Tag Archives: Suspense

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | October 10, 2023 · 5:00 am

Wylde Teaser Tuesday

(Iron Tzars MC)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: October 13, 2023

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Danica — Wylde’s an incorrigible flirt. I know he acts like
he’s a player, but I’ve seen another side of him. Kids from all
over the area flock to him because he’s Wylde — the guru of all
things electronic. He has endless patience with the teens looking to learn
his skill in video games, but he has none with adults. I love his twisted,
sarcastic sense of humor, and that streak of protectiveness he shows on
occasion. He’s wicked smart and I love watching him use his
intelligence and his wit. Plus he’s hotter than sin. So I flirt
back.

Wylde — I’ve got it bad. I come to the coffee shop just to be near
Danica. The tiny barista has more heart than most people I’ve met. But
she’s the kind of woman who’ll want forever, and that’s
not me. But when I realize the danger she and her sisters are in, I’ll
do whatever’s necessary to keep them safe. Once Danica knows what
I’m capable of, I know she’ll run screaming into the night, and
I’ll never see her again.

WARNING: Wylde features a protective hero, a determined heroine and
includes graphic violence and adult situations that may be triggers for some
readers. Eventual happy ending and no cheating, as always.

EXCERPT

Wylde

“I’ll take a double ristretto with iced vanilla double shot and
organic chocolate brownie decaf, please.”

The line behind me groaned.

One guy grumbled from behind me, “Some of us got places to
be!”

“Yeah,” someone else volunteered. “You shouldn’t
get something so complicated when the line’s so long.”

I just grinned, loving the disgruntled mutterings. Did my heart good.
“It’s amazing what you can wait for when you’re, you know,
early. My recommendation to people in a hurry is to start earlier. Then
you’re not in such a rush.” I leaned in over the counter for a
stage whisper at the woman getting ready to serve me. “Too much stress
can lead to gas.”

The young woman gave me a star struck smile, eating me up with her eyes and
actually licking her lips. What can I say? I have that effect on women. Even
if this one was a little young for my tastes.

“That was a… double… uh… and vanilla…
decaf?” She graced me with a dreamy smile. The girl had no clue what
she was doing, but I wasn’t about to push her. Mainly because I saw
the one person in the whole place who could make this situation
better.

Danica James stepped behind the counter as she tied her apron around her
slender waist. She rolled her eyes, giving me a look that said I was being a
drama queen again. Instead of saying anything, she pulled out a big mug with
the coffee shop’s logo on it and filled it full of black coffee.

“Anything else, Wylde?”

I grinned as I paid for the cup and the coffee. “Nope. Thanks,
Danica.”

She raised an eyebrow, glancing at the tip jar pointedly. “Just put
the tip in, Wylde. See how it feels.”

Yeah, we had a thing going. And I always waited until she said it before I
put in my tip. She always said it.

“What? Is that it?”

“Asshole.”

Yeah, the groans behind me were amusing as shit.

“You’re welcome.” I threw up a hand and headed back to my
table where I’d set up my laptop for the morning. I loved coming here.
Not for the glacially slow Internet or the stimulating company that amused
me so much. Hell, I didn’t even come for the coffee, though it was the
best in town. No. I came for Danica James.

The woman was sin and sex with a snarky attitude. She knew my drink as well
as my moods and accommodated both. If I were the kind of man looking for a
woman for my own, it would probably be Danica. Not only was she beautiful
and sassy, but she was kind, as well. I’d seen her giving out the
leftover pastries to a few homeless people who hung out a couple of blocks
from Henry’s Coffee Shop on multiple occasions. I’d also seen
her paying for them out of her tips so her boss didn’t get in a twist.
I made sure to contribute as much as I could and not look like a creepy
stalker. I also was pretty sure she knew what I was doing.

An hour later, I was banging away on a Discord channel I frequented,
helping noobs learn to play Fortnite. The other barista approached me, a big
smile on her face. She’d loosened a couple of buttons on her top so I
had a good view of her cleavage. Which, I admit, was a pretty good view. But
she wasn’t my style. Mainly because she was star struck by my good
looks, tattoos, and quite possibly my Titan GT77, but I didn’t think
so. She might surprise me, but didn’t strike me as the computer geek
type.

“Hey, Wylde.” She smiled and set a large black coffee next to
my empty mug. “Want me to freshen up your mug?”

I glanced at the cup she’d just set in front of me. “I think
I’m good. I’ll come to the bar if I need something.” I
smiled to take the sting out, but honestly, I could care less if she got
offended. She wasn’t stupid… exactly… she was just young
and thought she could lead guys around by their dicks. I’d seen it a
few times since she started. I’d also overheard her telling her
girlfriends she could get me into bed with a crook of her finger. I had to
chuckle at that.

Her smile faltered. “I was just being nice.”

I sighed and looked up from the chat session I was in. Normally, I’d
have my headphones on using voice chat, but it was crowded and I
didn’t want to disturb anyone. I could be a bastard, but I
wasn’t a complete asshole. Most of the time.

“Look, kid. I’m sure you’re nice and all, but you
ain’t my type. Tell your friends I’m gay or something if you
think it will help you save face. But I’m not interested.
‘K?”

All right. So maybe I was a complete asshole. Wasn’t the first time.
Wouldn’t be the last.

The girl stomped her foot. “You don’t have to be so
rude.” Then she turned and flounced off.

“Making friends, I see.”

Danica grinned at me from where she was wiping down a table while Little
Miss Thang had moved back behind the bar. She glared furiously at me before
going back to her phone.

I grinned at Danica. “I do my best.”

She snorted. “Right. You do your best to piss as many people off as
you can. Pretty sure you think they’ve made pissing people off an
Olympic sport, and you’re determined to win gold.”

I barked out a laugh. Which got Little Miss Thang back to glaring at me.
Only now, her anger spilled over to Danica. That wasn’t happening. I
met her gaze while I continued my conversation with Danica. The look I gave
her was probably not very pleasant.

“Well, you know what they say. Better pissed off than pissed on. I
mean, that’s not really my thing, but I could do it. Honestly, though,
she didn’t take the hint so I had to go the not-so-subtle
route.”

“Just be careful of your coffee if Jordan serves it. Not saying
she’d put laxative in it. Not not saying it either. Or maybe
salt.” She looked off, as if pondering which would be worse. “I
think I’d prefer the laxative.”

I sketched her a two-fingered salute and we both went about our business.
It was one of many reasons I liked Danica. She knew when to leave a man
alone, and she didn’t throw herself at me either. Hell, I knew she
wanted me. What woman wouldn’t? But she never let on like she did.
Which, I’ll admit, was part of the draw. It was also the reason I
didn’t pursue her. Once the chase was over, I’d get bored and
she’d get hurt. That was the last thing I wanted.

About the Author

Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double
life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated
housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes
pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited,
vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a
blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her
writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning
delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying
conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.

Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka’s latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don’t forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka’s beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

Author on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/experiencethemagicmk

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok:
@changelingpress

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Tagged as Age-Gap, Marteeka Karland, Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Wylde

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | September 26, 2023 · 5:00 am

Deadlock Teaser Tuesday

(Revenge and Zombies)

Sci Fi Romance, Suspense, Action & Adventure

Date Published: September 29. 2023

Rory and Tessa have managed to work together to survive the island, but now
they have an even bigger task at hand. Together, they must find Bennett and
the missing zombie before the virus can take over the mainland.

Easier said than done. The mainland Tessa knew before is a different world
from the one that exists now. A mysterious plague taking over the poorer
population has people nervous, and Rory and Tessa will have their work cut
out for them. Will they be able to stop Tessa’s virus before
it’s too late?

EXCERPT

It was silent out on the water. The kind of silence that screamed in your
ears, demanding to be heard. The kind of quiet that raised the hairs on the
back of your neck and created trails of goose bumps along your arms. It
spoke of a storm brewing in the distance, of an imbalance in the
scales.

The last time it was this quiet was after my father died, when the laughter
had died off, when I had snuck out from under the table I was hiding beneath
and ran to cradle his body. Afterwards, I knew I had been screaming from the
soreness of my throat, and the way I gasped for air. But during those
moments, before the paramedics showed up and carried his body away, it was
silent. Completely and utterly silent. There was only the screaming quiet in
my ears, surrounding me in a way I thought I would never experience
again.

Until now, on the boat. Rory was at the wheel, frowning as he stared into
the grey skies. We hadn’t spoken since the rush to the boat, and that
had been in mostly short sentences.

“Untie the rope for me.”

“Hand me that oar.”

“Push off.”

And getting to the boat had been too loud as we snuck past the small hordes
of zombies that had spread out across the island. Luckily, since we had
arrived at the safe zone, everything had quieted down. The zombies that had
been at the door soon gave up and spread out, and we knew that it was now or
never to make our move. Joe had loaded us up packs filled with supplies and
food — whatever the safe house had to spare. We probably had enough to last
the two of us a week on the mainland, maybe two if we stretched our rations.
A week to find Bennett, the zombie, and make our mind up about what would
happen next. I wasn’t sure yet if we’d return to the island
together, or go our separate ways. Right now, our minds were on the next
steps, and the next steps alone. We needed to find Bennett and that zombie.
There was no other way around it. If he managed to release it into the wild,
the whole thing could be a complete disaster.

There was a reason I liked science. I liked reasons. Logic. I liked there
to be answers to my questions if I worked hard enough. Two plus two always
equalled four, and I had a plan in place for how I wanted to spread the
virus. Bennett releasing one random zombie into the wild was not how my plan
was going to go and could ruin a lot more than just my revenge. I needed to
stop him before that happened.

As for Bennett when we found him… well. Unfortunately in my line of
work, there were some things I needed to do, and this was one of them. But
Bennett was a liability, and I couldn’t afford to have him running
around any more than I could have that zombie running free. I’d take
care of him when and where we found him.

The skies were darkening, and the wind was picking up, bringing my silence
to an end. Reality was flooding in, and I still needed to figure out what
our plan of action was. I pointed to the grey beach in the distance.
“I think we should try there!” I called over to Rory, yelling to
be heard over the screaming wind.

He turned to look at me, the boat cutting sharply over a wave that splashed
us both with cool water. “What?”

I pointed again. “There! Try there!”

Rory nodded and turned the wheel in the direction of the small beach. It
wasn’t the largest dock Bennett could’ve gone to, but it was
definitely the closest and easiest, which if I was bringing a zombie on my
own to the mainland is what I would’ve gone for.

The wind blew through my hair, and I grabbed for the elastic wrapped around
my wrist. Twisting my hair into a tight braid, I watched Rory as he
controlled the boat easily, as if he had been doing this all his life
despite the increasingly choppy water. I wondered what was going through his
head at this moment. Did he regret coming with me? Or maybe this was just
his way of getting back to the mainland, and he’d dump my ass as soon
as we touched ground, maybe even sending the cops my way. Not like I needed
him, really. I was certain I’d be able to find Bennett without
Rory’s help. I had been finding my way in this world alone since I was
young, and nothing had changed now.

But it might be nice to have someone to bounce ideas off, since I no longer
had James. A real, live sounding board. I didn’t need him to have
pointless conversation with. I’d rather save my breath. But to see if
my ideas were on the right track or not? Yeah, that might be nice.

I’d have to wait and see what his plan was once we got the boat to
the mainland.

About the Author

Torri Heat has always loved control. Her mind was blown when she discovered
she could control entire worlds through story writing. Throw some steamy
romance in there, and it was pretty close to perfection. Torri loves dark
heroes who ride off into the sunset on their motorcycles, fierce heroines
who can fend for themselves, and a sprinkle of the paranormal to keep things
interesting. When she’s not creating alternate realities you can find her
managing her three ring circus of kids and animals.

Find all of Torri’s books and sign up for her newsletter at her
website, or follow her on social media. You can also leave reviews!

Contact Links

Author on Facebook: @torriheatwrites

Authoron Instagram and TikTok: @torriheat

Publisher on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @changelingpress

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Tagged as Action & Adventure, Deadlock, Sci-Fi / Romance, Suspense, Torri Heat

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | August 15, 2023 · 5:00 am

The Big Blue Teaser Tuesday

(Protect & Serve)

Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Shifters, Suspense

Date Published: August 18, 2023

Tundra’s a polar bear shifter with a hankering for some Big Blue.

Polar bear shifters are rare these days, and most of them keep a low
profile. Tundra knows the rules, but tonight she needs to get laid, and it
will take a strong man to satisfy her.

Alex’s buddies call him Big Blue, and they’re closer to the
truth than most of them know, but he does his best to hide his true nature
— trolls have a nasty reputation in this brave new world.

The very first time Tundra sees Blue, she knows she had to have him. What
she doesn’t realize is that she’ll never want to let him go. So
when Alex goes to confront the head of a vicious cabal, Tundra follows to
make sure he doesn’t get hurt. After all, even a troll’s hide
isn’t as thick as a polar bear’s.

EXCERPT

I stalked across the bar and hauled myself up onto one of the few empty
barstools. It looked like the entire neighborhood had decided to drown their
sorrows at the same time. At least that meant there was a good selection of
men available. Good thing, because right now I was feeling hornier than a
werewolf during the full moon, and pissed enough not to be too picky about
whom I chose to spend the night with. Talks with my self-appointed guardian
Tyrone always had this effect on me. Make that monologues. I don’t think I’d
managed to get in more than two words during the entire fiasco.

I waved my hand to catch Sam’s attention, and motioned him to bring me a
drink. Sam had been bartending at Joe’s Bar long enough to know what I
wanted. I swiveled the chair and surveyed the room, considering my options.
The three guys at the pool table weren’t bad looking, and there were a few
likely candidates at a table in the far corner, but they all looked just a
tad too civilized for my taste tonight. I was in the mood for something
wild.

A gust of wind drew my attention to the door. The man who entered sent heat
curling deep in my gut. Civilized was the last word that came to mind. Hard.
Wild. Uncivilized. Yeah, those described him to a T.

A riot of dark hair curled all the way to the blue uniform stretched tight
across his huge shoulders. He reminded me of the football players at the
inner city stadiums, wide and covered with thick ropes of muscle. A tingle
of anticipation raced through me. His dark eyes swept the room with cynical
disinterest as he shouldered his way through the noisy crowd, and I found
myself holding my breath as I waited for him to notice me.

“He’s trouble, Tundra. Don’t even think about it.” Sam slapped
the beer down in front of me, breaking the spell.

“You know him?” I ignored the bartender’s frown. I was way past
needing someone to vet my dates. “I don’t remember seeing him in here
before.”

Sam nodded. “Alex is a loner, a beat cop down at the precinct. He
doesn’t come in here often. Last time he did, it took me two days to clean
up the mess.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice so I had to strain
to hear his words. “I heard a rumor that there’s a troll somewhere in
his family tree, and I’m inclined to believe it.”

“Really.” I swept my tongue across my suddenly dry lips as I
watched the slide of tight material over his ass. “That could make
things very… interesting.” Sam snorted and shook his head as I took a
long pull on my drink. “That’s one word for it. Don’t say I didn’t warn
you!”

I laughed, throwing him a saucy grin as I slid off the barstool.
“Warning duly noted. Wish me luck!” Turning my back on his
disapproving frown, I wound my way through the dense crowd toward my
target.

He’d taken a seat at a small table and was watching the trio at the pool
table mangle a simple game of spots and stripes. One of the scantily clad
waitresses swooped in to deposit a drink in front of him, bending forward so
far that I fully expected her ample bosoms to fall out of the low-cut bodice
of her dress. She had better not be under the impression that she stood a
chance with him, because I was more than willing to get into a fight
tonight. A little pre-coitus bloodshed would be just a bonus.

The man tossed some credits at her, and she flounced away to take orders
from another table. I found myself feeling mildly disappointed. I hadn’t
been in a good fight in at least two moons. Wouldn’t hurt to get in a little
practice.

Reaching my destination, I pulled out the other chair at the table and sat
down beside my target. I took my time assessing him close up, letting my
gaze wander from the tips of his serviceable boots and up his muscular legs
to the impressive bulge at his groin. Looked like I wouldn’t have to work
too hard to get what I wanted.

I took another gulp of my beer and considered the vast expanse of his
chest, barely covered by the tight uniform. A unicorn tattoo on his biceps
seemed incongruous with the rough attitude, and being my usual tactful self,
I decided not to mention it.

Yeah, right. Me? Tactful? “So what’s with the prissy little
horse?” I nodded at the tattoo. “Lose a bet or
something?”

I found myself staring into the darkest eyes I’d ever encountered; pools of
liquid heat. For a moment, I thought I’d blown my chance of playing ride-em
cowboy with him, but then the corners of his eyes crinkled and he let out a
bellow of real, straight-from-the-gut laughter. It made him look even
hotter, which I hadn’t thought possible. My libido kicked into high gear,
and I could feel the liquid heat gathering at the apex of my thighs. Idly, I
wondered if he’d go for the direct approach and save us both some time. I
decided not to risk it.

“The prissy little horse has a certain sentimental value that I only
share with close friends.” The man’s eyes swept over me with obvious
interest. “Do I know you?”

I decided to play it cool and mysterious. Who knows? It worked on those old
video flicks they showed on public TV. “Not yet, but the night is
young.” Okay, that just sounded stupid. I smiled in what I hoped was a
seductive manner. “My name is Tundra.”

A slow, sexy smile turned his face into an open invitation — one I had
every intention of accepting. When he spoke, his voice had the smooth, deep
inflection of a very old bottle of expensive whiskey. “That’s a very
unusual name. Nice to meet you, Tundra.”

He held his hand out and I stared at it like an idiot. He wanted to shake
hands? Not exactly what I’d envisioned, but hey, it was a start. I took his
hand and shook it. It was big. Real big. Heat crawled up my spine as I
imagined it caressing my breasts. Or sliding across my naked ass. “Nice
to meet you too…” I arched my eyebrow as it occurred to me I had no
idea what his name was.

The smile widened. “Alex. But most people just call me Big
Blue.”

I took a long drink, letting the silence stretch out. “Big Blue. How
interesting. Referring to your uniform, I assume?”

He chuckled. “Well, that would be the Blue part.”

“And the Big?” It took all my self-control to keep my gaze from
straying to that thick bulge at his groin.

He kept eye contact, the grin on his face taking on a mischievous look as
he reached for my hand and drew it slowly toward his lap. He didn’t say
anything else. He didn’t have to. Under my questing fingers, that huge lump
grew even bigger. Big Blue indeed! “Oh my.”

About the Author

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little
rescue dog whose breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and
too many fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act
normal, but finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008,
and her fate was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage
Publishing and just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first
submission. Since then she has published more than thirty stories in a
variety of sub-genres, all with a happily ever after.

She has two handsome sons and six adorable grandchildren and enjoys
spending time with them whenever she can. Her hobbies, when she’s not
playing with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming,
playing guitar, singing and of course, reading.

Author on Facebook

Author on Twitter

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & TikTok:
@changelingpress

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by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | July 29, 2023 · 5:00 am

Phoenix Rising Blitz

Action, Adventure, Techno-Thriller, Suspense, Sci-Fi, Military Thriller,
Conspiracy

Date Published: May 2023

Unveiling the latest sensation in the world of Short Form Novels: Phoenix
Rising by Mark T. Wellington!

This high-octane, adrenaline-pumping thriller will transport you to the
year 2035, where mind-controlled space-age drones reign supreme, and one
man’s quest to save the world takes an intensely personal turn.

Immerse yourself in the gripping story of Tony Simmons, a fearless Air
Force major with the extraordinary ability to control three of the most
powerful drones ever created – the Devastators. When his family is
kidnapped, and he finds himself betrayed and hunted, Tony is forced to push
his powers to the limit in a desperate race against time.

Phoenix Rising is the perfect embodiment of the Short Form Novel,
delivering a relentless, fast-paced narrative that will keep you on the edge
of your seat from start to finish. Mark T. Wellington masterfully weaves a
tale of suspense, intrigue, and heart-stopping action, combining futuristic
technology and geopolitical complexities with raw, human emotions.

In this compact literary masterpiece, every page is packed with tension,
danger, and unexpected twists, as Tony navigates the treacherous world of
betrayal, espionage, and simmering romantic tension with his colleague,
Adrianne. As the line between reality and fabrication blurs, Tony must
unravel the shocking truth behind the conspiracy that threatens his life and
the safety of his family.

Don’t miss out on this exhilarating new addition to the Short Form Novel
revolution! Grab your copy of Phoenix Rising today and join Tony Simmons as
he battles insurmountable odds to save his family and uncover the sinister
truth that lies beneath the surface. Are you ready for the ride of your
life?

About the Author

Mark T. Wellington is a US Air Force Veteran with the Electronic Security
Command who held an SCI/SBI Top Secret clearance—his experience in the
military has given him the tools to tell exciting stories. His expertise in
cyber and electronic warfare, as well as his practices in Krav Maga and
kickboxing, inspired his turbulent and exciting novel, Phoenix Rising.

A citizen of the world, Mark’s passport is a mosaic of global experiences.
He has journeyed from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the steep inclines
of Mount Everest, and from the historic heart of Berlin to the vibrant
culture of Barcelona. Having resided in six different countries, he has
absorbed diverse cultures, engaged with intricate art forms, and navigated
awe-inspiring landscapes.

Despite his technological acumen and AI engineering expertise, he is never
one to be confined within the digital realm. His creativity spills over into
his passion for scuba diving, rock climbing, and racing, each providing
unique inspirations for his storytelling. Moreover, his interests in
cooking, gardening, and painting reveal an individual who fully embraces the
blend of art and science, making his work as varied and colorful as his
life.

With his extensive world travels, deep technical expertise, and unbounded
creativity, Mark is a true renaissance man, promising many more exciting
stories to come.

Contact Links

Purchase Link

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Tagged as Action, Adventure, Conspiracy, Mark T. Wellington, Military Thriller, Phoenix Rising, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Techno-thriller

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | June 27, 2023 · 5:00 am

The Bathhouse Teaser Tuesday

It Should Have Been You, Book 2

Gay, Multicultural, Romance, Suspense, 2nd Chance Romance

Date Published: June 30, 2023

Publisher: Changeling Press

Reed Barton is a millionaire who can have anything he wants, except the one
thing he desires most. His first love. He’s spent years trying to
recreate the night they met in a San Francisco bathhouse. The image of the
beautiful Filipino man who took his virginity is never far from his
thoughts.

Reed’s life is turned upside down when his long-lost love reappears
— and not in a good way. Joseph Castro is not quite what he seems. Time and
experience have changed both men, and there’s no going back. But
maybe, together, they can go forward.

Excerpt

This e-book file may contain adult scenes and language which some may find
offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling
Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the
country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely,
where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Reed Barton had last minute jitters about going to the bathhouse. The men
might be old and creepy. His visit might get back to his family. The list
went on, but they were just excuses, soon cast aside in favor of discovering
what he’d been missing.

Nineteen, almost twenty, and still a virgin. He had little experience with
sex. Educated at authoritarian male boarding schools, there wasn’t
much time for fooling around. Lessons started early and finished late, and
afterwards the boys were kept busy with homework, sports, and dinner until
bedtime. Still, he’d witnessed a few incidents. He’d seen one
boy sucking another’s penis in the bathroom. At the time, Reed had
been appalled, but titillated as well. He pictured himself on his knees,
forced to suck another boy’s cock, and longed for the reality, but no
opportunity presented itself.

In college, Reed felt the inexplicable draw of chemistry, but only toward
other men. To his family he presented a picture of heterosexual
“normalcy” but in fact, he took to visiting a bar where gay men
hung out. He engaged in several hurried blowjobs in the bathroom, but
nothing more. One of his nameless encounters told him about the bathhouse.
Bathhouses had once been a rite of passage for gay men, but many had closed
through the years. Somehow, this one had survived and Reed was determined to
take advantage of whatever it had to offer.

The taxi deposited Reed in a downtown Frisco area known for muggings. Many
of the buildings were abandoned and there were no signs or addresses.
Confused, Reed questioned the driver. The man pointed down an alley and held
out his hand for the fare.

A few working streetlights cast eerie shadows as Reed entered the back
street. He felt uneasy, but the sense of danger excited him as well.
He’d always been tempted by the forbidden.

A sudden downpour pelted Reed with stinging drops. He picked up his pace,
ignoring the beer cans and fast food containers underfoot, and spotted a
heavy wooden door with a small sign affixed to it that read Rock Hard Gym.
Relieved, Reed pushed the door open and entered a small foyer.

A young man sat behind a window. He scrutinized Reed carefully before
selling him a membership. “Do you want a locker or a private
room?”

“A locker. I don’t know how long I’ll stay.”

“Fifteen for the membership. Five for the locker.”

Reed exchanged a twenty-dollar bill for an ID card, a white towel and a
plastic wristband with a locker key.

“There are condoms and lube in the locker room.” The clerk
buzzed Reed through another door.

The heady scent of sex intoxicated him. He didn’t care that the
floors were old and slippery with water and body fluids. The lockers were
rusty and the walls badly in need of paint, but Reed couldn’t see past
the naked male bodies.

Men stood, sat, and lingered in stages of undress, manspreading on changing
benches, tiny towels intentionally parted. Reed found it hard to look away
from the smorgasbord of flesh so openly exposed.

While searching for his locker, he became aware of the lingering looks he
attracted, but none of the men appealed to Reed, not even in the dim
lighting. He wanted to explore and he made quick work of undressing.

Wrapping the towel around his hips, Reed left the locker room. There was a
gym, small and ill equipped, but a gym nonetheless. Reed bypassed it.
Straight ahead he encountered an area where men of all ages and sizes, naked
except for their towels, stood around and watched gay porn. He watched the
film for a few minutes, then he moved on, entering a series of corridors
where men prowled the hallways looking for acceptable partners.

He passed door after door, some closed, many open. Grunts echoed from the
shadows. Reed caught glimpses of men grinding and thrusting. Moans filled
his ears. Hushed words, frightening and thrilling. Blood rushed to
Reed’s dick. It was electrifying to be surrounded by so much
sex.

Reed stepped around men who didn’t care about getting a room. Heart
pounding, he watched them giving blowjobs or having anal sex in the hall. A
few invited him to join in, but he wasn’t ready — yet.

About the Author

Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her
nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and
pencil.

Some things never change.

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