the back of the house, and was cut off by a busboy heading in the opposite direction. The sudden stop shifted his leg brace, causing him to misstep, and before he knew what was happening, he was falling face forward to the tiled floor. He closed his eyes, and at the last moment, a strong hand grabbed him under his arm, stopping his fall at the same time taking hold of the dish bin with the other hand.

Sawyer regained his footing and looked up to find the last person he ever wanted to screw-up in front of: the award-winning renowned head chef, Alexander Larsen. Sawyer’s heart sank. He’d been working at The Gates for seven months and liked it here. He didn’t want to be fired. Even though Marian ran the kitchen, Sawyer was sure one bad word from Alexander, and boom, Sawyer would be out.

I’m sorry, he sputtered. It won’t happen again. He’d re-adjust his brace out back.

You okay? Alexander asked with what sounded like actual concern.

Uh… I’m fine, sir.

Alexander, not sir, he ordered.

Yes, Alexander, sir.

When Alexander looked like he was about to say something else, a waitress cleared her throat to get the chef’s attention. Table seven is waiting, Chef.

Sawyer turned his head to see a few people had stopped to stare. A couple of times a night, guests would request to meet the chef to heap on accolades, which explained why Alexander was outside of his kitchen fiefdom.

Sawyer adjusted his leg and took a better hold of the dish tub. Thank you for your help.

Slowly, Alexander released him before nodding his head and followed the waitress into the restaurant. Sawyer limped to the wash area, set down the tub on the sorting table, and quickly readjusted and tightened his right leg brace. He knew his constant remedial repairs would eventually fail, but a new brace didn’t come cheap. He’d stretch the life out of this one for as long as he could.

Sawyer kept his head down, fearing the guillotine