Wealthy, arrogant Eric Courtland is an island unto himself, and content to stay that way until chance brings quarterback Nick Thompson into his life. Nick’s warm and easy nature pierces straight through Eric’s well-fortified defenses and coaxes him out of his shell.
It doesn’t take long for their friendship to deepen into love. But Eric’s fear of commitment and Nick’s inability to come to terms with his own sexuality threaten to tear them apart.
By Chance is the third installment in Cat Grant’s best-selling Courtland Chronicles Series.
Read an Excerpt
The light was still on in the living room when Nick came out. Eric lay on his bed with his eyes closed and the covers yanked up to his chin. He was shivering so hard the bedsprings creaked.
Nick snagged his own blanket and pillow from the couch, then padded back to Eric’s side of the room. “Scoot over,” he said softly, already sliding under the covers.
Eric’s eyes flew open. “What the hell are you-”
“No arguments.” He smoothed his own blanket out on top of the two Eric already had over him, then reached for the lamp on Eric’s desk and flicked it off. “You’re having a delayed stress reaction. After what you’ve been through, I’m not surprised.’
“Y-You don’t have to do this.”
“Yeah, I do. Now shut up.” Rolling over behind Eric so they spooned, Nick rubbed his hands up and down his roommate’s arms, trying to warm him up. Instead, Eric’s entire body went as rigid as the proverbial board. “This won’t work if you don’t relax.”
“How do you expect me to do that, with you lying right next to me?”
This seemed to be his night for one shock after another. So Eric was attracted to him. He’d suspected it from the day he’d moved in, but having it confirmed was still a bit disconcerting. Well, it didn’t matter now. He had to do something to keep Eric from ending up in the emergency room again.
“C’mon, lean back against me,” Nick whispered. “You need to get warm.”
With a shaky breath, Eric sank back into Nick’s arms. Nick pressed close, chin hooked over Eric’s shoulder, rubbing his roommate’s arms and chest with both hands. Within a few minutes, Eric’s shivering began to subside.
Unfortunately, that couldn’t be said for a certain part of Nick’s anatomy. He breathed a silent prayer of gratitude for the doused lights; having Eric see his fire-engine blush would put the final capper on his embarrassment.
“It’s not very sporting to be teasing me at a time like this,” Eric chided gently. His hand closed over Nick’s, giving it a comforting squeeze. “But for the record, I’m flattered.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“Don’t be sorry.” He turned his head until his mouth was so close to Nick’s, they could feel the soft puff of each other’s breath.
Nick hesitated a split-second before pressing his lips to Eric’s, darting his tongue inside. He whimpered at the taste of him-hot, wet and unbearably sweet. Eric’s tongue entwined with his for a moment, sending Nick’s pulse spiraling, blood roaring between his ears like a caged lion. He felt Eric’s hand cup his cheek, fingers threading briefly through his hair. Then, with a tiny broken moan, Eric drew back, his warm breath still wafting over Nick’s skin.
“I-I don’t think this is such a good idea,” he murmured.
Nick squeezed his eyes shut, trying to quell the sharp pain sailing through his heart. “You’re right. We shouldn’t—complicate things.” He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, reaching for his blanket. “You should be warm enough now.”
“I didn’t mean that… You don’t have to go.”
Was that pity in Eric’s voice? As if Nick wasn’t mortified enough already. “Yeah,” he whispered sadly, “I do.”
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Reviews
By Chance was voted #10 in the Best Erotica Novel category of the 2009 Preditors and Editors Poll!
- “By Chance is most definitely a welcome addition to the Courtland Chronicles Series by talented author Cat Grant. Fans of this series and new readers will enjoy this emotional roller coaster ride filled with heartache, wonder, and pure love. Ms. Grant ably gives us a complex traumatized hero in Eric as well as naïve, well meaning Nick. By Chance is at times gut wrenching, but ultimately very satisfying.”
- – Lisa, Joyfully Reviewed
- “If, by chance, you like love convoluted, colored frequently outside the lines, very hot and just a little–well, a lot–unforgettable, then this is the book for you.”
- – AJ Llewellyn, Dark Diva Reviews
- “This book is just a little over a hundred pages and Ms. Grant makes use of each and every inch of page space. Only when I was finished with the series did I really sit back and view the amount of info she packed into this first book — nothing was wasted.
The first book in a series that introduces us to a new author with a voice I am enjoying, and also to some overwhelming characters that each have a mind and a will of their own. The book cast a light on many areas of society – the break down of a marriage, the children it affects, the secrets that are kept from parents and children alike.” - – Erotic Horizon
- “Ms. Grant has a very polished and easy-to-read writing style that makes reading this story effortless and enjoyable…. [she] successfully hooks her readers’ emotions and curiosity with By Chance. We know as we read it that there is more to Eric and Nick’s story than we find here. There is no doubt that these two deserve a happy ending together.”
- – BookWenches
- “I believe this was my favorite story of the series so far. Eric wasn’t one to drop his guard and Nick wiggled his way right into his heart without trying. The plot is simple, but written to incite readers to take sides; there will be very few who will straddle the fence with this story… After everything Eric has endured, he wanted one person who would only love him and shout it to the entire world. Truthfully, I found myself hoping he could have that. I’m looking forward to seeing what Cat Grant brings us next in this delicious series.”
- – Scandalous Minx at Literary Nymphs Reviews
- “Ms. Grant has created an incredible story with characters that pulled me into the story from the very beginning… It is beautiful to watch as Eric and Nick’s love grows through all the obstacles life places in their way. The erotic[a] seems both beautiful and very hot. This is the first and not the last of Ms. Grant’s stories that I will be reading.”
- – Teresa at Fallen Angel Reviews
- “Both [Eric and Nick] came across as real and three-dimensional. They weren’t perfect, nor fatally flawed. Instead they possessed human failings which made their situation all the more believable.”
- – British BullDog at Rainbow Reviews
- “By Chance is romantic and hot. From the first sentence, the characters draw you in and make you care about them. Their developing romance is raw and intense, and the problems they face are realistic. I’m looking forward to reading more of the Courtland Chronicles, and more by Cat Grant.”
- Dianne Fox, author of Torquere Press’ Pit Road and Renovations series.
- “BY CHANCE by Cat Grant contains complex characters, hot, romantic sex with real tension, and an involving story. The author has packed a heckuva lot into this novella–Nick and Eric’s stories make
the book a page-turner. Don’t miss it!” - Barrie Abalard, author of the CAPA-nominated M/M suspense EIGHT SECONDS.
