It's never easy to run into an ex-lover, especially when the break-up was a bad one. That's exactly what happens to Hunter Barrister one evening at the Hammer, though, and he's more upset over seeing the amazingly beautiful Forrest Greune again than he ever thought he could be. When he finds out that Forrest is not only back in town for good, but wants to join the Hammer Club, board member Hunter balks and refuses to give his consenting vote.

Forrest, a now retired model, isn't the same flighty young thing he was when he and Hunter were together, and he wishes Hunter could just move on. When that doesn't happen, he finds himself amusing himself, elsewhere with disastrous results. Broken and injured, Forrest is surprised to find Hunter the one at his bedside, the one who sticks with him and offers support through everything. 

Can Forrest and Hunter put their history behind them and be what they need for each other, or will guilt, fear and the past put an end to the relationship neither of them seem to be able to abandon?

 

It had been a long damn day and Hunter Barrister was more than happy to be sliding into a chair at the Hammer, a sweet twink at his elbow, wanting to know exactly what he wanted. It didn't get much better than that.

 

"I want a shot of whiskey and a beer chaser."

 

"Yes, Sir." The sweet boy gave him the dearest little grin.

 

He smiled back, relaxing, feeling better already. He did love his club. He'd been a member for a little under eight years, and each year got better than the last. He watched the cute little ass as it disappeared toward the bar.

 

"Still hunting the young ones?" The voice was husky, low. Horribly familiar, for all he hadn't heard it in years. Fucking Forrest Greune.

 

Hunter's hands curled into fists. He looked over, hoping Forrest had turned into a troll or a beast or something. It hadn't happened. Hell, if anything Mr. All-American was more beautiful than ever. Bright blue eyes, perfectly trimmed hair, lightly muscled body dressed in perfectly fashionable clothes. A desperate surge of need went through him.

 

Fucker.

 

"Look what the rats dragged in." He could have kicked himself for the words; he didn't want Forrest to get the wrong idea and think he had any feelings left for the asshole. Even if he did. No, especially if he did.

 

"Not so. Jack invited me. Have you seen him?"

 

"I'm not the maître’d here."

 

"No. That's fairly obvious. You're one of the old bar flies, still in your same stool."

 

Anger flared, hot and sudden -- how could the man still get under his skin just like that? He stood, glaring down at Forrest. "I pay a membership here, yes. That gives me privileges and you don't have a single one, so if you don't want to be thrown out on your ass I suggest you get out of my sight."

 

Fuck, but the man was sex on legs.

 

"Gladly. Honestly, I was hoping you'd just moved on." Ice blue eyes stared him down, then the man just turned on his heel and walked away. Like Hunter meant nothing to Forrest.

 

God damn it.

 

Hunter clenched his teeth together to keep from spewing something nasty out. This was his club. His place. Forrest had no right. The man had played with him, but had never truly committed. Then he'd cheated. And now Forrest had the gall to come back in here and insult him?

 

Fucker.

 

Asshole.

 

Dickwad.

 

Punk.

Review Companies

Confessions From Romaholics

I love the Hammer series. I am always fascinated by BDSM, the ins and outs of the lifestyle and the relationship between doms and subs, but this story was extra special and in my opinion the best of the series yet. (full review)

Dark Diva Reviews

Sean Michael’s Gravity puts issues of trust and truth on the front burner. I’ve enjoyed the Hammer series, some books more than others, and lately each episode seems to be getting better and better, more like the spirit of the first books in the series. While damaged subs is a continuing theme in the series, Gravity allows the Dom to take responsibility for not only what happened to his sub but also for his recovery. (full review)

MR Review
Rating:
Reviewer: AlexJouJou
Review:

Although it's been years since Hunter has seen Forrest he can't help but react to him when a routine club visit has him running into his former lover and sub. On Forrest's part he has come home, or to near a place can be as home, to settle and build a life. A former model he is now retired and wants only to buy a house and move on with his life. He has grown a lot since Hunter last saw him and is quite the ways from the flighty, unfocused sub of back then. Hunter, though, is not so forgiving and his pride and feelings have him vetoing Forrest's membership at Hammer Club. When this, in advertently, leads to Forrest going to another club with absolutely disastrous results, Hunter needs to decide if he has what it takes to forgive both Forrest and himself and to be the person Forrest needs as he begins a long journey to recovery. Forrest needs to decide if he can forgive Hunter as well and whether there is enough trust and love in the relationship to grow a new one, a stronger one. One that can support a Forrest who is utterly damaged and broken. Can all that Hunter is put back together a broken Forrest?

There are days when this is the exact kind of story I want. I want to see how another human being, so broken, so damaged, so hopeless, can be loved enough to overcome all those things. I'm not looking for realism, I'm looking for light. Light in the men, light in the situation, and light at the end of the tunnel. I want persistence. I want justice. I want nothing in between two souls who are desperately trying to keep the other afloat and moving forward. I need to feel the journey, go through the pain, and come out on the other side stronger, with fortitude and drive and belief. It cements that fact we all have in our minds that one person can make a difference. Truly. Absolutely, Irrevocably. I'm not a crier so I didn't sob but make no mistake I felt. This is somewhat of a cathartic story as you must confront your own issues while reading about Forrest and Hunter. Who, in the face of that type of love and giving cannot but hope to grab some of it and do for another. Pay it forward, give a little back, be a better person. Heartbreaking and raw, Gravity is the perfect title. Gravity brings us down to earth, keeps us grounded, aware that things other than us control much of what we can do. Gravity because when it is life or death the situation turns itself inside out and words spoken, touches given, and love flowing are what is required to heal a man. Simply wonderful and I cherished the journey!

 

Disclosure: Manic Readers receives books from authors, publishers, and publicists which are given to reviewers in exchange for their honest opinion. Each review represents the opinion of the reviewer which may or may not have been influenced by receiving the book at no cost.

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