Billionaire's Toy

Illicit Heat #3

by Ann Lister

What do you give a man who has the money to buy everything … literally?
Yourself.
That is, if by some miracle he'd ever see you as anything other than his best friend.

Jake: I've been in love with him since he was a pimply-faced, preppy boy. Okay, that description isn't exactly accurate—he's always been gorgeous. Now, he’s an uber-rich millennial and takes my breath away every time we share the same space.
Who am I talking about?
My best friend, Barrett.
The man who I’ve known I wanted to share my life with since the age of fourteen. Now that we’re older, I want him in ways I know aren't possible.
And why?
Because I'm bisexual, and he's straight.

Barrett: My fortieth birthday is in a few days and my good-intentioned best friend wants to throw me a party with all of our friends, but that's not what I want.
Full disclosure?
I want a private party with Jake. One that has a no-clothing theme and involves a big bed.
That kind of sounds as though I want my best friend. You wouldn't be wrong about that. I've been in love with him since before I understood that it was okay to have feelings for another guy. He was my first love and I want him to be my forever.
The problem?
Jake doesn't see me that way. Never has … and he never will.

The Illicit Heat Series is a new collection of short, erotic stories. Each story in this series will be under 15,000 words and can be read as a stand-alone.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers

68 pages, ebook

First published December 9, 2018

About the author

Ann Lister is a native New Englander currently living in Florida with her husband. She has pulled details from her years living in the New England area and uses many local settings and landmarks in her novels.

After graduating art school, marrying, and raising two daughters, she established her own video production company. Her nearly two decades working in video production included work within the music industry and won her a coveted Telly Award. Her 'behind-the-scenes' exposure to the music world and her love of rock music is the inspiration for her erotic rock star romances.

The Rock Gods series gave her Bestselling Author status on Amazon. Beyond The Music, Book 7 in the series, reached #1 in Gay Erotica in the Pre-Order and held that spot for several weeks. The last book in the series launches the spin-off series, Guarding The Gods, which is releasing in early summer 2016.

Fall For Me, Book One in the series was a Finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Award. Each book in this series brings her two favorite elements together: musicians and the love between two men. These stories focus on what it truly means to love; love unconditionally, love without restrictions or labels, love without fear or judgment – to just simply love.

Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barrett and Jake are best friends for decades. Both have deeper feelings for the other and both know for sure the other is straight so there will be never more. Until there is a chance for more.

“Destiny” that’s the right word for this story.

Sweet, sexy and witty short read. Appealing written, passionate story, I felt sorry for them they waited so long to finally know how the other felt. Together they were funny and sweet. They had the best time already together as friends and now even better times are coming. Sweet and sexy friends to lovers story

Read and reviewed for LesCourt ARC team

[Emily Seelye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this friends to lovers story,but it would have been more believable if they were in 18-22, not 40. They are best friends, even if they didn’t tell anyone else, why didn’t they tell each other they were bisexual?

*ARC provided by LesCourt Seevices

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I wanted to like this one, I think I liked the first two installments better,
This friends to lovers relationship didn't really work for me. It's a short story, but I felt, this was too long. That says something, isn't it?

[Lisa Cullinan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these short stories!

Billionaire’s Toy is another great installment in Ann Lister’s Illicit Heat erotic short stories.
Two best friends, Barrett and Jake, are at the pinnacle of their careers with everything they could want right at their fingertips—well, almost everything.

Jake plans to celebrate his best friend Barrett’s fortieth birthday on their yacht, Billionaire’s Toy ... just the two of them. Too bad his buddy is straight, right?

Barrett loves his best bud, Jake. They’ve been a team since they were little kids. How cool would it be for Barrett to have Jake as his birthday present? But damn, Jake is straight!

Ahh, these two are completely out to sea when it comes to really knowing one another! I definitely recommend this fun and sexy story. The whole series is fantastic ~

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Barrett have been best friends for 35 years, and each has had a secret crush on the other. They have both been hiding their bisexuality and feelings because they didn't want to mess up their friendship. A birthday gift error ends up revealing their secrets, and the guys decide to go all in. Their friendship sets them up for a great future together. Although this was a short story, we got a lot of great insight into the characters, and I was rooting for them right from the start. This is a great series of short stories.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars A good short story of best freinds becoming lover's. Never spoken Bi secrets are revealed to find love.
Jake and Barrett are best freinds since they where young boys. Now Barretts 40th birthday was around the corner.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series hasn’t blown me out of the water though I have continued to enjoy the stories. This one had a lot more angst than the previous books since these two have been harboring their feelings for years.

After all their worrying I was glad it works out though I would be interested to see how they bring their relationship into the real world. Basically a quick fun read like the others.

I received an ARC of this book and am giving an honest review.

[Dawn Nicole Costiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billionaire's Toy is the third installment of Ann Lister's Illicit Series. It's a friends to lovers story and much sweeter then it's predecessors.... Model Student and Climbing the Longhorn were like aphrodisiacs! Totally salacious. All three stories have interesting storylines and captivating characters that kept me entertained.

Billionaire's Toy focuses more on the guys, Barret and Jake. Their feelings and less about sex. They are mature, establish and rich. Niether have ever settle down. Best friends most of their lives, yet there are secrets they have kept from each other.... Secrets that could change everything between them. Will they lay it all out? Put their hearts on the line?
I really enjoyed their journey to the truth.

Bring on the fourth story. Bending for him!!

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billionaires Toy is the third book in Ann Lister's Illicit Heat series but each book can be read as a stand alone. It is a quick and naughty read that tantalized and satisfies.

Jake and Barrett have been friends for almost forever and each have secretly craved more but thought it wasn't reciprocated. They are about to find out just how reciprocated the lust is. Happy birthday Barrett! Glad I got to read all about your delicious gift.

I loved this one. It's a friends to lover quick read. It's funny, sweet and very steamy. Jake and Barrett are Hot.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billionaires Toy is the third book in Ann Lister's Illicit Heat series but each book can be read as a stand alone. It is a quick and naughty read that tantalized and satisfies.

Jake and Barrett have been friends for almost forever and each have secretly craved more but thought it wasn't reciprocated. They are about to find out just how reciprocated the lust is. Happy birthday Barrett! Glad I got to read all about your delicious gift.

I loved this one. It's a friends to lover quick read. It's funny, sweet and very steamy. Jake and Barrett are Hot.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.

[Valerie Degeorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep another great read from Ann Lister she never disappoints.
Billionaire’s Toy is #3 in Ann’s Illicit Heat Seties which all books can be read as stand alones. I really loved and enjoyed this story about Friends to Lovers and it goes to show no matter what age everything is possible.

Ann sure knows how to put the heat in her stories but there’s always a plot not just words these shorts are amazing and will keep you in your toes till the end.

Another brilliant job from an amazing Author who puts her heart and soul in everything she writes. I can’t wait for the next installment to be released.

[Georgiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Barrett have a long history together and both have a hidden secret that the other doesn’t know about. All because of a mix-up these secrets come out and the two must admit to one another something that has always scared them or deny it all, missing out on something amazing.

This story tells more about the two characters then the others in this series and I liked it. I also loved that both men are older, and they have a great sense of humor.

Another quick, sexy, hot read and I enjoyed every minute.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHORT SWEET AND HOT HOT HOT

Who knows you better than your BEST friend?? Can two best friends cross the line and become lovers. Well Jake and Barrett decided that they had to finally take the leap of faith. This is steamy, sexy and beyond what they both could've imagined. Once again, Ann Lister gives us a Hot, Sexy Short Story that is part of her Illicit Heat Series. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS AMAZING SERIES OF HOT SHORT STORIES!!!!!

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Lister's Billionaire's Toy is a terrific friends to lovers novella.

Jake and Barrett have been friends for years, and secretly lusted after one another. They're two middle aged men who never wanted to risk making a move, assuming the other was straight. Until it's time to celebrate a birthday.

It's fun, sexy, and sweet, with some humor. Ann Lister once again manages to write some passionate scenes, and it's beautiful.

If you enjoy friends to lovers, check out Billionaire's Toy!

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet and sexy friends to lovers story that is a wonderful addition to this series of short stories. Jake and Barrett have been best friends for practically their whole life and neither one has been able to admit their feelings for the other. It was great watching these two finally admit their feelings and start a wonderful future together. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Mikki James - Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun short story featuring the best-friends-to-lovers trope.

Due to some missed-communication Jake's hook-up from Grinder ends up hooking-up with his bff Barrett. This leads both men to question whether they are satisfied with being friends or maybe they are destined to be something more.

This was a short, cute read. I love this type of trope so I was immediately intrigued by the premise. I would recommend this novel if your looking for a quick, fast, paced romance with some steamy sex!

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends to lovers in this short story was a fun journey. Time to share secrets and desire create an engaging story-line. Jake and Barrett are characters i would have liked to have gotten to spend more time with.

This is the third in book in the Illicit Heat series and it is a totally stand-alone. This is a short and fun read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers

I love a good short and sexy read, and this was exactly what I was looking for! Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I throughly enjoyed this story. So much in fact I’d love to see where Jake and Barrett find themselves a year or so down the road! This was a great accompaniment to the previous two Illicit Heat novellas.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fun and sexy tale of Jake and Barrett, best friends who've been important to each other for decades. When they realized that they were each keeping secrets from the other, things got very interesting and steamy. I enjoyed this short story and liked the feelings that each man had for the other beyond the great sex. Nice installment to the Illicit Heat series!

[Jennifer Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this friends to lovers story. These guys have lusted over each other for so long. You would think with how long they had been friends they would have said something by now but nope.

Once realization hits its full steam ahead and I found them to be a very sweet couple

[Kathy Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that this book showed the fear that even older men can have concerning their sexuality. Even though they had been friends their whole life, they had still hidden that part of themselves. A really good book. Loved it.

[Tracy Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these stories even though they are short. Loved this one especially because I love friends to lovers books. It as also very sexy hot...

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Men's toys

I need more of these two men. Two friends who have wanted each other all their lives and to find about the other over a mistaken identity. Love it.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good and short story. it was sexy and hott and fun. i enjoyed it and it was amazing,

[Sharon Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot chemistry between friends

Best friends to lovers in this short story. Is took a while to build up the nerve but when they did, the chemistry is off the charts .

[Sanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect short by Lister

Such a sweet, hot MM novella mixed with sexy and HEA. A perfect short read. It was so funny with "the bithday gift" :D

[prachi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring!!