Nurture — Sarah Masters

Nature versus nurture. Which one is the culprit?

It's been a while since Paul fell for Carl, and now he's having a hard time remembering why. As their relationship slides beyond aggressive into dangerous and frightening, Paul wants a way out that doesn't involve more violence. How can he leave a man who swears to God he loves him beyond all reason -- and has almost convinced him of it?

To Carl, a bit of rough sex doesn't even touch the tip of violent. The twisted path he follows to show Paul the true depths of the love he nurtures for him will lead them far from where they thought life would take them. Carl will do anything to make Paul understand how much he cares. Anything.

When Paul is hauled to the police station for crimes he didn't commit, only police investigator Victor stands between him and the complete disintegration of his life. But Vic is the cop who arrested him, and he knows way more than any stranger ought to about the details of Paul's life.

Caught between the man he thought he loved and one who might be stalking him, Paul is due to learn some serious lessons about the nature of trust, friendship, and what love -- twisted or not -- is really capable of.