I just wanted to let those of you who don’t stalk me on Facebook that Silent Strength is free through 2/4. Check it out if you haven’t already had a chance to read Eric’s first book. And you’re always welcome to join me on Facebook in my readers group or just to follow me for sneak peeks of the projects I’m working on.
It’s full steam ahead for 2018 for me.
There is so much going on, and so many projects I want to get done this year, that waiting to show you everything is driving me crazy. To start with, the next Too Close book is in editing and should be ready in the next couple of weeks, so I’m busy trying to figure out a release date for that. Also, the next Beautiful Shame book is going into edits next week and is so hot it’s just about melting my computer. Hudson and Randall are sexy and sweet. I also have a new series planned for the spring and summer, and then there is Quiet Strength which comes out tomorrow.
I can’t wait to show you what happens in the next part of their story. Watching Eric get more comfortable with what he wants and how he sees his relationship with Marcus was so much fun. They’re so cute together, and I’m so excited to finally be able to share it with you. When I originally sat down to start writing their story, I pictured one book, but they quickly showed me that they had much more to talk about. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.
Don’t forget to check out the first chapter if you’re curious…
Quiet Strength is now out on preorder and I couldn’t be more excited. When I first wrote Eric as a side character in Flawed Perfection, I hadn’t thought of a backstory for him and had no idea what his history was. I basically just plopped him down and told myself that he was growing more confident and that he would be a good friend for Nathan.
As readers started contacting me about Nathan and Flawed Perfection, one of the constant threads in their messages was that they wanted to know more about Eric. Well, that took me a little while to figure out. Then as I started to finish Silent Strength, I realized that there was still more to his story, so I had to keep going to show you what happened.
I can’t wait for you to see the second part of that story. I know Eric and Marcus will pop up again when I sit down and write another story for Nathan, but it’s hard to let them go. They’re so sweet and just so cute together.
Here’s the first chapter if you’re curious…
Chapter 1
Eric
Nathan was trying to kill me.
“Was I not supposed to ask?” He blinked at me, curious and almost innocent, like he had no idea why I was choking to death on the fry I’d just eaten. “I’m good with whatever it is. I’ve been researching different preferences and fetishes. People are weird.”
I finally managed to take a breath without coughing and reached out to take a sip of my water. Of course, I wasn’t stalling, I was just very thirsty. When I couldn’t put it off anymore, I had a hard time figuring out what to say. “You’re people too, don’t forget that part.”
So maybe I hadn’t actually answered his question. I was hoping that with his habit of conversation-hopping, he wouldn’t realize it until later. It didn’t seem to be working, though. He smiled and nodded, clearly not fazed by the idea of being weird. “Very true. But Gabriel likes it too, so I’m okay with that.” Then his voice lost some of his usual excitement and he started mumbling. “At least, I thought I was…I probably am.” I didn’t like the sound of that. I jumped back into the conversation before I could talk myself out of it. “Are you having second thoughts about what he wants?”
Gabriel hadn’t seemed like the kind of guy…master…who would push Nathan into something he didn’t want, and Marcus had nothing but great things to say about the guy. However, I didn’t want Nathan dragged into something he wasn’t ready for.
Nathan looked slightly frustrated and shook his head. “No, not really. It’s a lot to take in, I think.”
That had to be an understatement.
I could understand why he liked being taken care of, but the whole puppy aspect of it was hard to wrap my mind around. I was doing my best to keep the image of Nathan dressed up out of my head, but it was hard. My imagination kept trying to run wild, and I didn’t appreciate it. Damn thing had a mind of its own.
Was he having the same trouble?
The idea that he was trying to picture me in my little boy persona made my stomach swirl. Suddenly, I wasn’t sure the fried food had been a good idea. Nathan perked up in his seat again, leaning forward with more excitement. “Being his pup the other night was hot. Hands down, it beat every regular date I’ve ever gone on. Like, no contest.”
As odd as the conversation was, I was glad he’d found something that made him happy. He’d been…lost for so long that finally figuring out what felt right must have been a huge relief. “You hadn’t really seemed to click with anything or anyone before. I’m glad you’re finally figuring it out.”
He’d dated around, but it had always seemed haphazard and random. A guy here…a girl there…no one that really seemed to matter to him. It probably should have occurred to me that he might be into something different, but even if I’d made the connection, I’m not sure I could have said anything back then.
I didn’t always see what made Daddy so proud of me, but even I had to admit I was more confident now than I’d ever been. A few years ago, or even a few months, I wouldn’t have been able to work up the nerve to sit with Nathan if he’d known what I was into.
It would have been impossible.
Nathan lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. “I couldn’t figure out what everyone was talking about when they’d go on and on about how hot something was. Looking back, I guess it was because that take-charge thing that Gabriel has going was missing. I like going out to dinner and stuff, but the domination thing adds something special to it.”
I’d always known how hot the “take-charge thing” was, so I could understand what Nathan meant. He was usually so lost in his own mind that it would have taken a two-by-four to the head to have made him realize what he was missing. “I can understand that. No matter what alternative lifestyle you’re into, it’s hard to think through it all, to begin with.”
I couldn’t help remembering high school and how hard it’d been. Not wanting to go down that path, I tried to shove the memories away. They didn’t matter anymore. I had Daddy, and I knew how much he loved me.
“He was so sexy. All dommy and take-charge.” Nathan’s dramatic sigh pulled me back. His eyes had a faraway look, like he was remembering something naughty.
I tried not to laugh. It was impossible not to relax around Nathan. “Take-charge is hot.”
As most of you know from previous newsletters and my ramblings on Facebook, Eric’s story didn’t fit into one book like I’d originally planned.
He had a bit of a rough start with what he wanted so it made him a little skittish, and Marcus was good about letting the age play portion of their relationship progress slowly. They’ve been so much fun to write about because I had to go back and figure out their story after they first popped up in Nathan and Gabriel’s book, Flawed Perfection.
When they showed up in Nathan’s book, I never imagined readers would want to know more about them, and it was a different process for me to discover his story. Usually I start at the beginning with my characters, and with Eric and Marcus, I was starting at the end. I hope you love their story as much as I do.
Here’s a look at the first chapter (although in the book there is a prologue that starts off with a look at Eric’s past). Silent Strength is out on preorder now at a special price and will be released on November 29th. Have fun with my sweet guys.
Chapter 1
Marcus
“Are you on duty or just stalking someone over here?”
I was too well-trained to jump, but hearing Ben’s voice come from behind me might have made my heart rate elevate slightly. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’re a better liar than that. Want to try again? And maybe this time try saying it when you’re not still staring at him.” The tone was teasing and light, but I could hear the curiosity in his voice—and possibly a little concern. “Not that he isn’t cute, but still.”
The boy was more than cute. With longer dark hair that gave him a slightly disheveled look, he seemed younger than he probably was. His lean build kept him from looking like jailbait, his body hinting at muscles as he moved around the room. He’d never be a body builder, but I had a feeling he’d be sculpted and would look incredible spread out and naked.
“I’m not going to do anything stupid. I realize he’s here with someone else.”
Ben snorted, coming around the side of the couch to sit down. “That’s not something I’m worried about. But you’ve been watching him since he came in. Weren’t you here to play?”
That’s what I’d thought the plan was.
The goal for the evening had been to find someone to get to know, then possibly have a scene with. There were the same core members as usual, but lately, there’d been a steady stream of new ones too. I thought it was time I met some of them. Work had taken up too much of my time recently, and even I’d realized I needed a break.
“That was the idea.”
In my peripheral vision, I could see Ben shaking his head, but my focus was elsewhere. There was something about the new boy that wouldn’t leave me alone. To begin with, he’d been so unsure of himself I’d been worried. New subs, especially unaccompanied ones, radiated at least a mild level of fear when they started exploring the club for the first time.
This was different.
He set off the dominant part of me that wanted to take a sub in hand, but he also hit the button for someone in distress. It wasn’t just nerves. He was afraid. He wasn’t mine, and I didn’t even know his name—but I wasn’t going to leave him alone.
“There’s something off.”
That got Ben’s attention and the teasing fell away. “What do you mean?”
“It’s not just first-time jitters.”
“I won’t ask how you know that.” Ben shook his head and turned his focus to the boy. “Tony said he was on the member’s guest list and everything had checked out.”
There was a strict background check for members. However, only a basic one was required for first-time guests. The club had an incredible reputation for protecting privacy. Newcomers were only allowed in the public areas on the first floor and were watched closely. If they wanted to come back a second time, then they had to fill out a much more detailed application.
It didn’t surprise me to hear that Ben had already checked up on the new submissive. He took the responsibility of running the club seriously. Too seriously. He was working every time I’d come in recently. Which wasn’t that often, but it was something to ask him about. When I wasn’t otherwise occupied with an anxious sub.
