Christmas Story from Rowena Sudbury

The Magi Still Work Christmas Miracles

"Don't forget to pick up the dry-cleaning"

Sean frowned as he read the text message, and sighed as he put his phone back in his pocket.  It had been his hare-brained idea to take Brian home to South Carolina for the holidays. While it had sounded good during the balmy days of fall, now that they were scheduled to depart the next day, and he still had a million errands to run, his natural laziness had set in and he realized he would have been happier staying home on the couch with a beer watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. He popped open the trunk and set the latest round of Christmas presents inside as he added dry-cleaners to his list of things to do.



Within a few hours the shopping was done, and Sean remembered just in time to stop and pick up Brian's sweaters before heading for home. They planned to wrap the gifts together, pack, and grab a few hours of sleep before getting on the road early for the seven hour drive. As he gathered the bags together and juggled them with the plastic wrapped sweaters, Sean wondered again how the family would accept Brian. After getting past the awkward stage of "coming out" he had found that his mom accepted him right away, but it had taken a little longer for his brothers to come around. He knew that once they met Brian, any remaining reservations would fade away.

The front door opened before he got all the way up the steps. 

"Did you get—" Brian smiled as he pushed open the screen door and reached out to take half of Sean's load. "Thanks babe."

"Anything for you, your highness," Sean said with a smirk as he slammed the door shut behind him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Brian asked, setting the bags down on the table in the living room where he already had paper, ribbons, scissors, and tape set out.

"It means I love you kiddo," Sean said, bending down to press a light kiss to the top of Brian's head.

Quick as lightning, Brian turned and twined his arms up around Sean's neck. Bending his lithe body close he claimed a much deeper kiss.

Clamping arms tightly around Brian's waist Sean nuzzled against his mouth and whispered, "You trying to distract me?"

Laughter bubbled up and Brian said, "No babe, we have to get these gifts wrapped. I don't want to show up on your mom's front step empty-handed."

Giving Brian's ass a playful smack, Sean released him and stepped back. "Tell you what; let's kill two birds with one stone. I'll heat up dinner and you get started. That way we get done faster and then we hit the sack faster, and I can still get what I want."

Still laughing, Brian sat down and began to take things out of the bags. "Tell me who gets what."

"All the fishing gear is for my brother Nate. He's looking forward to a deep-sea fishing trip while he's off. That computer software shit is for Adam. He likes all that bullshit." Sean said as he banged open the cabinets looking for a cookie sheet.

"Think your brothers will like me?" Brian asked wistfully as he measured out paper and began to cut.

"Are you shittin' me?" Sean said as he set pieces of leftover pizza on the sheet. "You and Adam are about the same age, I know once you two get to talking I won't get a word in edgewise." He set the sheet in the oven and closed it with a thump. Walking back out to the living room he set a beer on the table near Brian, then popped open his own as he flopped down to watch. "Nate has a stick up his ass, so no tellin' with him, but if you wrapped me around your finger, you can work your charm on him too."

Brian winked as he set the wrapped package aside and started on the next one. "Sean, you were easy to wrap around my finger, I don't think you want me shakin' my ass in your brother's face."

"Hell no!" Sean said as he took another swig of his beer. "You try that shit with him he'd beat you down."

Flexing his muscles Brian said, "Let him try." He winked and started on the next gift. "What'd you get for your mom?"

Sean sat forward and sorted through the bags, "If I had all the money in the world I'd get her a diamond bracelet, but since I don't I had to settle for just a plain gold chain."

"Ah babe, she'll love it because it came from you," Brian said. He reached for the box and started wrapping that one next.

Setting his beer bottle on the table, Sean stood and went to retrieve the pizza. His voice was muffled from the kitchen, "Next year I'll have a steady job, and then I'll be able to get everyone the presents they deserve."

Brian bit his lip before he answered, "Next year we'll both have steady jobs babe, and then we won't be able to go spend the holidays with your family." He set the bracelet  aside and went to work on wrapping Nate's gift. He looked up as Sean set the plate heaped with pizza on the table. "We have each other Sean, that's the only gift I need."

With a lopsided smile Sean eased forward and pressed a kiss to Brian's cheek. "I got you something else anyway."

"I know," Brian said, "so did I."

"Then we'll go to the poor house together."

When all the gifts were wrapped, Brian picked up the plate of pizza and beckoned to Sean. They snuggled together on the couch and did indeed watch the Charlie Brown Christmas while they ate. Once the show was over, Sean reminded Brian that 6am would come awfully early. He shooed Brian into the bedroom and said he'd pack all the gifts in the car and join him soon. "You better wait up for me," he scolded.

"No worries on that front Sean," Brian said with a saucy wink, "I wouldn't dream of going to sleep without my goodnight kiss."

"Brat," Sean said. Once Brian had left the room Sean picked up all the presents and took them to the car. He smiled as he set them in the trunk next to the large wrapped box that was already there. Brian's present, all ready to go.
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Breathe by Sloan Parker

Title: Breathe
Author: Sloan Parker
Genre: Romantic Suspense (m/m)
Length: Novel Plus

Breathe is available for purchase at: www.loose-id.com/Breathe.aspx

BLURB
Lincoln McCaw lost everything -- his home, his job, his partner -- after he caused a fatal accident. A year later, he's drowning the guilt and despair in whiskey, but he needs to move on. His sister and her kids are counting on him. Then he meets a man who ignites a passion Lincoln thought he’d never find. Too bad one night is all they can have together. Now he needs to figure out how to turn away from the only person who makes him feel alive…before whoever is sending him threats decides Lincoln needs to suffer more than he already has.

Jay Miller is surrounded by grief and misery until he finally gives in to all those years of sexual fantasies about being with another guy. Realizing he’s ended up in the arms of the man who caused his wife’s accident, he tries to pull away. But how can he give up a friendship he needs more than anything -- a friendship and a love that could save him? He may not have time to make the choice before someone else destroys it all.

EXCERPT
“God, you sure are a cute one.”

Jay cracked a smile as the woman at the far end of the bar flirted with the dark-haired man wearing a leather jacket. She had no clue she’d already lost the game. Not only was Dark Eyes gay, he also looked as lost as he had when Jay first saw him. No one stood a chance with someone who obviously wanted to be left alone the way he did.

She kept at it, though. “Come on. Buy me a drink.” She ran her long, pink fingernails through the hair above his ear. Dark Eyes swatted her hand away and returned his attention to the glass that held something stronger than beer, gripping it with both hands.

Jay couldn’t blame her for trying. Dark Eyes looked good in the black leather and faded jeans, his dark hair and skin a temptation for the fingers. Jay clutched his beer and took a swallow before setting it on the table he’d grabbed ten minutes earlier.

Sonny’s Tavern was crowded, the eligible singles mixing with the heavy drinkers. Most--like the woman hitting on Dark Eyes--not knowing how to tell the difference between the two. The Friday night crowd was more animated than the last night Jay had been in. A group of couples danced near the back wall, creating a makeshift dance floor. There was a different bartender on duty, the television and music overhead were louder, but the same old man sat sipping whiskey near the restrooms.

Jay drank more of his beer and waited. It wouldn’t take long.

By the time he finished the beer, the bar stool next to Dark Eyes was empty, the chatty blonde desperate for a free drink--and possibly more--had moved on. Jay waved for another beer, dropped onto the stool, and said, “Hey.”

Dark Eyes ignored him and stood.

Apparently Jay sucked at the flirting thing. Which made sense. He hadn’t dated many girls. The only one other than Katie had been a fellow classmate he’d agreed to go to the homecoming dance with his junior year during the five weeks he and Katie had their one breakup.

Dark Eyes removed his jacket, laid the leather over the bar, and sat again. The muscles of his arm flexed as he lifted the glass for a drink. The hint of a tattoo peeked out from under the T-shirt’s sleeve. An outline of an eagle feather.

“Do I know you?” Dark Eyes asked.

He’d forgotten.

And here Jay was picturing what it would be like to blow the guy. He’d always wanted to know. Always imagined he’d like sucking cock and couldn’t stop dreaming of doing it to Dark Eyes since the man had walked out of the bar the other night. Was it because Jay knew Dark Eyes was gay?

No. This guy was a total turn-on for him. He’d only been sitting next to the man long enough for one smoke, and already all Jay’s fantasies were roaring to life.

“I uh…I was in here the other night.”

“I remember,” Dark Eyes said. “Saw you outside the night before that too. Thought maybe I’d seen you somewhere else, though.” He slid the bowl of peanuts toward Jay.

Jay stilled the spinning bowl. “Don’t think so. I’d remember meeting you.” Heat rose in his cheeks. Shut up! But did he want to? He nodded to the TV. “You watching the game?”

“Nah. I gave up last half.”

“Guess I didn’t miss much excitement, then. I had to work late.”

Dark Eyes removed one hand from his glass. He made like he was going to take a drink. “Where do you work?” The question came out in a rush before the glass hit his lips.

“Stacking loads at McNeil’s Lumber Yard.” Jay made eye contact with the man. Neither looked away. A nervous jolt shot from his gut to his groin. “It’s a shit job, but I’m lucky to have it. I was going to college but, I…uh, I had to quit. And since they won’t let you teach high school history without a college degree, or a teacher’s license for that matter, I’m stuck with whatever pays the bills.”

Dark Eyes let go of his drink and turned on the stool a fraction of an inch in Jay’s direction. The slight curve of his lips wasn’t as unnerving as the intense stare.

Jay kept talking. “History’s always been my thing. Since I was a kid. Everyone thinks I’m crazy for wanting to teach high schoolers, but there’s a lot we can learn from history.” And why was he sharing any of this?

The grin on the other man’s face grew. “You always talk this much?”

Jay shrugged and sipped the beer he’d forgotten he had. “I don’t know.” He laughed. That statement was worth a laugh--the first real one in over a year--considering Todd’s recent comments about how he hadn’t been talking much anymore.

“What’s funny?” Dark Eyes asked.

“Nothing. What do you do?”

“Just started over at the steel plant. Used to drive loads for them years back.” Dark Eyes gripped his glass again, clutching it in one hand. The other joined the first until he held on to it with both hands. What would those hands feel like when they touched Jay’s body? His ass? His dick? What would those arms feel like wrapped around him? How would the skin of that neck taste? What would that dark hair feel like when he grasped the man’s head in his hands while Dark Eyes blew him?

Jay breathed deep. Fantasies…just a fantasy. He wasn’t ready for anything physical with anyone. Was he?

Before that week, he hadn’t been ready for so much as a one-night stand. When he let himself get close to someone, all his thoughts would turn to Katie and every sexual moment they’d spent together. He hadn’t wanted to go there, especially not for a quick fuck to please his cock.

Had that changed?

His body was ready, but was he?

Maybe someday…a roll in the hay with a woman. Maybe even with a guy. Might be nice to know if all those fantasies had been leading him on about what he wanted--or whom he wanted it with. But not yet. Not after only a year.

Then why had he sat next to the guy in the first place? Why had he looked for the man?

Dark Eyes leaned his upper body in close, almost touching Jay’s arm. That rattled him out of his trance. Damn, he’d been staring at the man for too long. The husky whisper as Dark Eyes spoke did nothing to aid Jay in regaining his concentration.

“Quit looking at me like that, kid. Unless you’re willing to back it up.”

Oh God. Maybe the flirting had gone better than Jay thought.

The only sexual experience he had other than Katie was the ten-minute fuck in the back of Christy Harper’s car on homecoming night. He’d gotten off, but it hadn’t been anything special. He’d put every last minute of it out of his mind as soon as he and Katie had made up.

The weeks they’d spent apart were the worst weeks of his life until a year ago.

No. The worst part was telling Katie about what he’d done with Christy. Katie had gone on her own date, and Jay hated hearing about the kissing and groping she’d done. He could only imagine how much it hurt Katie to listen to his confession about his backseat “date.” He made a promise to himself as he drove her home that night, both of them sitting in the front seat of the Jeep in silence. He’d never hurt her again. Never cheat again. Even though she said he hadn’t technically cheated and she understood how it had happened, it sure had felt as though he’d been unfaithful. He never wanted to feel that way again. Never wanted any other person pleasuring him. Only her.

And now here he was hoping another guy was interested in him.

How had he given this guy the right signals? Or the wrong ones? And how was he supposed to respond?

Jay licked his dry lips and forced his attention on the TV above the bar. Commercials. Something with beer and babes in bikinis. How apropos.

“Kid.” That one word in the low, deep voice had him facing Dark Eyes again. Jay barely heard the whispered command over the sound of the country music. “Give it a few minutes, then meet me out back.” Dark Eyes stood, threw some wadded cash onto the bar, grabbed his coat, and exited out the back entrance that led to the rear parking lot. The music and crowd in Sonny’s muffled the bang of the door closing behind Dark Eyes.

Jay turned to the bar. He needed to leave. Out the front entrance. Now.

Why wouldn’t his legs help him out? He guzzled his beer in four tries, dropped the bottle onto the bar, and stood. What the hell?

He walked toward the back door at a quick clip, hoping no one knew where he was going.

Or why.

Copyright 2010. Sloan Parker. All Rights Reserved.

Learn more about BREATHE and Sloan Parker
Breathe is available for purchase at: www.loose-id.com/Breathe.aspx

An Angel For Christmas by Lily Grace

Purchase from Torquere Press

By: Lily Grace

Publisher: Torquere Press

Genre: m/m, Contemporary Paranormal

Length: Novella (24,400 words)

ISBN: 978-1-61040-120-3

Blurb

Sebastian has done the one thing a guardian angel is never supposed to do. He’s fallen in love with a mortal. When his human falls into serious jeopardy, Sebastian descends to Earth without permission.

Kevin’s bartending job just doesn’t pay enough, his mother's hospital bills keep piling up, and now he’s borrowed money from the wrong person. He needs a miracle this Christmas season. Kevin just didn’t expect it to come in the form of an actual angel.

Not caring that he's breaking all the rules that govern guardian angels, Sebastian helps Kevin all he can. But the consequences of Sebastian's actions could be dire for the angel, unless Kevin can perform a miracle of his own.

Excerpt

Sebastian's eyes widened. He wasn't sure who was more shocked, he or Kevin. He hadn't meant to lower his guise of invisibility, but now it had happened twice in one night. Kevin distracted him. Sebastian had never been able to be this close to Kevin before. He had always had to look from so far away. The proximity overwhelmed him. He knew he had crossed too many lines to count back in the alley, but his punishment would be worth it. Watching Kevin sleep, being so close, knowing his mortal charge was safe... it was worth everything.

"Please, do not be frightened!" He held up his hands, voluminous sleeves falling down his arms to his elbows. "I mean you no harm." There was no going back now. No point in disappearing. The damage had been done.

Waves of terror and confusion washed over Kevin's face. His eyes were wide and blinking rapidly. Sebastian understood this would be difficult for him to understand. He waited patiently, giving Kevin a few moments to collect himself.

Kevin's hands came up to his face and rubbed furiously at his eyes. Sebastian smiled when Kevin looked surprised that he was still there. Kevin had beautiful eyes. They were so unusual. Blue-gray, like Cape Cod after a storm.

"Y...you're not real. I'm still dreaming." It came out as a statement.

"I promise you are awake." Sebastian tried to make his voice as gentle as possible.

"Who are you?" Kevin's voice was edged with astonishment and a small amount of fear. He pushed his back flush against the headboard and gripped handfuls of bedding tightly.

Sebastian took a chance and moved slightly closer, trying to offer reassurance with his smile. This was where Kevin would need to suspend disbelief and have a little faith.

"My name is Sebastian. I am your guardian angel."

"Right. I'm definitely still dreaming."

Kevin's hands once again went to his face, and he sighed deeply. At least he didn't look frightened anymore.

"This is a dream. I'm not crazy, and there are no such things as angels." He spoke more to himself than to Sebastian. "I'm going back to sleep. When I wake up, you won't be here."

Kevin reached for the bedside lamp, and once again the room was bathed in darkness. Burrowing under the covers, Kevin pulled the quilt up over his head as if that would make everything go away. Sebastian didn't blame him. Not really. Everything Kevin had been taught had told him that Sebastian couldn't be real. Sebastian still found that it hurt, though. He wanted Kevin to believe... needed him to. Hopefully things would be better in the morning. Sebastian wasn't going anywhere.

Sebastian moved to a sitting position near the end of the bed, keeping vigil over his charge until morning.

http://bookworld.editme.com/AnAngelForChristmas

http://www.lilygracetales.blogspot.com/