{"product_id":"2940013920187","title":"Novitiate","description":"No·vi·ti·ate (nō-vish'ē-it,-āt') n. The period of being a\u003cbr\u003enovice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTen stories, ten waypoints, ten steps along a path.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe stories collected in Novitiate represent the first\u003cbr\u003eleg of C.C. Williams' journey from a sometime\u003cbr\u003estoryteller to a published writer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom the sweet, simple beginnings portrayed in\u003cbr\u003eMidnight; to a rough and rocky courtship in Busting\u003cbr\u003ethe Greenhorn, an AllRomanceEbooks(tm) Category\u003cbr\u003eBest Seller; to the dark and edgy psychology of The\u003cbr\u003ePrisoner, a Best Gay Romance selection for 2012,\u003cbr\u003eC.C. Williams portrays men facing their most difficult\u003cbr\u003echallenges--their own hearts--when confronted by\u003cbr\u003esomething deeper, more permanent than what they\u003cbr\u003ehad initially sought.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom A Measure of Security\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrant stretched, a yawn cracking his jaw; looking at his Rolex, he realized it was almost six.  He closed the thick file and pushed it aside; the arguments were sound, his notes complete; he could leave it ‘til Tuesday.  Right now he wanted a double scotch and a really rare steak.  Then he would see about some company for the evening, preferably with a hot dick and a tight ass.  Like the one on that weekend security guard.  He’d noticed him Saturday afternoon last week—at least six feet of olive-skinned, taut-muscled Adonis—something like that would make a nice night cap.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYawning again, the lawyer rose, grabbing his briefcase and jacket, and left the office.  As he locked the suite, he heard the elevator chime.  Damn!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrant jogged down the hallway toward the foyer and called out, “Hold the elevator, please!\"  Rounding the corner, he saw a head of curly hair lean out of the elevator, looking left, then right.  He recognized the weekend guard.  Grinning, he stepped inside the box.  \"Thanks for waiting.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe security officer looked at him.  \"I thought everybody had gone by now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\"Don't think I didn't try,\" Grant chuckled.  \"I had some last minute work to finish. This way I don't have to come back tomorrow.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe elevator had begun to drop toward the lobby.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe lawyer extended his right hand.  \"My name's Grant.\"  \u003cbr\u003eThe guard took it, smiled, and nodded.  \"I’m Matt.  Matt Brewer.\"  The handshake lasted about five seconds too long.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You in school?\" Grant asked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Nope,\" Matt grinned.  \"Too poor.  And too stupid too, I guess.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrant scowled at him.  \"I doubt that.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Hey,\" Matt laughed.  \"If I was smart I'd be wearing a suit like yours.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrant surveyed the tailored expanse of uniform.  Little was left to his imagination.  \"There's nothing wrong with what you've got on,\" he countered pleasantly.  The compliment seemed to hang in the air.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey passed the 21st floor, the floor indicator above the door blink¬ing monotonously.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Which office do you work in?\" Matt asked, pointedly changing the subject.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I'm a lawyer at Perlman, Perlman, and Hall.  Suite 2810.  I've got a trial starting Tuesday morning.  I wanted to make sure my opening was all in order.  That's why I'm—“\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe car shuddered, shaking like a paint mixer.  The elevator blinked past the fifteenth floor when it suddenly swung sideways, banging against the support beams in the shaft.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrant slumped backward, leaning his weight against the rear wall, his eyes snapping upward as if he could actually see the cables through the roof.  Holy shit!","brand":"CC Williams Online","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47166474322160,"sku":"2940013920187","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013920187_p0.jpg?v=1763597228","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013920187","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}