First, Do No Harm, by B.K. Wright

INTRO:
In some societies, those held in highest esteem are awarded zero tolerance for failure. What oftentimes goes unnoticed, however, is the same zero tolerance which these esteemed members award themselves. It is through the infallibilities of these members that we are often forced to realize our own imperfections. In “First, Do No Harm”, one such member of society must realize his own imperfections if he is to allow himself the opportunity to experience love in its most imperfect form.

EXCERPT #1:
Kenton Weston had been accepted to the country’s first, and in the opinion of many the very best medical school in the United States. The University of Pennsylvania is a private research university and a prominent member of the Ivy League whose founder was none other than the great Benjamin Franklin, and Kenton had felt very privileged to have been accepted to its medical school and be taught medicine by some of the best in their field. The University of Pennsylvania, or Penn, as it was more familiarly known, was home to a teaching hospital like no other. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is huge and its medical system extensive. After a decade of intensive study and practical application, Kenton Weston had been very well prepared to assume his rightful place among the best in his field. Upon completing his residency in surgery, Kenton had been asked by none other than the chief of surgery himself to continue his studies which would culminate in his becoming more than he had ever thought possible. Kenton Weston had become a transplant surgeon. If there was one thing that was missing in the life of Kenton Weston, it was someone special with whom to share his life. He had placed his outside interests on hold for so long that he had almost forgotten what they where. After having lived for over a decade now in Philly, Kenton had seen very little of this city which was so rich in history. Kenton knew that education extended far beyond the classroom and as well beyond the confines of the hospital, and had promised himself that he would take full advantage of this extracurricular education. Thus far, however, he had not. He had yet to visit Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Liberty Bell, as well as the many other historic sites which claimed Philadelphia as their home such as the homes of Edgar Allan Poe and Betsy Ross. Art museums had long been a favorite of Kenton, and he had allowed himself one day years ago the luxury of discovering the many treasures found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art which features the steps made famous in the movie Rocky. Concerned for his social life or lack thereof, many of Kenton’s former fellow students and now colleagues had offered to “fix him up” with a special woman they knew. What they didn’t know, and what he Kenton had chosen never to divulge to any of them, was that Kenton was gay.

EXCERPT #2:
Michael thought about all that had occurred between him and Kenton. He certainly didn’t want this one to get away. Jeff had given him this blessing, so what was holding him back? The answer to that question was “nothing.” Michael needed to talk to Kenton before he did rounds. He headed up the stairs and into his room.
Kenton broke free from Michael’s hold, and turned to face him. They looked at each other, and then kissed each other, the kiss of longing for that which until now had not been fulfilled. They kissed slowly but not hesitantly. This was a kiss not to be hurried.

EXCERPT #3:
Jeff got out of bed and walked to the door of Kenton’s room. He looked in and noticed that Kenton was sleeping. Kenton was naked, at least from the waist up, which is where the covers stopped. Jeff slowly and quietly walked into Kenton’s room and stood at the foot of the bed. As Jeff watched the rise and fall of Kenton’s chest with his slow steady breathing, he wondered what comprised Kenton’s thoughts. Did he always see the world through the eyes of a physician, or were there times when he thought of life in its simplest and most natural form?
After watching Kenton for awhile, Jeff walked around to the side of the bed opposite from where Kenton was sleeping, and quietly climbed into bed. He pulled the covers up over his naked body and lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. He squeezed his eyes shut tight as if to give himself courage. Turning onto his side, he moved closer to Kenton until he was close enough to put his arm over him and rest it on Kenton’s chest. Kenton was immediately awakened when he felt Jeff’s hand on his chest. He turned onto his back. “Jeff, are you okay, are you feeling okay?” Jeff’s hand did not leave Kenton’s chest as he said, “I don’t think of you as an old man, Kenton”, and then kissed him on the mouth. Kenton and Jeff remained as they were, each holding the other, feeling the same feelings, though neither thinking the same thoughts. Jeff was feeling so much love for Kenton and thinking about their wonderful future together. Kenton was feeling love for Jeff, but thinking of the harm that could come from this relationship, hurting both of them.

~B.K. Wright~Find me on the GLBT bookshelf, and www.beautobeau.com.

Two Way Mirror, by B.K. Wright

Intro:

The beauty of the inner self can at times be eclipsed by the beauty of the outer self. In “Two Way Mirror”, the passionate love of two men cannot eclipse the companionate love which emerges as each discovers the inner and outer beauty of the other, culminating in a love for which neither had been prepared.

Excerpt:
He looked at Mitch for signs of disapproval, but saw only understanding on his face. Pierce continued. “We had so much fun, Jeff and I, perhaps because we knew we were living on borrowed time.” “Or perhaps, you truly loved each other.” Mitch took Pierce’s hand and held it in his as he said this. Then he took Pierce’s empty glass and set both back on the nightstand. He leaned over Pierce and held his face in his hands. Pierce closed his eyes, and offered his mouth to Mitch. Mitch gently touched his lips to Pierce’s and kissed him softly, opening Pierce’s mouth with his own. Then he kissed the side of Pierce’s mouth, then Pierce’s cheek, kissing his neck down to Pierce’s shirt collar, and gently pushing it open to kiss his shoulder. Then he looked at Pierce. His eyes were still shut, and his head was leaned back into the comfort of the pillows. Mitch placed one hand on Pierce’s neck and with the other one he held Pierce’s hand. “Did Jeff kiss you like that, Pierce?” Pierce opened his eyes. He was at a loss for words. His heart was beating faster and with the touch of Mitch’s lips on his, he had begun to feel again. Mitch didn’t need an answer. He kissed Pierce again, this time lingering a little longer, and this time holding him in a loving embrace. Pierce placed his arms around Mitch somewhat hesitantly at first, but then holding him tightly. It had been a very long time since Pierce had felt this way.

Selfishly, Mitch was happy that Pierce had once loved a man, and not a woman. If he loved a man once, then he could love a man again. He wanted to tell Pierce about his past “loves”, but wasn’t proud of the fact that since his father had died six years earlier he had taken the ferry to Seattle almost every weekend for a quick lay, but had remained emotionally detached. Mitch knew that emotional detachment wasn’t an option with Pierce. Mitch was already attached to this wonderful human being who had entered his life at just the right time. One day Mitch would tell him about his past, one day.

That weekend at Bloedel Reserve brought Mitch and Pierce closer to each other than they had ever been. The following week Mitch knew how he wanted to honor his mom and dad. He approached Pierce with the idea with a surprise visit to the inn at 4:30 a.m. Over an earlier than usual first cup of coffee, Mitch told Pierce that he wanted to turn his country home into a bed and breakfast. He wanted to decorate it like Pierce had decorated his inn, with Pierce’s beautiful paintings adorning each room. He wanted to serve his mouthwatering pancakes with his homemade strawberry syrup to their guests each morning. “We’ll make the property the perfect getaway for lovers, just as Bloedel had been for my parents year after year, and just as it had been for us over this past weekend. It will be a place where all who stay here can feel as if they are looking at themselves in a two way mirror; as they are, and as they would like to be.” Pierce listened intently. “Sounds great, Mitch, sounds great.” Pierce saw a new light in Mitch’s eyes, and in those eyes Pierce could see his own two way mirror.

~B.K. Wright~

http://www.beautobeau.com/

Look for me on the GLBT bookshelf

Along Came Two, by B.K. Wright

Intro:

If children learn what they live, then a child who lives with diversity within the home will learn acceptance of others as he or she experiences life outside the home. As snowflakes and raindrops are unique, so, too, are humans. In “Along Came Two”, the passionate love of two men provides the perfect foundation for two very special children to realize their own uniqueness while appreciating the diversity which surrounds them.

Excerpt:

So many emotions were coursing through David right now that he couldn’t speak, but words were not important now. Being with Trey on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure was what was important now. From their home just outside of Denver, it had been a relatively short drive to the airport, but they were in for a long flight to Atlanta where they would board their connecting flight to Miami, and from there they would begin their cruise. “Look, Daddy,” Trey would say at every new site he viewed from his coveted window seat. David would smile and look, but he was mostly looking at Trey. Trey was his life. Trey was his son, and having a son or daughter was the one part of his life he had almost convinced himself would remain unfilled. David had been told by many that adoption was not an option for a gay man, that no agency would ever approve him. He was just glad that he hadn’t listened to all the negative comments, but had persevered in spite of them. Trey had needed a home and someone to love and care for him. David felt that he was the one who had truly been blessed, however. It had been Trey who had transformed David’s house into a home filled with love. After this past year with Trey, David could barely remember his life without him.

Neither said anything for awhile, but each was thinking much the same thing. They had so much in common, and each was definitely attracted to the other. It was David who asked the first question. “Are you involved with anyone, Kurt?” David wished he had said “woman”, “any woman.” “No, I, um, haven’t really had the time, with work and Cheyenne. How about you?” David thought for a minute. He had to know. “I haven’t really thought about investing in a relationship for a couple of years. This past year with Trey has gone by so quickly, and before that it was touch and go before the adoption was final.” Very intuitive, Kurt wondered if David was trying to tell him something. “Is it difficult to adopt, as a single man, I mean? It was a little different with Cheyenne, you know.” David stood up and looked out across the verandah at the ocean. It stretched as far as he could see, an open entity, hiding no secrets. Was this a living photograph of the way he should be, and wanted to be, open, with no secrets? Lost in his own thoughts, David hadn’t heard Kurt’s voice. Kurt hoped he hadn’t offended David. Kurt stood up and walked toward David. David’s arms were folded. Kurt surprised him when he stood in front of him and placed his arms on David’s arms. He looked David directly in the eyes, and asked, “Or is it difficult to adopt as a gay man?”

Their two days together at the cabin were spent telling each other of their past loves, their past loves lost, and their hopes for the future. Their maturity provided the perfect foundation for their love. They had played the games, had won and lost, and now were ready to experience a mature love, a love that went far beyond the physical, a higher love, a love that included children, a love between two dads.

~B.K. Wright~
http://www.beautobeau.com/

On the GLBT bookshelf

THE SECRET TRILOGY by Francine Saint Marie

EXCERPT: 'Seduction' Scene/Book One of The Secret Trilogy (Three novels. Two women. One epic love story.) By Francine Saint Marie
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After an eternity of foreplay Sharon still wouldn’t penetrate her and Helaine’s womb had begun to hurt from aching for it. The excitement in her chest had turned against her, too, and she felt a sadness there instead, a desire to weep. She sighed miserably into her lover’s neck and upon hearing it Sharon stopped what she was doing, rested her weight on Helaine so she couldn’t get up from the bed.

"Don’t want to play, doctor?"

"Sharon…" Helaine let go of her back and tried to slide out from underneath her, but Sharon went rigid and wouldn’t permit it. "Sharon, please," she said in frustration. Her breasts were tender and the weight on them was unpleasant. She shifted her body to throw her off and Sharon grabbed her by the wrists and pinned her to the pillow. She tongued her stomach, pushing hard into the belly button and Helaine arched her back and sighed again.

"Make love to me, Sharon," she urged. She felt her biting at her nipples again and defensively jerked them away from her mouth. "Don’t. Just make love to me."

"I hate that word," Sharon warned, biting at her neck.

"Don’t do this. Why are you doing this?" Teasing, teasing. She groaned in exasperation. "Make love to me, Sharon."

Sharon laughed into the pillow. "That word. You know I–"

That’s right. Forgot. It had been so long. "Then fuck me–fuck me, if that’s what you like."

Sharon let her wrists go. "Like? What I like?"

"Like. Want. I don’t know," Helaine murmured, rolling onto her stomach. "Whatever."

Every part of her ached. She lay still, thoughts churning, searching for something better to say. Nothing came to mind. Between her legs she was quite swollen. She closed her eyes tight. The brilliant lights. She wanted them off now. Perhaps she could sleep, sleep away the fog that had settled on her soul tonight. Beside her Sharon had fallen ungodly quiet. She could feel the woman’s malice and wasn’t sure where it had come from. Tonight was bad. It was as if she had been watching herself all evening. Nothing seemed natural. She put her hand over her eyes. She hated being speechless.

"How long have I been gone, Helaine?"

"Sharon?"

It had been nine months. Helaine desperately needed sex. Playing games all night had made it an impossibility, too awkward. The woman beside her felt like a stranger, an immovable stranger in her bed, laying motionless and hostile. Why, she didn’t know. "Sharon? What is wrong?"

No response. Perhaps because she hadn’t gone to the flat to look for her? Sharon hated coming uptown. Not her set. Too quiet. "Sharon…?" She listened to the sound of Sharon’s body snaking across the sheets toward her. The touch of a stranger. She jumped at the feel of it and waited for her to speak, trying to interpret her silence.

"Masturbate for me," Sharon finally said, lying heavy on Helaine’s back and probing along her sides.

Helaine tried to turn over. "Sharon…no." A police hold, or something like it. "Don’t be rough with me. I don’t like it."

"Don’t? How long have I been gone, I asked."

"Shar–" Harsh hands. "Nine months."

"Like? Want?" She pushed Helaine’s face into the pillow. "Whatever?"

"Sharon, you’re hurting me. I can’t breathe."

"Love," Sharon teased as she leaned into her, "masturbate for me, I said."

"Sharon…"

"Or else."

"I don’t like this. I really don’t."

Sharon felt between Helaine’s legs. "Liar."

Helaine brought her legs together. It was difficult to breathe.

"Call me darling, Dr. Kristenson. You haven’t–open your legs–called me darling all night."

Darling? Was that true? All night? Helaine lay quiet and still.

"Against your will then, doctor. What do you say to that?"

"I would never forgive you for it."

Sharon attempted to pry her legs apart. "Open, darling," she whispered, jabbing her chin into Helaine’s shoulder blade.

"If you don’t want to you don’t have to. Leave me be, Sharon."

"That would be darling, Dr. Kristenson."

Helaine felt her legs giving. "Please...I said forget it."

"Spread your legs for me."

"Listen to–"

"Do it."

"Sharon, I don’t–" her legs were open now.

The women lay locked in an ugly silence.

Helaine could hear her Sharon’s rapid breathing. Hot breath on her back. "Sharon?" She strained to see her, but couldn’t maneuver it. Sharon pressed down harder. "For godsakes, Sharon," she said through her teeth. "Let me go!"

Sharon released her arms. Helaine tried propping herself up on her elbows and was pushed down again. She listened behind her. "Darling…?" There she said it. The sound of breathing, more weight on her back. "Talk to me, Sharon. Tell me what I’ve done."

"I don’t want to talk. I’m concentrating."

"Concentrating? Please! On what?"

"Fucking you."

Helaine took a quick breath, exhaled. "Then at least let me turn over." More weight. She laid her face back into the pillow.

"You have such a perfect ass, Dr. Kristenson."

Sharon fondled her, running her hand up her sex. Helaine felt moist on her backside.

"The nicest I’ve had in months," Sharon drawled, feeling Helaine’s body stiffen at the offense. She pushed against her anus.

"Sha–"

"You heard about all that, didn’t you?"

Helaine tried once more to get up and failed.

"Easy," Sharon warned, tightening her grip.

Helaine froze.

"Perfect, Helaine Kristenson." She licked the small of her back and entered her in the rectum.

Helaine gasped and tried to fight her off.

Sharon withdrew and held her down again.

"Sharon, don’t do this to me. Please."

"We’ll just take a little ride, Helaine." She dragged the blond kicking across the bed and bent her over the edge of it.

They were both out of breath, the sheets massed around them.

"You’re ruining me, you know? I can only do blonds now."

Ruined. Helaine was silent, her hair sticking to her neck and shoulders, stuck to her face. She tried to raise herself. Sharon leaned against her damp body and entered her once more. She stifled a scream.

"Where are you when I’m not fucking you, Dr. Kristenson?"

"I’m–this is–I’m–" Sharon had been hostile ever since she stepped through the door. Helaine tightened. "I’m not ready for thi–"

"Because you’re too tense. Relax doctor."

A flash of pain. Helaine groaned. "You’re being too–" Sharon pushed deeper inside and Helaine moaned low in distress.

"When I’m not fucking your gorgeous ass, Helaine, where do you go?"

There was nothing to grab onto. It was pointless to answer. Sharon pushed into her and pulled out suddenly. In, then out again. Helaine put her hand over her eyes. They were wet.

"Relax your legs for me."

"Christ–" Her feet barely touched the floor. She grabbed for the sides of the bed but couldn’t reach them.

"Chill, I said."

Her arms were falling asleep. "Give me…a second. I’m–" Her rectum felt full. She felt it begin to move in spasms. Pleasure for the first time in months. She hated herself for it. Sharon pressed against her stomach with her free hand and raised her up slightly from the bed. She clutched at the sheets around her in protest.

"Did I keep you waiting, doctor?"

"Wai–"

"Did I?"

Helaine’s insides rippled in waves, giving out without her consent. "What–what do you mean?"

"Waiting for me. I kept you waiting?"

"Waiting," she repeated. "I–" spasms. Pleasure and pain. "Yes." And hatred, coming in waves. Tidal. She couldn’t prevent it. "Jesus…" Cries filled her throat, slipping off her tongue and falling from her lips into the bed sheets. She put her face into the pillow to smother them. Moans, sighs, cries, Sharon’s favorite. She hadn’t earned them tonight. "You’re hurt–"

"Then relax for me."

The pillow was wet. "I…slower…can’t."

"Call me darling then."

"Slower. Slower then…darling."

Slower. Helaine relaxed her legs. Slow. She clamped her hand over her mouth. Slow, slow, slow, slow, slow, slow, slow, slow.

"Love," Sharon whispered. "God, I missed you."

Pleasure. Nine months. Helaine moaned.

"Ahh…you’re a slut, Dr. Kristenson," Sharon murmured, kissing her shoulders and neck. "Do it for me. Masturbate."

Helaine shook her head.

"Pretend I’m someone else."

She would not. "Let go of me, Sharon."

"Never--did you miss me?"

Her legs were closing once more. They were forced open again.

"Want to hear some highlights from my trip, Dr. Kristenson?"

Helaine winced.

No reply. Sharon pushed deeper inside her. "Lift," she demanded.

"I…my feet."

Sharon inched her further down. "Bend, Helaine."

"I can’t."

"There," Sharon urged, placing a pillow under her stomach. "Now bend."

"You’re going to hurt me...?"

"No. Bend for me. Put your knee here."

Helaine lifted her knee. Sharon pushed. "You didn’t answer me."

"You’re–why are you–"

"Say more, like you missed me. More, darling."

NO.

"More, Helaine. Then I’ll be gentle."

"I’m–I’m…more."

"More, darling."

"Shar–"

Sharon dropped her weight.

Pressure. Too much pressure. "More, darling," Helaine finally whispered, "gentle."

"Gentle what?" Sharon nudged.

"Gentle, darling...."

Slow and gentle and more.

"Say it, Helaine."

Her legs ached. "What–more?" She regretted letting Sharon in tonight.

"Fuck me–say it."

Helaine buried her face into the sheets. Pain more than pleasure now. Sharon’s face was close to her own. She turned away from it. "Fuck me," she muttered, clenching her fists.

"Italy. Beautiful country, Helaine."

Helaine sucked in sharply.

"Italy, dear doctor."

Pressure. Helaine cried out.

Such a beautiful count–"

"Shar–"

"Warm. Affectionate blonds," Sharon teased, now stroking Helaine’s sex.

Helaine let out an anguished sigh, a series of muffled sobs. Then silence. Sharon held her closer. "So fucking beautiful. Such a beautiful little–" she backed her body into hers. "You’re so w–"

"Sharon, Jesus…please…please, don’t talk to me anymore." Her arms and legs felt broken. She let them fall slack.

"Dr. Kristenson?"

Helaine pressed her mouth into her arm and made a sound in her throat.

"Beautiful," Sharon murmured into the blond hair. "Beautiful," she said again, removing her hand from Helaine’s stomach and stroking between her own legs. "Helaine," she called softly...