Vicktor Alexander's Blog, page 9

In honor of the last day of the BDSM Blog Hop I decided to talk about one of the most sacred, precious events in the BDSM community: The collaring ceremony.

But first, to answer your questions. There's only one today (does that mean that I've answered all of your questions? Really? LOL):

Hannah B:

How do you pick your safeword?

There are different schools of thought on choosing a safeword. Some think it should be a word that you will easily remember. "Red" for instance, since it means stop. But it should be something that you wouldn't say accidentally or during a scene. So they usually suggest not using words that you might say in normal conversation. For many of my subs I suggest they choose a word that, for them, would eliminate any and all arousal. Their parent's name, pet's name, a President's name (Nothing puts a halt to a BDSM scene like someone calling out "Reagan". LOL) or even the name of their favorite sports team.

"Aside from choosing what your safeword should communicate to your partner, selecting the word itself can be important. A good safeword is also one that unlikely to be used in a normal play scene. There should be no confusion as to if the safeword is being used or if it is normal conversation occurring within the scene. Words that are too long or complicated can be hard to remember, especially in the heat of the moment. The word should also be distinct sounding; homonyms (such as "bare" and "bear") that could be confused should be avoided. In a play scenario where endorphins are high and everyone may not be thinking clearly, anything that can be confused is likely to be (DrHGuy, 2006). The safeword should also be one that both participants feel comfortable with remembering. If you do find yourself in a position where you cannot remember what safeword was picked, using "Safeword" can always be a good fall back.


Image Obtained From Keep CalmIf attending a public play party, it can be advantageous to use the established house safewords, particularly if you do not have a set of your own that you and your partner are comfortable with. This will attune you to the use of these words for any partners that prefer the community established safewords. It also alerts the dungeon masters, and everyone else present, if you have called out your safeword in a public play space; this can be a safer option if playing with a new and unfamiliar partner (Thomas, 2010).


It is important to consider your safety when playing in scenarios that may impair or completely inhibit the bottom’s ability to speak. Non-verbal safewords are an excellent solution and can have a multitude of advantages. Aptly chosen visual or audio signals can be extremely effective in drawing attention and a creative non-verbal safeword can add some artistic flare to your scene which can help draw in both participants and add to the tone of a scene. If you are playing in a scene where there is a danger of any loss of consciousness, a well-placed non-verbal signal can be the difference in time that averts danger. At a public play event I witnessed a scene in which the two players were working with water asphyxiation. The top had secured the bottom to a chair and was pouring water into a cover of burlap over the bottom’s face. The bottom had been given two large rope bondage rings, one for each hand. When the bottom needed a break, the rings were dropped; this also served as a visual and audio safeguard against any loss of consciousness." (http://www.keepingitkinky.net/general...)

The most important thing is to choose a set of words (for Go, Stop, Slow Down/Be Cautious) that you will remember even while you are in subspace. Your safewords should be given to your Dom during negotiations and reiterated at the beginning of every scene. A good Dom will check-in with you during a scene during the scene using the safewords to see where you are and to remind you of them, just in case.



And now for today's post. My final post for the hop:

The Collaring Ceremony


Reidel Parthings stood at the back of the nightclub, his arms crossed across his burly chest as he watched Ahijit, Travis and Etan as they began their collaring ceremony. Ahijit sat in a chair while Etan and Travis knelt before him, naked, their temporary collars around their neck, wrist restraints on, both of them having either a flogger or a whip in their lap. Reidel rubbed the back of his neck before returning his arms back to their folded position in front of him. The fabric of his suit stretched along his torso and he grunted softly as he cursed himself once again for not going to buy a new outfit before the big day. Before he could sink any further into the morose thoughts, Brylan, the Dom of Ceremonies began speaking.

" Love, honor and obey used to be a common and significant vow in marriage ceremonies. Almost everyone has no issue with love and honor, the problem comes with the word obey. Each person of the union had a high code of behavior, ethics and morals to follow and the act of obeying supported the individual's success in meeting her or his own code. As society changed the code, the desire to obey diminished to the point that it is deemed contemptible. I feel to love, honor and obey is very appropriate for the Dom/sub relationship. But instead of the expected and obvious act of the submissive obeying the Dominant, I see it as each obeying her or his calling of dominance or submission. I see it as a higher calling of behavior, ethics and morals; in this case in the integrity of domination for Ahijit and the integrity of submission for his subs Travis and Etan. Knowing this, the three will now recite their own vows."

Ahijit stood and smiled down at Etan and Travis. "Etan? Travis? My boys, do you offer me your love?"

Etan grinned even as Travis sniffled before they both answered simultaneously. "Yes Sir, Master Ahijit."

Ahijit reached out to caress Travis's cheek first and then Etan's before gesturing to a man who stood off to the side of the stage. "Then accept my piercings to express this love." Reidel watched with happiness flooding his being as the other man stepped up to pierce both of Etan's nipples and then both of Travis's, placing small silver hoops in them. Once the hoops were attached, Ahijit reached over to the tray that sat next to his chair and lifted up two y-chains. He connected the chain to the rings in Etan's nipples and to his cock ring before turning to do the same to Travis.

"Travis? Etan? My boys, do you honor me?"

"Yes Sir, Master Ahijit," Etan and Travis stated solemnly.

Ahijit nodded. "Then worship my cock to express this honor." He released his cock from his pants, groaning as the two boys licked and sucked at his cock. Reidel felt his own cock grow hard at the sight of his friend receiving his sub's submission and envy curled up in his gut like a snake poised and ready to strike. He was happy for his friend, he really was, but he couldn't help but want the same.

After a few minutes, Ahijit pulled his cock from the lips of his subs and tucked himself away, though Reidel could tell it was difficult. He smirked and wiped his mouth to cover his grin. "My boys, Etan and Travis, will you obey your submission to me?"

Travis nodded immediately, Etan bobbing his head seconds later. "Yes Sir, Master Ahijit," they intoned.

"Then accept this lash as an expression of obedience."

Ahijit held out his hand and accepted the flogger from Etan. Walking around behind the young man, Ahijit rubbed his hand over Etan's back and ass, giving the skin a few smacks with his hand to warm up the flesh. Then he lifted the flogger and brought down the leather straps along Etan's body, praising Etan as the young man accepted the lashes without complaint. Praising the sub, Ahijit placed a soft kiss on Etan's neck before walking over to Travis. He accepted the whip from him and placed a small peck on his lips. Standing, he walked around behind Travis and, as he did with Etan, took a moment to warm up Travis's back and ass with his hand before stepping back and snapping the whip against the curve of Travis's ass a few time, leaving his marks upon the young man's skin.

Ahijit wrapped the whip and placed it back on the seat of the chair before going to stand in front of the two subs. Spreading his feet shoulder width apart, he observed both young men and Reidel could see the moment when his friend grew nervous. Ahijit swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing noticeably as he did so. "Etan? Travis? My boys, do you offer me a symbol of your commitment?"

"Yes Sir, Master Ahijit. We offer you our leashes." Reidel noticed Etan and Travis each hand Ahijit a leash that rested beneath their legs. Etan's leash was red, while Travis was black, and Ahijit accepted them both as if he were receiving the Holy Grail. Reidel wanted to applaud right then, knowing all that his mentor and friend had gone through to get to this moment, and being so proud of him, but he knew that the ceremony wasn't over just yet, so he held off. But just barely.

Ahijit turned back to the tray that rested next to his chair and opened the box there. He lifted out two gorgeous collars. Both of them were made of silver and looked like just like a chain, only with a small padlock in the center. The lock was engraved with AK+ED+TC on Etan's collar and AK+TC+ED on Travis's collar. Reidel had gone with Ahijit to buy the collars from a friend who specialized in making collars and engravings and had admitted to his friend how spectacular they were.

"These collars are a symbol of my love for you, a reminder that I honor and respect you, and a commitment to obey the responsibilities of being the dominant force in your life. It is a visible symbol of our commitment in a Dom sub relationship." With those words, Ahijit leaned forward and locked the collars around both Etan and Travis's neck. After locking the collars, he attached the leashes then leaned forward to kiss them both. Pulling back, Ahijit stepped between the both of them and turned to face the audience. Reidel felt pride and happiness soar through him as he stared at his friend and new, fully committed subs.

"Thank you all for coming and for sharing this special moment with us. As you all know, the collaring ceremony is just as important to those of us in Lifestyle as a marriage ceremony. So to have all of you here with us is a very beautiful thing. For those of you who have experienced this before, I know that you understand our joy, and for those of you who have not yet experienced this, I can only hope that one day you will, because it's truly an amazing feeling."

Reidel cheered along with everyone else when Ahijit concluded his speech, his heart clenching at the man's words. When Ahijit lifted Etan and Travis from their kneeling positions Reidel stepped forward along with everyone else to wish the new triad a happily-ever-after. Stopping at the end of the line, he caught sight of a pair of bright blue eyes and long black hair surrounding a thin, androgynous male face before it disappeared from sight. He gasped, his heart pounding in his chest as he wondered who the gorgeous stranger could have been.

-From the prologue of Mark Me (The Dom) (coming soon from Rooster & Pig Publishing, Inc.)


"The collar is a physical representation of the spiritual bond between a Dominant and his submissive. A collaring ceremony is akin to a wedding in the non-kink world, and is where a Dominant claims the submissive partner and presents the collar.

Collars take many forms. They may be physical or only symbolic. A leather collar is just as good as one crafted from the finest precious metals. What is important is the relationship that they symbolize. A Dominant commits to protect, nurture and, perhaps most importantly from a lifestyle perspective, control their partner in a considered, respectful manner. While romantic love is often found in the relationship, it is not a requirement to be collared. Love, though, is a requirement I believe, for a healthy relationship to develop.

BlackMarketChicago.comTypically, a Dominant will pick the collar out for her submissive. She may involve him in the process, but normally the decision is all hers. A physical collar may be a simple chain with a padlock, a dog collar bought at the local pet store, or even a piece of costume jewelry bought at the mall. Depending on the relationship, and their needs, a collar may lock, but it is almost equally likely that it will not. In my case, I commissioned a collar from a website (BondageCollars.com) that is designed to be non-removable (is secured with a hex-screw), but still looks like normal jewelry.

Then we come to the Collaring Ceremony. The ceremony may be intimate, just between the Master and slave involved, or it may be a large event with friends and family invited. If they are in an online only relationship, it may be a simple phone call, or online chat where descriptive chat is typed out. In any event, no matter where the event is held, or who attends, it should be seen as a somber event with bit of significance in our lifestyle, as a wedding is in the vanilla world.

A ceremony can be lead by a third party, as many I have attended have been. A community leader or respected friends conducts the ceremony and requests statements from both parties stating their commitments. In the case of my ceremony, I lead the ceremony, and had my esclave make her own statements.

In both cases, the normal course of events is to get those who are present to pledge their support of their relationship and to support the couple in the future. I can state from witnessing several and having my own, that a collaring is often a moving experience and can bring many there to tears." (*From http://houseofvoid.com/2009/03/18/bds...*)

Collaring ceremonies are so straight-forward and to the point, whereas many wedding ceremonies that I've been to are huge spectacles. To me, however, the collaring ceremonies also seem so much deeper. The Dom and sub are pledging complete devotion to each other. The sub is giving themselves into the protection of the Dom, giving themselves into the safe-keeping, the care, the arms, of the Dom. Whereas the Dom is proclaiming to all how truly priceless this sub is, how they are promising to never mistreat this sub, they are promising to never betray the trust that the sub has placed in them, they are promising to always treat that sub, their sub, as the treasure that they are.

Image By Calisto PhotographyI see it like this, during a collaring commitment ceremony, the gods, the heavens, the Fates, are placing this priceless jewel into my safekeeping and I am being charged to guard it, to care for it, to see it become the best display, the best jewel that it can be. I am being blessed with a role, a position as this jewel's guardian, charged to protect it, charged to love it, charged to keep it from harm. I am not only taking this jewel into myself, but I am putting myself into this jewel. I will be grounded and hold onto this jewel and watch it soar.

It's humbling, it's liberating and freeing and exhilarating. There's no need for me to be reminded to "care for them in sickness and in health, to love, honor and cherish them, to forsake all others...until death do you part," that's a given, I've been doing that already. That collaring ceremony is just me saying that I will continue to treat that sub as the priceless, gods-given treasure that I have been implored to care for, for all the rest of our days together.

The last thing for me to say on this matter is that the D/s relationship is not for everyone and there are couples out there who are more solid than some D/s couples that I know, but that's because everyone has to do what's right for them. I would never ask my sub(s) to not be a sub anymore if I ever lose part of my brain and can't be a Dom anymore, no matter how much I'd care for them at that point, I'd find them someone that could give them what they needed. That's the biggest thing. You have to do what's right for you, no one else and you can't let someone tell you what's right for you in matters like this. If you want to be a Dom or a sub, then be one, just do it the right way, do it the safe way. If you and your Dom or sub, want to make that commitment to each other, do it, regardless of what others may say, because that's what's right for you.

As a Dom I try to make sure that I'm doing what's right for my sub(s) at all times whether I'm with him/her or not. Plain and simple, because in our relationship, (s)he is what's important. Case closed, end of story.

Thank you all for joining with me this week during the BDSM Blog Hop. I hope you have learned a lot, not only from me but from the other bloggers as well. I hope that this hop has helped to eliminate any misconceptions you have about the Lifestyle, opened your eyes to the truth of those within the community and cleared up the damage done by those books that put the community in a bad light. Remember, if you have any questions there are many resources available to you: websites, books, munches, and people you can talk to. I am here if you want to ask more questions of. You can email me at: vicktoralexander (at) vicktoralexander (dot) com and I will do my best to get you any information that I can.

Thank you all again for hopping with me. And remember, you have until the 20th to comment on the other blogs, post the link, and sign up for my Rafflecopter giveaway: 2 free ebooks and a free autographed copy of one of my books.

Image via Amanda Sub
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Welcome to my third post for the BDSM Blog Hop!

There are a lot of really great posts out there for this hop and I hope you guys are following and reading them. There is some really good information out there and in our quest to dispel the misinformation put out by that book, a lot of my fellow blog hoppers are sharing some really pertinent information that those who are curious about the Lifestyle should know. Whether you're curious about it because you feel as though you should belong to the community or want to belong to it, or because you're a reader who enjoys reading about the BDSM Lifestyle or a writer who wants to write about it, there are a lot of people who have a lot of things they could share with you.


Image from Joy Drayer

And now to answer some questions asked of me:


Allison:

Do you have any specific authors, including yourself, that you would suggest in this genre?

This is a really good question. I can't say that I read a lot of BDSM because of the fact that a lot of the ones I read before were written by people whose research was flawed (ie, no safewords, no negotiation, no aftercare, borderline rape, etc.) and as a Dom I have issue with the way Doms are systematically portrayed in most BDSM books: cold, unfeeling bastards in need of a sub to help them love again and connect with their "humanity" but there are a few authors who have done a very good job with this genre whom I have read:

SJD Peterson's The Guards of Folsom series
Nix Knox's The Mormon & The Dom
Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowland series
Grace Duncan The Golden Collar series
Vicktor Alexander (yeah, I feel weird mentioning myself, but it's there)
Jana Downs's Marked series
HC Brown's Master Me

There are a lot more amazing authors who have written in this genre, but I haven't read them all. But these are the ones that I have read and really enjoyed and feel as though they represent the Lifestyle very well.

Hannah:

Image from Brandy How did you first become interested in BDSM?

I discuss my introduction into the Lifestyle in Post 2: Here. But my interest honestly was always there. It is a part of what makes me who I am. Just like I was born a gay man, I was also born a Dom. This isn't true for everyone, but for me it is. My Dom mentor, Jerome, describes it as "Blood Born Dominants" or "Blood Born Submissives." Whenever I would have sex with someone I was always very dominant and very interested in tying them down or what is termed edging, which is bringing someone to the brink of orgasm repeatedly without giving them release until they are mindless with it. That desire for control, to be selfless and care for others by letting them rely on me, lean on me, by letting me help them however I could, spilled over outside of the bedroom for me, however. I have friends who tell me that I was always the leader of our group. Always the one in control. That they never had a problem turning over decisions and control to me because I seemed to thrive on it. And it exhilarated me. I didn't even need to have an orgasm with my partners as long as I knew that I helped them in some way. For me it was never the thrill of power, it was the thrill of the exchange, of the trust, of the care that I could provide them. So finding out that I wasn't "weird" or "deviant" for liking to be in control or dominant was a huge relief for me.


Are Switches (dom to sub and vice versa) common?

"Switches" or "Versatiles" are actually quite common. A lot more common than people realize. This is because of the fact that most subs have the potential to be dominant with someone else (another sub) in a specific situation, and most Doms can be submissive to someone more dominant.

I've been quoted as saying that "Every Dom has a Dom." This isn't just because a great Dom is trained by another Dom, but because of the fact that sometimes Doms can get overwhelmed and need another Dom to keep them grounded, to pull them back from the edge, or even to do a scene with them because they need to relinquish control themselves.

It does happen. And then there are those who are: "Submissively Dominant" or "Dominantly Submissive." These are the people who are submissive to those who are more dominant to them or to certain people, but are dominant to others and vice versa.

The big thing to remember is, just like with sexuality and gender, which is fluid and will not be restrained or defined by those who think they know better, the BDSM Lifestyle and the roles members of the community take on, is exactly the same.



Subspace & Dom Headspace

And now for today's post.

I want to talk about subspace and the Dom headspace. Yes. That's right. We Doms have headspaces we go into as well, but it's very different from subspace and I'm going to describe to you the differences.


Image from Brandy


Subspace

"It's feels like I'm flying."-Tristan

"It's like getting a shot of the most incredible hit of morphine directly to the blood stream."-Rebecca

"All of my worries and cares float away for that moment and I can just... be."-Joey

"It's a bit like floating outside of myself. I can still feel the sting of pain but it becomes pleasure and sends me soaring higher into the clouds."-Brian

"I feel high."-Amber

"I feel weightless and amazing and the only thing keeping me tethered to the ground is my Dom. But an amazing Dom doesn't just make me feel weightless, but they're helping me to work through any issues I'm having. You were really good at that. I was never surprised to be brought out of subspace and find myself in your arms crying and healing from some emotional wound I didn't know was there or had been ignoring."-Charlie

"It's the greatest orgasm you'll ever experience, but it's not a physical orgasm, it's a spiritual one. Your mind, heart, emotions, soul and spirit are all connected and they explode inside of you and send you off into the stratosphere. It's beautiful."-Jamie
Image from ASI BDSM
These are some of the statements regarding subspace from submissives that I know. They were either my former subs or subs of friends. I didn't state their full names in order to protect their identities.

Subspace is explained by "Dr. Dexter" on ChicoMUNCH in this way:

Within the context of BDSM, "subspace" is a an altered psychological state that is often entered into by the person bottoming in a scene. It is not easy to characterize, because each person's reactions to BDSM play can be quite different -- and even a single person's reactions to play can vary from scene to scene.

Most people associate BDSM with the physical aspects of the scene: The floggers, whips, rope, and the like. However, there are many mental aspects to a scene as well, and those need to be considered during every scene.

Subspace, in one sense, is much like an hypnotic trance. A trance is any period of narrowly-focused attention. If you've been "sucked into" a book or movie, such that the world disappeared for a time, you've been in a trance. During a BDSM scene, as you progressively focus more and more on the physical sensations of play, the entire world may disappear, leaving only you, the Top, and whatever is being done to you.

At the same time, BDSM quite often involves impacts to the body. During a scene, the intense experiences of both pain and pleasure trigger a response of the sympathetic nervous system, which causes a release of epinephrine from the adrenal glands, as well as a dump of endorphins and enkephalins.



These natural chemicals are a part of the body's primal "fight or flight" response. They produce the same effects as a morphine-like drug. This dump of morphine-like chemicals into one's bloodstream into increases the pain tolerance of the submissive as the scene becomes more intense -- and also induces a euphoric, ecstatic floating feeling.

Subjectively, subspace is like getting drunk or getting high on drugs. You forget the pain, your problems, all your cares seem to drift away and be obliterated while you're in this state. Some submissives, upon reaching a height of subspace, may lose all sensations of pain, or become incoherent, making safewords useless.

The euphoria of subspace (or some parts of it) can last anywhere from hours to days after play. Some people can carry a positive "glow" from play that lasts them for weeks. 

However, it is also a state of mind that impairs rational thought and decision making skills. It's a state that needs to be monitored carefully for the mental and physical safety and well being of all the parties involved. While it is important to take this into consideration during play, it is  especially important to remember this as a scene is winding down and is stopped.

If a submissive goes far enough into subspace, they could injure themselves without knowing it, or continue to ask for play that could injure them without their knowledge. If the Top whom they're playing with doesn't understand the dangers of subspace, it can be even more dangerous for the sub.

The experience of subspace is a major reason that subs play within the BDSM world. Aside from exploring desires they've kept hidden from themselves, and experiencing a form of sexually-related play that operates on levels of explicit communication that they've probably never experienced before -- learning to fly in subspace is a powerful and ecstatic experience. It is literally an incredibly powerful "natural high". 

When a submissive is in subspace, they usually don't want to come down from it, since it is a feeling of bliss that they don't want to lose. However, all play must end, and what goes up, must eventually come down. It is very important to understand that learning to fly involves learning to land in a graceful way, which preserves the flying experience -- because the alternative to a graceful landing is sometimes rather like a mental airplane crash.
(*http://chicomunch.com/publ/basic_info...*)


Image from Ashleigh Renee
Dom Headspace

When I started training to be a Dom, I spent a while as a sub for Jerome. I will admit that it was absolutely the worst time ever for me. LOL. That's because being tied up, restrained, spanked, etc. does absolutely nothing for me. I was extremely tense the entire time and could never truly achieve "subspace." Handing over control to someone else is not something that I'm strong enough to do. Because yes, you have to be extremely strong to hand over your control to someone. To trust them enough and have faith in them to take care of you. To give you not only what you want but what you need during a scene and I had the hardest time achieving that. No matter how much I told myself to relax.

By the time I felt as if I may have been able to achieve subspace, or some version of that flying feeling, my time as Jerome's sub had come to an end and it was time for me to begin my training as an actual Dom. That brought on a different type of "floaty" feeling. I was strong enough to shoulder the care of someone else, to accept the control they so freely entrusted to me and to, in turn, be the Dom they needed me to be. To protect them, care for them, and to provide the domination/sensation/consensual kink that they craved.

That "floaty" feeling wasn't so much a high as Rebecca and Amber described or even the flying feeling that Tristan, Joey, Brian, Charlie and Jamie described. It was much more of an extreme sensation of being focused. My entire body, mind, and being is connected and centered on my sub(s). The rest of the world fades away in that moment and all of my attention is on the scene and my sub(s).


"Dom Space can feel a little like being high, a little like being amplified, a little like channeling a Gillette, a little like being in the zone, outside of yourself, while more yourself than ever. Like a lot of things that are deeply personal experiences, it’s hard to describe. Altered, purer, superior focus, senses magnified, bigger than usual, more of all the things you usually are. There can be an expanded sense of intuition, knowing what to do. The connection with our partner might feel stronger, more intimate than usual. A heightened sense of awareness can make it seem like we can almost read their minds and emotions. We may lose track of time, the space around us may get fuzzy, external distractions fading into the background." (http://dominantguide.com/2312/dom-spa...)



When I'm in a Dom head space my world and my gaze is focused on my sub. I feel "grounded." Everything is much more heightened, my shoulders feel broader and I feel this deep connection with my sub. My every nerve, every cell in my body, is connected to him, I'm trying to get him to that place where he floats, where he is sated and happy because it makes me that way. I'm taking the control that he's giving me and I'm turning it and molding it into something a little bit easier for him to manage and to carry when the scene is over.

I feel like a potter during a scene. I'm molding my sub to be a better "them" when I say "Scene over." I'm pouring all of me, all of my strength and power and control into them, since they've given me theirs, so I have to make sure that they can handle it.

Then when a scene is over, they're drained and I'm still pulsing with energy so I have the Aftercare, where I'm cradling them in my arms, taking care of them, making sure that they come down from floating and it's during that time where I'm releasing all of that pent-up energy and finding my own center again. Sort of like releasing the lightning bolts that I held in my hand so that I can surround my sub in the softness of the clouds and then place them firmly back on Earth, with me.

That's a Dom head space.




After a sub has achieved subspace and a Dom has entered "Dom space" or the Dom headspace, Aftercare is essential for both of them.

I'll talk about that in my next post as well as how to spot a "Wannabe."


Don't forget to check out the other blogs in the hop and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

And if you have any questions about the Lifestyle, don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to answer.



-Vicktor Alexander
aka. Vic, The Dom




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Hello BDSM Blog Hoppers, Readers, Doms, subs, Vers, Curious, Allies, and everything in between.
Welcome to the BDSM Blog Hop. For the next few days I'm going to do a series of posts that will be a little different than what you are used to seeing from me. While I know that many of you are used to me as Vicktor Alexander, author, there is another side to my life that not many are privy to. That is Vic, Dom, a member of the BDSM Lifestyle.
I have been a part of the Lifestyle since I was 18 when I went through extensive training with another Dom, Jerome, who had been in the Lifestyle for years and after a year of munches, play parties, assisted scenes, classes, training sessions, explanations, and the like, I was finally considered a Dom by not only Jerome but by others within the BDSM community. But I'll talk more about that later on this week.
Today I want to talk about what BDSM actually is.
When I first mentioned to Grace Duncan that we should have a BDSM blog hop, I was only partially teasing. There is a very large misconception about what it means to be either a Dom(me), a sub, Versatile, a Master/Mistress, a slave, or any other member of the community and I, as well as many others who consider this an extension of ourselves, a part of our truth, wanted to put an end to them. With the overwhelming interest in BDSM due to a certain book which many in the community found deplorable in its depiction of BDSM, we knew that it was up to us to shed light and bring truth to those who are either curious, fascinated, horrified, and even to counteract those who try to pain the community in a bad light.
So, what is BDSM? (Bondage-Discipline; Domination-Submission; Sadism-Masochism)
Contrary to what you may have heard, read, or thought, BDSM is not about rape, sex, violence, spanking, watersports, scat, removing free will from the sub/servant, pain, or even about the Dom(me)/Master/Mistress having control. BDSM is a powerful, intimate, relationship between consenting adults where there is an exchange of control.
It is about selflessness, faith, trust, release (mental, emotional, as well as physical), as well as achieving a greater level of intimacy and connection not only with the person for whom you have given your control or whom you have received their control, but with yourself.

"Give me your faith and control and I will give you my care and protection." -The Dom's Promise (Jerome, Dom)
BDSM, or as it is called in some circles EPE (Erotic Power Exchange) is the freedom of choice for both partners to enter into forms of erotic power exchange. The choice to engage in erotic power exchange as well as the choice of role are non-compulsive are both voluntary. It is usually driven by very deep personal emotions and it should be safe, sane and informed consensual, based on mutual respect and trust and (not always!) love. Next, the partners within erotic power exchange should adhere to certain basic rules known as the concepts of erotic power exchange, such as discussing and negotiating each other's wants, needs, emotions as well as negotiating and acknowledging emotional and physical boundaries. In other words, erotic power exchange is role play by free and voluntary choice of the participants, as opposed to any situation where either of the partners has no choice or is forced or manipulated into a role.
Hardly two erotic power exchange couples or situations are alike, which makes it impossible to try and describe the activity in a few simple terms. Every simplification will almost automatically lead to oversimplifying and thus stereotyping. For example, erotic power exchange is often mistaken for algolagnia ("pain lust"). Pain can be, but does not have to be an erotic component. Using pain in an erotic setting is only one of the very many rituals or conventions power exchange can have.
(http://www.evilmonk.org/a/pro01.cfm)So, in Lamen's terms what does that mean?
BDSM is the exchange of power, or control, between consenting adults. This usually occurs during a scene, but there are those who engage in the Lifestyle 24/7. A "Scene" does not always have to involve pain (think whips, floggers, cat o' nine tails) sometimes it can be about sensation play (think feathers, ice, etc.). Sometimes the exchange of control or the "Scene" can be about service or just about the person(s) relinquishing their control not being in charge for a set time. Being able to let go and be taken cared of.
At its heart, the deepest core of our community's foundation, that is what BDSM is all about. Taking care of each other. Whether that care is achieved by the Dom(me) tying up the sub and helping them to achieve the blissful state of subspace through pain or sensation play, or whether it is achieved by the Master/Mistress collaring the slave and requiring them to kneel and scheduling/planning out every aspect of their week, it is an intimate exchange. Control for Care. Faith for Protection. Power for Guidance.
And it goes both ways for while the Dom(me) or Master/Mistress is caring for their sub(s) or slave(s) through scenes they are also being cared for.
It is something that is often missing in the BDSM stories that are published, the Dom-headspace, and the care and affection that the Dom receives in return but it does happen. For another misconception that occurs is that Doms are cold, unfeeling bastards. Confident, self-assured, and in desperate need of a sub or two or more to help them to love again. And while this does happen and there are Doms out there who present themselves as such, we must not forget that Doms are human. We suffer from insecurities, low self-esteem, hesitations, nervousness, etc. And sometimes it is the Dom who helps the sub to love again. If that is their aim.
There are a lot of other aspects to the Lifestyle that I haven't touched on in this post that I will later on this week: The Training, Negotiations, Contracts, Safewords, Subspace/Dom Headspace, My Introduction to the Lifestyle & Becoming The Dom, BDSM Terms, and I'm even going to give you guys a free BDSM short story (because I am still a writer), but that's all later on.
And since this IS a hop, I am of course going to offer a giveaway. One lucky person will receive two free ebook copies of any one of my books as well as an autographed copy of one of my covers.
So what do you have to do?
Follow the hop from July 5-13th and leave a comment, pertinent to the post, on each blog, as well as on mine (I won't be posting a BDSM Blog Hop post every day but when I do, make sure you comment) with a link to your comment. It's that simple.
But what about all of you?
Now that BDSM has been defined to a degree, do you have any questions? If so, leave them in the comments below and I will try to answer them, either in the comments or I will mention you by name and answer your question in my next post.
Enjoy the hop!
-Vicktor Alexander, Dom

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"http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=413653">

Some of you may remember me mentioning the different charities that I'd planned on donating to this year with my royalties. Well, I've decided to let you all get involved.

I've really enjoyed the prompt challenge over at the Goodreads M/M Romance Group and this will be my third year participating (and the first year that I'll end up having two stories in the anthology!). It gave me an idea. And while my WIP list is already looooooong, this gives me a chance to give back not only to you, but to one of my favorite charities.

For the month of July I'm going to have a charity donation giveaway competition of sorts over on my blog. What that means is that you, the readers (and maybe even some authors -shrugs- who knows?) are going to make pledges to donate to: St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The person who, by the end of the month, pledges to donate the most and forwards me your "confirmation of donation" email will be able to create their own "Vicktor Alexander" book. Email your confirmation to [email protected]

This means that you and I will chat, and have extensive conversations as you give me the following details for your book:

Genres (paranormal, contemporary, historical, fantasy, science fiction, etc.)Pairing (M/M, M/M/M, M/M/M/M+)Main Character NamesMain Character DescriptionsBook LocationMajor ConflictTaboos: Yes or No (if yes, which one(s)? Remember there are some things that I absolutely will NOT write. If you win, we'll discuss it.)HEA/HFN/Bittersweet EndingSeries: Yes or No (if yes, what's the series name and the overall arc? Is it a part of one of my already created series? If so, which one?)

And when the book is complete, submitted, and accepted at a publisher I will let you be the one to help me fill out the Cover Art Request form to help design the cover by finding the pictures online that closely resemble the main characters (I am not guaranteeing that those images will be used or that the cover you envision will be the one that I get, that is completely up to the publisher that ends up accepting the story, but, I'll do my best to get you a great cover!). You, the winner, will also be a character in the book-complete with dialogue and interaction with the main characters.

Pledging begins July 4, 2014 12:00am EST, so get your ideas together for your story, and prepare yourself to make your pledge.

To find out more about St. Jude's, as well as their donation page: GO HERE. DONATE.

And if you don't win? Fret not, I have decided to do this four times a year. Once every three months so that my donation to each of the four charities that I'm donating to each year will receive the extra exposure and the added donation. So if you don't win in July, I'll be running the competition again in September and November.

Here are the rules/details:



Rules:
1) Participants may enter as many donation bids as they want within the contest month.
2) When the winner is announced, they must provide their email address as well as digital (email) proof of donation (their winning bid) to the proposed charity.
3) Participants may bid on either the blog, website or subsequent FB threads announcing contest during the month.
4) Participants do not have to enter their first bid on the first day, however, all interested parties should have their first donation bid declared by the end of week two.
5) Author cannot guarantee book's acceptance into a publishing house. If the book is rejected, Vicktor Alexander may self-publish.
6) If the winning participant chooses to make the book part of an existing series, certain details are already set in stone and part of the world building. Those details cannot be altered. However, if the winner chooses to create a new series with a new overall story arc, they will only work on the intricate details of the one book. However, they will be asked about world building for the series before the book's completion.
7) Final donation bids must be posted on either site by 12:00AM, August 01, 2014.
8) The winning donation bid must be made to the charity (St. Jude's Children Hospital) within 72 hours of participant winning or the runner-up will be contacted.

Details:
1) Winner will be mentioned in dedication and in the book, however the copyright of the book and/or series belongs to Vicktor Alexander as well as any and all royalties earned on book that are not donated to the aforementioned charity.
2) Winner and Vicktor Alexander will work out a schedule of when to chat to get details for book/series as well as the projected word length, projected completion date, and anything else pertinent to the contest.
3) The contest is open to all readers/authors/participants, foreign and domestic, to the United States.
4) For any further questions, participants may ask Vicktor Alexander or his assistant, Sheri Vidal,([email protected]) .

Ash Risingby Melissa Fox
~~~~~~~~~~~~~



BLURB:
“Special Agent Justice, this is Ash—Inspector Beaulieu.”
Emma pulled the phone away from her ear and blinked at the screen, as if that would help clear her confusion. Not only because Inspector Beaulieu had called, but also because of the warm rush the sound of his rough, deep voice triggered. She started to clear her throat but didn’t want the telltale sound to give her away. Taking an extra second, she made sure her voice remained cool and professional.
“Inspector Beaulieu. What can I do for you?”
“Meet me out in front of your apartment building in five minutes. I’ve got information on the Salvatore case I think you’ll find worth the aggravation.” A powerful engine rumbled in the background.
“Aggravation?”
“Of having to deal with me.”
The amusement in his tone prompted her smile, and she fought to keep the reaction from sounding in her voice. “Can’t you tell me over the phone? Or wait until we’re at work?”
“No, this can’t wait. I’ll be there in five. See you then, Special Agent.”
He hung up as she opened her mouth to protest. Emma stared at the phone for a second and then scrambled for the bedroom, skidding to a halt in front of her closet. Ripping the ponytail holder out of her hair, she fisted her hand in the loose strands and pulled until the sting brought some sense back into her head.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she muttered. “Get a grip. This is your job. This is purely professional and work related. You are not getting ready to go to the frigging prom.”
Flipping her head down, she gave her long hair a shake and grabbed a fresh shirt to throw on with her jeans. She might not be going on a date with the man, but she could wear clothes that didn’t look like she hibernated in them.EXCERPTS (Your Exclusive Excerpt):
“There’s a guest room.” He gestured down the hall. “Has an attached bath. I can give you clean sweats and a shirt that should fit well enough until I get you home.”
“Okay. Thanks. It’ll be good to get clean. Get the mud off, I mean. Not that I mind being dirty. Dirty’s okay sometimes, but—” With great willpower, she forced herself to stop babbling and walked resolutely in the direction he’d indicated. She didn’t have anything to be nervous about, just because she was about to strip down in his house, and, presumably, he was, too. Nope, no reason for nerves, imagining that long, luscious body naked with water sluicing over skin, trickling over sculpted muscle…
A smile curved his perfectly shaped mouth. He followed her to the spare room and paused at the open door. “Use whatever you need, and let me know if there’s something I can do to you.”
She glanced up sharply at the innuendo, wondering if she’d misheard, knowing she hadn’t. He gave her a bland stare and almost pulled the innocent act off, but the amusement in his eyes gave him away.
“For you, I mean. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”
Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded. After ogling his back until he disappeared down the hall, she stumbled into the well-appointed guest room and fanned her face. Mind. Gutter. Out.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
After being rationed books by my parents like most kids get rationed candy, I turned to writing to tide me over between fixes. I love to get lost in a captivating, exhilarating story, whether reading or writing. Nothing is better than being drawn into a story so deeply you don't realize you're turning a page until you've reached the end, and the characters live on in your heart and mind long after the cover has been closed.
Having lived in the suburbs of the Mid-West, desert of the Southwest, and foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I’m now on an island in the Puget Sound with my husband and dogs.

Social Media
Website: http://melissa-fox.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaFoxWords
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFoxWords
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Fox/e/B...
Blog: http://fightforyourwrite.com


She glanced up sharply at the innuendo, wondering if she’d misheard, knowing she hadn’t. He gave her a bland stare and almost pulled the innocent act off, but the amusement in his eyes gave him away.
“For you, I mean. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”
Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded. After ogling his back until he disappeared down the hall, she stumbled into the well-appointed guest room and fanned her face. Mind. Gutter. Out.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
After being rationed books by my parents like most kids get rationed candy, I turned to writing to tide me over between fixes. I love to get lost in a captivating, exhilarating story, whether reading or writing. Nothing is better than being drawn into a story so deeply you don't realize you're turning a page until you've reached the end, and the characters live on in your heart and mind long after the cover has been closed.
Having lived in the suburbs of the Mid-West, desert of the Southwest, and foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I’m now on an island in the Puget Sound with my husband and dogs.

Social Media
Website: http://melissa-fox.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaFoxWords
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFoxWords
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Fox/e/B...
Blog: http://fightforyourwrite.com

Melissa will be awarding an ebook copy of Ash Rising and a $20 gift certificate to Amazon or Starbucks (Winner's Choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour so make sure you follow the tour! And remember, the more you comment, the better your chance of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot...


Enter to win a $20 Amazon or Starbucks GC + an eBook! A Rafflecopter giveaway

A Marquis For All Seasonsby Renee Reynolds ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Lady Miranda Leighton and the Marquis of Stafford, Roman de Courtenay, have a similar problem: their families want them to find a spouse. Together they hatch the perfect scheme: they will pretend an attachment and trick their families in their pursuit of one last season of unencumbered entertainment. Yet, in each other's constant company, they find their ruse giving rise to some surprisingly very real feelings.  What happens when you set out to fool society, but only end up fooling yourselves?EXCERPT
Stafford immediately looked into the tree above him, and could not believe the scene before his eyes.  Dainty feet encased in pink slippers at the end of long, shapely legs appeared perhaps ten feet above his head.  A swath of pink skirts and petticoats seemed to be the wrapping on a perfectly-formed female as enticing as any gift package he had ever received.  He smiled rakishly as his admiring gaze met her disapproving one.  Despite the distance and dark, Lady Miranda's ire was apparent.

“A gentleman would avert his eyes,” she declared with perfect condescension and superiority.
“A lady would cover her drawers,” he drawled in reply, raking his gaze over her legs again.
“Could I reach my drawers, rest assured, they would be covered.  Now, will you help me down or must you continue to stare?”
“I can do both, actually, and will be quite pleased to do so.”
“Lord Stafford!” she chastised, quietly but effectively.
“Ask me nicely, Lady Miranda,” he jibed with a toothy smile.
“Oh, I'll ask nicely,” she muttered, “then plant you a facer later.”
“What was that?” he asked with a laugh, no longer able to hold in his amusement over her situation.
She blew out a loud breath, billowing the pink silk of the skirts that were tucked under her chin.  “Lord Stafford.  Would you do me the immense favor of playing errant knight to my distressed lady, and rescue me from this dire situation?  And pray do so before another shows and tries to do it for you.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Author Renée Reynolds grew up all over the world as the daughter of a globe-trotting Marine father and spirited and supportive mother. Their family motto was you can never learn too much, travel too much, or talk too much.
She majored in majors in college, and after obtaining a host of degrees she decided not to use any of them and instead writes about what she cannot do - go back in time to dance at balls, flirt with lords, gentlemen, and scoundrels, and gallop unfashionably down Rotten Row during the most fashionable hour.
After dodging a few Collinses and Wickhams, Renée happily snared a Darcy. Her HEA turned out to be in Texas, where she resides with "the hubs, the kiddos, a boisterous menagerie of indoor and outdoor animals, and a yard of meticulously maintained weeds." She has happily tagged on this addendum to the family motto: you can never read too much, too often, or too late at night.
Website - http://obstinateheadstronggirl.wordpr...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/eenayray
Facebook author page - https://www.facebook.com/reneereynold...
Facebook fan page - https://www.facebook.com/obstinate.he...


Renee will be awarding a replica of the locket and chain worn by the heroine in the book, and a copy of A Marquis For All Seasons (choice of print or ebook; print will be autographed) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (US ONLY)


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Make sure you follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chance of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot...

Wildflower  The Dramatic Life of Barbette -- Round Rock's First and Greatest Drag Queen
ByKyle Taylor

(KYLE WILL BE GIVING AWAY:  
a $25 Amazon gift card to the commenter who leaves the best question or comment)


BLURB:  
“More fun than a sex party!” — Barbette

Long before Ru Paul  eyed his first pair of six inch stilettos or Boy George donned his colorful caftan, a handsome young man from the small town of Round Rock, Texas barnstormed the stages of Europe’s most lavish theaters and night clubs as Barbette, a beautiful aerialist drag queen who became a scandalous sensation throughout the Roaring Twenties.

Performing his erotic, high wire and trapeze routine in lavish, feminine regalia, Barbette shocked audiences by revealing the true nature of his gender at the very end of his act.

From a child who picked cotton and walked his mother’s clothes line to headlining at the Moulin Rouge in spectacular drag,  Wildflower reveals long-forgotten secrets of this enigmatic performer: his arrest in London on morals charges, his bout with polio, his infamous collaborations with some of Hollywood’s greatest stars— Orson Welles, Vincente Minnelli, and Judy Garland, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis as well as his hidden affair with French surrealist  Jean Cocteau.

Wildflower captivates with every page, dramatically revealing the startling and at times heart-breaking story of Round Rock’s first and greatest drag queen.



EXCERPT:

Crowning the side of her head was the smartest crimson hat Vander had ever seen. If her appearance wasn’t striking enough, there was the matter of the fully grown cheetah walking alongside her. Lean and slinking on a sparkling chain attached to a jeweled collar, the cheetah most certainly put the woman over the top. Passersby cleared a path for the woman and her wild animal as she made way down the street—the woman’s head held high and mischievously proud, pretending not to notice the commotion she was causing as she made way.
“Please! Stop looking at her!” Radiguet begged.
“Josephine!” Cocteau remarked with some excitement and knowing. “Your only true competitor—the great Josephine Baker! Look at how she walks down the street—African queen of the jungle! I don’t know what they are putting into the water in America to grow such exotic flowers as you both.”
Vander was well aware of Josephine Baker. Her scandalous dance, where she only wore a skirt of bananas tied low about her hips, was the talk of Paris. If Barbette’s star shone bright, Josephine Baker was a super nova.
“She has a cheetah!” Vander exclaimed.
“Yes!” Radiguet said extremely agitated. He held his hand up to the side of his face to hide his visage from her so she would not recognize him if she turned her head toward the front window of Harry’s. “The cheetah has an unpleasant disposition!” Radiguet warned. “Chiquita is her name. She terrifies me! How Josephine is not arrested on the spot for having such an animal roaming the streets!”
Vander could do nothing by gape.
“Don’t look her way or she will come over!” Radiguet hastened.
“It is a good thing Princess Violette is at home, because you know she would have made a big fuss,” Cocteau added. “It seems the princess fancies Josephine. She excites her. She finds her fascinating.”
“In all my time in America, I’ve never seen a Negro looking like that!” Vander exclaimed. He watched Josephine move down the street, like an exotic cat herself—so strong and confident, yet her eyes were vivid and alert tingling with a hint of mirth. The woman owned the street, with or without her pet cheetah!
Then, almost directly across from Harry’s Bar, a blonde driver in a black, gold-braided uniform emerged from a long, white Rolls Royce with sweeping lines and fancy running boards. The chauffer opened the rear door to the stunning automobile. Josephine was ten paces from the car. She released the cheetah’s lead and the cat leapt inside of the auto in a single bound. Josephine smiled at her driver as she stepped into the car.
“Unbelievable!” Vander remarked, eyes wide open. “I’m not in Round Rock, Texas anymore!”
“You most certainly are not!” Cocteau replied with a flourish.
“Thank god she is driving away,” Radiguet said, quickly downing his Bloody Mary to settle his nerves.
“If there is one way to keep autograph hounds from running up, that is it!” Cocteau smiled. He too downed is midday cocktail and turned to Vander. He pushed back from the table. “Now, we must head onto our next great adventure. Vander, my dear, have you ever seen a pornographic film?”




AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Kyle Taylor is the author of Wildflower, Exposition and Billion Dollar Dreamer. The Kyle Taylor character debuted in Billion Dollar Dreamer as a journalist who was assigned to write a story about high school history teacher cum overnight billionaire John Driskil. He resides in New York—and of course he is a work of fiction! You can contact Kyle at [email protected].



I was fortunate enough to ask Kyle Taylor, the author a question about the novel, and he graciously answered:
1. What kind of research did you do to prepare for this novel?

I initially laid out Wildflower in a completely different way. I was going to have two parallel stories, one of a contemporary teenager in Round Rock growing up gay and the other was going to be scenes from Barbette’s life. But as I reviewed all I could find on Barbette, I realized, this boy who grew up picking cotton in little Round Rock, Texas had quite a story to tell.  So I decided to feature only his life.

What I didn’t realize was the extensive, time consuming research I would have to undertake in order to give Wildflower an authentic voice. Last summer, when I started the project, I headed to the Round Rock library and began digging.  I came up with two very important sources that helped shape my understanding about Barbette, whose real name was Vander Clyde Broadway.

The first was the only interview I know of Barbette giving. He did it in the late sixties for The New Yorker magazine. Barbette explained some of the basics of his life—at least how he wanted it portrayed. He fudged his age a bit, I would later discover. But what I also liked about the interview was that Barbette revealed enough of his temperament and tastes in the piece for me to shape a character. I think he was truly flattered The New Yorker tracked him down and had interest in him. At the same time, the way he disdainfully orders around the waitress who is serving him reveals his intense perfectionism.

The second source that was helpful at the start were books on the history of Round Rock. Barbette is featured in them all.  They helped me understand the town at the time of Barbette’s boyhood. They had reminisces of people who knew Barbette as a child, including one woman who remembers her being walked to school by the older Vander Clyde. She remembered his back yard shows where he would walk on his mother’s clothesline. It was all there.

Because the book spans sixty years of a man’s life it seemed each major act of the novel needed extensive research.  I had to dig to find documentation of Barbette’s first aerialist troupes.  When did he start performing in drag and renaming himself ‘Barbette’? I needed to understand what exactly the vaudeville and circus acts did on stage. For example, Erford’s Whirling Sensation featured three ‘sisters’ – Barbette included—in silver lamè and platinum wigs swirling above the stage hanging from leather straps only with their clenched teeth.

When Barbette makes it to Europe and becomes this scandalous acrobatic drag superstar, he enters into a whole new world of French surrealists, deposed royalty and American expats. In The New Yorker piece, Barbette mentions his associations. I had to dig into their lives and map out timelines of their accomplishments and comings and goings. I love to incorporate real statements of these people into my dialogue, so I kept files of quotes from all the major players Barbette associated with.  It was a total education.

I also used accounts from circus entertainers and roadies who worked with Barbette. They revealed funny stories that displayed Barbette’s dry, cutting wit and his dedication to his craft. I studied Ringling Circus logs from the 1940’s to understand his involvement in the productions. Biographies from director Billy Wilder and Tony Curtis were also helpful for their accounts of Barbette.

The 1930’s were a total mystery to me. I actually produced a draft of the manuscript without much from this decade at all. Where was Barbette in the 1930’s? But luckily I found a trove of information about Barbette’s work on Billy Rose’s Broadway hit, Jumbo in 1935. I also came across more information about his fall while performing and his career-ending bout with polio, even finding the name of the hospital in Manhattan where he first convalesced. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when I came across the only known film footage of Barbette actually performing his aerialist drag number on stage. Here is a link: http://www.frequency.com/video/barbette-december-19-1898-august-5-1973/115079354/-/5-5961174

All the while, as I was writing and the colors of Barbette were being revealed, I struggled to stay on top of the material. It felt like riding a wave on a surfboard. You are trying to get the right balance of fact and fiction. Sometimes the ride felt secure, other times, I felt like I was holding on for dear life!  Anyway, I truly hope you enjoy this presentation of Round Rock’s first and greatest drag queen, the magnificent—Barbette!


Don't forget: Kyle will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to the commenter who leaves the best question or comment. And don't forget to follow the tour and comment! The more you comment, the better your chance of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot...

Lynda will be awarding a $20 Gift Card to the ebook retailer of choice (Amazon, B&N, Allromance ebooks) to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter below during the tour.

Pro hockey player Holden Hauke has kept his sexual needs buried for years. After a near miss over a picture of him bound to a spanking bench resulted in a mid-season trade, he's kept his image clean. But with the season over, he's ready to surrender control. And he's found just the woman to help him—if only he can convince her to give him a chance.
Bending men to her will is nothing new for Vanessa Delcour, aka Mistress V—she's a full-time rep for pro athletes, a part-time owner of exclusive sex club The Den, and an experienced Domme. But when Holden Hauke comes looking for a discreet partner, Vanessa's concerned about his motives. Touching his training-toned body during a scene wouldn't exactly be a hardship, but taking him on crosses barriers between work and play that she's had in place for years.

From their first intense encounter in Mistress V's playroom, Hauke knows he can't let this chance slip away; he's found the woman he's always needed. Submissive or not, he's willing to push her every limit to prove how good they can be together.

New to The Den? Go back to the beginning with Bonds of Trust.


Now enjoy an excerpt:

“Is there a problem, Mr. Hauke?”

The smooth-as-silk voice was edged with a steely line of authority that pinged at his twenty-plus years of conditioning from listening to coaches. Not to mention growing up with three older sisters and a mother who knew how to use both “the look” and “the voice” to perfection. He lowered his chin and met Vanessa Delcour’s gaze.

She might not be his PR rep, but she was around the Glaciers enough that he knew who she was. Hell, all the players knew who she was. There was a never-ending stream of crude jokes running through the locker room about the pounding someone would give her hot little ass. As if she’d bend over for any of them. One steely glare from her could shrivel a man’s cock faster than an ice bath after a game.

The slow curl of trepidation clenched his throat, making his words tight. “You tell me, Ms. Delcour.”

Her sleek black suit hugged her frame and included swatches of leather that circled her waist and accentuated her slimness. Her slight size was negated by the impossibly high heels that drew his eyes down the length of her shapely legs before he jerked his focus back up.

The knowing smirk on her lips, matched with the cocky arch of her brow, left no doubt that she’d caught his appraisal. “Are you done?”

The starch in her words had the hairs rising on the back of his neck. Unfortunately, it had the same effect on his dick.

Author Bio & Links
Lynda Aicher has always loved to read. It’s a simple fact that has been true since she discovered the words of Judy Blume at the age of ten. After years of weekly travel as a consultant implementing computer software into global companies, she ended her nomadic lifestyle to raise her two children. Now, her imagination is her only limitation on where she can go and her writing lets her escape from the daily duties of being a mom, wife, chauffer, scheduler, cook, teacher, volunteer, cleaner and mediator. If writing wasn’t a priority, it wouldn’t get done.
To learn more about Lynda, you can find her at:
Website:  http://lyndaaicher.com
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/lyndaaicherauthor
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/lyndaaicher
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5339510.Lynda_Aicher


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Make sure you follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chance of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot...

Desires’ Guardian by Tempeste O’Riley

Desires Entwined series book #2

M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: June 6th, 2014 (ebook/print)

Length: Novel / 200 pages



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Description:

Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man. Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires. Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.
Morning my lovely readers! Today I’m going to touch on a topic that is hard for many to discuss and leaves deep wounds on those left behind. Teen Suicide, well, suicide of any age really, is a topic within Desires’ Guardian . It’s not a comfy topic, but it an important one. Many lost could have been saved, if only someone had stepped in and protected the abused person before they gave up. I’m not talking about clinical depression that leads to suicide, but rather something even more insidious… the abuse and rejection of gay teens that drives some to end their lives, thinking it’s their only way out of the pain.
The other issue I touch upon is known by some as survivor’s guilt. When someone close to the person lost believes they could have done more, though often they have no idea what, to have saved their friend, brother, cousin, sister, etc. Within Desires’ Guardian , this very topic comes up and you get to see how devastating it is for some, even years later, to be the one left behind, to be the one that missed ‘the’ call.

Many don’t realize the pain, anger, shame, and devastation of those still living, of those now with a huge hole in their hearts due to the loss. What’s worse is those that abused and drove the victim to this devastating and final decision often make things worse for the survivors, either though malice or self-righteous spewing about the now lost loved one.
I won’t get into my opinions on what should happen to those that bully and abuse, but I will say that everyone should pay attention when they see or suspect bullying and abuse. It’s NEVER OK to bully. It’s NEVER OK to abuse others for not being like you (or any other reason). And yes, you very much should find a way to speak up. That isn’t to say you should run into the middle of a beating, but calling 911, telling a teacher/cop/minister/parent/etc. could save a life. Standing by your friends and loved ones, no matter what could make all the difference in the world to the person already pushed to the edge.
Be the support others need, but remember to have your own support as well. We are never as alone as we fear, and there are always other options. It’s a very scary topic for many many people, one that others tend to shy away from, but for me, I’d rather stand with those who need me, than hide behind comments like “kids will be kids” or “it’s just discipline” or worse “well, he’s a freak, what do you expect”… No one deserves pain (mental/emotional/sexual/physical) and we all deserve hope and love.

Take a look around you and see if there’s anyone who needs you, who’s reached out to you, or shows signs of bullying and abuse. There are resources out there (and here are just a few)… Use them, please!
• Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 / http://www.thetrevorproject.org/pages...
• GLBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564 http://www.glnh.org/
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 / http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Desires Entwined Series:



    Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway About the Author:

Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud omnisexual / bi-woman whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been her hero ever since.Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life. Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America® , Rainbow Romance Writers , and WisRWA. Learn more about Tempeste and her writing at http://tempesteoriley.com . Website ♥ Goodreads ♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ Google + ♥ DSP ♥ Blog

Book Name: A Dance with DominationAuthor Name: K.C. WellsAuthor Bio: Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C.Wells always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way.K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, where the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings – writing about men in love was even hotter...K.C. now writes full-time and is loving every minute of her new career.The laptop still has no idea of what hit it... it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.Author Links: K.C. can be reached via email ([email protected]), on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld) or through comments at the K.C.Wells website (www.kcwellsworld.com) K.C. loves to hear from readers.Twitter: @IslandTalesPressCover Artist: Paul RichmondPublisher: Dreamspinner Press Blurb(s): Recently returned to the UK after living in the States since he was eleven, Andrew Barrett is determined to keep busy and make a new life for himself. He works full time as a copywriter and strips at a club on Canal Street on weekends. But it still leaves him too much time to think. Then he finds the BDSM club, Collars & Cuffs, where at twenty-nine, he is their youngest Dom. Young doesn't mean inexperienced, however. All this activity keeps him focused with no time to dwell on the past. But the past has a way of intruding on the present.
It's been four long years since Gareth Michaels last set foot inside Collars & Cuffs. But when he finally summons his courage and steps back into his former world, he finds the man who drove him away is still a member, and what’s more, he wants Gareth back. Two men in pain need the freedom they find in each other, but it takes another man's horrific plans to make them see it.
Excerpt: “When you’re ready, Andrew.” Leo gave him a nod. Andrew acknowledged him, took a breath, and then faced Dorian, who held himself motionless as Andrew circled around him, inspecting him from every angle. “Good evening, Dorian. I am Master Andrew. For this evening, you will address me as Sir. What are your safewords?” “Thunder is for stop, Sir, and lightning is for slow down.” Dorian gazed steadfastly at the floor. Andrew picked up the cotton ropes. “Have you ever been restrained before, using the technique of Shibari?” “No, Sir.” Dorian spoke quietly. Andrew unfurled a coil of rope. “I usually do a full-body suspension when I demonstrate this technique, so I don’t propose to make this a full demonstration. That would take hours. You should find it comfortable but confining—and if I do it correctly, you’ll make a very pretty picture.” Dorian quirked his eyebrows, and Andrew smiled. “Shibari should always be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It’s not just about bondage.” He stood before Dorian. “On your back on the table, boy.” Dorian complied immediately, getting up gracefully from the floor and climbing onto the bondage table. Andrew pushed Dorian’s left leg back toward his arse, so that his heel met the curve of his buttock. He took the first length of rope and wound it around his upper thigh, close to the groin, securing ankle and thigh together and tying it in an intricate knot. He repeated the process on the other side. Then he tied another rope around each leg, this time closer to the knee. Andrew pulled Dorian to his knees and placed his hands behind him. He picked up the blindfold and a set of orange foam ear defenders and showed them to the boy. “I’m going to take away two of your senses now,” he told the sub in a low voice that only Dorian could hear. “You’ll be able to speak, but only safewords. Is that clear?” “Yes, Sir.” Dorian’s voice was clear and firm. Andrew slipped the blindfold over his eyes. “I’m going to insert foam ear plugs into your ears. Remember, if you want me to stop, or if you have a problem, use your safewords. I will always be right here.” “Yes, Sir.” Dorian appeared calm, in a state of complete readiness. Andrew compressed the foam plugs and placed them carefully into Dorian’s ears, watching them expand to fill the cavities. He took a longer length of rope as he prepared to form the harness down Dorian’s torso. He worked slowly, methodically, making sure each section looked perfect before moving on to the next, until Dorian had an intricate series of knots all down his front. He knew that each pull of the ropes over his skin was heightening the experience for Dorian. Andrew was pleased. The white ropes looked good against Dorian’s creamy skin, passing over his shoulders and around his arms, down his torso, and at the uppermost part of the thigh where leg met groin, slipping past his balls. Dorian kept still as Andrew worked in silence, making sure with every knot that Dorian was comfortable and in no sign of physical or mental distress. When the harness was complete, Andrew stepped back to survey it critically, adjusting a knot here, a length there. The boy looked beautiful. Only one thing left to complete before I begin. He picked up the leather boot laces and smiled to himself.
Andrew stood in front of the sub and slowly trailed the thin strips of leather over Dorian’s balls and cock. Dorian gave a slight shiver but then became still, his body tense as he awaited Andrew’s next move. Andrew grabbed Dorian’s balls and pulled on them, feeling the shudder which rippled through him. He tied the strip around and around the balls in his hand, separating them from the shaft. He ran his fingers over the sac, knowing full well that the stretch made Dorian’s balls extremely sensitive. Andrew wrapped his hand around Dorian’s cock and stroked him gently, watching as he hardened, loving the hitch in his breathing. When his dick pointed skyward, Andrew looped another length around his cock and balls, fashioning a leather cock ring around the base of his shaft until Dorian’s dick was red and throbbing, looking painfully hard. Dorian let out a low moan and bit his lower lip. Andrew crossed to the table and placed the banjo picks on each fingertip of one hand. He stood beside Dorian, ensuring that Leo and Thomas had a clear view, and then trailed the picks down the boy’s arm, feeling the brief start as the slivers of metal connected with his skin. Andrew trailed his fingers over Dorian’s neck before moving slowly over his back between the ropes, keeping his touch light. Then he moved to stroke his inner thighs, noting the shivers which rippled through Dorian as he brought his fingers higher, not quite reaching his balls. Dorian quivered as Andrew stroked along his inner arms, before moving ever so slowly down his torso, running his fingers over the ropes, over the taut belly, until he arrived at the boy’s groin. Andrew moved slowly, scraping the picks lightly over his skin, noting Dorian’s shivers as he stroked along his cock. When he cupped the boy’s balls and rippled his fingers over them, Dorian couldn’t repress the shudder that jolted through him. Andrew toyed with his sac and cock, hearing his soft whimpers as the metal danced over the sensitized areas. Dorian’s lips parted, but no words came out, only sounds. Andrew ran both hands simultaneously across Dorian’s back, watching the sub as he tried to arch away from his touch. Andrew moved his hands away and took off the picks, only to return with the spiked wheel. He paused, waiting until Dorian was still once more, before running the tiny wheel over his thigh. Dorian gasped as the wheel moved over his skin, tiny pinpricks of sensation. Andrew moved the wheel away and reapplied it over Dorian’s chest, rolling it close to his nipple. The sub squirmed as Andrew ran the wheel around his nipple, leaned closer, gripped the other between his fingers, and twisted it slightly. That got a definite reaction. Dorian hissed as he drew in a breath, the sharp intake becoming a groan when Andrew moved the spiked wheel ever-so- slowly along the length of his cock. He trembled as Andrew applied the wheel to different areas, making sure the sub never knew where it would land next. When he’d reduced Dorian to a squirming mass, Andrew grabbed the cup of ice. Dorian whimpered as Andrew ran an ice cube over his balls, and it became a low cry as Andrew simultaneously applied the ice to his nipple. “Oh, fuck.” The words seemed dragged from him involuntarily. Andrew circled Dorian, trailing the ice randomly over his skin, watching him fight to control his reactions. Dorian twitched nervously, his body tense as he awaited the next sensual onslaught. Andrew put the banjo picks back on his fingers and ran his hand over Dorian’s back once more, watching him shudder as he moved lower, stroking over the globes of his arse and nearing his hole. He slid a single finger from under his balls to the tip of his cock. Memories assaulted him, as suddenly he was right there in Dorian’s place. I’m doing everything you taught me, Sir, he told Blade in his head. God, I remember you doing this to me. I remember that searing, white-hot feeling that made me feel like I was coming when I knew I wasn’t. He smiled to himself. Fuck, you were such a tease, Blade. Dorian was panting, and Andrew pulled back, not wanting to rush it. He intended to bring the boy to the edge again and again. When Dorian had calmed a little, Andrew was back, scraping his finger over the boy’s hole, feeling the tremors that rippled through his body, his mouth opening slightly but no sounds issuing. Dorian’s cock was rigid. Andrew grabbed another piece of ice and moved it slowly over Dorian’s arse until it reached his hole. The boy stiffened as he ran the cube around the rim before pushing insistently, the heat from Dorian’s hot little hole melting the ice as he eased it into his anus. Dorian cried out, a low, urgent sound, and he arched his back, as though trying to escape the sensations which Andrew knew were coursing through his body right now. And then it was Brian kneeling before him, Brian moaning as Andrew pressed ice inside him. Oh hell—the sounds you made when I did this to you. I knew you weren’t okay with it, not at first, but you soon forgot about the discomfort when it was my bare, hot cock sliding into you. Andrew closed his eyes momentarily, the images there in the forefront of his mind. He shook himself as the memories came thick and fast, some so painful that he caught his breath. Not now. Can’t think of him now.



Tour Dates: May 23 – June 20Tour Stops: May 23: 3 Chicks After DarkMay 26: Love Bytes, Rafflecopter Prize: $25 Amazon card + E-copy of A Dance With DominationSales Links: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4997










Special Deleted Scene Just For The Purple Fantasy Den:

Gareth snuggled up against Andrew, feeling warm and content. Dinner had been great. Gareth had been really impressed with the meal Andrew had conjured up, and had said as much.“Oh, it was nothing.” Andrew’s cheeks were flushed.Gareth craned his neck to stare at him. “It’s not like you to get embarrassed.”“What makes you think I’m embarrassed?” Andrew stared at him, his eyes widening.Gareth chuckled and reached up to stroke Andrew’s cheek. “This does, babe. Who needs central heating with those hot cheeks?” When Andrew flushed even more, Gareth was intrigued. “Okay, what’s going on?”Andrew gave a nonchalant shrug. “I may have had a little help with dinner.” He cleared his throat.Gareth started to laugh. “This help wouldn’t have anything to do with your next-door neighbour, would it? You know, the one who happens to be a sous-chef?” His laugh deepened at the sight of Andrew’s bright red face. “Aha, now we have it. Pietro cooked the dinner, didn’t he?”Andrew bit his lip and then laughed. “Yeah, okay, you got me. I phoned him earlier and asked if he’d rustle up something. He brought a load of stuff from work.” He fluttered his eyelashes. “But it’s the thought that counts, right?”Gareth slid his hand across Andrew’s warm belly, his heat radiating through the cotton shirt. “Sure.” Right then he couldn’t care less where dinner had come from. What delighted him was Andrew’s relaxed state. It was the first time they had really chilled out like this since the anniversary of Brian’s death. For Gareth, it was a real indication that his lover was finally moving on.They sat in a comfortable silence, Andrew’s arm around him, pulling him in close against that lean body, Gareth’s head resting on his shoulder. Gareth hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. Not since…He shivered and then cursed himself. If Andrew can move on, why do I still hold on to my memories?“Hey, what is it?” Andrew kissed his temple. “That didn’t feel good.”Gareth kept quiet. He didn’t want to ruin the mood. Except Andrew clearly had no intention of letting it go.“Talk to me.” There was that tone in his voice, the one Gareth couldn’t ignore.He sighed. “I was thinking about Craig.” It wasn’t surprising, of course. Only yesterday Andrew had received word that he’d be a witness at Craig’s trial.Well, it’s hardly a surprise. The bastard was going to have Andrew killed.“You’re bound to have him on your mind. That’s understandable.” Andrew kissed him again, this time his lips lingering just that bit longer.Gareth tilted his head up to meet the kiss, and lost himself in its sweetness and warmth. They hadn’t said it yet, although it had been on the tip of his tongue on more than one occasion. He didn’t want to rush things, and telling Andrew that he loved him might be just a step too fast.Didn’t change a thing. Gareth loved him, heart, body and soul. And he could wait. Andrew would say something when he was ready. It wasn’t like Gareth was worried.“It made me remember that day, when he…” Gareth shuddered, the memories suddenly so sharp and focused. He pressed his face into Andrew’s wide chest, inhaling the fresh smell of clean cotton, Andrew’s musk, the scent of his citrus shampoo still there, but faint.“Can you talk about it?” Andrew held him protectively. Gareth loved that. And sitting here, surrounded by Andrew’s warmth, maybe he could talk about it.“I’d gone to the shops because we’d run out of filter papers for the coffee machine. Craig loved his coffee, and he’d been cranky all morning. All the way there I was buzzing. I knew something was up. Craig had been…different all week, and I’d had an idea what it might have been. Our contract was up, and I’d thought maybe he was going to collar me. I’m not sure where I got that from, but I knew there was something big on the horizon.” He could still remember walking back to the house, his whole body tingling with anticipation.“So when you got home…” Andrew said encouragingly.Gareth closed his eyes. “Craig opened the door, and I knew right away that something wasn’t right. And when I saw the suitcases standing there in the hall, that sent shivers down my spine. He didn’t even let me inside the house.”“What?”Gareth nodded. “He held out his hand and asked for the house keys. I was in such a daze, I just handed them to him. Then he picked up the cases and placed them outside on the doormat. He gave me a brown envelope and said, ‘here’s your wages, boy. That’s everything you’ve earned since you’ve been with me. It should be enough to find you a place to rent.’”“How did you react?” Andrew stroked his arm, as if reassuring Gareth of his presence.“When I could finally get out the words, I asked him what I’d done.” Gareth swallowed, the memory bringing a lump to his throat. “It was then that I saw…him. A new boy, wearing the collar like the one Craig had given to me when I’d first arrived.”“Did you know him?” Andrew asked.Gareth shook his head. “I’d never seen him before. Wherever Craig had found it him, it wasn’t from Collars & Cuffs, that was for sure. He looked really young, like barely eighteen. He was standing in the hallway behind Craig, naked but for the collar, and he looked uncomfortable. Maybe Craig hadn’t filled him in on what was happening, I don’t know.”“What did Craig say?”Gareth sighed. “He told me it had been good but it was time for him to train another boy.” He didn’t share with Andrew how he’d cried, how he’d begged Craig to reconsider. That had been humiliating enough at the time. Craig’s face had been like stone. “I picked up my cases and walked down the garden path, carrying everything I owned in the world.” It had been difficult to see where he’d been walking. His tears had kept on coming.“What did you do?” Andrew’s voice was quiet.“I got on a bus to the city center and then just sat down on a bench in Piccadilly Gardens, my cases next to me. I didn’t have a clue what to do.” He’d felt…lost, like two years of his life had just been ripped from him. “The only thing I could think of doing was to call Leo Hart. He’d been like a father figure to me since I’d joined the club, and right then I really needed that.” Leo had been there within ten minutes. He’d put the cases into the boot of his little Mazda and then held open the door for Gareth to get in. “Leo took me to the club. He made me something to eat and Thomas had given me a cup of hot, sweet tea. Not that Ifelt like eating or drinking anything, but those two sat with me in their office and made sure I did.  And I did feel better afterward.”Andrew’s arm tightened around him. “Leo is a good man.”Gareth nodded against Andrew’s chest. “When I was calmer, Thomas got out theManchester Evening News and went straight to the Classified Ads section. He and Leo started looking through all the rooms and flats for rent.” He smiled. “They were like some old married couple, arguing about different locations, but it was so sweet. They were trying to find something I could afford but that was in a safe location. Eventually they drew up a shortlist and then they drove me to every place on the list. My flat was the third one we visited. When we’d all agreed it was perfect for me, I paid the deposit – I had just enough – and the first month’s rent, and then they took me shopping for a sofa and a bed.” He looked up at Andrew. “I’d do anything for those two.”“I can understand that.” Andrew smiled at him as he placed two fingers under Gareth’s chin and tilted his face upward. “And I can understand why they’d want to help you. You’re an easy man to love.”Gareth’s heart beat faster. It was the closest Andrew had ever gotten to saying those three little words. And then his heart melted when Andrew brought his lips to Gareth’s ear. “And I do love you, baby. Don’t ever doubt that.”Before Gareth could say a word, Andrew was kissing him, his lips soft and warm, the kiss tender. Gareth closed his eyes and surrendered to the moment.He loves me.The painful memories faded as Andrew’s kiss grew more impassioned. Gareth’s breath quickened when Andrew moved his hand lower to stroke slowly over his crotch, the movement steady and unhurried.“I want to take you to bed and make love to you,” Andrew whispered. “Right now.”Gareth opened his eyes wide and smiled. “I love you.”Andrew’s expression of joy set his pulse racing. He heaved himself up off the couch and held out a hand to Gareth. “Then come show me how much.” He grinned.Gareth took hold of his hand and rose from the couch, allowing Andrew to lead him into the bedroom.“My pleasure.”