T. A. Chase

Pimping Friday….

okay…I’m not really pimping any particular book. Though I did read two good ones this week. Haunted by Mike Shade and Living In Fast Forward by BA Tortuga.

But since Yvonne asked so nicely, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at Tony’s story. This will be sort of a double sneak peek because in this scene, you also get to meet Derek St. Martin, one of the heroes from His Heart’s Home. The man who has been writing all those songs you read on Mondays. 😉

To set the scene up, Tony is flying back to Wyoming from Hawaii where he’d been for two weeks, competing in a bull riding event. He’s enjoyed a great night of hot sex with a luscious big blond. (Very important to remember the blond) Tony’s just received a phone call from Randy, letting him know that his brother-in-law is at the ranch, waiting for him. (for those of you who’ve read No Going Home…remember Tony doesn’t have anything to do with his family.) So he’s not a happy camper. He’s getting ready to board the plane.

Excerpt:

Tony heard his flight number called and grabbed his stuff. He boarded, put his bag away and sat. Shutting his eyes, he sighed. Maybe he and Mac should have done a little more sleeping and a little less fucking last night. He was glad he upgraded to first class. More room and drinks.

A nap would help settle his nerves. The memories only served to remind him anyone could hurt him, even those who should have loved him. Someone bumped his arm. Opening his eyes, he saw a tall lean man sitting next to him.

“Sorry about that. Jackass was in a hurry to get to his coach seat, I guess.”

The smooth southern drawl stirred something in Tony’s mind. He studied the man. A blue baseball cap and sunglasses hid the man’s eyes. His instinct told him he knew the man.

“Honey, when you get a chance, can you bring me a whiskey on the rocks and a beer for my friend here?” The man flagged down a flight attendant.

“Shit. You’re…”

“Yeah. Don’t say anything. I just want to survive this flight without someone asking for my autograph or a picture.” That famous smile flashed at him. “Though I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to take one. It’s not often such a handsome man recognizes me.”

Tony’s mouth dropped open. There was no way Derek St. Martin, country music superstar, was flirting with him.

“If I ask for a picture, wouldn’t it blow your cover?” He managed to say.

Derek thought for a moment, his thin lips pursed and then he nodded. “Fuck. Should have known something would spoil it.”

“Here you are, sir.” The flight attendant handed Derek two glasses. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, sugar. This is just fine.” Derek waved her away with a casual gesture.

“Don’t you have your own jet?” Tony kept his voice low. He could respect the man’s wish for privacy.

“Sure I do, but sometimes I just want to get away from all that bull shit. The entourage. My agent. It all gives me a headache. On good days, I pop a couple of pills and let them take me away. Yet there are times when it all builds up and there’s nothing I can do, but run.” Derek leaned in close to Tony, so close he could see the man’s electric blue eyes peering over the top of the sunglasses. “What do you do for a living? You look like a cowboy.”

“I ride bulls.”

“Mmm…if only that were true, it’d prove there is a benevolent God and he loves country singers.”

Tony looked around him. None of the passengers seemed to be paying attention to them. He moved closer to Derek. “I like bulls better than cows, but since I’ve never heard even a whisper about you, you might want to be careful what you say in public.”

A look passed over Derek’s face and Tony wondered if the singer hated hiding who he was because of his fans. “I know. I’ve been yelled at by everyone around me. If I promise not to out myself to anyone else, will you talk to me about what you do? Treat me like a real person. Not the stud you see dancing on stage in tight jeans and a t-shirt.”

Tony touched Derek’s hand holding on to the armrest between them. “I’d talk to you all day.” He pressed his lips to the man’s ear. “I’ve had a hard-on since I first heard you talk.”

Derek’s eyes widened and he shot a look at Tony’s crotch. “Man, what I wouldn’t do to have a private plane right about now.”

Tony winked, settling back in his seat. “I do ride bulls. I was in Honolulu for the special all-star event.”

“Wow. A gay cowboy? So those stereotypes really do exist.” Derek laughed. “Are you any good?”

“I finished fifth at the Finals this year.” Tony sipped his beer. “Where are you headed?”

“Got a fucking concert in Dallas.” Derek drained his drink and waved for the attendant to get him another one. “I got a two week vacation and then it’s back to work. Not even time off for Thanksgiving. It sucks. I planned on going to Edmund’s house for the holiday, but nope. Have to go entertain the masses.”

“Man, if you don’t like what you’re doing, why are you doing this?” Tony loved riding bulls. He’d already made up his mind that the day he didn’t enjoy it, he’d retire.

“I love to sing. Performing is an unhappy side effect of singing. To be honest, I wouldn’t be so tired of performing if I didn’t have to deal with all the other bullshit.” Derek shrugged. The singer shifted and faced him. “So where are you from? It sounds like Texas to me.”

“I’m originally from Texas. I live in Wyoming now.” He realized they had talked through take-off and the plane had reached cruising altitude.

Their flight attendant brought them another drink and they kept talking.

***

Stepping off the plane, Tony noticed a group of people with disapproving frowns on their faces. Derek squeezed his shoulder.

“Where the hell have you been?” An older man walked up to them, glaring at Tony while gripping Derek’s arm.

“I took a different flight.” Derek shook off the man’s hand and turned to face Tony. “Thanks for making it an interesting ride. I’ll be watching for you when your circuit starts up again.”

Tony ignored the man who must have been Derek’s manager and hugged the singer. “I hope you find some happiness somewhere,” he whispered in the man’s ear.

Derek pulled his sunglasses down so his blue eyes met Tony’s. “Someday I will. It just depends on how much more shit I can take. Thanks.”

Tony didn’t say anything as Derek kissed his cheek.

Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek. maybe I’ll post another one this weekend. Give you a glimpse at Tony’s hero, Brody MacCafferty.

Have a great Friday.

Friday, June 29th, 2007, by and is filed under "Excerpts, Eye Candy, Pimping Books. Writing ". You can leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.