Andrew Grey's Blog, page 51
March 17, 2011
Crunch Time ia Now Available for Kindle
For all my friends with Kindles, Crunch Time is now available for Kindle at Amazon.com.
Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Crunch-Time-Work-Out-ebook/dp/B004SBWC9Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1300358431&sr=1-5
It's also available at All Romance eBooks, Rainbow eBooks, and at Dreamspinner Press.
Have a great day!!!!!
March 16, 2011
It's Crunch Time - Now Available from Dreamspinner Press
Blurb:
When George Higgins agrees to help a soon-to-be-former professional football player rehearse for a guest appearance on a talk show, he doesn’t expect anything to come of it. To his surprise, Darren White shows up on time and actually makes an effort to learn from George. But Darren has definite problems; he can barely read and sounds awful when he speaks. Luckily, George is a teacher and Darren’s motivated. It’s crunch time: the first rehearsal for Talking Sports is looming, and Darren and George will have to work together if they want Darren’s guest appearance—and their budding relationship—to turn into a full-time gig.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
March 15, 2011
Crunch Time Exclusive Excerpt- Releasing Tonight at Midnight
Blurb:
When George Higgins agrees to help a soon-to-be-former professional football player rehearse for a guest appearance on a talk show, he doesn’t expect anything to come of it. To his surprise, Darren White shows up on time and actually makes an effort to learn from George. But Darren has definite problems; he can barely read and sounds awful when he speaks. Luckily, George is a teacher and Darren’s motivated. It’s crunch time: the first rehearsal for Talking Sports is looming, and Darren and George will have to work together if they want Darren’s guest appearance—and their budding relationship—to turn into a full-time gig.
Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
Darren hurried through traffic, pushing his sleek Porsche convertible around cars as he followed the directions George had given him toward the school. He’d promised George he wouldn’t be late, but it looked as though he were going to be. Pulling out his phone while he was stuck at a light, he dialed the number George had given him.
“George, I’m stuck in traffic, but I’m on my way,” he said frantically as traffic started to move again. He really hated to disappoint the man, for some reason. Hell, it surprised even him. Darren knew he was usually the center of attention. It had been that way ever since junior high when he’d made quarterback at thirteen. “I know. I’m hurrying as fast as I can.”
“It’s okay, Darren,” George’s voice soothed through the phone. “Don’t get in an accident trying to get here. Mark’s excited about meeting you, so take your time and get here safe.”
“Thanks, George. I should be there in five minutes.” Darren hung up the phone and turned onto the quiet street, finally seeing the school on his left. Turning in, he pulled into a spot and walked toward the entrance, a feeling of intimidation coming over him. Stopping for a second, he looked around before pulling open the door to find George waiting for him. “Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t make a habit of it,” George said, and winked before leading him down one of the halls. Everything from the lockers to the tables seemed so small.
“Do you like teaching?” Darren asked as he followed George to the end of one of the hallways.
“Very much.” George stopped outside one of the doors. “I love working with the kids. The best part is when I see someone struggling and figure out how to help them. There’s nothing better than the feeling that you’ve reached someone, making their life better even if they don’t know it yet.” George smiled and opened the door. “Darren, this is Mark. He’s going to work with you.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Mark stood, smiling. “I’ve seen you on the games. You’re really something.”
Darren saw George pulling the door open. He started to get nervous. “Aren’t you staying?”
“I can if you want,” George answered, settling into one of what Darren suspected were the few adult-sized chairs in the building.
“George told me that you have trouble reading,” said Mark.
“Yeah,” Darren answered, looking at George. “Things get all jumbled up sometimes.”
“Like I tell all my students, this is one test you can’t fail, so relax and we’ll get started,” Mark instructed, before launching into a number of questions with flashcards and all kinds of things Darren could barely understand. “What we’re doing is testing for a number of things, so be patient. We’re almost done,” Mark told him before pulling out a few more things, checking his eyes as well as his hearing. When he was done, Mark sat back and sighed. “George was right. You’re most likely dyslexic.” Darren saw Mark look at George. “And I don’t know anyone better at working with dyslexics than George.”
Darren felt himself exhale. “So what do I do now?” Darren asked, turning to George, feeling like he was his lifeline. He couldn’t play football anymore. The doctor had given him the bad news that morning and the team had put him on the permanent injured list. It was hard to think about it, but that part of his life was over—forever.
March 12, 2011
Crunch Time Excerpt - Releasing in 4 Days
Crunch Time releases in four days and I though I'd offer you an excerpt. This story was inspired by a dinner I had with a pair of professional football players. I hope you enjoy it.
Blurb: When George Higgins agrees to help a soon-to-be-former professional football player rehearse for a guest appearance on a talk show, he doesn’t expect anything to come of it. To his surprise, Darren White shows up on time and actually makes an effort to learn from George. But Darren has definite problems; he can barely read and sounds awful when he speaks. Luckily, George is a teacher and Darren’s motivated. It’s crunch time: the first rehearsal for Talking Sports is looming, and Darren and George will have to work together if they want Darren’s guest appearance—and their budding relationship—to turn into a full-time gig.
This story can be purchased March 16 from Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
“What do you want from me?” George thought he could see where this was going and he didn’t like it—not one bit.
“I wanted to ask you if you’d work with him. The kid needs help and he’ll pay you for your time. I don’t know if it’s possible to help him at all, but I don’t want him to fail, and without help, he will.” George could see that Lonnie was sincere. He really did want to help the kid, no matter what he’d said earlier.
But George wanted no part of this.
“Lonnie, I….” George had every intention of telling Lonnie “No, thank you” when the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing jeans and a T-shirt walked into the room, cutting him off. “Jesus Christ,” George muttered under his breath, as a pair of the deepest blue eyes he’d ever seen met his gaze, and the words died on his lips. The other man, obviously Darren, slouched in a chair across the table from him, leaning back in his chair.
“So whatcha want, Lonnie?” He mumbled so badly George barely understood him. “I got stuff to do, ya know.”
Lonnie swiveled in the chair. “Do you want that job at Channel 4?”
“I don’t need it. I’m gonna be playing ball again soon,” Darren said, or something to that effect. George couldn’t be sure; the man’s speech seemed as slouchy as the rest of him.
“No, you’re not.” George could hear the raw edge of Lonnie’s temper. “You are probably never going to play football again and you need to face that. So, I’m going to ask one more time, do you want that interview at Channel 4 or not? I pulled strings to get it for you and I can un-pull them just as fast.”
The feet of Darren’s chair hit the floor and he looked at Lonnie as though he was ready to kill him. “I have to play ball. I can’t do nothin’ else.”
Lonnie’s face softened. “That’s what we’re going to help you with. George here is a teacher, a very good teacher, and he’s going to work with you so you can do well on the show next month.”
George shifted in his chair. “Lonnie.” He looked over at Darren. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.” He kept looking at Darren, fascinated with the man, even though he had no intention of going through with this scheme of Lonnie’s. Darren obviously wasn’t interested in learning anything. George suspected he’d gotten everything in life he’d ever wanted by flashing those deep blue eyes.
“I know you haven’t.” Lonnie looked at Darren. “So what do you want?”
Darren shrugged. “I’ll give it a shot.”
Lonnie’s gaze turned to George. “Well, I won’t.” George turned away and stood up, walking stiffly toward the door. “He doesn’t want to learn anything, Lonnie. All he wants is what he’s always gotten: a free ride because of who he is.”
“I can learn. I ain’t dumb!” Darren stood up, fire blazing in his eyes, chest puffed out.
George took a few steps closer. “Then act like it! You may not be dumb, to use your word, but no one could tell from the way you speak.” George stepped closer, telling himself he wasn’t going to be intimidated by the much taller wall of muscle glaring down at him. “Or the way you carry yourself.” George turned and walked back toward the door, looking at the stunned expression on Lonnie’s face. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the gym,” he said to Lonnie before pushing open the conference room door.
Crunch Time releases in four days and I though I'd offer ...
Crunch Time releases in four days and I though I'd offer you an excerpt. This story was inspired by a dinner I had with a pair of professional football players. I hope you enjoy it.
Blurb: When George Higgins agrees to help a soon-to-be-former professional football player rehearse for a guest appearance on a talk show, he doesn’t expect anything to come of it. To his surprise, Darren White shows up on time and actually makes an effort to learn from George. But Darren has definite problems; he can barely read and sounds awful when he speaks. Luckily, George is a teacher and Darren’s motivated. It’s crunch time: the first rehearsal for Talking Sports is looming, and Darren and George will have to work together if they want Darren’s guest appearance—and their budding relationship—to turn into a full-time gig.
This story can be purchased March 16 from Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
“What do you want from me?” George thought he could see where this was going and he didn’t like it—not one bit.
“I wanted to ask you if you’d work with him. The kid needs help and he’ll pay you for your time. I don’t know if it’s possible to help him at all, but I don’t want him to fail, and without help, he will.” George could see that Lonnie was sincere. He really did want to help the kid, no matter what he’d said earlier.
But George wanted no part of this.
“Lonnie, I….” George had every intention of telling Lonnie “No, thank you” when the door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing jeans and a T-shirt walked into the room, cutting him off. “Jesus Christ,” George muttered under his breath, as a pair of the deepest blue eyes he’d ever seen met his gaze, and the words died on his lips. The other man, obviously Darren, slouched in a chair across the table from him, leaning back in his chair.
“So whatcha want, Lonnie?” He mumbled so badly George barely understood him. “I got stuff to do, ya know.”
Lonnie swiveled in the chair. “Do you want that job at Channel 4?”
“I don’t need it. I’m gonna be playing ball again soon,” Darren said, or something to that effect. George couldn’t be sure; the man’s speech seemed as slouchy as the rest of him.
“No, you’re not.” George could hear the raw edge of Lonnie’s temper. “You are probably never going to play football again and you need to face that. So, I’m going to ask one more time, do you want that interview at Channel 4 or not? I pulled strings to get it for you and I can un-pull them just as fast.”
The feet of Darren’s chair hit the floor and he looked at Lonnie as though he was ready to kill him. “I have to play ball. I can’t do nothin’ else.”
Lonnie’s face softened. “That’s what we’re going to help you with. George here is a teacher, a very good teacher, and he’s going to work with you so you can do well on the show next month.”
George shifted in his chair. “Lonnie.” He looked over at Darren. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.” He kept looking at Darren, fascinated with the man, even though he had no intention of going through with this scheme of Lonnie’s. Darren obviously wasn’t interested in learning anything. George suspected he’d gotten everything in life he’d ever wanted by flashing those deep blue eyes.
“I know you haven’t.” Lonnie looked at Darren. “So what do you want?”
Darren shrugged. “I’ll give it a shot.”
Lonnie’s gaze turned to George. “Well, I won’t.” George turned away and stood up, walking stiffly toward the door. “He doesn’t want to learn anything, Lonnie. All he wants is what he’s always gotten: a free ride because of who he is.”
“I can learn. I ain’t dumb!” Darren stood up, fire blazing in his eyes, chest puffed out.
George took a few steps closer. “Then act like it! You may not be dumb, to use your word, but no one could tell from the way you speak.” George stepped closer, telling himself he wasn’t going to be intimidated by the much taller wall of muscle glaring down at him. “Or the way you carry yourself.” George turned and walked back toward the door, looking at the stunned expression on Lonnie’s face. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the gym,” he said to Lonnie before pushing open the conference room door.
March 11, 2011
Core Training Excerpt - Only Five Days Until Crunch Time
Blurb: Hugh Douglas isn’t thrilled about reaching his fortieth birthday. But he gets an unexpected present when a waiter he knows, Max Pierce, flirts hard with him at the gym. They end up going home together and having the hottest sex Hugh can remember… and Max even wants to stick around afterward.
Starting a romance won’t be easy. Hugh can't help but feel his age compared to the much younger Max, even though Max makes Hugh feel rejuvenated. Max is dealing with daily doses of abuse from his alcoholic father, but Hugh can offer support from his own life experience. If they can help each other, it just might be enough to make a life together work.
Purchase from Dreamspinner PressExcerpt:
“Happy birthday,” the little blonde girl said perkily from behind the counter after scanning his membership card.
“Thanks,” Hugh responded, with absolutely no enthusiasm whatsoever. He gave her the best smile he could muster and moped his way toward the locker room, the noise, the banging, the grunting, the damn bouncy music that drove them all crazy, all of it adding to his sour mood. “Excuse you!” Hugh growled as a man hurried out of the locker room, nearly bumping into him.
“Sorry,” the man responded, looking Hugh over from head to toe like he was deciding if he was going to give him shit. He must have decided that at six-four and big as hell, Hugh wasn’t someone the musclehead wanted to mess with. Lumbering into the locker room, Hugh plopped his bag on one of the benches and began tearing open lockers, trying to find an empty one.
“What crawled up your butt?” Dan opened the locker behind him, and of course it was empty.
“Nothing,” Hugh huffed, and he willed his mood to lighten. His friends didn’t need to pay just because it happened to be his birthday… alone yet again. Granted, it was his own fault. He’d spent his entire life going from man to man. “It’s fucked getting old.”
“Quit your whining,” Dan scolded lightly as he pulled off his shirt, “I’m older than you are. And it’s all a state of mind, anyway.”
Hugh half watched as Dan lowered his pants. “Then I’m eighty.”
“Hey, Birdgazers!” Lonnie called as he walked in, taking the locker next to Hugh. “You look like shit, man.”
“It’s his birthday,” Dan teased with a little too much glee.
Lonnie smacked Dan’s bare ass, the slap resounding through the room. “You were moaning like a cheap whore about your birthday a few months ago.”
Dan glared at Lonnie as he rubbed his butt, pulling on his underwear and shorts. “You’ll pay for that.”
Lonnie shot him an “ooh, I’m so scared” grin and finished changing. “You gonna work out with us or be a pussy all your life?”
Hugh looked at Lonnie, trying to see if he was serious. He was about to respond when a kid walked into their bay of lockers and undid his lock, and Hugh found his gaze pulled to a blond-headed wisp of a man who looked like a stiff breeze would blow him away.
“Hey, you listening to me or looking at dick?” Lonnie would say anything, and Hugh almost retorted, but it would only draw more attention to the fact that he was indeed looking at the young bit of eye candy instead of paying attention to what was being said.
Hugh forced his eyes away from the smooth back that appeared when the little man slipped off his shirt. God, he was young—cute as hell, but way too young for him. “I don’t think I’m going to be very good company.”
“Okay, we’ll see you out there.” Lonnie ignored him and shut his locker, waited for Dan, and the two left.
With the room quiet, Hugh found his attention drawn to the small man, who was tugging on a fresh T-shirt. Pulling his attention to where it should be, Hugh closed his locker and followed the small man out to the weight floor, enjoying the bouncing globes in front of him the entire time.
Hugh walked as far as the stairs to the mezzanine and stopped. He really didn’t feel like lifting, and he didn’t feel like cardio. After a few seconds, a blur passed in front of him and up the stairs. Focusing his eyes, he saw that tiny, tight butt and followed it upstairs. What the fuck, at least he could enjoy the scenery.
Ascending the stairs, he found an elliptical machine, climbed on, and started moving, his mind going on autopilot, his attention turning inward. Hugh was always like this—he’d start his cardio workout and let his thoughts take over, the noise fade, and the time fly.
“Your friend is a real ass.” A soft voice cut through his thoughts, and the sounds of the gym assaulted him again. Looking at the machine next to him, he saw the man from the locker room looking back at him.
“That’s just Lonnie; he has a mouth on him like no one else.” Hugh got a good look at the man’s face for the first time. “Don’t I know you?” Then it hit him; he did know him, if he could only remember the kid’s name. “Max.”
The blond man smiled. “Yes, Max Pierce. You come into The Grill a few nights a week, but I don’t know your name.” Max looked a little embarrassed, but there was no need to be. It wasn’t as though they’d been formally introduced.
“I’m Hugh Douglas.” He returned the man’s smile. “I haven’t seen you here before.”
“This is my first day.” He indicated the woman working out next to him, and she smiled at Hugh briefly before stopping her machine. “Lila dragged me here.”
“I’m going downstairs, Max. I’ll see you tomorrow at work.” She touched his shoulder before leaving.
“Are you going to join?” Hugh asked, making conversation.
He seemed to be thinking about it. “Will that mean I’ll be able to look like you?” Max’s smile was huge, and Hugh wasn’t sure, but he thought the kid was flirting with him. “Because if it does,” Max went on, “I’ll join up today.”
Yup, the kid was definitely flirting. “I don’t know about that, but you already look just fine to me.” Hell, the kid looked more than fine, and he imagined how good it would feel to bury himself in that tight little body. And fuck a duck, if the kid could flirt, why couldn’t he? Besides if he’d been a girl, the little thing would be batting his eyelashes and swaying his hips. As it was, Max’s smile was enough to get him going, let alone the rest of the small, hot package.
“I am not,” Max argued, but Hugh could tell he was being playful. “I’m skinny and small, not all strong and, if you won’t punch me out for saying so, freakin’ huge like you.” Max’s eyes went appropriately wide just before those eyes raked over every inch of him. Hugh could almost feel them before they zeroed in on his crotch, which had definitely taken up a now somewhat visible interest. He saw Max lean in a little closer. “And you’re big all over.” That smile turned wry, and Hugh tugged involuntarily at the collar of his shirt. Was it getting hot in here or what?
It had been a long time since anyone had looked at him like he was laid out on the buffet of an all-you-can-eat. Well, happy fucking birthday to me. Maybe the day wasn’t going to turn out so bad after all. “You could get somewhat bigger if you lifted weights.”
“I don’t think everything could get bigger.” Max looked down again, and Hugh felt his dick jump and throb. “Not that some things need it.” Max’s voice seemed to wrap right around his dick and grab a good, tight hold. Taking a look at the man again, Hugh took a deep breath and reminded himself that the kid was probably half his age. And while he wouldn’t turn down a good old-fashioned fuck, Hugh had to ask himself what this kid could possibly see in him except the size of the bulge in his shorts.
Hugh heard beeps as buttons were pushed. Max’s machine came to a stop, and the man stepped off. Thank God—Max had had his fun getting him all riled up, and now that he was done, Hugh could try to get his dick under control and finish his workout. Closing his eyes, he tried to get back in the zone. He had to tell his body that there was no way the sexy little man was really interested in him anyway; Max had probably just been having a bit of fun with the old guy.
“Hugh.”
He opened his eyes and saw Max standing right in front of him, leaning on the machine, face just above the display. “You wanna go back to your place so I can ride you into next week?”
Hugh’s feet stumbled, and he nearly fell backward before regaining his balance and bringing the machine to a stop. “You serious?”
Max inclined his head once as he stepped off to the side, glaring straight at Hugh’s crotch. There was no mistaking what that meant. “You’re damn right.” Max stepped close enough that Hugh could smell his breath. “So let’s shower and get out of here. The sooner we’re at your place, the sooner I can ride you like the stallion you are.” With that final invitation, Max turned and walked down the stairs, looking over his shoulder, giving Hugh one last smoldering look before disappearing around the bend in the staircase.
He didn’t have to be asked twice. Grabbing a paper towel from the dispenser, he wiped down the machine before hurrying down the stairs and into the locker room. Racing to his locker, he carefully stripped down—it wasn’t seemly to be seen sporting wood—wrapped a towel tightly around his waist to hold everything in place, and made a beeline for the showers.
After what had to be one of the fastest showers in history, Hugh returned to the locker room, where Max was already dressing. He knew he was being watched, and since no one was around, he dropped the towel, giving Max a bit of a show before pulling on his briefs, adjusting himself properly, and then putting on his pants and shirt. He knew he saw Max swallow as Max watched him, and Hugh smiled to himself as he finished dressing.
“Do you live close?”
“Just a few blocks,” Hugh answered, as he watched Max lick his lips invitingly.
“I’ll follow you, then.”March 10, 2011
Pump Me Up Excerpt - One Day Closer to Crunch Time
Crunch Time is releasing in less than a week and I'm celebrating by offering excerpts of the other stories leading up to an exclusive Crunch Time Excerpt. I hope you enjoy!!!! The cover on this one is so big because I think his pecs are yummy.
Blurb: Taking advantage of a free pass from work, Maddoc decides to try out a fitness center. After meeting up with a friend, Dan, and making dinner plans, Maddoc meets Ivan, a hunky, silver-haired ex-Marine who gives him a ride home. Soon Maddoc finds himself with a new friend, a workout partner, a protector... and maybe something more, as a simmering attraction comes to life between him and Ivan. After moving too fast in previous relationships that fell apart, Maddoc wants to start slow—wants to make sure it can last. Luckily, Ivan is willing to wait.
Available from Dreamspinner Press
And its on sale right now.
Excerpt:
A spin-off of Spot Me Excerpt:
He turned the key in the lock. “No—not again,” Maddoc groaned to himself as he looked at the stems sitting next to his front door. Bending down, he picked them up. Being careful of the thorns, he gingerly dumped the headless flowers in the trash, the note that came along with them slipping between the porch floorboards. “Why does this keep happening?” Maddoc looked around but saw no one in the early morning darkness. He never did, but the damn stems kept showing up anyway. Turning around, he walked down the steps, stumbling on the last one as his knee nearly gave out under him. “What did I ever do?”
Still shaking, he made it to his car without falling on his face. After looking at each of the tires, he opened the car door and got inside. Starting the engine, he put the vehicle in gear and inched forward before hitting the brakes. Everything seemed to work. Turning on his headlights, he sped in the direction of his office, but he couldn’t help looking back to check his house before turning the corner.
The office was bright with plenty of people around, and Maddoc allowed himself to relax as he got to work, a day like any other day, at least for him lately. People said good morning, and Maddoc felt the tension begin to slip away. This was his routine, and while it was often hectic, it was known and comforting.
His work day went normally enough, and by late afternoon Maddoc was shutting down his computer. He looked down at the bag near his desk. “I really should do this.” Picking up the bag, he carried it with him to his car and drove the half mile or so to a large, bright fitness center. Entering nervously, he approached the desk.
“Um, I got a two-week pass from work.” He couldn’t meet the receptionist’s gaze and found himself talking more to the counter than to her. “I thought I’d give it a try.” He fished out the pass and set it on the counter.
“We’re glad you did,” she responded in a high, perky voice, and Maddoc raised his gaze to see her huge, genuine smile. “Take a seat at the first desk, and Mark will be right with you.” Maddoc did as he was asked, and a big man in a tight shirt sat down across from him and went through his sales pitch.
Maddoc listened, fidgeting nervously. “I’d really just like to see how I like it first.”
“No problem.” Mark smiled. “I’ll give you a quick tour. I see you brought work out gear. Excellent! Bring it with you, and I’ll show you around.”
Relief flooded through Maddoc as he got up from the chair. He hated disappointing people, but he needed to know he was going to like this. “I’ve never worked out before,” he confessed as they started the tour.
“You’re not alone. A lot of people who come in are just trying to get in shape. That’s why we have all kinds of equipment. Machines are great for starting out.” He pointed to the rows of what looked like new equipment. “Free weights are also available.” Mark pointed to the back of the gym where huge guys were lifting and grunting loudly.
Bang! A sharp sound echoed through the building. Maddoc jumped and looked around for cover.
“Sorry. When they’re working with the heavy weights, they drop them to prevent getting hurt,” Mark explained as he continued the tour, thankfully ignoring Maddoc’s jitters. “You get used to it. A lot of gyms don’t allow it, but we have a number of high-powered lifters….”
Maddoc looked at the men getting up from the bench. “I wouldn’t want to tell them no, either.”
Mark laughed, “Actually, they’re great guys.” He led the way toward the back of the building. “Here’s the men’s locker room. There’s a sauna near the showers and the entrance to the pool and whirlpool area.” Maddoc slowly nodded and thanked him for the tour before finding a locker and pulling off his shirt.
“Maddoc?” a vaguely familiar voice said from behind him. Turning around, he saw one of the guys from his office. “I thought that was you.” The man smiled brightly and stepped around the bench, extending his hand.
“Hey, Dan.” Maddoc returned the smile and shook the offered hand.
“I haven’t seen you here before, are you a member?” Dan inquired as he started looking for an empty locker.
“Not yet. I got a pass at the office and thought I’d give it a try.” Maddoc hung up his polo shirt and pulled a T-shirt out of his bag, slipping it over his head. “I’m a real newbie.” He lowered his pants and hung them in the locker before pulling on a pair of shorts.
“You’re welcome to join us.” Dan opened his shirt and slipped it off his shoulders. Maddoc found himself staring and had to turn his eyes away. He knew Dan was about his age, but he’d never have guessed, and he found himself stealing looks at the man’s flat stomach, wide shoulders, and pierced nipple. Maddoc turned away suddenly, afraid he pop wood right there in the locker room… in front of a coworker no less.
“H-have you been working out long?” He needed to get himself together, but he couldn’t help asking. Maybe there was hope that he could get strong like that.
“Years. But you’ll be surprised how much you can change once you work out regularly.” Dan dropped his pants, and Maddoc forcibly turned his attention to putting his things in his locker. “Join us,” he repeated, as he pulled on a pair of tight shorts and a tank top.
“If it’s okay.” Maddoc didn’t want to impose, but he needed some help and wasn’t really sure who he should ask.
“Of course.” Dan closed the door and locked his locker. “Do you have a water bottle?” Maddoc shook his head, closing his own locker. Turning around, Maddoc saw Dan open his locker again, handing him a plastic water bottle before relocking it. “You’ll need it.” Maddoc thanked Dan and took the bottle before following him like a puppy out of the locker room.
“Big Pimpin’, you ready?” a guy called as he slapped Dan on the butt. “I haven’t seen your other half yet, is he joining us?”
“Probably not. He’s on a competition regime, so it’s just us.” Dan turned to him and said, “This is Maddoc. We work together, and he’s thinking about joining.”
The man immediately extended his hand. “I’m Lonnie. You gonna join us?” The man seemed genuine, and Maddoc found himself nodding. “Don’t worry, we’ll take it easy on you.” Lonnie turned and began striding toward the equipment before turning around. “You homos coming?” Maddoc looked to Dan, shocked, not sure how to react. “No offense,” the loud man added automatically.
“That’s just Lonnie,” Dan explained. “He’s got the biggest mouth of anyone I’ve ever met.” Dan began trailing behind Lonnie. “You really are an ass sometimes—you know that, Rosen?” Not sure what to do, Maddoc found himself following slowly. “Don’t let him bother you. The man’s a complete pig,” Dan continued to explain, “He’s living proof that there is such a thing as Jewish pork.” Maddoc couldn’t help laughing. “Just give it back to him. Comments about his big ass are surefire winners, particularly if they’re original.”
Maddoc found himself relaxing as Dan led the way to a flat bench. Lonnie was already doing his set, and Maddoc watched. When Lonnie was done, Dan took his turn and then stripped off the weights and indicated for Maddoc to go. Dan explained the exercise and helped him perform it right, even standing behind him to help in case he needed it. When Maddoc was done, Dan put the bar in the rack. “That was really good.”
“I could probably do more,” Maddoc said, pleased with himself, even though Dan had said it was only ninety pounds.
“Don’t push it right away or you’ll be really sore tomorrow. Let your body get used to it.”
Maddoc nodded and watched as they each took their turns, doing the exercise three more times before switching to an incline bench. “Who’s that?” Maddoc saw a huge man approach, his chest and shoulders bulging out of a string tank.
“That’s Gene, Dan’s partner.” Maddoc looked at Lonnie in disbelief. “He’s training for Mr. Olympia.” Lonnie gave him a surprised look. “Don’t you guys work together?”
“We work in the same office, and we’ve worked on projects together and stuff,” Maddoc stammered, unsure why Dan had invited him to work out with them in the first place. Hell, he hadn’t even known the man was gay.
“Come on, you two. Play hide the sausage later.” Maddoc saw Gene glare at Lonnie for a second before the man actually gave Dan a kiss right there in the gym. “Geez, you two.” Lonnie started making gagging sounds, and Maddoc didn’t know how to react, but Dan and Gene began to laugh, and he figured this was normal for them. The two hunky men separated, and Dan rejoined them, watching Gene walk across the gym. “Can we get back to work?” Lonnie groused good-naturedly.
“Look who’s talking,” Dan retorted. “The man who turned gabbing into an Olympic sport.”
Maddoc laughed and added tentatively, “You mean he’d be as big as Gene if talking counted as exercise?”
“Exactly.” Dan responded with a grin.
“If you’re done Lonnie-bashing, can we get jacked already?” Lonnie walked over to a large, gray machine and began putting weights on it as Dan explained it was a decline press machine. They took their turns, the talk diminishing as they got to work again.
“Hey, Lonnie.” A man approached as Maddoc was finishing what he hoped was the last set. He let the arms fall back against the stops, then got up and watched as the guys all talked.
“You joining us for dinner?” The man didn’t answer right away. “Don’t be a pussy all your life and come eat with us.”
“Okay.” The man answered. “Since you asked so nicely. What time?”
Maddoc listened to the exchange as details were finalized, watching the man really closely. He had to be about Maddoc’s age, with close-cropped graying hair and broad shoulders. Maddoc couldn’t tell anything else from the baggy clothes he was wearing, but his imagination quickly took over.
“You gonna join us, too, Docky?” Lonnie’s question pulled him out of his daydream, and he nodded. Docky? “Good.” Lonnie finished up his last set, clanking the arms against the stops. They finished the routine, and Maddoc thought he’d need someone to carry him into the locker room, but somehow he made it under his own power.
Pulling off his sweaty clothes, Maddoc found himself naked just as the man who’d been talking to Lonnie entered the locker room. Maddoc felt himself color as he reached for his bathing suit, pulling it on quickly and grabbing a towel, figuring he’d try to find the whirlpool. He’d never gotten used to being naked in public, and he felt especially shy around all these super-hot men. The whirlpool was easy to find, and Maddoc lowered himself into the hot, swirling water, thankful he was alone. Relaxing his head back, Maddoc felt his muscles turn to JELL-O, and didn’t look up when he heard someone else enter the tub.
“Hi.”
Maddoc looked up toward the voice coming from next to him. “Hi.” He saw the man from earlier settling into the water next to him. Maddoc wished he’d been paying attention, because what he could see above the water looked… really nice. He even liked the graying hair… sexy.
“I’m Ivan.” The man lifted a hand out of the water.
“Maddoc.” He shook the offered hand and found that Ivan held it a little longer than necessary. He didn’t know what to say and resettled in the water, watching the man through half-closed eyes. God, he was handsome. He had to keep his imagination in check or he’d completely embarrass himself. Maddoc kept watching until he began to feel like slightly cooked, and then got out of the water, doing his best not to turn for one last look before he left. But it happened anyway—he just couldn’t help it.March 9, 2011
Spot Me Excerpt - In celebration of the Release of Crunch Time on March 16
Blurb:
Working out is a daily routine for Dan, who meets his friend Lonnie at the gym to lift weights. But breaking a sweat takes on a whole new meaning when Dan sees Gene, a professional bodybuilder, in the mirror. Dan knows it's a lost cause: he's forty and nursing a broken heart, nowhere in the same league as gorgeous Gene.
Then at the gym the next day, Gene asks Dan if he can work out with him. A bet wins Dan a smoothie and conversation, which surprisingly leads to a date. Now Dan is faced with a dilemma: does he allow Gene to elbow his way into his life, or will he give up on the idea of a new relationship before it even starts?Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
His phone vibrated on the desk next to his keyboard. “Chest @ 4.” Dan hit reply and texted back, “K.” This was a normal exchange that happened almost every day, and Dan smiled to himself. The familiar message meant that in an hour he’d be leaving work and heading to the gym.
“You were vibrating again,” Dan’s co-worker Michelle called out from over the cubicle wall.
“I know, but at least I remembered to turn off the ringer.” He snickered, glad she couldn’t see his face. Michelle was the phone Nazi, picking on co-workers who forgot to silence their cell phones. “Just an hour and I get to leave.”
He heard a snide, “Yeah, yeah.” float over the wall as he got back to work on the report he was finishing for the director.
At quitting time, Dan made sure everything was saved, shut off his computer, and grabbed his stuff before stopping on his way out of the building to fill his water bottle with ice from the machine. Like many things in Dan’s life, this was part of his daily ritual.
Leaving the building, he walked to his car and dumped his bag in the back seat. He slid the water bottle into his gym bag before climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. The drive to the gym was the usual quick and painless five minutes, though it seemed like a world away. The daily pressure of work slipped away as he pushed open the glass doors and walked into the huge, new, gleaming temple of exercise. This was one of the few things Dan did for himself, and he relished it.
“Hey, Dan.” The woman behind the counter greeted him as she scanned his card.
“Hi, Denise.” He didn’t stop to talk; it wasn’t expected. Instead, he hefted his bag and walked to the locker room, choosing one of the polished wood lockers and pulling off his clothes to change.
“Big Pimpin’!” Dan grinned and shook his head, not bothering to look up.
“Hi, Lon.” The man pulled off his shirt and toed off his shoes before slipping his pants down his legs. Smack. “Geez, Lon.” Dan rubbed his butt where Lonnie’s smacked him. “You wait!” Dan pulled on his shorts and slid on a string tank, and then he sat down to put on his shoes.
“Nice panties.” Dan ignored the old and familiar comment. Dan hated the baggie shorts most guys wore; they felt funny on his legs.
“Big ass.” Dan reached out and swatted Lonnie’s butt as he teased, “Do these pants make my butt look big?”
Lonnie twisted around, trying to get a look at his own butt. “Do they?”
Dan rolled his eyes as he got up and locked the locker before grabbing his gloves and water bottle. “No, your ass makes your pants look big.” Dan ducked under Lonnie’s swipe and laughed as they left the locker room together. “You are the most ass-obsessed straight man I’ve ever met,” Dan chided as they walked to the weight area. “Am I fat? Does my ass look big? God, Lon, sometimes I think you’re the gay one—either that or a woman.”
“Would that make Corey a lesbian?” Lonnie said it with such a straight face that Dan couldn’t keep himself from laughing.
“Come on, let’s get started. Bench press or dumbbells?”
“We’ve been using barbells for a while; let’s use dumbbells.” Dan nodded in agreement and grabbed a bench. After setting down his things, he grabbed the sixty pounders for a warm-up, set with Lonnie completing his own set when Dan was done.
They’d just completed their third set and Dan was grabbing the eight-five pounders when he looked up into the mirrors and faltered for a second before picking up the weights. “Lon, who’s the guy on the incline press?” Lonnie knew everyone either because they were his clients or because he was the most outgoing person on Earth. Dan picked up the weights for his set while Lonnie turned around. As Dan lifted the weights and checked his form in the mirror, Lonnie wandered away, returning just as Dan was finishing up his last reps before dropping the weights.
Lonnie scoffed, “That’s Gene Harper.”
The name meant nothing to Dan, and he shrugged slowly, looking in the mirror again as the man finished his set, watching those muscles work as they pushed up almost three hundred pounds.
“He’s a professional,” Lonnie added.
“Do you know him?”
Lonnie shook his head, “Not personally, but he’s been on the cover of just about every muscle and bodybuilding magazine at some point.”
“Oh.”
Lonnie took his place on the bench, and Dan helped him hoist the hundred pounders onto his legs before he began his set. Lonnie was more than capable of handling the weight, so Dan found his attention and his eyes shifting to the mirrors and the absolute vision working out at the bench behind them. He watched as the bodybuilder finished his set and clanked the weight into the bench rack. Dan returned his attention to Lonnie and then glanced back in the mirror and right into the bodybuilder’s reflected eyes.
The intensity of his gaze made Dan shiver slightly, and he quickly turned his eyes away as Lonnie’s weights thudded onto the floor. Dan took a sip from his bottle and got the weights for his own set, doing his best not to check in the mirror again, but he couldn’t help it.
“Quit making goo-goo eyes and do your set,” Lonnie scolded.
“Look who’s talking.” Dan watched as Lonnie’s fiancée approached and his expression went all mushy.
“Hey, Chicken.” Dan couldn’t help snorting softly. Lonnie was the only man on Earth who’d nickname his vegan fiancée “Chicken.” Pulling his eyes jealously away from their cooing and light kisses, he reclined on the bench, and pushed his weights into position. He got five reps with the ninety-fives and then dropped the weights and sat back up, his eyes checking the mirror again, but the bench behind them was empty.
Dan’s attention turned back to Lonnie and Chicken—Corey—and smiled as he watched them. “Lonnie, don’t you two do enough of that at home?”
Corey walked over and gave Dan a brief kiss on the cheek. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Gorgeous, how are you?”
Corey swiped at Dan’s arm and looked away. “Stop it.” Lonnie’s fiancée was a beautiful, fit, bright woman who refused to believe how attractive she was. Lonnie gave her another quick kiss.
Lonnie waved toward the benches as he took a swig from Dan’s water bottle. “Let’s grab an incline bench.”
Dan nodded and picked up his things, moving to the only free bench and grabbing the weights. He’d just gotten them in place when he saw the bodybuilder walk alongside him and pick up one of the weights from the rack. Dan almost dropped the weights on his chest when he saw the man bend over, his pants drawing tight over a butt to die for. Jesus, Dan, pay attention! He returned his focus to the weights and completed his set, just barely, before dropping the weight. He and Lonnie continued with their sets, with Dan peeking in the mirror and watching the bodybuilder as he went about his routine, and they finished theirs.
“Sauna?” Lonnie picked up his weight belt and took another swig of water.
“Yeah, I need it.” Dan’s muscles were tight, and the heat would help loosen them up so they wouldn’t be sore the next day. He filled the water bottle from the drinking fountain and headed into the locker room. Lon pulled off his shirt and headed into the shower and sauna area while Dan changed into a bathing suit and followed behind him.
When he got in the sauna, Lonnie was already regaling the others with some of his stories of past debauchery. “Nice suit, Princess,” he teased.
Dan turned around and wiggled his butt at him. “Thanks, Tinkerbell.” Most of the guys had heard this type of exchange before, and it didn’t faze them at all; they knew Lonnie. The conversation turned to workout routines, as it usually did.
“I need to lose weight.” This was another of Lonnie’s refrains.
Dan couldn’t restrain himself. “It won’t do you any good, and you know it. Dieting is not going to shrink your J. Lo ass.” Lonnie was indeed unfortunate in the butt department. “You just have to face it: you’re seven percent body fat with your middle-aged mother’s ass.” They guys all laughed, mainly because it was true.
In response, Lonnie grabbed Dan’s water bottle and blew a fountain of water at him.
“That’s two I owe you Lonnie,” Dan quipped as he snatched back the bottle.
After relaxing nicely, Dan left the sauna to get cleaned up. Walking into the shower area, he took one of the stalls and started the water. Dan heard Lonnie wander in a few minutes later. Now was the time. Reaching outside the shower, Dan grabbed the water bottle and filled it, the ice still clinking. Slowly he opened his curtain and saw Lonnie’s head of black hair. With a quick move, he dumped the water into the other shower.
A scream of surprise from the shower made Dan smile. The shower curtain opened, and Dan found himself face-to-face, naked body to naked body, with… the bodybuilder.
March 7, 2011
Five Hearts for Accompanied by a Waltz.
Dawn at Love Romances and More reviewed Accompanied by a Waltz and gave it Five Hearts. This review left me speechless and at a loss for words, so I'll let Dawn's words speak instead:
Overall, ACCOMPANIED BY A WALTZ is sweet, emotional and tender story of two people finding their way to one another. The plot weaves its spell around you from the first page and frankly, I was loathed to put it down. The characters make the stories in Mr. Grey’s books and these were no exception. The waltz scenes had me smiling and I never knew how romantic dancing to the waltz could be until now that is. I fell in love with ACCOMPANIED BY A WALTZ and know you will too. Run-don’t walk-to grab this latest book from the talented Mr. Grey. You won’t be disappointed!
Read the entire review that left me speechless.
Thank you Dawn for your amazing review.
March 5, 2011
Rainbow Book Fair - Saturday March 26
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I will be at the Rainbow Book Fair in New York along with a number of my fellow Dreamspinner Press authors. The fair is being held at the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual Communithy Center at 208 W 13t6h Street. NY. Hope to see you all there!!!!
Here's a link for more information.
