Freddy's Single Viewpoint Stereograph

Biologists... you guys make me laugh

2012-02-23T18:46:00.002-06:00

Testosterone is important. Yup, it is.

A new study finds that women are attracted to male traits that are largely useless and impractical.

Why? Because it shows the males are healthy enough to divert energy away from themselves and make themselves pretty. *snickers*

CLICK HERE for the whole article.

Silver Shorts 3: Branded

2012-02-22T01:00:00.000-06:00

If you would like to download the whole file of all participating authors for this week, ORDER HERE. My story will follow below.

Participating Authors this week are:

All or Nothing by S.A. Garcia
Branded by Freddy MacKay
Certain Extras by L.M. Brown
Hearts in Limbo by Julie Lynn Hayes
More Than Neighbors by Nicole Dennis
Only So Much by Diane Adams
Rock and a Hard Place by Karyn Gerrard
Special Packages by Lily Sawyer
The Initiate by TLK Arkenberg

The prompts for this week were:

"The box was still there..."

"We fell in love..."

"You can only eat so much..."

"I cannot believe you..."

BRANDED

By Freddy MacKay

Jason Kent sighed andshifted his hardened cock in the tight confines of his jeans. Looking at thescreen blinking in front of him, Jason knew he'd have to make excuses for hisfriends, Will and Nick, since they would not be showing up to the outing with everyone.He just hoped the rest of the group waiting in the bar wouldn't shoot themessenger. Everyone had barely seen Will and Nick in recent months, and theywanted to know how things were going, catch up; all those things friendsgenerally do when they hang out.

Will and Nickwere more than fine, apparently.

Listening to his friendshaving sex on the phone was one of those moments a person could not avoid.Gawking, or in Jason's case, listening in hadn't been a yes or no option. Justlike the voyeuristic tendencies of today's pop culture in America, Jason had tohear what progressed between his friends. The need Will and Nick had for eachother, the raw sensuality of their lovemaking, had Jason keeping the phone heldup to his ear… and on edge.

Maybe he couldcut out of the bar early.

Considering work hadkept Jason busy night and day for the last month, cutting out didn't seem likea bad idea. He had hit another cold case in the runaway/kidnapping department,and honestly, Jason wasn't sure he could take many more. The cases usuallyended up one of two ways when they did find the kid. The kid took off, being abrat and had only wanted attention, or the kid was found dead on the streets.Too many times Sugar Boy had gotten his claws in some poor unsuspectingsuburbanite. And those were only the cases in which they found the brat. Somany more kids were never found. The runaways had probably moved onto thestreets of some other city, ending up dead, or on drugs, or even prostitutingthemselves. The kidnapped kids were a whole other story that Jason couldn'tstomach at the moment.

Time for playand not for work.

Tossing a glance at thedark and heavy walnut double doors, Jason seriously considered sending a textto the rest of his friends. His mood had nose-dived because his head decided tothink about work back at the station. Jason heaved another deep breath. No, heowed his friends an explanation about Will and Nick, and he needed to catch upwith everyone. Talking with them could help soothe his already frayed nerves.

Leaning into the largedoors, Jason pushed his way into the entryway of Peter's Steak and Bar House.He could talk, hang out, and then go blow off some steam afterwards. Jason tooka quick glance in the glass to his left, assessing whether he could go outafter spending time with his friends.

His short red hair hadbeen styled to perfection, and his scruff had a nice and easy five o'clockshadow going for it. Jason's blue eyes stood out against his hair, and hischoice of a dark brown sweater and t-shirt with a pair of snug jeans. Thewinter had been unusually warm, so he didn't need a jacket, even though it wasalready February. His heavy work boots completed the look. Jason had a couplelaugh lines around his eyes, but he considered those enhancers for someone juston the other side of thirty.

Yeah, he couldgo out tonight.

Jason nodded to thehostess, then weaved through tables and booths. He spotted his menagerie offriends in the back corner booth. The spot could hold fifteen; sixteen peoplehad already crammed around it. Jason wondered where he would fit, but chanceswere some of the couples would half-sit on each other.

Lifting his hand, Jasoncaught Bryan Wilder's attention. Bryan jutted his chin in Jason's direction andeveryone else's heads turned. He waved, the corner of his mouth turning up.Yells, shouts, and a lot waving commenced in two seconds flat. Jason could feelall the eyes in the establishment turn his way. He wanted to bite out a reply,something like 'sorry, no superstar here, just a cop.' But Jason knew better;his friends would make his life miserable if they thought he ignored them.Jason sent his friends an endearing smile.

Peter's Steak and BarHouse had been around a long time, and drew a diverse crowd of people. Everyoneliked the local landmark—good food, good drinks, and good people—which had beenthe reason they picked the place for their get-together. The establishment wasalso far enough from work they didn't have to worry too much about running intopeople he knew. Plus, since it drew a diverse crowd, people mixed about prettyinterchangeably without raising any eyebrows.

Local cops could be inthe crowd, and while everybody in the surrounding precincts seemed to knowJason because of his red hair and blue eyes, if they saw him at the bar with abunch of different people, no one would be the wiser. Peter's Steak and BarHouse could be considered safe ground for a gay man like him. Everybodymingled, and people would be hard pressed to make any assumptions. In short,the restaurant was a place Jason could be seen without worrying.

Jason didn't likehaving to lie about his sexuality, but being a cop, he didn't have much of achoice. One of the few things that made hiding in plain sight easier for Jasonwas also how understanding his friends were. A pang of guilt did hit Jason athis thoughts, but he quickly tossed the feeling aside with practiced ease. Hisfriends knew better than to ask him to well-known gay districts or hangouts,and none of them chastised him for his choice to not advertise his sexuality,especially after what happened last year with his friend and rookie cop, JoshMatthews.

Just remembering sent ashiver up Jason's spine. The hazing and shit Josh went through had been toomuch to stomach. Jason nearly came out to the department to try and stop theharassment, but Josh talked him out of it. In hindsight, and what really got toJason, he knew his friend had been right. Even with his exemplary record, Jasonprobably would have been hung out to dry too. But the guilt ate away at Jason'sgut. Family and connections had been Josh's only saving grace. After his familygot him out of the precinct, the cost had been Josh's family. Everyone cut himout of their lives.

Slouching down into thelast open chair, Jason's friend Margaret Harrison patted his thigh, questioningbrown eyes meeting his. "Where are Nick and Will?"

The corner of Jason'smouth turned up, threatening to break out into a smile. "Celebrating theireighth anniversary in style."

"What?" Animmaculately tweezed brown eyebrow went up, and Margaret smiled. "Do wewant to know or not?'

Jason's half-grin wentwide. "Probably not."

"That looks to melike a yes," answered Margaret, her brown eyes narrowing on Jason. "Whatwere they doing?"

"Fucking."

"And they answeredthe phone?" Margaret's lip twitched.

Bryan and Jeff Stonewalllaughed from across the table. "Probably afraid Jay would put an APB outon them if they didn't show up."

Margaret's brown curlsbounced as her head fell back. "Too true."

"Agreed,"said Jason despondently.

Everyone chuckled, andMargaret gave Jason a reassuring squeeze. "Just shows us you care."

Jason nodded, andpretty soon everyone began settling into dinner; appetizers, dinners, desserts,beer, and wine all flowed freely. The conversation only slowed when a newplateful of eats came to the table every twenty minutes or so.

A large steak wasplaced in front of Jason, and he moaned appreciatively, the smell indicated themeat had been cooked to perfection. Margaret nudged his knee with hers. Jasoncocked his head to the side to get a look at his friend.

"What?"

"You can only eatso much, you know." She winked.

He glanced down at thedirty plates in front of him. "I'm a growing boy."

"Where?"Margaret patted his belly and snickered.

"That's a six-packand you know it," he replied, trying his hardest to sound nonchalant anduncaring while continuing to stuff his face.

Margaret rubbed hisstomach appreciatively, an eyebrow going up. "Oh, I do, darling."

"Enjoying a nightout with your girl, Detective Kent?"

Jason jumped, startledalong with the rest of his friend's at the table. Everyone's eyes were glued toa spot behind Jason. That couldn't be a good sign. Slowly, so he could show acomposed face to his boss, Jason turned his head. Chief Montgomery smiled downat him. Montgomery's hands were folded behind his back, and his grey hair hadbeen brushed back. The suit was switched for something more casual. And hisdark auburn eyes assessed Jason's every movement.

"Excuse the intrusion." Montgomeryleaned forward, putting his hand out. "It's not often Detective Kent and Ibump into each other outside the precinct, and I wanted to meet your lovelylady."

"Chief."Jason dipped his head to his boss, trying to figure out what to do. Luckily,Margaret saved them both without having to lie. Mislead, yes. Lie, no.

"MargaretHarrison." She beamed at Montgomery and shook his hand, covertly slidinginto Jason's lap and pointed to her now empty seat. "Would you care tojoin us? We always have room for one more."

"Oh, no." TheChief patted his round belly. "My family and I have just finished eating,I just wanted to say hello."

Giving Montgomery herbest smile, Margaret leaned into Jason, kissing him on the temple. "If you'resure."

"I am, MsHarrison." The Chief smiled, and bowed his gray head. "Now, if you'llexcuse me."

Jason stood, holdingMargaret close to him so she wouldn't fall. "Chief."

They shook hands, andhis boss turned to Jason's longtime friend. "We've got an inter-precinctsoftball game coming up, I hope to see you there. It's about time DetectiveKent settled down."

"Of course,"answered Margaret, Jason reiterating her words.

Chief Montgomeryturned, rejoining his wife and their children and grandchildren. As soon asthey left the sightline of the table, several large sighs and nervous chuckleswent around the table. Jason's tensed muscles from the exchange started torelax once he sat back down, and Margaret slid back into her own seat. A throatcleared and Jason's attention went to Jeff.

His friend's lightbrown eyes held his. "That's Josh's grandfather?"

Jason pressed his lipstogether and nodded.

"So the tall,gruff-looking guy off to the side was Josh's dad?" Bryan asked.

Jason dipped his head. "Yeah."

"Shit, that wasintense!" pronounced Margaret, and her hands flew to her stomach as shetook a deep breath. "I thought I was gonna pee my pants."

Everyone murmured theiragreement. The incident with his boss had been intense… and close, butJason had another problem on his hands now. Margaret and he had agreed to go tothe softball game together. He glanced at his friend doubled over in her chair.

"You do know wehave a larger problem right now," he said.

Margaret rolled herhead on the table. "What?"

"You agreed to bemy date to the softball tourney."

"Oh, well, we canjust say I got sick."

"I wish."Jason shook his head. "Montgomery has been keeping on eye on me ever sincethe problems with Josh, and with my case assignment—" Jason leanedforward, cupping his head in his hands "He wasn't making a request,Margaret. Montgomery is testing me."

"Oh." She satup, folding her hands in her lap, staring down at them.

The table had gonesilent, everyone flicking each other looks, the smiles lost on everyone'sfaces. No one reached for the food or their drinks, and every second ticking bygrated on Jason's nerves; the atmosphere of their get together had gone southjust because his boss had to show up. Jason's left leg started thumping withthe amount of aggravation swimming through his nerves.

Fuck.

Margaret's small handreached over to his. "I'll go, Jay, you know that. None of us want yourjob in jeopardy. You love being a cop."

"I know." Hedid, he's friends always had his back. Didn't mean Jason wouldn't get sick tohis stomach for having to play the game. Nor did he want Margaret to have to behis beard, but it looked like he was getting one whether he wanted to or not.He lifted his gaze to his friends. "It's just—"

The frustration Jasonhad couldn't even be voiced. His throat caught and he shook his head. Never, inall his time at the precinct, did Jason think he'd have to go undercover forhis own personal life. To have to pretend about who he was just so he couldkeep the one job he'd wanted since he was a kid.

Bryan smiled sadly atJason. "We're all here for you, Jay."

"I'm sorry, Jay."Margaret squeezed his hand.

"Me too, Margaret."Anger burned in Jason's gut. He pushed the juicy steak away from him. Now hereally needed to blow off some steam. "Me too."

* * * *

Shepard's Haven stoodon the outskirts Greenback City. The bar had an industrial vibe that adaptedwell to the current owner's tastes. Mitchell Harrison was a former marine, andhe and several of his buddies from the corp, ran Shepard's Haven. The bar wassaid to be the safest and strictest in the city. Mitchell didn't want anynonsense in his place, and anybody who showed up there on a regular basis knewit.

A bouncer, with aretired K9 drug-sniffing dog, sat at the door. They also had cameras postedthroughout the building just in case. Cops were called if a person, or persons,had any kind of drug paraphernalia on him. And the offender would have hispicture put up in the sentry office. The sentry office was where all thecameras images fed to. The room was on the other side of the two-way mirrorlining the entryway that allowed the men in the room to watch incomers andclientele.

The customers had towalk down the long hallway before the building opened up. Once inside, anindustrial bar sprawled out in front of the clientele. To the left, there was acoat-check. To the right, the room opened up into the bar, and open seatingwith different levels and rooms littering the joint. People could sit at thebar and watch the news. The tables covered the inside of the building wherepeople could sit and eat while talking. Another section of the bar had amultilevel dance floor where guys could let loose. Or a person could pop asquat in one of the lounges to watch the different games on. The multilevelestablishment had anything a guy could need. Plus, the bar had an added levelof ex-marines running the joint.

Mitchell had a verysound reason for all the heightened security. It kept low-lives away, and thelocal cops. Only idiots or out-of-towners gave Mitchell and his crew a reasonto call the police force. Shepard's Haven had a very real and solid reputationfor no-nonsense, and they needed it after what the previous owners had turnedthe building into.

A cesspool of drugs,sex and violence.

In fact, the onlyremnants of the old owners were the back rooms. They had been used as part ofthe BDSM scene. Unfortunately, things hadn't been on the up and up at the club,and a lot of shit went down. Jason thought the place would sit as an empty lotfor years. But Mitchell and his crew bought out the building, tossing out anyleftovers, and removed all bad elements.

Honestly, before Jasonknew the man, he had been surprised Mitchell didn't keep the bar as a BDSMclub. But once Jason and Mitchell befriended each other, the marine's choicemade sense. Who wanted legal issues if something went wrong, especially withthe previous reputation the building held? Jason had more than a few beers tobuy for preconceived prejudices about a bunch of gay marines. But then,Mitchell wasn't a complete idiot.

He had retrofitted therooms for patrons' usage—but only for sex, nothing else. Anyone found using therooms for the BDSM scene were banned from the bar, too big of a liability tohave back according to Mitchell. The playrooms had been divided into smaller,cozy rooms big enough for a twin bed. Mitchell also had a nice stoplight systemthat had been put in place just outside the doors. Green for clean andavailable. Orange for being cleaned. Red for occupied. In addition, all therooms came with condom dispensers.

Mitchell knew patronswould hook-up, and he decided bathrooms weren't the place he wanted all the sexhappening. Though the marines still found couples living up that particularfantasy now and then. Usually the customers got a slap on the wrist and areminder about the rooms. Retrofitting the rooms had been an easy compromiseand smart decision. It kept the clientele happy and the bar a safe bet. A safehaven no less.

Jason walked up to thefront of the line, smiling at Bradley. The marine waved him on through andJason walked down the long entryway, ignoring the two-way mirrors and waved toAdam manning the coat-check. He walked up to the bar, and slid onto one of thecold metal stools, waving Mitchell down. The light shined off of his friend'sbald head when he turned to see who had been trying to get his attention.

White teeth flashed atJason. Mitchell nudged Tom, pointed, and then made his way down to Jason. Hislarge hand went out to Jason, squeezing it slightly when their grasps met.

"Hey, Jay, in whatcapacity are you here tonight?"

"My own."

Nodding, Mitchell went to the tap and pulled adrink for Jason before setting the lager in front of him. "On the house."

The corner of Jason'slip went up and he dipped his head. "Thanks."

"Anytime, man."

On more than oneoccasion, the police department had sent Jason in an official capacity. Thevisits started a good working relationship between him and Mitchell. If anyoneunderstood what it meant to keep his preferences hidden, it was Mitchell andhis crew. They also understood discretion and helped Jason cover his ass whenhe needed them to. Especially if he let them know who not to let in ahead oftime—pimps, dealers, and cops included. And Jason didn't feel guilty in theslightest. The crime rate had gone down over seventy percent since Mitchell andeveryone moved in.

The marine cleared histhroat, catching Jason's attention. He looked up into his friend's almost blackeyes. Muscled arms crossed Mitchell's chest and he wore a frown.

"What's up, Jay?"

"I'm officiallyusing a beard for my precinct's softball tourney." Jason raised his mug. "MyChief invited Margaret himself."

A dark brown eyebrowwent up. "You ran into your boss outside of work?"

Jason nodded. "AtPeter's Steak and Bar House."

"Shit."

"Yeah, I—"Jason looked around, his chest clinching in a not so nice way. "I probablywon't be coming around for a while."

Mitchell's facepinched. "Really?"

"Tonight will bethe last night for the foreseeable future."

"I wish there wassomething we could do for you, man." Mitchell thumped Jason's arm.

He shook his head. "Afterthe blow up with Josh, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

"That rookie doingall right?" Concern filled Mitchell's gravelly voice, his eyes softened.

Jason shrugged, takinga long drink from his beer. "To be honest, I haven't heard from Josh, but Isuppose no news is good news."

Mitchell grunted. "Callhim if you want to know how he's doing."

"I know."

"Or text him tocall us at least."

Jason laughed. "Iwill."

For a moment, neitherof them said anything. What else was there to say? Jason had been putover the barrel and everyone knew it. He tried to feel reasonable about thesituation, knew if he wanted to stay with the department, he probably needed tohave Margaret play the part of being his girl. But he couldn't get past theanger he felt about having to hide so much of himself. Especially since itinvolved his friends.

Mitchell tapped Jason'sshoulder. "You gonna blow off some steam?"

Jason nodded briefly. "Probably."

"Okay,"answered Mitchell. "Then I'll leave you to it. Holler if you need anything."Mitchell turned to Tom, shouting, "Jay's got an open tab tonight. And it'son us."

Heads turned in theirdirection. Tom gave Mitchell a look but nodded. A couple of men eyed Jasonspeculatively. And more than a few showed interest in getting a couple freedrinks. Jason's jaw dropped.

"I cannot believeyou."

Mitchell's chucklereverberated deep. "Now you have your pick."

And just like that,Jason's friend sauntered away, tending to other customers.

Jason groaned,wondering what would happen next when a soft hand touched his. He looked upinto the brightest blue eyes he'd ever seen attached to a bleach-blond withdark black eyebrows. Something in his head rang, but Jason couldn't place whyeyes like that would look familiar. He wouldn't forget eyes like that. The leankid, and he did look young, smiled at Jason. It wavered when he didn't respondimmediately and kept his eyes moving over the young man. A twitch went off by thekid's right eye, and his hand began to shake. A newcomer obviously out of hiscomfort zone.

Jason had to take pityon the kid. "Would you like to share in my good fortune?"

"Sure."

He was rewarded with abright smile and the guy sat down, his hand never leaving Jason's.

The kid turned in theseat. "What's your name again?"

"Jay. Yours?"Jason waved for another drink. Mitchell brought one down immediately, grinningwickedly.

"Drew."

Mitchell did a doubletake when he handed the drink over, squinting at Drew. Jason glanced at hisfriend in curiosity. Mitchell frowned, but shook his head. Apparently Jason'sfriend didn't like his choice of company. The kid did look young, but no waycould anyone make it past Mitchell's bouncers if they weren't of age. MaybeMitchell's frown was because the kid wasn't the normal type of guy Jason would gofor. Jason tended to go for… well, more like Tom or Adam. Muscled, but not asbig as Mitchell. Jason did like being top dog, after all.

Drew shifted in hisseat nervously, but took the beer from Jason's friend. He eyed Mitchell for afew moments, and then turned in his seat. Drew's bright eyes and smile wereinfectious. Jason leaned toward his new acquaintance.

"First time here?"

A nod.

"You like what yousee?"

Drew's lips went wider."I do."

"Would you like meto show you around?" Jason pulled another drag from his beer.

"No need."Drew trailed a hand up Jason's arm and squeezed lightly. "I think I'veseen plenty."

"Oh, then you'renot staying?"

Drew's soft laughterflowed over Jason and hit him in all the right places. "I didn't say that."

"Then what do youmean?"

Jason knew Drew wasflirting with him; it wasn't necessary, but he'd play the game right back. Onenight wouldn't make a difference, the guy was young, and Jason would do what ittook to put Drew at ease. He needed to get laid, he needed to be in control,and he needed… to be himself.

Drew moved his hand toJason's thigh. "I hear there are places we can get better acquainted."

"Yes, there are."Thank god for small favors, tonight would be an easy night for Jason. Hegrabbed his mug, and Drew's hand. "Let me show you."

"Fantastic."

Drew fell in behindJason, holding his hand. They weaved through the crowd, a couple of catcallsmeeting them when they reached the entrance to the back rooms. Jason walked thehall, looking for a green light. He sipped his beer and didn't really payattention to the shuffling sounds and semi-dead weight behind him.

"Finally,"breathed Jason. Pushing through a door of an open room, he half-dragged Drewinto the room, mumbling to himself. "Time for some much needed stressrelief."

"What did you sa—"

Jason turned, pressingDrew against the door. It clicked shut. Jason nibbled along the slender neckand Drew moaned, thrusting back against him. Jason wrapped a hand around Drew'swrist, pushing it over his head. He rocked against his partner. If the bulge inDrew's jeans was any indication, he was looking forward to their one-off justas much as Jason. And fuck, if he didn't need this.

Drew grunted, rollinghis hips. Jason smiled and lifted his head. A tattoo on Drew's wrist caught hisattention. Between his beer, his frustration, and his adrenaline, Jason couldn'tplace the crying blue mask though. Once again, a sense of familiarity nudged atJason, but he couldn't grasp it. Jason lifted Drew's shirt with his free handand placed kisses on the exposed taut stomach and chest. But before he couldget too far, a tug on his head caught Jason's attention.

"Just fuck me."A weak smile from Drew met Jason's questioning look.

Jason paused. "Okay."

Narrowing his eyes,Jason pondered Drew's request. Something felt off. He was almost certain of it.Drew may be reacting to him, but the kid's eyes didn't look happy. A firm handpushed on his shoulder and Jason took a step back, still holding Drew's arm.But Drew turned around, facing the door and his free hand went to his belt. Thejeans dropped on his hips, Drew's lower back and the top curve of his ass werein perfect view. The view, however, also showed something that made Jason stopcold in his tracks.

Initials had beenbranded like a tramp stamp onto the curve of Drew's back: SB. The letters shortfor Sugar Boy. Jason had been chasing the man for years. Trying to pinsomething on the scourge of Greenback City. The man was half the reason Jasonwould have to go into family homes, telling parents their child had beenkilled. Sugar Boy established himself as a well-known pimp, dealer, and humantrafficker. No one, absolutely no one, who had the brand worked for Sugar Boywillingly.

Swallowing, Jasontraced the scar with his fingers. The ragged edges had long since healed. Themarking was not new. Drew's breathing quickened and he shifted uneasily on hisfeet. Jason's chest tightened and he tugged on Drew's wrist. He needed to takea better look at the kid's tattoo.

The thin blue linesoutlining a crying blue face were familiar… for a reason. Jason glanced back atDrew's face. Fear rode the now pinched mouth and wide blue eyes. The kid'sdescription hadn't been too far off from his profile. Jason inhaled deeply, damn…work decided to just pop up in his face.

"You're not evenlegal," said Jason.

"Yes… yes,"stammered Drew. The kid began pulling on his arm, his body tense. "I am."

"You may beeighteen, Andrew." Jason knew with every fiber in his body that his coldcase just got very warm. And finding Sugar Boy just became a real possibilityif he could keep Andrew alive. "But you are not twenty-one. Sugar Boy musthave a real good connection to get an ID that could make it past Mitchell'sbouncers."

Andrew's mouth dropped.

"Andrew Walker, disappearedon his fifteenth birthday after his birthday party in the city, Januarytwenty-sixth, two thousand nine." Jason said through clenched teeth whileAndrew's color drained from his face. "Black hair, blue eyes, and acrying blue face tattoo on his right wrist. A tattoo obtained against thewishes of his parents with a fake ID. Parents who have been calling mystation every month on the third Friday for three years."

"You're a cop?"stuttered Andrew. He began pulling away from Jason.

He held on tight. "Ohno, you and I are having a very long talk before we leave this room, Andrew."

Squirming andwriggling, Andrew's frantic movements started becoming more pronounced. Hiseyes rounded and his breathing became erratic. Shaking his head, Andrew keptsaying no, over and over again. Jason knew it wasn't being found that Andrewfeared. It was Sugar Boy's wrath in getting caught. Jason wouldn't let the kidgo back—at least, he didn't want to send Andrew back—he wouldn't be safe. ButJason had to pump Andrew for all the information he knew, and report in withsome viable story as to why he almost fucked one of his barely legal missingpersons. They finally got a viable lead in an old case, one that could lead toSugar Boy. Jason sighed. Pulling out his phone, he called Mitchell.

"'Sup?"

"Sugar Boy is inthe bar."

Andrew stiffened, butnodded when Jason continued to stare at him. The marine's breathing didn'tchange even a fraction.

There was a slightpause before Mitchell answered. "What do you need?"

"I dunno… not yet."

Tonight just got awhole hell of a lot longer for Jason.

To Be Continued

Six Sentence Sunday #27

2012-02-19T03:00:00.000-06:00

For more information about SSS and and a complete list of participants (click ->) 'Six Sentence Sunday.' The following is a SSS for my novel, Beginning Again: Finding Peace 1 (pre-order info below). I call this one 'Eddie and the stall.'

Davidshook his head, eyes glazing when Eddie's thigh nudged his legs apart. Davidhad only dated a few guys, and Finn had been the only long-term relationship heever had, the only guy he'd slept with besides Eddie. Nervousness rode Davidhard. The devious cop picked up on those relentless feelings. David's anxietyeased, when he heard Eddie's rumble again, the vibrations of his chest provedsoothing.

"Well, I better make this real good then."

HERE

Beginning Again: Finding Peace #1, is my first novel and will be released February 25th, 2012. My short story 'Tears for Christmas' was released December 1st by Silver Publishing as part of their Christmas Anthology Collection: Dreaming of a White Christmas 2011, 25 Days of Christmas release.

A Question, an Answer, and a Promo!

2012-02-18T18:30:00.000-06:00

Looking for RJ's Answer?

It's here.... trust me.

But first a little promo for my upcoming release on the 25th.

Blurb:

After suffering pain and loss, David McCourt is looking fora new beginning. He wants to focus on school and keep his head down. Hisfriends have other ideas. Tragedy strikes again and David's not sure they'llever recover.

David McCourt knows pain and loss. Transferring to CapstoneRidge University fulfills a longtime goal and David hopes to leave his pastbehind. He wants a chance to start over with a clean slate, a new life, and zerocomplications.

Everyone likes Bobby Daniels and he likes helping people.After seeing the hurt David carries around, Bobby decides to help his awkwardroommate come out of his shell—with the help of some friends and a nuttyprofessor.

Jackson Black is attracted to guys, but buries it deep,thinking he'll find the right women and fix the problem. Until the intensestare of David McCourt completely undoes him.

David has his hands full trying to figure life out. When hegets hurt, friends and lovers surround him, trying to help close the wounds.

But it may not be enough.

'Ghost' Excerpt:

Junnosuke Ito stared at David McCourt. The young man sittingin front of him asked to work in his Biochemistry lab at the university. Dumbfoundedand confused, Jun could never admit to such a thing, but he would swear up anddown David looked exactly like Absalom Feld. Jun’s driver's license stated hisage as fifty-two and Abby would be the same, but the uncanny resemblance hisinterviewee had to his friend shook Jun. The bright blue eyes. David’s thickand wavy dirty blond hair. The lithe build, his average height—all of it, aperfect carbon copy of the friend Jun lost so many years before. They were sosimilar Jun almost caught himself calling the young student by Abby's name.

Jun’s heart ached and his fingers twitched. He wanted to callHenry Wilson and tell him about the young man in front of him. Henry, Jun’sbest friend and confidante since Abby’s disappearance, the only other personwho went through the same loss and pain he did Jun’s friend carried the samegnarled wound that dug into Jun’s chest, the one flaring incessantly as areminder of his mistakes as he looked at David sitting across from him. OnlyHenry would understand. But Jun couldn’t call, not before David left.

The professor listened to David talk about his research andwhy he wanted to be in Jun’s lab. Jun nodded at all the right intervals, but hestruggled underneath his cool façade. Flashes of Abby slammed into him, makingJun think about how he didn’t do as much as he could when his best friend’srelationship status had been repeatedly rejected by Neil, the fourth member oftheir close knit group. Jun watched his blond friend go from smiling, loving,and slightly clumsy when they were undergraduates, to quiet and reserved ingraduate school. All of it, the wholetransformation, just so Abby could hang onto Neil.

But Neil Cook, now the university’s president, neveracknowledged Abby as the love of his life. Henry and Jun blindly believedthings would change. And they did, Abby and Neil’s lack of a real relationshipgot to the point where Abby just up and disappeared one day. Not long after anincident at a nightclub, an event that left Abby with broken ribs and a blackeye. Henry and Jun’s friendship with Neil splintered after Abby disappeared. Theywent their separate ways, promising to never speak with the man again, only tobe thrust back together when Neil took the head position at Capstone Ridge University,better known as CRU. A hiring choice Jun fought against, but lost. He did not want his one time friend comingback to his beloved campus. Reconciling with Neil would never happen. When Abbyleft, Jun, Henry and Neil’s friendship fragmented, permanently and irrevocably.

And now with David talking enthusiastically to Jun about hisresearch, the past came up and hit him in the stomach, kicking him in the asswhen he went down, laughing and taunting him as a world of renewed regret piledback onto him. Jun lost himself in his thoughts until the young man cleared histhroat and looked meaningfully at him. Concern and resignation marred the youngman’s clear blue eyes. Jun returned his steady gaze to David, attempting toclear his thoughts of a friend lost but never forgotten.

“I’m sorry, you said you’re a transfer?”

“Yes, I’m starting here as a sophomore after getting acceptedfrom a community college in Flagstead.”

Jun looked down at the resume and transcripts David broughtwith him and nodded, hearing the young man, but still struggling withcontaining his emotions. “So why did you pick CRU?”

A weak smile crossed David’s face, one Jun had seen on Abbymany times, and Jun’s breathing nearly stopped. The slight curve on David’slips didn't show happiness, but loss and misery. Even though the young mangrinned, it never managed to reach his eyes. Blue eyes desperately trying tokeep up appearances and not let any emotion through them. But Jun noticed. Hehad first-hand experience with those kinds of feelings and the fact they camefrom someone so similar to his missing best friend did a number on Jun.

“I’m not trying to pry, I was just wondering why our scienceprogram stood out to you over the other universities,” he said softly andpointed at the transcripts. “Your grades are excellent.”

David shrugged, wariness filling his face. “I like theBiology program here and the research the university is doing. The college inFlagstead is more of a liberal arts school, easy going and open-minded, but I’ma science major, not an art major. Besides that, it was an economicaldecision. Paying in-state is a lotcheaper than going out of state.”

Jun had to agree. “Yesit is, but CRU isn’t exactly an open-minded school.”

“No, no it’s not,” replied David, a look of irritationcrossing his face. “But this one wasclose to home and it has the specific program I wanted.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, you mentioned that,” said Jun as he rackedhis brain, the shock of seeing an Abby-clone affecting him to his very core.Did he even make any sense at all at this point? “CRU is a wonderful school andI’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here.”

“I hope so.” A pained expression flittered across David’sface. “My family was really excited whenI got the acceptance letter.”

“Then you’ll have to make them proud won’t you?”

David visibly paled and pulled a tight grimace that wasprobably supposed to be a smile. “Yeah,I guess I do.”

“So, would you like to see the lab?” Jun pushed back from hisdesk, knowing he should think the offer through a little more, but he couldn’tstop himself. He needed David close by,to be able to keep an eye on the kid, to make sure nothing bad happened to him.

Maybe he could atone for the mistakes he made with Abby.

Shock filled David’s eyes before he stammered out an answer.“You mean I have the job?”

“Yes.”

“Oh! Uh, thanks!”

A grin tugged in the corner of Jun’s lips. He knew hisreputation, what the kids said, about how hard it was to get accepted into hislab. Obviously David had heard the rumors, too. The look of disbelief spokevolumes. David had not been expecting to get the lab assistant job offered tohim on the spot or at all.

“No problem, I think I’ve seen enough to know a good thingwhen I’ve found it.” Jun opened his office door and waved for David to followhim.

A faint tint of red appeared on the young man’s cheeks,reminding Jun even more of Abby. A sharp tug pulled in Jun’s chest. He very much missed his old friend, and withDavid around, a constant reminder would be walking around the lab daily. Jun shook his head. The minute the boy walkedthrough his door Jun knew he wouldn’t be able to let go. Abby was gone and thisboy was so very much like his long lost friend.

Jun took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart,knowing he needed to call Henry once he showed David the lab. How would he explain Abby’s ghost showed up onhis doorstep?

HERE

Question for RJ

What is the one chore you try to cut corners on and how (so we can too)?

Feeling hesistant? *Nods*

That's okay. You can get a feel for my work through Silver's FREE reads.

So far we have three out, just click on the version you want and it will send you to the order page.

2012.6

2012.7

2012.8 (release date 2/22/12)

RJ's Answer

Using find and replace in my word documents saves ages!

BUT

Don't call your guy Chris and then find and replace to change his name to John; otherwise you'll end up celebrating Johnmas...

Good Luck on your search everyone!

One Week!

2012-02-18T11:58:00.002-06:00

HERE

One week till release day!

Yay!

Blurb:

Jackson Black is attracted to guys, but buries it deep,thinking he'll find the right women and fix the problem. Until the intensestare of David McCourt completely undoes him.

David has his hands full trying to figure life out. When hegets hurt, friends and lovers surround him, trying to help close the wounds.

But it may not be enough.

CONTENT ADVISORIES: This book has a "to be continued" ending and topics of rape or near rape. In addition, this series is a cross-genre series of m/m, m/f, m/m/f, etc.

Silver Shorts 3 Ready for Pre-Order

2012-02-17T20:17:00.000-06:00

Pre-Order HERE

Next week's themes are:

"The box was still there..."

"We fell in love..."

"You can only eat so much..."

"I cannot believe you..."

This week's anthology includes:

Silver Shorts 2: Mutiny in the Sky

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

If you would like to download the whole file of all participating authors for this week, ORDER HERE. My story will follow below.

Participating Authors this week are:

Cock Sock Blues by Cherie Noel
Curing His Performance Anxiety by Julie Lynn Hayes
Fireworks! by Diane Adams
Imperial Daughter by T.L.K. Arkenberg
Living the Life by RJ Scott
Mutiny in the Sky by Freddy MacKay
The Carpenter's Tale by Chris Quinton

The prompts for this week were:

You can't judge a book by its cover...

Fireworks - whatever kind you like...

I'm a go-getter kind of guy/girl....

...tried to fight the feelings off but there's a mutiny below....

Mutiny in the Sky

By Freddy MacKay

Watching the sky stretched out in front of her, there were white cotton balls that dotted the turquoise expanse, and the dirt brown landscape dotted with patches of green sprawled beneath them. Sammy sighed. Her long legs hung over the side of the ship and her feet thumped against the cold steel. Sammy's head and arms hung through the old metal side-rails. She twisted her long, wavy strawberry blonde hair in her hands. Normally, she would not let it loose in the breeze because of the danger of being spotted, but she needed to think. Her callused fingers tugged at the silky strands while she ruminated about the problems aboard the airship, her home.

There were too many to count really, one of the main problems being her own brother, but Sammy tried prioritizing what the most important issues that faced her and the other discontented crewmembers. Men who were like fathers, brothers and uncles to her. Day by day, dissention fractured the crew that once felt like family. Pretty soon, someone would pull something, do something, and all chaos would break lose. Of that, Sammy would bet her meager treasures on.

Growing up on an airship with only a brother and other male members aboard, Sammy had known nothing else but the life she had been raised with. The countries below had long been ravaged by wars and famine. The only escape had been in the sky for the wealthy nation's governments, or those who could afford it. Or for those willing to fight against other refugees for airspace below the terraformed platforms in the sky on their airships. The terraform platforms floated in the skies using magnets and the earth's magnetic field. There, the plants grew healthy and water flowed in healthy streams. But the only laws were that of survival of the fittest, since the nations had long since been eradicated, city-states taking their place.

Sammy's family, the now fractured crew, had been part of the latter group. Poor, but willing to fight, they had a doctor, and they had an airship. A ship that became a home to sick families who wanted healthy children with a better future than theirs. The families had been flying in the sky for three generations now. Fighting for survival in the vicious skies above the ruined planet below. But even with the fighting for sky territory, their lives were much easier than those underneath them. Having landed once, and only once, when she was twelve, Sammy saw they were better off on the ship compared to the wary, hollow existence the people on the ground led.

Most of the grounds poisoned the people from the moment they were born. Killing them slowly and cruelly from their first contact, their birth. When Sammy and the crew went down, they had to wear special suits and be inoculated against the poisons. Seeing the thin skeletal frames of the people on the surface, Sammy finally understood all the precautions hadn't been for show.

Sammy had been so shocked she stared at the surface dwellers even though she knew it was rude. If it hadn't been for having to find an expensive and necessary part for their ship that they could only get from scavenging on the ground, the crew would have never come down from their flight pattern. They had to land, they couldn't afford docking fees or the equipment from the sky roamers—the people who lived on the terraforms. Going to the surface had been a necessary evil that opened Sammy's eyes to what her life could have been like. It gave her newfound perspective, and what also helped her assess the current situation.

Food on the ground was scarce and fiercely protected by the city-states that claimed the non-poisoned grounds, since not many areas could grow crops. Same with any water reserves that were left, but those, too, were even fewer and farther between. If the ground city-state had a sister terraformed platform, then they could import supplies from the sky roamers, but those relationships had dwindled or been severed through the centuries. Rumors, bad ones, surrounded the city-states that still had sky connections. Ground People were said to be sold into all kinds of slavery or scientific endeavors. Even people from the sky ships had become targets. Sammy shivered, but not from the breeze on the metal rafters. More than once, they had to defend themselves from slave traders.

She was of age, and could be taken to any well-to-do family in need of a female. Something about the poisons affected the women differently, and killed most of them off centuries ago and made it hard to produce a live girl. The female population never recovered, and in this day and age of warfare, things were not made any easier by the fight over having a woman.

Women were supposed to have their choice of husbands. Up to five men, if Sammy wanted them. But experience and fellow airship lore, Sammy and the rest of the crew knew differently. Those with wealth would take or buy what they wanted. Her age was one of the many problems aboard the ship. Sammy had been of age for more than ten years, turning twenty-three in a few short days, and had yet to take any husbands. Guilt swamped Sammy's heart, knowing that if she made a choice, it would solve one more of their Captain's headache. But the choice for her was an impossible one because she did not want more than one husband.

Sammy rubbed her arms. A familiar twinge shot through Sammy's nerves, settling in her chest making her breath short. If Sammy chose one, then the captain would insist on her choosing four more. And Sammy wanted only one husband, and he would not give her the time of day since her sixteenth birthday when she had asked him for a kiss as a present. She had often watched Jude from afar growing up, and he spent much of her youth teaching her to read, fight, and make repairs to their home. When she was little, Jude's knowledge enthralled her, being twelve years older than her. She also felt protected when she stayed with him, something she never particularly felt with her brother, despite his attempts to reassure her. But Jimmy was only a couple years older than her. It had been hard to see anyone other than Jude as her protector.

Then, one day close to Sammy's sixteenth birthday, something changed and she wanted more from him. She felt excited around Jude, and a buzzing that left her restless. Sammy wanted to figure that feeling out. She had heard the men talking, knew about their trips to the brothel ships, and decided to take matters into her own hands. When Jude asked what she wanted for a birthday, she made a request to watch the stars. Jude gave her an easy smile, but his brown eyebrows went up in concern, asking Sammy if that was what she really wanted. She grinned and said she'd get it once they got to the rafters. Jude smiled and laughed, patting Sammy on the head, and agreed.

So finally, when Jude had been alone with her watching the starry night after her birthday party, standing in the very spot she now sat, Sammy asked for her present. A kiss. Sammy would never forget the stricken look on his face, or the cold eyes that met hers when Jude composed himself and looked at her to give his refusal. Her heart shattered with his words, and he left her on hands and knees, crying with the cold from the metal seeping into her bones. But even with the heartache she experienced that night, almost seven years ago, Sammy wanted no other man.

The ache in her chest grew. Sammy not only did not get her birthday present on that long ago day, she also lost Jude's friendship and caring. More than anything, she wished her easy friendship with Jude had not been lost so many years ago. But Jude would not give Sammy even that, only talking with her when necessary or when there was an emergency. Sammy lived for emergencies. She saw the old Jude than. She missed their talks, his laughter, the way they played together, and all the things Jude had been teaching her. His strength, natural authority, and fairness when dealing with others called to Sammy. And now that she had grown, Sammy could appreciate Jude's looks even better than when she was a young girl.

Even now, with Jude being in his mid-thirties, Sammy had to look to him. She could look at Jude for hours. His dark brown hair looked like fertile soil from old storybooks, and it covered his head, jaw, chest and legs. He even had a treasure trail that went down into his pants. His deep blue eyes matched the gigantic oceans they rarely went near, the calm waters they saw maybe once or twice a year at most with their flight patterns. Sammy always felt Jude's eyes complemented her gray ones.

She looked down at the silver and turquoise stone bangles Jude had given her at her birthday party hours before he walked away from her. Even though Sammy had said watching the stars would be good enough, Jude went ahead and got her something anyway. When Jude gave her the present, Sammy had taken it as a sign he might actually return her childish crush, that the bangles represented their entwined souls. But it had been nothing more than a special gift from one of the 'big brothers' of the crew to his 'little sister.' And even though Jude walked away from her, Sammy never outgrew her 'childish crush.' The feelings only deepened. Sammy had tried to put her childhood behind her, and grow into a woman Jude would want. Her feelings changed too, and morphed into love for the man. And while she cursed her childhood when she was younger, as Sammy got older, she learned she should have treasured it a bit more. Appreciate the gift Jude and the other men on the ship had given her.

Growing up had been a blessing for Sammy. She could have been forced into a marriage when she came of age at twelve, but her airship believed in letting her wait and grow, saying only once she turned twenty-one would she have to choose. Other women she met hadn't been so lucky. Goosebumps prickled her skin at the memories of the haunted women she met from time to time on other airships or sky posts. Sammy being as old as she was without husbands, was not a common occurrence.

Of course, the fact Sammy was almost twenty-three and hadn't decided on any husbands also made tension slowly build up on the ship. So far no one had pushed the issue, but it would only be a matter of time. She had grown from a babe to a woman, and there were those that had no qualms over her maturity and their attraction to it. She had used her maturity to her advantage on more than one occasion, but it never abated the sadness building in her year by year.

Restless and lonely, Sammy thumped her feet against the side of the old ship. Her head rolled to the side and the chill of the railing sank into her cheek. Sammy's age and refusal to take husbands wasn't the airship's only problem. Their home was old and breaking down, repairs were becoming more frequent instead of less. Supplies had become harder to come by because trader ships were disappearing. Docking fees had gone up, so they couldn't get their supplies that way. Not to mention that the city-states had begun closing themselves off to outsiders; supply boats were no longer welcomed, fear of being hunted driving them to close their sky posts.

A fraction of the men had grown vocal in wanting to join one of the terraforms, but the only way to do so would be to pay a passage fee for each person. And to get the money for a passage fee onto almost every terraform meant some on the ship would be left behind on their dying home. Another fraction of the ship had taken to raiding parties against the Captain's orders, wanting to 'diversify' their means of income. The men's behavior was driven by greed and desperation. Another group wanted to return to the city-states, believing rumors that some of the pockets of civilization had clean ground and water. Then there were those who wanted to find parts and keep the ship in repair, doing as they have been doing, but those men were few and far between. And then her brother… Sammy shook her head. Fear of getting stranded, not knowing which way to turn, had begun driving everyone in different directions. Her family was breaking apart. She physically hurt from the twists and turns their lives had been taking.

"Shit!" Sammy jerked, hitting her head.

A shrill sound broke out, an alarm to warn the crew. Looking up, Sammy spotted a terraform. Sammy stood up and quickly wrapped her hair up in a knot. Taking her hat out of the back pocket in her pants, the one Jude gave to her when she had been fourteen and had started growing out her hair, she tucked her long strands into it. Running full out, Sammy made her way down the rickety metal rafters, trying to get to the engine room as fast as possible. Her breathing quickened as she ran from the bow of the ship to its center, nearly a whole mile through the passageways. If they didn't get their home out of the way, the magnetic pull between the terraforms and the earth could shake their ship apart.

"Get outta the way!" Sammy bellowed, sweat beading on her brow. "Move it!"

"Fuckin' A!"

"Watch it!"

Men yelled, pushing themselves through the throng, or they jumped out of the way, pressing themselves up against the walls in the small confines of the tunnels weaving through the ship. Her lungs burned and her legs ached with the strain she was putting them under.

Sammy yelled over her shoulder. "Watch yourself!"

The floors clanged, ringing loud next to her. Sammy flicked her eyes to the left. Jude ran next to her. Arms pumping, brown hair in total disarray. He winked at Sammy. She wanted to smile, but couldn't. Only in emergencies was Jude jovial and friendly to her. Sammy needed her breath anyway.

"Fast on your feet as ever, Sammy," teased Jude.

They skidded to a halt in front of the engine room. Sammy bent over momentarily, flicking Jude off when she stood back up.

"That all you got?"

"What can I say?" Sammy pushed through the door. "I'm a go-getter kind of girl."

"I bet," said Jude. "A good thing in emergencies."

She nodded and went to the control handles for the engine power. They needed a boost of energy to get out of the way. Jude crowded up behind her as Sammy grabbed the levers. Jude's hands covered hers as they pulled together. Trying to open up the engines to their full power so they could avoid the terraform, so their home wouldn't fall apart with them on it. But the handles wouldn't budge.

Jude's scruff tickled her ears. "Harder."

"Fuck!" She cursed; now her arms ached along with her legs.

Jude's large body cradled hers. Sammy wasn't a small woman by any means, in fact, she was taller than most of the men on the ship, but Jude still encompassed her. His chest rubbed against Sammy's back and his hot arms pressed against hers. Jude's groin nestled against hers. A twinge of excitement went through her.

"Pull!" grunted Jude.

"Right!"

Sammy doubled her efforts, her ears burning in embarrassment, and pulled on the handle. They both grunted from the exertion they were putting forth. But finally, the levers moved. Their house lurched, indicating a shift in flight pattern, and the loud screeching stopped. Sammy took a deep breath in relief and slumped against Jude. For a moment, his strong arms wrapped around her, but Jude took a step back and eased Sammy away from him. She turned. Sammy dipped her head, speaking softly.

"Thanks."

"No problem, Sam."

Sammy tried to smile, but couldn't make her lips turn up. "We've got to find grease for those levers. Next time, we may not be able to shift them."

"Yeah." Jude's assessing blue eyes went over the pulleys, handles and wheels. "I think you're right."

Sammy took a deep breath. This had been the longest conversation they had in weeks. Hope flared in her chest like it always did, but she knew she needed to push the feeling down. Just as she went to ask Jude where he thought they could find the grease, a bell rang over the sound system. A chill went down Sammy's spine. Her eyes flew to Jude's. His blue eyes held hers for a moment, dread filling them, and then hard resolve. Sammy took a step closer to Jude.

"What's that?"

He ran a hand through his thick brown hair. "An alarm the captain made."

"For what?"

"To raise awareness if there was a mutiny." He pressed his lips together, his eyes flickered, like he was trying to decide what information to share. "There's a different sound for each fraction on the ship. The bell is for the group who wanted to start bigger raiding parties."

"Fuck!"

Jude raised an eyebrow at her.

"You didn't say anything earlier." Sammy crossed her arms.

Jude raised his hand, pointing at her, opened his mouth then closed it. He narrowed his eyes. "That was different."

"Wasn't."

"We don't have time for this," Jude huffed, flapping his arms once before he reached out to her. "Come on, we have to go."

Sammy stood for a moment, not sure what to do. "Where?"

"Captain told me to look after you if something happened." Jude tugged on her hand, pulling her forward. "We can't stay here, the men will know to look for you here."

"Why did the captain ask you?"

Jude snorted, rolling his eyes. "Can you just not argue with me, please? I promise to explain later."

Sammy sniffed indignantly, but panic overtook her. She tried to fight the feelings off, but there was a mutiny below, and it was happening on the bridge of her home. And apparently, she was in harm's way.

"Sam," Jude called to her softly. "Let's go. I promise, I will take care of you."

Taking a deep breath, Sammy nodded. She let Jude's big hand wrap around hers, trusting him. He smiled, flashing white teeth at her. If Jude made a promise, he would keep it. Sammy just had to trust him and remember not to get her hopes up.

Jude winked at her. "Run."

"Fuck!"

The loud clang of metal echoed beneath their feet as they took off, running for parts unknown. Sammy's legs were still tired from the dash to the engine room. A hand went up the backside of her head.

"Ow!" Sammy turned so she could glare at Jude.

"Told you not to swear, Sam."

To Be Continued

11 Days till Release Day for Beginning Again

2012-02-14T11:17:00.001-06:00

Less than 2 weeks till release day!

Yay!

I can now start counting down the days!

Blurb:

Pain and loss are nothing new to David. They are old friends who've stayed too long. Finally being able to fullfill a longtime goal by transferring to Capstone Ridge University, David McCourt is hoping to put his past behind him. Even if it means keeping his head down and staying away from his roommates and everybody else. All David really wants is an honest chance to start over with a clean slate and a new life.

Bobby Daniels doesn’t want a robot for a roommate. After seeing the hurt David carries around, Bobby makes up his mind to help his awkward roommate come out of his shell. Dragging David if he has to, with the help of friends and a nutty professor.Being attracted to guys is something Jackson Black has ignored and tried to change for years. Thinking if he found the right women or she found him, Jackson would have his problem fixed. What he wasn’t counting on was the intense stare of David McCourt.

Between friends, a one-night stand and Jackson, David has his hands full trying to figure life out. When David gets hurt, will he be able to recover? Or will it be the final straw that sends him over the edge? To keep David together, friends and lovers surround him, trying to help close the wounds, but will it be enough?

CONTENT ADVISORIES: This book has a "to be continued" ending and topics of rape or near rape. In addition, this series is a cross-genre series of m/m, m/f, m/m/f, etc.

AT SJD Peterson's Blog today!

2012-02-13T09:03:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone!

I am guest blogging over at SJD's today. And we have a little interview and an excerpt from my upcoming release, Beginning Again: Finding Peace 1.

The Finding Peace Series is darker, has heavier issues, than my Sheltered Series (Tears for Christmas), and my characters all have problems to work through.

Hopefully everyone will come to love my characters as much as I do.

For the interview CLICK HERE

Six Sentence Sunday #26

2012-02-12T02:00:00.000-06:00

Pushinghis way though the crowd to get to the bathroom, Jackson stopped beforeentering through the door. He looked around and put the cleaning sign on the bathroomknob, slipping in. Expecting to see the kid when he walked in but not findinghim, Jackson stumbled to halt wondering if he made a mistake. A stall door wasshut, so Jackson leaned on the opposite wall trying to figure out what he wouldsay when the college kid finished his business.

What he wasn't expecting was the sheer panic onthe guy's face as the guy exited the stall. Had Jackson misread him earlier?

HERE

Silver Shorts 2 ready for Pre-Order

2012-02-10T15:23:00.000-06:00

Pre-Order Here

Next Week Prompts Were:

You can't judge a book by its cover...

Fireworks - whatever kind you like...

I'm a go-getter kind of guy/girl....

...tried to fight the feelings off but there's a mutiny below....

Next week's anthology includes authors:

Cock Sock Blues by Cherie Noel
Curing His Performance Anxiety by Julie Lynn Hayes
Fireworks! by Diane Adams
Imperial Daughter by T.L.K. Arkenberg
Living the Life by RJ Scott
Mutiny in the Sky by Freddy MacKay
The Carpenter's Tale by Chris Quinton

WPP Awarded

2012-02-10T09:24:00.001-06:00

The World Press Photo of 2011 has been awarded to Samuel Aranda for his photo covering the uprising in Yemen last year.

For more information CLICK HERE.

Silver Shorts 1: Stuck with You

2012-02-08T01:00:00.000-06:00

If you would like to download the whole file of all participating authors for this week, ORDER HERE. My story will follow below.

Participating Authors this week are:

Alcohol by RJ Scott

Ambassadorial Closet by T.L.K. Arkenberg

Built on Love by Lily Sawyer

By Any Other Name by L.M. Brown

Closet Case by Julie Lynn Hayes

Hide and Seek by Cherie Noel

In the Dark by AJ Jarrett

Out of the Closet by Diane Adams

Stuck With You by Freddy MacKay

This Closet Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us by Chris Quinton

The prompt for this week was

"This closet ain't big enough for the both of us..."

Stuck with You

By Freddy MacKay

Nick Townes could feel his frustration growing by the minute. The annoyance at his situation clawed just beneath the surface of his skin. He and his partner, Will Anderson, were going out for the night with some friends. Something they rarely got to do these days because of work and family obligations. In fact, if Nick thought about it, their date would be the first Friday night they had together in over two months. Will had been put on night shift at the hospital, and Nick's studio did its best business from ten in the morning to nine at night. Which meant they hardly ever got to see each other right now. Then, both sets of parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings and/or nieces or nephews always had some kind of party or wedding or funeral or school event going on that their family wanted Will and him to go to.

While Nick loved their families to death, especially with how close everyone was, lately the obligations—both familial and work—were getting to him. Rummaging around their bedroom, Nick racked his brain, trying to remember when the last time he had Will to himself. Or when they had any alone time, period. Nick really wanted some quality time with Will, he ached for it, but they'd be out with friends for the night. Getting to blow off some steam together, even if they wouldn't be alone, at least their date involved something to do with the two of them. Nick looked around the room and growled. Of course, going out had also lead him to his current predicament and growing irritation. Maybe they should say "fuck it" and stay in. But then their friends would be upset and accuse Nick and Will of blowing them off yet again. Nope, they were stuck.

Where the fuck was his Converse?

One half of Nick's favorite pair of shoes could not be found, no matter how high or low he looked… and Nick was going slowly batty. The footwear had not been in the front hall closet, and the only other place it could be was in their bedroom. He had scrounged around for the missing offender for almost forty-five minutes already, and really wanted the shoe to turn up. How he could lose his shoe in their bedroom baffled Nick, but he had. He searched the whole room three times over, making it a certifiable disaster zone in the process.

Their room could safely be said as being on the larger side. It held a California King that they placed on the north wall between the windows, and had a dresser off to the east side of the bed, also framed by windows. On the opposite wall of the bed stood a small table, holding photographs and a flat screen TV. On the other side of the bed, Nick and Will put two lounge chairs big enough for the two of them to cuddle in one together if they wanted, a side table sitting between them. The west wall had a door leading back out to their duplex, and more pictures and display shelves hung on it. The south wall with the table also had two doors, one for their bathroom, the other leading into the small, cramped walk-in closet.

The door opened into the closet, and the clothes were double stacked with a shelf up above them, hanging on one side, leaving eight inches to shuffle in and grab something and scurry back out. Nick wouldn't complain about the closet space, though. Less closet space had meant a tub and shower in the bathroom. He knew they had gladly given up closet space to have a nice en suite they could relax in.

Nick frowned, turning around in the room. They kept it nice and clean, dirty clothes in a hamper, no clutter besides the photographs. Shoes stayed under the bed in an organizer, which was where his Converse should have been, but one had walked off. Poof, completely MIA. And yet, with their organization, the room looked like a tornado hit it because Nick wanted to wear his shoes. Nick needed to make a decision and clean up. Will would be coming home soon and be feeling exhausted, having traded hours and worked a double shift just so he could go out with Nick and their friends tonight. And since his boyfriend had tried so hard to make tonight happen, Nick wanted everything to go off without a hitch and look his best.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Where is that damn shoe?" he shouted in the empty room.

Plopping down on their bed, Nick rolled his neck, trying to get out some of the tension that had built up. He rolled to his stomach and stretched. Every muscle in his body screamed for relief. He felt tight and all his movements were stiff and disjointed. Nick could feel the strain building minute-by-minute—hour-by-hour and day-by-day—and wanted to find some relief, but nothing worked so far. Even taking a half-hour of stretching time in the morning and before bed had done nothing for him.

Staring at the ceiling, Nick wondered what to do. He could wear different shoes, but it didn't feel right to go out without his favorite footwear. Nick wanted to show off for Will tonight, look his best—at his best—and part of that show was about looking like himself. Rolling of their bed, Nick walked over to the stand up mirror in the northeast corner. Checked out his outfit one more time, fidgeted with the hem, and tried to decide what to do about his predicament.

He hadn't worn anything fancy. It wasn't in Nick, but he liked looking good for Will, even after eight years of togetherness. Nick wanted his partner to know he still took the time to look nice for Will, that he still cared just as much as he did when they met in their junior year of college. Looking in the mirror, Nick saw his dark blue eyes reflected back at him in assessment. His brown hair had red highlights mixed with natural highlights from the sun, and he liked to wear it short and spiky. His five o'clock shadow had filled in nicely and would make Will happy. His partner loved the feeling of scruffiness when they kissed.

Nick also thought his choice of clothes would please his partner. He wore a light blue t-shirt with a brown-striped v-neck sweater pulled over it. A dark pair of jeans that fit Nick just right in the ass and a woven dark brown cotton belt finished off his look… except he didn't have his Converse. They were his one guilty pleasure, and he owned about twenty-five different pairs of them, a collection Nick had been building since he had been in high school starting twelve years ago.

"What are you staring at?" Will laughed.

Jumping, Nick had been so focused on making sure he would be presentable, he did not realize his lover had come home. Nick glared at Will in the mirror, pissed he had been caught preening. Will leaned against the doorframe entering into the room, and obviously had been there awhile considering how settled he was. Nick wanted to wipe the smug look off of Will's face. He narrowed his eyes.

The corner of Will's mouth turned up, a lazy half-smile formed and his dimple barely showed. Will's amber eyes glowed with satisfaction. "Am I interrupting? Would you like some time alone with yourself?"

Nick's gaze stayed focused on the image of his partner in the mirror, but flipped Will off nonetheless.

Will pushed away from the doorway and slowly walked around their bed. Stopping right behind Nick, Will wrapped his arms around Nick's waist, leaning heavily against him. Will rubbed his scruffy face over Nick's head, messing up his hair, and against his cheeks. The possessive statement gave Nick goosebumps every time, but he was still mad at Will for his teasing and tried to ignore his lover. Will snuggled against the back of Nick's neck, nipping his spine.

"Missed you." Will's voice came out gruff and a little tired.

Nick sighed, knowing he'd already lost the battle, and leaned back against Will's broad chest, watching his lover in the mirror. Blond hair stuck up every which way, small bags were under his blue-gray eyes, at least a day's growth of beard covered his face, and still, Will smiled at him. Nick's frosty demeanor was well on its way to softening. No matter how bad his shift had been at the hospital or how sleepy Will came home, he gave Nick a kiss and loved on him.

"You look nice," said Will, leaving a wet kiss just behind Nick's ear.

"Thanks," he replied, tilting his head back to look at his lover. "Missed you too."

Will smiled for Nick this time, sniffing his hair in affection. "Lemme grab a two minute shower, than I'll smell as good as you and we can get going."

"I'm gonna time you," teased Nick, wagging his finger at his lover. "Jason and the guys are expecting us in an hour, and it takes at least a half-hour to get to the bar."

Laughing, Will pulled his scrubs off and cocked an eyebrow. He stood naked in front of

Nick with complete ease, the muscles of his toned stomach flexing. Well, almost all of him was at ease. Nick flicked his eyes down. Almost.

"You trying to tell me something?"

"Yes," replied Nick shortly. "Trying to drown yourself by shower doesn't work."

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

Will's laugh rolled over Nick, deep and rough. It would have felt wonderful on his back. Nick narrowed his eyes, shooing his lover off towards the bathroom. Will winked and turned around, walking slowly into their bathroom. Letting Nick watch his firm and round ass, knowing what it would do to him.

"Tease!"

"Never," said Will with all seriousness, and closed the damn door.

Nick growled, pressing his palm against the bulge forming in his jeans. "Yeah right."

Even through the door he could hear Will laughing over the running water.

When was the last time they made love?

Nick frowned. He should remember. Shaking himself out of his morose thoughts, Nick went back to the task at hand. If Will finished up quick, that meant Nick had to find his shoe ASAP. At least Will had been smart not to mention the mess. Nick would clean it… later. He pulled out the shoe organizer one more time. Nope, still not there. Nick bit his lip, surveying the room one more time, trying hard to think of where he'd put his favorite sneaker. Pausing at the closet door, Nick racked his brain. Did he try looking in the closet? He took a step toward the door. Nick couldn't remember going in there, but they never put their shoes in the closet. They needed all available space for clothes.

The shower went off. Shit. Didn't matter whether or not they usually did or did not do something. Checking and making sure his Converse wasn't in the small space would help his put his mind at rest, or make him certifiable. That damn shoe went missing on purpose. Nick grabbed the door handle, pausing when the bathroom door swung open.

Will stepped into their bedroom, steam swirling around him, drying his hair and still naked. Nick huffed. Watching his lover prance around naked did not help his purpose. Okay, Will never pranced in his life, but it felt like it. Nick squinted at his lover. Will arched one of his impeccable eyebrows again.

"What?"

"Nothing," hissed Nick, yanking open the closet door.

"I don't think the door has done anything to you in its life."

Just because Will teased him didn't make it okay. Nick stuck his tongue out.

"I have better uses for that if you want."

"Shut it." Nick stepped into the cramped walk-in, flicking the light on with a quick flip of his wrist. "I have to find my shoe."

"And the two dozen currently yanked out from under our bed aren't any good because?"

"One of my striped glow-in-the-dark Converse is missing," yelled Nick, getting down on his knees, feeling for anything that could be a shoe. "I want to wear those."

"You mean those rat nests?" Will sounded close.

Nick glanced over his shoulder. Will stood in the door jam, his iPhone in one hand, and the ball of his palms resting against the frame. Will's hair was still damp and his towel hung around his neck. Will had a pair of jeans pulled on but not buttoned. His treasure trail was out in plain view with droplets of water beaded on his furred chest. Will's beard growth had been trimmed back, but still lined his face. Nick swallowed. Damn, even after all this time he could eat Will up. The softening bulge in his pants reared back to life. Nick turned his attention back to the closet.

"They're not rat nests," stammered Nick. "I love those shoes."

"Weren't they your older brother's from the 80s?"

"So?" asked Nick indignantly.

"Just let them die, Nick."

"No," Nick bit out. They were cool, nobody else he knew had them, and Nick took great care of them.

Will sighed and crowded over Nick. "Where did you last see them?"

"The front closet."

"Ah," said Will, and leaned over Nick. "That's why the shoes were all over the place."

"Yes," said Nick curtly. Then remembered better. "Sorry, I'll clean up later, promise."

"The disaster zone in the bedroom too?" Will's voice was light, and if Nick looked he knew his lover would be smiling, blue eyes glinting with all sorts of trouble.

"Yes." Nick sighed and sat back on his feet. "I don't see them anywhere."

"Are you sure?"

"Unfortunately."

"Get up, Nick, lemme look."

They shuffled, trying to get around each other, but ended up getting skewered on the hangers. Laughter erupted as they ended up stepping the same direction several times, dancing together in the cramped walk-in.

Will winked. "This closet ain't big enough for the both of us."

Nick agreed. "No shit."

Will grabbed hold of Nick's shoulders, keeping him immobile so Will could side step him, and dropped to the floor. Because of the repositioning, Nick ended up at the back wall of the closet. He watched while his lover searched under the line of clothes. One shoulder dropped low as Will reached under the shirts, his head titled up, and brows drawn together in concentration.

"I don't feel anything." Will stood. Sympathy filled his bright eyes. "Sorry, Nick."

He shrugged. "Not your fault, it's my shoe."

"But you do love them."

Nick's shoulders dropped and he scratched the back of his neck. "I'll just wear a different pair. We need to get going before Jason puts an APB out on us."

Will nodded and muttered, "He would, the pain-in-butt cop that he is."

Turning around to the door, Will stepped forward, stopping abruptly. Making Nick slam into his back, right into Will's shoulder blade.

"Shit! You okay, Nick?" Will glanced over his shoulder, concern filling them.

Holding his throbbing nose, Nick looked up and scowled. "Why'd you stop?"

"Uh, the door's closed."

Nick peeked around Will. When did that happen? "Then open it."

"That's why I stopped, I can't." Will grabbed the handle and shook. "See?"

"Are you saying we're stuck in the closet?"

"No… well, maybe, yeah?" Will twisted so he faced Nick. "I'll call Jason, see if he can't get us out, or one of the other guys."

"They'll never let us live it down," groaned Nick. "I mean, we're stuck in the closet!"

Will chuckled. "I've never been in the closet in my life." He took a quick look around. "At least I'm stuck in the closet with you."

"Just make the call," complained Nick, wanting to throttle his lover.

"Sure, just let me—" Will palmed his phone out of his pocket and squinted at the screen. He tapped and placed the iPhone between his shoulder and ear "Hey… fuck. Jason, it's Will, give me a call, or have one of the guys call. Nick and I are stuck and need some help."

"He's not answering?" Nick's mood deflated steadily.

"Nope, he's probably driving. Give it a few minutes, he'll call."

Nick nodded, sighing heavily.

"Hey." Will cupped Nick's jaw. "Is it really so bad being stuck with me?"

Nick leaned into his lover's touch. "Maybe."

"You shit!"

"But you love me anyways."

Will's eyes darkened, his black pupils dilating, his voice dropped even lower than normal. "Yeah, I do love you. Always."

Nick trembled. He knew that look, loved when Will got that look. But now wasn't the time.

Will smiled. "Yes."

"No."

"I want you. I've missed you." Will's raw desire and need nearly broke Nick. Will pulled him close and his lover's cock pulsed against Nick's pelvis. "Please."

Nick's heart stuttered. Fuck. He started to nod, but Will's mouth crashed down on top of his instantly. Desire flared back up in Nick, his prick strained against his jeans. He tilted his head back, mouth open and readily accepting his lover's invasion. Will moaned, thrusting his tongue deep, the vibrations making his chest hair tickle Nick. He chuckled, but was cut off when Will sucked his tongue, sparks igniting in Nick's mouth and traveling south.

Cupping the back of Nick's head with his large hand, Will smashed their mouths together more forcefully. His other hand grabbed Nick's ass, pulling them together, and massaged Nick's heated flesh through the jeans. Leaning against the door, Will spread his legs, settling Nick over a thigh and rocked their groins together. His hand kneaded Nick's ass and his tongue licked Nick's lips. Nick's hands pressed against the door on either side of Will's head.

Will's teeth nipped him and a warm tongue soothed Nick's swollen flesh. Nick rocked his hips, trying to get friction on his aching cock. Will dipped back into his mouth, teasing Nick's tongue and lavishing the inside of his cheeks and checking Nick's tonsils before retreating. Will grabbed Nick's hair, tugging at the short length. Nick tilted his head back, loving how Will scraped his scruff across his sensitive lips, lightly biting a trail of wet kisses down Nick's jaw and neck. Nick thrust against his lover's leg, panting, needing more.

A hand fumbled against Will's stomach, pulling at his buttons. He added a hand to the mix. Needing to be freed, have his throbbing cock relieved of its confines. Will began sucking on his shoulder, murmuring his approval. They managed to get the button undone and Nick slid back, pushing his jeans and boxers down while Will shucked his pants and cotton boxer briefs down. Nick managed to get one leg off, but his fucking Converse was tied and he couldn't get it off. Will's jeans pooled around his ankles.

"Fuck!" Nick let out a tirade of expletives.

"Told you that you should have gotten rid of those damn shoes." Will smirked and pulled Nick back against him before either of them could get their pants all the way off.

They slid part way down the door, hangers and clothes hitting them, falling around Will and Nick when they dropped the rest of the way. He crawled on his lover's lap, kissing and nibbling Will's nipples and collarbone. Nick's lover kissed the top of his head, rubbing his chin over it. Will enveloped their pricks with his large hand, stroking and squeezing them together. Another hard hand held the back of Nick's neck. Low, guttural moans filled the small space, Will's pleasure heightening Nick's. How could he have forgotten what Will's hot, hard flesh felt like? Nick groaned in response and rocked into Will's grasp. Beads of pre-cum dipped from his cock, adding some needed slide to the friction between their stiff shafts.

Nick moaned, burying his hands into Will's thick mane, thrusting harder in his lover's hand. Demanding more. Pre-cum dripped down his dick, allowing Will to pump their cocks in hard, long strokes, twisting just under the taut heads and pulling back down. Nick nipped at Will's swollen lips and sucked his lover's lower lip into his mouth. Will slanted his mouth over Nick's, taking command of the kiss. Thrusting his tongue deep inside Nick's mouth just as the palm of Will's hand turned over the top of their red, flared tips, Will's thumb dipped inside Nick weeping slit. Will's thick, heavy cock slid against Nick's, jerking with each tug and pull. The base of Nick's back prickled. Will squeezed their hot flesh firmly.

"I need… I need," panted Nick. It had been so long, too long, his heart ached.

Will's right hand kneaded the back of his neck while his left pumped their dicks. "Shh, I know."

The pressure on his cock disappeared. Nick protested, shouting his displeasure. "No!"

"Stand up."

Struggling to his feet, Nick's anger dissipated as soon as Will sucked him down. "Fuck."

Will's mouth popped off his cock, and he smiled, blue eyes shining with adoration. "Grab on, then."

Weaving his hands through Will's thick blond hair, Nick groaned. Will swallowed his cock, throat muscles constricting around Nick's hard flesh. Slowly, carefully, Nick began to move his hips. Will's right hand rested on his hip, but his left ghosted up the inside of Nick's leg. He widened his stance, keeping up a steady pace of fucking his lover's mouth. Will moaned, the vibrations curling Nick's toes. Every movement made caused the slurping sounds to echo in Nick's ears.

"Fuck, Will!"

Will suckered harder, his tongue pressing hard against Nick's shaft. Swiping the tip with each pull out, dipping into Nick's weeping slit. The wet heat of Will's mouth drove Nick to thrust more. Wanting to be deeper, Nick rocked his hips harder and groaned when Will hollowed his cheeks. A slick finger pressed against his ass. Nick wondered briefly where the lube came from, but decided it didn't matter when Will increased the suction around his throbbing cock. Will pressed harder against his hole.

Groaning as Will's finger breached past his ring of muscles, Nick rocked into his lover's mouth, then pressed back against the firm length in his ass. His hole clenched tightly around the invasion. Nick's balls drew tight up against him, the base of his back burned with need. A fingernail scraped over his prostate, sending jolts of electricity up his spine, exploding behind his eyes. Will pressed the pad of his finger against Nick's nub, rubbing hard.

"Gonna, gonna," he panted, thrusting harder, pushing back with desperation. "Will!"

Cum spurted down Will's throat, each throb of Nick's dick coating his lover's mouth. Nick's hands clenched Will's hair, holding him still, as he pushed his cock as far back as possible. Nick looked into Will's eyes and shuddered with bursts of cum, reveling in the love he found in the blue orbs watching him. Will's tongue laved his cock, licking him clean, sucking on his sensitive tip before letting his softening shaft go.

"My turn." Will smiled wickedly up at Nick. "Hands on the door and lift your leg."

Still dazed from his orgasm, Nick did as asked, groaning as Will slid under him. Two fingers pumped his ass. He put his foot back down, the movement tightening the hold his hole had on his lover's hand. Nick arched his back, seeking Will's lips. His lover brushed their lips together.

"I need to get in two more, Nick."

He nodded and widened his stance.

"Good." Will nibbled his spine at the top of his neck. "Gonna add another one."

Nick bore down as his lover slowly and steadily added a third finger, grunting when Will plucked his nipples. Will pumped his hand, stretching Nick bit by bit, caressing his prostate every third or fourth stroke. His lover sucked marks down his spine, lavishing his tongue over Nick's hypersensitive nerves. Nibbling and teasing Nick's sweaty skin with his teeth.

"Please."

"Not yet, don't want to hurt you."

"I need you now," demanded Nick. And he did. Nick shook with anticipation. How long had it been since Will last held him?

"And I won't hurt you, love." Will bit his spine gently, his other hand still teasing Nick's hardened nipples. "It's been awhile."

"Too long," panted Nick. "Way too long. Ah!"

A fourth finger joined the others, spreading Nick's ass for Will's cock. His channel throbbed with need, his hole quivered. Nick pushed back, fucking himself on his lover's fingers. Demanding more from Will. Nick's voice felt hoarser with each cry that left his lips.

"Will, now!"

His loved chucked. "We have all night."

"Better not take all damn night."

"Well, you are stuck with me."

"In the fucking closet!" Nick's hole clenched down on Will's firm digits.

"Gonna love you Nick." Will pulled his fingers away from Nick's hot flesh, grabbing hold of his hips.

"About damn time!"

The taut head of Will's dick pressed against his hole. Nick bore down, arching his back, taking his lover in. They groaned. Will rocked; snapping his hips in short, shallow thrusts, the tip of Will's shaft popping in and out of Nick's ass. Stretching his anus and letting the puckered flesh wrap and cling to Will's throbbing prick. Excruciatingly slowly, Will worked into Nick's warm ass. Inch by inch, Will deepened his thrusts, holding Nick tight. Nick tilted his head back, silently asking for his lover's lips. Will bent over him, his curls brushing against Nick's back, sending tendrils of desire through him.

Excited to have his lover over him, Nick's cock began to pulse, trying to come back to life. Nick pulled his mouth away. "Hands, I want to hold your hands."

"Okay, love." Will shifted, his hands ghosting over Nick's arms before their fingers locked together. Every bit of Nick was covered. Will blanketed him, plastering himself against Nick's backside. Deep satisfaction swirled through Nick; his skin prickled, and contentment settled in him with each thrust Will made inside him.

When Will finally bottomed out, they were panting hard, sweat glistened along their arms and dripped from their chests. Will held still, allowing Nick to adjust to having his lover's large girth in him after so long. Nick willed himself to relax, craving the intimacy between them. Just as Nick pushed back, a sound erupted in the small walk-in, a sound that didn't come from Will or him.

"Fucking Jason!" swore Will. "Pick up the damn phone."

"Ignore it," whined Nick, wriggling his ass.

"He'll only show up on our doorstep." Will pushed against Nick's back, making him bend at the knees and his hand untwined from Nick's, shifting through the clothes. "Found it!"

"Tell him to fuck off."

"You do it, I have something more important to take care of," said Will, handing Nick the phone.

Nick grabbed the cell, but his hands went to the door immediately, and groaned loudly. Will grabbed his hips and thrust up into Nick's quivering ass. Rocking, Will drove into Nick and he matched his lover's movements. Wriggling backwards so his ass could swallow Will's throbbing dick.

"Mnh! Will!" he cried out. "Oh… mnh… yes!"

"Fuck, Nick!"

His inner walls tightened around Will's cock. Nick moaned, leaning against the door for support. Will thrust hard, their balls slapping together, the slight sting eliciting another long drawn out groan from Nick. His ass burned, convulsing on Will's rigid length. Nick's passage convulsed at the friction driving him closer to the edge. Will filled him over and over, grinding against his ass, then driving hard up into him, hitting Nick's prostate with practiced ease. The motions repeated till Nick could only draw short, rapid breaths. His lower back bristled with pleasure and his balls drew up.

"Please… I need, Will, I need. I need you," called Nick, arching his back and matching Will's increased frantic snaps.

"Yeah." Will's voice was raw and throaty.

Nick felt full, loved, and wriggled against his lover's chest. His shaft strained out in front of him, drops of pre-cum flowing from his slit. Nick pressed back against Will, trying to get them as close as possible, wanting them to grind together. Will's mouth latched onto the nape of his neck, sucking a mark on Nick's skin. Will swiveled his hips, grinding over Nick's sweet spot and grunted. The throb of his lover's dick in Nick's channel sent him over the edge, and his walls trembled as he came on Will's cock.

He cried out, warm jets of his cum painting their closet door. "Yes! Ah! Oh!"

"Shit, Nick!"

His hole clenched, holding Will inside. Nick's silky walls convulsed. A deep moan filled the small room, and hot spurts of cum coated Nick's passage. Will jerked over him, his mouth placed small kisses all over Nick's neck as Will alternated between grinding against Nick's ass, and pumping in and out of his hole slowly. Their pleasure drawing out each stoke, and Will's cock still throbbing, coming deep inside Nick.

"I love you, Nick." Will's head dropped onto Nick's back and he wrapped his arms around Nick's waist, hugging them close.

Nick tried to pull away from his lover, but Will wouldn't let him, sitting them down on the floor, Will's dick still buried in his ass. "I love you too, Will."

"And I love you guys." Jason's normal cheery tone came out a little husky.

Nick and Will flashed each other a couple of shocked looks and looked at the phone in Nick's hand.

"Um, you guys finished?" asked their friend.

Will busted up, laughing, his chest hair rubbing against Nick's over-stimulated skin. "Forget to hang up on Jason?"

Nick nodded. "I guess so."

"Hey!"

Nick and Will laughed.

"So, are you guys coming or not?" asked Jason curtly.

Will's chest rumbled. "I think we did already."

Jason groaned. "All of us are at the bar. Are you guys gonna show up?"

Nick could feel Will shake his head. "No, Nick and I need a little alone time."

"Obviously," snorted Jason.

"It's our anniversary and I haven't had a single Friday night with Nick in months," said Will, squeezing Nick so hard, it made it hard to breathe. "We'll catch up with you guys tomorrow."

"It's our anniversary?" Nick's shock overwhelmed him.

Will kissed Nick's temple. "Forgot, didn't you?"

"Sorry."

"We've both been busy." Nick could feel Will shrug. "I figured you did."

"So you locked us in the closet?" Will chuckled. "A little extreme, don't you think? You could have told me."

A loud laugh rang over the phone. "You're locked in a closet?"

"No," answered Will. "I lied and said we were. You know Nick, he was so focused on leaving, I knew I wouldn't get a word in edgewise."

Jason chuckled again. "Good luck with that, and happy anniversary guys. Call when you decide to come up for air."

And with that, Jason hung up, the screen blinking momentarily before going black. Will shifted, nudging Nick up with a hand. He pulled up, his lover's soft dick slipping from his ass, and both of them groaned.

"You lied?" Nick stood, offering a hand to Will.

Will grabbed on and joined Nick, scratching the tip of his nose, ears burning. "Yes."

Nick chuckled. "I'm glad you did." He lifted up on tiptoes, giving Will a kiss. "I'm sorry I forgot our anniversary."

Will reached over Nick, a hand resting on the shelf overhead, above the two clothes racks. "We've both been too busy, but don't worry, I've got a plan to change that."

"Really?" Nick didn't want to hope, but—

"I've got my boss to switch my shift. Starting Mondays, I'm on the morning shift."

Nick lunged towards Will, who caught him with ease, holding him tight. "I've been thinking about asking a couple other artists about sharing the space, or hiring someone to watch the studio in the evenings. I mostly only get sales then."

"Sounds like a plan."

Nick tilted his head back, and Will rewarded him with a light kiss on his lips. Gentle, soft and tender, expressing their joy and love for one another.

"Come on," said Will, breaking their moment. "I've got dinner waiting for us downstairs and another present."

"I'm gonna make you one when I get back to the studio Monday," promised Nick, his heart aching that he forgot something so important.

Will traced Nick's lips with a finger. "I'd like that. Make the pottery in blue, like your eyes."

"How about my blue and your blue mixed together?"

Will's eyes lit up. "I'd like that, and don't worry. We've both been spending too much time apart. I've missed you so much, Nick."

Nick tilted his head into Will's palm. "I've missed you too."

"Love you." Will gave Nick a peck on the lips.

"Love you."

"And here, I think you were looking for this." Will reached over Nick, grabbing something off the shelf.

"What?" Nick grabbed hold of the Converse Will handed him, and narrowed his eyes at his lover. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Will smiled but didn't answer, only reaching behind him and pulling the door open.

Nick didn't follow.

Arching a blond eyebrow, Will watched Nick patiently just outside the door.

"I'm trying to decide if I should throw the shoe at you or not."

White teeth flashed at Nick. "Are you really going to complain about being stuck with me?"

Nick's simmering anger evaporated instantly. "No, if I had to be stuck in a small, cramped closet with clothes burying us, I wouldn't want to be stuck with anybody but you."

Will squinted. "Only in the closet?"

Nick walked out of the tiny walk-in, thankful for the day he meet his partner all those years ago in their junior elective history class, and shook his head.

"No, you're stuck with me, and I'm stuck with you anywhere."

Will hugged Nick tight, kissing the top of his head. "Good."

The End

Prop 8 Deemed Unconstitutional!

2012-02-07T12:31:00.001-06:00

Things are looking up today. The federal appeals court deemed Prop 8 unconstitutional. *Smiles* It's a show down now and a stone's throw away for equal rights for all as far as I'm concerned now. Time to knock on wood and keep our fingers crossed.

CLICK HERE for the msn article.

Dog's Vocal Cords Removed before TV Show

2012-02-07T04:00:00.000-06:00

Zippei the dog, and his brother, are part of Nihon TV's morning show Zip! Concerned citizens began to wonder why the dogs were so incredibly quiet. If you saw a dog around a lot of different, unknown people, some may think it would be normal for the dog to bark. In fact, people who have seen the show filming have remarked that they've seen the dogs 'try' to bark but no noise came out.

Nihon TV released a statement confirming that the dog's vocal cord were removed before the start of the show but did not say if it was because of the show.

I was shocked to find out only 1 state in the US actually bans this practice, many more are in the process of making laws, and was saddened that people actually do this to animals. I couldn't ever imagine purposefully taking away anyone's voice, human or not.

If you would like to read more about this, follow the link below.

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3342355.html#cutid1

Silver Shorts: Less than 48 Hours Till Release

2012-02-06T11:26:00.001-06:00

Wednesday will be the start of Silver Publishing's free Silver Shorts weekly anthology releases. If you would like to download the whole file of all participating authors for this week, PRE-ORDER HERE.

Each week authors from Silver Publishing are given prompts and, if we have the time, write a flash fiction piece. Which means these pieces aren't gonna be perfect, but we will try our best. Genres, heat ratings, etc. all vary depending on author participation for that week. In addition, Silver Shorts aren't ongoing. Meaning the pieces are usually a one-shot deal for each week.

I will be releasing my story on my blog Wednesday, and various other authors may decide to as well.

Participating Authors this week are:

Alcohol by RJ Scott

Ambassadorial Closet by T.L.K. Arkenberg

Built on Love by Lily Sawyer

By Any Other Name by L.M. Brown

Closet Case by Julie Lynn Hayes

Hide and Seek by Cherie Noel

In the Dark by AJ Jarrett

Out of the Closet by Diane Adams

Stuck With You by Freddy MacKay

This Closet Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us by Chris Quinton

The prompt for this week was:

"This closet ain't big enough for the both of us..."

I can't wait to see what everyone else wrote, can you?

Flash Fans: 2012 Budweiser Official Big Game Commercial

2012-02-05T22:04:00.000-06:00

Very cool. Good for these guys!

Six Sentence Sunday #25

2012-02-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

For more information about SSS and and a complete list of participants (click ->) 'Six Sentence Sunday.' I decided to take today's selection from a submission, Moving Mountains, for Silver's 'A Mind is a Sexy Thing.' Boys will be boys won't they? *shakes head* :)

George had never seen someone look so beautifulabove him. Yes, he had always considered Max handsome, but this was different. Maxbasked in the soft flames flickering behind him. Like his lithe body had been put ondisplay just for George. And he loved how Max’s hard thighs gripped him, allowing George to watch the ripple of Max's abdominal muscles as he moved. Nothing would evercompare.

Silver Shorts to Begin!

2012-02-03T16:28:00.001-06:00

Starting Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, Silver Publishing will be releasing weekly free flash fictions called Silver Shorts.

Authors of Silver Publishing will be participating, weekly contributions will vary, and be posting the stories on their blogs. A PDF file of all shorts will also be available for download on the Silver Publishing's Website. To know what edition you are downloading, there is an addition number in the lower right corner (seen here as edition 2012.x). We are starting six weeks into the year, so the first edition will be edition 2012.6, and they will go up to 2012.52.

These works are flash fiction. Meaning they are raw and unedited, so please expect something fun and not perfect. The flash fiction pieces are based on weekly prompts we receive and have to work in our short fiction piece. Most of the stories will be one-shots and not weekly TBC pieces.

Enjoy our work and feel free to stop by our blogs to comment as well.

Washington State Approves Same-Sex Marriage

2012-02-01T23:39:00.000-06:00

The Washington State senate approved a bill supporting gay marriage, with amendments, and it is now onto the house where it is said there are enough votes. The Governor has said she will sign the bill. However, just like California, opponents can raise signatures to put the law to a vote by the people.

For more information, click here.

9 yr old Alannah goes home

2012-02-01T22:32:00.000-06:00

3 months after a 6 organ transplant, including a first ever esophagus transplant, Alannah Shevenell finally goes home. The transplants became necessary because of the cancer she was fighting. All I can say is what a strong, brave little girl.

Alannah Goes Home

Director Stephen Elliot Comes Out

2012-02-01T22:27:00.001-06:00

The director, best known for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, came out recently in support of equal rights for gays in Austrilia. Here's the article.

Six Sentence Sunday #24

2012-01-29T01:00:00.000-06:00

For more information about SSS and and a complete list of participants (click ->) 'Six Sentence Sunday.' I decided to take today's selection from a WIP, Moving Mountains, that I'm working on for Silver's 'A Mind is a Sexy Thing.' Welcome to George and Max. :)

Callused fingertips traced George's lips as Max’s eyesfollowed the movement, making George’s heart beat kick it up another notch. Hewanted to ask Max what the hell he was doing but didn’t want to know theconsequences of breaking his silence. Damn, George’s insides were more mixedthan a margarita, shaken not stirred. Max flicked his eyes up and licked hislips.

“Don’t over think this Geeves and don’t freak out.”

George nodded, not sure if he was allowed to talk yet when Max smiled and leaned in, pressing his hot lips toGeorge’s.

Andi Anderson's No Greater Love Release Day

2012-01-28T10:17:00.002-06:00

My friend Andi's new book came out today!

*Dances*

No Greater Love is a sweet story just like her.

Eros, aka Cupid, has been alone for a long time and wants a chance at love. Shouldn't be hard for Cupid right? Wrong. He has to get past his mother first.

Blurb:

Eros thinks it's pretty ironic that 'Cupid' wants nothing more than to find his own true love. Desperate, he enlists his mother, Aphrodite's, help and she agrees to allow Eros thirty days off from his duties to possibly find the man of his dreams.

Keith Seeley is having the birthday from hell. He's not only just turned forty, he's had one mishap after another all day. When his friends insist on taking Keith to the club, being surrounded by younger men just makes him feel worse. But, when he meets the mysterious and sexy Eros, he immediately knows his life has changed forever. As time rolls by, Eros continues to be secretive about his past, putting a wall between them.

When Eros comes clean about his true identity, will Keith be able to accept him for whom he really is?

Excerpt:

Eros landed delicately on his small feet in front of his mother's door. The home Aphrodite chose to dwell in was nothing short of sophistication and glamour.

Just like his mother.

He hefted his golden crossbow and arrows onto his shoulder, reached up, raised the heavy black ironed knocker and let it fall twice. After a few moments the big white door opened and he was greeted by Henry, his mother's butler. The old man looked at him through watery blue eyes and a happy smile formed on his wrinkled and weathered face.

"Young Eros, pleased to see you, sir."

Eros fought the snort that threatened to escape at being called young. He was centuries older than Henry, yet since he never aged, he would always be considered a young man to his friend.

"Thank you, Henry. Is my mother here?" He asked as he followed Henry into the large opulent foyer of the enormous mansion.

"Absolutely, young Eros. Shall I show you into the sitting room? I'll go tell the Missus that you've arrived."

Eros shook his head. "That's alright, Henry. I'll show myself into the sitting room, so you can go ahead and tell her I'll be waiting for her there."

Henry smiled at him right before he bowed. "Very good, sir," he said right before he slowly started walking up the large curved staircase that led to his mother's rooms. He watched the old man climb steadily up them and inwardly sighed.

Damn, Henry's getting old.

He walked into the sitting room and looked around. With its marbled floors and opulent furniture, it was a room fit for a king... or at the very least, a goddess. He looked at the elegant decorations and the expensive and delicate looking furniture then sat gingerly on the red velvet chaise. Even with his slight weight, the velvet chaise almost looked too fragile to hold him. He set his crossbow and arrows on the floor beside him and prepared himself for the whirlwind he called his mother. As the minutes dragged on, he became nervous and his leg started to bounce up and down in an anxious manner. He took several deep breaths to calm himself, and looked around at the elegant oil paintings that decorated the stark white walls.

They were all gorgeous, but they were also very impersonal. There were no pictures or memories of any of his other family members or himself. It always amazed him how aloof his mother really could be when she wanted to.

"Darling! There you are. It has been forever since you've visited your mother. Come here and give me a hug, angel," his mother's musical voice suited the woman herself. Both were enchantingly beautiful and hard to ignore.

He looked over at Aphrodite and rose politely to his feet. She glided gracefully toward him with a stunning smile on her lovely face. Her long blond hair was elegantly swept off of her delicate pale neck, while some artfully arranged pieces fell down her back and shoulders in long, lush curls. The shimmering pure white gown she wore accentuated her petite, but perfectly formed, body. Her blue-green eyes sparkled as they looked at him and a beautiful smile formed on her pink, full lips. Whether from true happiness or sheer mischief, Eros didn't know, and despite himself he felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of her.

She could be a meddlesome ninny, but he still loved her and he couldn't help but be happy to see her... even if she did scare the living Hades out of him.

"Mother," he said, as he cautiously stepped toward her. She ran the last few steps to him and practically leaped into his arms. She held him tightly within her embrace and squeezed him close to her.

Maybe she was glad to see him after all.

She smelled of chocolate chip cookies and sunshine. His personal favorites. But, then again she knew that. She was the master at manipulation and seduction; doing little things that endeared her to those around her was one thing that Aphrodite did best.

"Ahh... shame on you, darling, for staying away so long. Your loving mother has been very worried about her favorite son."

Eros fought the second snort he wanted to give within the last few minutes. His mother loved all and was very well loved by all. They both knew she had no favorite child or lover, but he politely nodded and gently pulled away from her clutching embrace.

He took a step back and she motioned for him to sit back down on the frail looking chaise. He gently eased back onto it and she sat gracefully down beside him.

"How are you, Mother? How is Adonis?" Eros asked politely. His mother was notorious for having many lovers. So many in fact, he wasn't sure who his father really was.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "We're not together any longer. I've heard he's with some mortal woman now. Ares has moved back in. He's more understanding of my needs, and his passionate nature has always given me the greatest pleasure," she said as she smiled affectionately at her son.

Why am I not surprised?

His mother raised an elegantly arched eyebrow at him as if she had read his mind. He quickly cleared those thoughts as he smiled sweetly at her.

"That innocent look won't work with me, dear. Now tell me what brings you to visit me after so many long months of your absence," she stated as she delicately leaned back against the uncomfortable chaise with an impish smile on her flawless face.

He sighed and looked away. He had prepared what he wanted to say to her several times before he came here, but now that he was in her presence, he found it hard to come up with any coherent words. They sat several moments in complete silence before he managed to gather his wayward thoughts together and speak.

"Mother, I'm extremely unhappy. I need a break from my duties. I'm tired of shooting people with my arrows and making some of the most undeserving people find true love. Why do I have to help people along anyway? Can't some people just fall in love on their own?"

He really had become disenchanted with his job. Ever since that disastrous favor he did for his mother had backfired, Eros had never been the same. After all, he had been a victim of his own poisoned arrow and had to live with his untrusting ex-wife, Psyche. Ironically, he had never been attracted to women before the arrow mishap, and to be fair, he liked her; he just knew in his heart that they weren't ever meant to be together. Besides, he had always preferred the company of men, but once he had been pricked by the poisonous arrow and put under its spell. It had taken centuries for the spell's effects to wear off. Now, Psyche was involved with some guy in Cleveland of all places... so who really knew what the future held for others?

His mother sighed. "Of course there are many people who fall in love on their own, dear, but you know that some people need that extra boost to find love and happiness with their mate. Are we really going to go through this again? Darling, you know you must do what you've been created to do. I've never understood why you get so rebellious about your duties."

He looked at his mother for a few moments before he threw his head back and laughed. His laughter sounded brittle even to his own ears.

"Give me a break, Mother. You know exactly why I have issues with what I do. You, better than anyone, know how things can easily go wrong and backfire from what was truly meant to be."

Aphrodite narrowed her eyes at Eros's words. Psyche would always be a sore subject between them. His mother may have reluctantly mended fences with his ex-wife, but there was definitely no love lost between them.

"Don't go there, dear. Bitterness doesn't become you, and quite frankly, I'm tired of the littleepisode being brought up every hundred years or so. It would do you good to let that go and get on with your life." Aphrodite quietly stated with a deadly look on her beautiful face. Eros knew she was livid from the mention of the episode and was trying desperately to control her fiery temper.

Eros looked away from his mother and hung his head dejectedly. After minutes ticked by, he heard his mother give a long sigh and she moved closer to him. She wrapped her arm around him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"You know I can't deny you, dear. Despite what you believe, you are my favorite son. But, you know that you cannot give up your duties for long. The world needs love, and you and your magic are essential to making some people's dreams come true."

Eros blinked away the tears that welled up in his eyes and nodded.

She reached over and lightly grabbed the bottom of his chin and lifted his head to face her. "Tell me the real reason why this is important to you."

As he looked into her flawless features, he noted a look of true concern flash in her blue-green eyes. He closed his eyes to escape her all-knowing gaze and took a deep breath.

"No one has ever truly loved me for who I really am. I've just experienced false love, and for once, I'd like to have a man look at me, desire me, and love me for being me." He opened his eyes and looked at his mother's serene face.

"You're telling me you want a man to truly fall in love with you and you believe you've been cheated from finding Mr Right," she sighed. "Fine, dear, you have one month to find your true love and to live your life as you see fit. On February thirteenth, you'll return here--either with your soul mate, or alone. I want to see this man who will probably never be worthy of my beautiful son. If I like him, I'll give you both my blessing and a gift for both of you. Either way, you will go back to your duties on the fourteenth, and you will no longer torture yourself over either the past episode or any other ridiculous notions you get in your head."

A month? Was she crazy? How in Hades could he find true love in such a short amount of time?

His mother narrowed her eyes, once again confirming his suspicions that she could really read his mind. He cleared his throat and nodded.

"Do we have a deal?"

"Yes."

Buy Links:

Silver Publishing

Does together equal humping?

2012-01-27T16:44:00.000-06:00

So while I'm talking a look at my data for my blog, I see a google search sent a person to my blogger using the following:

"gay guys humping in bed"

I'm like.... I haven't used ANY of those tags... but maybe...

So being curious me, I try to find what on my blog sent the person looking for "gay guys humping" to my blog and found it was the photo below. Which is entitled "gay couple together in bed"

......

I personally thought the photo is adorable and how does google equate together = humping?

How would you like to eat with a mummified cat hanging over your head?

2012-01-27T15:52:00.001-06:00

Okay, really? I mean I could probably do it, but I'd think some people would get weirded out.

Find the article here

A cool little genetics article

2012-01-27T15:50:00.000-06:00

Why are horse fast? Well, it's a good thing thoroughbred owners kept those records.

Find the article here

Moving Mountains Update

2012-01-27T15:30:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone!

Great news! I'm thisclose to being done with my WIP, Moving Mountains. I have one more chapter to write (if all goes as planned in the scene) and the epilogue. I'm sitting at a little over 26K right now which means I'll probably bet at a little over 30K or so when it's done. So a nice little novella.

*Dances*

Then it's time to submit it for the 'A Mind is a Sexy Thing' call Silver made and cross my fingers.

*Wine is a good bribe right?*

I'd thought I'd share an excerpt as a 'Yay, I'm almost there!'... Thingy. Please enjoy.

Please Note: While I have made revisions and edits, it still could use another go and not completely done yet. Chapter 1 Part 1 can be found here.

Moving Mountains

Getting Mom Drunk Excerpt

By Freddy MacKay

“Couldn’t we all be so lucky?” Max yawned. “How areTim and Anna?”

“Good, they’ll be visiting the fourth of July.”George walked over to their dwelling. “They’d like to have dinner and say hi,you up for it?”

“With your parents?” Max waggled his eyebrows.“Always, it's fun seeing how drunk we can get your mom.”

“No hard liquor this time, Dad said she was sick asa dog last time,” warned George. “Okay?”

Max looked like he was trying really hard not tolaugh. “Sure thing.”

Shaking his head, George shuffled into the tent andscanned the small space before finding the lantern half-covered by a rumpledblanket at the head of Max’s sleeping bag. George nodded, remembering hisfriend had been reading a book before finally turning in for the night lastevening. Stepping back out into the chilling night air, George debated going backin for a hoodie. The temperature hadn’t dropped enough for him to need one, butMax tended to get cold easily. Ducking back inside the confines of theirsleeping quarters, George rummaged around quite a bit before finding hisfriend’s favorite brown zip-up.

“Geeves! You get lost man?” Max called. “Needdirections?”

George bowed back out into their campsite, chuckingthe hoodie at his friend. “Whatever jerk.”

“Thanks Geeves,” replied Max, swiftly pulling thefuzzy brown garment over his head, not even bothering with the zipper. “Youwant me to come with?”

Silver Publishing's New VIP Program

2012-01-26T09:23:00.000-06:00

NEW VIP LOYALTY PROGRAM STARTING

FEBRUARY 1ST!

You can purchase directly from the Silver Publishing website and have your books sent directly to your ereaders!

Silver Publishing introduces a VIP Loyalty Program to select customers starting in 2012. As a show of appreciation for your commitment to purchase directly from Silver, we are now offering a three tier VIP program to customers. Membership into this program is by invitation only and is based exclusively on your purchasing dedication on the Silver website.

When you login to the Silver site, you will see a banner indicating your tier level if you qualify.

You qualify by making purchases on the Silver site. Essentially, you need to make a certain amount of purchases to get to the First tier and a certain number to get to the next. So if you have made the necessary purchases to get to the Silver level, for example, as soon as you login, you will see a banner informing you that you have the 'Silver Level' Membership right across the top of the login area.

It is solely based on purchases DIRECTLY on Silver. Therefore the more you buy the bigger your chances of getting into the program OR the bigger your chances of moving up in the program.

Platinum Members:
15% Discount on ALL purchases
On your birthday, Platinum members receive 5 free books.
Platinum members receive their pre-ordered books 36 hours before its official release date
100 Reward Points every December

Gold Members:
10% Discount on ALL purchases
On your birthday, Gold members receive 2 free books.
Members receive their pre-ordered books 12 hours before its official release date
50 Reward Points every December

Silver Members:
5% Discount on ALL purchases
On your birthday, Silver members receive 1 free book.
Members receive their pre-ordered books 6 hours before its official release date
25 Reward Points every December

Additional perks to all tiers:
Special Contest for members only throughout the year
Exclusive discount coupons throughout the year

Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk off the Earth (Gotye - Cover)

2012-01-23T18:17:00.000-06:00

Very cool group. It could not have been easy for 5 people to play 1 guitar together.

Six Sentence Sunday #23

2012-01-22T01:00:00.000-06:00

For more information about SSS and and a complete list of participants (click ->) 'Six Sentence Sunday.' I decided to take today's selection from a WIP that I'm working on for Silver's 'A Mind is a Sexy Thing.' Welcome to George and Max. :)

“Are you going to take ‘em off or do you want metoo?”

George unbuckled his belt and shucked his pantsimmediately, almost losing his boxer briefs when he did so. Max laughed loudlyand George shot his friend a dirty look, grabbing the underwear before it camecompletely off. What the hell was wrong with Max?

“Happy with the peep show perv?”

“Any time Geeves, any time.”

Silver Shorts - Coming Soon!

2012-01-21T19:31:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone!

Exciting news, Silver Publishing has started a flash fiction for their authors to participate in!

*Squee!*

Like the Silver Flash stories, authors will receive a prompt with a week to finish a short piece of work, the 'shorts' will be released weekly and posted on our blogs per usual, and we get a shiny new badge (haven't gotten it yet).

The DIFFERENCE compared to when I was Silver flashing, Silver Shorts have no word limits (awesome), are supposed to be stand-alones (so no running chapters) and will be available in Downloadable files at Silver's Website.

The first release should be about Feb. 10th, but I will keep peoples posted when the releases start.

Happy Dance!