Saturday, January 30, 2016

Rainbow Snippet: From Desolation Angel

Just a quick reminder of what Rainbow Snippets is: Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).
In this group you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.
I would invite everyone to please come check out the Rainbow Snippets group, click on a link, read and comment on the writing available and get involved yourselves in this awesome exercise. The link to the group can be found HERE

I'd also like to invite readers to click on the link to my thunderclap campaign and please support it. I've created an author webpage, and am hoping to spread the word about it through a Thunderclap campaign, especially leading up to the upcoming release of my third novel, Desolation Angel. it is my hope to have the release date by next Friday. My Thunderclap campaign can be found here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/37020-guitars-broken-prince-n-more it still needs 74 more supporters to be successful. 

Today's snippet is also from Desolation Angel. Last week I posted a Snippet from Chapter 3.This time, my snippet comes from about midway through the book. 
Synopsis: Desolation Angel

Dare gets lost in music only he can hear; ever since he was a child the music would roll through his mind, soft at first, and then loud, drowning out everything until the rest of the world melted away. When he comes back to himself he has notes and lyrics, the base of the songs his band plays all over the city, but some days he finds himself wondering what good it is to be so talented, when the rest of his life is such a mess. His music is his passion but sometimes it interferes with simple things, like taking a shower without being in there for hours, or cooking a meal without nearly burning down the house. He wonders if giving up the music will give him a chance at a 'normal' life and the love of the man he adores, so when the opportunity comes to ‘fix’ himself, he jumps at it. But fate has a funny way of twisting things up and ‘normal’ is just a state of mind, isn’t it? While Dare struggles to change everything he believes is wrong with himself, secrets are revealed, loyalties and relationships are tested, and the band is offered the kind of opportunity that comes along once in a lifetimes.

Today's Snippet

****Slightly more than 6 Sentences, but I felt the lead in was needed ****

I couldn’t play when I was pushing so hard not to ‘dream’, and it wasn’t just from the headaches. It was like the music was gone. I couldn’t tap into it. I mean, the notes were there on paper, I could play them, but I couldn’t play them. The music is the only place where I’m really able to contribute.”
“So then it felt different to you, to play the music that was written versus playing it from the heart?”
Dare nodded. “Yeah, of course it did. Anyone who can read music can play it, but not everyone can feel it. You know?”
Dr. Hozman leaned forward, studying him intently. “Have you ever considered that the fact you can ‘feel’ it makes you special?”
Dare scowled. “I don’t think it makes me special. Just different. Like with every goddamned thing else.”
Dr. Hozman gave him a little smile. “And now it seems as if we’ve gotten to the heart of the matter.”

Friday, January 29, 2016

Welcome back to Freebie Friday ...And All Shall Fade to Black continues here.



Danny sat at his table, sorting through the pile of mail he’d let pile up over the course of a very busy week. Bills went into one pile, rejection letters in another, he cursed when he opened yet another thin envelop telling him they his play wasn’t right for the lineup they had planned for the upcoming year. He tossed it with the others and sighed. He’d known when he wrote Masks that it was a little bit different but he’d never imagined that it would be this hard to find playhouses who’d be willing to perform it.

The junk mail pile grew as well. He was getting damn tired of the same insurance company sending a brochure every month, and what up with cigarette companies, he didn’t smoke but was forever getting coupons. The only coupons he truly appreciated were the ones for cat food with as much as his kitties ate.

Lyric mewed and jumped up on the table, landing in the pile of rejection letters which slid, spilling paper and cat onto the floor. With a sniff and a flick of her tail she stalked off to go sit on the back of the couch and lick her paws while shooting him dirty looks. Like it was his fault she’d picked a crappy place to land.

The knock on the door couldn’t have come at a better time. He held the last letter in his hands, the return address reading Atticus Playhouse and it didn’t feel any thicker than any of the others had so he was in no big rush to open it and see that his play had been passed over again.

He looked through the peephole as he’d taken to doing ever since he’d kicked Sean out, shocked to see Jax standing on the other side, shuffling from one foot to the other. Quickly undoing the locks, Danny pulled the door open and looked up at his neighbor.

“Hey,” Jax said, continuing his restless shuffle.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Danny asked, feeling a little nervous as he watched Jax’s eyes dart around the hall. “Do you want to come in?”

Jax sighed heavily and shook his head. “No thanks, just wanted to say I was sorry. I saw the sticky notes you left on my door, I just, I’m sorry I didn’t respond.”

“No problem, I figured you were busy at the shop and stuff, it’s no big deal. I had free time and thought you might want to hang out if you didn’t have anything else to do.”

That just seemed to make Jax shuffle more.

“I um, didn’t have anything going on, I just didn’t want to hang out is all.”

“Oh.”

“Like I said, I’m sorry. It was really cool of you to come down to the shop and pick me up the other night, you didn’t have to do that. You deserve better than me ignoring you.”

“Yeah,” Danny said. “I do, and I deserve better than an apology too. I deserve to know why you’ve been ignoring me, did I do something wrong. If it was about the way I kissed you in the alley, I’m not sorry. I’d wanted to do that since you kissed me in the hall. If you’re worried that I’m looking for something intensely serious between us, don’t be. I just got out of a shitty relationship I went into way too fast. I’m not about to make the same mistake again.”

“Yeah, I-I wasn’t trying to assume anything.”

“Weren’t you? Isn’t that exactly why you ignored me? Look, you made it pretty clear you had relationship issues and so did I. Figured as long as we were being honest with one another, we could see where things might go. But I’m not in the mood for another person who wants to play games so thanks for the apology, I think it’s best if we go back to just being neighbors.”

Jax pressed his hand against the door as Danny went to close it. “I, that wasn’t my intention.”

“No, but it is mine. Can you get your hand off my door please?”

“Can I just say something first, please?” Jax asked.

Danny debated, but in the end, decided he wanted to hear what Jax had to say, if only to confirm his decision that getting involved with him wasn’t going to work out.

“Fine.” Danny said at last. “Go ahead.”

Jax bit his lower lip, looking everywhere but at Danny.

“I like you,” he finally blurted out.

“You have a very bad way of showing it.”

“I know, that’s part of what I was sorry for,” Jax said. “I like you, but I didn’t want to like you.”

“Isn’t that nice. Thanks, that’s just what I needed to hear.”

“No, I, dammit, Danny, it’s complicated.”

“Uh-huh, well do me a favor and uncomplicated it or get out of my doorway.”

Jax’s shuffling turned to pacing until Danny stepped out into the hall right in front of him to bring his motion to a halt.

“Look, spit it out or go, I’m not in the mood for bullshit, okay.”

“I’m trying.”

Danny just snorted and shook his head. “Try harder.”

“I have some major issues, okay?” Jax began. “Trust issues, self-esteem issues, food issues, just, issues. I’m not good relationship material right now. I really enjoyed going out with you. I like spending time together. I like you. I don’t wanna mess that up.”

Danny stepped back, studding him for a bit. Jax looked sad, and tired. He believed him when he said that he had issues, some of which Danny had already caught a glimpse of. It was a plus that Jax was being upfront right now, even if it seemed like he was holding a lot back.

“I like you, too,” Danny admitted. “I’m not happy about being ignored and that you felt you couldn’t be honest and upfront with me when I left the notes, or even before that, but I would like us to be friends.”

“So would I, and if it turns into more later…”

“No, see that’s where you start getting confusing again. You say you’re not ready for a relationship but you’re already talking about being open to one, which means you’ve thought about us having one but some issue or fear is getting in the way. You kissed me first, then you kissed me back, what that tells me is you’re fine with the physical stuff, you just don’t want… what, to be tied down to one person? Sorry, I don’t do casual sex.”

“That’s… not what I’m after. I mean, I would be, if you were into it, but…”
“Yeah, okay, time to go.”

“Danny…”

“No!” Danny snapped, cutting him off. “Enough for the night. come back when you figure out exactly what you want from me, or don’t, I don’t have time for this shit.”


And with that Danny stalked back inside and closed the door with a firm click, reengaging the locks and throwing himself on the couch only to be pounced on by the kitties. Hugging them, he ranted about men until they scattered and found somewhere else to sit. Leaving Danny staring at the ceiling and grumbling into the night.



****Note: I have started up a Thunderclap campaign to help promote my website. It costs nothing to click on the link and support the campaign. I still need 74 more supporters.  https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/37020-guitars-broken-prince-n-more 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Cover Reveal: Souls for Sale

Souls-for-sale_Banner1

Release Date: February 5th, 2016

Hell To Pay Synopsis

The contract was destroyed and Tom’s soul saved from Hell.

Or so they thought.

Demon deal-maker, Saul, and his mortal lover, Thomas Ives, find themselves on the run when the other demons take none too kindly to Saul’s bending of the rules. With the denizens of Hell on their heels, Saul and Tom must fight to stay one step ahead, knowing that if they’re caught there’s only one direction they’re headed: down.

When Heaven decides to get involved, Saul’s actions are no longer a mere bureaucratic misdemeanour but the basis of a factional confrontation. And now only one question remains: to whom does Tom’s soul truly belong?

HellToPay_600x956

21st Century Demon Synopsis

It should have been an easy job: a contract signed and a new soul earmarked for Hell. But when suave demon deal-maker Saul chooses nerdy Thomas Ives as his next target, events take an unexpected turn. The lines between business transaction and pleasure blur, and Saul must decide whether he cares more for his professional reputation or the soul he just condemned to eternal damnation.

21stCenturyDemon_600x956

Pre-order Links

Don’t miss the Amazon Sale – 30% off for pre-orders and for the first 48 hours after release.

WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/souls-for-sale-by-asta-idonea/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-soulsforsaleseriesbooksoneandtwo-1973473-149.html

Video Trailer

Excerpt

BY HELL, IT’S you! Do you have any idea how close you just came to a fiery death? Not sure how you found me, but since you’re here, I guess you’d better come in. Quickly, quickly. And shut the door behind you. Sorry for the abrupt greeting… actually, no, I’m not. If you had any idea what the sweet boy and I have been through these past few months you’d know better than to sneak up on us. It’s not easy being on the run. Sure, it looks exciting in all the films—action, adventure, amorous assignations—but I can tell you now that’s all a crock of shit. Well, maybe not the amorous assignations—we do have our fair share of those and no denying it—but the rest of it…. In reality, a life on the run is tiring, dirty, and not the least bit soppily romantic—the boy and I are no Bonnie and Clyde. And perhaps we should be grateful for that.

We’ve been holed up in this nondescript—or do I mean derelict?—hotel for three days now, and neither of us has set so much as a single foot outside since we checked in. We order takeaway or room service when we need to eat, and the sign perpetually hanging from the door handle is clear for all to read: Do Not Disturb. (Though obviously you chose to ignore that simple instruction, so maybe that piece of cardboard isn’t as effective as it’s cracked up to be.) Soon we’ll have to move on again. The grace period seems to be five days. Any longer than that and we risk being picked up. The first place we went to we stayed for a week, and on the evening of the seventh day—ironic, I know—the big boss sent us a visitor in the guise of a pizza delivery boy. It got pretty ugly. I mean, I could all but feel the flames kissing the soles of my feet as we high-tailed it out of there.

Souls-for-sale_3D-render

Who’d have ever guessed it would come to this? Well, you were there that day; you know what I mean. It was supposed to be a simple mark, a deal no different from any other. When I singled him out, I planned on getting a signature for his soul, making good on my end of the bargain, and then moving swiftly along. How was I to know the strange effect that beautiful, innocent nerd in the Marvel T-shirt was going to have on me?

About the author

NICKI J. MARKUS was born in England in 1982, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia with her husband. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.

Nicki launched her writing career in 2011. She published works through Wicked Nights Publishing and Silver Publishing before both companies closed their doors. She is now self-publishing some of her works, including the novella Time Keepers and the fantasy novel The Ragnarök Chronicles.

Nicki also writes M/M fiction under the alternate pen name of ASTA IDONEA and has had several short stories published by Wayward Ink Publishing. She is currently working on her first M/M novella.

Nicki works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys: music, theatre, cinema, photography, sketching, and cross stitch. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel.

Social links:

Website: http://www.nickijmarkus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickiJMarkus

Monday, January 25, 2016

Monday Morning Blog Tour Stop: Right One 4 Diesel by Talon PS

JANUARY 29th !!!

~~ FROM THE BESTSELLING, FIVE TIME AWARD WINNING BDSM SERIES OF MF AND MM MIXED EROTIC ROMANCE~~
The Dominion of Brothers Series finally brings you the most anticipated couple: Diesel Gentry and Paris Dalqeaute in—
title insert bar


Dominion of Brothers Series: Book 5

 
MM / some MMfM, MMMM, & Mf / Erotic Romance / Drama / Action / BDSM – D/s / Explicit Hot Language

Diesel Gentry knows exactly want he wants. Like his brother, he wants a Unicorn, a life slave to surrender her every desire and need to him— who is, in essence and body, the very same woman his brother, Trenton Leos, already possesses. He also wants Paris Dalqeaute.

He had that powerhouse body in his domineering grip once before, but Diesel purposely let the fallen angel slip through his fingers. Being a Master of Doms within the BDSM lifestyle, Diesel knew he had to set Paris free— thinking and hoping Paris would eventually come back to him, submit to Diesel willingly, and not just because Paris’ job description required him to. After all, Paris had been hired as the director for the fetish and BDSM events down at the island resort Diesel and his brothers owned. Except Paris never did return; while he proved his value to his title, he has also been using his work to hide from Diesel.

It’s been a year now and Diesel’s bed and life have remained empty ever since. It’s time the running stopped.

Finding Paris wasn’t going to be the hard part— breaking down his walls to trust the two of them to commit to a life together was going to be the real challenge.   

But even if Diesel succeeds, there is a problem with their future— what’s to come threatens the lives of everyone Diesel loves— and he doesn’t even know it yet.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Right One 4 Diesel is a part of a series that, until now, has been comprised of largely standalone books. In this next installment to the series, that readability is no longer the case. Right One 4 Diesel is not a standalone read; it is an action-packed novel that does not allow room for re-introduction of its supportive characters who were introduced in Books 1 through 4 of the Dominion of Brothers series. While it is recommended that you read all of the books in the series, Books 1 and Book 4 are needed to be able to follow along with the least chance of encountering “holes” in information or plot.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


BUY LINKS

Viper Ice - Amazon Viper Ice - ibooks Viper Ice - BarnesNoble Viper Ice - Smashwords

EXCERPT:


“Did you come here to surrender to me?”

There was the question that frightened Paris the most.

Surrender.

He wanted Diesel. He was trembling, he wanted Diesel so exuberantly; had wanted him again and again ever since that night in New York. Only Paris wasn’t sure he could give into Diesel’s demands of submission like that ever again— and be his slave.

Paris could feel that little panic storm lighting up again. He’d not felt it since that time he sat in Dominus Trenton Leos’ office while Patronus ordered him to strip down and surrender his wallet and hotel key over to them. Once again, he could sense it crawling out from whatever deep hiding place he’d managed to stuff it away, like some keepsake in a trinket box long since forgotten.

He glanced down his body, watching as Diesel unzipped his slacks then peeled them open. He could make out a bit of the mischievous grin on Diesel’s face out of the corner of his eye as Diesel peered over Paris’ shoulder and gazed down to soak up the sight of Paris’ body, just as he himself had. All while Diesel’s firm hands carried on with an agenda— pushing all the way down into Paris’ briefs. Followed by fingers that snaked around the hardening flesh of Paris’ cock and began stroking him gently while he felt a much thicker and harder cock press against his backside.

Diesel’s hand moved farther down to cup his scrotum before returning to the erection that was growing fiercely behind the ever tightening fit of his clothes, made tighter by the present demand of Diesel’s hand fisting around his shaft. Another lick on his cheek, a caressing slide of his tongue with a tease of suction— taunting him. “Paris— tell me you want this—” 

“Of course, I want you. That’s why I’m here.” Paris panted.

 “But do you want to surrender to what I can give you?”

 Paris shook his head— not that he didn’t want to submit, but he didn’t know what Diesel was offering to give. He was confused. Diesel had demanded he be his slave. Only, Paris wanted to be far more than that and that was even scarier for him. He’d never wanted to be with anyone, let alone stay with anyone before. But surrender and stay were not the same words.

Sex with Diesel would obliterate the ranks of any previous lover Paris had ever bed with. But it would be all the more painful when it was over. He wasn’t sure he could handle it; not again. It’d been hard enough the first time, not knowing the feelings he had. It had confused him— ruined him.

“What do you want, Paris? Do you want me to stay— do you want to feel my cock deep inside you?” Diesel’s hand pumped on him harder.

Damn, it was too much. Paris gripped his pants and shoved them down to release his cock, giving it over to Diesel’s fist. He couldn’t stop the moan that escaped once he was in the full grip of Diesel’s clutches. He dropped his head back on Diesel’s shoulder— fear and walls slipping to the seductive needs of a wanton manwhore— he was folding. How could he possibly escape this man? He couldn’t possibly refuse Diesel his service. Oh, he could surely trybut he did want Diesel inside him, wanted to be fucked like no other had ever fucked him. The first and only time such desires had scared Paris. Terrified him like no other. Yeshe could try, but not a night would pass before he’d find himself following the man around the island, licking at his boots for another chance to take him up on the offer. But dammit, he was the director of this place. How was he supposed to be the man in charge of the resorts special events and kneel at this man’s feet in front of everyone at the same time? The very question burned images in his mind of just how certain Paris was that Diesel had every intention to have him completely nude, exposed, and vulnerable in front of all eyes on the island. Paris knew he would not be spared or denied any of the resort’s tantalizing moments it had to offer, though they would be humiliating for him. Diesel would see to it Paris was delivered to him as a slave and then exploited and nurtured to the fullest satisfaction.

No.

He could not go through with it.






 

ABOUT THE TWINS

We Came— We Saw— and then we made it sexy. And that's pretty much how the Twins came to write Erotic Romances and Dark Fantasies. Both Talon P.S. and Princess S.O. have been writing together since they were kids, always challenging and competing with each other, and always each other's biggest supporters. Writing has always been an affair creating Fictions of Dark Apocalyptic Fantasy and Film Scripts in the Action/Drama and a few Sci-Fi's. It wasn't until they began an ancient history tale that the works turned to the Erotic Genre and they've been hooked ever since. After a life time of gathering experiences, and honing their story telling skills, they have finally started putting them to novel size tales. Sadly, Talon passed away in 2012 leaving the books he started with his twin, entrusting her as his ghost writer, making her promise to see them completed before joining him. So have those book moments ready, as Talon always says— segnet insert with both names 2 lines

RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY



BOOK RELEASE ~ TOUR STOPS Jan. 25 – Grace R Duncan Jan, 26 – BDSM Book reviews Jan. 27 – Blogger Girls Jan. 28 – Love Bytes Jan. 29 – The Twins: Talon ps & Princess so Feb 23rdThe Novel Approach

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Rainbow Snippets January 23

Just a quick reminder of what Rainbow Snippets is: Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).
In this group you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in this group each week. It's been a chance to read some wonderful work by some brilliant and talented writers and a chance to reach a wider audience with my own work. I would invite everyone to please come check out the Rainbow Snippets group, click on a link, read and comment on the writing available and get involved yourselves in this awesome exercise. The link to the group can be found HERE

Today's snippet is also from Desolation Angel. Last week I posted a Snippet from early in the manuscript, which will be my next release from Wayward Ink. I don't have a date yet but I'm sure I'll have one soon. I do have a bit of a blurb/description of the upcoming manuscript to give a better overview of what Desolation Angel is all about. 

Dare gets lost in music only he can hear; ever since he was a child the music would roll through his mind, soft at first, and then loud, drowning out everything until the rest of the world melted away. When he comes back to himself he has notes and lyrics, the base of the songs his band plays all over the city, but some days he finds himself wondering what good it is to be so talented, when the rest of his life is such a mess. His music is his passion but sometimes it interferes with simple things, like taking a shower without being in there for hours, or cooking a meal without nearly burning down the house. He wonders if giving up the music will give him a chance at a 'normal' life and the love of the man he adores, so when the opportunity comes to ‘fix’ himself, he jumps at it. But fate has a funny way of twisting things up and ‘normal’ is just a state of mind, isn’t it? While Dare struggles to change everything he believes is wrong with himself, secrets are revealed, loyalties and relationships are tested, and the band is offered the kind of opportunity that comes along once in a lifetimes.

Today's Snippet
“Bullshit. There’s a difference between getting help and finding a quick fix. You wanted a quick fix, and that ain’t gonna happen. If you can’t deal with that, then maybe you should stop thinkin’ ’bout my brother the way you’ve been thinkin’ ’bout him and go back to thinkin’ of him as just a friend.”
“You’re outta your mind!” Sionn boomed, his accent thickening as his agitation rose.
“And you’re a liar. We all see it, Sionn. Well, all of us but Dare. I’m pretty sure he thinks you hate him.”
Sionn’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open. “No.”


***Please feel free to scroll down to yesterdays Blog to check out the latest installment of my Freebie Friday Story ...And All Shall Fade to Black, or click HERE to check out the blog post earlier in the week sharing the first three pages of my current work in progress Serpent's Kiss. 

Friday, January 22, 2016

Happy Freebie Friday, here is more of ....And all Shall Fade to Black


“You’ve been staring off into space all night, spill it,” Steph demanded.

“It’s been dead in here all night, what else do you expect me to do?” Jax grumbled.

“Well, seeing as how you already cleaned and reorganized your station twice, I guess, anything is better than watching your OCD kick in.”

“I do not have OCD.”

“About some things, yeah Jax, you do,” she laughed as she crossed the room to the mini fridge. “But don’t worry, I love you anyway. Juice?”

“As long as it isn’t one of those pretend juices that are really only about 10% juice and 90% sugar.”

“See, obsessed,” she remarked, pulling out too. “And no, it isn’t, I made sure to get 100% juice this time so as to not upset your delicate sensibilities.”

“Thanks, sis,” he replied, accepting the bottle and drinking it down gratefully. When he was done, he rinsed the bottle and put it in their recycling contained before dropping back into his chair. Silence stretched between them for several minutes as she unwrapped the other half of her sandwich and finished it, then tidied up their little break area.

“You’re not that little fat boy anymore,” she said after sitting in the chair beside him.

“No shit.”

“What I meant is that you’re not eating your feelings anymore, you’ve grown out of that. You don’t need to count calories in everything you eat.”

“I wouldn’t say I’ve grown out of it,” Jax grumbled. “I just don’t waste my time on people who make me feel like shit or piss me off anymore.”

“I know, I’m just saying that it’s okay to relax a little, enjoy a dessert sometimes, or juice that isn’t one hundred percent juice.”

“Nothing wrong with being healthy, sis.”

“I’m not saying there is and I’m proud of you for all the weight you lost. You look amazing.”

“Thanks to all the hours in the gym and all the time I spent running.”

“I remember when you first started running around the block, you’d come in so red in the face, gasping and wheezing, that I was scared you were gonna have a heart attack or pass out.”

“It scared me too,” Jax admitted. “I think the thing that scared me most was that I hadn’t realized that I was too fat to be able to run anymore. I mean what kid doesn’t think they can run? I knew I’d gained a lot of weight, mom was always getting on my case about having to replace clothes before they’d gotten worn out, but it didn’t dawn on me that I wouldn’t be able to run.”

“And look how far you’ve come.”

“I know and I never wanna go back to that. Do you know how hard it was to get all that weight off?”

“I know it took years.” She replied. “I know there were times when you’d get upset and you’d start binge eating again and then you’d get mad at yourself and  start starving yourself and spend all of your free time working out again and that scared me too because that wasn’t any healthier than going on a binge.”

“Yeah, I know and I don’t do that anymore. I make sure I eat, I’m just smart about it and when I get upset about shit I hit the gym or go hiking.”

“My point exactly,” she said, as she reached over and took one of his hands. “You’ve learned what triggers you and you’ve learned what to do to avoid falling into bad habits, so why don’t you let yourself enjoy things when you want them.”

“Who says I want them?”

“I do, especially when I find a fingerprint in my lemon meringue pie, you could have just taken a small slice you know.”

“I just wanted a taste.”

“So cut a small slice and enjoy a taste, it isn’t that big of a deal, you don’t have to hide it if you want something sweet.”

He ducked his head.

“Yeah, I know.”

“But you’re still ashamed about it.”

“I just remember raiding mom’s fridge or sneaking down to the kitchen to get into the leftovers and snacks in the middle of the night.”

“Well, you’re an adult now, you don’t have to sneak food, or hide when you eat something.”

“I’m working on it, okay, along with some other stuff.”

“You okay?”

He shook his head, and Steph inched closer and brushed her brother’s hair back, got him to look up at her, and even give her a sad little smile.

“What’s wrong?” she asked gently.

“Danny kissed me the other night and ever since, I’ve been avoiding the hell outta him.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to want…” Jax made a gesture with his hands, as words failed him.

“What, him?” You don’t want to want him? Why not, he seems like a great guy.”

“He is, he’s awesome, and it’s not so much that I don’t wanna want him, I’d love to have him in my bed, I just, I don’t want the rest of it, and we live too close to each other for anything casual to really work.”

Steph took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.

“Maybe it’s time you try actually connecting with someone again. It’s obvious you like him and it was pretty clear to me the other night that he was worried about you. He also doesn’t strike me as the type to cheat on someone, unlike Jason. I know you were really in to him, but he was an asshole and he didn’t deserve you.”

“If you listen to him tell it, I was the one who didn’t deserve him,” Jax grumbled bitterly. “Besides, no one wants a fat boyfriend.”

“You weren’t fat,” She said firmly. “You weren’t cut like you are now and yeah, you still had some extra weight on you but you weren’t fat and no one deserves to be cheated on.”

“I know that.”
“Then act like it!” she snapped. “Instead of putting yourself down and trying to justify that you somehow deserved it because you weren’t in perfect physical shape. He cheated because he was an asshole who didn’t have a loyal bone in his body, period, end of story. You can’t let it stop you from ever trying to have another relationship.”

“I just think a relationship complicates things,” Jax said.

“And I just I think it’s time you let shit go,” she said firmly. “If that’s a problem for you right now, then maybe you need to talk to someone again because clearly, you are not handling the past very well.”

“I…”

“Do not tell me you’re handling things just fine,” she snapped, cutting him off. “Moving here was supposed to be a new start for you. How’s that going to work if you keep hanging on to every little issue. Newsflash, Jax, mom has moved on with her life, she doesn’t let assholes and bullies take advantage of her anymore or hurt her. I’ve moved on with my life, despite losing the man I’ve loved, I’ve managed to turn our dream into something real. Callum and Max are moving on with their lives, despite all the crap they went through with Kurt and the lawsuit, but you, you just insist on hanging on to everything that has ever hurt you and using it as an excuse to not even bother to TRY! You have so much potential, little brother, and you’re wasting it. You’re wasting a chance to be happy and that is a shame.”

“Sis…”

“No, don’t sis me right now, I’m so disappointed in you I can’t even speak. Just, go home, and hide from Danny some more, Jax, since that seems to be the only thing you’re willing to work at.”

Clamping his jaw just, Jax grabbed his jacket and stalked out the door, the bells jangling angrily behind him. 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Blog Tour: Br0th3rly by Alina Popescu Blurb, Excerpt, and Book Review






Title: Br0th3rly
Author: Alina Popescu
Series: Famous on the Internet, Book One
Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary, M/M Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Start your journey through the new techie/geeky gay romance series by Alina Popescu—Famous on the Internet—with the first book, Br0th3rly.

Synopsis

Fighting his relentless love for Trevor, the guy he was raised to consider his brother, has been Tristan’s mission in life.

To distance himself from Trevor, even after discovering they weren’t really related, he left for college at sixteen. Moving into the city, building a new life, and running an anonymous blog about what he considers sick, twisted feelings might make Tristan famous on the Internet, but it isn’t enough to get over his obsession. Every time he goes home, a quick glance at Trevor brings it all flooding back.

Br0th3rly 3D Cover

When commitment-phobe Trevor announces he’s got a serious boyfriend during one of Tristan’s rare visits home, the adoring kid brother will be forced to run once again. This time, however, Trevor doesn’t stand back and watch him leave.

Instead, he follows him, making it nigh on impossible for Tristan to keep his love a secret for much longer.

Excerpt:

Excerpt
Trevor grabbed my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze, pushing me closer to the bike. “Come on, Trist. I promise I won’t speed. Much.” He grinned and winked, then hid his glee under the helmet. He handed another to me, and I copied his moves. Of course I couldn’t manage to secure it on my own, so he did it for me. Then he handed me his spare jacket and stared me down till I put it on.

I never got why he’d gotten a bike. It meant no dice during winters and getting baked in the summer. Or going without protective gear and being squashed by idiot drivers. At that moment, though, that helmet and jacket were my best friends. I felt so hot, short of breath, and uncomfortable. I almost fainted a few times. It might have had something to do with my almost panic attack from earlier, but it kept my cock only half hard and turned the ride home into a hazy experience. Before I knew it, I was collapsing on the nearest couch in the living room, after ten minutes of hugs and kisses from both Mom and Dad.

Trevor stood in front of me, grinning and shaking his head like a wet dog, sweat dripping from his long, curly locks.

“Ew, cut it out.” I mumbled my complaint, crossing my arms over my face. It wasn’t to protect me from the droplets, it was to keep the view of him away and my dick soft. He had removed his top right after the helmet, jacket, and gloves. I did not want to be enthralled by the way his hair fell around his beautiful face, or how sweat beads traced his body in the very way my fingers tingled to.


Trev laughed it off and plopped down right next to me, crossing his legs and resting his head on my shoulder. “A little sweat won’t melt you, little witch,” he said, and closed his eyes. “Just stay there and look pretty. I’m exhausted.”

Book Trailer



Review: 
Right off the bat I want to say that I couldn’t put this book down. I literally got nothing done the afternoon I decided to read it, because once I got started, it was impossible to turn away. Thankfully, one spawn was at school and the other was working on a college project, which left me with the couch, some music, and a supply of Chai tea.

Tristan’s pain was both difficult to read and beautiful in its complexity. It was so easy to sympathize with his feelings for Trevor and the jealousy that he experienced every time he saw or heard Trevor with someone else. One could look at his behavior as obsessive in some ways, but it is so clear that his feelings are beyond his control and beyond what he’s been able to do to turn them off or tune them out. I think the thing that struck me the most was that in his effort to block out the feelings, avoid them and most importantly avoid anyone finding out about them, he’d begun to push away all of the people who mattered the most to him.

Not only was he suffering, but in isolating himself, he was causing those who loved and cared about him pain too, including Trevor, who he’d pushed further and further away with every passing year. I thought that their parents were wonderful people who loved their kids, valued their family time, and wanted both of them to be happy in their lives. They worried about Tristan working so hard and never seeming to have time for the family. It was awesome to see parents who wanted their child to enjoy life on top of having a good job/future.

I felt like I was swept into the story it was easy to hurt for them, want to cry for them and cheer for them, it was touching and painful and funny and sweet all rolled up into one well told tale. This is one I will return to and read over and over again. Five dancing hamsters from me.   


Buy Links

Don’t miss the ARe 25% off sale till January 23rd, WIP’s Unzipping 2016 Sale – 35% off all list titles till January 24th, or the huge Australia Day Sale–January 25 to January 27—50% off all titles on WIP’s website and 35% off on Are!
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/br0th3rly-by-alina-popescu/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019VK3VFA/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019VK3VFA/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B019VK3VFA/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B019VK3VFA/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-br0th3rly-1959019-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/br0th3rly-alina-popescu/1123179425

Giveaway

1x$10 WIP Gift Card
2×1 Backlist Title from WIP – anthologies and individual releases included

About the author

Writer, traveler, and coffee addict, Alina Popescu has been in love with books all her life. She started writing when she was ten and she has always been drawn to sci-fi, fantasy, and the supernatural realm. Born and raised in Romania, she finds her inspiration in books of all genres, in movies, and the occasional manga comic book. She is a proud geek who needs her fast Internet and gadgets more than she needs air.

Social Links
Site & Blog: http://alina-popescu.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authoralinapopescu
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alina_popescu
Instagram: http://instagram.com/alinapopescuwriter
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/alina-popescu
Google+:  https://www.google.com/+AlinaPopescu
Amazon:  http://amazon.com/author/alinapopescu

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

A Sneak Peek at Serpent's Kiss

Happy Wednesday!

It's the midway point of the weeks, which I am most grateful for as it's been a pretty busy few days for me at my newspaper job, as well as completing the second round of edits for Desolation Angel. I am so thrilled ot be another step closer to having the book ready for release and can't wait to share the band's story with everyone. in the meantime, I've turned my attention to a work in progress that has lain dormant for several months: my snake shifter story. Born out of writing prompts, it currently sits at just short of 45,000 words. The portion I am sharing today is the first three pages of the manuscript. Please feel free to leave comments in the comments section, I always love feedback.

Darrell groaned. His shoulder hurt, his lower back was screaming at him to please find it a heating pad or some ice, either one, it wasn’t going to be picky, and to top things off, his Ex had been blowing up his cell phone for the past two hours, leaving rambling streams of profanities between begging and threats. All in all it had been a shit day and all Darrell wanted was to fall on his couch, pop some painkillers and wash them down with an ice cold beer. From that point he didn’t really care what was on TV as long as the background noise drowned out reality. He’d about had it with reality for the day.

His keys clattered when they hit the battered end table, and in a rustle of leather he’d shed his jacket and dumped it on a chair. He pulled his gun from the holster on his back, checked that the safety was on and laid it on top of the jacket, shedding the holster next and then the leather throng that held his long hair back. Heavy, silken waves of black, red and gold shimmered as they spilled around his face and he rubbed at his temples, glad that the heavy mass was no longer pulling at them.

It was seven steps to the kitchen and he yanked the beer from the fridge as he was yanking open the drawer where he kept his Vicodin. The beer he used the edge of the counter to open, the sudden action sending a riot of pain reverberating up his arm. Two wasn’t going to cut it tonight, so he quickly shook three pills from the bottle and eyed how many were left. Son of a bitch, he was gonna have to go back to the docs and soon, that or him and Mr. Daniels and Mr. Morgan were gonna be getting far more up close and personal than they usually did. 

As he turned around, already debating which would be the better option, a quick, questionless trip to the liquor store or thirty minutes parked on his ass in a waiting room and another thirty-forty dealing with his doc, who also happened to be his brother.  God he wished Dami would give him a break with all the questions ‘cause his brother’s cerulean stare and folded arms never failed to crack Darrell just a little, or maybe what cracked him open and spilled his secrets upon the floor was that looking at Dami was like looking at everything he was supposed to be, if he hadn’t been born damaged and flawed.

He caught sight of his mismatched eyes in the mirror as he headed to the living room, desperate to put the day behind him. As always, seeing those eyes reminded him of how defective he really was, and not just on the outside, but the inside too. His green eye was blind, save for those moments when it decided to peer into the soul of another and bring their future roaring like a waterfall of images through his head.

The twisted part of him, the cold, sick, sadistic nature that set him apart as much as his stare, loved when those images spelled out pain, misfortune, and death, death was a high that left him not needing the drugs of the bottle gods. What kind of monster fed off the hurt of others the way vampires fed off blood, hell, he was worse than any bloodsucker, at least they spared their victims pain when they could, left them with pleasant, sometimes even erotic memories and licked the wound closed to hide where it had been. Him, he just busted lives open wide, sucking in all that delicious fear, doubt, paranoia, oh god but he loved when he got the paranoid ones, he’d fuck with them for days before allowing the visions to play out the way they were supposed to. Drop them a little hint here, a little clue there, let them known disaster was breathing down their necks and watch as they scrambled to do everything in their power to avoid it. Only there was never anything that they could do.

He was caught between self-loathing and longing for just the kind of paranoid son of a bitch that might help him forget this day when his eyes landed on his couch. Sitting where he’d planned to drop his ass and rest was a woman with blood diamond scales running down her arms and the brightest ruby eyes he had ever seen. Crimson lips parted to reveal a pair of brilliant white fangs and her hair was the color of sunsets, all red and orange hues spilling down her back. A pattern of scales ran up her forehead like a widow’s peak, and covered her cheekbones. Her ears were mere slits set against the silver and red prismatic colors and when she turned, he was sure he heard rattling and looked down to see a snakes tail coiled on his plush leather cushions.

“What. The. Fuck.” He stammered, wishing he hadn’t taken off his gun.

She hissed, like lips peeled back, forked tongue out and flickering in his direction kind of hiss and he shrank back, ‘cause however messed up he was, she was way on the other side of normal.

“Your crass words are offensive to my ears,” she seethed, coils uncoiling and snaking towards him and he took another step back, ‘til the backs of his legs hit the front of a chair and he dropped his ass in the lumpy thing. 

“Apologize,” she ordered.

He opened his mouth to tell her to go to hell, but all that came out was a choked wheeze as something squeezed his throat so hard he was seeing red spots and haze.

“You were told to apologize,” a deeper, harsher voice ordered, and Darrell forced himself to focus, to grasp the coils around his neck and pull at the thick weight of them enough to catch a gasp of air.

“Fuck. You!” He gasped, then wished like hell he hadn’t said that because the crushing weight constricted more and no amount of clawing at it could buy him a single gulp of air. The haze grew, his vision beginning to go dark when at last the coils let up and he slumped backwards without them to hold him up. At least the chair caught him, he gave thanks for it while he sucked in as much air as he could, despite the soreness of his throat and the throbbing pain in his head.

“I would not suggest taking that tone with me again, or using that kind of language,” the female…thing said, and Darrell tried to focus on her again, while keeping his eye on the big piebald colored snake man coiled inches to his left.

“I have a name, and it is not ‘thing’,” she informed him sternly.

“You…you’re reading my mind,” he choked out.

“Not that it is very difficult, but yes,” she informed him.

“So if you have a name, what is it?” he asked, doing his damnedest not to toss a couple four letter words in.

“Kaandhal,” she told him, “my name is Kaandhal and he is Zaiden, we are here about our brother, Zxex.”

“Sorry, but I don’t know your brother,” he told them, wishing they would get the hel…get out of his place so he could lay down, not like he had any plans on sleeping after seeing these guys, this was like something straight out of nightmares and freakshows. No, strike that, he was out of a freakshow, these guys were nightmares all the way.

“We’re no different than you, Darion son of Darshan, last of the pure blooded prophets of our race,” Kaandhal stated as she studied him.

“WHOA, hang on a minute,” Darrell spat. “My name is Darrell, D. A. R. R. E. L. L. not Darion and my father’s name is….”

He choked on the words he was about to speak as images filled his head of his parents arguing, his mother’s anguished face, his father accusing her of cursing them all the moment she’d broken her vows to him and worse, when she’d given birth to another man’s son.

“Now you see?” she asked, her tone almost gentle.

“That doesn’t explain why you’re here,” he snapped, doing his best to deflect the question. He wasn’t even going to try to figure out what it all meant for him until after this pair was long gone and he’d had a good, hard dance with some good, strong whiskey.

“As I said, we’re here about my brother Zxex,” She began, calm in the face of all the anxiety rolling off of him. For a moment he had to wonder if this was how his own victims felt, right before the end, then the crash of her words washed over him, and he blinked and asked her to repeat them.

She looked him dead in the eyes, locking his stare with her own. “Where is he, Darian? I swear to you if you have caused him harm in any way your death will be more painful than anything you could possibly imagine. I can shred you from the inside out and leave you broken and still living inside that shell you call a body.”


Yeah, that was pretty much what he’d thought she said, when her eyes were going all hypnotic and his mind wasn’t trying to flash to places best left buried. With sound roaring in his ears and fear creeping up his spine like a hand of ice and swords, his brain did the only thing left that it could possibly do and promptly shorted out, leaving him tipping sideways in the chair as everything slipped to a silent, merciful black. 

Saturday, January 16, 2016

This Weeks Rainbow Snippet is from Desolation Angel

Happy Saturday and Welcome back to Rainbow Lyrics and Mellow Mushrooms, where this weeks Rainbow Snippet is taken from my upcoming release Desolation Angel. Desolation Angel is not just a band, but a family, with a wild tangle of relationships and issues and a love for music that can help them overcome anything. While I do not have a release date yet, I anticipate having one very soon. Like my previous works, it will be released through Wayward Ink. In case anyone needs a reminder of what Rainbow Snippets is, it's a group of Writers and Bloggers who are posting 6 sentences of a LGBTQ+ piece of fiction or book rec each week. 
Please feel free to leave comments below and go Here to check out the awesome snippets by the rest of the wildly talented group. 
“You’re outta your fukkin’ mind!”
“Am I? Go ahead then, deny it, look each one of us in the eye and tell us you don’t want him.”
Sionn looked at them all slowly, anger burning in his eyes, his face flushed and red. He didn’t care what the hell Mark said he wasn’t admitting shit.  Dare was too damaged, too needy for any type of relationship with him to ever work.  When he spoke his words were slow and clipped, leaving no room for misinterpretation. “I. Don’t. Want. Him. What I want is for you all to get your heads outta your arses and fix him.” 

Friday, January 15, 2016

Happy Freebie Friday: ....And All Shall Fade to Black

Happy Friday. I was worried that I wouldn't get this written, what with the cold/flu that's been plaguing me the past few days. Jax and Danny, however, took matters into their own hands and got really loud, making it impossible to just lay on the couch and stare at the TV. I hope you enjoy this weeks installment. feel free to scroll down two threads and see an excerpt from my upcoming novel Desolation Angel coming soon from Wayward Ink. 




Jax hadn’t been sure what to expect a rehearsal to be like, if he was being honest with himself, the words just sort of slipped out of his mouth, more because he hadn’t been in any real hurry to have his time with Danny end than anything else. Now that he was sitting front row center staring up at the stage he’d found he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

Danny had said the play was called Masks, but he’d never expected to see one of the lead characters actually up on the stage wearing a black and silver Lucha Libre style mask as he pleaded with a washed up former wrestler to train him. It was actually kind of cool and nothing like the old English language he’d expected to hear. There were no stuffy costumes either and or sword duels, this was easy to understand, relatable even. Didn’t they all wear a mask of one sort or another?
As Danny gave instructions to the people up on the stage, Jax found himself wondering what had inspired him to write the play in the first place. What was Danny’s mask, and would he like what lay beneath it, if Danny ever trusted him enough to strip it away? For that matter, what would Danny see if he ever looked deep enough at Jax to see all the things that he kept hidden?

Jax had never intended to care one way or the other. Remembering how they met still sent sparks of anger surging through him. How someone could accept treatment like that he still didn’t understand, never would and never would be able to accept that Danny had kept on going back for more. Did it mean that Danny believed he couldn’t do better or did it mean he just didn’t see himself as worth very much?

If that was the case, then how could he value anything or anyone else?

How could he fight for someone else if he wasn’t willing to fight for himself?

Jax knew he had his own demons. Demons that made it hard for him to give a shit some days, demons that made him lash out at the world around him, maybe not physically, but words could hurt too and the last thing he wanted was to be with someone who was going to let him get away with it. He needed to know that the person he was with would reign him in even when he was incapable of reigning himself in because some days….some days he just wanted to tell the whole world to kiss his ass in the most graphic way possible and unfortunately, the person who ended up on the receiving end of that little rant wasn’t always the person who deserved it.

Okay, so maybe he was as much afraid to move forward with Danny because of his own issues as he was because of Danny’s or maybe it was just that they were already moving forward, despite all the ways the voice in his head tried to protest.

He scrubbed a hand over his face, unable to tear his eyes off Danny on the stage, unable to stop wondering if together they wouldn’t be like a flame in a firework factory; wild, exciting explosions only to be over way too fast.

Thing was, Jax was really getting tired of relationships ending that way, but he was even more tired of random hookups. He wanted something meaningful, someone who didn’t mind if the only thing he wanted to do was lay on the couch all afternoon and read. Better would be someone who didn’t mind reading with him, or going for a long walk to see nothing, or watching old movies without complaining ‘cause shit wasn’t blowing up every thirty seconds. He wanted someone he could have an intelligent damned conversation with, who actually liked going to a museum or talking about astronomy and history.

He liked Danny and he wanted Danny to like him, wanted it to be uncomplicated but he didn’t see how it could be. So he watched as Danny came down off the stage and walked towards him, and while his brain was screaming at him to make an excuse and get out of there because really, thinking about Danny was starting to occupy way too much of his time, all that came out of his mouth was “Come for a walk with me?”

“I’d love to, let me grab my things,” Danny said and took off for the back, leaving Jax blinking and wondering when the hell he would learn to think before he spoke.

When they stepped outside Jax sighed, eyes scanning in all directions, trying to decide which way to go. He knew downtown was west so he headed that way, Danny at his side.

“What did you think of it?” Danny asked after they’d only gone half a block.

“I could understand Az’s fear, not wanting anyone to see him without his mask because of the burns. I could understand Maurice’s fear as well, he felt old and useless, like no one cared that he was still capable of teaching and still had so much left to share. I don’t know that it’s enough that they both needed one another, right time, right place is good and all, but is it really enough to build on?”

“How do you mean?”

“Az is one student, that isn’t enough to keep a gym open for. There’s no guarantees he’ll be any good either. Maurice can teach him only as much as Az is capable of learning. In the end, for all of their best intentions, they might still fail.”

“But they’ll have tried,” Danny explained. “And that’s really what the play is all about. Trying when you don’t even believe in yourself anymore. Trying because someone else needs you to.”

“Oh.”

Jax fell silent then, glad when Danny did too. They walked past pawn shops and record stores that still sold vinyl, classic rock music drifting through the crack in the door. They walked past the Asian market and a hair salon, listened to the whisper of country music drift from a corner bar before they crossed the street, hands brushing against each other they walked so close.

It was Danny who intertwined them, lacing his fingers with Jax’s, and it was Jax who froze, eyes wide as he looked from Danny’s face down to where their hands were joined.

“Sorry,” Danny muttered, face turning red as he started to let go.

Jax shook his head, startled, and closed his hand tightly around Danny’s fingers so he couldn’t get away. “No, I umm, this is okay.”

The smile on Danny’s face was worth all of the confusion Jax was feeling as they continued to walk towards the heart of the city. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d walked hand in hand with someone this way, not since…

He cut off that train of thought before it could even take root, cussed himself for ever having allowed it to raise its ugly head to begin with and focused back on the moment and the man he was with.

“Are you gonna write more?”

“Huh?” Dany asked, as if pulled from his own thought. Jax wondered if he was thinking about the past too, or just how good it felt to actually be connecting with someone.

“Az and Maurice, do they get more to their story?”

Danny shrugged. “I don’t know. I never thought they’d need it.”

“Guess I just found myself wanting more,” Jax said.

“That’s not a bad thing.”

“Sometimes it is.”

“And sometimes we just want what we want, we can’t help it, we’re human. We can’t always control the things we feel.”

“Isn’t it because we’re human that we’re supposed to have more control over ourselves?” Jax asked.

“Maybe,” Danny muttered, before pushing him against the wall.

Jax blinked, stunned, not because it had hurt, but because it was unexpected, as was the kiss that Danny suddenly laid on him. His body sagged, melting into it, kissing back but not trying to reverse their positions or take control. It was better to just feel Danny’s hands framing his face and Danny’s body pressing  his against the stones, molded to his front in all the best places.

“And sometimes,” Danny muttered as he pulled back. “It’s just better to feel.”