Monday, November 9, 2009

A Sweet Thanksgiving, Part One


“This is our last rehearsal until after the Thanksgiving holiday,” Danny Yarrow told his high school students as they all trudged off stage and grabbed the backpacks they’d stashed in the corner of the theater. “Have a wonderful holiday.”

They’d been preparing for their December production of White Christmas since just after Halloween. Rehearsals were going well, but Danny looked forward to the four day break.

After all the kids had left, Danny gave the school theater a once over making sure nothing or even no one had been left behind. With a sigh of relief, he walked out and locked up.

His couldn’t wait for his first real holiday with his lover, Jason Sweet, to begin. Sure, they’d spent Halloween together. In fact they’d gone to Jude’s Halloween party with Jason dressed as the Scarecrow and Danny dressed as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. He still wasn’t sure how he’d gotten roped into that. But as far as he was concerned, Halloween wasn’t a real holiday. Certainly not the kind where just about everyone had the day off.

Danny walked out to the curb where Jason waited in his car to pick him up. They were going to a local specialty supermarket where fresh, range-free turkeys could be bought.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Jason asked with a smile when Danny got into the passenger side and closed the door.

“Pretty good. I think the kids will be more than ready come opening night.”

“That’s excellent. I’m looking forward to it.” Jason pulled away from the curb and drove the short distance to Sutter Bay’s only specialty grocery store. The parking lot was pretty full, but Jason finally found a spot to pull into several rows away from the front door.

They’d reached the turkey aisle when Jason turned to him, looking a little unsure of himself.

“What’s the matter?”

Jason shrugged, not looking at him. “Nothing. I just…you don’t really mind terribly much that I wanted it to only be the two of us for Thanksgiving, do you?”

Danny had to admit he had been a bit surprised when last week Jason asked if they could celebrate the holiday by themselves. The past couple of years he’d invited friends like Jude and Adam over. He’d initially felt bad about not inviting them, but found out pretty quick both men had other plans anyway.

“I’m good. As long as we can be together, that’s fine by me,” Danny assured him. He peered into the turkey selection. “I suggest we pick a fairly small one though unless you want to be eating leftovers between now and Christmas.”

They picked out a nine pound fresh bird and then headed down the other aisles, picking up potatoes, gravy mix, yams and cranberry sauce.

“Should we have a vegetable?” Jason asked peering at the produce.

Danny wrinkled his nose. “It’s Thanksgiving. Can’t we skip the healthy stuff?”

Jason looked amused. “Would it kill you to eat a few sprigs of broccoli?”

“Maybe.”

Jason grabbed a bag full of broccoli anyway. “My house, my way, and we’re having a vegetable.”

Next they went and picked up a frozen apple and frozen pumpkin pie. Danny figured they could manage to stick those in the oven tonight. It was true they didn’t yet officially live together. He would be spending the night at Jason’s. Maybe someday soon they could actually set up one residence and act like a normal couple. He hoped so. He’d even be willing to sell his place if Jason wanted to keep the Sweet home.

“Okay,” Jason said, glancing over a list. “That seems to be everything. Anything else?”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“All right let’s go pay and we can head home.” He leaned over closer so he could speak directly in Danny’s ear. “Other than cooking and eating time, I intend to keep you naked in my bed for the next four days.”

Danny knew from the heat in his face his fair skin had turned a dark red. He had goose bumps. “Let’s get out of here quick then.”

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Amber Quill Best Seller List for October

There's Sweet Reunion at #8. Made the list two months in a row. Fairly cool.

October 2009 Best Sellers!
1. The Tattooed Heart - J. M. Snyder (Gay / Contemporary)
2. Taming Triton - KC Kendricks (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Pas De Deux - Jamie Craig (Gay / Mystery / Suspense)
4. The Bear - P. A. Brown (Gay / Shapeshifter)
5. Bitter Creek's Redemption - T. A. Chase (Gay / The Old West)
6. An Imitation Of Life - Karma Eastwick (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Deeper Blue - A. J. Llewellyn (Gay / Contemp. / Mystery)
8. Sweet Reunion - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
9. Reincarnation - Christiane France (Gay / Contemp. / Mystery)
10. Nick Of Time - T. A. Chase (Gay / Vampire)

Sunday Eye Candy






Friday, November 6, 2009

Damian's Feast, Part Three, the Conclusion


Some hours later, Damian smiled as one of the two cars he’d been waiting for, pulled into the driveway. “They’re here,” he called out.

Jake walked into the living room, fully dressed in loose fitting jeans and a burnt orange button-down shirt. He smiled a little nervously. “I thought the color would be perfect for Thanksgiving,”

“You look good enough to eat.” Damian hugged him and gave him a quick kiss before heading to the front door to open it for Chris’s parents, Greg and Lily, and his brother, Jeremiah, and finally his sister, Mary. They all had bolted for the door in the pouring rain. He flung open the door. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

He was instantly folded into a hearty wet hug by Jeremiah.
“Jeremiah, at least get out of your wet coat,” his mother scolded.

Jere laughed and peeled his raincoat off his slim body and then hugged Damian again. “Happy Thanksgiving,” he said, and then released Damian to turn to Jake, who stood just outside the front hallway. “Hi, Jake.”

Jake smiled. “Hi, Jere. Happy Thanksgiving. Same to you, Mary, and Mr. and Mrs. Hutchens.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Jake. Thanks for inviting us,” Chris’s mom said.

“It’s our pleasure.” Jake took her coat and scarf.

After they exchanged more pleasantries and their wet outer wear was taken care of, Damian led Chris’s family into the dining room, offering them whatever they wanted to drink. Everyone was talking at once. His gaze went to Jake, who stood to the side, although with a small smile. Someday, Damian thought, he’d feel more comfortable. It was all too new to Jake. He wished he could take away the bad memories from Jake, even though he knew it had all worked to shape the man he loved.

He heard the sound of the other car arriving and he gestured to Jake. His lover came over. “What?”

“There’s someone at the door, want to check for me?”

Jake nodded, looking confused. “Sure, okay.”

Jake walked out to the front hall and Damian followed him, watching as Jake opened the door. Standing on the doorstep were Jake’s aunts, Suzy and Caroline. He smiled at the stunned look on Jake’s face.

“What are you doing here?” Jake blurted out.

Suzy laughed. “We’re here for Thanksgiving, of course. Could you let us in? It’s wet and cold out here.”

Jake stood back. “How?”

Caroline handed him her coat. “Damian invited us, Jacob.”

Jake’s startled gaze flew to his. “I—that’s great. H-happy Thanksgiving.”

Suzy embraced him and Jake awkwardly patted her back. And then, to Damian’s somewhat amusement, Jake sort of patted Caroline’s head. He suppressed a laugh. “Welcome to our home. We’re glad you came. Come into the kitchen and meet everyone. We’ll be eating soon.”

Damian let the ladies walk ahead toward the kitchen. He grabbed Jake’s hand. “Okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I just…can’t believe you did this. Even my aunts.” Jake looked away, unable to meet Damian’s gaze. “Aunt Caroline…the way she’s been…”

Damian pulled Jake against him. “Everyone deserves another chance. Don’t you think? If we didn’t give each other a second chance we wouldn’t have what we have.”

Jake’s blue eyes finally turned back to him, love shining from them. “You are so amazing.”

“They’re family. Your family. And I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Jake hugged him and then kissed him, a long lingering kiss. “Now, let’s eat this feast of yours.”

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Jake and Damian Are Feeling the Love

Thanks everyone for stopping by this week for Damian's Feast. My former football players are feeling the love.

It's no secret that Jake has been somewhat perceived by some readers as being weak for his actions in Jake's Regret. I never thought of him that way and I know from speaking with some readers they didn't either. So those of you that choose to read Jake's Regret after reading the Thanksgiving story, I hope you like it. It's a little angsty.

Anyway, tomorrow is the conclusion of Damian's Feast.

Monday I will post part one of A Sweet Thanksgiving, which features Jason and Danny from Sweet Reunion.

Monday, November 16, I will post part one of Most Likely to Have a Successful Holiday, which features Clark and Thomas from Most Likely to Succeed.

And the final full week of November, Monday, November 23, I will post At Long Last Thanksgiving featuring Preston and Scotty from At Long Last.

Sometimes I wonder how I get myself into these things, lol.

And by popular demand, Kevin from Car Wash along with his beau, Michael, and their friends, Noah and Charlie from Pulling Away, will appear in December for a Christmas themed story. Don't yet know the exact date.

Thanks for your support.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Damian's Feast, Part Two


Damian doubted he’d ever get used to the sight of Jake naked. As they fell onto the bed in the bedroom, bare skin to bare skin, he still couldn’t get over how lucky they both were.

Even a few months ago, he wouldn’t have believed he would be reunited with Jake. Now, he intended to make sure they were together for the rest of their lives. They’d wasted enough time.

His mouth came down hard on Jake’s, forcing the other man’s lips to part. A small moan escaped from Jake just before Damian’s tongue plunged into the hot, moist warmth inside.

He’d been this lucky three times in his life. Finding love with Jake in the first place when they were young professional football players. Maybe too young, if he thought about it. Finding Chris when Jake broke his heart, too afraid to admit his sexuality and too willing to give up his love for Damian in the process, and finally again with Jake, after Chris’s untimely death, and when Damian had started to believe he’d spend his last days alone.

“What?” Jake asked, his index finger brushing along Damian’s bottom lip. His eyebrows were furrowed in concern. His soft Alabama accent warmed Damian to his toes.

Damian smiled and shook his head. “Nothing. Just thinking a little. About the things I have to be grateful for, I guess.”

Jake’s lips curved and his hand inched down between their bodies, closing over Damian’s hard cock. “How about being grateful for this right now and you can reflect on other things later?”
Damian moaned and pushed his erection further into Jake’s grasp. “Oh, yeah, I’m pretty sure I can think later.”

He lowered his lips to Jake’s, tasting the sweet coffee Jake had been sipping only moments before. His lids half closed, his body unable to stop moving as his lover stroked his length. Jake’s fingertip grazed across the tip of his cock, running through the drop of pre-cum.

Damian gasped. “Damn, you’re good at that.”

“Everybody has to have a talent,” Jake whispered against his mouth.

He swallowed back a groan and gently pushed Jake’s magic hand away. “Gotta get the lube. Stomach or back?”

He scooted to the side of the bed and reached into the bedside table drawer for the lube. They didn’t use condoms anymore, both men having tested negative.

Jake’s mouth was twisted as though he were giving the question a great deal of thought. “Back.” He then sort of undulated to the top of the bed and hooked an arm under each leg, lifting himself, displaying his ass and his entrance for Damian.

Damian’s cock grew harder, if that were possible. His mouth dry, his pulse racing to the frantic beat of his heart, he squirted a generous amount of lube onto his hand. First he coated his dick, trying to resist the urge to stroke it. Too much sensation would send him over the edge and straight to his orgasm much too soon. He squirted out more liquid, coating his fingers liberally. “Ready, sweetheart?”

“Oh, yeah.”

He inserted two slicked fingers, preparing his lover. Jake had long since relaxed when they were making love that lubing the way inside him had become quick and easy. He held Jake’s gaze. Jake’s deep blue eyes were filled with a mixture of love, desire, and trust. It humbled him.

Damian withdrew his fingers and lined up the tip of his cock to Jake’s hole. Jake hitched his legs even higher in the air as Damian pushed in. Jake’s lids drifted closed, his lips curved into a pleased smile.

He waited just a few heartbeats, making sure he didn’t just plunge ahead. He wouldn’t hurt Jake for anything. Finally, Jake’s lashes flutter open briefly, then closed again. Damian decided that was as good as permission to continue. He slid in, all the way, fully engulfed inside Jake.

“Ah,” they gasped in unison.

Damian spread his hands on Jake’s legs and pulled him closer still, pulling out to just the tip, and then thrusting forward again, developing the rhythm they both craved. He wanted it to be a slow, loving coupling, but knowing he still had preparations to make for Thanksgiving and the arrival of their guests, Damian knew they couldn’t take the time Jake really deserved.

Jake moved one of his hands from his leg to his own cock, jerking it to the rhythm of Damian’s thrusts. His eyes remained closed, the small smile of pleasure still curved his lips. Damian didn’t think there had ever been a more beautiful man.

Speeding his strokes, Damian struggled to keep his own eyes open, wanting to watch Jake, loving the sight of his lover coming. He rammed hard and fast, seeking out and finding Jake’s prostate, provoking a breathless groan from his lover.

Damian slipped a hand to Jake’s cock, joining him in jerking the thick length. Jake’s eyes flew open, deep lust and perhaps a little shock shining from hem.

“Damian,” he gasped.

He paused, holding still, watching cum shoot from Jake’s cock. It splattered on his washboard stomach. The sight of the creamy substance sent a tingling jolt through his tightening balls. He pumped hard and fast, his release overtaking him, tearing a shout from him as he collapsed on his lover.

“I love you,” he whispered after a few minutes of trying to regain his breath.

“Love you, too,” Jake said, around a yawn.

Damian rose from the bed and leaned down to place a kiss on Jake’s nose. “Go ahead and sleep some more, sweetheart. I’m going to take a shower.”

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I'm Back

The San Diego Chargers won so I was very happy indeed! Had a great time. The weather was absolutely perfect, the sky crystal blue. Sort of the same color as my quarterback's uniform there in that picture.
And I posted part 1 of Damian's Feast. Part 2 will be up Wednesday and part 3 on Friday. Hope everyone has a great week.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Damian's Feast, Part One


Jake Fields stood at the living room windows in the Birmingham, Alabama, home he shared with his lover, Damian Grant. It was Thanksgiving morning, just barely seven, and pouring rain. He hugged himself against the slight chill in the house. Not the best day for traveling families.

He still wore his flannel pajama bottoms and a thin navy t-shirt. His dark hair stood on end. Bed hair. From where he stood he could hear Damian fussing around in the kitchen. His lover had insisted on getting up early to start the feast.

Jake yawned and took a large sip of his cream-filled, sweetened coffee. Truth be told, he wasn’t big on holidays. Well, not since his mother had passed years ago. When his old bastard of a father had still been alive, holidays were tense and filled with silence mostly. He spent each lonely Thanksgiving watching football, wishing he still played.

Now that he and Damian were partners, holidays had the potential to change drastically. Already, Halloween had passed and they’d spent a cheerful evening giving out bucket loads of candy.

He would have preferred Thanksgiving had been just the two of them, too. But Damian insisted the family of his late lover, Chris, always spent Thanksgiving with him and this year wouldn’t be any different. Jake would get used to big gatherings, Damian assured him.

The few times he’d met Chris’s family since reuniting with Damian he liked them. They were good people, kind to him, and obviously very fond of Damian. But Jake figured they couldn’t help but wish it was Chris there on Thanksgiving with Damian instead of him.

He heard Damian’s footsteps just before two big, strong arms wrapped around his waist drawing him back against his lover.

“Hmm.” Damian nuzzled his ear. “You all right, sweetheart?”

“Uh-huh. Just watching the weather. It’s raining pretty hard, are you sure everyone will be okay driving?”

Damian’s dark hand covered his and he threaded his fingers through Jake’s. “It’s not that far. They only live across town. Besides it might let up a little later when they’re due.”

He nodded, deciding not to push the issue. He was fairly sure he was grasping at an excuse to tell Chris’s family not to come and that wouldn’t be fair to Damian. Forcing the nervousness out of his voice, he asked, “So, what all are we having?”

“Turkey, of course, with pecan-cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, stewed collards with ham, high-rise biscuits, and sweet potato pie.”

“Okay, that sounds good.” Jake smiled. He was going to get fat with Damian cooking for him all the time.

Damian found the pulse of his throat. “I’ve got things going in the kitchen and the family doesn’t arrive for a while, how about we go back to bed for a bit?”

His cock sprung to life at the mere suggestion. Well, he had been half-hard since Damian’s arms came around him. “I think that sounds like my kind of Thanksgiving.”

Damian tugged his arm and they headed down the long hallway to their bedroom. Jake could hear the rain pouring down outside, but here inside their home it was warm and cozy and filled with heavenly Thanksgiving scents. Maybe the holiday wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Until Next Week...

Happy Halloween!

I'm going out of town for a few days.

I'll be going to San Diego. For those of you who have never been there you are missing out. Beautiful, wonderful place. Hopefully, you will all think of me on Sunday and how I am sitting in Qualcomm Stadium watching the San Diego Chargers. Let's cross our fingers that they win.

I am not taking the laptop this time and therefore will have no access to the internet. None. This is hard for me, let me tell you. I go through withdrawls. This means no Sunday Night Eye Candy.

I won't be back until Monday night, so I hope to post Part one of Damian's Feast (Jake and Damian's Thanksgiving story) on Monday night. If not, for sure Tuesday morning.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Squire, an excerpt

As most of you know, my first story published was The Squire, a winner of Amber Quill's 2008 (and last) Amber Heat Contest. If you haven't read it, here is an excerpt. Or if you just want to remember it fondly. I make no pretenses otherwise, I write "historical light".


Duncan squatted next to the fire the servant had thoughtfully started in Sir William’s room. He was alone, but expected the knight any time. Sir William had ordered Duncan to the room while he assessed the welfare of his father.

Yawning, he glanced around the room. It wasn’t quite as large as the baron’s chamber, but it was the next largest in the castle. Besides the fireplace, Sir William had a bed big enough for a giant to sleep in. Well, mayhap that was a slight exaggeration, but it was surely the biggest bed Duncan had ever seen. There was a small table and chairs in one corner of the room, as well as a chest of drawers with a basin on it, and a wardrobe where Sir William’s clothes were kept.

He sat down on the fur spread in front of the fire and stretched out his long legs. His cock had perked up thinking about Sir William so he adjusted his braies. He wished he had time to take care of it, but with Sir William bound to appear at any moment there wasn’t time.

Sighing heavily, he rolled his weary shoulders. He had a knot in the left shoulder blade, too. The door opened. He turned his head to view Sir William walking in. For a moment, Duncan just stared, unable to stop the awe that swept over him each and every time he saw the knight. His blond hair was tousled as though Sir William had been running his fingers through it. Duncan licked his lips, wishing he could run his own fingers through the soft locks.

Hands braced beneath him, he stood. “How is your father, sir?”

Sir William’s blue eyes looked sad, though he attempted a slight smile. “He’s still alive, though failing rapidly. I wonder if he will last another fortnight.”

Duncan grabbed one of the chairs by the table and carried it to the fire. “Come sit here, sir. I’ll rub your shoulders for you.”

“They are a bit stiff.” Sir William plopped down. The chair groaned under the sudden weight.

Duncan stared at his knight’s broad shoulders. “Why don’t you remove your tunic and jerkin, sir?”

Sir William nodded, peeled off the garments, then leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. There was nothing Duncan liked better than touching Sir William’s bare skin. It was sheer torture, of course, but a torture he couldn’t resist inflicting on himself. His palms rested on the bare shoulder and he bit his lip to keep from sighing out loud. The flesh was warm and it sent an instant tingle to his already aroused cock.

Sir William rolled his neck and moaned a little. His fingers trembling, Duncan rubbed the muscles in the knight’s upper arms. “A little harder, Duncan.”

Oh, God. His balls tightened painfully. He increased the pressure of his fingers and drifted back up to the shoulders. He closed his own eyes and inhaled the spicy masculine scent of Sir William. As though they had a will of their own, his hands inched down to massage the knight’s muscular chest. Shaking, he paused, waiting to see if Sir William would protest the bold touch. When the man kept his eyes closed, Duncan grew bolder still and used his index finger to gently stroke a nipple.

He gritted his teeth against the impossible hardness of his cock. If he didn’t stop, he was going to come. Yet, he couldn’t force his fingers to leave the object of his fascination.

Sir William let out a low growl and jumped up, whipping around to face Duncan. Duncan shrank back, afraid the knight would strike him for the liberties. Instead, Sir William wrapped those muscular arms around him and covered Duncan’s lips with his own.

Stunned, he didn’t react at first, standing stiffly under the assault. His mind couldn’t adjust to the fact his dream lover kissed him. Before he could respond, Sir William ended the kiss and pulled him to the fur in front of the fire.

“Sir William—”
 
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