Barbara Elsborg's Blog: https://www.barbaraelsborg.com/blog, page 9

MM books!

Looking for your next great MM read? Check these books out.

Dominique Knights to Remember – Nicole Colville – http://amzn.to/1HkKRlP

I Got You – Jamie Lake & Jeff Rivera – http://bit.ly/IGOTYOUBOOK

The Demon You Know – Barbara Elsborg – http://amzn.to/1PXolRc

Surrender Your Heart – Book 3 – Aimee Nicole Walker – http://amzn.to/1TcU1SL

Editing

I’ve been published since 2007 and since that time I’ve had A LOT of editors. Some I’ve kept longer than others. I can only hope they didn’t move jobs just to be shot of me. I’ve never asked to change an editor. I’ve just accepted who I was given. I’ve never had an issue where I’ve felt I’d have preferred a different editor though I have to be honest and say I’ve liked some a lot better than others.

Does it matter whether an author likes her editor? Isn’t it more important that they do a good job? They’re not supposed to be an author’s friend. True, but I’d argue if an author has a good relationship with her editor, a better book is produced.

The very first editor I had, on the first story I had accepted – opened my eyes to my shortcomings- big time. My script came back with corrections everywhere, not one page without red all over it and I was so upset I burst into tears. But I learned what to do and what not to do and that never happened to me again. A comment I do hear a lot is that my scripts are very clean. That’s thanks to beta readers too! But to hear that my scripts are a pleasure to read is something I cherish.

Some editors don’t get the right balance between suggested changes and praise. I know no one has time to write – I like that – or Funny! – or – that made me cry- all over the place but to have NO comments of that type whatsoever makes me think the editor didn’t like the book. Maybe she didn’t. I say – she – because I’ve never had a male editor. When an acceptance letter doesn’t even offer much praise – having a comment-less edit (apart from corrections/suggestions) confirms to me that the editor doesn’t like it. Not a comfortable feeling. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to have – I enjoyed this story, particularly the relationship between X and Y and am delighted to offer you a contract… blah blah

On the other hand too much praise can be counterproductive. It can give an author an inflated opinion of their work. I don’t want to be gushed over. So as with everything – it’s a matter of balance. Pointing out mistakes, inconsistencies etc but taking the time to say – that was a lovely bit of writing – to me is the editor I want to have.

Dialogue tags

I suspect for anyone who’s not an author those two words don’t mean a lot. It was one of the first ‘lessons’ I had in how to write. When you HAVE to attribute speech, try to use ‘said’ or ‘asked’ and avoid everything else. The reason being that ‘said’ blends in so well, you don’t notice it, it doesn’t draw you out of the story. Whereas – he crooned silkily – does!

So – that’s what new authors learn – be careful with your tags. People can’t laugh their dialogue or sob it.

“That’s my dog,” he laughed. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

“That’s my wife,” he crooned silkily. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Does that mean dialogue tag rules are followed? No. Do readers care? Probably not unless they’re overdone. The ones most likely to wail about them are other authors.

The book I’m reading at the moment- author’s fourth book with a big publisher – Harpers.

in the first few pages – dialogue tags as follows -

he answered

he accused

he pleaded

he argued

he insisted

he declared

she moaned

he warned

she reminded

he exclaimed

After flicking through those first few pages, I don’t think I spotted ‘said’, she said with a laugh.

So if any readers are reading – does it matter? Do you care about dialogue tags?

Insta-love

I keep reading reviews that rail against insta-love. I’ve been accused of it in some of my stories but I have the feeling it’s being interpreted in different ways – so just to make my stance on it clear – I see Insta-love as being two – or more characters instantly declaring they love each other. In other words – they just met, might or might not have had sex but the L word is used.

This is different from two characters meeting and each thinking the other is extremely hot. Instant attraction but not instant love. To be honest, if there isn’t instant attraction, can most relationships go anywhere? If there’s no spark why would you want to see the person again? I get that love can grow over time, friends to lovers, that’s fine but I don’t write that sort of story.

My stories almost always take place over a shortish time period. Weeks not months and def. not years. I have to have my characters – well at least one of them – have an insta LUST moment for the other or there would be no story. So please don’t dismiss insta lust as insta love – there is a difference.

New blog and Website

From now on my blog and website are combined at
www.barbaraelsborg.com
I hope this transitions smoothly!

Crash into Love - by Sofia Grey

I'm one of the blogs on Sofia's tour for her new book - Crash into Love! Here's what Sofia has to say. 

Want some exclusive swag? One lucky commenter will get one of these gorgeous little fridge magnets, and yes, Sofia will post international J





Wash Away by Joe Purdy
I love an eclectic mixture of music, and sometimes I stumble across it in odd places. While watching LOST, there was an episode in Season 1 that featured Wash Away by Joe Purdy. I’d never even heard of him before, but now he’s added to my playlists. I like his laid back, gentle style, and it’s a song I now associate with the sea. If you watch the YouTube clip you’ll see why. Despite the plane crash and all the tragedy and angst, this song imparts a feel-good vibe.
http://youtu.be/cq4Dsv7EdyQ
In Crash Into Love, my characters spend a lot of time on the beach.
~Lifting my hand, I reached toward him and stroked his cheek, savoring the prickliness beneath my finger. He caught my hand. “Have you finished? Can I kiss you now?”My alter ego made her move. I leaned forward and closed the gap to tease Jonah with my lips. He made a muffled groan and kissed me back, hard. He rolled to lie on his back and urged me to go on top, then wrapped both arms around me. I squealed with glee inside. Thirty-four years old and making out on the sand like a horny teenager. I ran my fingers through his hair and rubbed myself against him while he explored my mouth. I had to lift my head. I needed to breathe. He lay there, flushed and panting, wild hair covered with fine, powdery sand, and gave me the sexiest grin I’d ever seen on a man. Cocky, confident, and very alluring.“That’s a yes, then?” How could I possibly resist him? I already knew I’d be taking him back to my bed tonight.“What do you think?” We kissed again, slowly, learning each other. A faint tang of lemon clung to his lips, a reminder of our dinner, but he tasted dark and delicious. He slid his hands down my arms, and every nerve ending jumped to life. He was creating erogenous zones that I didn’t know were possible. Right now, my entire body was rewriting itself to a new language, one that whispered Jonah with every breath.
~ Blurb:
Cass thought spending a month at a beachside hideaway relaxing and collecting shells would be the perfect escape to finish her novel. When she meets the dark and brooding and much younger Jonah, who's staying next door, her book becomes the last thing on her mind.
Jonah would rather stay home alone than go on vacation with his brother and their friends, but does his best to tolerate the situation after being convinced to go. But when he sees the beauty next door, he can’t avoid his attraction.

Together, they break all the rules, but will Cass be able to bring Jonah out of his shell forever, or will he leave her with only the crash of the surf to keep her company?~

Trailer link:
http://youtu.be/PGsW53sFGro


Book links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fmtVML
Goodreads
All Romance eBooks
Entangled


Author links:

www.SofiaGrey.com
Catch me blogging with Allyson Lindt at www.GeminiGirls.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.facebook.com/Sofia.Grey.R... http://www.pinterest.com/sofiagrey1/T... @SofiaGreyAuthor   https://twitter.com/SofiaGreyAuthor Amazon author profile page: https://www.amazon.com/author/sofiagrey

Author bio:
Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.
Music is interwoven so tightly into my writing that I can’t untangle the two. Either I’m listening to a playlist on my iPod, have music seeping from my laptop speakers, or there’s a song playing in my head – sometimes on auto-repeat.
Check out my playlist on Pinterest and listen for free via Pandora.com (Sofia Grey –Crash Into Love station)

Please welcome Sotia Lazu to the blog!

Isn't this the most fantastic cover!!! I'd love hair like that, not sure I'd like to be a vampire though. My blog is one step on Sotia's tour. You have a chance to win this book by entering the draw.



Cherry Stem Book Blitz and Giveaway
[image error]
Blurb

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Turned at the cusp of a promising career in the adult movie industry, Cherry Stem has to rely on her mesmerizing vampire gaze for her meals and money. With the rent deadline approaching, settling for pocket change isn’t an option, so she reluctantly decides to let tall, dark, and handsome Detective Alex Marsden take her home for the night and fulfill her needs.
Only she gets more than she bargained for.
When Cherry meets Alex, she expects him to be nothing more than another “girl meets boy, girl feeds from boy, girl erases boy’s memories” hook-up. Once missing young women, the vampire council, and her irresistible ex are thrown into the mix though, she realizes nothing is as simple or random as she thought it was.
And Alex is either the biggest gift or the biggest mistake of her un-life.

Excerpt
Hiding my body seemed silly after we’d already had sex, so I didn’t. Not that he looked. He just dropped a duffel bag by the sink.
“Thought you’d want clean clothes as soon as you were dry,” he said. “Got a couple tees and sweatpants from my place. They’ll be too big for you, but at least the pants have drawstrings. Should be good for the night.”
Then he pulled his shirt over his head.
If I were human, I’d have been drowned by the water filling my mouth and clogging my throat while I gaped at him. As it was, I was grateful I’d opened the shower stall door and could enjoy the view.
Most people look better when they’re dressed than when they’re out of their clothes. There are always flaws, something that needs covering up: a slightly jutting stomach, love handles, scars, pimples. Something.
To me Alex was perfect.
I’d already run my fingers down his chest and abs, but seeing the smooth, flawless skin stretch over rippling muscle made me itch to caress it. His shoulders were wide; I knew that already, but the way they rounded, leading to his flexing biceps, was a sight to behold. And that’s what I did. I beheld, wishing he was closer, that I could press my breasts against his chest and see goose bumps rise.
I would probably have kept staring at his six-pack for much longer if his fingers hadn’t gotten in the way. Splayed across his abdomen, they touched what I longed for, ghosting their way down to the front of his pants. I wanted to lick my way along the trail of fine hair beneath his navel that disappeared inside his waistband. I sucked in a breath when he undid the button and another when the zipper lowered, allowing his slacks to fall to the teal, tiled floor.
My gaze followed them, until he stepped out of the pooled fabric and toward the shower stall.
Toward me.

Book Title: Cherry Stem (Book I of the Cherry Series) Author: Sotia Lazu Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy Length: 74K Release Date: 3.15.2014 ISBN: 9781310502491Pre-Order/Purchase Links: B & N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherry-stem-sotia-lazu/1108360841) | Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/cherry-stem/id797110233) | Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/395806) | Coming Soon on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Stem-Sot...)

The book is for Adults Only

About the Author
[image error] Sotia cries at sappy movies and wishes she could take in all the stray dogs in the world. She lives in Athens, Greece, with her husband—whom she met through writing—their son, and their two rescue dogs, one of which might be part-pony.
Her genres of choice are romances with a twist and urban fantasy novels, always with vivid erotic elements. Her characters aren't exactly hero-material at first glance; she likes making them fight for their happiness. Still, the romantic in her can’t resist happy endings.

Sotia’s books: Amazon (www.amazon.com/Sotia-Lazu/e/B006ZXWZYK) | B & N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sotia-lazu) | Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/justsotia) | Apple (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/sotia-lazu/id497791319?mt=11) | Kobo (http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q="Sotia Lazu"&t=none&f=author&p=1&s=none&g=both)
Find Sotia:Website (http://sotialazu.com)Blog (http://sotialazu.wordpress.com) Twitter (https://twitter.com/justsotia) Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4597070.Sotia_Lazu)
Or write to her at author@sotialazu.com

GIVEAWAY Sotia is so happy to be re-launching Cherry Stem, she felt like sharing the happiness :)
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win an e-Book or some Author Swag, including a lovely cherry shaped bracelet charm! [image error]

NOTE: The giveaway is for Adults Only. Please do not enter if you’re below your country’s legal age.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Entrants can enter more than once with options such as “Leave a comment” and “Tweet about this Giveaway.”


AND THAT’S NOT ALL!
Stop by Sotia’s blog (http://sotialazu.wordpress.com/) March 15 – March 19 for more goodies and surprises on a daily basis!

Authors behaving badly

And I'm not talking about that time I had a little too much to drink and took off my clothes and danced naked in--- no I wasn't talking about that. What I meant to talk about was the sudden upsurge in not very pleasant exchanges between author and readers on Goodreads, between an author and readers in the Huffington Post, between author and reviewer on Amazon. I know we can't all be nice to everyone but I do wish people would think before they put pen to paper. Unless you're a pantster and writing a book. Then you're allowed to just sit and write.
When my kids get all bent out of shape about something and want to right a perceived wrong, I always say - what end result do you want? Will it make everything right again? Because if it won't, then think twice about saying or doing anything. Cowardly behaviour is not right but better to walk away from confrontation that step it up into something you never wanted it to be.
The world's a big place. We should be able to share nicely!
Apart from that bitch who keeps telling her friends to vote--oops sorry - did it again!

Today is the day!!!!!!!!!!!

My erotic romance Summer Girl, Winter Boy is out today with Ellora's Cave. Yippee


The blurb!

Jai Winter is trying to do the right thing, even though he knows it’s wrong. Forced to participate in kinky sex games, the renowned model spends his spare moments creating an impressive list of suicide options. Until a snowy day provides a bit of Summer…a pink-haired burst of sunshine wSummer Dey has baggage of her own—literally. Having spent eighteen months in South America trying to escape a shocking accident, Summer finds an illegal nightmare hidden in her suitcase. She doesn’t want to put Jai in danger, but his gorgeous face and killer bod prove hard to resist.
Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, and everything would be perfect if it wasn’t for blackmail, drug dealers and tragic events in both their pasts. Staying together could be their salvation—or their ultimate undoing.
An Extract From Summer Girl, Winter Boy
(The pair have just met and are stranded at a snowbound airport)
     An hour later, Jai was drowning in a perfect way. Summer was smart and funny. Too smart and funny for him. Even so, at a different time, and in a different place, he’d have persuaded her back to his bed, and the telephone number he’d give her would have been the right one, and he’d have called her when he said he would because she might be The One.     His dick went rigid with shock. Or something else.     But there was no different time, no different place. He was who he was and he had no future until Marta and Saul were either bored with him or were dead. Or he was dead. Buried under a ton of ice in an ice age. Not a likely scenario and not going on his list. Oh hell, why not if it might happen next year? His cock deflated.     “You’ve gone all moody,” Summer said. “What’s wrong?”     He’d thought he’d hidden that. Shit. “Just thinking about how hard that floor is going to be.”     “I’ve slept in worse places. At least it’s clean. No llama poop or guinea pig bones.”     He’d slept in worse places too though the beds had been comfortable and the sheets high-quality Egyptian cotton, but the people with him—fucking bastards. It wasn’t where you slept but who slept with you.     They left the bar when shutters rattled.     “Guess we should try to get some sleep,” he said as they moved into the concourse, though sleep was the last thing on his racing mind. “Welcome to the latest in innovative hotels. We have a wide selection of extremely spacious open-plan accommodations available tonight. Bedrooms with and without views. I’m afraid the beds are a little firm and only a few have en suite facilities. On the plus side, they’re economical.”     Summer shivered. “Think there’s anywhere warm?”     He looked at her long, tanned bare legs, her skimpy dress, the metal at her nipples, then at the snow plastering itself against the windows.     “I know,” she said. “I’m not dressed for winter, but I left eighty-degree heat and assumed I’d get straight off one plane and onto another. I intended to change into my jeans when I arrived in London. I’ve a coat in my…suitcase, which is probably languishing under three feet of snow because the guys who are supposed to unload went home while they still could.”     “Want a sweater?” He took one from his carry-on and handed it to her.     “Thank you so much.” She pulled it on.     The dark-blue sweater swamped her but she looked so cute, his cock flickered back to life. Give it up. There’s no point. She shouldn’t have looked sexy in a guy’s sweater, though he’d prefer her in nothing but those piercings. He wanted to suck them, rub the head of his dick over them. Blood flowed south. Damn it. Stop thinking.     They wandered through the airport, looking for somewhere to settle. All the more comfortable-looking spots were already taken.     “Nowhere is warmer than anywhere else,” Summer said. “Here will be fine.”     She dropped onto the floor next to the wall and lay on her back with her head resting on her bag. Oh god, her legs go on forever.     “You are approaching the end of the walkway,” intoned a voice.     Summer sat up and groaned. “Not here. That’ll go on all night.”     They headed away into the gate area.     “I’ll just use the restroom,” she said.     “Good idea. I’ll join you. Well, not join you.” Though the idea appealed.     He took out his last two temazepam and then stuffed them back in the bag. Maybe he didn’t need them. After he’d splashed water into his mouth and on his face, he accidentally looked up into the mirror. He hated what he saw—dark shadows under his eyes, a wary look on his face, a tense jaw, yet under all that, a guy women seemed to find irresistible. All those years he’d thought he was something special and now he longed to be nothing special at all.     When he emerged, Summer was already lying on the floor with her head on her backpack. He unzipped his carry-on to take out a pair of chinos and folded them to put under his head. His stomach fluttered as he settled next to her, his face inches from hers.     “Are you sleeping on the side of the bed you prefer?” he asked. Does anyone usually share your bed? Are you married, engaged, have a boyfriend?     “I’m fine unless your side of the bed is more comfortable, in which case I hope you’d be a gentleman and swap.”     “Sadly not.” I’m no gentleman. You could lay on me except we’d get arrested.     She was so close he could almost count her eyelashes. Her eyes were the strong blue of the sky on a cold winter’s day, the irises ringed with a darker hue. She had a couple of freckles on her tanned cheeks and he wanted to kiss them, kiss her lips, kiss her cute nose, kiss her nipples, kiss her all over. His cock twitched.     “Are you going to close your eyes?” he asked.     “Eventually. Are you?”     “Eventually. I like the view too much at the moment.”     “Very smooth, Mr. Winter.”     “Thank you, Miss Summer. Are your nipples pierced?” The question slipped out before he could stop it.     “Yes.”     No, you can’t come out and take a look, he yelled at his cock. There’s nothing to see at the moment. The stupid thing still tried, pressing against his zipper.     “Why did you have it done?”     “Why do you think I had it done?”     Oh Christ, don’t splutter, don’t tell her what you think, what nearly every guy would think.                “Somewhere to hang your car keys?”     She grinned. “Damn, I never thought you’d get that.”     “Anything else pierced?” Cut out my tongue now.     “Maybe.”     Ask her what, said his cock.     “Tattoos?” he choked out.     “Maybe.”     A low growl burst from his lips and she giggled.     “What an interesting young lady you are.”     He moved a fraction closer and could feel her breath hitting his face.     Do it, do it, do it, yelled his cock.     Do what? he yelled back. If I kiss her, where’s it going to go? We’re lying in a public place and you know what you’re like. This won’t stop at kissing. You’ll embarrass me.     Had shemoved closer? Yes. Oh god.     “Hi there, folks.”     The voice jolted them both and they clashed heads as they jerked upright.     “Ouch,” Summer yelped and rubbed her forehead.     “Sorry,” he blurted.     “No, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”     He rubbed his head. “Yep.”     He’d hoped their first touch would be less painful.     Two female airport employees stood in front of them.     The thought police? He hadn’t done anything—yet.     “Sorry to disturb you,” one of the women said. “We’re giving out blankets, pillows and a few essentials to help you spend an easier night.”     They were each handed a bag.     “Thank you,” Summer said. “That’s brilliant. Is there an inflatable bed in here?”     “Sadly not. You two have a good night.” The women wandered off again.     Define “good”.     Apart from pillows and emergency blankets, the bags also contained bottles of water and snacks.    “No condoms either,” Summer said and clapped a hand to her mouth. “Shit.”
     He laughed. Don’t worry. I’ve plenty.





http://www.ellorascave.com/summer-girl-winter-boy.html

Please welcome A.E.Via to the blog with her new book - You Can See Me

Author A.E. ViaTitle:  You Can See MeM/M/M GAY EROTIC CONTEMPORARY  WORD COUNT - 78,200Release Date: February 07, 2014





World renowned chef Prescott Vaughan was at the height of his career. Right before he's to leave for Paris to work alongside his idol, a horrific car accident leaves him completely blind. His female fiancé leaves him in a state of desperation and depression.  He pines for love, companionship, and so happens to find it in the form of his very sexy neighbor.  Sexy male neighbor, Dr. Rickson 'Ric' Edwards. 
Prescott's not gay - at least he never considered himself gay - until Ric saves him from a date, gone terribly wrong. The two neighbors hit it off quickly and waste no time exploring and learning each other.  Things are great until Ric begins to have his doubts about meeting Prescott's many wants. When Ric insist he and Prescott take a breather, Pres finds himself lonely and lacking again. Enter, male escort and aspiring chef, Blair McKenzie to fill the void. 
In the meantime, Ric works on his issues that prohibits him from displaying the love he knows he has for Prescott. When Ric is finally ready and returns to claim Prescott he's not sure that Pres can let go of the sexy, southern, hotness that is Blair McKenzie. After Ric has his own personal encounter with the sinfully sexy man, he can't help but become entranced and crave more as well. 
Pres soon realizes that there's no need to choose between his two men, because when all three of them finally come together - grab a cold drink - the heat is going to go all the way up! 

​This is not your typical gay ménage romance. Everyone is not happy, skipping along, and loving life. These men are at each other’s throats. They live completely separate lives; fuss, cuss, and fight until they all realize exactly what the problem is...too damn much sexual tension.
AUTHOR BIO:A.E. Via is the new best-selling author in the beautiful gay erotic genre. Her writing embodies everything from spicy to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.  When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, A.E. runs a very successful paralegal-for-hire business and in her spare time, she devotes herself to her family – a husband and four children – her two pets, a Maltese dog and her white Siamese cat, ELynn, named after the late great gay romance author ELynn Harris. While this is only her second novel, she has plenty more to come...so sit back and grab a cool drink, because the male on male action is just heating up!Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peak on up-coming work, free reads, and where she’ll appear next.
Links: Publisher: http://www.amirapress.comExcerpt:Ric leaned his head back against the elevator paneling and watched the numbers light up all the way to floor ten before his eyes drifted shut for the rest of the way. When the doors opened, he came face-to-face with Prescott’s Texan.  Fuck me.Instead of the gorgeous prick getting on the elevator and leaving, the cocky bastard took a couple steps back and leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway and stared openly at him as if he hadn’t a care in the world. His hazel eyes scanned Ric up and down, taking in his disheveled, stressed-out appearance.  “Do you have a fucking problem?” Ric growled, refusing to pretend to be cordial to the man even though he was a complete stranger and had done absolutely nothing to him.  The man had the nerve to smirk at him and shake his head as if pitying Ric, or perhaps throwing it in Ric’s face that he’d definitely had a better night than he had. Ric did try to hide his anger at knowing the man had slept with his Pres. Why the hell else would he be leaving at five in the damn morning? Unless he delivered newspapers or milk, he had absolutely no reason to be on this floor this time of morning. Bastard.“No, I don’t have a problem,” he drawled slowly, making sure to put extra enunciation on the “I” part of his sentence. “But, obviously, you do. Or else you wouldn’t be scowling at me for no reason.”“Fuck you,” Ric snarled, stepping just a little closer. He wanted to tear the man’s lips off for talking with that accent. Then he wanted to rip his hands off for daring to touch his Prescott. The man’s probably a male gold digger.  “Did you enjoy taking advantage of Prescott? Did you get what you came for?” Ric growled like a rabid animal three inches away from the man’s face, but he’d be damned if the asshole didn’t even flinch at his showcase of fury. No reaction whatsoever. The Texan had one hand casually tucked in his jeans pocket, kicking back one side of his stylish blazer, while he lazily rubbed his other hand over his taut chest and washboard abs that showed through the thin material of his untucked dress shirt. Ric hated to admit it, but the man looked well fucked, and he wore it well.  “How could you do that to someone like him?” Ric fumed, and it took everything in him to control his rage.  If I hit him, no one would know. There’s no one around, no witnesses. It’d be his word against mine.“I knew I’d peg you in less than five minutes.” The man spoke with one dark brown eyebrow cocked up. He ran his fingers through his bed-tousled dark brown hair and let out an exasperated breath.“Excuse me?” Ric blinked.“Now I know why you were too stupid to hold on to Prescott Vaughan. You were too busy feeling sorry for him. Instead of you seeing a brilliant man, a world-renowned, accomplished chef who happens to be one of the most talented men to ever set foot in a kitchen, you see a needy, helpless man. Ahhh. Now it makes perfect sense.” “Don’t try to act like you know me because you don’t,” Ric growled, still trying to be mindful they were in the hallway of the floor that he lived on. The Texan pushed off the wall and closed the few inches between them. His six feet, two inches of height had him eye to eye with Ric, and the man showed no fear. His handsome face was now a mask of furious anger. “I saw you treat him like shit on the bottom of your shoes last night. I watched him beg you for five fuckin’ minutes of your time, and you spat in his face. Now, you have the audacity to say I’m mistreating him? Fuck you,” he snarled right back at Ric. Just as fast as the man’s anger came, it disappeared, and he composed himself to reveal that smirk that Ric selfishly rejoiced Pres couldn’t see, because it was sexy as fuck…and the man knew it.Ric watched his competition push the elevator button as he rubbed his hand over his morning stubble before speaking again. “You know what they say, don’t you, Doc? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and Prescott Vaughan is definitely a rare, precious treasure.” The Texan inched in even closer, which surprised the hell out of Ric since they were practically nose to nose. Ric was smacked in the face with a faint soap-and-water fragrance that made his eyelids flutter and his own dick jerk to life. Ric’s half-lidded eyes were riveted to the Texan’s plush lips as he leaned in and whispered directly into Ric’s open mouth. “If you don’t pull your head out of your ass and claim Prescott Vaughan like he wants, I won’t stop until I’ve fucked the sexy strawberry ten ways to Sunday and there’s not a single trace of your existence left in his mind, because with or without you, he needs love, and I was the one there last night to lick his sweet tears when you walked away.”  The elevator doors opened at his final words, and the smooth Texan took a few graceful steps backward into the elevator and gave Ric a sexy wink right before the doors closed.  Fucking asshole,Ric thought.