Truth or Dare, by Brenda Williamson

Truth Or Dare

by Brenda Williamson

Available from: Amber Quill Press / Amber Heat
ISBN: 978-1-61124-222-5

Caught up in a game of Truth or Dare, Laura finds herself in a nightclub, dressed in next to nothing, and nervously awaiting her turn to perform in a pole dancing contest. To make matters worse, her old boyfriend, handsome Mark Cantrell, appears at the club with his new bride. Upset by long-buried emotions, Laura wants to run for home, yet jealously roots her in place.

When a twist is thrown into the competition and Laura has to have a man perform with her, Mark actually volunteers to be her partner. From that point, Laura struggles with the right and wrong of seducing a married man, especially when Mark abandons his wife into his brother’s care and offers to drive her home.

Desperate to feel loved once more, will Laura lose the battle with her conscience?

EXCERPT:

...I slapped my hand down on the wood surface as if I were blind to seeing a sheet of paper. “Where is it?” I cried weakly, looking up and down the bar, spotting nothing except beer bottles and drinking glasses on small white napkins.

“What are you looking for?” Bev asked.

“That entry sheet. I’ve change my mind.”

“You can’t change your mind. They’ve already taken that paper away and given it to Paul to make the announcements.”

A round of loud hooting and hollering forced me to glance at the stage. Meg’s beaming smile showed how well she felt she had performed. In my mind, she was already a winner.

“Here, drink this.” Bev shoved a small glass into my hand.

I gulped down the whiskey shot while looking at Mark. He had that “aw shucks, anyone could have done it” expression he always had after an amazing catch during a high school football game.

Then his gaze landed on me. His expression changed.

Turn away. Turn away. Turn away. I couldn’t.

Trapped by the happy twinkle in his blues eyes and a smile that seemed meant for only me, I stood helpless. That old feeling of love had me in its clutches. Was Mark experiencing the same sort of déjà vu? He stared at me with a similar spellbound stillness like an animal trapped by the lights of oncoming traffic. Then he went further with his intense look. He stripped me naked, not literally, but thoroughly. His gaze rolled downward as he traced the rim of his lips with his tongue. He paused at my breasts. Did he see my nipples harden, denting out the fabric of my bikini top? I put a hand to my chest as I took a deep breath. The feel of my denim jacket reminded me he couldn’t see what I was wearing underneath. It didn’t mean I didn’t imagine the feel of his tongue pressed against my breast, massaging the ache in the stiffened tips.

Trembling, I squeezed my knees together to fend off the sharp twitches releasing moisture and damping my panties. It was awful the way he had the capability to stir an orgasm from me with his lustful perusal of my body.

“Do you see the way he’s eyeing you?” Bev whispered. “That’s not the kind of look a married man gives another woman, if he’s in love with his wife.”

I had noticed. My heart rate had elevated several notches. I struggled to breathe evenly. More importantly, I tried to remember how to act normal. “Who?” I asked, thinking pretending ignorance might get a grip on my sanity...

------------------------------
Brenda Williamson
http://www.aneclecticauthor.blogspot.com/

Nathan's Angel by Melissa Bradley

What could be sexier than a werewolf and an angel? Here's a little taste of my very first m/m erotic romance, Nathan's Angel. Enjoy!

Sometimes, the laws of Heaven were meant to be broken…

When his soul mate is stolen from Paradise and reincarnated, Ramiel, angel of death and transformation, defies Celestial Law to find out why. As punishment for his crime, he is banished to Earth in human form without his powers. His only hope lies in recovering the grace he lost in his fall from the Divine Realm…

Nathan, a beta werewolf, knows all too well what it’s like to be vulnerable and at the mercy of unfair people and situations. He is considered weak in the eyes of the alphas of his pack. Ramiel literally falling into his life changes him. Determined to help the sexy angel, he takes charge of the situation and to his surprise, begins to exhibit some rather alpha behavior…

As they search, a white hot, forbidden fire ignites between them, an inferno that sets them ablaze, fusing them body and mind. A passion that makes them question everything they’ve ever known. But when Ramiel’s grace is found, will they have the strength to let each other go?

Excerpt

The angel stiffened and bowed his head. “I do not know what overcame me. I am weakened and in a form I have not taken in millennia. I have no control, I…” He trailed off, exhaling sharply.

Nathan tugged at Ramiel until the angel turned to face him. “No matter what you are, you’re human now and close quarters plus attraction equals lust, desire, whatever you want to call it. Trust me. I’m half human and half animal, if anyone can understand, it’s me. ‘Your reaction was quite understandable.’” A half smile quirked the side of Ramiel’s mouth as Nathan repeated the angel’s own words back to him. Apparently not all humor was lost on the angel, then.

He stared at Nathan through the gold silk of his bangs and Nathan’s chest went tight. Without thought, he reached up to palm Ramiel’s cheeks. The lost look in his eyes hit Nathan deep and he was overwhelmed with the desire to kiss him, to ease the loneliness Ramiel must surely be feeling, exiled from his own kind. He raised up, tilting his head…

Ramiel’s mouth crashed onto his, a hungry, elemental force that caught him by surprise. Pent-up need emanated from Ramiel and Nathan speared his fingers through Ramiel’s hair, dragging the angel deeper into the kiss, letting him know it was all right, that he could take whatever Ramiel had to give.

With a low growl, Ramiel hauled Nathan tight against his big body, his hands grabbing Nathan’s ass. Ramiel’s tongue licked along Nathan’s lips, then plunged deep inside, stroking and twining with Nathan’s.

Ramiel’s taste was a wild kaleidoscope of flavor. Spicy and sweet with a hint of the meaty burger he had just eaten. It teased at the back of Nathan’s mind, a long forgotten treasure rediscovered. Pleasure overrode any more coherent thought like a tsunami and Nathan was swept up in its wake, drowning in sensation. His erection pulsed behind his zipper, a primitive, throbbing heat that tightened his balls.

Nathan wanted nothing more than to be skin to skin with Ramiel, exploring every plane and hollow of him. He needed to be closer, with no barrier between them.

Ramiel groaned, stumbled and the two of them nearly toppled over. Nathan clutched him, balanced on his feet and averted disaster. He locked eyes with Ramiel, their breath coming in rough gasps, and noted the pallor of the angel’s skin beneath the sex flush.

“Come on. I think we need to get you into bed for some serious rest.”

Ramiel stroked a finger along Nathan’s jaw, with a banked fire in the silvery depths of his eyes. Nathan regretted saying a thing.

"I have no desire to sleep. I prefer very much to continue what has begun.”

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A Cat Named Hercules by KC Kendricks

A CAT NAMED HERCULES
contemporary gay romance
available now at
Amber Allure

New in town, Shiloh Rudy joins a group of civic-minded volunteers to better acquaint himself with his recently adopted community. It’s a good way to make friends, network, and help make a difference, not to mention perhaps meet someone interesting—in a romantic sort of way. The one thing Shiloh didn’t expect was a love to rival all others to come with four white paws.

Gale Widmyer is on his feet and moving forward after piecing his life back together following a series of wrong choices. The one bright spot in his existence, even in his darkest moments, was the fulfillment of his dream to become a veterinarian. Gale’s making good on a promise to himself when an abandoned kitten leads him to Shiloh Rudy and a chance at the happiness he never hoped to have.

Laying the cornerstone for a developing relationship comes easy for Shiloh and Gale. But the wounds of the past often remain unhealed at their deepest point. A few careless words erect a wall of silence between the two men, one Shiloh has to breach if he hopes to win Gale back. But it will take more than apologies to win Gale’s forgiveness and put old fears to rest. It’ll take a cat named Hercules...

INTRO:

…The abrupt weaning I understood, but the other? Who would do that to such a helpless creature? “Then I’m keeping him.”

“In that case, your kitten has fleas, ear mites, and a touch of conjunctivitis. He’s also under nourished and almost surely has worms.”

My heart pounded as I snatched the kitten from Galen’s hands and tucked him safely against my chest. “Is he going to die?”

Galen pushed his sunglasses up to rest on top of his head and grinned at me. I fell into his gorgeous hazel eyes as he stared into my sky blue orbs with open curiosity. Damn, the man had long eyelashes.

“He’ll be fine. Do you think we can finish our chores here this morning, or do we need to go straight to my clinic so I can treat him and fix you up with what you need?” He poked the kitten’s paw and those tiny, wicked claws popped out again. “You’re in for a real treat with this little guy.”

I’d go anywhere he asked me to go, but I didn’t want to appear too eager. “Oh? Why is that?”

“They call cats with these black and white markings a ‘tuxedo’ because, obviously, they look like they’re wearing one. This fellow has the added bonus of white ‘gloves.’ Tuxedos tend to have a lot of personality.” Galen squeezed my elbow. I thought his hand lingered a moment too long, but perhaps it was just wishful thinking.

“C’mon. I’ll tell the other work crew they’ll have to finish pulling up these bricks and we’ll go to the clinic.”

“Thanks, man. I owe you.”

I knew I was in two kinds of trouble when he nodded and grinned. “I’m afraid you will…”


EXCERPT

...Gale opened his front door and moved back so I could step inside. Complimenting his choice of attire required breathing, and he’d knocked the air right out of me. Black slacks, a maroon-and-black long sleeved knit shirt in a classic argyle pattern, and loafers had never affected me like this before. I managed to speak the inane phrase.

“Wow. You look great.”

He smiled at me as he closed the door. “Thanks. So do you.”

Gale reached for me, then stopped. I hated to see his uncertainty. It was more proof he needed to do some living before he got serious about anyone, including me. I smiled and closed the distance between us, slipping my arms around his waist. Our lower bodies touched, then he leaned into me. His lips opened as my mouth covered his, and I tasted the cinnamon freshness of chewing gum recently disposed of. He pulled away.

“What? You’re grinning.”

“I am. I just learned what gum you like.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re a little nuts, aren’t you?”

I was nuts about him, but I couldn’t say the words aloud. “I’m no more crazy than the next guy.” I kissed him again, enjoying the connection between us.

Gale deepened the kiss and my body responded with a delicious jolt of arousal that sent heat all the way to my toes. My cock swelled, eager to convince to me to forget dinner and go hungry this evening. Gale rested his forehead on my shoulder.

“I could get all stupid and say we should forget dinner and just go to bed.”

I ran my hands over his back, feeling the lines and planes of the lean body under the soft shirt. Was he hard, too? I cupped his ass to steady him and pressed my pelvis tightly to his.

“We’re at the same level of ‘stupid,’ but we’ve got to eat.” I squeezed his butt. “Don’t we?”

His stomach rumbled, and we laughed. I loved being able to laugh with him. He kissed me with those cinnamon-flavored lips again, then released me. “I am hungry, Shiloh. Let me get a jacket.”

“We have time for a quickie, you know.” Damn. I shouldn’t have said that. The sharp interest in his shining gaze was total agreement. He grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the oak stairs.

“Nice place you have here.”

“Don’t try and change the subject. Remember, I’ve been deprived. I have to make up for lost time.”

I barely noticed his bedroom. We’d both dressed for each other with such care and now clothing flew in all directions. His hands brushed across my chest, cool with excitement, then he turned away. Gale yanked the bedspread down and jerked open a drawer in the large bookcase headboard and tossed condoms and lube onto the pale blue sheet. I grabbed his hips and bumped my pelvis to his ass.

“No time for that.” I planted my left knee on the bed, held on tight to him, and rolled us onto the mattress. “Hand job. Then we get some food into us so we can come back and do it better.”

He grunted as he broke free of my grasp and crawled up to the pillows. “I guess we can leave our socks on, huh?”

“Yep.” I knelt over him. Gale laughed and caressed the inside of my thighs. I shivered, but not with cold. My sac tingled and drew tight to my body as he cupped it.

“Tell me you don’t plan to shoot all over me again.”

I grinned and flopped down beside him. “Not tonight, at least.”

“What do you plan to do to me?” He shifted to face me.

I rolled onto my side and fisted his hard dick.

“Just this right now...”


A CAT NAMED HERCULES
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-234-8
contemporary gay romance available now at
http://amberquill.com/AmberAllure/CatNamedHercules.html

BLOGSPOT FORMATTING
KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.comblog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.comTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricksmailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeysGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1989106.K_C_KendricksFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks

New Release - AND THE CAT CAME BACK - m/m contemporary adult

And The Cat Came Back
by Christiane France
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-232-4 (Electronic)
http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/AndCatCameBack.html
Home renovator Seth Lawley is ready to settle down if the right man comes along, but he’s cautious. He believes he who hesitates saves himself a whole lot of heartbreak.
Grant Kenyon, on the other hand, is ready to take a chance. He figures anyone who hesitates when it comes to grabbing what he wants from life risks losing out.
Foofuss, Grant’s bossy, matchmaking Persian cat, has decided his master needs company and Seth is it...that’s if he can figure out the perfect plan to bring the two of them together.
Excerpt:
...I figured my best chance of exposing the ghost was to spend tonight and however many other nights it took, camped out at Sweet Briar. I’d leave my truck far enough away so it wouldn’t be noticed, and go in and out via the back door.
I got there a little after eight. There was no SUV or any other type of vehicle parked along that stretch of the road, so I settled down to wait. Over the next few hours, a number of different vehicles appeared. Some stopped to let off a passenger or pick someone up, and some just kept on going, but none of them parked.
At midnight, I gave up and went in search of my sleeping bag. The power was supposed to be turned back on today, but there was a message on voice mail to the effect it wouldn’t be happening until tomorrow. In the meantime, the house felt cold and damp, and I was freezing my butt off.
Between a shaft of moonlight shining through the kitchen window and a hazard light I kept in the truck, I managed to find the flask of hot coffee I’d brought with me and set up my bed for the night.
I was about to take off my work boots and settle down when I heard a faint scratching on the glass.
I didn’t need to guess who it was; I knew. And sure enough, when I went over to the window, there was Foo, sitting on an old wooden box, glaring in at me from the other side. His mouth was going a mile a minute, demanding to be let in.
For a brief moment, I considered ignoring him. But then he cocked his head to one side and mouthed a silent, Pleeeease. He looked so damn cute I gave up.
I opened the back door. “You want to come in?”
He made a noise somewhere between a growl and hrmph, jumped down from the box and headed away along the side of the house. At the corner, he stopped and looked back, his big tail twitching back and forth as if to say, Move it man. I’m waiting.
“You want me to take you home?”
He disappeared around the corner. I followed and found him waiting in the middle of the driveway. He continued on to the street, turned toward home and then hesitated again.
It was clear he wanted me to follow him home, and I wondered why? I knew animals were capable of amazing things, and I wondered if something was wrong with Grant. Had he hurt himself, and Foo was out, looking for help?
But in that case, how did he get out? Or was he out and couldn’t get back in?
I grabbed Foo, hurried over to Grant’s house and pressed the buzzer. There were lights on, but since I couldn’t hear anything, I pounded on the door, praying he was okay.
The hall light came, and I heard Grant’s voice saying “Okay, okay, I’m here. What’s the problem?” Then the rattle of the safety chain as he opened the door.
He was still dressed, but he looked sleepy with his hair all ruffled up. And I hadn’t seen him wearing glasses before. The oblong-shaped, dark-rimmed glasses made him look cute and sexy, and…
I released my breath in a soft whoosh, put Foo down and wrapped my arms around him, virtually in one quick motion. “Thank God you’re okay! When Foo showed up and started scratching on the window, I thought… Never mind what I thought.”
He laughed and hugged me back. “As you can see, I’m fine. I was waiting for Foo to come home so I could lock up. I guess I fell asleep. More to the point, what are you doing out here at this hour?”
“I, umm…” I remembered, belatedly, the door was still open. I looked down and there was Foo, gazing up at the two of us with a smug, gotcha expression on his furry face. Unless I was very much mistaken, getting the two of us together had been the reason for his visit. “Would you believe looking for ghosts?”
“Ghosts? Hmm…” Grant’s hands slid down my back and he pulled me closer. I groaned softly as my cock reacted. Kicking the door shut with my foot, I gave in to what had been in the cards since the moment our eyes first met over at Sweet Briar...
Cool mysteries and hot romance - http://www.chrisgrover.ca
Latest Release: AND THE CAT CAME BACK - http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure
Coming soon: THE RIVALS
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New Release! Together / Diana DeRicci (Christmas)

Title	Together Holiday 2011 Release #28
Author	Diana DeRicci
ISBN#	978-1-60820-502-8 (ebook) $5.99
Release Date	December 2011
Cover Artist	Deana C. Jamroz

Blurb:
Isaac arrived home not expecting to find anything but his warm bed waiting for him in the dead of winter. A nearly frozen friend from his past brought with him a bad break-up, old memories best left forgotten and one particular problem he hadn't anticipated. An attraction that he just wasn't ready for. Not when faced with his friend's worst problems, it became a priority to help Shawn heal.

Shawn didn't know where to go when everything he'd been fighting for fell apart. Isaac was safe, far away from the worst reminders and lastly, the only person he could really trust. Shawn once had a crush on Isaac, but it was years ago before Isaac had left LA. A strong friendship had matured through the years since then, giving Shawn the strength to search for him now when he needed a friend.

Just when Isaac and Shawn are reaching a comfortable ground, challenges to their future bring decisions neither would have anticipated. Is Shawn still able to bend after a horrible break-up? Can Isaac trust after already being wounded by a previous lover?

Will either be able to accept that they could be stronger as three when they meet Quinn?

One thing they will learn is all things are possible together.

Available at the Publisher

All Romance Ebooks

Excerpt:

“Okay, bend your knees a little more. That’s it.”

Isaac wasn’t as confident, but if Shawn said he was doing okay, he guessed he’d listen.

“We’ll start on the easy slopes and warm us both up.”

Isaac smiled, though it felt tight, doubting it hid his nervousness. “Sure you don’t want to just go ahead and knock out one of the harder slopes and let me watch from the bottom?” He eyed the snow ahead of them, all that white, and swallowed. It looked far less intimidating on the other side of his room window, or at the bottom of the lifts, or from anywhere but at the top.

“Nope. I told you I’d help you figure this out, and I will.” Shawn braced his poles, bending close to whisper into Isaac’s ear. “The best part is the hot tub tonight. Just remember that,” he purred. Then he had the balls to kiss Isaac’s cheek.

Isaac almost fell on his ass right then and there.

“Not fair,” he growled. The shiver that raced over him had absolutely nothing to do with the frigid temperatures.

Shawn’s laugh was carefree. He lowered his goggles. “Nice and easy, glide, and keep your knees bent like you were earlier. I’m right here for you.”

Isaac checked his poles, positioned his goggles and with a slow and stiff attempt, followed Shawn.

They’d practiced for over an hour that morning already, when Shawn had deemed him bunny slope ready. Isaac wasn’t so sure. One trip in the dark ages didn’t equate to a hell of a lot of experience for him.

Though watching Shawn’s fluid grace made up for a lot of his own misgivings. The man was incredible on skis. Lithe strength and flexibility. Isaac could even imagine Shawn slicing through the air, doing flips and three-sixties that would make many eat their hearts out. He’d have to ask if he knew those kinds of maneuvers.

“Isaac!”

He focused his attention forward and managed to change direction, whooshing out a breath as his body and his skis complied. Those trees looked a lot thicker and more painful than the snow.

Shawn glided up and steadied him with a firm hold. “You okay?” Shawn brought them both to a stop, raising his goggles to get a clear inspection of Isaac. “Remember you have to lean to turn, right? Use your ski edges.”

“Yeah. Just…” He couldn’t quite meet Shawn’s probing gaze. The only saving grace: He knew the cold rouging his cheeks hid his embarrassment. “My fault.”

Shawn reached up and lifted Isaac’s goggles, Shawn’s eyes sparkling with sunlight and mirth. “If you were thinking about my ass, then we’re both guilty.” His sexy mouth broadened into a huge grin. “And it feels so good to finally be able to even say that.”

Isaac barked a groaned laugh. “I know. And yes, utterly and completely guilty, but I promise to pay better attention to my feet and where I’m going.”

“Good man,” Shawn replied with total understanding. “You’re doing great, by the way. Just don’t zone out. There’s always a chance of something you’re not ready for.”

Isaac nodded and lowered his goggles. “Ready when you are.” Shawn did the same and pushed off to move at a crawl, looking over his shoulder, waiting for Isaac to follow him and catch up.

 The rest of the run went easily and without any more near misses. But it didn’t stop him from sneaking peeks at Shawn regardless.

Available at the Publisher

All Romance Ebooks

New! CUT GLASS: JEWELS, BOOK 2 - RUBY, an erotic urban fantasy romance novel by Linda Mooney

Now Available!

Cut Glass: Jewels, Book 2 - Ruby

An erotic urban fantasy romance novel
by Linda Mooney

from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid

 

Forget everything you think you know about mass murderers and crimes of passion, because now you’re going to learn the truth. People don’t decide one day to go out and kill as many people as they can, or wake up one morning, grab the nearest shotgun or axe, and proceed to hack apart their loved ones. They do it because they’re infected with a jewel, a creature of intense beauty and danger. Once the jewel takes over a host’s body, that person dies, leaving the jewel in total control to thrive on fear and horror.

Cutler and David are reunited, and this time they will fight anyone who tries to separate them again. But when someone steals shards of defeated jewels, word is that an underground faction is trying to re-grow the deadly entities from those pieces. Cutler and David are assigned to help recover those shards before that can be accomplished. Because if they fail, the number of jewels will increase to where the delicate balance between lapies and demons will be compromised.

After which the wholesale slaughter of mankind will be imminent.

Warning: Contains strenuous hiking, shower sex, a traitor, Strychnine poisoning, a secret apartment, bell jars, emotional torture, slaughter in a hospital, and a job offer he can't refuse.

New Release: In Teddy's Arms by K.M. Mahoney

Now Available at Total-E-Bound
 http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1472

Everything Teddy has ever wanted is right in front of him, if only he can find the courage to reach out and take it.

Teddy should really know better than to agree to one of Pierce’s "great ideas," but he’s never found it easy to say no to his best friend. Which is why he finds himself on the middle of a snow-covered road, heading into the mountains to spend the Christmas holiday in a rental cabin. And, like always, Pierce’s great plan backfires. The cabin is a dump, it’s freezing outside – and then comes the snowstorm.

Pierce isn’t sure how he’s going to handle an entire weekend trapped with Teddy. Sure, the guy is his best friend, but tell that to Pierce’s body. It’s getting harder and hard to keep his hands to himself.

Teddy doesn’t think Pierce is interested in his nerdy best friend. Pierce doesn’t think he’s good enough for Teddy. But the fire’s blazing, the wind is howling, and it’s time for some changes.


Excerpt:

"Are you sure about this?"

"Teddy, ask me that again, and I’m going to pull this car over and toss you into a snow drift."

Teddy sat back, crossed his arms over his chest, and huffed. "Sheesh, cranky much?"

Pierce rolled his eyes. For a second, he entertained the lovely image that the steering wheel he was gripping so tightly was, in fact, Teddy’s neck. "The first three times you asked that question, I answered. The next six times, I ignored you. You’ve now moved beyond that and are into obnoxiously irritating. Stow it."

Silence enveloped the interior of the car for several long moments. Then Teddy mumbled, "Sorry."

Pierce grinned. That was his Teddy. He never could stay at odds with anyone for very long.

"Turn right in one-point-two miles," the GPS system stated in a dull, broken monotone.

"Thank God." Pierce nearly whooped. "I think we’re getting close." He turned where the small navigation map on his dashboard indicated. The bottom of their battered sedan scraped ominously over the snow-covered gravel.

All right, so maybe Teddy had a point. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea Pierce had ever had. But it was a little bit too late to back out now. No way in hell was Pierce driving back down this mountain in the dark.

"I don’t see anything," Teddy said, sounding doubtful. He chewed on his fingernail, expression nervous, eyes fastened on the darkening woods surrounding the small road.

"It’s up here. Somewhere." Damn. That hadn’t come out as reassuring as Pierce had hoped.

The GPS remained unhelpfully silent as the car bumped its way along. Twilight was quickly turning into night. The looming pines closing in on all sides didn’t help, deepening the gloom. They were truly in the middle of nowhere, no streetlights, no sidewalks, the roads rough. Hell, there wasn’t even a McDonald’s. Civilisation was most definitely far behind them.

At the moment, Pierce would have gladly traded his stupid GPS system for just one tacky strand of twinkling Christmas lights. Anything to suggest they weren’t lost in the mountains. And why the hell was it so dark out here?

The cabin practically jumped out at them. Pierce rounded a curve and slammed on the brakes. His heart thumped madly as he studied the battered porch steps, dangerously close to his front bumper. Beside him, Teddy let out a belated squeak of alarm.

"Destination in five hundred feet," the GPS chimed.

"Now it tells me." Pierce scowled fiercely and stabbed the ‘off’ button on the obnoxious little box. "Worthless piece of shit."

Teddy had stopped staring at the scenery and was now eying the cabin with trepidation. Pierce had to admit it didn’t look like much. The porch was a bit wonky, the wood siding faded in spots, peeling in others. Dark and tiny, it bore a disturbing resemblance to something from a horror film.

"Maybe the inside is nicer," Pierce declared.

Amazing, how loudly Teddy could project his doubt without saying a word.

"It’s a true gift, that," Pierce said.

"Say what? Never mind. I guess we better unload." Teddy added a resigned sigh, "But if it’s this bad on the inside, we’re finding a hotel tomorrow."

Pierce almost asked how they would pay for it, then bit his tongue. Teddy would probably decide to sleep in the car. Then he would freeze to death in the middle of the night and Pierce would have to explain to Teddy’s parents how he let their son turn into a nice, hard, ice-coated statue.

Pierce shook his head to dislodge his stupid ramblings and climbed out of the car. He took a minute to stretch the kinks out of his back because, damn, that had been a long trip.

Using the remote to pop the trunk, Pierce hauled out his duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder. He shivered in the cold and grabbed his coat from the back seat. He should probably put it on, but he'd be inside in a minute.

He waded through the drifts piled against the porch. It took him a minute of fruitless searching before he realised the first step was busted. He could move his foot around in the six inch layer of snow and never find it because it simply wasn’t there.

"Watch the steps," he called over his shoulder.

Teddy started muttering again. Pierce ignored what he knew were complaints and cautiously mounted the steps. He stuck the key the rental agent had given him into the lock. The door swung on creaking hinges before he could turn the key.

"Okay, not exactly the best sign," Pierce said to himself. He pushed the door the rest of the way open, anyway. The room was dark and the musty smell made his nose tingle. The cabin was also cold, nearly as bad as outside.

Pierce felt around the wall and found the switch. It clicked on and dim light flooded the space. Relief swamped him. The glow from the single bulb didn’t quite chase all the shadows away, but hey, they had electricity. At the moment, Pierce wasn’t going to take anything for granted.

Then he surveyed the room and groaned. "Teddy’s gonna hate it."

"Hate what?"

Pierce jumped and whirled around, facing his best friend with his biggest fake smile. "Nothing, it’s great. Warm and cosy. All we need is that fake tree I packed and we’re good to go."

Teddy stared at him with solemn brown eyes. "You’re a horrible liar."

"Not true, I’m a magnificent liar." Just not to Teddy. That’s what happened when you knew someone since kindergarten. Teddy knew all Pierce’s tricks.

Teddy just kept staring. "There are spiders, aren’t there?" he asked soberly.

"It’s too cold for spiders. Come on, let’s explore."

Teddy entered the room gingerly, as if Freddy Krueger was going to come jumping around the corner and start hacking away.

Pierce slung his duffel in the corner and planted his hands on his hips. "First thing, we need to make a fire."

"Do you even know how?"

"Sure," Pierce said with false confidence. "The rental agent said we can find wood on the back porch. I’ll get started."

"If there’s no water, I’m going to smother you in your sleep," Teddy said.

K.M. Mahoney
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