Category Archives: Books

For those who like flair

My first batch of RT2015 swag has arrived, and I am VERY pleased with these 1.5″ buttons. Next up will be magnets and pens, plus a few t-shirts for interested folk, muwahahahaha…

 GetWetSwag01 GetWetSwag02

Mid Week Tease: Deep Water #MWTease #MidWeekTease

MWTease15Hello, darlings! This will be the last teaser from Book Three of my Olympic Cove series, Deep Water, so I decided to go out on a high note with a scorching three-way between Poseidon, Amphitrite and Griffin. No, don’t thank me — I live to serve. 😀

Enjoy, and make sure to hit the list after the teaser to see other great Mid Week Teases!

Late afternoon found the three of them naked and in bed, languidly kissing and touching. When Poseidon nudged Amphitrite’s thighs apart and slid between them she was more than ready, sighing happily as she worked to take all of him in. He started a slow, deliberate stroke, making minute adjustments each time until he found the angle that made her gasp in pleasure.

Griffin stretched out beside her, kissing and nibbling her neck while he played with Poseidon’s flexing ass. “Christ, I love watching you two,” he said, brown eyes glowing with desire.

“I know,” she gasped, abruptly breathless after a deep thrust. Griffin’s cock pressed against her hip and she slid her hand down between their bodies, just managing to wrap her fingers around him and stroke the tip. “I want you next.”

Poseidon chuckled, pausing in mid-stroke to kiss her chin. “Not if I wear you out first, beloved.”

She grinned up at her husband, flexing her inner muscles and wringing a moan out of him. “That’s the lovely thing about being female,” she said. “I’m multi-orgasmic. You’re going to have to make an effort to wear me out.”

Poseidon gave Griffin one of those amused male looks. “I do believe we’ve been challenged,” he said.

“Challenge accepted,” Griffin said, gleeful.

To Amphitrite’s delight they proceeded to do wonderfully wicked things to every erogenous zone on her body that they could find, and a few new ones that she didn’t even know she had. She had two orgasms before Poseidon finally came with a lovely groan. He switched places with Griffin, who was currently teasing her with a slow, shallow stroke while Poseidon used his mouth to map every inch of her torso.

“Wait, I’ve got an idea.” Griffin pulled out and shifted until he was sitting back on his heels. Sliding his hands under her thighs, he pulled her up into his lap until her head and shoulders were the only parts still resting on the mattress. He slid back inside her, hands splayed over her hipbones as he started the same shallow thrust. In this position, however, it rubbed directly against that lovely spot behind her pubic bone. “How’s that, love?”

Pleasure burned through her, sharp and pure. “Don’t stop.”

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

“Mm, perfect.” Poseidon turned, getting on his knees and kissing his way down her stomach. The soft prickle of his beard added an additional layer of teasing sensation. She felt him kiss the curls on her pubic mound, and then his tongue lapped at the junction where Griffin entered her, finding her clit and going to work on it with ravenous eagerness. She wasn’t sure what turned her on more, that her formerly staid husband was eating her out with such abandon or that he was tasting both Griffin and her while he did it.


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Mid Week Tease: Deep Water #MWTease #MidWeekTease

MWTease15Hello, darlings! Let’s get over Hump Day with a teaser from Book Three of my Olympic Cove series, Deep Water. After all the sex of the last few weeks, let’s have an action scene where Poseidon and his sons are taking on some mutated whales while Griffin and Amphitrite watch. Of course, things aren’t going to stay that simple.

Enjoy, and make sure to hit the list after the teaser to see other great Mid Week Teases!

Griffin could feel his jaw muscles bunch as he watched Poseidon face down and kill the mutated whale. The thought of his mate so near to something that huge terrified him on a primal level.

“Does he have to get that close?” he asked Amphitrite. “Can’t he kill them from a distance?”

“Yes, but that takes more effort on his part, and its messy,” she said, her hands clenched around around the chariot’s reins. “This way, the deaths are quick and clean. He doesn’t want them to suffer.” Her tone made it clear that she’d be willing to live with more suffering if it improved Poseidon’s safety. Griffin agreed wholeheartedly with her.

Grimacing, Amphitrite clucked at the seahorses. “Come on, we have a job to do.”

Under her guidance Sthenios and Skylla pulled the chariot around to the area where the right whale had first appeared. Griffin was able to adjust his visor until he could see turbulence patterns in the water. “Looks like some massive displacement there.”

“Yes. That whale was definitely not alone. So where are the others?” With a flick of the reins she guided the seahorses lower towards the ocean floor. “There should be—”

Something massive slammed into the bottom of the chariot, shoving them upwards. Cursing, Griffin clung to the chariot’s rim while Amphitrite fought to keep control of the vehicle. The seahorses screamed in rage, surging forward and pulling them along. He risked a look back and almost pissed himself when he saw a yawning mouth lined with saw-like teeth snapping closed just inches from the back of the chariot.

Amphitrite yelled something in Ancient Greek to the seahorses, and they lunged forward. Griffin held on, wishing desperately that chariots came equipped with safety belts as Sthenios and Skylla raced away from the second whale. He looked back again and noticed to his relief that they were pulling ahead of the beast.

Then he spotted something behind the bullish, mottled head. Oh, my God. That’s impossible.

There was no choice. He had to get a closer look. “Can you get around to its side?” he yelled to Amphitrite. “I need to look at its flippers.”

The Nereid gave him an “Are you shitting me?” glance but hauled on the reins. Sthenios and Skylla abruptly slewed to the right in a tight turn, flinging Griffin bruisingly hard against the side of the chariot. Holding on like grim death, he stared back at the whale, tracing along the creature’s midline to where its flippers should have been. Fuck. I was right.

“Get us out of here!” he yelled.

“I’m trying to!” Amphitrite yelled back. They had dropped down to mere feet above the ocean floor now, racing along it with the right whale in pursuit. The seahorses arrowed through the dark water, swerving through rocky outcroppings and seaweed stands like rats running through a memorized maze, but the whale stayed with them.

The grim expression on Amphitrite’s face made it clear she knew about their tail. She steered the chariot down even further, angling them towards a jagged outcropping of coral growth. “Hang on!”

Griffin did, gut going cold in horror as they headed straight for the hill-like outcropping. At the last moment the white seahorses plunged through an opening that he hadn’t even seen. It was barely wide enough for them and the chariot followed with a horrible grinding noise, shattered bits of rock dancing in its wake.

Panting, Griffin stared up at the underside of a covered coral lagoon. The lacy structure appeared to be solid from the outside, but allowed dim light and water to flow freely through it.

A loud crack sounded behind them. He turned and saw the right whale’s snout pulling back from a hole it had broken in the coral. “Can it get in here?”

“With enough time, yes,” Amphitrite said, handing him the reins. “Here.”

“What are you doing?”

She plucked her trident from its holder, glaring at the tines. They collapsed inward, forming a single vicious-looking barbed blade. “I’m going to kill it.”


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Well, that was unexpected

It’s funny, the things that writing can dredge out of your subconscious. I was sitting there yesterday afternoon working on character outlines for Behind the Iron Cross and listening to The Best of Sade to block out the sound of Ramón chewing on a scone in the kitchen (I love him dearly but my, that man can wake the dead when he eats).

About Sade: I’ve loved their music since I first heard “Smooth Operator” in 1984, and I’ve always associated the song with an individual I met when I was a young and innocent flower (you have my apologies for my vagueness, but I’ve since learned that this individual is somewhat litigious and I don’t wish to poke the bear). Not only did he pretty much crystallize my physical preferences in men, he also carbonated my hormones so badly that I don’t think I shared more than 20 words with him in my lifetime. I literally couldn’t talk to him; the speech center of my brain would go into vapor lock and I’d just stand there blinking at him even as the rest of my brain was screaming at me to do something, you idiot! I’m quite sure he wondered what the hell was wrong with me, but that’s neither here nor there.

So there I was, working on Kat’s backstory and trying to figure out where and how a nice society girl in the late 1910s would get Dominatrix training (a friendly madam-cum-Dominatrix in Paris, as it turns out), listening with half an ear to Sade croon, “Coast to coast, LA to Chicago, Western male,” and suddenly this individual popped into mind while I was thinking of my baby Domme.

And I had the most astounding epiphany about why I had such a hard time talking to him — my young, innocent flower of a self had no idea that she really, really, REALLY wanted to do delightfully debauched things to this smooth operator. Which was somewhat disconcerting to figure out *mumble mumble* years later, but damn, it gave me the key to Kat’s backstory. I swear, writing is way better than having a therapist!

So, about Deep Water

These are quite possibly the most beautiful words in the English language:

TheEnd

And with that, Draft One of Deep Water is finished. I’m going to let it sit over the weekend while I do useful things like pay bills, do the taxes, and wash our increasingly adhesive kitchen floor. I may even lure Ramón out to a movie, seeing as he’s not gaming on Saturday and I I haven’t seen Kingsmen: The Secret Service yet.

On Monday I go back to Behind the Iron Cross (because I have received death threats from my sister from another mister if don’t put it into her hot and sweaty hands soon). The goal is to have it finished and polished in time for RT 2015, as I have agent and editor interviews scheduled. Sometime late next week I’ll pull Deep Water out and start Draft Two. Beta readers (you know who you are), you can expect it in YOUR hot little hands by April 6 if not earlier, so be warned.

Oh, and I bought myself this little sterling silver, moonstone, and blue topaz bauble as a reward for finishing the book. The octopus-like beaded scrolls are VERY apropos, trust me.

Moonstone

Mid Week Tease: Deep Water #MWTease #MidWeekTease

MWTease15Hello, darlings! Let’s get over Hump Day with a teaser from Book Three of my Olympic Cove series, Deep Water. And woohoo, we have a three-way!

Enjoy, and make sure to hit the list after the teaser to see other great Mid Week Teases!

Poseidon glanced over his shoulder when he felt something thickening against his ass. “Griffin?”

“Oh.” A look of almost comical surprise crossed Griffin’s face, before it was blown away by a huge grin. “Fuck. I’m getting hard. I’m actually getting hard!”

“Oh, beloved, that’s wonderful!” Amphitrite said happily. She reached across to stroke their mortal mate’s arm, giving Poseidon a look that could only be called saucy. “We should celebrate this, shouldn’t we, husband?”

“Indeed we should, wife.” He shifted onto his back, sliding his arms around each of their shoulders and pulling them close. An idea hit him then, brilliant in its simplicity. “And if I remember correctly I believe I promised you something, Griffin, for when you regained this particular function.”

Their mortal mate blinked at him. “You’re serious?”

“Indeed. I think it would be an excellent way to celebrate our union.”

Amphitrite propped her chin on Poseidon’s chest, studying them both. “What are you two talking about?”

Griffin hesitated, and Poseidon chuckled. “We had a very philosophical discussion about penetration a few nights ago, my dear. I told Griffin that when his issue abated, he could take me.”

Amphitrite’s eyebrows rose almost to her hairline. “You’re going to let Griffin top you?” she said in obvious disbelief.

“Yes. I’m rather looking forward to it.” He gave her a seductive smile. “And I was hoping that you would let me make love to you while he did it. I find the idea of the three of us together like that extremely arousing.”

Griffin’s cock twitched against his ass. “You’re not the only one,” Griffin said, half groaning. “Christ, just thinking about it makes me want to come.”

Poseidon ground back against his mortal, earning another groan. “Ammie?”

Amphitrite’s expression was that of a child who had just been given a key to a candy store. “Oh, yes,” she said her voice dropping into the throaty tone that he still remembered. “I’d enjoy that very much. But Griffin will have to prepare you first. Am I allowed to watch?”

“I would certainly hope so.” Poseidon ran a thumb down Griffin’s shoulder. “What do you say, beloved? Should we give our lady a show?”

“Fuck, yes.” His mate scrambled up to kiss him. Poseidon gave himself over to the hunger in Griffin’s lips, enjoying his heat and need. In mid-kiss he glanced over at Amphitrite. High points of color had come out in her cheeks, and her nipples were already peaked. Yes, she definitely liked the thought of watching them together.

He lay back and surrendered himself to Griffin’s attentions. His new mate had been a surprisingly fast study when it came to anal sex and he suspected Griffin would do as well, if not better, taking the top role. Still kissing him, Griffin trailed light fingers down his chest and abdomen, toying with the auburn curls that graced his groin, before taking his cock in a loose clasp. It began to thicken as Griffin played with it.

“I’m going to need some lube, love,” he murmured against Poseidon’s mouth.

The god reached out and fetched some of his favorite unguent from Olympus, handing it over. “Here.”

Griffin stared at the small cut-glass jar and its creamy contents. “Is that what you were using on me?”

“Yes. Why?”

The mortal made a face. “It explains a few things.”

‘Oh, dear,” Amphitrite said, sniggering.

Poseidon flushed. “Why are you giggling?” he complained.

Amphitrite’s eyes twinkled. “It’s just that for someone who’s incredibly up to date when it comes to technology, you’re somewhat old school when it comes to sex,” she said merrily.

“I haven’t had sex with anyone in centuries until recently,” Poseidon said, aware that he sounded a bit huffy. “It’s not my fault if I’m somewhat behind on the cutting edge of lubricants.”

“Never mind,” Griffin said, sitting up and shifting until he was sitting between Poseidon’s legs. “I did a bit of reading up on the topic. Why don’t we try something that’s made for the activity?”

He named a specific brand of modern lubricant, one that was silicone-based. Poseidon sent the unguent away and fetched a black tube, handing it over. “Is this it?”

“Yeah, perfect.” Griffin uncapped it and pumped a thick, clear glob onto his fingers. Tossing the tube onto the bed, he urged Poseidon’s legs up until they were bent at the knee. “Ammie, could you keep his mouth occupied while I’m working here?”

His consort made a sort of purring noise that sent even more blood rushing to Poseidon’s cock. “I believe I could do that.”


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Mid Week Tease: Deep Water #MWTease #MidWeekTease

MWTease15Hello, darlings! Let’s get over Hump Day with a teaser from Book Three of my Olympic Cove series, Deep Water. The three mates finally face each other, and Poseidon has to do the hardest thing he’s ever done in his immortal life. The question is, will Griffin and Amphitrite let him get away with it?

Enjoy, and make sure to hit the list after the teaser to see other great Mid Week Teases!

Griffin felt it first. He opened his eyes, blinking against the darkness. Someone’s there.

Lightning flashed outside, revealing a figure at the foot of the bed. He jerked up, throwing an protective arm across Amphitrite.

And then stopped as another bolt of lightning illuminated a golden trident.

Fumbling, he reached over for one of the tiny bedside lamps and snapped it on. The room lit with a faint glow and he stared at a wet and dripping Poseidon.

“Oh, my God,” Griffin breathed in relief. “You’re back.”

Amphitrite slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Griffin?” she mumbled, before noticing her husband at the foot of the bed. With a soft gasp, she tugged the blanket to her chest. “Poseidon.”

The god gave them both a pained smile. “I see the two of you have met already,” he said. “That’s good. I won’t have to worry about introductions, then.”

Griffin stared at him, then at Amphitrite. He could feel the welter of emotions rushing through her; confusion, embarrassment, a lingering irritation, but no anger. “Yes, we’ve met,” she said softly, giving her husband a brief nod. “And thank you for saving him. Griffin’s told me what you’ve done.”

Poseidon nodded back, fidgeting with a fold of his sodden chiton. It was painful to watch. “I did what I had to do,” he said, his smile clashing horribly with the sorrow in his eyes. “You have my apologies for intruding. I just wanted to make sure Griffin was all right. I’ll leave the two of you now.”

“What? No!” Griffin blurted, appalled. “You can’t just leave.”

Poseidon paused, resignation clear on his face. “It’s all right, Griffin. The two of you belong together. I knew this would happen.” His mustache twitched as he pressed his lips together. “I wanted this to happen. I wish you both all the happiness you were denied because of me.” He gave Amphitrite a brief glance, but Griffin could sense the yearning beneath it. “If he begins to weaken, let me know and I will come and help. Otherwise, I won’t touch him. I promise.”

“Wha — oh, bugger this.” Griffin threw off the covers and stood up, realizing too late that he’d gone to sleep naked. “Listen to me, you great oik. You’re my agapetos, too,” he snapped, glaring at his mate. “I want you in my bed, and not just because of your magical joy juice. I love you, and I’ll be damned if I’m letting you wander off and play the martyr now.”

“He’s right, Poseidon,” Amphitrite said, her voice quiet but firm. “Griffin is your agapetos just as much as he is mine. He loves you, and he deserves to be in your arms.”

The god had gone still, hands clenched at his sides. “I want him in my arms,” Poseidon said hoarsely. “I want…I want both of you in my arms. Amphitrite, I am sorry. I am so very, very sorry for what I did. Griffin knows everything. Out of the gracious kindness of his heart he’s forgiven me. But you’ve had to live all these centuries without him, because of what I did.” He struck himself on his chest, and Griffin winced at the solid thud of the impact. “I don’t deserve his forgiveness, and I know I can’t hope to earn yours. Please, let me do this one thing to make it up to you. Take Griffin, and be happy with him.”

“I am happy with him,” Amphitrite said, her eyes shimmering now with tears. “But I cannot be completely happy as long as you hold yourself apart from us, even for the best and most selfless of reasons.” Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the edge of the blanket and lifted it in an unmistakable gesture. “For the love of Gaia, husband, come to bed.”

Poseidon stared at her with longing, but didn’t move.

Right. If the pillock needs a push, I’ll give him one. Moving deliberately, Griffin sat back down on the bed, swinging his legs up and getting comfortable against the pillows. He’d very carefully left a space between himself and Amphitrite, and patted it now. “She means you’re forgiven, mate,” he said. “Now get in here. If nothing else, you’ve got over seven thousand years of makeup orgasms to get started on.”

Amphitrite gulped and laughed at that, wiping at a stray tear that had trickled down her cheek. “Come to bed,” she repeated, smiling now. “You great oik.”

Poseidon let out one low, ragged breath. His clothing and armor disappeared, then, and his skin and hair dried instantly. Naked, he crawled onto the mattress to them, hesitating one last time before lowering himself into Amphitrite’s arms.

His shoulders began to shudder. Understanding, Griffin spooned around Poseidon’s back and pulled the covers over the three of them as their mate cried out the loneliness of the last seven millennia.


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Mid Week Tease: Deep Water #MWTease #MidWeekTease

MWTease15Hello, darlings! Let’s get over Hump Day with a teaser from Book Three of my Olympic Cove series, Deep Water. Surprise — this is an honest-to-Zeus M/F scene! Yes, I can write them. 😀

Enjoy, and make sure to hit the list after the teaser to see other great Mid Week Teases!

Griffin wasn’t quite sure how they got to the bedroom. He wouldn’t have been surprised if Ammie had simply portaled them there, goddess that she was.

He didn’t really care. All that mattered was that after far too many years apart they were together in a dark room with a bed, listening to the gentle patter of the rain on the cottage roof.

A flash of lightning lit her face momentarily, a study in light and shadow. She tilted her head up in silent invitation. He took it, kissing her. The act was both familiar and wonderfully new as he sank into the kiss, relishing the flavors of her.

Her arms slid around him, pulling him closer. He did the same, running his hands over her back and feeling soft skin over rises of bone and the sleek play of muscles. The weight of her breasts pressed against his chest, intensely erotic. He smelled salt air and something deliciously light and citrusy, blessedly different from her sisters’ perfume.

When the kiss broke he felt her smile against his mouth. “I do believe that was worth waiting for, beloved,” she whispered.

He decided right then and there that he was going to do everything in his power to give her an unforgettable night. His cock might be out of the picture, but he still had fingers and a mouth. Let’s see what it’s like to make a goddess beg.

He kissed her again, reverent, as he slid a hand into her thick hair and stroked her scalp. She made a little needy sound and he ate it up, nibbling her upper lip, then her lower one. He brought his hand down, massaging the nape of her neck. He could feel a little button at the back of her neckline, and flicked it open.

There was so much he wanted to do to her. But it would be easier if they were both in bed. “Let me take off your clothes,” he murmured.

She nodded, and held her arms up as he stripped off the silk shell, reaching around to unhook the obviously expensive bra and pull that off next. He knelt, undoing the button and zip on her slacks and easing them down, followed by a pair of lace panties. He sat back on his heels, then, gazing at her. Her body epitomized the beauty ideal of a past culture: sloping shoulders, full breasts tipped with dark red nipples, and a waist that curved in before spreading again into the swell of womanly hips. He noted the soft tangle of curls at the top of her thighs, dark against her creamy skin, and was glad to see something that had always represented the most delicious of forbidden fruit to his generation. He suspected she could change her shape at will, remove hair, do whatever she liked to fit in with the current fashions. The fact that she stood here looking like she had in Medusa’s day, however, was exactly what he wanted.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. “My beautiful goddess.”

She lifted her chin in acknowledgement, lips curving. “Would you worship me, then?” she said, her voice sweet and imperious at the same time. “Pay homage to me in your bed?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Then stand.”

He did, wincing a bit as his knees popped, and gave himself over to her. It was her turn to take off his shirt and shorts, letting them fall silently to the floor. He braced himself, wondering what she would think of his diminished body.

She ran her fingertips along the line of his collarbones, tracing the shape of his sternum, the lines and hollows of his abdomen, the jut of his hipbones. One hand reached down and gently cupped his balls, as if cradling something infinitely precious. He groaned softly at the heat of her hand.

She slid her fingers up, running the backs of them along his cock in a featherlight touch, a promise more than an actual caress, before toying with his crisp pubic hair. “Believe me, beloved, I find no fault in you,” she said. “I see what you once were, and what you will be again. I see you as you are right now. You are a strong, vital man, and you please me deeply.”

He sighed. Yet another knot in his gut unraveled. “Thank you, love. I’m sorry for being so ridiculous about it, but—“

She put fingers across his lips. “How we are seen by others matters to us. How we are seen by the people who love us matters even more. I see you, beloved, and you are beautiful to me.”


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Mid Week Tease: Deep Water #MWTease #MidWeekTease

MWTease15Hello, darlings! I’m doing another tease today from Deep Water and bringing you the first meeting between Griffin and Amphitrite. It’s not exactly what Poseidon had planned, but I think it’s all going to work out all right — at least until Thetis finds out what’s going on.

Enjoy, and make sure to hit the list after the teaser to see other great Mid Week Teases!

Griffin sat on the cottage’s small deck, watching the dusk gather on the horizon and wondering where Poseidon was.

No, let’s be honest here. You’re wondering if he’s all right.

They’d been just finishing up the curry when both Poseidon and Aphros’s heads rose like greyhounds catching the scent of a rabbit. Aphros had bolted out of his chair, speeding through the porch and discarding clothes as he went.

“What the hell?” Griffin had said, amazed at the sight of a now-nude Aphros diving into the water. Moments later a huge silvery tail burst up, slapping the water once before disappearing beneath it. “What’s going on?”

Poseidon stared at the cove with a thunderous expression. “Thetis.”

The name sounded vaguely familiar, something out of Greek mythology. Before Griffin could ask anything else, however, Poseidon had grabbed him and kissed him once, fast and ruthless. Griffin was shocked when his knees buckled in a sudden blazing rush of desire, leaving the god to hold him up.

When they separated, however, Poseidon said, “If you don’t hear from me in a day, get on a direct flight to Athens. Go to the Parthenon as soon as you land and call out for Athena. Tell her that I charge her by Zeus Horkios to protect you, for your past service if for nothing else.”

“What? Why?” Even feeling better as he was, the idea of getting on another trans-atlantic flight was out of the question. “What’s going on?”

“I’ll explain it to you later, beloved.” With a final kiss, the sea god turned and left the cottage, following the path of his son. As Griffin watched, Poseidon’s linen slacks and polo shirt disappeared, replaced by a chiton topped with bronze greaves, breastplate, and gauntlets. He reached into empty air and pulled out a classic Greek helmet with nose piece and metal crest. Clapping it on his head, he reached out again and pulled back a massive gold trident. Now armed, he strode into the water and quickly disappeared beneath the waves.

Alone, Griffin had gone back to his cottage. With nothing else to do, he found himself staring at the water, wondering what the hell was going on. If it was serious enough that Poseidon thought something might happen to him—

His throat tightened. He’s the bloody God of the Sea. Nothing’s going to happen to him, dammit.

Reaching for his mug, he realized it was empty. He grabbed it and headed into the kitchen, turning lights on as he went. When all else failed, by God, the British made tea.

He’d just started pouring hot water into his teabag-stuffed mug when someone knocked on the back door. It made him jump, splashing hot water over the counter. Cursing, he fumbled for a dishcloth, tossing it over the puddle before hurrying to the door. Maybe it’s Nick checking up on me. I’m not in the mood for company—

He opened the back door, ready to tell his neighbor that he was fine and didn’t need the services of a doctor. And stopped. A stunning brunette stood on his deck, one elegant fist still raised from knocking on his door. Blue eyes widened in shock as she stared at him.

He recognized her immediately. Amphitrite. Poseidon’s consort, and his own long-lost agapetos. She was even wearing the same expression she’d had in his dream.

“I was looking for Griffin,” she said slowly, then shook her head. “I mean, I was looking for my … husband.” She continued to stare at him. He had the distinct impression that she wasn’t just looking at him, the outside surface. She was seeing right down to his soul.

He forced himself to swallow, to smile. “Hello, Amphitrite.”

The simple pendant around her neck trembled with her sharp breath. “How do you know my name?”

“I know a lot about you.” One side of his mouth twitched. “Well, I think I do, anyway. I don’t know how much of it is still valid, considering how I learned it. But yeah, I know who you are.” He stepped back, gesturing her inside. “Please, come in.”

She moved past him without hesitation, still gazing at him. “You are Griffin, yes? Griffin Moore?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” And then he remembered the cooling kettle in the kitchen. “Uh, can I get you something to drink? I was just making tea.”

“Tea? Oh. Yes, thank you.” With a visible effort she regained control of herself, following him through to the kitchen.

He gestured for her to sit down at one of the high stools lining the the breakfast nook and went to refill the electric kettle. As an afterthought he dumped out his half-made tea. “You said you’re looking for Poseidon?” he asked over his shoulder.

When he turned, he realized she only been surprised before. This was the proper gobsmacked expression of the Nereid. “You know his real name?” she said, stunned.

“Yes. And I know you’re his wife. And I know your boys Aphros and Bythos are sea centaurs, Ian’s a storm god, and there’s something bad going on out there that Poseidon has to deal with. That’s where he and Aphros are right now, I think.”

She put a hand to her temple and went still. “Of course,” she finally said, half to herself. “Dammit.”

Griffin’s fingers closed hard around his tea mug. “Is he in danger?”

“Poseidon? A month ago I would have said absolutely not. Now…” Her gaze cleared and she focused on him again. “He’s very strong, though, and dangerous in his own right. I don’t think Thetis can overpower him, at least not yet.”

That name again. “Thetis is a Nereid, isn’t she?” Griffin asked. He’d used the time after Poseidon’s departure to do some research on his smart phone. “And your sister, according to Google.”

Amphitrite hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. Thetis is the First Nereid, my oldest sister and a powerful sea goddess in her own right. But something happened to her a few years ago. It changed her into something very dangerous and vicious.”

The electric kettle clicked, catching his attention. “Let me get this tea made, and then I’d really like to hear the whole story, if you don’t mind.”

He busied himself with the tea things, feeling Amphitrite’s attention on him like a warm touch. When he added milk and sugar to his own mug, something told him to add only milk to hers. He stirred both mugs, then handed hers over.

Their fingertips brushed and a delicious tingle burst along his nerves, the same feeling he’d gotten when he’d touched Poseidon for the first time. Judging by Amphitrite’s expression, he wasn’t the only one, either.

He grabbed his tea and sat on the stool next to hers. “You felt that, didn’t you? That spark?”

“Yes.” Her reply was awed. “Do you know what it means?”

“Yeah.” He swallowed once. “I’m your agapetos. And I know this is going to be hard to believe, but apparently I’m also the reincarnation of Medusa.”

Amphitrite took in another ragged breath. “I know.”

That surprised him. “You do?”

“Yes. I think I knew it when you answered the door. Your aura is faded from illness, but the shape and the colors are the same as hers.” Her eyes sheened with unshed tears. “And then you touched me, and I knew for sure.”

Griffin felt a sudden, almost overwhelming urge to take her in his arms and kiss her. With an effort, he restrained himself. “Is that going to be all right? I mean, I know I’m not the girl you knew,” he said, trying for a wry tone to cover his self-consciousness. “And God knows I’m not exactly a GQ model—”

“Stop, please,” Amphitrite begged. Her hand darted out, grabbing his as if to keep him from escaping. “If I want you? Beloved, I have wanted you for millennia. I don’t care what you look like. I will want you when you are old and grey, until the end of time.” She started crying and smiling at the same time, a thunderstorm of joy that melted his heart. “You’re the missing part of my soul. How could I not want you?”


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Uniform Fetish: Manlove Edition Blog Tour – Dinner with James and Gustav

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Evernight requested that the authors in the Uniform Fetish anthologies do a “meet and greet” of our main characters for the blog tour, which is why I’m currently hopping from foot to foot outside New York City’s Bistro LeClerq on a freezing March evening. The bistro is normally closed on Mondays, but I was able to wangle a special reservation with the owner and his fiancé.

FineDiningA figure in black and white finally unlocks the door, ushering me in. “I’m sorry we kept you waiting, madame,” Gustav LeClerq says smoothly, helping me out of my coat and scarf. He’s of medium height, with dark hair threaded with grey at the temples and brushed back neatly from a broad forehead. His grey-blue eyes glint with humor and intelligence, and he has a Martin Freeman-level charisma that immediately draws you to him. I note that he’s wearing the classic waiter’s uniform — white oxford shirt with black tie, black trousers, long black apron and polished dress shoes — and ask him jokingly if he dressed up just for me.

He smiles at that, and the glint in his eye warms to something more personal. “Mais non, it was at James’s request. He has, how you say, a bit of a thing for me in my waitstaff uniform.”

He shows me to the only table that’s set for dinner, giving me the chance to subtly eye him from behind. I can’t blame James for his fetish; Gustav is a handsome man, but there’s something about the waiter’s uniform that lifts handsome to “put me on a table and do me now.”

Another handsome man with light blond hair and a patrician face is already seated at the table, and stands ay my approach. “I’m glad you could make it,” James Fairchild says, taking my hand and bowing over it before holding my chair for me. I’ll be honest, I could get used to manners like these. A veteran buyer for a certain high-end NYC clothing store, James is dressed impeccably as usual in a bespoke suit and tie, and takes his seat again as Gustav bustles out to the kitchen.

Drinks appear as if by magic; a Perrier with lime for James and a merlot for me. Gustav whisks out three appetizers, a lovely dish he calls wintry pear salad. As we start eating, I ask the men how things have been going for them.

“Quite well,” James said, giving Gustav a fond look. “I’ve decided to step back from some of my business traveling and take on more of a managerial role at the store, and I believe Gustav has agreed to take off an extra night a week.”

“Informing my brother Henri of this was interesting,” Gustav said, with an expressive French eye roll. “But seeing as he’s already training his apprentice so that he can do the same thing, I don’t feel too terribly guilty.”

Speaking of Henri LeClerq, I said, how did the bistro’s chef react to the news that his brother was getting married to one of their regular customers?

“He was delighted,” Gustav said with a smile. “He’d been nagging me for years to find a nice man and settle down. And he thinks James is très gentil. Marco, on the other hand, seemed to be somewhat upset at the news.”

“You know he had a bit of a thing for you, darling,” James said sympathetically.

Gustav shook his head. “Too young for me. I prefer someone with experience, a man of the world.” They exchanged a private smile at that.

Speaking of the upcoming wedding, I said, the two of you grew up in an time where gay men were pressured to hide or deny their sexuality. Did either of you ever expect a time to arrive where you would be able to marry the man you love?

Gustav clicked his tongue. “I am French,” he said. “We are both a romantic and a pragmatic people, non? The romantic side hoped that the day would come. The pragmatic side decided that it didn’t matter. When I found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, I would do just that, even if our union couldn’t receive the blessing of the state.”

“Frankly, my dating skills were so dreadful I never thought I’d find a man, much less the right man for me. I didn’t even hope for marriage,” James admitted, picking up Gustav’s hand and kissing it. “The fact that I now have both continues to astound me.”

By this time we’d finished our appetizers and Gustav cleared the plates while James refilled all our drinks. I noted with pleasure that the two men worked in tandem like they’d been doing it for years.

Dinner was a marvelous pork tenderloin with apples and pearl onions. “James, the truth — do you really have a fetish for waiter uniforms, or Gustav’s in particular?” I asked.

The distinguished man blushed. “I’ve always found the classic waiter uniform to be elegant. And there’s something quite sensual about being served by a well-dressed man,” he said, giving Gustav a wicked little smile. “As for Gustav’s uniform, he does fill it so very well.”

Gustav raised an eyebrow at that, but smiled and lifted his wine glass. “To our fetishes. May they always take us to happy places,” he said.

We all toasted to that. After dinner, Gustav brought out three sinful Black Forest Parfaits. I would have preferred to savor mine, but I could feel the electricity growing between the two men and I suspected James had plans for Gustav and his uniform once I was gone. I finished the dessert as quickly as was civilized and made my farewells, thanking Gustav for the meal and the discussion.

He showed me to the door, giving me a quick buss on both cheeks after helping me into my coat. “Merci infiniment de tout,” he whispered in my ear.

I winked at him before heading out into the cold night. Something prompted me to glance back; through the bistro’s window I saw James come up behind Gustav and wrap his arms around the Frenchman. I suspected there would be one final course on the table tonight, and left them to it.


Where to Buy

I hope you enjoyed this little interview with James and Gustav, my MCs from “Fine Dining.” As a special treat for our readers, Evernight is sponsoring a blog tour prize of a $25 Evernight gift certificate. To enter, simply click on the link below!

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