Hot July Days: Time to Tell (Free Read)

Aug 1, 2011 Filed under: book release, erotica, eye candy, free story, m/m, men in uniform, web event

For those of you who didn’t get to read my contribution to Hot July days over at the M/M Romance group at Goodreads, I’m posting it here. If you aren’t an m/m group member, I strongly encourage you to join. It’s free and so far over 100 free stories have been posted at part of Hot July Days including ones from some of my favorite authors like AJ Llewellyn and Lee Brazil.

The theme for Hot July Days is Don’t Read in the Closet. My story was inspired by a gorgeous by very NSFW picture that you can see here. And this prompt: We grew up together, best friends and all that. Joined the Army, damn the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” crap!
We almost lost one another on a special mission….how does our story play out?

Time to Tell

By Silvia Violet

 

Marty had relived the moment a thousand times. If he’d hesitated for even a second. If he’d been reluctant to blow a hole in the man who appeared like a part of the night itself, his best friend would be dead.

 

He and Jacob joined the army together when they were eighteen. They both wanted to escape from the podunk town they grew up in, and the army was their best choice. But for Marty being a soldier meant hiding who he really was.

 

Jacob knew Marty was gay. He’d known since they were in high school. When Marty came out to his best friend, Jacob hadn’t cringed or told him to get lost or punched him or any of the other terrible things he imagined. Of course he hadn’t done the one thing Marty longed for, pull Marty into his arms and confess that he was gay too and that he wanted Marty like he wanted air to breathe. Not that Marty expected that fantasy to come true.

 

More than once, he’d caught Jacob watching him with heat in his eyes when he thought Marty wasn’t looking. And he’d seen Jacob look at other men in a way he never looked at women. But if Jacob was gay, he’d never admitted it, and Marty hadn’t been willing to risk their friendship by revealing his true feelings.

 

But now everything had changed. He’d almost lost Jacob last night. For that split second when he hadn’t know whether Jacob was dead or alive, his heart shattered as he imagined his friend dying without ever knowing how much Marty loved him.

 

When he realized he and Jacob were pinned down with no chance of back up, he knew that their chances of surviving were low. His life had been in danger plenty of times since he signed up, but he’d never been so certain that he looked death in the face. Regrets crashed down on him, nearly making him come unglued. If he hadn’t been able to hold it together, they would both be dead. Marty swore that if he lived through the night, he was going to do his best not to waste another second pretending to be someone else.

 

He was going to tell Jacob how he felt. He’d either screw up their friendship or have a chance at a real relationship with the man he loved. Once he told Jacob, he was going to apply for a discharge. Living in the closet was no longer good enough for him.

 

Marty paced, his boots slapping against the concrete floor of the barracks. He hadn’t been alone with Jacob since they were rescued. Jacob’s wounds, though not serious, needed to be cared for, and Marty had spent hours giving his report of the evening’s proceedings to his superiors. Now that Jacob had been released from the doctor’s care, it was his turn to be questioned.

 

Marty leaned against the wall and rested his head on his arm. Jacob had been gone nearly two hours, surely he’d be back soon. Marty was about to tell his best friend that he was in love with him. He wondered for a moment if he’d lost his mind. Then he pushed away from the wall, strengthening his resolve once again. He’d almost lost Jacob last night, and their lives were on the line here every single day. He wasn’t going to his grave without bringing his feelings into the open.

 

A change in the light made him turn. Jacob stood in the open doorway of the barracks, blocking the hot desert sun. Before his friend had a chance to speak, Marty said, “Let’s take a walk.”

 

Jacob nodded and turned back toward the outside. They walked across the base in silence. When they neared the edge of the encampment, Marty took Jacob’s arm and steered him to a small storage building. Jacob raised his brows “What are you doing?”

 

“I got the key from Wolf,” Marty answered.

 

“How?”

 

“I told him I needed some privacy. He didn’t ask any questions. Probably thinks I want to bring some girl here.”

 

Jacob shrugged. “Okay.”

 

Marty locked the door behind them as soon as they got inside. The building was filled with rows of metal shelves, many of which held boxes and cartons that looked like they hadn’t been touched in years. Chairs, tables, a desk and some old lockers had been placed along one wall.

 

Marty turned back to Jacob. His friend’s eyes filled with intense emotion. “Marty?”

 

Marty’s breath caught and his voice shook as he answered, “Yeah?”

 

“I was really scared out there. I…you saved my life and I…”

 

“I love you.” The words just came. Marty had no power to stop them.

 

Jacob frowned. “I know I-“

 

Marty shook his head. “No. I <“i”>love</”i”> you. I’ve loved you for years. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t. Then when I thought I was going to lose you-“

 

Jacob cut of his words with a kiss. Marty stumbled backwards in shock, crashing into a row of lockers. When he recovered, he pulled Jacob against him and opened his mouth to the assault, letting Jacob taste and explore. Marty massaged his friend’s shaved head with one hand and sank his other hand into the muscular flesh of Jacob’s ass as Jacob groaned against his mouth.

 

Jacob ground his hips against Marty, pressing him into the cold metal. Jacob’s hard cock felt like a lead pipe pressing into Marty’s stomach. Marty thrust against him, rubbing their cocks together.

 

Marty tilted his head to the side as Jacob’s lips left his and slid along his neck. Jacob licked him, tasting the sweat that covered them constantly in the vicious heat. Marty groaned as his best friend whispered against his skin. “Marty, I love you too. I didn’t think you wanted to hear it, didn’t think you wanted me like that.”

 

“Oh God, Jacob. I-“

 

Jacob silenced Marty with a finger on his lips. “I don’t want to talk anymore. I just want to feel. I need to know that you want me like I want you.”

 

“Want you?” Marty couldn’t hold back a laugh of joy, astonishment, confusion. “Jacob, I’ve wanted you forever.”

 

“Then show me.”

 

His friend’s words drove Marty crazy. He thought his brain might combust trying to process what was happening. He tried to force it to shut down  If Jacob didn’t need to think then neither did he. What they needed was to feel alive, desired, finally able to be themselves.

 

Marty needed to get Jacob naked, to run his hands over his friend’s beautiful body. He also needed to spread Jacob’s ass and bury himself inside, but he knew he had to slow down and savor the moment. He ran his tongue along the outer edge of Jacob’s ear while Jacob sucked at his shoulder. “Have you ever been fucked by a man?”

 

Jacob shook his head. “Hell, no. There’s never been anyone but you.”

 

Marty smiled against him and wrapped his hand around the back of Jacob’s neck, pulling his head to the side. He ran his tongue along the tight muscle at the side of Jacob’s neck. “There isn’t going to be either. You’re mine, and after I fuck you, we’re going to get discharged, and then we’re not going to hide the fact that we’re lovers. If people don’t like it, they can fuck off.”

 

Jacob pulled free and stared at Marty, eyes wide. “Shit, Marty, I-“

 

“I almost lost you last night, lost you without ever even kissing you. I’m not going to go another day without this.” Marty pushed up Jacob’s t-shirt and pressed his hands to Jacob’s back, frozen for a moment as he took in the reality of the smooth skin and hard muscle under his hands. The heat of Jacob burned into his palms as he slid his hands ever so slowly upwards.

 

Jacob shuddered as Marty kissed him, licking at his lips, tasting him slowly after the hurried passion of their first kiss. He pulled his lips away long enough to yank Jacob’s shirt over his head and then quickly dispense with his own shirt and toss both on the floor.

 

Marty licked and nibbled his way across Jacob’s rock hard pecs, stopping to tease one of his nipples. Jacob sucked in his breath and took Marty’s head between his hands as he writhed under the ministrations of Marty’s mouth. Marty circled Jacob’s wrists, pulling his hands away. “Brace yourself on the lockers and don’t move.”

 

“Marty.” Jacob’s tone held a warning.

 

Marty looked up, smiling at the heat still making Jacob’s brown eyes nearly black. “Trust me.”

 

A few seconds passed. Then Jacob nodded. Marty knelt in front of him and continued his explorations of his friend. When his tongue reached the waistband of Jacob’s pants, Marty unfastened them and freed Jacob’s cock. He couldn’t keep from licking his lips at the sight of Jacob exposed for him.

 

The muscles of Jacob’s thighs and abdomen were tight, tense. The metal lockers clanged against the wall as Jacob tightened his grip on them. But if Jacob was uncertain about what was happening, his cock definitely wasn’t. It was thick and hard, the tip dark and needy. Marty wrapped one hand around the shaft and licked at Jacob’s slit, tasting the pre-come beaded there.

 

Jacob made a strangled sound between a growl and a whine. Marty glanced up and smiled before sucking the tip of his friend’s cock into his mouth.

 

“Fuck, Marty!”

 

“Mmmhmm,” Marty agreed, his mouth still around Jacob’s cock. He sucked harder, taking more of his friend into his mouth. Marty could feel Jacob straining to keep himself still. Marty licked and sucked reveling in the taste that was uniquely Jacob. He slid a hand between Jacob’s legs to tease his balls, and Jacob obligingly opened his legs wider.

 

Marty sucked a finger into his mouth alongside Jacob’s cock, getting it good and wet. Then he sought Jacob’s ass and pushed his way inside. His friend gasped and thrust hard, shoving his cock deep into Marty’s mouth, the sudden intrusion making Marty gag.

 

“Sorry,” Jacob panted.

 

Marty pulled off long enough to say. “Don’t hold back, Jacob. I want you to fuck my mouth.” He smiled at the wide-eyed look on Jacob’s face as he swallowed him back down, working his finger deeper and sliding his tongue along the underside of Jacob’s cock.

 

Jacob broke when Marty pushed a second finger in his ass. His thrust hard and fast into Marty’s mouth. Prepared this time, Marty relaxed and took it, wrapping his hands around Jacob’s hips to steady himself and reveling in the pent up passion they were finally letting loose.

 

“Christ, Marty. I’m gonna come.”

 

Marty tightened his grip on Jacob’s hips holding him tight so he wouldn’t pull away. Jacob shuddered and bucked against Marty’s lips as he poured his come down Marty’s throat. When Jacob sagged against the lockers, Marty pulled off his cock, giving it a few last kisses before he stood, unfastening his pants as he did so.

 

He shoved his pants down and wrapped his arms around Jacob, desperate for some contact against his cock. He wanted to bend Jacob over and fuck him until he couldn’t sit down for days. He took a shaky breath instead. He could go slow for Jacob’s sake. Really, he could.

 

He pulled Jacob to him for another kiss, groaning as their mouths opened to each other. He slid a hand down to his cock and worked it between Jacob’s legs, sliding it against his friend’s ass. He released Jacob’s mouth and whispered against his ear. “Do you feel how hard I am for you? I want to be the first man, the only man to stuff your ass with my cock. I want to hear you cry out my name as I stretch you out and work myself deep inside you.”

 

Jacob rubbed himself against Marty’s cock. “Yes, Marty! God, yes!”

 

“Let’s use the desk.” Marty pointed to a large, sturdy-looking desk in the corner. Jacob stumbled toward it, his pants still trapped around his ankles. He laid over the end, exposing his ass to Marty.  Marty smiled in appreciation and caressed his ass. “Gorgeous, but I want to see your face when I’m inside you.”

 

Jacob groaned as he tried to fight his way out of his boots and pants. Marty took pity on him and knelt to unfasten his boots and help him get all the way naked so he could climb up on the desk and spread his legs.

 

Jacob bent his knees so his feet were braced on the edge of the desk. Marty pulled a small bottle of lube and a condom from his pocket and laid them on the desk beside Jacob. Jacob looked at Marty, and his eyes widened as if he’d realized for the first time that Marty was really going to slick up his cock and put it up Jacob’s ass.

 

“You okay?” Marty asked. He didn’t know how the hell he’d survive if Jacob wanted him to stop. He also knew how important it was not to screw up this fragile new relationship.

 

Jacob nodded. “I’m fine. I just…..”

 

Marty smiled. “I’m going to make sure you’re ready. Trust me.”

 

Marty slicked his fingers with lube and slid two fingers into Jacob’s ass. He watched his friend close his eyes and moan as Marty worked the digits in and out. He added a third finger, and Jacob tensed, but he pushed against Marty, taking his fingers deeper. “Damn, that burns, but….it feels good, too.”

 

Marty grinned. “It’s going to get even better.” He slid his fingers in and out slowly, twisting and scissoring them, wanting to be sure Jacob was good and ready, but he grew more and more impatient by the second. He felt like he’d waited a lifetime to do this with Jacob rather than years.

 

He wrapped a hand around Jacob’s cock which was hard again and straining upward. Jacob bucked up into his hand. “Marty, please.”

 

Marty smiled. “Please what?”

 

“Fuck me.”

 

Marty wasn’t going to deny him for another second. He rolled on a condom, squirted more lube onto his fingers and slicked his cock. Jacob wrapped his legs around Marty’s waist as Marty aimed his cock for Jacob’s hole. Marty groaned as he pushed inside his friend. Jacob tensed, hands scrabbling against the desk, trying to find something to hold on to. “Damn, you’re big.”

 

Marty smiled. “Too much?”

 

Jacob shook his head. “Want. More.”

 

Marty pushed harder until he was all the way inside the man he’d loved for so damn long. “Feels so good,” he groaned.

 

Jacob nodded, his pupils were dilated, and he was lifting his hips, trying to get Marty to move. For a moment Marty was afraid he was dreaming.

 

“Marty, please!”

 

No, this couldn’t be a dream, he could never have imagined that desperate, pleading tone coming from his friend. The fact that he’d so broken Jacob’s control made him crazy. He pulled back until only the tip of his cock remained inside Jacob. Then he drove in harder than he should have. Jacob bucked against him, digging his heels into Marty’s ass. “Yes!”

 

Marty started seriously fucking Jacob then, spurred on by the needy sounds and mumbled words spilling from his friend’s mouth. Jacob met every stroke. He wrapped his hands around Marty’s biceps as Marty leaned over him, giving him leverage to slam his hips against Marty’s. Marty knew he was being too rough for Jacob’s first time, but he couldn’t stop himself. He was out of his mind with need. If he didn’t come soon, his heart was going to stop. “Jacob. I need you. I-‘

 

“Oh God, Marty make me come.” Marty wrapped his hand around Jacob’s cock, a few firm strokes was all it took before his friend cried out and shot his load, coating Marty’s hand with stickiness.

 

The grip of Jacob’s ass around his cock as Jacob came undid Marty. He gave a hoarse shout and slammed into Jacob as his orgasm took him so hard he saw stars. When his body finally ceased its shudders. Marty collapsed on Jacob.

 

Jacob wrapped his arms around Marty’s back and held him tight. “That was amazing,” Jacob said, the words breathy and soft.

 

All Marty could do was nod against his chest. Several long moments passed. They didn’t talk, but they caressed each other, and Marty pressed soft kisses on Jacob’s chest enjoying the taste of sweat and come and Jacob.

 

When he thought his legs would hold him, Marty peeled off his friend and stood. The building was rarely used, but he couldn’t guarantee their privacy forever. They needed to get dressed and get back to the barracks. A reprimand on his record would make his discharge process even harder.

 

Jacob sat up. Marty pulled on his pants and held Jacob’s pants out to him. Instead of taking them, Jacob pulled Marty between his legs and cupped his friend’s face in his large hands. “You were right. We’re not ever going another day without making love to each other.”

 

Marty’s chest tightened and tears burned behind his eyes. He’d not let himself dare to hope he’d find this kind of acceptance from Jacob. “No, we’re not.”

 

Jacob frowned. “I want to be a soldier. I’m proud of what I’ve done since we signed up, but I can’t deny what I feel for you anymore.”

 

Marty took a long, slow breath. “This isn’t going to be easy.”

 

“But we’re going to have each other.”

 

Marty nodded. “I love you, Jacob.”

 

Jacob gave him a gentle kiss. “I love you, too. And right now, that’s all that matters.” Marty wanted to reply, but he couldn’t find the words to express what he was feeling. He kissed Jacob instead, letting his body say what words couldn’t.

 

 

 

 

Sweet Treats: Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Jul 28, 2011 Filed under: recipes, sweet treats

Cupcakes and brownies are my current obsessions. I’ve got a whole list of new recipes to try and this week, I made Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. They were amazing!! So I had to share the recipe.

Chocolate Cake

• 1 cup sour cream (yogurt works too)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup Dutch process  cocoa powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs, plus 2 egg yolks

Combine baking soda and sour cream in a bowl and set aside. Combine flour and cocoa and set aside. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add salt and eggs and mix until thoroughly combined. Add flour mixture and sour cream mixture alternately starting and ending with flour. Mix after each addition.

Fill lined cupcake cups 2/3 full and bake at 350F for approximately 20 minutes.

Mint Frosting

1 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp peppermint extract

4 cups powdered sugar

1 cup crumbled Andes mints

Place first five ingredients in mixer bowl and mix until creamy. Add sugar 1/2 cup at a time mixing until icing is the right consistency.

Ice cupcakes and top with Andes mints.

 

Hump Day Eye Candy, July 27

Jul 27, 2011 Filed under: bears, eye candy

asleep and waiting

 

Guest Blogger: PG Forte

Jul 26, 2011 Filed under: guest blogger

Welcome author PG Forte!

Thank you for being with us today and sharing about your writing and yourself. Tell us about your latest release.

My most recent release is Old Sins, Long Shadows, which is the second book in my Children of Night series. This book, which picks up a couple of months after the first book in the series (In the Dark) leaves off, tells part of the love-story between Conrad and Damian, two of the vampires who were introduced in In the Dark.

Conrad had already been a vampire for a few hundred years when he met Damian, who was a Royal courtier in fifteenth century Spain. Theirs is really an epic love story—lots of tears, heartbreak and heroics.

Because they’ve both lived so long, I really couldn’t do their entire story justice in just one book. I’m sure their fans will be pleased to hear that there will be more of the two of them in at least a couple of the other books in the series.

What is your favorite genre to write? What other genres do you enjoy?

Well, paranormal—in all its many variations—I guess. I also love contemporary romance, especially light romantic comedies, although comedy is very hard to write! I enjoy writing erotic romance and lately I’ve been on a M/M romance kick—both reading and writing.

Do you have a  favorite character from one of your books?

I fall in love with all my characters, so it’s really hard to choose. I guess, at the moment, I’d have to say Damian from Old Sins, Long Shadows.

Is there a style or genre of writing that you haven’t tired yet but you’d like to explore?

Oh, no, don’t ask me that! LOL! Every time I’m asked that question, I start to think, “Let’s see, what would I like to write that I haven’t yet?” Next thing you know, I’m writing one.

Not that I’m complaining, really. After all, that’s how I came to write This Winter Heart, my new steampunk story that’s being released this December by Carina Press as part of their Holiday Steampunk collection  At this point, though, I’m kind of running out of genres that I’d like to explore but haven’t yet.

I still really, really want to write cozy mysteries, but I’m about to give up on that. Each time I start one, it ends up turning into something else.

How do you make time in your life for writing?

Oh, dear…I think it’s more like the other way around, at this point. I kind of have an obsessive personality and writing is pretty addictive. Unless I’m suffering from writer’s block, I generally have to be pulled away from the computer on a regular basis, otherwise I’d never do anything else at all.

What do you like to read? Do you have some favorite authors?

Before I wrote I read all the time—and I’d read just about anything. Now, I’m much more picky. Generally I like to read the same genres I write. But most of the time I find myself reading my friends’ books. Luckily, I’m friends with some really rocking authors, so it’s not a hardship!

If you decide to take a Saturday off, what are we likely to find you doing?

Hopefully kicking back in Sonoma or Calistoga: a little wine tasting, a little restaurant hopping, soaking in the hot springs or maybe enjoying a mud bath.

Choose six adjectives to describe yourself.

Hmm, let’s see… Funny—in the amusing sense, hopefully. Eccentric. Nocturnal. Obsessed. Creative. Talkative.

Describe the perfect meal.

Okay, there’s this restaurant in Calistoga—Checkers–that does the best Butternut Squash ravioli dish with smoked chicken, candied walnuts, dried cranberries in a cream sauce. I actually gave that dish (minus the chicken, because he’s a vegetarian) to one of my characters in A Sight to Dream Of (Oberon, Book 2). So, one version of a perfect meal would include that as an entree along with a great local wine—a Cab or a Zin—along with one of the awesome salads they do there (maybe with pine nuts and goat cheese) . And then coffee, of course. I’d probably need several shots of espresso at that point. And…ooh. Maybe a slice of Meyer’s Lemon pie.  Yeah, that should do it.

If you were a dessert what would you be and why?

Wow…uh, gee, I dunno….Tiramisu?  Because you have to pour a lot of coffee into it, if you want it to work out right (and a lot of liqueur, too, come to think of it—lol). It’s vaguely Italian with more than a hint of spice. Oh, and it’s very sweet, of course. Just like me. LOL!

Thanks for joining us today, PG! To learn more about PG Forte, you can visit her website or her blog.

Excerpt from Old Sins, Long Shadows:

Dawn tinged the sky as Damian made his way home, but he paid it no mind. He wasn’t at all concerned about the lateness of the hour. At his age, he was more than strong enough to be able to function at close to normal capacity no matter what time of day it was. And given the surfeit of blood he’d consumed over the course of the night, a few extra minutes exposure to sunlight didn’t even rate a second thought.

There were, however, other circumstances that did concern him. He paused in the mansion’s entry hall to scent the air, searching for any hint of danger, any sign of impending ambush. With two Lamia Invitus in residence, only a fool would proceed without proper caution.

Satisfied that the coast was clear, he headed for his room,  his muscles protesting as he climbed the stairs. His body felt pleasantly and thoroughly used, aching in all the right places.

Once inside his room, he slipped off his shoes and let down his hair. Perhaps he wouldn’t even wash before bed. As tired as he was, he’d no doubt sleep soundly, but it was early evening that was still the most difficult part of his day. If he could wake up tonight with the scent of so many strangers lingering on his skin—how could that not help to ease the craving with which he usually awoke? The craving for that which he could no longer have.

He turned to his bureau to retrieve his hairbrush. He might be willing to put off bathing before bed, but failing to give his hair its customary one hundred strokes—that was simply too uncivilized to contemplate. As he reached for the brush, a slight motion in the mirror caught his gaze. He turned around, scarcely daring to believe his eyes. “Conrad?”

“You failed to return to the party as I’d requested,” Conrad said as he rose from the chair in which he’d been seated. “Imagine my surprise to learn you’d gone out instead.”

The husky edge to Conrad’s voice set Damian’s heart racing. His body, so recently sated, ached with need. An all-too-irrational  hope took root in his soul. “Wh-why are you here?”

“I believe my questions take precedence,” Conrad replied as he crossed the darkened room. “Where have you been? I won’t ask what you’ve been doing, since that, at least, seems obvious. You stink of blood and sex.”

Damian shrank back against the bureau as his knees went weak once more. After all this time, how was it Conrad still had the power to affect him like this? He curled his fingers around the dresser’s edge, determined to hold himself erect by whatever means necessary. “Sí. I imagine I do. It’s hardly the first time and, strangely, I don’t recall it ever bothering you before.”

If anything, the reverse had once been true. For ages it had seemed as though nothing excited Conrad more than the knowledge there had been others before him. Damian’s heart tripped and faltered, recalling the hours of furious lovemaking that had so often followed; of a passion so intense he doubted anyone human would have survived it.

“Did I say I was bothered?” Conrad replied, stopping right in front of him; just out of reach, yet still so close it was all Damian could do to keep from lunging at him. “I was merely making an observation. I’ll tell you what does bother me. That would be you telling Julie you intend to leave, agreeing to take her with you. You know that can never happen.”

Damian’s temper flared. “Why must you twist every circumstance around—and always to my disadvantage? What makes you think I said anything of the kind? If you must know, I told her you would not allow her to leave. And I never said I had any intentions to leave here either. She asked me if I ever thought about it—that was all. It seemed a simple-enough  question. Should I have lied and told her no?”

“If that’s true, then what made you go out tonight?”

The abrupt change of subject caught Damian by surprise. He shrugged. “I was hungry. Why else? On a night like tonight… Well, you know yourself there’s always plenty of food available on the street. Why should I not take advantage of such an opportunity?”

Conrad’s eyebrows rose. “You’re saying there was not enough for you to eat here? Why should that be? You run the household, do you not? Perhaps you’ve grown tired of the task? If you’d prefer for me to give the job to someone else, you need simply say so. I’m sure I can find someone willing to take it over for a while. Armand, perhaps.”

Damian stared at him in dismay. “You’d humiliate me like that?” Oh, why was he even asking? What wouldn’t Conrad do, if it suited him?

“It was not my intention to humiliate you,” Conrad growled.

“Yet you would replace me, demote me, force me to stay on in a diminished capacity?” Damian couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice. “Was that not why I left the first time?”

Conrad’s eyes flashed. “Was it? My memory must be at fault. I thought it was for quite a different reason.”

“There were several reasons,” Damian answered stiffly. “As I recall.”

“Well, whatever your reasons are this time, you will put them from your mind,” Conrad ordered. “We had an arrangement, Damian. I will ask that you honor it. You will leave me again only if and when I decide it can be done without causing disruption. Are we in agreement?”

Damian looked away—as much to hide his relief as anything else. What would he do if Conrad insisted he leave? How could he live through that agony again? “I already told you I have no plans to leave. Why can you not take me at my word? Did I not come back to you of my own free will, and as a friend, besides? Did I not promise to assist you in any way I could? One might think that would still carry some weight with you.”

“Of course it does! When have I ever suggested otherwise? And I would gladly let you go again if things were different.” Conrad shrugged. “But, since they are not… Surely you can see how important it is that you stay? You must realize how much the twins still need you?”

Damian glared at him. “Gladly? Yes, I’m sure you would. But, do not attempt to use the children as bargaining chips, Conrad. You insult us all. You know in what regard I hold them. I would never knowingly do anything that might endanger them or cause them distress.”

“Then we need say no more on the subject,” Conrad replied, adding after a moment,  “why do you not simply put on more staff if we’re short on meals? There should be no need for you to resort to scrounging for food in the street.”

So hunting was forbidden now, too? What next? “Well, if it matters so much, why do you not simply stop inviting people to stay indefinitely? Then there’d be no need for extra meals and we all could grow fat and lazy and never get any exercise at all.”

“I assume this is in reference to Georgia’s visit? Did I not already explain why I need her here? I told you both about the danger we’re facing. Were you not listening?”

“I heard what you said. Although I doubt it’s your only reason.”

“What other reason could I have?”

Damian shrugged. “Say what you will, Conrad, but I know you. And I know you enjoy the lady’s company far more than you pretend.”

Conrad shook his head. “I never claimed I wasn’t fond of Georgia. I care very deeply for her. It is you who’s  always had a problem with her.”

“And with good reason. She’s dangerous—you’ve admitted as much yourself. Your decision to invite her here puts us all at risk. Especially the twins.”

“The twins were already at risk. Bringing them here— But, no, let us not get into that again. This is my house, Damian. And it is for me to decide how best to protect it.”

“Sí. Your house. As I recall, you already made that point tonight. Quite effectively.”

Conrad sighed. “What would you have had me do? Should I have let Georgia attack you? Would that have suited you better? Or would you have preferred me to attack her, in your defense? You must know what would be the outcome of any battle waged between us now. Only one of us could survive it. Would you ask me to kill her—or perhaps die at her hands—for no better reason than because you cannot keep a civil tongue in your head?”

“Oh, no, by all means, why not offer her a  carte blanche, instead?” Disgusted, Damian turned away, glaring at Conrad in the mirror. “Perhaps you’d like her to run your household for you? I daresay she’d quite enjoy it!” Let him go back to the bitch then. Why should I care what he does? They deserve each other. And as for what he deserved…

He faked a yawn. “I am suddenly feeling quite fatigued.” He stretched sensuously, allowing his memories of the evening that had just passed  to filter onto his face, and into his voice. All the men who’d had their hands on him tonight. All the pleasure he’d received at those hands. “These nights of debauchery do take their toll. So if there’s nothing else you wish to discuss, I will ask that you restore me my privacy, por favor, so that I might get some much-needed sleep.”

“Are you attempting to eject me from your room?” Conrad’s voice was laced with anger and disbelief and… Yes, with something else, as well. Something that sounded a lot like desire.

Damian cast a quick glance at the mirror. Heat darkened Conrad’s eyes. Bueno. Let him know what it’s like to hunger and yearn, to look but never touch. “It would hardly be my place to do so.” He dipped his head submissively. “After all, señor, this is your house.”

“Careful, my friend.” Conrad moved a half-step closer, crowding Damian up against the front of the bureau. “You try my patience with these little games you play.”

Damian’s heart pounded fiercely. So close. So close! Oh, if only he would touch me now as he used to … He banished the thought and forced himself to speak calmly. “You know, Conrad, I also recall this arrangement you spoke of earlier. Did you not promise, as part of it, that I might have my own rooms and the freedom to comport myself as I pleased within them?”

Conrad stilled. A soft snarl rose from his lips. Damian trembled at the sound. He held his breath and waited. Had he gone too far this time? Did he even care? Perhaps a quick death at Conrad’s hands would be preferable to whatever interminable fate awaited him otherwise.

Still snarling, Conrad leaned in even closer. “Don’t push me too far.” Then he was gone, leaving Damian light-headed, shaken and aching with frustrated desire.

Dinner for My Heroes

Jul 25, 2011 Filed under: erotica, interview, m/m, paranormal, recipes, shapeshifter, web event

I’m in the author spotlight at Whipped Cream this week and each day I’ll have a different blog post where I cook dinner for one of my heroes. To really know a man I have to know what I would cook for him and I’m happy to have a chance to share all those gastronomic delights with my readers.

In today’s post I’m making bacon burgers and blueberry pie for Jason from Sex on the Hoof.

Sweet Treats: Lemon Cupcakes

Jul 21, 2011 Filed under: recipes

My daughters and I made these lemon cupcakes from the Big Book of Cupcakes last week. They were delicious and great for helping us think cool thoughts in the heat. We topped them with orange candies because we couldn’t find lemon ones.

Lemon Cake

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

Heat oven to 350F. Combine milk, juice and extract and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and mix until combined.  Measure dry ingredients into a medium bowl. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing after each addition.

Spoon batter into lined cupcake cups, filling them 2/3 full. Makes 24 cupcakes. Bake 18-20 minutes.

Lemon Frosting

1 cup butter

1/4 tsp salt

3T lemon juice

1 tsp lemon extract

3-4 drops yellow food coloring

1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup heavy cream

Mix first six ingredients in a stand mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and cream, alternating the two. Continue mixing until frosting is thick and creamy.

Frost cupcakes and decorate as desired.  Enjoy!

Hump Day Eye Candy, July 20

Jul 20, 2011 Filed under: eye candy

Guest Blogger: Michael Mandrake

Jul 19, 2011 Filed under: guest blogger

Come on in and visit with author Michael Mandrake……

Interview Questions for Silvia Violet’s Blog

Hi Silvia, thanks for having me here today.

Tell us about your latest release.

MM: Actually, I have two. My Story, Binding Justice is included in the Bound for Romance anthology from Sizzler Intoxications. It’s an m/m erotica romance about an older man who wants to experience man on man and bondage once he loses his wife to cancer. However, he’s concerned about replacing her so he vows not love anyone. That is until he finds, Jarvis or as he’s known later Justice.

The other was just released Sat night. My 2nd sole author novel, A Second Chance is about two cops who look for love after they’ve lost their partners in the line of duty. Again, it’s a story if one of the men being afraid of replacing and is hesitant about starting with someone knew because of that fear and the obligation to his career.

What is your favorite genre to write? What other genres do you enjoy?

MM: Gay erotica romance is my favorite. Mostly contemporary, at times, I might do a paranormal. *grins* I’d like to try my hand at mysteries and historicals though.

Do you have a favorite character from one of your books?

MM” Well, at the moment, my favorite Michael character is Police Capt in Training Daniel DeClerc from A Second Chance. He’s so bold, brave, and he’s intense. He’s also a smart ass which appeals to my snarky side.

Is there a style or genre of writing that you haven’t tired yet but you’d like to explore?

MM: Mystery suspense. I have a WIP called Closely Guarded which will fill that need. I also haven’t attempted a western. My WIP, Taming Wild Horses is a contemporary gay erotica western romance.

How do you make time in your life for writing?

MM: I write mostly when the house is asleep. Sometimes, and I do mean only sometimes I can do it during the day but it’s not novel writing mostly blog posts.

What do you like to read? Do you have some favorite authors?

MM: At the moment, I’m reading mostly m/m erotica or gay fiction. My faves? Oh so many to mention but I love Blak Rayne, GA Hauser, Sue Brown, Lee Brazil, and Tara Lain. I also just finished reading my first het erotica romance in quite a while from Avril Ashton, called A Wicked Ride. I loved it!

If you decide to take a Saturday off, what are we likely to find you doing?

MM: Spending time with the SO and the lovely little brats!

Choose six adjectives to describe yourself.

MM: Unique, outgoing, friendly, open-minded, chatterbox, unselfish

Describe the perfect meal.

MM: Hmm, I would say mostly anything with meat, preferably steak. *laughs*

If you were a dessert what would you be and why?

MM: Wow, that’s a good question. I’d be some kind of cake. Lots of sweet stuff on top with a lot of filling.

*laughs*

Here is one of my books that was released over the past couple of weeks.

A Second Chance

Blurb: Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other’s proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

Excerpt

While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.

Damn…

“Um, hello…” I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. “I’m Farris Beason.”

He accepted. “Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you.” The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.

Don chuckled, “See Beason, if you would’ve been in the right frame of mind you could’ve joined Daniel today.”

While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.

“Pity,” Daniel said with a grin. “Maybe when you’ve recovered from your wild night?” He cocked an eyebrow.

I laughed, “Yeah, um…maybe…”

We’d broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?

 

Seduction of the Captain – Available now at Loose Id!

Jul 18, 2011 Filed under: BDSM, book release, erotica, excerpts, sci fi

I’ve very excited to announce that my BDSM story, Seduction of the Captain is available at Loose Id! This book is set in the same world as Surrender in the Dark and Submission on the Run.

Seduction of the Captain by Silvia Violet

Blurb:
Kajinek is a Lalatian Dominant who must feed on fear, pain, and sex for survival. Since leaving his homeworld, he hasn’t met a woman who could truly satisfy his needs.

Mercenary captain Saida Alexander needs a pilot for the most dangerous mission she’s ever undertaken. She chooses Kajinek, because he’s reputed to be the very best. She never suspects that he’ll awaken the submissive desires she’s ignored for years.

When Saida knocks on Kajinek’s door, he senses that she’s the partner he’s been looking for. He agrees to fly her ship under one condition; she must personally feed his darkest desires. Can Saida give in to what her body wants or will submitting sexually shatter the careful control she wields over the rest of her life?

Excerpt:
Kaj opened the door of his resort-class suite and nearly stumbled as a heady female scent hit him with tangible force. He’d yet to probe the mind of the woman who’d interrupted his quiet afternoon, but her submissive needs screamed at him, begging him to take notice. His cock hardened instantly.

Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a braid that reached her waist. He fought the urge wrap it around his hand and crush her against him. Her skintight flight suit left little of her body to his imagination. Her muscles tensed under his gaze, and her green-gold eyes studied him suspiciously. She reminded him of a feline preparing to spring. He could smell her desire. Apparently he was affecting her as much as she affected him.

“Kajinek of Lalatia?”

He nodded, not sure he could keep the predatory growl out of his voice.

“I’m Captain Saida Alexander of the Allied Mercenary Corporation ship the Ascendant. I’ve come to offer you a job.”

Kaj smiled. He’d heard of Captain Alexander. She was well respected as a hard-ass leader who always accomplished her mission objective. For a captain of her standing to show up unannounced at his personal quarters, she must be desperate for his help. This must be his lucky day. “Do come in.”

He pressed at the edges of her impressive mental shields and gleaned just enough information to confirm what was already clear to him. While he doubted anyone else realized it, Captain Alexander longed to find a man strong enough to dominate her. She was desperate for the release she could never find with a partner who refused to test the limits of her strong will.

He’d not met a woman this compatible for his needs since leaving Lalatia. And he wasn’t about to let her get away. Before this day ended, she would be his.

“Have a seat, Captain.” He gestured toward the plush chairs in the small seating area near the window, which overlooked the station garden. “I’ll order us some refreshments.”

The sexy captain moved through his quarters with silent, controlled grace. He suppressed a shudder of anticipation as he imagined how she would move under him as he thrust deep in her body. If he didn’t watch it, he wasn’t going to be able to focus on the business at hand.
He’d take whatever job she was offering, but he doubted she’d like his terms.

He knew his smile must be particularly predatory when her eyes widened. By Varin, she was going to be a feast. “Would you like some coffee?”

She still looked wary, but now he saw a hint of a smile. “Real, honest-to-God coffee?”
He laughed. “Of course.”

“Yes, please.”

He walked to his comm unit and pressed down the button that connected him with the resort concierge. “Please send up coffee and an assortment of pastries immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

Captain Alexander smiled, briefly losing her controlled exterior and looking almost girlish. “You needn’t go to the trouble, but I do appreciate it. I haven’t tasted real coffee in months.”

Her joy at this simple gesture stirred something in him even stronger and more potent than lust. Hearing her cry out his name as he whipped her ass would be delicious. But satisfying her enough to bring that smile to her face might feed something more than physical hunger in him. The thought unnerved him but made him no less determined to have her.

He sat in the chair facing hers. “So you’re in need of a pilot?”

The captain nodded. “The last pilot I hired proved unsatisfactory. We have a job in three days. I’d like you in the pilot’s chair.”

“What is this job?” His sensitive ears heard her pulse accelerate. What was she up to?

“We will act as escort for three ships intent on sailing through the Rebel-controlled sector of Quadrant 16. They’ll appear to be private cargo ships, but they’ll be manned by Imperial Intelligence agents.”

Kaj snarled. “I don’t do Imperial jobs.”

Captain Alexander arched a brow and held his gaze. The delicious smell of her fear belied her confidence. “I’ve heard you’ll take any job as long as the price is right.”

He gestured at the opulent room. “Does it look like I’m in need of work?”

“Lovely as all this is, you don’t strike me as a man who likes to sit on his ass. I think you need to fly. I think you need the rush of danger.”

He smiled, knowing she could see the swirl of orange and yellow flames in his eyes, a sure sign of a Lalatian’s anger or lust. “I do enjoy a thrill, but I can get that right here. You seem like a rather dangerous woman.”

Anger flashed in her eyes. The scent of fear deepened.

The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of coffee. Kaj was thankful for the distraction. His cock was harder than a steel rod, and he was close to pinning Captain Alexander to the wall and taking exactly what he wanted. His lack of control was appalling, but she was doing things to his libido that made him feel like a boy with his first trainer.

He took the tray from the delivery bot and poured coffee for the captain. As he handed her the mug, he let his fingers brush hers. He was rewarded by her sharp intake of breath.

The contact distracted her, and he felt her fear ease, supplanted in part by lust. He couldn’t help but smile as he sat down, taking a sip of the delicious, strong coffee he’d grown addicted to. “What’s Allied Merc doing working for the empire?”

She stared at him, her face revealing nothing of the emotions he could smell swirling around her. “Making money.”

He arched a brow. Something felt off. He tasted apprehension, and he was certain she wasn’t a woman to be unnerved easily. She would never have been made captain otherwise.

“We have no allegiance. We go where the money is. They want the best, and they’re willing to pay for it.”

Allied Merc might not owe anyone allegiance, but he damn well bet Captain Alexander did, and it wouldn’t be the empire. “Why?”

The captain shrugged. “That information is classified. But whatever will be on those ships is worth a hell of a lot to them.”

Kaj shook his head. “You can’t expect me to believe you’re guarding a ship without any idea what’s on board.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you believe as long as you do your job.” She handed him a nano tablet. “This contract should answer further questions. If you would like to contact me after you’ve had a chance to peruse it, I –”

“No. Stay. I would rather settle our business now.” He sensed that she was disturbed by the lust he stirred in her. No way in hell was he going to let her run away.

He read through the details of the contract, impressed by the sum she was offering him and more than satisfied with the level of responsibility he would have in the pilot’s chair. Now it was time to see how she would react to what he really wanted.

He passed the contract back to her. “A nice offer, but there’s only one thing that would tempt me to take an Imperial job.”

Captain Alexander raised her brow. “What might that be?”

“First, tell me what you know of my people.”

“Lalatians are born dominant or submissive, and you must feed on the energy of others.”
He nodded. “As a dominant, I feed on fear and pain and sex.” He paused a moment to drink in the torrent of lust and unease pouring off her. “Are you prepared to feed me?”

Visit Me at Coffee and Porn

Jul 13, 2011 Filed under: erotica, guest blogger, m/m, paranormal, shapeshifter, vampire, web event, writing

I’m over at the Coffee and Porn blog talking about Vampires and Stereotypes and how they relate to my new release Sex on the Hoof.