When All Else Fails -

"Mom, Play with me" -




When all other attempts at garnering mom's attention fail....












Yes, her head fit between the trey and the desk top.

Her prize - a hairtie that she wanted to play with.

Curiosity And The Kitten

Usually my foundling kitten sits in a sewing basket on the top of a shelf. Usually. In the mornings, she wants to see what everyone is doing.

This morning was no different. Except her curiosity had her jumping into a tub of water. She was soaked and covered my house in water drops as she ran and tried to fling off the offending water.

She is now back in her basket, trying to get her fur to sit right.

Japan

Just over a decade ago, I spent four years on a tiny island in southern Japan. A wonderful place full of great food, music and nice people. I do not look at my time there through rose-colored glasses, too much happened for that to be true, but I did love living there and my daughter was born there, and in a few years we are going back for a vacation, so she can see where she was born and maybe learn why she loves Teiko drum music.

The top photo is of Okinawa. Very beautiful countryside.



When we flew over Tokyo I was amazed at how big of a city it was. It seemed to go from one ocean to the other. What I couldn't have imagined and still have a hard time wrapping my head around is that this photo is not something that my nephews did by taking all of their toys and dumping them in the bathtub, but are real and while thousands lost their lives, tens of thousands lost their homes and businesses, millions of lives are forever changed.

My island home would have most likely swallowed by the sea entirely. As in most disasters many people want to help. Prayers and thoughts are good. But if you choose to donate money or items, please be sure the person or organization you are dealing with are reputable and really will be helping. Reports suggest that more earthquakes and tsunami's could hit the main island of Japan. It is, unfortunately, not over for them yet.

Simone.

Monday Minute Fiction - All Along

This week over at Writers Evolution, we are talking about our pen names and our real lives.

(This is a work of fiction and copyrighted by the author. You must written permission before reposting or using it anywhere.)

All Along

“I left him,” I said sitting down in one of the many chairs that surrounded a white wooden table in the bistro where we both worked. We had a couple of hours before we opened, but the boss, Odon, made us lunch before work every Saturday. Since he was both hot and an excellent chef, it was one of the many perks of working there.

“Who?” My best friend Keegan asked handing me a glass of water.

“Gary, you dolt. Who else would I break up with?” I rolled my eyes at him.

“The bigger question is when?” Our friend and co-worker Micah asked. The older man always wanted to know everything, which he put to good use when he bartended.

“No, the bigger question is where are you staying now?” Odon asked me walking into the backroom. Immediately the room fell silent. That old cliché about hearing a pin drop, it was really that silent.

I blushed and swallowed the lump in my throat.

Crossing his arms, he stared at me, waiting for me to answer. “Troy, answer the question,” he prompted.

“Um—ah—my sister’s. Her couch. It was all I could find at the last minute. I didn’t want to stay there any longer than I had too. My brother-in-law, his brother and my sister helped me pack and move out yesterday,” I rattled out quickly, hoping to divert attention from my involuntarily reaction to his attention. I’d been in lust since I’d started there, and half in love with the chef and owner for the last few months.

“And what prompted this hasty move?” he demanded.

I dropped my eyes to the floor. “Gary had some twink in our bed. He still had his dick in the guy when I walked in. He’d said he be ready for another in a moment. He looked shocked when I told him I wasn’t interested anymore. He evidently didn’t expect me to be home then.”

“So, what happened?” Micah asked before Odon cut him a warning look.

I let out a nervous laugh. “He actually finished screwing the guy before coming out to talk to me. By then I’d called my sister, grabbed a suitcase and had started to pack. He accused me of being frigid—”

Odon scowled. “Come with me.”

I nodded and followed him back to the kitchen. “Is there a problem sir?” I asked, unable to keep the nerves out of my voice. Would he fire me because I left Gary? I was pretty sure he and Gary were friends, after all I’d met Gary while working here.

“Did you ever suspect Gary of cheating on you?” Odon asked, taking a casserole dish out of the oven.

I shrugged. “I thought something was odd, but I couldn’t place it. He said I was being stupid and projecting my own activities onto him. He said the only way someone could not have sex like I didn’t want to, was if they were seeing someone else.” Nothing I had said to Gary had made any difference to him. The fact that I didn’t get off work until one or two in the morning had nothing to do with sex, he’d argued. I should’ve still wanted sex. “Every time he even hinted at it, if I didn’t reciprocate quickly, he accused me of having an affair.”

“Who did he accuse you of cheating on him with?” Odon asked. “Finish grating that cheese for me.”

I blushed and did as I was told, grateful to have something else to occupy my mind, so I didn’t have to face Odon when I answered his question. I wouldn’t have minded an affair with Odon, but not while I was with someone else.

“Troy, answer me.”

“You, sir,” I said quietly, my attention focused on the quickly filling bowl of parmesan cheese.

“And when was the last time the two of you had sex?”

“Excuse me?” I asked dropping the grater in the bowl. “I don’t understand.”

“When did you last have sex? I know you enjoy it.”

My cheeks felt inflamed. I did enjoy sex. But Gary and I hadn’t had sex in months. “Six months ago,” I answered. “He always rebuffed or ignored my advances. And I was too tired to do more than sleep at two a.m.”

Odon nodded. “Would you like to?”

I shook my head, unable to follow him.

“Would you like to have that affair with me, Gary accused you of?”

“I—I—” I fumble for the words and shook my head again, unable to comprehend what was going on.

“It didn’t take him long.”

“What? Who? I don’t understand.”

“Do you remember when I told you not to start seeing him?”

I nodded. Everyone had, they’d said he’d play me, use me and throw me away. Sex wasn’t first in our relationship, so I hadn’t listened. It was even okay for a while, but then it suddenly dried up.

“Yesterday wasn’t your normal day off.”

I nodded, dreading what was coming next.

“Every time I saw him in here, he was with a different guy. He’d say they were friends, but friends don’t grope each other like they did. I have friends at a couple of different bars. They said the same thing.”

“So, everyone knew he was cheating on me? Why didn’t anyone say anything to me?”

“We tried, all of us did. You didn’t want to listen. About six and a half months ago, I told him that if he wasn’t going to stay true to you, he had to either cut you lose or quit putting your health in jeopardy.”

“We always used condoms. He was a stickler about that,” I said. I had even asked him about going bareback, but he’d said that was a level of commitment he would never have me, that I couldn’t be trusted.

“But he pushed you away and stopped having sex with you.”

I nodded. He embraced me before I’d registered that he’d even moved.

Pain criss-crossed my chest. I had to know. “Did—did you set me up?”

“I couldn’t bear to see you hurt anymore.”

“What—what do you mean?”

“I want you Troy, I always have,” Odon said, punctuating it with a kiss that was at turns rough and gentle. I could easily imagine sex with him was the same way. Rough. Gentle. Controlled.

My head swam. Odon wanted me? He’d never made a move or let on one way or the other. “You? You never said anything. And—and you like to beat men.” I whispered the last part. I’d heard that Odon was into BDSM, something I’d thought about, but never experienced.

“Only the right men, Troy. Would you have come to bed if I had asked a year ago? Two years ago?”

I almost shook my yes, but stopped. The truth was, I wouldn’t have. I wasn’t sure if I could now either. “I—I can’t. Let me go!” I demanded. I could feel the hesitation radiating from Odon before he left me go. I ran from the kitchen, grabbed my coat and caught the bus back to my sister’s house.

****

I stood outside the restaurant, watching and waiting. It’d been almost three weeks since I’d left. I’d asked Keegan to tell Odon, I needed some personal time. Keegan had later told me to get my ass back to work so Odon wouldn’t be so grumpy. Apparently, they’d heard enough of the conversation to work out what had happened. Taking a deep breath, I crossed the street and walked into the restaurant. There was still an hour and a half before the restaurant opened for the busy Saturday night traffic.

“Troy? Are you back?” Keegan asked as I walked through the door. Quickly, he locked it behind me and pointed back to the kitchen.

I headed back, ignoring his question. “Odon?” I queried, entering the kitchen for the first time in three weeks. It felt like coming home. Odon was home. I only hoped he still wanted me.

“Yes?” he asked gruffly, without looking up.

“Did you—do you—” I fumbled with the words, unsure of how to ask if the man was still interested in me. “I’m sorry.”

“You quitting then?” he asked staring at me hard.

I shook my head. “I don’t want to, but I understand if you’ve found a replacement for me.”

Odon set the big chef’s knife down and opened his arms.

I walked into them, feeling at peace with the world for the first time in a long time.

Odon told his assistant to finish the prep work and led me into his office.

“Is this what you want?” He asked.

“I—I—” I blushed, swallowed and tried again. “I want you. To be with you, to please you. To be yours.”

“You’ve never even played with bondage have you?” Odon asked pulling me down on to his lap.

“No, but I’ve read a lot and seen pictures. I want to try it.”

“And you still want to be mine?”

“I’ve been miserable without you the last three weeks. I didn’t realize how much seeing you everyday affected me. I think I left Gary mentally a long time before I moved out.”

Odon nodded. “I’m going to stake my claim on you before you leave this office.”

I swallowed and nodded. I trusted Odon. I loved him.

“Strip for me.”

I did as he ordered, as he locked the door to the office.

“Once we get home tonight, there will be time for love-making and taking our time. For now, I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

I nodded.

“Brace yourself on the desk.”

I did as I was told and waited, listening as Odon fished out a bottle and a foil packet out of the desk drawer followed closely by the undoing of his jeans. Lube and a condom I guessed. Smiling when his finger pushed into my ass. My body tightened and then relaxed at the intrusion. I bit down on my forearm to keep from screaming as he methodically stretched my long neglected hole. I wanted this with everything I had, for as long as I had known him.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked his cock waiting at my entrance.

I nodded. Odon had only pushed his jeans down slightly. I found the idea incredibly erotic and moaned. I pushed back, Odon slammed into me again and again, telling me how much he cared for me, what he wanted to do me and how he couldn’t wait to get me to his home where I belonged. Several times I felt his teeth on my skin. On my back, my shoulders, and neck. There was no mistaken that I belonged to another man. I couldn’t be happier. We came, me before him. We cleaned quickly and dressed. I dawdled putting my shirt on, wanting to see the marks he’d put on me.

“Get dressed, you can check them out later,” Odon laughed quietly. I nodded and did as he said, my ass still feeling the affects of his possession. We left the office and finished getting ready to open. As soon as I could get away, I retreated to the employee bathroom. I had to see his marks.

My back, neck and shoulders were covered with bite marks and hickeys. I was thrilled. I was claimed. I couldn’t be happier.

“What the hell happened to you?” Keegan asked, shutting the door, I’d forgotten to lock behind him, locking it.

I tried to put my shirt on, and he grabbed it.

“Spill. Now,” he demanded.

“Odon,” I managed, the name sounding more like a caress than I had wanted.

“He did this?”

I nodded. “Marked me as his. Claimed me.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Keegan replied, stepping back. “And this is what you want?”

I nodded.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, more than anything.”

It was Keegan’s turns to nod. “Well, go kiss him before we get to busy.”

I nodded, dressed, left and found my way into the kitchen.

Odon pinned me against the counter, kissing me deep. “I have a question for you. Think about it before you answer.”

“Okay,” I managed, hoping he wasn’t dumping me after he’d fucked me.

“Would you consider moving in with me?” Odon asked. “Explore your fantasies with me, to explore your submission?”

I blinked rapidly. He wasn’t breaking up with me. He was asking me to live with him. To be his. I didn’t have to think about it, I already knew the answer.

“Yes, yes Odon. Yes.” I tried to hug him, but he’d trapped my arms. “I love you.” I threw my arms around him as soon as he let them go.

“I love you too, now that you are where you belong.”

Self-Interview

The authors are doing self-interviews over at Writer's Evolution. Simone almost missed hers.

See what she told us. I promise she'll be back next with MMF and in the next two weeks she'll be welcoming a guest blogger on Wednesdays.

--- Ethan Moreland.

Monday Minute Fiction - Hollow

2011 is a year for change and resolutions and such. It also means a return to Monday Minute Fiction and guest blogging on Wednesdays.

(This story is fiction and copyrighted by the author, Simone Anderson, and may not be copied without expressed permission)

Enjoy...

Bastijn stared over at the ancient hollowed out oak tree near the river, allowing the familiar memories to wash over him. Most of the ones filing by were of him and Sarah Jane. The time when he took her to the state faire, swimming at the beach, or more recently the piggy back ride he’d given her after the picnic they’d gone on with several of their friends. He respected her and had come to care deeply for the compassionate woman, but he didn’t love her. He’d spent the last year trying to be the boyfriend she deserved and the son his parents wanted. He’d failed both of them. Now, he was going to break her heart.

“Bastijn?” a feminine voice called from behind him.

Bastijn nodded, not trusting his voice.

“Why did you want to meet way out here? Paul and Michelle are waiting for us over at the restaurant.”

“Please sit with me. I’m sure your cousin and her boyfriend will understand,” he said finally, shifting uncomfortably, before digging his cell phone and wallet from his pockets and setting them on the bench beside him.

“Bastijn, what is going on?”

Bastijn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I can’t do this anymore. Not to you, I care about you too much.”

“What do you mean, what can’t you do? Bastijn you’re scaring me. You’ve changed so much while you were at college.”

“I can’t see you any more Sarah Jane.”

“What? Why not?”

“I heard about you and Cam. I know you went out a few times with him. I’m not sure he’s the right man for you, but—”

“We went out as friends. I thought you trusted me.”

“I do. But, I don’t love you, not as a boyfriend would.”

“Is it another woman?” Sarah Jane asked taking off a necklace from around her neck. Bastijn spied his high school class ring and nodded.

Bastijn smiled and shook his head. “No, no woman. I like men Sarah Jane. I’m gay.”

“Gay? As in homosexual? Are you sure?” Sarah Jane asked, blinking rapidly.

Bastijn laughed, refusing to look closely at the emptiness surrounding his heart. “Positive. Michelle and Paul are waiting for you.”

“You want me to leave?”

“I prefer not see you flip out.”

“I’m not going to. I’m shocked. Is there another—a man than?” Sarah Jane asked, handing him his class ring.

Bastijn shook his head. He wished his parents had reacted as Sarah Jane had, not tossed him out of the house. He had no place to go to and no one to turn to. Sarah Jane hugged him, stood and turned to leave.

“Do your parents know?”

Bastijn nodded. “You’re not upset, were you going to break up with me, so you could go out with Cam?”

Sarah Jane nodded. “I love him. I hope you find someone to love Bastijn.”

Bastijn watched the summer sun glinting off the river. Gold light surrounded the ancient oak tree. He found himself moving toward the tree before he realized that he was moving. Reaching out for the hollow center of the tree, he was vaguely aware of the ring slipping from his grasp. At once he was pulled through the center of the tree and surrounded by shimmering opalescent light and the sound of thousands of drums. He found himself in the middle of some sort of flower garden before he passed out.

“I most certainly will not!” Rian shouted, slamming open the door. “I will choose my own mate!”

“You have until midday. You will be mated tonight!”

Rian slammed the door behind him and made his way through the corridor that lead from the interior courtyard and gardens to the large outside gardens, stables, and assorted out buildings. Taking a deep breath, he cleared his mind and allowed his spirit to guide him. He took several steps before fully opening his eyes. The old path beneath his feet was smoothed from eons of use, but narrowed from years of disuse.

Rian gasped. “There he is!” In the oldest part of the garden, lay a strangely dressed man. Not an elf, but a human. He had pale skin and short dark hair. He appeared to be smaller than him, something he’d never cared for. He was perfect. His mate had been delivered to him. Carefully, he knelt down next to the man and touched a hand to his forehead, before tracing his jaw. His cock hardened at the first touch. The human was his mate.

The man’s green eyes flew open and he scrambled away, shouting something in a foreign language. Rian followed him, inhaled slowly, said a couple of words and touched the man’s forehead.

“Now, you can understand me. Muirnín. Beloved.”

“Who are you?” the man asked. “What are you? Where am I? Why can I understand you?”

“I am Rian, an elf, specifically Prince of the Elves,” Rian replied. “You can understand me because you are destined to be my mate and magic?”

“Wait? Destined to be your what? I want to go home.”

Rian saw the half lie dancing in the man’s aura, freely intermingling with disbelief and another emotion he couldn’t pinpoint. “Forgive me,” Rian smiled, backing away slightly. “Very rarely is a human allowed to enter our world. To do so in my garden, I apologize, I got carried away. Come with me. I will try to help you out as much as I can.”

“Can you get me back to earth? No offense, but this is weird.”

Rian frowned. This would be the hard part. The gateways only worked one way for humans. Once in, never out. “There is no way back. I am sorry.”

“Magic got me here, can’t it get me back?”

“No, I’m sorry, what is your name?”

“Bastijn.”

“Bas-tee-en,” Rian repeated slowly. “I like it, it suits you. This way. We’ll get you cleaned up and into some more appropriate clothes.”

Bastijn nodded and accepted the elf’s help up. Rian was taller than him, with more of a swimmer’s build if his clothing was any indication. He had blond hair and pointed ears, taller than the ones in most of the movies he’d seen, but not outrageously so. He was concerned that he was bothered more by the prospect of being a mate than he was of never seeing his family or friends again. Eventually, he might have made up with his family, but it would’ve taken years most likely. He wasn’t sure if he should be bothered by the fact that he’d been hard almost since he opened his eyes and knew Rian was too. Bastijn nodded as Rian pointed several things out to him, as he lead him through the gardens, a stone hallway, through a door and into a room with a huge open courtyard in the center.

Once in the room, Rian helped him wash and dress, and then told him about the world he now lived in, and what the expectations were. Leaving wasn’t an option. Ever. Bastijn shrugged internally. It beat being homeless. And if he was mated to Rian, he’d get sex. Rian had included graphic details of what he wanted to do Bastijn, which had gotten him hard again. Rian had also told Bastijn about himself, using magic to show some memories, allowing Bastijn to see both the good and the bad.

Bastijn was certain several hours had passed when they were summoned before the King and Queen. Both were beautiful and Rian looked a lot like the Queen. He stood quietly as the royal couple asked if Rian had made a decision, which prompted his introduction, a rather lengthy interview about himself and his parents. And the reminder that the union was forever and that there was no way he could return to the human world. They would be joined that night. He’d never thought he’d be married.

Bastijn had to admit that the elven clothes he’d been given were more comfortable than his own clothes. Tradition dictated that he wear an emerald green, while Rian was dressed similarly in dark green. He wore no shoes, but had walked across the soft grass barefoot.

Once in the room, Rian sat down on the large bed and folded his hands on his lap.

“What is wrong Rian?” Bastijn asked.

“I was still forced into a position I dislike.”

“I don’t understand. You don’t like me?”

“Yes, I like you. But, I wanted the person I married to love me. I wanted to love them. I hate that you were forced into this.”

Bastijn knelt in front of his mate. “I wasn’t forced into anything. I do like you. I won’t lie and say I love you, but I do like you. I care about you.”

“Elves are supposed to mate for eternity. I never found anybody until you that I even wanted to consider that possibility before.”

“What was so special about today?” Bastijn asked.

“Today is the summer solstice.”

Bastijn nodded. He’d remembered. He’d planned to enjoy the long day down by the river. “So?”

“I turn 26 tomorrow. I need to be mated and joined before tomorrow or—”

“Or what?”

“I become permanently impotent,” Rian answered wincing.

“Ouch. Well, we can’t have that,” Bastijn smiled. Standing he stripped his clothes off and began helping Rian with his.

“You don’t love me.” Rian stilled his hands.

“I like you and I want you. Preferably hard, fast and in my ass if you please.”

Rian nodded, stood, and shed his clothes. Bastijn gasped as Rian touched him, running his hands over his back and ass.

“Wait.” Bastijn gripped Rian’s shoulders tight. What about condoms? You know a barrier, a sheath for your cock?” Bastijn said, stumbling over the words. “Something to protect against diseases.”

Rian shook his head. “No need. Magic. Protects elves.”

“I’m human.” Bastijn said as two fingers slid into his ass.

“But you’re my mate, so you are protected too.”

Bastijn nodded, trusted his gut, and gasped as Rian slid his cock into his ass. This he could get used to.

Cowboys!

Cowboys, cowboys and more cowboys!!!! The Saddle Up N Ride Anthology is out today from Total-E-Bound.

Here are the blurbs....

Ride 'em Hard Cowboy by J.P. Bowie

Sheriff Joel Harper is being sued, but when he meets young attorney Jason Sherwood, he wants him to handle much more than just the lawsuit!

When Sheriff Joel Harper, ex-wrangler, is falsely accused of assault and battery by a rich rancher’s son, he turns to Royce Chandler and Charles Fletcher for legal advice. What Joel doesn’t expect is to fall immediately in lust with young attorney Jason Sherwood, Royce’s new recruit to his recently opened law office.

Their budding romance is hampered by burglary, hate-filled graffiti, hostile neighbours and co-workers, and by Joel’s own sense of responsibility to his younger brother, Toby. Can their love survive all that’s thrown at them or will Jason decide the ride is just way to rough for him to endure?


Roping His Man by Simone Anderson

When a vacation yields an unexpected surprise, choices must be made and love hangs in the balance.

When Colton Greenleaf returns to his parents buffalo ranch after college, he doesn’t count on long-buried feelings resurfacing or the pull of the Wyoming mountains luring him home to stay. He tells himself its only for two weeks, that he can put up with anything for two weeks. But, when he comes face to face with the man of his dreams his first night home, he isn’t so sure. Now, he must figure out whether to take the chance on love or follow his life plan and face losing out on love all together.

Emmanuel Keegan, known only as Hawk, knows that he is ready to settle down. The only problem is that the man he wants is twelve years younger and the boss’ only son. Not only that, Colt doesn’t plan on sticking around any longer than he has to. Hawk knows following his heart’s desire could make him the happiest man on earth or it could shatter his heart for all time.


A Fistful of Emmett by Jambrea Jo Jones

Emmett Longley just lost his job and home. When he hears of a ranch needing a jack of all trades, he jumps at the chance. What Emmett didn’t expect was to find himself drooling over his new boss. And the man was giving off some weird vibes. Was Kit gay or not?

Christopher ‘Kit’ Younger only looks at men to see if they fit the bill to work his ranch. He doesn’t have time for relationships. He never has, and if he did, they would be with a woman. That was until Emmett Longley drove up to his ranch and applied for the job of foreman. Why was he getting hard over Emmett? There was nothing feminine about Emmett so why did Kit catch himself daydreaming about being in the big man’s arms?


Sing For Your Supper by Jaime Samms

Hunger can drive a man to do just about anything in order to satisfy it, but when it’s hunger of the heart, will past relationships keep three men wanting more?

Taylor has left home, chased out by his family because he’s gay, and pursued across the prairies by the man who violently assaulted him in his own home. Now he’s homeless, friendless and using his charm and skills learned on his knees before his father’s farm hands to pay for his meals.

Matt sees something more than a desperate whore in the young rancher who comes to his diner in hopes a quick blow job will buy him a meal. He sees past Taylor’s current circumstances to a man who just needs a clean break.

Matt sends Taylor off to his friend Jim’s ranch hoping the older man will see the same things in Taylor and give him the opportunity to start over. No one expects the visceral attraction between the rancher and his new hire.

When Taylor’s past catches up to him, and he realizes he’s put both men in jeopardy just for trying to help him, he thinks maybe he deserves to be branded the fool he is.

Jack's Way by Em Woods

When a down-on-his-luck architect meets a closeted cowboy with a cranky horse, can they find common ground or will ghosts from the past destroy their future?

Ben Morillo, a prominent architect, has a good life. He works for one of the leading firms in New Hampshire, owns his flat and stays out of the lime light. That is until his ex-lover shows up at his work months after their violent break-up, making a scene that gets Ben fired.

Jack Marr, ranch owner and closeted cowboy, can’t believe his bad luck when he has to pick up the handsome friend of his veterinarian. Convinced Ben won’t stick around, Jack struggles to protect his heart before the attraction between them leaves him broken.

Ben and Jack must feel their way through an amused veterinarian, a cranky horse and too many misunderstandings, but in the end, will Ben be able prove that Jack’s way is the only way for him?


Straight Cowboy by Jan Irving

Joshua Ryan did a stint for much-needed cash as the ‘straight cowboy’ in gay porn movies but he doesn’t think of himself as gay, so why does he want to do the things to Matt James he once did in front of a camera?

Cowboy Joshua Ryan can’t stop his erotic thoughts about Matt James, the hearing-impaired guest he’s taking into the foothills in search of wild horses. Matt James has dreamed all his life of coming out west. He’s at first taciturn with Josh, afraid he’s as close minded as some other hands they encounter on their excursion, but when Josh reaches for him unconsciously in his sleep, Matt has a tough time hiding his desire for a ‘straight’ man.