Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Ensorcelled...

A few years ago, I took a college creative writing class. The teacher wasn't remarkable... except for one reason.

He argued with me in class once about a "made up word" in one of my poems I'd turned in--for which he'd marked me down for.

I argued that the word was NOT made up and I could prove it. Luckily (or maybe unluckily), we were just coming into the age of smart phones and I was able to pull up the definition of the word to prove my point.

"Just because you find something on the internet does not make it accurate," says my college professor as I seethe.

So, the following week, I brought the largest, heaviest dictionary I could find, dropped it on his desk, turned to the page, and proved to him that my word was real.

His response?

An eye roll.

And he didn't adjust my grade, either.

I never took another creative writing class because of that man and I hate that I missed out on developing my craft a bit more.

But, I have tried to have a little bit of revenge.

Well, not that he knows about it, of course, but it's my own inside, private little middle finger.  In just about every single book I've ever written is that "made up" word--a word I find suits erotic romance very well.


Who wouldn't want to be ensorcelled by a lover...



Sunday, November 25, 2018

Sunday Spotlight - Maggie Walsh and Cree Storm's Savage Heart

Welcome Maggie Walsh back to Sunday Spotlight. She's here to share her and Cree Storm's new release, Savage Heart.

***

New from M/M authors Maggie Walsh and Cree Storm. A new spin off series from their bestselling Eternal Flames Series, comes Savage Island, where the shifters found here are from a world long gone by.

Russell Savage has been around since the dawn of time. He is the original shifter and has spent most of his life fighting in one war or another as well as hoping that one day he would be blessed with a mate. Little did he expect to find him, clinging to life, as the last victim of a serial rapist and killer in Crystal, Colorado. Going on pure instinct and need, Savage whisks his mate to the place he has called home for thousands of years.

Gill wakes in a strange place, with a gorgeous stranger watching over him, explaining that he is the ultimate of shifters and Gill is his mate. All the promises Savage makes about love, safety and acceptance is something out of the romance novels Gill loves to write. However, how can he believe Savage when his own parents never offered any of the same. Little did Gill know how easy that would be but underestimating how far his family would go to get him back threatens the life Gill and Savage are trying to build.

How will Gill and Savage unravel the evil Gill’s father has started so that Gill can finally find love, peace, and paradise, in a place they call… Savage Island.



AmazonUS  *  AmazonUK  *  AmazonCA  *  AmazonAU  *  B&N  *  Smashwords


EXCERPT:

Russell moved closer then slid an arm under Gill’s shoulders. “Here, let me help you.”

With Russell’s help, Gill was sat up and leaned against the headboard. The pain in his back was still there but not so bad. Once he was comfortable, Russell released him and stepped away. Gill could swear he heard a quick intake of breath as Russell touched him and then felt the reluctance when Russell released him, but he knew he must be mistaken. There was no way, even though the man seemed to be flirting with him, that anyone who looked like Russell Savage could be interested in a dweeb like him.

“There, is that better?”

“Yes, thank you,” Gill replied shyly.

Russell gave him a beautiful smile full of sparkling white teeth. “Hey now, none of that. You don’t need to be shy with me.”

Gill cleared his throat. “Okay then if I am on some island, then my first question is how long have I been asleep? Because as far as I know the last place I was, was in Colorado and there are no islands there, which means we traveled some distance and I don’t remember a damn thing. So how long have I been out and what caused me to be out?”

The smile fell from Russell’s lips and his eyes filled with anger, but somehow Gill knew it wasn’t at him, but Russell’s reaction was beginning to worry him. “I will answer all of your questions and I promise to always be honest with you, but first let me ask you this. What do you remember?”

Russel watched Gill’s face closely trying to concentrate on the conversation and not the scent of fresh chocolate mint candy ready to be tasted. Just touching Gill and being so close, when he helped the man sit up had about made him forget his mate’s injuries and give Gill what his eyes and lust filled scent had been asking for.

“Honestly it is all broken up. I think I have flashes, but honestly Russ, I don’t think my mind wants to remember,” Gill softly replied.

Savage pulled up his high wing back chair close to his fated one, sat, then gently placing his hand on top of Gill’s. “It’s okay, Gill. Sometimes our minds know when our body needs healing and when you’re ready it will bring the memories back to you. I give you my word, as your mate, that I will do everything in my power to help you through that when the time comes.”

“Maybe it would be best if you just told me,” Gill suggested.

Shaking his head, Savage replied, “I don’t think that’s wise. However, I can tell you this, you were badly injured. You had three broken ribs, internal bleeding, a severe concussion, and well…a broken back. I didn’t think you would live until I brought you home. Grey healed you as best he could, he mended your ribs, fixed your spleen and was able to bring the swelling in your brain down. He has intermittently tried to heal your spine and you won’t have to wear a back brace because of his treatments, but the rest is up to you.”

Gill continued to stare at Savage, rapidly blinking. “Are you saying I won’t be able to walk?”



AmazonUS  *  AmazonUK  *  AmazonCA  *  AmazonAU  *  B&N  *  Smashwords



Where to follow Maggie Walsh:
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2tAZKMX
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiewalsh68
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maggiewalsh68/
Website: http://maggiewalshauthor.weebly.com/
Siren author page: http://www.bookstrand.com/maggie-walsh
Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2ttd0D3
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2tlKaFn

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Sunday Spotlight - Lisa Oliver and Dragon's Fire

Welcome my friend Lisa Oliver back to Sunday Spotlight. Lisa's here to share a bit from her new release, Dragon's Fire (City Dragons, Book 2)

Ever since his father was killed, Samuel Hollingsworth has worked hard to cultivate a meaningful relationship with the dragon half of his soul. Things were going well for a while, and then their mate rejected them, and now his and his dragon’s connection took on added importance as they tried to keep each other’s hopes alive. But it wasn’t easy, being patient, trusting the Fates had a plan for them, when the man they wanted was on the other side of the country and showed no signs of coming back. 

Vampire elder and coven ruler Raoul didn’t have time for weakness. He was determined to keep his coven and his city safe and if blood was spilled to get the job done, then he was going to be the one who was spilling it – every single time. Even a chance meeting with his beloved in New York didn’t deter him from his duty. Riding on a dragon’s back might be fun for some people, but he had more important things to do. 

But the Fates will not be deterred even when it comes to stubborn vampire rulers older than dirt. A chance kidnapping sets in place a chain of events that test Samuel and Raoul’s fragile bonds to breaking point. When a bomb goes off and everything Samuel and Raoul hold dear is in danger, will Samuel be strong enough to stand by his mate’s side? 

Can be read as standalone, but reading book 1 will help readers understand a few of the secondary character’s motivations more easily – such as Samuel’s brother Dirk and his mate Jon.  This is an MM true mates paranormal romance story intended for adult readers. Mpreg elements are included but aren’t the focus of the story line. 

Grab Your Own Copy!


Dragon’s Fire Excerpt

“That sounds a lot like Leonard’s truck. Why didn’t he at least knock on the door?” His cousin’s vehicle had a very distinctive exhaust. Opening his front door, Samuel peered out, his view of the road blocked by a crate. “What the fuck? Is this the freaking package Rastin was going on about?”

Wandering around it, Samuel couldn’t see any markings indicating where it had come from. It stood taller than Samuel by at least a foot and was that much wider as well. The only thing on the box was Samuel’s name written in black marker in block letters. “You’d think they’d have stayed long enough to help me get it inside,” he muttered. There were no handles – no way of moving the damn thing, but Samuel couldn’t leave it where it was. It was blocking his front door and he still wanted dinner delivered. 

Reaching out, Samuel laid his hand on the box and then chuckled at his foolishness. It’s not as though I’m some sort of diviner able to see through freaking plywood. But even as he thought that, his dragon stirred and whispered through his mind. Use our claws. Quickly. 

Samuel’s hands suddenly became huge long claws and his mouth opened in shock. He’d never partially shifted any part of his body before. Quickly, the crate must be opened now. 

Trusting his dragon, Samuel used his claws to pry at the edges of the front of the box. The screws holding it down were short, and the wood basically came apart in his hands. The urgency from his dragon was compelling, and with just part of the screws removed, Samuel shoved his claws deeper into the wood and pulled hard, falling backwards as the slab of ply landed on top of him. 

“Ow.” Samuel rubbed his head where it’d hit the porch before shoving the ply off his chest. “Shoddy freaking packaging.”

“I quite agree, but then I didn’t think much of the two who kidnapped me either.”

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no. Peering up slowly, Samuel met the flashing red eyes of the vampire he’d fallen for, still framed by the remaining sides of the box. Raoul was shirtless, nothing but a pair of sweatpants covering his huge frame. Even his feet were bare, something Samuel found strangely erotic. The Raoul’s words sunk into his beleaguered brain and he jumped to his feet. 

“Someone kidnapped you? Please, don’t think I had anything to do with it. I swear, I would never, I could never….” Think, think. “Dirk. I’ll call Dirk.” His older brother would know what to do. “You can have the plane, take the plane. The plane can take you back to San Jose. I’ll get my car. Take you to the airport, or, or, I can call a cab. Oh, fuck. When they said package, I didn’t think they meant… that they’d do… I didn’t have anything to do with this.”

Raoul stepped out of the crate and Samuel prayed the earth would open and swallow him up. His mate did not look happy.  


Grab Your Own Copy!



About the Author

Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams.  Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.  

When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate.  Lisa will do anything for chocolate.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers.  

Blog  *  Facebook  *  Twitter  *  Amazon  *  Email

If you are keen on excerpts teasers and cover reveals join her Facebook Group :) 




Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Now Available - A MONSTER FOR TWO BEARS (Bear Mountain, Book 21) by Kelex

Bear Mountain and Project Zed collide in the newest Bear Mountain title! A Monster for Two Bears picks up after the Project Zed series has been over for many months.


Sent away for their own safety, Kai and Lane have lived away from Bear Mountain for nearly a decade. Calls from home finally bring them back for an extended visit. Lane’s papa is ill… and Kai needs to confront the demons of his past—namely the death of his father, Gregor, and his brother’s part in it.

Declan is happy his younger brothers have finally come home and now is his chance to convince them to stay. Only it’s more difficult than he expected it to be. His brothers are happy with the new lives they’ve built for themselves and they don’t want to return to the valley.

Only Kai and Lane come face to face with a true reason to stay, a broken, battered male—one of the freed Zed victims who’s struggling to find his way in a new world.

Turi’s struggle for mental health makes him skittish at best. The instinct to surrender is at war with his own inner demons. He pushes Kai and Lane away, refusing to accept himself as worthy of love.

Will he push them all the way out of Bear Mountain—or can they help him find the peace he needs to heal before it’s too late? 



Twisted E-Publishing  *  Amazon  *  Smashwords  *  Nook  *  iBooks  *  Kobo  *  Google Play  *  Bookstrand



Kai drove in through the center of the city, craning to get a good look at everything. Finally, he stopped the car in front of one of the taller buildings—a hotel—and got out to look around. He moved to the sidewalk and took a few steps down so he could see better. There was a new city hall across a large open green space. A museum. A hospital. Restaurants. A movie theater. A scattering of new shops.
A whole new world.
And then it hit him.
It was laid out very much like the old village square—just on a grander scale.
Lane exited the SUV and walked his way. “I know Father said they’d built a lot. Still, it’s a lot more than I anticipated.”
“Doesn’t quite look like home anymore,” Kai said, his voice low.
Lane turned to look at him. “Things change. You know that.” He cast another look around the new city center. “We can come back and look around some more later,” Lane said. “I really want to see my papa.”
“Of course,” Kai said, shaking his head. “Sorry. I was just so shocked. I didn’t want to run into something.”
Shocked was an understatement.
Kai followed Lane back to the SUV. Just as they approached, a door to the hotel opened and an unkempt man came barreling out and ran smack into Lane, nearly knocking them both over.
Reaching out, Kai grabbed Lane’s arm. 
Only he missed and grabbed the man’s.
Heat washed through his body, and a moan nearly bubbled from his lips. A scent filled his lungs and made his bear roar in his ears.
Mine!
Kai’s eyes widened at the word whispered through his mind.
He tugged on that arm, forcing the man to spin. Kai took a good look at him. 
A shifter… 
Kai’s stare searched over the overgrown beard and long hair, trying to get some idea what the man looked like underneath it all. When he landed on two bright, shining blue eyes peeking out amid the light brown hair with golden highlights, he saw the guy looked as if he felt as stunned as Kai did. Drawing in a scent, he wasn’t quite sure what kind of shifter he was looking at. There was lion… or was it bear? Or was it wolf?
Omega.
“Sorry,” the man said, backing away and looking scared. “I… I gotta go…”
“Wait,” Lane said, taking a step forward.
The man ignored them and raced away, but his scent remained. It washed over Kai again as the breeze sent more of it to his nose, mixed with the scent of autumn leaves.
Bear doesn’t lie with bear… bear lies with human.
Of course, he wasn’t sure if the man was bear or not. His scent had been so confusing, but bear… shifter. It was all interchangeable. There had been reasons why humans were needed into the mix. Shifter blood was too volatile.
Too much of it and their kind went feral.
Looks like he might already be a bit feral.
Of course, the old law had been changed, but it was still hardwired into who he was. This wasn’t the kind of mate he’d anticipated—some bedraggled guy who looked homeless.
Was he?
Was this man living off the streets of Bear Mountain, needing help?
His bear roared even louder, demanding he do something.
“We should go after him,” Lane murmured, looking off-balance.
“Your papa,” Kai spat, against his bear’s wishes. The need to follow the man clawed at his gut. But he fought it, forcing himself to hold back. “You wanted to see your papa. We should go.”
Lane frowned, the desire to see his papa at war with the innate animal craving coursing through both their veins. 
Kai had always heard the need was strong, but there was no way he could’ve understood that strength. Not until now.
His bear wreaked havoc within his body and mind.
“Yeah. Papa,” Lane whispered before walking to the SUV’s passenger door.
Kai watched as Lane slid in. Before he went to the driver’s side, he caught a glimpse of the man in the distance, walking down the sidewalk. He took a left and disappeared—which only made his bear roar within.
Not a shifter. Anything but a shifter.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Sunday Spotlight - Erin Leaf & SEER

Welcome Erin Leaf back to Sunday Spotlight! She's sharing a bit from her new release, Seer (Soulmates 2).

No one knows that Nick Auspex is a Seer, but his power is very real—that’s why he knows he’ll always be alone. Since childhood, he’s seen visions of his soulmate caught in the midst of a terrible fire. So when he’s assigned to protect Jeff Wright, he knows their mutual attraction is destined to go nowhere.
When Jeff opens the door to find the Craft Council’s security expert on his doorstep, his first instinct is to send Nick away. Jeff is human, but Nick is a powerful Crafter, and everyone knows relationships like that never work. Jeff needs to figure out who murdered his parents, not screw around with some random guy when he’s never even dated another man before.
Of course, neither of them can control fate—and when two soulmates meet, destiny trumps fear. Will fire destroy lives or illuminate the truth hiding in the darkness?

Paranormal, Gay Romance, May/Dec, Suspense, Erotic Romance
Word Count: 54,500
Heat Level 3
Published By: Evernight Publishing
ISBN: 9781773398280
ASIN: B07JN4SYLC
pages: 165


Evernight – Amazon – BookStrand – Kobo – Smashwords – NOOK – iBooks



Story Excerpt:
Jeff waited for Nick to make the first move. The man felt large and hot and completely fucking overwhelming, but there was no way Jeff was about to let go. Not now. Not after the gunshot, and the fire, and the last two weeks of grief, and the last two years of denying himself everything he wanted. He’d thought he was a chemist, and he’d been wrong. He’d thought he could believe the cops, and move on after his parents died, and he hadn’t been able to open his eyes without feeling total denial of what everyone told him must have happened. His parents hadn’t killed themselves. And I thought I was straight, but that was before Nick broke down every door I tried to keep closed, he mused, feeling as though he was finally seeing things with complete and utter clarity.

“I’m alive, and I’m fucking sure,” he said, goading Nick. He needed Nick to kiss him again. He needed Nick to push him into the wall. He needed things he didn’t have words for. I want my life to be worth something more than to be the failed experiment my parents couldn’t deal with.

“Dammit,” Nick growled, and then he kissed Jeff again, but this time he wasn’t gentle. He wasn’t soft. He didn’t ease his way into it, as if Jeff were a blushing virgin. He dove in, forcing Jeff to open up or else. “Give it to me,” he muttered, biting along Jeff’s lips. “Come on. Open your mouth.”

Jeff gasped, hands moving to Nick’s hair. He liked the stubble scraping at his skin. He liked the controlled violence of Nick’s hands on his face. “Come on. Do it. I’m not going to break. I’m not fragile.” If there was one thing he knew, one thing he’d always known, it was that he was a survivor.

“No, you’re not,” Nick said, pushing into him. His erection slotted up against Jeff’s hip, hot and heavy. Jeff sucked in a shocked gasp as he felt another man’s cock against his body for the first time, but then Nick bit his jaw, stealing even the ability to string two thoughts together. The door behind them creaked with their weight. Nick opened it and dragged Jeff through, and he didn’t even try to resist. He wanted it. He wanted Nick, God help him. The bodyguard pulled him down the hall and into the first bedroom.

“Oh my God,” Jeff said, fighting to breathe as Nick kissed him again. He pulled away, ignoring Nick’s frustrated expression, and then he took off his shirt with shaking hands, vaguely surprised at how hard his cock was. He’d never been this revved up before. His ex hadn’t ever gotten him this randy, and she’d been hot as hell. She was beautiful, but she also lied all the time, he thought, hesitating a moment. What the hell am I doing here?

He stared at Nick. Nick’s hazel eyes had darkened, and Jeff felt a hint of fear. He was about to take a step he didn’t think he could ever come back from, but his cock was hard enough to hurt. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t remember what the hell he was supposed to be worried about. He palmed himself through his jeans. Maybe if they did it quick, it would be okay. “I’m too close to the edge for anything complicated,” he said, voice rough. His mind shied away from what complicated might mean.

“I’m not going to let you go off before I can have my fill,” Nick said, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. “Deep breaths, Jeff. I won’t let you fall.” He peeled off his shirt.

Jeff stared as muscles on top of muscles peeked out. He wanted to press his hands onto Nick’s chest and just feel. “God. What are you doing to me?” He’d never felt quite like this before. Was it the danger from the lab? The gunshots? Being attacked, not once, but twice?

“You’ve never done this before,” Nick said, stalking closer. He undid his pants, but didn’t take them off. He’d lost his shoes already, and Jeff had no idea when or how. “So you’d best prepare yourself.”

“I’ve had sex,” Jeff said defensively, puzzled by Nick’s statement. He frowned when the older man went to his knees. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think I’m doing?” Nick said, staring up at him.

Jeff’s mouth went dry. “Oh, hell.” He grabbed himself, needing the pressure to keep from spontaneously combusting. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but Nick on his knees in front of him wasn’t it. “I’ve had sex,” he repeated, like a mantra. This wasn’t going to be that different from what he’d experienced with his ex, right?

“You may have had sex,” Nick said, hazel eyes dark with lust. “But you’ve never had sex with me.”


Author Details:
Erin M. Leaf is a romance novel devotee, the steamier the better, with a specialty in edgy erotic tension.
Twitter: @erinmleaf

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Coming November 14 - A MONSTER FOR TWO BEARS (Bear Mountain, 21)

That's right. You read that correctly. 

Book 21 -- and it's almost here!

I'm so excited for you to read Kai, Lane, and Turi's story.

A little Declan... a little Royce... a little Project Zed...

A little Cal... a little Samuel... 

Maybe even a hint of Midnight.

It's all coming together in one book!

14 November 2018




Sunday, November 4, 2018

Sunday Spotlight: Bailey Bradford and Mr. November

Welcome Bailey Bradford back to Sunday Spotlight! She's sharing a bit from her new release, Mr. November.


***

Hi!* waves * I’m Bailey, and I write… a lot. I’m genderfluid, outspoken, love to laugh, and always letting my imagination run wild.  

I’ve just finished writing book 12 in the Calendar Men series, and am going to start on The Thirteenth Month next, which ties in with CM as it’s about Marco, the original photographer who was almost killed by his ex-wife, and Ezra, his best friend of many years. I’ve been waiting to write their story since book 1! 

Other than that, there’s not much to share, but if there’s anything you want to know about me or my books, contact me at the links below.  


Book eleven in the Calendar Men series  

Andy’s planning a feast but it has nothing to do with a holiday and everything to do with the sexy shifter whose heart he’s determined to win.  

Andy Cunningham wasn’t thrilled with his month in the charity calendar event—he kind of thought November was a bit undignified. But when he meets Kerry, a sexy buck shifter at the calendar release party, he forgets all about posing during Turkey month and starts planning ways to catch Kerry’s attention—and his heart. 




Mr. November
Calendar Men, Book 11
© 2018, Bailey Bradford 



Chapter One  

“Please welcome Mr. November, Andy Cunningham!”  

Feeling more than a little nervous at having to stand up in front of a crowd, Andy still managed a smile and wave as he jogged up the steps to stand onstage beside Enzo. Andy clutched the cornucopia to his chest and hoped none of the fake berries fell out. The spotlights were hot, and there were a lot more people at the calendar release party than he’d expected—which was good, considering the calendar had been created for charity, with all profits going to fight childhood cancer.  

Some cheers came from the crowd, and Andy stepped forward, held the narrow tip of the cornucopia to his lips, and did his best trumpet impression. He heard chuckles coming from some of the other guys who’d posed for the calendar, then he stepped back and lowered his prop because Mr. December was being announced. Andy enjoyed the limelight, but he wasn’t an attention-hog.  

“And these are the gorgeous men who made this calendar possible,” Perry said once Mr. December was in place, joining them on stage. “Every one of them is much more than just a handsome face and gorgeous body. They’re generous, intelligent, honest men, and it’s been my pleasure to work with them.”  

The applause was thunderous rather than the polite smattering Andy would have expected had he given the matter any thought. He, along with the other guys on stage, took a bow. He wondered how many people would have clapped had he been standing there in his clown costume. So many people are afraid of something that’s supposed to bring joy.  

Well, he at least made the kids in the hospital’s cancer wing happy. Sometimes he did that dressed as a clown, and other times he wore different costumes.  

He trotted down the steps and spent a few minutes chatting with his fellow calendar guys, half-listening to Perry go on about the calendar and the release party that was in full swing. Andy wondered how her dad, Marco, was doing. He’d been the original organizer and photographer, before his now-ex-wife had tried to kill him. She’d done a lot of dangerous things that had harmed many people, but Marco, she’d almost succeeded in murdering. Last Andy had heard, Marco was still in bad shape, though he didn’t know if that was physical, psychological or both. He’d lean toward both. It was hard for him to imagine the kind of betrayal Marco must have felt.  

Shaking off his somber thoughts, Andy patted Dane’s arm. “Hey, Mr. December, I’m going after a drink. You want anything?”  

Dane was a handsome devil—charming, too. Andy would have made a pass at him if there’d been any hint of a spark between them.  

 “Nah,” Dane said, gesturing toward the dance floor. “I’m going over there and shaking my ass until I either find a man I want to take home or wear myself out. Been a while, you know?”  

“Do I ever,” Andy groused. “Good luck.” As if Dane would need it. If Dane hadn’t been getting laid, that couldn’t have been due to lack of interested men.  

Andy, on the other hand, had not been laid in months, which was going to cause him to overheat or...or something. Whatever happens when a person needs to get off with someone else but hasn’t had a chance in way too long. He’d been so busy with work— the kind that paid and the charity job, too—and family and everything. It was like the universe had conspired to keep him from getting any for almost half a year.  

On the way over to the bar, Andy tallied it up in his head. It’d been closer to eight months since he’d last gotten off with anyone other than himself. Lenny and I split, then I went out and—yeah, it’s been almost eight months! What’s that saying about losing it if ya don’t use it? That had better only apply to other things, not any of his fun, sex parts.  

There was a line at the bar closest to him. A check at the other bar, the one across the large event hall, showed far less people waiting for their booze. That’s the bar for me. He started for it, intent on getting something sweet and cool for his parched throat.  

“Hey, you sure are a sexy little guy.”  

Andy tried not to let his smile turn upside down as he glanced at the man seated a few feet away from him. “Thanks.” He kept his tone just a tad short of bland. He hated it when people pointed out his height deficit. As if there was anything wrong with him being five-six. Everyone knew good things came in small packages.  

Not that his package was small. Andy kept walking past the guy even though he could tell the dude wanted to talk. No, not talk. He’s eyeing me like a starving man eyes a steak dinner. Pass. I want to get laid, but not with someone old enough to be my daddy. The very idea made him shudder. Andy did not have even a hint of a daddy kink. He liked his men to be closer to his own age— around thirty or so. His best friend Jorn always went for silver foxes, which was good. That meant they never were competing for the same guys when they went out clubbing.  

But Jorn had accepted a temporary job in South Korea, and Andy hadn’t been out to anywhere more exciting than a mall since he’d left.  

It was past time to rectify the having-no-fun and not- getting-laid issues, for sure 

Andy kept a smile in place as he wandered over to the bar. He spotted several potential hook-up-worthy men, but none that made him want to quit looking and dare an approach.  

He stood in the short line, gaze sweeping to the left, the right, then it was his turn to order and he knew he’d been checking all the wrong directions until that moment.  

The bartender had luscious black hair that fell in curls past his shoulders, and deep-set brown eyes that were the color of a fine cognac Andy had once been given a bottle of. He didn’t remember the name of the cognac, but he thought it fitting for a bartender to have eyes that color.  

“What can I getcha?”  

Andy blinked and dropped his gaze to the man’s mouth. Thin upper lip, slightly fuller bottom one, a flash of white teeth— Andy’s dick perked up, along with his libido. “What would you suggest?” He winked at the bartender and searched for a name tag. Kerry. Yum.  

Kerry gave him a predatory look, gaze sweeping down Andy’s body, then up. Andy wished the bar wasn’t blocking his or Kerry’s view. He for sure wanted to see Kerry’s entire body. Preferably naked and on top of me. Or behind me, or—  

He realized Kerry was watching him, waiting for an answer.  

Andy licked his lips. “What was that?”  

Kerry chuckled, the sound warm and inviting as well as arousing. Andy was going to have a full-on erection if he didn’t get himself under control.  

“I said, I’ll fix you my special, if you trust me.” Kerry picked up a cocktail glass. “I’ll make you something sweet.”  

Andy didn’t know if it was just his imagination or not, but he’d have sworn there was an unspoken ‘like you’ lingering between them. “I love sweet drinks.” He made his move. “And savory men.”  

It was a lame line, but all he could come up with and he didn’t want to throw some old, used hook at Kerry.  

Kerry’s warm laughter washed over him like a caress.  

And there’s that erection I was trying to prevent.  

“Savory men, hm?” Kerry set the glass down and picked up a bottle of something, Andy didn’t care what. “I’ve heard a lot of pick-up lines, but that’s a new one.”  

“An original, just for you,” Andy informed him, relieved that Kerry didn’t call him out on how corny his pass had been. “Maybe if I’d had time, I’d have come up with something better, but you kind of scrambled my thought process.”  

Kerry blushed, his tan cheeks darkening even as he gave Andy a heated look. “You’re pretty forward, aren’t you?”  

Andy shrugged one shoulder. “Can’t get what I want if I don’t ask, right?”  

“But you didn’t,” Kerry said. “Ask.”  

Andy wasn’t sure if that was a statement or a command. He decided the latter was his best choice. “Would you like to spend a few hours together when you get done here?”  

Kerry canted his head to the left. “Hm. Shouldn’t I know your name before you make a pass at me?”  

Andy almost snorted but refrained. “Andy Cunningham.” He held out a hand and Kerry pressed his drink into it.  

“Kerry Galeano. I get off an hour before the party’s over. Have to help close down the bars and load the trucks, then...” He ran one finger over the backs of Andy’s knuckles. “Then I’m all yours for the night.”  

Andy almost drooled. He’d never been with such an attractive man before, and Kerry exuded sex like it was a scent he wore.  

“See you then.” Andy grinned and picked up his drink.  

Now he only had to wait three more hours, then he’d get to take his sexy bartender home for the night.  



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