Working Saturday
Have to go into work today. woo-hoo! I’m so excited…lol. Actually it won’t be bad. I might even be able to sneak in a few minutes of writing. But while I’m toiling away at my job, I hope you all enjoy this gentleman who gets to sleep in on Saturday. 🙂
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Firebird-Part Ten
Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase
Part Ten-
Vlatko didn’t know if the shocked look on Rue’s face was because he’d been found out or that Vlatko had figured it out so soon.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not here to steal anything from you.” Rue struggled in his arms.
“Excuse me if I don’t believe that.” He gestured to where a bag sat just at the edge of the clearing. “I left the hut while you were sleeping and looked around. Found your bag in the bushes there. Clothes, credits and a pretty little red stone. The President’s Heart is beautiful. If you were tied up here by a disgruntled transport captain, he wouldn’t have left you anything. But all your stuff is right there.”
He pushed Rue towards the bag. The thief stumbled across the hard ground and Valtko fought the urge to help him. Shaking his head, he moved towards the tree where the firebird still perched. The closer he got, the more agitated the bird became until sparks rained down like a little meteor shower. He felt the embers sting his skin, but didn’t move away.
“I figured they would send someone. The information I have could topple a few governments if the universe found out the truth. It’s dangerous for me to still be alive.” He turned to see Rue pulling on some pants and a dark green chest-hugging shirt. He continued in a thoughtful tone. “If I had friends, I’d be led to believe that I.U.M. talked to them about the best way to get me to lower my guard.”
Rue started to say something, but Vlatko held up his hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I never wanted friends. Life is far easier without worrying about other people. Friends can be used against you. But so can your own nature.”
Vlatko lifted his hand higher, bringing it within reach of the shrieking bird. She struck out with her beak, but he didn’t move. He kept his eyes on Rue, ignoring the danger above him. One foot gripped his wrist and he grimaced at the smell of burning flesh.
“Wait. Don’t let that thing touch you. You’ll get fried.” Rue stood up, holding out his hand as if wanting to stop Vlatko.
“There are benefits to being a trained killer, Rue. One is liquid body armor that they inject under your skin. It makes you impervious to fire, guns and anything short of a nuclear explosion.” The second claw closed around his wrist and he brought the bird down. “The only discomfort I have is from the smell. The top layer of my flesh will grow back.”
Rue’s eyes were glancing wildly around the clearing. He watched the lean muscles tense and he knew Rue was planning on running. He hid a smile. The I.U.M. hadn’t briefed the thief very well if the guy thought he could survive on the planet long enough for someone to rescue him.
“Don’t run, Rue. I was telling the truth. There’s only the primitive people of the planet and they give me a wide berth.” He worked the transmitter out of his pocket with his free hand. “And I took the liberty to steal your transmitter. The I.U.M. won’t send anyone in to save you either. You should have done more research before you accepted this job, Rue.”
Movie- The Lakehouse
I was going to show the poster for The Lakehouse. It’s a chick flick and I’m not big on those. C watches a ton more of them then I do. 🙂 But this one is pretty good. Now, I know some of you are saying Keanu Reeves can’t really act. He’s certainly not going to win any awards, but I think he’s cute in a goofy sort of way.I got the next scene for Firebird written last night. Must say I’m a little surprised at the way it’s turning out. The characters aren’t doing what I thought they’d be doing and the plot itself is taking odd little turns. It’ll be interesting to see where we all end up with this story.
Sorry about no pic. 🙁
Hope you all have a great day.
Firebird-Part Nine
Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase
Part Nine-
Rue felt his mouth drop open. Shit. Vlatko was an assassin. This changed everything. “So did you find the fugitive and kill him?” He wasn’t sure about what he was expecting to hear, but it certainly wasn’t what Vlatko said.
“Yes.” Vlatko gathered the empty plates and set them in the sink.
“If you did what they asked you to do, why are you a deserter?” Rue frowned.
Vlatko moved to stand in the doorway, staring out into the forest. “I learned too much. I saw too much.” The big man looked down at his hand. “When your hands are stained red by all the blood spilt, you began to question everything.”
“And the I.U.M. doesn’t like questions.” Rue climbed to his feet and went to join Vlatko at the door.
Vlatko shook his head. “It wasn’t the I.U.M. I was questioning. I knew they were wrong before I even volunteered to be their trained killer.”
Fuck. Rue’s head was starting to hurt. “If you weren’t doubting them, what the hell were you doubting?”
Vlatko sighed. “It doesn’t make sense, I know, but I doubted everything. Why do we fight so hard to live?”
Rue followed Vlatko as the man wandered back towards the clearing where Rue had been tied the day before. “We fight because the only other option is lying down and dying.” Rue reached out and took Vlatko’s hand.
Vlatko glanced over at him, but didn’t pull his hand away. “Why? Why are we living? Are we supposed to learn something?”
Rue started laughing. “The I.U.M. must have freaked out when their trained assassin turned into a philosopher.”
Vlatko smiled. “I.U.M. freaked because I told them I had files and information, not only on the most recent mission, but on all the people sent me to kill.”
They walked into the clearing and stopped in front of the firebird’s tree. The creature screeched at them as sparks rained down from her feathers. The bird’s plumage was brilliant red and orange as if the creature were on fire. Another ear-piercing screech ricocheted through the clearing.
“Hush, you old biddy,” Vlatko called out to her.
Rue found himself jerked up against Vlatko’s body. He stared up into Vlatko’s black eyes. “You’re covering your ass by blackmailing them into letting you go.” He reached up and rubbed a thumb over Vlatko’s bottom lip.
“Yeah and I never thought they’d send such a sexy thief to steal them from me.”Rue felt his heart stop.
New Show- Dexter
Have any of you watched the new ShowTime show, Dexter? It’s pretty creepy, but awesome. It’s about a serial killer who works for the Miami Police Department as a blood spatter expert. He has his own twisted code where he only kills other serial killers or bad guys. He doesn’t hurt women or children (or innocent people either). At times I wish I had thought up the idea for it. It’s interesting to see how he reacts in a normal setting to people since he’s a sociopath, he has no real emotions. 🙂 The show is based on this book by Jeff Lindsay. I’m planning on going out and picking it up soon.
Got some writing done over the weekend. Next installment of Firebird and started working on Dining With Alexander which is my story that will going along with Paige’s Hot in the Kitchen for our Recipes for Seduction book. 🙂
Hope everyone has a great day.
New Review!
I got a wonderful new review from Frost at Two Lips Review. 🙂 Frost gave Here Be Dragons 5 kisses and had this to say about it:“I often felt as if I was reading a chapter from my own life, or from that of people I knew, and I consider that the hallmark of a really excellent novel. I can’t recommend this story highly enough. I’ll be watching for further entries from T. A. Chase!”
Click here to read the entire review. I’m so glad that Frost loved the story and found the reactions of Kael after being abused realistic. When I first wrote HBD, that’s something I worried about since I hadn’t read too many stories where domestic violence between gay couples was even hinted at. I wondered how readers would react to it, but so far the response has been great.
Today’s a sunny day here, so I’m going to go golfing. Trying to get in some final rounds before it gets too cold to play. 🙂 I hope you all have a wonderful day.
Firebird- Part Eight
Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. Chase
Part Eight-
Vlatko shook his head. “You’re persistent.”
“That’s why I’m so good at what I do.” Rue gave him a wink.
“Let’s go get dressed.” Vlatko headed back to his hut after gathering up the towels and soap.
“Then you’ll tell me why you’re here and not in some I.U.M. prison.” The thief walked beside him with a loose stride.
“Maybe.” Vlatko didn’t want to go into the whole reason why he chose to desert. He didn’t really want to relive that life-changing moment when he realized he couldn’t be a solider anymore.
“Maybe? Hey, I told you the truth about stealing the President’s Heart. Give and take here. I give you something. You give me something in return.” Rue glanced at him. “What’s for breakfast?”
“You already had your breakfast.” He leered at the man. Opening the hut’s door, he gestured for Rue to go in ahead of him. He reached out and pinched the guy’s ass as he went by.
“You know I shouldn’t let you get away with that. You shouldn’t be able to touch me without giving me something in return.” Rue frowned.
Vlatko laughed. “So now you want to negotiate. We’re bartering sex for my secrets.” He stopped to think about it for a second. “Not sure it’d be worth it from my point of view.”
“Not worth it? I fucking blew your mind out there.” Rue’s outrage was cute.
He rubbed a thumb over the frown between Rue’s eyes. “Yes, you did, little thief, but I have a problem sharing my secrets with a man I’ve just met.”
“But no problem with sharing your body?” Rue threw himself down on the cot, crossed his arms and glared at Vlatko.
Vlatko had been in the middle of pulling out plates and pots to make breakfast. He turned to stare at Rue. “Did I miss something? When did you turn into a woman?”
“What the hell?” Rue looked offended.
“We had sex, but we didn’t declare our undying love for each other. Why this need to know my deepest darkest secrets? You don’t see me pushing you to tell me your life story.” Vlatko cracked a couple of eggs into the frying pan.
Rue sighed. “You’re right. I tend to get this way after I’ve gotten close to getting caught and maybe dying.” The thief stood behind him and wrapped those skinny arms around his waist. “You don’t have to tell me anything, Vlatko. I do know how to just fuck.”
He scrambled the eggs and slid them on some plates while he thought about his past. He’d never wanted to tell anyone why he chose the path he took.
“Go sit down.” He waved towards his small table with two chairs. “Would you like water or something stronger to drink? I don’t have visitors very often so I don’t have much.”
Rue tugged on one of Vlatko’s shirts and went to sit. “Water’s fine.”
Vlatko set a plate and a glass in front of Rue and then joined the thief. “Do you pay attention to the news?” He pushed the eggs on his plate around with his fork.
Rue moaned around the first forkful of eggs. “Sure I do. I need to keep up with possible jobs and to see if someone might be talking about me.” Rue shoveled another mouthful. “Where the hell did you get real eggs?”
Vlatko chuckled. “I told you this was a primitive planet. They grow most of their food.”
“No wonder you stay here.” Rue’s glance shot over to Vlatko’s plate.
“Here. I’m not hungry.” He shoved his plate across the table. Leaning back, he played with his glass while watching Rue eat. “About four years ago, there was a big dust-up in the news about a high-level I.U.M. officer being shot in cold blood by one of his subordinates.”
Rue stopped chewing for a second, staring at him. “I remember. It was around the same time I boosted the Rouge diamond from the museum on Ecofo.”
“So that was you. I always wondered.” He added ‘ballsy’ to his mental list of traits Rue had.
“Yep. Got a pretty penny for the bauble when I sold it. So were you the subordinate who pulled the trigger?” There didn’t seem to be any worry on Rue’s face or in his voice.
“No. I’m the assassin the I.U.M. sent after the subordinate to kill him. The official word was dead or alive, but unofficial, I had to kill him.” Vlatko’s words were flat and cold.
Angel’s Cover
Here’s the awesome cover Anne Cain did for Angel’s Evolution. I love it. I think she did a wonderful job capturing Greyson. Such a elegant feel to it as well. I don’t think I can wait until January for it to come out…lol.Oh my blog is going to be featured in Silver Threads, Liquid Silver’s newsletter. If anyone would like to sign up for it, click here. It comes out twice a month I believe and gives you updates on upcoming books. Also it features LSB authors. 🙂
Celia Kyle, under one of her pen names Caye Kim, wrote a two-part article on M/M romances and why women love them. The first part came out over the weekend in Just Erotic Romance Reviews. 🙂 Yours truly was quoted in it. I think she did a great job.
Over the weekend, I did some writing on Tony’s story. Got further along on my secret project. 🙂 I feel like Ty Pennington on Extreme Home Makeover with my secret project.
It’s been storming and raining all morning. I hope wherever you are, it’s sunny and beautiful out.
Firebird-Part Seven
Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. ChasePart Seven-
“A deserter?” Rue was surprised. “If you’re a deserter, why does the security force at the Way Station know where you are? Moreover, if they know, the I.U.M. knows. Why haven’t they come after you?”
Anger and an odd sadness warred in Vlatko’s eyes. “I think they would prefer I cease to exist, but they won’t waste their time or men coming after me.”
“Not to offend you or anything, but you’re only one guy. I would think if they really wanted you, they’d send a unit after you.” Rue climbed out of the pool and dried off with one of the towels Vlatko brought with them.
Vlatko followed him. Rue’s gaze traced over the chiseled abs to where Vlatko’s cock nestled among black curls. No doubt about it. The man was hung. A large hand grasped the shaft, stroking it. Rue whimpered. Pre-cum glistened on the glared head of Vlatko’s cock. Rue wanted to taste it.
Vlatko laid a towel on the ground at his feet. “Come here.”
Rue’s brain wanted to protest the order, but his mouth and body wanted to feel Vlatko again. He knelt in front of the man. Vlatko kept stroking himself while cradling Rue’s chin and lifting his gaze from the treat in front of him.
“Do you want to taste me?” Vlatko’s voice was harsh and laced with passion.
Rue couldn’t get his mouth to work. All it wanted to do was suck and all his tongue wanted to do was lick.
“Then enjoy breakfast.” Vlatko directed his mouth to the slick head.
Rue licked the pearly drops from Vlatko’s cock. Bitter and salty, it was the best thing he’d ever tasted. He sucked the tip in, teasing it with his teeth.
Vlatko growled. “Be careful.”
Rue chuckled and the vibration made Vlatko growl. Rue enjoyed sucking cock. Well, he enjoyed it when he wasn’t being paid to do it. Nothing killed joy more than being made to do something. Relaxing his throat, he swallowed Vlatko down until his nose was buried in the curls at the base of Vlatko’s shaft.
“Shit.” Vlatko’s hand combed through Rue’s hair.
Rue appreciated the fact that the big man didn’t force him. Rue liked commanding men who understood the difference between being forceful and forcing. Vlatko’s hand cradled the back of Rue’s head. The other hand traced the hollows in his cheeks as he moved up and down on the rod filling his mouth.
He looked up to see Vlatko’s dark eyes staring down at him. There was a question in that gaze. He reached out, bracing his hands on Vlatko’s hips and then he nodded. Vlatko’s fingers gripped his head while the man’s cock started to slide in and out of Rue’s mouth.
Rue relaxed, shut his eyes, and allowed Vlatko to fuck his mouth. He loved the velvet skin stroking his tongue. The taste of Vlatko’s cum danced in his mouth. He was afraid he could get addicted to the taste. Each time the head of Vlatko’s cock hit the back of his throat, he swallowed.
“Gods, your mouth,” Vlatko moaned while those hips started snapping.
Rue slipped his hand around to cup the flexing muscles of Vlatko’s ass. He stroked his fingers over the patch of skin right above Vlatko’s crease.
“Rue, gonna…” Vlatko didn’t seem interested in talking.
He hummed encouragement. He wanted to drink down Vlatko’s cum. He wanted to suck this man dry.
The first spurt accompanied a low cry from Vlatko. Rue glanced up to see Vlatko’s head was thrown back and a grimace of passion marred the man’s face. Rue closed his eyes and drank down the seed. When he’d sucked Vlatko dry, he licked the man’s shaft clean and rested his head against the muscular thigh in front of him. He was so hard, he knew one touch would make him come.
“Come here.” Vlatko reached down, grabbed Rue under the arms and lifted him until they were face-to-face, allowing him to kiss Vlatko.
Their lips met in a fierce kiss. Rue moaned as his cock rubbed against Vlatko’s hard stomach. He painted a wet trail over the man’s dark skin.
“Do you want my hand or my body?” Vlatko’s warm breath danced on his swollen lips.
He rocked his hips, thrusting his shaft over the ridged abs. Once. Twice. His balls tightened and he knew it’d be soon.
Vlatko’s finger brushed Rue’s opening and the thief exploded. His cum covered both their chests and stomachs.
“Fuck.” Rue’s knees went weak. He rested his head on Vlatko’s shoulder, trusting the other man to support him.
“My thoughts exactly.” Vlatko chuckled and carried him back into the pool to clean off.
As he let the big man take care of him, Rue wondered what was going to happen once the shine of good sex wore off. Would Vlatko turn him in? He looked at Vlatko and asked, “Why did you run away?”
Firebird- Part Six
Firebird copyright (c) 2006 T.A. ChasePart Six-
Vlatko lay in his bed and focused on the warm body beside him. It was the thief, Rue and the skinny man snuggled closer to him with one leg thrown over his own hip.
He sighed. Running a hand over Rue’s back, he realized a decision would have to be made soon as to what to do with about the man. Should he do as all his years of training in the I.U.M. said he should do? Should he contact the Way Station and have them come to arrest the man?
He pushed his body up to lean on his elbow, staring down at the thief. Vlatko knew who Rue was, no matter how innocent the man pretended to be. Rue was one of the best thieves in the universe. Authorities first started paying attention to Rue when he was caught and branded at the age of ten. After that Rue had never been captured again and by the time the thief was sixteen, he was commanding large sums of inter-universal credits for hired jobs.
At twenty-four, Rue still looked innocent and so young, but Vlatko knew the man could be ruthless and cold-hearted when he needed to be. Vlatko ran a finger down over Rue’s nose. “Who paid your price for stealing the President’s Heart,” he wondered out loud.
“I don’t know. They never tell me their names,” Rue’s answer was sleepy and rough.
“Ah, so you were hired to steal it for someone.” Vlatko laughed.
“Shit.” Rue came wide-awake, swearing and pushing away from Vlatko. “I was just talking in my sleep. I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
Vlatko pressed a finger to the thief’s lips. “Don’t. I knew who you were the moment I saw you tied to the tree. You don’t need to steal to survive anymore. You steal because someone’s paying you.”
Rue looked like he wanted to argue, but seemed to think better of it. “So are you going to turn me in? There’s quite a bounty on my head.”
Vlatko climbed out of bed. After stuffing towels and a bar of soap into a bag, he threw it into Rue’s arms. Then he plucked the man off the cot
“Where are we going?” Rue wrapped one lean arm around Vlatko’s neck.
“To clean up.” Vlatko shouldered open the hut’s door and carried Rue to a steamy pool of water.
“Clean up? I don’t see any sanitizers.” Rue looked around as Vlatko set him down next to the pool.
“You won’t see one. This isn’t a modern planet, Rue. In some places, indoor toilets are still things of the future.” Vlatko waded into the pool, holding out a hand to Rue. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”
The thief laughed. “Most men aren’t worried about my safety. They’re more concerned about getting the reward the I.U.M. is offering.”
Vlatko shrugged. “I’m not concerned with the reward.” He soaked one of the clothes and soaped it up. Taking one lean arm, he washed Rue.
Rue studied Vlatko’s primitive hut and gave a disbelieving snort. “Man, you live like a homeless man. If I were you, I would have called the I.U.M. the minute you saw my naked ass tied to that tree.”
Vlatko looked around, trying to see his surroundings through Rue’s eyes. So he didn’t have all the comforts of modern men. His house was a one-room hut. He had very little contact with the natives or any other people for that matter. He finished cleaning Rue. “I don’t need much. Money just gives you a false sense of worth.”
“Spoken like a man who doesn’t have any.” Rue’s amber eyes twinkled at him as a smile graced those plump lips.
“Maybe it’s just sour grapes.” He cleaned and rinsed himself. “I won’t turn you in.”
“Why not?”
Vlatko could tell Rues was looking for the catch. “I don’t owe the I.U.M. anything. In fact, I’m a deserter.”
