Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Double Delight #midweektease #MMromance Grab a drink and enjoy

18+ teaser

Nick’s expression grew tender. “You know you’re standing under a huge bunch of mistletoe?”
Dylan’s entire body tensed as a wave of desire burned over him. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from Nick’s mouth. The way Nick moved even closer to him captured him in a web of attraction. Unbidden, a sigh of pleasure escaped him.
Nick trapped him, placing a hand on the wall over Dylan’s shoulder as he leaned in. He murmured as he closed the gap between their faces, “Hey, I think you’re gorgeous. Don’t be afraid. I want your kiss. I want to kiss you.”
Nick’s lips touched Dylan’s, soft, tender, searching.
Dylan’s breath left him. His sexual hunger surged and he pushed his arms around Nick’s neck, pulling him close to kiss him hard, and then linger in a shower of kisses—kiss after kiss, until his cock strained against his jeans and his ass clenched.
Nick drew away to look into Dylan’s eyes. “Fucking hell, I want you badly. Is there somewhere we can go?”
Dylan couldn’t believe his ears. He couldn’t resist. If he only got this night he’d take it. He needed this delicious man’s hands all over him. Lust reduced him to mush.
“I live two floors down. We can go there … if you want.”

Nick’s breath teased on Dylan’s lips as he answered. “I want. Oh yeah, I want. I want you naked with your cock pounding in my ass. I want your perfect lips around my cock. I want to kiss you breathless. Lead the way.”

Copyright E.D.Parr Evernight Publishing

Can wishes come true? You bet—especially if Nick Kringle has anything to do with it.
Hot new #MMromance Christmas romance with a sparkle of magic
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ03N7K
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MZ03N7K
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-makeawish-2192081-149.html
http://www.bookstrand.com/make-a-wish-mm
On launch special at Evernight http://www.evernightpublishing.com/make-a-wish-by-e-d-parr/



Beau’s gaze traced a path over Lucian’s handsome face. A shade of stubble darkened Lucian’s angular jaw. His hair stuck up from his forehead as if he’d run his hands through it a few times that afternoon. His deep blue eyes held anxiety. Beau fought down the urge to reach out a fingertip and run it down Lucian’s cheek to trace the curve of Lucian’s delicious lips. He ached to hug Lucian and comfort him. He stuck to less risky action. “Let me see the photo.”
Lucian moved a pad full of handwritten notes and picked up a photo. He handed it to Beau.
Beau took it, careful not to brush Lucian’s fingers with his, because in his experience the feel of Lucian’s skin made his cock stir. He turned the picture over and read the name aloud.
“‘Before the dance,’ I’ve never heard of it.” He gazed at the photograph. “It doesn’t even look like a Matisse to me.”

Lucian’s laugh brought his head up to look at his friend.
“How many Matisse paintings do you know?”

Copyright Elodie Parkes Encompass Ink
 #MMromance #friendstolovers #mystery #detective #kindleunlimited #gayfiction

Sunday, December 18, 2016

A new #MMromance #PNR Owen and the Beast from Marie Medina and @evernightpub

Valladora Tales is a series of stand-alone stories set in Valladora. My latest tale, Owen and the Beast, is now available.
As the title suggests, this story is a retelling of the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, but it has a few twists in it.



Seeking to ease his loneliness, Owen sets out to meet his last remaining relative, someone he never knew because of an old family scandal. He’s trying to find his way in life, his path uncertain and his heart having been broken more than once.
Suffering under a demonic curse that can never be lifted, Edmund hides away in Erimooor Lodge so he doesn’t have to deal with the pity and fear his appearance inspires. Though many in the nearby village accept him as he is, he knows not everyone will have that ability to tolerate his animal-like appearance.
Owen makes his living as a storyteller, enthralling others with fantastical tales. Little does he know that the gods have something amazing planned for him when he meets the real “Beast of Erimoor Lodge” and finds out how wrong all the old legends are.

Buy Links

Excerpt:

Owen hoisted himself up onto the boulder and pulled his boot off, crying out at the unexpectedly sharp pain. He stared down at his rapidly swelling ankle. Cursing, he fumbled for his bag, which had gone flying when he’d caught his foot in a rut in the road and been thrown forward. He’d actually done more damage pulling his foot out of the rut, and that pissed him off. He looked down the road and tried to guess how far away he was from his aunt’s village. He thought it had to be at least five or six more miles, but he didn’t really know. There was supposed to be an inn coming up soon, but he didn’t know its exact location either. What he did know, however, was that he didn’t see anyone coming from either direction on the road.
He barely managed to drag his bag over without falling off the boulder. He dug around in the deep, overstuffed bag, hoping to find something to wrap his ankle with, perhaps even brace it. Even though he’d known he didn’t have anything, he still felt dejected when he cinched up the drawstring and dropped his bag back to the ground. Dirt flew up, making him cough, and he looked up to the sky. It had been so dry lately he’d been praying for rain, but now he hoped it held off since he might get stuck in it. Fluffy clouds floated to his left, but the clouds to his right were darker. He looked around to find some shelter, but he couldn’t see any. Only open fields lined this part of the highway.
Owen sighed and wiggled his ankle, cringing at the pain. He could always rip the hem off one of his shirts to bind it, but walking any distance would only make things worse. His aunt would know just what to do, but she was miles away. Should he keep it still or move it? Should he elevate it? Questions raced through his mind as he heard hooves beating in the distance. He jerked his head up and began waving frantically as soon as the horse became visible over the ridge.
A man about his age rode up on an enormous black stallion. He made the horse stop and jumped down right away. The enormous animal seemed formidable, but it stood calmly and looked on as its master rushed over to Owen. The man actually appeared much younger up close, a huge grin on his face as he pushed his messy brown hair out of his eyes.
“Hi! You look like you need some help!” the man said, still grinning.
Owen had never seen anyone express concern so happily. He shifted on the boulder and said, “Yeah. I sprained my ankle, and I’m still miles from my destination.”
“Where are you heading?” he asked.
“The next village. The small one by the mountains in Lady Christobel’s dominion. My aunt lives there.”
“Oh. That’s many miles away still. You’d never have made it by dark even if you hadn’t hurt yourself. There is a little inn about four miles up, but my home is much closer. I live in the lodge just over this next hill, off in the woods.”
“I’d appreciate it, but I don’t want to impose.” He straightened. “I’m Owen.”
The man laughed. “Sorry. My master would roll his eyes at me and my thoughtlessness. I’m Lane. Nice to meet you, despite the circumstances.”
“Your master? You’re a servant?”
“Yes, sort of.”
“You mentioned a lodge. A hunting lodge?”
“Well, it used to be.” Lane bent down and looked at Owen’s ankle. “Hmmm. I need to see to this, but I don’t have anything for a splint. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know on the way.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I was worried about getting stuck out here in the rain,” Owen said as Lane picked up Owen’s bag and hefted it over this shoulder. Glancing to the stallion, Owen sighed. “I know I can’t walk, but I’m not sure I can get up on him. He’s enormous.” Lane was also half Owen’s size, so he wasn’t sure how much help the man would be in getting him up onto the horse. “Maybe if I can stand on one foot and put all my weight on you, I can make it.”
“Oh, don’t worry. We can get you up there.” Lane made a clicking sound with his tongue, and the stallion came right over to them. Speaking to the horse as if it understood every word, Lane said, “This is Owen. We’re going to take him home with us. He needs our help.” Then he pointed at the ground.
To Owen’s shock, the horse actually lay down and then turned to look at the two men. Lane held his hand out.
“Here. Just swing your injured leg over. I’ll steady you.” He frowned. “No, wait, I’ll move to the other side.”
Lane moved to the other side of the stallion and reached his hand over. Owen grasped his hand and threw his injured leg over, pulling himself into position to sit properly in the saddle. Once Owen was situated, Lane smiled at him and clicked at the horse again. Lane held to the horse’s reins and urged him up slowly. The powerful animal got to its feet easily, and Lane walked around to fetch Owen’s other boot.
As they began their journey, Owen asked, “Your master won’t mind an unexpected visitor? I can pay, of course.”
“Nonsense. You’ll be our guest. It’s just me and Lord Edmund day in and day out.” Lane grinned once more. “I’m so excited! I already know exactly what to make for dinner. And I just aired some of the ground floor rooms, so we can move you right in to one of those.”
The title gave Owen pause, as did Lane’s excitement. “Your master’s a vampire?”
“Yes, but he doesn’t like to be addressed by his title. I slip up now and then, and he forgives me. He’s very gracious. Kind and gentle. Would not harm a fly. The best of masters. Good and generous and understanding.” Lane smiled as he kicked at a few pebbles on the road. “I’ve never been happier in my life.”
Owen wondered why Lane was trying so hard to convince him this Edmund was a good man. “You think a lot of your master.”
“Yes, I do.” Lane beamed up at Owen. “I think you’ll like him. I’m sure he’ll like you.”
“Well, once my ankle is bound, I won’t trouble you too much. If I can just rest and then maybe borrow a horse. I promise to bring it back as soon as I can. Or you can accompany me if you like.”
Lane waved his hand. “Nonsense. You should stay until you’re healed. We’d love to have you.”
“I couldn’t impose like that. It will take days. And even if your master is gracious, you haven’t exactly asked his permission.” Worried he might sound condescending, Owen quickly said, “I mean, you know him best, of course, but I hate to put him out in his own home.”
“It’s nothing! Please, I insist. It’s time we had a bit of life and activity about the place.”
Owen watched Lane for a long time, wondering how things could be lacking in life and activity with Lane and his enthusiasm to contend with.




Saturday, December 17, 2016

From guest author @LDBlakely #MMromance #Holidayromance The Power of Peppermint

 Thank you for having me on today to tell you about The Power of Peppermint! This happy little holiday novella is a true labour of love for me. It's my first self-published title as well as my first Christmas release. So I hope you enjoy!



































The Power of Peppermint by L.D. Blakeley
Available: December 14, 2016
Erotic Romance, MM, Romantic Comedy, Holiday Romance
Publisher: LDB Books
ASIN: B01MRX7F8F

The most wonderful time of the year?

When Jamison Pritchett is roped into replacing the mall photographer at Santa’s Village a week before Christmas, he’s certain he’ll be spending the holidays recovering from a nervous breakdown. A throng of sugar-frenzied kids might be enough to send this uptight photographer back into the darkroom permanently. Inappropriate thoughts about his far-too-attractive—and far-too-young—assistant aren’t helping fight that urge to hide, either.

For Noah Hawkins, adulting is a snap. Too bad relationships aren’t. With his business temporarily closed for repairs, he’s happy to help his sister out of a jam, even if the costume he’s given to wear borders on obscene. Constantly being mistaken for a teenager is no treat either, especially when he discovers his temporary new co-worker is sexy as hell and 15 years his senior.

Can Noah convince Jamison that age is just a number? Or will Jamison resist the gift Santa seems to be handing him on a platter?





WHERE TO BUY:
Amazon
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EXCERPT:

The wiggle he gave as his cell phone rang, elicited a flurry of giggles from the children who were patiently awaiting their turn. He’d tucked it into the waistband of his tunic because, well, honestly there was nowhere else to stash it.

“Speak of the devil,” he answered, seeing his sister’s face on the phone’s display. “Woah, woah, cool your jets.” Noah held the phone an inch or so from his ear. His sister’s voice was anything but dulcet, especially when she was blasting him with an earful of — wait, what did she say?

“Where are you?” Abi demanded.

“At the mall in all my elfin glory.”

“Well, how come Jamison just told me you bailed?”

Her voice had zero chill and Noah knew better than to mess with her too much. “What are you talking about? I’m looking at him right now. Have been for hours.” As though to punctuate Noah’s sentence, Jamison looked up at that exact moment. Noah couldn’t help himself and flashed what he hoped was a dazzling smile.

Dropping his voice just in case it carried, he continued. “P.S., how come you never mentioned how hot he was? I mean, he’s wound tighter than a two-dollar watch, but he’s damn pretty. You did say he’s gay, right?”

“He is. And leave him alone.”

“Hang on a second, you’re talking to me like I’m a delinquent teenager instead of someone helping you out of a jam. Remind me again how you roped me into this gig?”

“You’re good with kids, know your way around a camera, and could use the distraction. And you love me.”

Noah laughed at her bullet-pointed accuracy. “I don’t love you that much. Try again.”

“Because I’m letting you live under my roof, smartass. And as long as you’re under my roof—”

“I know, I know,” he cut her off with a chuckle. “But I might have to amuse myself by flirting with the J in A & J Photography.” He could almost hear the impending warning, so he didn’t give her a chance. “Sorry, gotta go. Santa’s almost done for the day and requires my assistance. Bye-bye.”

She hated it when he did that. Which made it all that more fun when he did. Just to be on the safe side, however, he turned the ringer off before tucking his phone back into his patent leather belt.

There were only a few kids left in line when Mac gave him the wrap-it-up signal, so he latched the velvet rope behind the last of them to keep out stragglers. As much fun as the munchkins were, Noah was looking forward to getting home, getting showered and putting on real pants.

When the last print of the day had been handed over to a beaming young couple and their chirpy toddler, he locked up the till and started packing things away for the night. Within the first few days on the job, he’d gotten the routine down to a science and was finished in no time.

Jamison was still crouched by a tripod busily loading lenses into his camera bags so he wandered over to help. He didn’t seem the type to let anyone touch his gear but Noah figured he’d at least ask. It was as good an excuse as any to talk to the guy.

“Need a hand?”

“I’m just about finished. Thanks.” Jamison zipped up the bag and stood to his full height.

With absolutely no shame, Noah gave him a head-to-toe once-over. Damn.

“I’m Noah by the way.” He grinned, knowing full well by the slight blush on Jamison’s face that he’d been caught. He hadn’t been going for subtle. “Abi’s brother.”

“Oh. Oh.” Jamison’s eyes widened, no doubt in recognition of the name. “Jamison. Hi.” He cleared his throat and held his out his hand.

“Nice working with you today.” He held onto Jamison’s hand a beat or two longer than necessary and gave him a puckish smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he added with a wink.

For good measure, he added a bit of sway to his hips as he walked away. He’d be willing to bet good money Jamison was watching his ass.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


L.D. Blakeley is a pragmatist with a romantic soul & a dirty mind. She loves horror movies, hot sex, and happily ever afters. She’s easily distracted by shiny things, and is a slightly neurotic, highly ambitious dreamer who enjoys dabbling in photography & pretending she can carry a tune.

In another life, L.D. was a newspaper reporter, an entertainment & music writer, travel writer, website content editor, and a marketing shill. Now she prefers to spend her time writing hot, steamy fiction (with a healthy dose of romance) about intriguing, sexy men.

Although she dreams of living some place isolated with an endless supply of wine and an infinite number of titles on her eReader, she currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and their rock star cat.

Find L.D. online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Thursday, December 15, 2016

A Christmas #MMromance to make you tingle. Nick believes in magic. #erotic #romantic #teaser

Make a Wish E.D.Parr Erotic, romantic, a Christmas MMromance to make you tingle


It’s the day before Christmas Eve and gorgeous, happy, Nick Kringle is making deliveries on the main street of the city when a car breaks down at the intersection.
Amid the seasonal crowds and inclement weather, Dylan West gets out of his car and tries to push it to the side of the road.
Nick rushes to help him and comes face to face with the most delicious man he’s ever seen.
Dylan’s down on his luck, but Nick believes in magic.
Can wishes come true? You bet—especially if Nick Kringle has anything to do with it.

Who is Nick Kringle?
With a name like that you might think he’s the jolly old elf in red, but Nick is a gorgeous guy who just happens to have a touch of the supernatural about him. He drives a red SUV, he delivers goods, and sometimes they’re straight from somewhere special—a place of magic and kindness.
Nick is gorgeous, kind, generous, loving just the kind of man that down on his luck Dylan West needs to run into. Could it be fate that makes his car break down unexpectedly almost next to Nick on the busy main street full of hectic Christmas shoppers and travelers? Maybe…


Read an excerpt:

The city street glistened with rivers of red, green, bright pink, and white light thrown there by the stores and cafés decked out for the holiday season. Rain fell in drifting sheets as a chill wind ravaged the shoppers rushing from one place to another, some laden with parcels, others hunched against the weather in their winter coats.
Nick parked his SUV in the first available space, opened the trunk with the interior lever, and leaped out. He didn’t feel the cold unless snow lay knee deep on the ground and even then, he enjoyed the beauty, and the way a new white fall would change the light, way too much to complain about the chill.
As he ran around to the back of his vehicle, the squeal of tires braking hard and the clamor of honking horns made him spin around. In the junction behind him, standing motionless, was a stalled car. Other drivers surged around the stationary vehicle, making everything worse by taking space in the oncoming lanes so that everyone crammed dangerously together.
The driver of the offending vehicle edged out of his open car door, narrowly missed by a small car that chanced overtaking just as the lights turned red.
Nick cast a keen gaze over the man, registering his muscled body beneath an inexpensive suit and his thick dark hair, pushed back from his forehead so that the front spiked up. Nick watched the man lean into the open driver’s side door and attempt to shove the heavy vehicle to the side of the road. The man’s pants stretched over his hard ass and a sigh of appreciation escaped Nick. With one hand on the wheel, and the other lodged in the gap between open door and car, the man clearly needed help. Nick clicked the trunk of his SUV closed and jogged over to help.
“Hi, I’ll lend a hand,” he called to the stranded driver. The man straightened to answer and Nick was face to face with one of the most gorgeous men he’d ever seen. Nick never hid his emotions. They shone from his ice-blue eyes and exuded from his well-toned body. He smiled at the man in a way he knew and didn’t care broadcast attraction, desire—pure sex.
Apparently unaffected by Nick’s charisma, the man gave a grateful nod. “Thanks.” He leaned into the task of pushing the car out of the way, as the traffic lined up behind him, and the sky opened with a fresh punishing downpour.
Copyright E.D. Parr Evernight Publishing 2016
Buy the book

Sunday, December 11, 2016

A delicious Christmas #MMromance with a little sparkle of #PNR from E.D.Parr and @evernightpub #coverreveal


It’s the day before Christmas Eve and gorgeous, happy, Nick Kringle is making deliveries on the main street of the city when a car breaks down at the intersection.
Amid the seasonal crowds and inclement weather, Dylan West gets out of his car and tries to push it to the side of the road.
Nick rushes to help him and comes face to face with the most delicious man he’s ever seen.
Dylan’s down on his luck, but Nick believes in magic.
Can wishes come true? You bet—especially if Nick Kringle has anything to do with it.

Available December 15 on all ebook sites 
Romance on the Go is a popular short story line from Evernight Publishing

Tease me please:
Nick’s gaze followed the man’s hands and then traced the planes of his handsome face. They stood close to a newspaper and magazine kiosk. The brilliant light from the neon tube snaking around the overhanging roof, and the blinking fairy lights, cast the man alternately in violet and then white illumination. Nick sighed inwardly at the perfect blue of the man’s eyes and the shapely mouth that he already ached to kiss. He introduced himself.
 “Nick Kringle—pleased to meet you. Can I give you a ride anywhere? 

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Yay, release day for #MMromance #friendstolovers 'Wren and Deverel'

Available on kindle unlimited and hot off the press today 

Lucian Wren and Beau Deverel have always been friends. They think they know everything about each other, but they both hide a secret desire. They’re devoted to each other, but they’ve never revealed the depth of their feelings.
When Lucian starts a private investigation service, and Beau joins him in the fledgling agency, little do they know what a delicious, close encounter on their first case will lead to.
This case is bizarre. Is there a hidden reason the client has chosen their newly formed agency for such an important job?
As Beau and Lucian dive headlong into the mystery, their relationship deepens, and their friendship changes forever.
Erotic, romantic—a friends to lovers, gay mystery, romance.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Holly & Hockey Boots from @vllocey #MMromance #sportsromance #gayfiction


Minor league goalie Adam Seiger is a nice guy. He’s kind, cute, and a little quirky (but show me a goalie who isn’t) and he loves to interact with fans. During a meet and greet after a game Adam meets Cason Reyes, a hard-working young man with stunning amber eyes and a smile as sweet as a candy cane. Desperate to see Cason again, Adam does something more than a little naughty.
To add insult to the egg nog, it appears that one little white lie may end Adam’s chance of having a merry Christmas with a new boyfriend. Will he end up with nothing but a lump of coal in his stocking, instead of the man who owns his heart?


Excerpt:
“So tell me about Adam Seiger, the first gay black goalie I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating spiedies with.”
            I smiled around the mouthful of awesomeness. “Not much to tell,” I said after I swallowed roughly. “I grew up in Toronto, played lots of hockey, and was taken in by my aunt and uncle when my parents were killed in a motorcycle accident.”
            “Ouch,” he murmured after dipping a fry into a glob of ketchup on his plate. “That must have been rough on you. How old were you when they died?”
            “Four, so I don’t really remember too much about them. My aunt and uncle were the best, really.” I looked up from my food to find Cason staring at me. “Do I have food on my face?”
            “No, no, you’re just,” he paused with a fry hovering in front of his face, “you’re probably the best looking man I’ve seen in this city for years. I guess I’m kind of stunned to find myself sitting here, on a date, with such a sexy jock.” I had to avert my sight, just until I could get the surge of embarrassment and white-hot lust under control. “See, that there—that is so hot. I love that about hockey players. They’re always so damn humble.”
            “So yeah, enough about me or my face will combust,” I said, and Cason chuckled then shoved his fry into his mouth. “How did a kid with a dad from Argentina get into hockey? I’d think you’d be a soccer fan.”
            “Oh, I am, but winter in Binghamton means hockey, so I go to the games when I can afford it. I like the speed of hockey, and the violence. Also, the goalies are really cute.”
            I coughed and ducked my head. “You’re doing it again.” Cason laughed and I felt the rib pit tip dangerously to the right. Making him laugh again now seemed like the most important thing ever. “Do you always talk up your dates this way?”
            “Only if I’m dreaming about a kiss at the end of the date,” he confessed, but I saw a shade of pink settle into his smooth cheeks. Seemed he was a bit of a blusher as well. That was good to know.

            “Yeah, that dream is pretty sure to be fulfilled if you keep talking like that.”

Buy Links:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and two Jersey steers.
When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand. She can also be found online on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

Author Links:

Friday, December 2, 2016

On the #MM Delicious #MMromance blog #coverreveal for Wren and Deverel upcoming release from @EncompassInk

Wren and Deverel
Genre: MM romance (friends to lovers), erotic MM romance, detective story, mystery, suspense
Words: 42,881 
Blurb:
Lucian Wren and Beau Deverel have always been friends. They think they know everything about each other, but they both hide a secret desire. They’re devoted to each other, but they’ve never revealed the depth of their feelings.
When Lucian starts a private investigation service, and Beau joins him in the fledgling agency, little do they know what a delicious, close encounter on their first case will lead to.
This case is bizarre. Is there a hidden reason the client has chosen their newly formed agency for such an important job?
As Beau and Lucian dive headlong into the mystery, their relationship deepens, and their friendship changes forever.

Erotic, romantic—a friends to lovers, gay mystery, romance.
Releasing on kindle from Encompass Ink December 10
Read a teaser
Lucian’s gaze traced the planes of Beau’s face. He lingered soaking up the sight of Beau’s enticing lips, and then looked quickly back into Beau’s attractive green eyes. “Sure, but I did work with that PI in Salem during vacations, remember? Hey, Beau, it’ll be easy for you. A couple of week’s solid work and you’ll be licensed. What are you worried about?”

Beau smiled and leaned close. “Now you ask, since you believe in me, not a thing.”

Lucian’s heart flipped. Sometimes, when Beau was near, Lucian had to drive down an urgent need to kiss him. Lucian couldn’t even imagine what would happen if Beau discovered how he felt. He preferred not to dwell on the possible answers. He moved back from Beau’s proximity. “That’s okay then.” Lucian slipped away, and walked to the window of his study, set up in the second bedroom of his waterfront floating home. He opened the glazed door and stepped out onto the rain-drenched balcony.

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016 Encompass Ink December 10 release

Thursday, December 1, 2016

From The Candy Apple stories #MMromance read a chapter release day #blog @EncompassInk


From Hawk v Falcon

Chapter Three

“You’re late.” Jack Whitaker brought Chris his clean shorts and robe.
Chris tugged open his locker in the fighters’ dressing and shower room. “I know. My shift at the Candy Apple was supposed to end at midnight, but it didn’t.” He grinned and continued. “It’s just the show round anyway, huh? This week’s flown by.”
Jack ran the downtown fight club. Tuesday and Friday nights, after midnight, he held what he called cabaret spots. Amongst the long-term fighters were those Jack labeled his show ponies, and they would appear only once a month in the main cage, and the rest of the time put on a display. Chris Falconer aka the Falcon was a favorite among the crowd who hung around for a last drink, and to wind down from the high they’d got as they watched the bloody bouts of cage fights earlier in the night.
At midnight, the club closed the main doors, and punters who stayed for the cabarets headed into the more opulent second room, where the bar stayed open and the fight was all show.
Chris dragged off his work clothes and donned the satiny shorts Jack handed him. He pulled on the grey leather hood, shaped to portray a falcon’s head, and adjusted the beak, laughing as he checked the look in the long mirror over the row of hand basins. His mirth at the hood brought a grin from Jack.
“Hurry up.” Jack left Chris to put on his boxing shoes and pull on the gel injected fingerless gloves that they used in the cabaret.
Chris shrugged on his robe. Screen printed onto the silk was a flying falcon, its wings reaching across his shoulders. He jogged through the tunnel that led to the special bar. The exit brought him into the cage there. Already the other fighter stood alternately preening and dancing for the crowd on the far side of the circular enclosure.
The crowd applauded and called out as Chris spun around and discarded his robe to the waiting attendant. He hadn’t warmed-up and he quickly did a few moves designed to alleviate that.
His opponent turned.
Chris gave him a little bow and then approached.
Their fight wouldn’t be real, but all the same it would be strenuous and the falls could still wind them.
Chris hadn’t seen the fighter who charged toward him before. The outfit and the hood portrayed a red devil. Chris frowned under his own hood as the fighter jabbed with force at his throat. He avoided the punch and grabbed the arm, using the other fighter’s momentum to pull him over his shoulder and drop him to the canvas. Chris jumped back to let the Red Devil stand, but the other fighter spun on his back like a huge beetle and lunged at Chris’s ankle trying to grip it in his gloved hand.
Chris laughed as he bent and caught the hand. He made the move a joke, pulling the fighter up and shaking his hand. The crowd laughed and applauded. Chris leapt back, spun, and kicked the fighter in the shoulder. He modified the force in his kick so that instead of downing the man in pain, the kick would only make the other fighter stagger. This was the kind of show they were supposed to put on.
The Red Devil let out a roar that reached Chris through his hood and over the appreciative calls of the crowd.
A smile spread over Chris’s face at what he thought was a show for the audience from the Red Devil, but it was short-lived as his opponent barreled at him, grabbed his waist, and took him backwards onto the canvas, where the devil began pounding Chris about the face with real blows as he straddled Chris’s body. Shock stopped Chris from fighting back for a few seconds. The devil’s really fighting—okay—watch out, buddy.
Chris grabbed the devil by the wrists and using his legs to unsettle the devil’s seat across his body, Chris reversed their positions in seconds. He held the fighter’s hands above the red horned hood and leaned over to speak.
“What the fuck is going on? This is supposed to be a show bout, but it seems as if you want a real fight. That’s kinda against the rules, plus I don’t want to hurt you.”
The Red Devil bucked and struggled, but Chris had more muscle, experience, and was intent on keeping the other fighter down.
The crowd cheered. A few stood as they applauded.
The only reply the Red Devil gave was a loud hiss.
Puzzled, Chris let him up. He hopped to the far side of the cage and gave a little bow to the audience, but against all show bout expectations, the Red Devil ran at Chris, thrust him against the net, and began punching Chris in the kidneys. His breath left him, and he shook his head amazed at the force of the blows the devil bestowed on him. Resigned to having to dispense with his opponent, Chris ducked, twirled low, kicked the devil in the side, and then punched him hard in the jaw. Chris felt the punch in his knuckles through the gel gloves and shook out the pain as he moved back from the Red Devil, who fell dazed to the floor. Chris took a deep breath resigned to the fact that he’d had to hit the guy properly, as he saw a trickle of blood escape from the side of the Red Devil’s mouth.
Chris walked swiftly to the exit where the attendants waited. Jack arrived there at the same time as Chris. “Jack, this is over. I could hurt this guy if he keeps going. I’m bigger and I can feel his inexperience. What the fuck is going on?” Chris’s voice cracked slightly as he caught his breath.
Jack’s expression mirrored Chris’s puzzlement. “I have no idea. Can you stay in the ring? I’ll bring Tusk for a few Martial art moves.” He didn’t wait for Chris to answer and sent the two attendants to bundle the Red Devil from the cage.
Chris shifted from the exit to let them pass. He gave a short nod to Jack. “Four show moves only. I’m just a little pissed off right now.”
Jack followed the parade made up of the attendants and the Red Devil down the tunnel.
Chris gave a victory lap around the edge of the cage, but couldn’t shake the unease at the strange way the Red Devil had seemed to make the show fight personal.
The crowd alerted him to the entrance of Tusk, a fighter who adorned his hood with a replica Rhino horn, fortunately made of compressed rubber so that it felt like sponge. Chris twirled around. He knew Tusk, whose real name was Gabriel, and enjoyed their displays when they met in the cage.
He met Tusk in the center of the ring and bowed in response to his new opponent’s bow.
Then they entered the display battle. They posed and struck lightly. They flew through the air and landed elegantly to gesture at each other to bring more, to strike.
Chris gave Tusk a soft landing as he threw the fighter over his shoulder.
Tusk leapt up into a Martial arts stance and with a dart kicked Chris over. Chris felt only a muffled thud as Tusk’s foot tapped his torso. He squatted and somersaulted backwards landing in the pose the experienced fighters gave each other to end the show bouts.
After a few seconds, with the applause from the crowd waning, Chris stood and met Tusk to join him in a bow before they exited the cage.
Tusk pulled off his hood as they walked side by side along the tunnel to the dressing rooms. “What’s up with the Red Devil? Jack’s taken him to the office with one of the bouncers and that usually means trouble.”
Chris unfastened his falcon hood and took it off. He cast a glance at Tusk.
“I have no fucking idea, Gabriel—unless maybe he thought the fight was real, but even when I reminded him it was a show bout, he kept at me. In the end, I had to give him a punch to stop the fight.”
They reached the dressing rooms.
Gabriel gave Chris a pat on the back. “You did the right thing. He was out of order.”
They fell silent, undressed, showered, and met again in the main part of the room to put on their street clothes.
“I’m going to find Jack. I’ll see you later, Gabe.”
Gabriel looked up from pulling on his boot. “Sure, see you later.”
Chris considered what had happened in the cage as he took the stairs to Jack’s office situated in the basement. He knocked on the bubbled glass of the door that faced the bottom step.
Jack opened the door after a moment.
“Chris, I guessed you’d come to see me. Sorry about the Red Devil. He’s new to the cabaret, but he has fought every week for about two months in the other cage and I thought he’d be a colorful addition to the show fights, you know, what with his horned hood ... I should have let you know about the change...” Jack shrugged and led Chris down the corridor to the three rooms that made up the office suite.
“I had to give him a real thump to stop him. Is he hurt? What’s his excuse?”
Jack waved at a chair by the side of his desk. “Have a seat. He wouldn’t talk. I fired him. He seemed okay. The medic checked him out. He wasn’t knocked unconscious—just saw a few stars I reckon.”
“You fired him ... I hope he wasn’t dependent on the work.”
Jack shook his head to emphasize his words. “See, I couldn’t have him doing what he did and then not giving an explanation. If he’d said he forgot the rules, lame as that excuse would have been I might not have fired his ass, but not saying a word ... sitting there clammed up isn’t any way to act. Look, what if it wasn’t you he’d gone for? What if it was a lighter, less muscled, or less experienced guy, and the whole bout became carnage? Nah, he had to go.”
Chris stared at Jack. “The usual cage fights are real. People get hurt—you award prize money. You even have a punters’ challenge bare-knuckle bout Saturday afternoons. I’m surprised you didn’t just keep him on for those. Hey, did he come with the devil hood?” Chris suddenly wondered if the fighter had worked elsewhere. The devil wasn’t completely inexperienced.
Jack stood and walked over to the coffee maker that stood on a file cabinet to one side of the room. He took two mugs from one of the file cabinet drawers. “Coffee, Chris? Yeah he already had the hood and the name. He had references from a Boston club.” He looked at Chris for an answer holding the coffee pot poised above one of the mugs.
Chris nodded. “Yes please. That’s interesting. I suppose you called the club.”
Jack brought the coffees to the desk. He placed a mug in front of Chris. “I did, and they were full of praise.”
Chris took a sip of the coffee. “Then I have no idea what happened.”
Jack pursed his lips in thought. After a few moments, he appeared to give up on the situation. “Well, it’s over. Let’s discuss the next couple of week’s fights and who goes up against who.” He flicked the mouse on the pad adorned with a picture of Spiderman and glanced at the computer screen on the desk. He grimaced and searched amongst the few folders and an empty packet of chips on one side of the desk, finding a pair of glasses. He put them on, and looked back at the screen.
“No unexpected changes this time. I’ve got you pitted against Hulk and Scorpion in the Tuesday show bouts, and Friday the show bout will be you and Hawk. I’m advertising that heavily, Hawk v Falcon, yeah, that will excite the punters. Then in the second week you’re due in the usual cage for a freestyle-wrestling bout with a ‘contender yet to be named,’ you know the usual thing—one of our guys pretending to be from the floor. There are no show bouts in the second week, so only one night’s work for the week. How’s that?”
Chris drank his coffee quietly. He had no idea why Jack consulted him in advance, not always, but more often than not. Jack didn’t do it with anyone else. Jack usually emailed the information out every two weeks, and Chris received the email, too. Sometimes he thought Jack viewed him as a friend or maybe a son. Right then Chris thought it definitely was the latter as Jack looked up at him and smiled.
“I enjoy our talks, son.”
Chris returned the smile. He knew Jack’s wife had died of cancer three years ago and there were no kids as far as Chris was aware.
Chris sighed inwardly. He knew what it was like to be lonely. It didn’t matter how much times had changed. He found it hard to meet a guy he could love and have that love returned. In fact, Chris had about given up looking. Sex was easy. He could get that in a heartbeat if he went out to one of the gay bars around town, but in the last year, it had become hollow. He watched couples dance together and wished he had someone who knew him, laughed with him, was in his bed at night waiting to hold him close. It was painful. Chris drifted in his thoughts. Charlie was right. Why was he alone? Why didn’t any of the guys he’d screwed want more than that, hurrying away the next day or even in the night after sex. I maybe give off some kind of impermanence signals.
Jack’s voice broke through the fog of thoughts. “I’d better get back upstairs, Chris. Marty will be wondering if I’ve fallen down a hole.”
Marty was the assistant fight manager. He’d be up there in the bar where another show bout would be underway. Chris nodded. “Sure, Jack. Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you Tuesday night. Since it’s me and Gabriel again, I hope the audience doesn’t get bored.”
Jack laughed aloud. “You’re kidding. Have you ever cast a glance over the women in the audience? They can’t take their eyes off you. That’s why I’m advertising the Hawk v Falcon so much. The ladies will be queued around the block. Two hot bodies to fantasize about...” He laughed again as he stood.
Chris stood too, and followed him from the office. They ascended the stairs together, but at the top, Jack split off to go to the bar where the cage fight could be heard bringing applause from the audience, and Chris left by the back door to go home.
As he unlocked his car door, he remembered he’d not asked Jack for the Red Devil’s real name. Chris made a mental note to find that out because maybe he knew the guy, maybe it was someone he’d thrown out of the Candy Apple who was after revenge. Which is kinda dramatic, but you never know. Chris sat in his flame red Wrangler and stared out at the sky as he considered this. A pale half-moon appeared as clouds scudded away in the wind.
****
Across the parking lot, the Red Devil, devoid of hood, and sitting in his sleek gray Pontiac GTO watched Chris. I’m not finished with you, Falcon. Not by a long way.

Copyright Elodie Parkes 2016 , Encompass Ink, All rights are Reserved


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These two full-length stories are now combined in one book for your enjoyment. They are available as single stories, so please check if you have bought them as such.
Love Unmasked
Handsome Tom Wells sets lonely Scott Palmer’s heart racing as he watches Tom come and go from his apartment across the street. Scott longs to meet Tom, and when he scores a new job delivering goods for a local distributor, fate hands him the opportunity.
Tom works in a nightclub—the Candy Apple, and in the sultry environs, a masked stranger seduces Tom. The seeds of passion are sown, but just who has ignited Tom’s passion?
Scott’s longing to know Tom leads him to join the elite nightclub. On his first visit, the club holds a masquerade event.
Who is kissing who? Who’s under the black velvet mask?
An erotic MM romance, with a twist and HEA.

Hawk v Falcon
When Chris Falconer receives an email from his lost high school friend, Justin, ten years after he last saw him, Chris is overjoyed. The two boys had shared kisses and sworn love for each other, but before their love could be tested, Justin’s mother abruptly took Justin out of school, and they disappeared.
Multi-talented and handsome Chris is a cage fighter at Jack’s Clubhouse, and the Dungeon Master in the Candy Apple club. He writes a column for a fitness blog and keeps himself busy, but deep down he’s never forgotten Justin—turns out Justin has never forgotten Chris either.
On a modeling assignment in New York, Justin sees Chris in a cafĂ© and can’t help contacting him, but his ex, Todd, who doesn’t want Justin but doesn’t want Chris to have him either, has plans to throw their reunion into disarray.
So begins a love story full of emotion. Will Todd succeed? Or this time, will Justin and Chris have the happy ending and delicious love they deserve?
A second chance gay romance with a touch of suspense
BUY the combined stories for only US $4.99          https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N004QK0