Would You Lie With Me and Just Forget the World?

In honor of With This Ring, I Thee Bed, I thought I'd give you all just a little taste of my story, Speak Now. It's not your typical wedding story, but I just love it. I hope you do too. Please to enjoy.

He smirked, setting the flashlight on the dresser. The circle of light gave the room an eerie glow. He ran his hand over the back of his neck, his unease obvious. I sat down on the edge of the bed and watched him pace around the room.

“So, what are you doing here, Trevor? Don’t tell me its cold feet?”
“You knew I was coming. I sent in my little card.”
“I guess I just thought . . . I don’t know what I thought.”

He picked up the invitation, looking at it like he’d never seen it before. I watched his eyes, moving over each word in silence. Hitting it against his hand, he looked at me. Even in the dim light, I could still see the apprehension all over his face.

“It’s been too long, Greg.”
“Well, you know. Life has gotten a little complicated.”
“Tell me about it. I understand now why people elope. It is amazing that people get married at all.”

He walked towards me, sitting down gently on the brand new double bed. I could smell the alcohol on him, but he didn’t seem drunk. I decided to placate him, despite my churning stomach.

“I know you and Jessica will be happy together.”
“How can you be so sure?”

I looked at his face for the joke, but I found his face serious and stern. He looked scared. I didn’t know what to say to him.

“I just assumed you were sure before you asked her.”

I tried to laugh, but it died when his arm draped over my shoulder, our hips touching as we sat on the fluffy duvet. Trevor turned and looked at me, but I didn’t return his gaze. I couldn’t. I didn’t trust myself to see his eyes in that moment. He leaned closer to me, his lips right by my ear.

“Can I tell you a secret, Greg? Right now, I’m not sure at all.”

His breath was hot, but not as hot as his tongue, which swept across my ear lobe, shocking my mouth right open. Trevor, always one to take advantage, pulled my open mouth to his, kissing me deeply. I knew I should stop him, push him away, but I just let myself be kissed, let my tongue swirl around with his. Finally, reason took over and I managed to get free from Trevor’s strong grip. Standing up, I tried to quell the panic rising in my throat.

“Don’t, Trevor. Don’t.”

He followed me, not letting me go easily. His hands pulled at my waist, trying to get me back in his arms. I resisted, backed away. But, I only ended up against the wall, Trevor pinning me to the freshly changed wallpaper. It smelled of plastic and I willed my mind to focus on that, or anything but the feel of Trevor’s hands.

“Greg. Greg, look at me.”

I gave in, looking into his eyes, and I saw it. The same look I’d seen the first day we met, all
those years ago.

“Come on Greg. Don’t be mad at me.”
“You said this was over. That we were over. You’re about to be a married man. Don’t fuck with me, Trevor.”
“You could always do that. Make it all sound so easy. It’s not, you know.”
“It may not be easy, but it is simple. You love her, don’t you?”
“She has nothing to do with us.”
“She has everything to do with us.”
“I know what I said to you, but it’s not over. At least, it’s not for me. You left, but I could never get you out of my head. Or my heart. Tell me it’s over for you, Greg. Tell me you don’t love me anymore.”
“I can’t do that, Trevor.”
“So, ask me to stay.”

He smiled at me, his face softening at my encouraging words. But, I couldn’t give him
what he wanted.

“I can’t.”

He crisped up a little, bracing before he spoke again.

“Then, tell me to leave.”
“You know I can’t do that either.”

His fingers traced down my cheek, the cool slip of his thumb pressed over my bottom lip. My mind was being torn in two. The man I loved wanted me again, but I knew that come morning, he’d be gone, standing in a tuxedo in the front of the Lutheran church. While my brain screamed for reason, my heart leaped in my chest.

“What do you want me to do, Trevor? Tell me what to do.”
“Kiss me, Greg.”

It wasn’t easy or simple. I knew it. But, I shut it all out as I leaned forward, our mouths meeting in a fury of emotion, making up for every missed opportunity.
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I Should Take That Volume Back Up off the Shelf and Crack Its Weary Spine and Read to Help Remind Myself

This is my 401st blog post. I barely noticed the number at first, until yesterday, when I found myself too damn tired to write anything of consequence. So, my 400th post went by as almost an afterthought, just a little extra Easter candy after a weekend of way too much chocolate. But, there is more I want to say. Most definitely.

I got my author copy of With This Ring, I Thee Bed, the other day. I sat there, staring at the gorgeous blue cover and then I started to thumb through the pages and admiring all the amazing writers that were contained in the collection. I was truly dumbfounded by the talent within, and I let myself feel insanely proud to be a part of it all. Alison Tyler is the first editor to take a chance on me, and when I see how far I've come, it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed by it all. I mean, it's freakin' Harlequin, baby!! Again! I'm extremely proud of my story, Speak Now, and am honored to a part of this collection. In fact, that is something I can say about every single story in every single book/website/etc. I'm damn proud of it all, the whole journey and how much I've grown. There. I've said it. And, the sky didn't fall. How about that?

It's still sometimes hard to believe it's been less than three years since I've started doing this. I feel like I've been writing forever, but in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd ever be here. It so easy to let the moments pass and barely look at them. But, I couldn't do that this time. I just needed to take a moment and reflect on it all. Sometimes, I get so caught up in the deadlines, word counts and new ideas that I don't take the time to just sit back and say, Damn!! I did that! Sure, I mention my latest stuff on the blog, but I never really get to talk about it like other people talk about their jobs. I'm still not sure why. I guess I'll have to save that for another post.

I went to Borders a few days ago, and was so happy to see that the erotica section had returned after an unexplained hiatus, and there on the shelves were several collections containing my stories. It was all I could do to not yell at the passing people, "Hey everyone, I have a smutty story in that book right there!!" I didn't, but mostly because I used to work there and still know the manager. :) I did, however, turn those books so the covers were facing forward and at eye level. Hey, a girl can drop a few hints, can't she? My version of shouting from the roof tops felt pretty good, and hopefully it might result in a few sales.

So, in this, my 401st post, I wanted to take just a moment and look back at it all. Take stock, take it all in. And, sprain my wrist just a bit patting myself on the back. Now, back to my new WIP. The journey never ends, I just needed a pit stop.
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I've Been Cheating Gravity and Waiting on the Falls

I'm still in my post-Easter coma, so I don't have much to say at the moment. Check back tomorrow, when I'll have quite a bit to say. In the meantime, enjoy some delicious Man Candy. Mmmmm, surfies!!
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Hippity Hoppity, Happy Easter Day!

Happy Easter Everyone!!

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I'm a Sucker for a Kind Word, and I'll Just Hurt Until I Find One

I am hurting. My body is betraying me lately, I guess my old age is catching up to me. My general soreness is becoming much more prevalent than I'd like. I guess this is what I get for trying to work out. And for sitting in a ridiculously stupid way while I clack away on my laptop.

But, the plus side is that while I convalesce, I have time to write more. Which I need to do to get everything done. Sometimes, you just have to play through the pain and the new WIP is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Oh well, at least the Man Candy always makes things easier.

On a positive note, it looks like the fabulous Harlequin collection, With This Ring, I Thee Bed, with my story, Speak Now, edited by the amazing Alison Tyler, is available from Amazon.com a little early. Go, right now and pick up a copy, you won't be sorry.
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Written For Anyone to Read and to See

Just wanted to stop by quickly and mention the fact that College Boys won the TLA Gaybie award for Best Erotic Fiction!! The collection is absolutely fantastic and contains my story, Right Way Wrong Way.

That is all. As you were.
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Sitting and Staring at the Clock, Dying to Get Away

Sometimes, it's the simple things in life. Time with family and friends. Good food, good laughs. And, men in tiny shorts playing footy in High Def. In short, it was a great weekend.

Now, it's back to work. Too many projects and too little time. Every time I think I have it under control, something else comes up. High class problem, I know. Speaking of, it's time to get back to work. Enjoy the Man Candy and pray for me. I'm gonna need it.
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I'm Born Again, There's New Grass on the Field

What a lovely couple of days it has been. I spent the weekend at the Mothership, visiting and partaking in the fabness that is her HDTV. I also got a double shot of good news. It looks as if my novella has found a home and will be available this summer and I got a short story into a collection I very much wanted to be a part of. Details to come, as I do not want to speak prematurely. Stay tuned for more information on the novella as well. I'm super-proud of it and can't wait for the world to see it.

So, now it is time to tend to what I've neglected while typing away. My house is a mess. Cleaning day has arrived. As has baseball season. Hence, this week's Man Candy. Play ball, indeed.
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