Monday, July 18, 2016

Monday's Montage Mantlepiece: Summer Solstice - When Friends Become Lovers


Title: Summer Solstice
Authors: JL Campbell, Sylvie Grayson, PC Zick
Nikki Lynn Barrett, Susan Ann Wall, Christine Warner
Jude Ouvrard, Hebby Roman, Carra Copelin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 21, 2016

***Currently 99cents***

Summary:
Love comes from the most unexpected places and is sweeter when friends turn into lovers. Dive into a tantalizing selection of full-length romances that feature sexy heroes and their women who make the leap from the security of friendship to the heat and passion of new-found love.

Penned by USA Today and best-selling authors, Summer Solstice will have you rooting for characters who dare to reach for love, despite the challenges.

Books Included:
The Short Game by J.L. Campbell
Garth Chu is on his way to having the most sought-after video production outfit in Kingston, Jamaica. Everything is lining up well, including his relationship with his current girlfriend—until his mother starts pressuring him to get married. He has no intention of giving up his freedom to fit in with his parents' desire for him to settle down and run the family business, but his girl, Nadine, has other ideas and starts a crusade to get Garth to propose.

Anna-Lise Myers has been Garth's golfing buddy for fifteen years and resents Nadine's intrusion on their friendship. When Garth is injured in an accident, his friends rally round him, but things take an unexpected turn. Anna-Lise discovers feelings she's never admitted to having and Garth can't remember when Anna-Lise went from sister-friend to potential lady-love. A hot and disastrous interlude between Garth and Anna-Lise forces them to decide whether they want to risk their friendship and take a chance on happy-ever-after.

My Best Mistake by Sylvie Grayson 
Jordie was heartbroken when he returned to town to find Jenny had married another man. Now she lives beside him, and he'll either go crazy or do what he should have done before - claim her for his own. Jenny is back and she's angry, her husband cheated and she can't let it go. But when her job is under threat and her life is in danger, who will she turn to? With her cousin living right beside her it's becoming harder to ignore the chemistry they have always shared. Can Jordie help put her life back together?


Behind the Curtain -- Behind the Love Trilogy #3 by P.C. Zick 
When Lisa Williams returns to her hometown of Victory, Florida, with a producer of reality TV shows, not everyone is happy to see her, particularly her sister, Susie. Lisa finds herself at odds with everyone in town, even her close friend Tommy who tries to understand and support her dreams of becoming a star. When Tommy is assigned to cover the show's filming as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune, he finds himself at odds with Lisa who he's beginning to think of as more than a friend.

Sally Jean returns to the Behind the Love series as Lisa's best friend. But the show threatens to tear them apart as well when the producer wants to make Sally Jean the star rather than Lisa. As Lisa finds herself losing everyone in her life, Tommy struggles to remain her friend, hoping she'll realize that her actor boyfriend Jet isn't any good for her. If he can convince her of that, perhaps he'll stand a second chance at winning her fragile heart.

The Key To My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett 
One dream fails, a passion burnt out...

With no set plan and a desire to find a passion, Blaine Grant hightailed it out of Harmony's Echo a year out of high school to find herself. Finding a passion didn't come as easily to her as it did for others she knew. Now, Blaine has come home for good with mistakes she'd like to forget, but the past doesn't want to forget her. Everyone thought she'd been selfish to not come back when she was needed the most, but Blaine never let anyone know the emotional hell she went through.

Another dream is just beginning to see the light...

Randy Hughes has always been the shy guy until he discovered his love of music. It wasn't until joining the band that he grew out of his shyness. The oldest sibling and the only boy, he's pressured by family expectations to set a good example. He's the one who takes everyone in when they need it, and he's the one whose own dreams are ignored. Now that big things are happening for the Baby Stetson band, Randy has to decide how to handle his family when his dreams are on the line...

A friendship is changing.

One spur of the moment, impulsive move leads Randy and Blaine into a dire situation that may bring them together, or pull them apart, just when he's finally able to gather the courage to tell Blaine how he's felt about her all these years...

The Sound of Deception by Susan Ann Wall 
It’s the best arrangement possible: a friends-with-benefits relationship with the man she’s had a crush on for over a decade. Morgan Landry’s commitment to her career, coupled with her goal of NEVER being like her mother is what has her going back to Bryan Curtis for more and more…and well, even more. The biggest challenge is keeping it from their coupled-up friends, including her overprotective brother, who are all on the road to marriage, the one destination Morgan has no intention of reaching. When the arrangement sprouts some complications and Morgan starts failing tests and running away from her job, she does her best to deny the true beat in her heart.

Chief Petty Officer Bryan Curtis is married to the navy. He’s seen too many marriages fail because of the demands of the military to crave that kind of commitment. Because he likes women, his shallow reputation of pursuing blondes has earned him the title of man-whore, a moniker he’s never minded until he crosses the line with Morgan. His loyalty to Morgan’s older brother – Bryan’s best friend – continues to eat away at him, but not enough for him to walk away from the woman he’s craved for over a decade. Bryan keeps the secret to keep her in his bed, but when his heart gets involved, he has to own up to his feelings and hope it doesn’t ruin his friendship with his best friend or have Morgan jumping ship.

Secret Love by Christine Warner 
Lizzie Tarleton has always done things her own way—including the time at the tender age of thirteen when she confessed to her brother’s best friend she loved him. But now she’s a new teacher at the local high school, and independent enough to know that you can’t force love. She’ll find love when the time is right—even though her parents are adamant the time is now. The only downfall to her idyllic life is the fact that her childhood crush—who broke her heart—is now her boss. If only she could stop daydreaming about him.

Wayne Whitmore grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and worked hard to get where he’s at in life. Even though he enjoys being principal at the small town high school, he dreams of coaching baseball. When his best friend asks him to watch over his little sister at her new job at Wayne’s school, he agrees. What he doesn’t count on is how she’s grown from the pig tailed kid who told him she loved him, to the woman who breaks his concentration with her beauty and smile. Unable to get over his fascination, and afraid he’ll ruin his friend’s trust, Wayne applies for his dream job—one that will take him far away.

One night while decorating the school gymnasium for an upcoming sock hop, Lizzie and Wayne find themselves alone. They share a kiss and Lizzie realizes her childhood crush for Wayne has never died. Wayne decides he doesn’t want to let Lizzie get away.

Can they come to terms with their secret love and then overcome the other secrets they are hiding in order to get what they each want? Or is their timing for love still off?

Lost Dreams by Jude Ouvrard
When Carter is killed in combat, he leaves behind his heartbroken wife, Avery and his shattered best friend Remy. Naturally these two wounded souls gravitate together, irresistibly drawn by the loss of the one they both loved, as well as their deep friendship with each other. But when that friendship starts to turn into something more, new problems arise.

Will Avery be able to move on after losing the love of her life?

Will Remy be able to fill the void left by the loss of his best friend? Or will this new chance at love cost them all they have left?

Summer Dreams by Hebby Roman 
Where else but in her beloved New Mexico would Natalia Colon want to spend a summer---preferably in the strong arms of her macho childhood friend, Esteban Montalvo. But when she arrives home, hurting from a broken engagement, Natalia discovers her childhood pal has become a minor league baseball player who has ambitions to make the big league; and with his dark, athletic good looks, is attracting women like bees to honey. She fears he'd never be interested in a bookish school teacher like her. But how wrong she is! Esteban has been secretly in love with Natalia from the time they were children, but he worries his love isn't good enough for her. Can he win Natalia's heart . . . with a soul-searing romance that fulfills all of her summer dreams?

Code of Honor by Carra Copelin
Graeme McAlister returns home to Texas to discover why his foster brother overdosed on morphine and crashed the company jet. The charge makes no sense, but the NTSB and coroner's reports both confirm suicide. Graeme's determined to unearth the truth and return to Washington, D.C. but, when he sees his brother's widow, will he be able to handle the biggest revelation of all?

A widow at the age of twenty-eight, Maggie Benning, resolves to establish a successful and independent life for herself and her five-year-old son, Andy. Her initial goal is getting back her RN job at the hospital ER where she was accused of stealing the drugs that killed her husband ten months ago. She's reconstructing her shattered life when Graeme McAlister comes back to McTiernan, Texas and stirs up old memories and feelings she thought long buried. Can she overcome past hurt and loss of trust to accept the possibility of a new love in her life?



Author Bios:
JL Campbell
J.L. Campbell is an award-winning, Jamaican author who writes romantic suspense, women's fiction, new and young adult novels. She has written thirteen books, three novellas and two short story collections.

Her novels include the Island Adventure Romance series, which currently has four exciting, stand-alone stories and features feisty women and determined men. Campbell's mission is to write stories that entertain and educate readers. She also writes under the pen name Jayda McTyson.

She is a certified editor, who also writes non-fiction.

Sylvie Grayson
Sylvie Grayson loves to write about suspense, romance and attempted murder, and has published romantic suspense novels- Suspended Animation, Legal Obstruction, and The Lies He Told Me, all about strong women who meet with dangerous odds, stories of tension and attraction. She has also written The Last War series, a sci fi/fantasy adventure, the first books, Khandarken Rising, and Son of the Emperor which were released in 2015 and Truth and Treachery, Book Three was released in 2016.

She has lived in British Columbia, Canada, in spots ranging from Vancouver Island to the North Peace River and the Kootenays in the beautiful interior. She has been an English language instructor, a nightclub manager, an auto shop bookkeeper and a lawyer. She lives in southern British Columbia with her husband on a small piece of land near the Pacific Ocean.

P.C. Zick
Bestselling author, P.C. Zick describes herself as a storyteller no matter what she writes. And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction. She's won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction.

Many of her novels contain stories of Florida and its people and environment, which she credits as giving her a rich base for her storytelling. "Florida's quirky and abundant wildlife - both human and animal - supply my fiction with tales almost too weird to be believable." Her Behind the Love trilogy - contemporary romance - is also set in Florida, but she's now working on a series set in the Smoky Mountains.

Her fiction contains the elements most dear to her heart, ranging from love to the environment. All of her novels contain elements of romance with strong female characters and descriptive settings. She believes in living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion, and through her fiction she imparts this philosophy in an entertaining manner with an obvious love for her characters, plot, and themes.

Nikki Lynn Barrett
I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.


Susan Ann Wall
Big dreamer and certifiable overachiever Susan Ann Wall embraces life at full speed and volume. She’s a beer and tea snob, can be bribed with dark chocolate, and the #1 thing on her bucket list is to be the center of a Bon Jovi flash mob. Susan is a nationally bestselling, multi-genre author of racy, rule-breaking romance and women’s fiction. Her bragging rights include the Fighting Back for Love series, Puget Sound ~ Alive With Love series, Superstitious Brides Romance series, Sunset Valley Women’s Fiction series, and Devon Taggart Suspense series. She also likes to boast about her three perfect children, two amazing rescue dogs, and a happily ever after that started while serving in the U.S. Army and has spanned two decades (which is crazy since she’s not a day over 29). In her next life, Susan plans to be a 5 foot 10, size 8 rock star married to a chiropractor and will not be terrified of large bridges, spiders, or quiet people (shiver).

Christine Warner
Christine Warner is living her dream in rural Michigan along with her family, one laptop, and a much loved assortment of furry friends.

Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.

A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter, and her website at christine-warner.com.

Jude Ouvrard
"Drama, true love, tattoos...and everything in between!"


Jude Ouvrard is an author who writes from the heart, and reads with passion and devotion. Jude enjoys stories of drama, true love, tattoos, and everything in between. While writing is her therapy, reading is her solace. Life doesn't get better than books and chocolate, and maybe a little bit of shopping.

A romance lover, Jude writes about love, pain, heartbreak and matters that will challenge your heart. A book can tell an unexpected story, no matter which directions it takes. Jude embraces words that have haunted her for years.

Jude is a working mom who dedicates her time to a law firm and writing books. She has an energetic five-year old superhero son, and a supportive boyfriend of thirteen years. Her family is her rock; she could not survive without them. Born a country girl, she transformed into a city woman who now lives in Montreal, Canada. Although French is her first language, Jude decided to write in English because she liked the challenge.

Hebby Roman
Hebby Roman is the multi-published author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her first contemporary romance, SUMMER DREAMS, was the launch title for Encanto, a print line featuring Latino romances. And her re-published e-book, SUMMER DREAMS, was #1 in Amazon fiction and romance.

Hebby is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and the past president of her local chapter, North Texas Romance Writers. She was selected for the Romantic Times "Texas Author" award, and she won a national Harlequin contest. Her book, BORDER HEAT, was a Los Angeles Times Book Festival selection.

Carra Copelin
Best Selling Author, Carra Copelin, writes Contemporary and Historical Romantic Suspense books set mainly in Texas about Texans. Her stories revolve around love and family.

She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Yellow Rose Romance Writers, plus she’s a regular contributor to the blogs, Smart Girls Read Romance and Sweethearts of the West. She is a member of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

She and her husband live in North Central Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, home of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers baseball, and the Dallas Stars hockey team. They enjoy living close to their family and grandchildren. In addition to writing and researching for the next story, Carra enjoys her Bridge group, crochet, and tracking down relatives through genealogy.


JL Campbell
FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE
GOOGLE+  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Sylvie Grayson
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EMAIL: sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com

P.C. Zick
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Nikki Lynn Barrett
WEBSITE  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Susan Ann Wall
FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE

Christine Warner

Jude Ouvrard
FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  FB FRIEND  /  BLOG
NEWSLETTER  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Hebby Roman
PINTEREST  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS

Carra Copelin
FACEBOOK  /  TWITTER  /  WEBSITE  /  BLOG
NEWSLETTER  /  AMAZON  /  GOODREADS



***Currently 99cents***
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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Sunday's Safe Word Shelf: Rainbow Island by Sean Michael


Three Wishes #1
Summary:
Come to Rainbow Island, where all your sexual fantasies will come true.

In Three Wishes, James, Guard and Damien, bring in three different couples for their special fantasy granting services. Handsome model Benji is tired of being perfect, and he wants to make his body his own. Thor, tattoo artist and piercer, as well as Dom, is just the man to do it. Will Benji find what he's looking for?

Meanwhile, Alan and Roman are a long-time sub/Dom couple looking to have a few outside Masters give Alan all the things that Roman can’t. Will their relationship survive Alan's strong reaction to one of the Masters?

The last couple to visit the island are Quinn and Pierce. Quinn has medical fetishes he’s embarrassed to tell his lover Pierce about even though Pierce is a doctor. So he’s going to get it out of his system in this safe environment. At least that’s the plan...

Don't miss out on these fantasies come true.

Reader Advisory: This book contains a scene of fisting and an enema administration and intimate medical examinations in a scene. There are also scenes of knifeplay and body modification and a reference to breathplay.

Publisher's Note: This book has previously been released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

Three More Wishes #2
Summary:
Come to Rainbow Island, where all your sexual fantasies will come true.

James, Guard and Damien are back, still running their resort, where every fantasy, no matter how perverse, may come true. The three men continue working out the bumps in their threesome, but when it comes to their clients, they’re a well-oiled machine. Which works perfectly for the three new couples arriving in paradise.

Cameron is losing his sight, and he knows that he’ll be useless once it goes completely. He’s cashed in everything to leave his life behind for one last fling. Xander is on the island for a fantasy, too. He’s looking for someone to love on, someone to care for and Cameron seems to be the perfect match, but can they make it work?

As a writer, Ben always writes the script, which is why his fantasy is to give up control. He’s told his fantasy can’t be fulfilled, so he settles in for a relaxing vacation on an island paradise instead. Is he really as safe as he thinks he is?

Finally, Leo is a consummate top, always wanting to better his technique. He wants to know what it’s like to be a sub, but it won’t be easy for a Dominant to bottom for five days. Leo will do his dead-level best to measure up—his only worry is who the boys choose to be his fantasy top…

Don’t miss out on these fantasies come true.

Publisher's Note: This book has previously been released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

Pre-order Date: 28th June 2016
Available exclusively to Pride Publishing: 12th July 2016
General Release Date: 9th August 2016


Three Wishes #1
Guard changed into a lilac shirt with huge green and yellow flowers on it. He had matching shorts, but they were probably a bit much. Instead, he put on his bright yellow board shorts and his flip-flops.

Grabbing his clipboard with maps, room service menus, keys and stuff attached, he walked down to the water, where the deck ran out into the ocean. Aldo would be here any minute with their medical fetish client. What was his name?

Guard checked his clipboard—it would be better not to call the guy Med Fetish to his face. Names were a good thing and made the clients feel comfortable.

Sage Q. Williams.

Sage.

What kind of name was that?

He’d bet the man’s mother was a hippie. Or at least had been when Sage was born. He would keep that tidbit to himself, too.

The radio on his belt went off and he picked it up. “Guard.”

“It’s Aldo, we’re three minutes out.”

“Thanks.”

He clipped the radio back on his belt and waved to Carmen’s nephew Luis. The kid came trotting over with the wagon for luggage, and they made their way down to the end of the dock together.

“Buenos tardes, SeΓ±or Guard. Is the man for cabin D, sΓ­?”

“SΓ­. He’s SeΓ±or Williams.”

“SΓ­.” Luis nodded, smiled at him. The kid wouldn’t remember for ten minutes, but it didn’t matter. After tonight, no one would see Sage Williams until it was time to fly back to LA.

He heard the motor of the plane and shaded his eyes. There it was. Cool. He was ready to get everyone tucked in and go see J. Maybe tonight was the night. He laughed a little to himself. Right. He had faith, though. He had talked to Damien back at the beginning of this nightmare, and they weren’t fucking letting James just fade off. Not now. Not tomorrow.

The plane eased down, landing in the water with surprisingly little splash before heading to the dock. Guard watched as it came in and waved when he could see their client through the little window.

As soon as the plane stopped next to the dock, Luis grabbed the rope Aldo had thrown, and Guard moved up to open the door for their guest. “Good evening, Mr. Williams. Welcome to the island.”

“Thank you.” Sage was lovely, muscled and tanned, bright blue eyes picking up the colors of the sea.

“I’m Guard, and if there’s anything I can do for you while you’re with us, you just need to hit the pound sign, then three on your phone to get me. Zero gets you the concierge on duty, though, and he can probably help you with most of your needs.” He could see Luis had the luggage ready to go. “If you’ll come with me, please.”

“Of course. I… I was told that everything would be arranged for tomorrow.”

“Yeah, everything’s ready for you. And the kitchen is at your disposal this evening—they’d be happy to prepare whatever you’d like.” He led the man to the little golf cart Luis was loading the luggage into.

“Oh. Okay. Yeah. I’m… I’m a little nervous.”

Guard would bet the farm that Sage was more than a little nervous.

“Everything’s set up to run as smoothly as possible. It’s our job to make sure your fantasy happens just the way you want it. So if there’s anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable…”

“I… I just. I’ve never done anything like this before, you know?”

“It wouldn’t be a fantasy if you had.” Guard had a lot of experience soothing nervous guests. Hell, he knew being nervous enhanced the whole thing for most clients.

Sage’s laugh was warm, self-deprecating. “I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am.” He gave Sage a wink then turned the golf cart up the long drive to the private bungalow he’d assigned the guy.

“It’s lovely here. Is there a place to swim?”

“You’ve got a pool behind your bungalow.” There was also the entire ocean, but they didn’t have life guards. Besides, most of the guests were looking for privacy, and while there were no outsiders here, there were other guests.

“Excellent. Is it private?”

“Of course. Your privacy is assured.”

“Thanks.” Sage looked around, smiled. “I hope I can sleep tonight.”

“I could have a masseuse brought in, or someone to guide you through some meditation.” Unless he missed his guess, though, the nerves and lack of sleep were part of the fantasy.

“I… Can I think about it? I really need to find my headspace.”

“Of course. You can ring the concierge or me if you need anything at all.”

Sage nodded. “Thank you. I know I’m being a nervous Nelly, I just… This is such a big deal for me.”

Guard pulled up in front of the man’s bungalow and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “It’s the chance of a lifetime, and I hope it gives you what you want.” He wanted to be a fly on the wall, actually. It was amazing what made some people tick. Amazing and captivating, even when it otherwise seemed weird.

“I do, too. Thank you.” Sage stood up, smiled back at him. “Will…someone come get me tomorrow?”

“Yes. At seven. He won’t speak, he’ll simply lead you to the place where you’ll…see the doctor.”

“Oh. Okay.” The man pinked, but the tent erected in the loose pants Sage wore was impressive.

Man, it took all kinds. It really did fascinate him, the things people wanted. The things people needed. That thought sent his mind back to James, back to those near black eyes, the pointed chin, the brilliance.

He was smiling as he helped Luis get Sage’s bags into his bungalow. “If you need anything at all…” He handed over the keycard and the information pamphlets.

“I… My safe word is on file. My… The doctor will know it?”

“He’ll have your file, yes. Should you use your safe word, everything will stop.”

Sage grinned at him. “That’s comforting. Thank you. I’ll call about my dinner decisions.”

“Terrific. Enjoy your fantasy, Mr. Williams.”

“Thank you.”

Guard made sure his client made it into the cabin, luggage and all, before he left.

He drove the golf cart back to the dock to let Luis off and glanced at his watch. He had about an hour before the next guests came in. Maybe he could go find some flowers to bring with him for dinner.

Three More Wishes #2
“I’m going to fuck you until you can’t breathe.”

The words slithered at him in the darkness and he sat up, trying to figure out where he was, why he was wet and cold. James shook his head, scrambled to try and get up, get away, but he couldn’t. Something was in his back. Something was stopping him. Something was inside him.

“I’m going to ruin you and leave you bleeding.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Never.”

He sobbed, sweated, twisted as he tried to run.

He heard his name, someone shouting for him, and a loud banging. “James! James!”

“Leave me alone. Please. Help me! Somebody! He’s got me down here!” And he didn’t know where ‘down here’ was.

The banging continued, got louder, as did the shouting. Then it all went quiet, and he was shaking, something was shaking him.

“Don’t. Don’t. Please. Guard! Damien…”

The dream exploded in a pop, and his eyes flew open. “Oh, my God.”

Guard was right there, hands hard around his arms, shaking him. “James!”

“I. Sorry. Bad dream. Sorry. What are you doing here?” Oh, God.

“Are you kidding me? You’ve been screaming for the last fifteen minutes.” Guard pulled him close, wrapping strong arms around him.

“I’m sorry.”

Guard. His Guard.

“It’s okay. It’s okay, babe.” Guard kissed the top of his head. “You’re safe, you’re all right.”

“I didn’t mean to.” He shouldn’t have gone to sleep.

“Shh. Shh. I have you.” Guard was warm, his chest bare, some crazy-colored flannel jammy pants soft against him.

“You can’t stay here.” But the touches were easing him, gentling him, and he was fading away.

“Shh…” Guard laid him back down, still holding him, touching him like he was the most precious thing.

“I’m sorry.” His cheek landed on Guard’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, Jamie, I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

“Never going to be safe again.”

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Guard could growl when he wanted to.

James’ eyes closed. “I’m tired.”

“Then sleep. Let me guard your dreams, okay?”

“Okay. Just tonight.”

Just one night.

Guard was dreaming. He had to be. It was only in his dreams that he woke up curled around James’ body, their shared heat filling the air with the scent of them. He moaned happily, rubbing his cock against James’ ass. God, this dream felt so good, so real.

“You two look cozy. And I was thinking you missed me…”

Damien.

Guard was going to kill the fucker.

Especially now he knew he wasn’t dreaming. He popped his head up over James’ shoulder and glared. “Anyone ever tell you that you have lousy timing?”

“All the time. Talked to Rosa. He had a bad night. Did you give him a Valium?”

“No, actually, I didn’t.” No, instead a bit of a miracle had happened—James had let Guard soothe and ease him, had fallen asleep in Guard’s arms.

James shifted, frowned, starting to wake up. Guard held on, kissed James’ head. God damn Damien for coming and waking him up anyway.

“I… What’s going on? Why are you in here?”

Guard ignored Damien for now and gave James his full attention. “You had a nightmare.”

“I… I. You should go. Did I wake you? How did I wake you?”

“Don’t you remember?” He’d just stay where he was for now, thank you. His cock had flagged a little, but it was still snug up against James’ body.

“I remember you coming. I told you to go, but you’re warm.”

“You were screaming like someone was killing you.” He wasn’t going to leave James like that.

“I… I’m sorry. It’s been…” Four years. Four years since the incident. Four years since he’d been confined to the chair.

Guard knew. They all knew. “I know, James. I know. I’m here, though. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

“Sweet.” Damien’s voice was dry as dust.

“Dame?” James’ head whipped around. “You’re on the island?”

“Apparently.” Guard glared. Damien knew it was a delicate balance to get James to stop pushing them away.

“Come on, Wheels. You think I’d miss this anniversary?”

James winced, and Guard could see the devastation, the guilt in Damien’s eyes.

“All right. Let’s get some breakfast in us, huh?” Guard said.

If James and Damien could just let the past be the past, they could start looking forward. Together.

“You two go. Ask Carmen for something. I have to get up.”

“We can help you, James.” He was tired of James running him off, pushing him and Damien away.

“No.” The word came out cold, without any embellishment. James had never let him in, let him touch.

“We’re here now. It’ll be easier.” Come on. Come on.

“No. There’s work to do, isn’t there?”

“Of course there is. But we can take five minutes to take care of each other.”

James stared at him, breath coming quick. There was a major panic attack, right there at the surface.

Guard stroked James’ head. “Come on, J. Just breathe. We can do this. All together. Come on.”

“Go away. Go away.”

Damien stepped forward, eyes shimmering.

Guard nodded and held his hand out to Damien. “Help me.”

“Go away…”

Damien came closer. “Jamie…”

“We just want to help, Jamie. Don’t keep pushing us away.”

“I’m not him anymore. I never will be. Ever. I’m broken.”

“Stop that. Stop saying that. I don’t believe it, Damien doesn’t believe it, and somewhere deep inside you don’t believe it, either.”

“It’s true. It’s all true.” James sat up, scooted to the edge of the bed. “Go. Make sure there’s juice. I’ll be out in a little while.”

Guard sighed, torn between pushing it and letting James have a few minutes to pull himself together, to put up his walls. He finally decided on going because James had let him stay in the aftermath of the nightmare. He was taking that as a win and leaving now to ensure James made the same choice next time. If there was a next time.

He kissed James’ shoulder and slid out of bed, grabbing Damien’s hand and throwing a “We’ll be at your breakfast table” over his shoulder.

As soon as the bedroom door closed behind them, he turned to Damien. The man was always away, on the road looking for clients, arranging for tops and other specialists to make the fantasies come true. It wasn’t often that James didn’t know he was coming home—James usually cut the man’s credit cards off when they needed Damien here.

“Perfect timing, as always,” Guard noted.

Damien shrugged, pinked. “It’s the anniversary. I came.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I know.” Then he hugged Damien. “He’s never let me in his bed before. We’re wearing him down.”

“He’ll never forgive me.” Damien would never forgive himself.

“He already has. He thinks we only see the chair.”

Arm around Damien’s waist, Guard led the man over to the table. There was breakfast for three, including juice, laid out. Carmen was a treasure, and he would pay her any amount of money to keep her happy.

“Fucking wheels.”

“Better than the alternative.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I should’ve done better work.”

“Would you let it go? You’re as bad as James. Christ.” He pulled out a chair and looked at Damien pointedly.

Damien flipped him off, the motion lazy.

“Sit your ass down, man. We’re going to have breakfast with James and then we’re going to talk about the upcoming guests and then we’re going to try to get into his pants. Again.”

“And when that doesn’t work?” Damien sat.

“Then we try again tomorrow and the day after that and then the day after that.” He’d been at this game for years now. He wasn’t planning on giving up any time soon.

“Good plan.” Damien grabbed a piece of pineapple.

“When did you get in?” Guard found the oatmeal and dished himself up a big bowlful.

“Midnight. I wanted to be here.”

“You should have come over. Helped me with James.”

“I watched.”

His head whipped around. “What?”

“I was outside. I watched. I mean, after the storm and all. I wasn’t around for the nightmare.”

“You should have joined us, man.” He was tired of being close to one or the other but never the two together. At least he got to make love to Damien. Fuck, he missed them.

“I couldn’t. I don’t belong there.”

“Of course you do. We only ever worked right when it was all three of us.”

Damn them, they were the stubbornest assholes he’d ever met. Too bad for them he was just as stubborn and he wasn’t giving up on getting his wonderful life back.

“I’d give anything to have it back.”

“It’ll happen, D. I can feel it.” He believed it. With all his heart. And he should know, he was the one who stayed on the island, who was here day in and day out. Gopher, security, he did all the things James—their computer guru and, frankly, the real brains behind the operation—couldn’t. He met planes and inspected the cabins. He oversaw new construction and accepted deliveries. The guests knew Damien as their main contact off the island. Guard was the man on the island.

“Nonsense. I’m not on the market. Is there coffee?” James wheeled in, face carefully blank.

Guard snorted. “Of course you’re not on the market—you’re already taken. And would Carmen dare serve you a breakfast that didn’t include coffee?”

“Not if she wanted to keep her job.” Like James would fire her. James treated that woman like royalty. Of course, she took care of James like it was her calling in life.

Guard met James’ eyes, really looked at the man. “How are you doing?”

“Fine. Ready to get to work.” James poured a cup of coffee and snatched a Danish.

Ah, work. James holed himself up in here behind his computer, using ‘work’ as his shield and hiding behind it. James was damned good at losing himself in it, too. Guard thought sometimes that James forgot that it took all three of them to run this place, to make people’s fantasies come true. No man was an island and all that crap, which was kind of funny, really, in a not very funny way.

He stared at James for a moment and bit back his sigh before pouring himself a cup of coffee as well.

Damien rolled his eyes. “So, we’re working. What do you need me to do?”

“Have we got all the details on the kidnapping squared away?”

A kidnapping. They had to be very careful with this one. He’d put them on the far end of the island—this fantasy required total privacy.

“Ben will arrive on the island, ostensibly to have a vacation. The abduction will occur on the man’s first night here. The Dominant is perfect—a bit coarse, rough, but truly professional.” Damien sounded sure.

James nodded. “Excellent work, by the way, in double dipping on the Swan and Bonart fantasies, Dame.”

Damien’s grin widened. “Thanks, Wheels.”

He nodded, smiled. Getting two men to pay for a fantasy was fabulous. “I’ve put them on the west side of the island.”

James nodded. “Mister Leonides is going to be in the eastern cabin. You even managed to find a top for him.”

It was a giant pain in the ass, to find a Dominant to top a top.

“Of course I did.” Damien looked smug.

Guard couldn’t blame him. Damien was good at his job.

James arched an eyebrow. “Leonides is famous in certain circles, incredibly controlled.”

That smug look got worse.

“Don’t tell me you got one of his associates on board to top him, Damien.”

Damien’s eyes got wide. “Would I do that?”

James shook his head. “This man has a reputation, Dame.”

“I wouldn’t do that!”

Guard let his eyebrow go up. No, he supposed Damien wouldn’t.

James relaxed. “It would be a perfect solution, but both men have to go home, and even if Leonides doesn’t keep a sub or anything…”

“He lives in a different city, I swear.”

“But he does know Leonides?” Guard groaned. “Really? Really?”

“Trust me.”

James glared. “You always say that.”

“Trust me, Wheels.”

Guard watched his lovers’ eyes meet, the air electric.

James nodded. “I always do.”

Damn, but they were sexy together. Why couldn’t they see just how electric they still were? The guys just looked at each other, eyes caught, and Guard knew Damien was hard as a rock. His own cock was firming again, and he swallowed, held his damn breath.

“I…” Damien moaned.

“Kiss him,” Guard muttered. All Damien had to do was lean in…

Damien moved closer, hands landing on James’ wheelchair, and James jerked back.

“James,” murmured Guard. “Please.”

“There’s one more fantasy.”

Damien took a hitching breath. God damn it, there was no reason that couldn’t wait five minutes. Except that James was the most stubborn man on earth.

“Kiss me, and I’ll tell you I did my job.”

Guard nodded. That was it. They couldn’t let James run away from them.

“I know you did your job.” James’ hands were shaking.

Guard shifted and wrapped his hand around James’ wrist. He held on.

“Jamie. Please. One kiss,” Damien begged.

Guard squeezed James’ wrist and added his own quiet plea. “Just one.”

“I can’t. I can’t.”

“You can, J. Dame’ll do all the work. All you have to do is let him.”

Damien scooted forward, almost in James’ lap. “One kiss.”

Guard leaned in close for a better view. He could smell James—so good. James shook his head, but those eyes were on Damien’s mouth. Guard licked his own lips and nudged Damien in the ribs. Damien blinked, but kept leaning until his lips were pressed against James’. Guard felt like all the air in the room had just been pulled out. Whoosh.

James opened, and Damien moaned, the sound almost painful as the kiss deepened. Guard was finally able to breathe again, tiny panting breaths that were just enough to fill his lungs as he watched the most beautiful kiss he’d ever seen unfold in front of him.

Damien’s hips were rocking, fucking the air, desperation in every line of the man’s body. Guard reached out, both hands. One landed in Damien’s lap, rubbing against his lover’s need. The other slid along James’ shoulder, connecting them.

Damien cried out, jerked into his touch, and James broke the kiss. “We can’t.”

“Please,” begged Damien.

Guard wasn’t letting James back out. “We can. We are. Come on, James. Let go.”

“Forgive me, please. God, I want you, Jamie, so bad.” Damien was nearly sobbing.

Guard hadn’t seen Damien so lost in years.

“James. Please, kiss him again. I’ll help him come.” And then James, if the man let him.

“Damien.”

“Jamie…” There were tears, right there at the surface, and when James grabbed Damien’s neck, kissed the man like he meant it, Guard almost died.

He took in a deep, almost sobbing breath, his fingers sliding to wrap around James’ thigh, his other hand giving Damien something to rub against. Damien humped him furiously, cock leaking against his touch.

He pushed his hand into Damien’s shorts, groaning at the heat of it. Rough and desperate, Dame took his hand like a wild man.

“That’s it, babe. He tastes so good, doesn’t he?” Guard was talking to both of them, his whole body tight—he couldn’t quite believe this was happening.

Damien sobbed, hips leaving the chair, cock throbbing in his hand.

“Take it. Take the pleasure. In both hands.” He wasn’t even sure which one of them he was talking to anymore. It didn’t matter.

Damien threw his head back, heat spraying over his fingers.

“Oh, babe. Babe. James?” What did his other lover need?

“Go away. I want you both to go away.” James’ cheeks were streaked with tears.

“No, please, James.” Guard laid his cheek on James’ shoulder. “We love you.”

“Go away!” James rolled back, bumping into the wall. “Get out of my house!”

Damien stood, face white as a sheet.

“James! We’re your lovers.” Guard was tired of constantly being pushed away.

“You were. Not anymore. You’re my business partners!”

“We want more than just business, James. We are more. And you know it.”

James shook his head, wheeling out. “Leave me alone.”

“Damn it.” Guard sighed, letting James go, knowing chasing him down would just make James angrier. He turned to Damien, touched his lover’s arm. “Hey. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

There were tears now, and Damien shook his head. “I’m so sorry.”

“Shut up.” He stepped in close and pressed his mouth against Damien’s.

Damien pushed a sound into his lips, but he ignored it. James could walk away, but Guard wasn’t letting Dame go. He held on tight, taking the kiss, making Damien focus on it and not on his pain.

Dame breathed in, gasped into his mouth, then let him in. He kept kissing, loving on Damien. At least Damien let him. Damien loved him. He knew it, like he knew he had to breathe.

He shifted them, moved Damien so his lover was up against the wall, their bodies pressed tight together.

“Please.”

Shut up, Damien.

He humped his hips against Damien, the man’s ass hitting the wall. He could taste James on Damien’s lips, warm and spicy. God, he loved them both so much.

Damien wrapped his hand around Guard’s hip, moving him, rocking them together. He kissed Damien harder, adding more force, banging Damien against the wall.

“Fuck me. Please. Please, Guard. Want you.”

“Turn around.” He growled, grabbing Damien’s shirt and turning him. His glib lover, his shattered man.

He tugged Damien’s shorts down, kneed Damien’s legs apart. Damien’s ass pushed back toward him, begging.

He pushed his fingers into Damien’s mouth. “Suck them.”

Those lips wrapped around his fingers, the suction sudden and strong.

“Fuck.” He humped against Damien’s ass, cursing the material of his sleep shorts for being in the way. Damien nodded, sucking his fingers. Yes.

He took it as long as he could, then pulled his fingers out, groaning at the pop.

“If you don’t fuck me soon, I’m going to beat you.”

He pushed his fingers along Damien’s crack. Dame pushed back against his touch. He found the sweet little hole, pushing his index finger in. Always so tight, so needy, all theirs. He slipped a second finger in with the first, spreading them apart to open Damien up.

“Fuck, yeah. Yeah.”

“Almost there, Dame.” He hoped James could hear them, hoped the man knew what he was missing.

“Good. Need. Now.”

He pulled his fingers out and spat into his other hand, palming himself quickly to slick up his cock. He didn’t even worry about whether Damien was clean. He knew his lover was waiting. He pushed against Damien’s hole, his flesh breaching the tight muscles. Hot, tight, Damien’s body fought him for the briefest minute, then relaxed.

Groaning, he kept pushing in, spreading Damien with his erection. God, Damien’s ass was the sweetest, tightest place on earth. “Yes. Oh, love, yes.” Groaning, he pushed all the way in.

“Love.”

Yeah. Yeah, it always had been. “I know, Dame. Love you. You and James.”

He started sawing his hips back and forth, pushing into Damien over and over.

“Want him back.” Damien was sheer fucking heaven.

“We’ll get him back, babe.” They were wearing James down through sheer willpower and love.

“Promise?”

“I swear it.” They were so close he could taste it. So very close.

“I trust you.” Damien slammed back against him, took him deep.

“Good. Good.” He pushed in, hitting that sweet little gland inside Damien’s body.

“Guard!”

James had to have heard that.

He pumped in again, then again, working Damien’s gland as hard as he could. Damien was wild, humping back, meeting each thrust, crying out for him.

“I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” He kept humping, feeling so damn good. Damien’s hole was like a fist, working his cock.

His and Damien’s moans made beautiful music. He kissed the back of Damien’s neck, the touch gentle compared to the way they slammed together. He loved this man. This man and the one who’d run away from them. They needed to be complete, together. He cried out, hips bucking.

“Come on. Come on, you bastard,” Guard ordered.

Reaching around, he grabbed a hold of Damien’s cock, jacking it furiously. He felt each squeeze around his hard flesh. “Damien.” He jerked his hips twice more and came, pumping into Damien’s body. Heat sprayed over his fingers. He collapsed against Damien’s back, panting, moaning.

“Oh, fuck.” Damien slumped against the wall. He pressed against Damien, holding his lover up. “Still good, us.”

“Yeah. We are.” They’d be even better if James would stop being so damn stubborn.

“We should go. The asshole doesn’t want us here.” There was hurt in Damien’s voice.

“Hush. That’s our lover you’re talking about.”

Damien shook his head. “He doesn’t still love me.”

“He does. He wouldn’t have let you kiss him if he didn’t. It wouldn’t have upset him so much.”

Damien groaned, leaned against him. “So you say, man. I shouldn’t have come back.”

“James waits for you to come back, you know. He cuts off your credit cards so you have to.”

“He’s an asshole.” And Damien loved him.

“But he’s our asshole.” He kissed Damien’s neck and slid out. “Come on. I’ll take you home. We’ve got clients coming in.” He turned Damien around, looked into the man’s eyes. “We’re not letting it end here, though. He let you kiss him. He let you kiss him until you came. We just need to keep at it.”

“Yeah. We’ll see. Whatever. I gotta make sure Mr. Bonart is ready to take care of Mr. Swan.”

“This isn’t over, Dame.” He kissed his lover hard.

He just hoped Damien kept believing.

Author Bio:
Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.


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EMAIL: seanmichaelwrites@gmail.com



Three Wishes #1
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Three More Wishes #2
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