The Protocol of Passion

When Sven Eriksen joins the UK government’s LGBTQ+ International Affairs desk, he’s determined to make a difference through meticulous planning and unwavering professionalism. The last thing he needs is a distraction like his new colleague, Tim Ashworth—a charismatic, rule-breaking charmer who relies on wit and instinct. Their clashing styles ignite an immediate, fiery rivalry that threatens to derail their first crucial project.

Forced to partner on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Berlin, their professional tension reaches a boiling point in the most personal way possible: a hotel booking error leaves them stranded with only one king-sized bed. As they navigate dangerous situations and glittering foreign capitals, the line between animosity and undeniable attraction begins to blur. A single, drunk confession—"God, I've fancied you from day one"—shatters their fragile truce and ignites a passion that consumes them both.

But their world is one of secrets and scrutiny. Returning to London, Sven and Tim forge a fragile, secret affair, hidden in stolen moments between policy briefings and official functions. They navigate the agonizing thrill of their double life—from the electric tension of shared glances in meetings to the reckless, desperate heat of a kiss in a deserted office corridor. Their connection deepens through clandestine dates, a liberating night at a gay club, and the tender intimacy of a shared sauna, where truths can no longer be hidden in the steam.

As their love grows, so does the risk. A work trip to Paris tests their resolve, while a dangerous international crisis forces them to rely on each other in ways they never imagined. But when a chance encounter with a face from the past threatens to expose them, they must decide: is their love a catastrophic error in judgment, or the most inevitable thing in their lives?

The Protocol of Passion is a sweeping, 41-chapter gay romance that takes you from the hallowed halls of Whitehall to the intimate corners of a love that refuses to be denied. It’s a story of finding courage in the most unexpected places, of choosing each other against all odds, and of building a beautiful, ordinary life from a secret that was too powerful to keep.

Perfect for fans of:

Forced proximity and only-one-bed tropes

Slow-burn, steamy workplace romances

Stories with complex characters and emotional depth

Intelligent plots set against glamorous international backdrops

This is the first book in the Whitehall Affairs series.