Jan Irving's Blog, page 12

"Mine" by Jan Irving--a free story

Mine is a free m/m western contemporary May/December story. Hope you enjoy it. I might do more in future if people like this kind of thing.

Daniel Tarrant tripped over a root. "Shit!" he muttered.

He heard the crunch of footsteps. A large brown hand shoved back the freshly watered rhododendron which had screened Daniel from view. He stared at battered cowboy boots, swallowing thickly.

"Taking up gardening since you're home from college?" Matt Gallagher asked him.

Daniel thrust a branch out of his face, getting to his feet while the other man watched him with his hands on lean hips. The foreman never intruded onto this part of the property where lush landscaping surrounded the pool Daniel had just hopped out of, but then Daniel's father, who employed Matt as well as the other hands, had made it clear they weren't welcome too close to the house.

"Hardly," Daniel said with apparent calm. He folded his arms, trying to hide how he was feeling as he took in the dust and sweat that coated the older man, his hair matted under his cowboy hat, jeans that fit powerful thighs and cupped his sex like an admiring hand. Matt was a big, six foot two of mature man with dark hair and light gray eyes. Spooky eyes, Daniel had always thought because of the way they saw right into you.

"Danny, is your father around?"

Daniel blinked, dipping his head when he flushed self-consciously. Crap, show some backbone, he told himself. Never mind he had a major thing for this man and just humiliated himself by being caught spying on him. "No, he had to fly to the city to take care of something," he said. Then he added, "And it's Daniel or Dan. No one but Dad calls me Danny."

"Sorry." Matt slapped work gloves against his thigh.

"Can I help you with something?" Despite the wet dirt clinging to him, he strove for adult, not the kid who used to tag after Matt, eager for the attention his father didn't have time to offer him. Matt had taught him how to ride when he was sixteen, patient with him; two years of college and the freedom to meet some pretty hot men had not altered his affect on Daniel.

Matt was still the man Daniel dreamed of, hot, restless, achy dreams where the other man covered him, took him, pressing his thick cock deep inside Daniel while Daniel clawed the sheets of the bed, pushing himself up for more of Matt's steady, deep thrusts.

"No, it's ranch business."

Daniel gritted his teeth. "I handle some of the business side of things for Dad."

He looked down at the mud on his body and shrugged, deciding to rinse off in the pool. Conscious of Matt's gaze and its usual effect on him, Daniel splashed off the dirt in the shallow end and then left the pool, forced to walk to where his towel was. Despite his irritation and the cool water, his bathing suit tented from his excitement. He glanced over his shoulder to see if Matt noticed and caught the other man's eyes on his lower body. He might as well be naked for all the trunks concealed his aching prick. Feeling ridiculously shy considering he'd deliberately racked up his experience, Daniel tied a towel around his waist.

"You're going into law, right?" Matt surprised him by asking. His voice had always sounded to Daniel like good chocolate with a hit of whisky.

Daniel dabbed moisture from his face, absurdly pleased that Matt knew that much. "Yeah. Dad thought it would come in handy."

Matt shook his head. "What a waste, you sitting behind a desk day after day. You were a good rider."

"I can still ride," Daniel pointed out. "And there are some benefits to going to school." Like hooking up with men, something that his father and probably this man couldn't imagine. He knew nothing about Matt's personal life, except he was single, but he imagined he was straight.

Matt crossed his arms, seemingly in no hurry to leave Daniel's company. "You should come out for a ride this evening," he suggested. "I can saddle Tulip for you."

Daniel grinned. "Very funny. I think I rate better than a pony." He wanted to snap his towel at Matt, flirt with him. His heart was racing, sending a heady cocktail of arousal through his blood but Daniel tried to temper it with reality. It was likely that after his little walk to his towel Matt knew how he felt, but that didn't mean Matt felt the same way.

"What is that?"

For a moment Daniel didn't know what Matt meant, only that the big man was closer, close enough so he could pick up the scent of clean sweat and feel the heat radiating from him. Then he saw that Matt was pointing to his lower belly and the little stylized tattoo. Oh, shit. He usually had a robe on around the house so not even his Dad had seen it--especially not his Dad. He well remembered him scolding Daniel for spending too much time with the working cowboys when he'd been younger.

"Hot for a Cowboy?"

"I was pretty lonely when I first got to school. Got drunk one night and..." Thought of Matt. But of course he couldn't admit that.

"Wound up with a tattoo, a classic," Matt finished. His gray eyes held Daniel's. He cleared his throat. "Your father warned me away from the house," Matt said. "After you turned eighteen, before you went to school."

Daniel blinked. "He...what?"

"He didn't want me near his innocent son."

"Oh." Daniel swallowed, heart suddenly pounding.

"Every time I walk by here on the way to my cabin I've seen you swimming. I've watched you."

Just like you caught me watching you, Daniel thought.

"Danny," Matt chided and his choice of name seemed deliberate. "I've been waiting for you to grow up. Waiting for you to come home from school but you stayed away."

Daniel looked at his feet rather than those eyes. "I've found acceptance there."

"It's here too. It's always been here."

What Daniel meant to say, he didn't know. He moved closer to Matt and then he was crushed against a larger body, against dusty denim and soft cotton. He shuddered at the feel of Matt, tall, hard muscled and so damn warm. Matt reached down under towel and trunks and cupped Daniel's bare ass, making him gasp as he pulled him up for a kiss.

Daniel wanted Matt to take, to take hard, but Matt conquered in his own slow, deliberate fashion, just as if he were teaching Daniel to ride again. His tongue caressed so Daniel moaned, wanting more, hands going up to tug impatiently on Matt's short hair. Matt only laughed, grabbing Daniel's wrists.

"Take these off. Now." Matt looked down at Daniel's swimsuit.

As if he had been genetically imprinted with a need to obey this man, Daniel had his trunks and towel peeled off in a hot minute. He stood there, uncertain, slighter and shorter, his need exposed, panting as he watched Matt.

Matt walked around him, making him feel like a slave being inspected for market. It should not turn him on, but it did. When Matt stroked his ass, Daniel's eyes closed tightly.

"I like this," Matt said, coming around to take Daniel's cock in his grip, stroking up and down. "Open your eyes; look at me while I do this."

Daniel's eyes snapped open and he gazed helplessly at the older man, trembling as Matt played with him however he wished. It was just like his fantasies. No! It was better.

"You've wanted this," Matt taunted him, nipping his earlobe.

"Yes! God, who wouldn't want you, Matt?"

Matt herded him toward one of the chaise lounges that surrounded the pool. Daniel sat on the edge, hissing in a breath as Matt's warm callused hands pushed him back onto the lounger, his legs spread so his feet dangled on either end.

His cock thrust out, wanton, needy.

Matt clamped two hands on Daniel's thighs before his mouth captured the tip in his mouth, swallowing more so that he encased Daniel.

"Matt! Matt, please!" Begging. He heard himself begging as he tried to move his hips, but Matt held him down, teasing and tasting him, taking all of him so that his face brushed against Daniel's pubic hair.

When Matt's finger touched his dimple, Daniel nearly shot off the chaise lounge. Wide eyed, he stared at Matt.

"I want that too," Matt said.

"Yours," Daniel said.

Matt rewarded his obedience by taking him in his mouth again, squeezing his balls gently so Daniel's hands curled into fists above his head and he came, crying out as he gave Matt everything, every part of himself he'd wanted to give for so long to this man.

Huffing, he could only stare at Matt, who leaned down to kiss him. Daniel tasted himself and got turned on all over again.

Matt slapped his hip. "Time to go back to my cabin."

Daniel blinked, thinking of Matt's simple home of rough logs. Hardly the mansion where Daniel had grown up the pampered—and protected—only son. For the first time he saw a trace of uncertainty in Matt's smoke gray eyes as he waited.

"Okay," he said, looping his arms around Matt. "I've got two more weeks before school."

"Mine," Matt whispered. "Got my boy at last."

Oh, yeah, Daniel thought. 'Mine' was all he'd ever wanted to be.

Copyright: Jan Irving
Do not repost this story anywhere. Thank you.

********

Want more of this kind of story? You'd probably enjoy Jesse, my May/December Western contemporary novel here .

New cover art for Sam's Reviews

As the holiday season draws near, Sam Masterson, a former marine in a wheel
chair, has more of the holiday-unspirit going for him. He owns a building where
a lot of misfits make a home and his neighbourhood is threatened because of a
shiny new development going up. He heads uptown to speak his mind to the man
behind the monstrosity. Architect Tall Hollander is not what he expects-tall
like his name, but slinky and up front about finding Sam attractive.

Sam also has other pressures-a brutal thief known as The Bruiser is haunting the
area, he has sole custody of his vulnerable nephew Joey and his latest romance
has just been rejected because it's too 'unrealistic,' but Sam escapes into
fantasy, a place where he finds the passion he hungers for.

Coming holiday 2010 from Loose Id.

I got my new cover made by Anne Cain. Love this since this is exactly how I would picture Sam.

Lots of stuff going on. One thing I'll let you know is my novella Shifter Cowboy
will be out March 21st from TEB.

Special excerpt of Sahara Blue and contest winner

Seth Hollis lives his passions online under the pseudonym "Lotus" and attracts ex-Navy SEAL Sahara Blue, who avidly follows the erotic tales of passionate submission Seth posts. While they forge a powerful connection, it's increasingly frustrating, because both men yearn for something real. Seth's writings have also attracted an unwanted and dangerous admirer, and when the glass window of Seth's shop is shattered one night, fate sends Sahara Blue to his rescue.

Unaware he has actually met Lotus, Sahara takes Seth under his wing, and that same mysterious and deep attraction flares to life. But Seth's deranged stalker won't let up, and Seth and Sahara will have to give up their secrets and learn to trust if they're going to keep each other safe.

A spin-off of Mastering Toby.

Okay, first of all I'm going to announce the winner of the special contest for Sahara Blue which is for his hand-beaded necklace and a signed copy of the book. The winner is mathilde_watson . Boy, did I have some wonderful entries and everyone got the skill testing question right. I can see I'll have to do another contest soon. Mathilde, please email me at janmairving at gmail dot com or use Livejournal's message system and get me your address so I can send you your book and necklace. Be aware it may be a month or so after it comes out as I have to get my copies. Thanks everyone who entered!

Now here is some good news for those who really want a signed copy. I did a virtual signing with Dreamspinner Press so the first 20 copies of the paperback are signed. It is first come, first served. If you want one, be sure to make note in your order and get it in fast. You can order your copy here.

Sometime today both the paperback and the ebook become available. To read the first chapter and pick up the ebook, the link is here .

I really like that Dreamspinner gives you the first chapter to read but I always like to give readers a special snippet so I chose this short moment from the book. Enjoy the taste!


"Hey, we have this strange tradition down here that when you invite someone inside your home, they come in," Sahara finally drawled.

Seth made a face. "Very funny." Heart beating, he stepped over the threshold and into Sahara's place. As he passed his host, some devil inside him made him prod, "Are you sure you know who you're inviting in your home?"

"Pretty sure you're not a creature of the night." Sahara looked unruffled…and slightly smug. He closed the door and leaned against it, muscular arms crossed. "I can handle you, little one."

"Yes, you can." The words were instinctive, true.

***

Sahara's place was barren, unremarkable. The great room, which included a galley kitchen and the living room, had a brown couch, a small brass table, and a TV set. Near the windows was the only intriguing piece of furniture, a hanging chair.

Shoulders hunched, Seth walked through the room, feeling loud and clear a bachelor's vibe while Sahara tracked him with his gaze. A place like this did not signal intimate nights with someone special.

"Hmmm?"

"Yeah, I can see it would be a tough contrast to someplace more…homey," Seth admitted.

Sahara's head fell back and he groaned, rubbing his neck. "I need help. But before that, I need a shower." Without giving Seth a second look, Sahara pulled off his T-shirt, revealing his California beach bum tanned and rippled torso, his small brown nipples... By the time he reached the hallway, his shorts were also gone, showing off the high globes of his muscular ass and--

Seth inhaled sharply.

Sahara snapped a look over his shoulder. "Shit, forgot. My back."

Seth heard his own heartbeat ticking off the moment.

"Helo crash." Sahara's voice was absolutely flat. "Shrapnel, fire."

Seth's lips parted. His fingers curled, and he had to resist the urge to move closer to Sahara's tense body. Touch his pitted skin, traced by the seams of scars.

Sahara frowned. "I used to be pretty…unselfconscious about being naked and for some reason with you I forgot about the scars. Guess you don't want to see them, fucking ugly, I know."

Moving in some kind of strange autopilot, Seth crossed the charged territory between him and Sahara. When he reached him, he fell to his knees and pressed his lips to Sahara's lower back.

Sahara made some kind of sound. He whirled around and lifted Seth easy, right off his feet. Then he set him down and Seth swayed, shocky from his own bizarre actions and what he'd seen flare in Sahara's eyes.

"You're mine," Sahara said. "You may not know it. Better get used to it."

Special Sahara Blue contest

I am doing a very special contest for one signed and personalized copy of the print book of Sahara Blue along with Sahara Blue's special pendant, the origin of which we discover in this book. The necklace is made of Swarovski deep blue crystals, beaded by me. It's really stunning.





One reader will win both by answering the following questions. I will run the contest from now until midnight on the 13th of November and choose a winner to announce on the 14th.

Remember there is going to be a special virtual signing of the Sahara Blue print book on the 15th, which is the book's release day, so the first 20 buyers of the paperback will receive a signed copy. You can find that running here .

Here are the questions and good luck! You can reply here because it is screened so only I can see your answers or you may reply to my email with the answers at janmairving at gmail dot com. Do not reply anywhere else.

1. What character from the novella Sylvan also shows up in Luke?

2. Who is your favorite character I've written for Dreamspinner and why?

3. What is your favorite book I've done for Dreamspinner and why?

News

I haven't posted in a while but I've been busy!

First, I sold my second novella to total e bound called Shifter Cowboy.

When cowboy and wolf shifter Cody Marshall wakes on a country road scratched, bare-assed, and lacking his favorite pair of boots he doesn't expect the caring touch of his rescuer,
Adrian Le Roy, or the way it makes him feel, man and wolf.

And Jesse was reviewed by the BDSM book review site which I didn't expect but love the site--read a lot of the books reviewed there. It's more of a relationship book but was appreciated for what it is. See it here .

Jesse was also reviewed at Literary Nymphs by Scandalous Minx here .

Cover art for Saddle up 'n' Ride collection

I'm really happy to share this. Straight Cowboy will be in this collection in January 2011.



Cowboy Joshua Ryan can't stop his erotic thoughts about Matt James, the hearing-impaired guest he's taking into the foothills in search of wild horses. Although he did a stint for much-needed cash as the 'straight cowboy' in gay porn movies, Josh doesn't think of himself as gay, so why does he want to do the things to Matt he once did in front of a camera?

I also finished a short and rather sweet m/m angel story called Becoming Albert yesterday.

News

I was interviewed over at Dawn's reading nook here . I shared more on my latest book, Jesse, as well as other stories such as Sahara Blue.

Born to be Wylde had a really great new review here .

My new cover art for Nathaniel

You and your son have the saddest eyes.

Young cowboy Happy Nathaniel befriends shy and grieving Aaron King and his mute son, Samuel, when Aaron gets a job as a cook for the hands of the Rocking M. Aaron left his strict old Mennonite community for his son. Now Nate's jokes and good nature draw father and son slowly from their pain and friendship blossoms into something Aaron never dreamed of.

Love the double wedding ring quilt and this moment captured from the story by Paul Richmond.

Another review of The Wanderer

I found this after yoga last night. The Wanderer had another great review and is up for book of the week. Pretty zen about that. Nice to be in good company.

Find it here at Blackraven Reviews .

Writing and knitting

I talked about what writing and knitting have in common and lots of other things like Chinese gardens and Japanese tea bowls and carriage rides that are found in my stories. You can read about it at Whipped Cream Reviews and if you comment be entered in their weekly draw here .

And check this out. I have an author page up now on total ebound in preparation for my first release there: author page . I think it's pretty cool. I buy a lot of books from that publisher.

I have lots of stuff going on! I'm working on a quirky angel story right now as well as a couple of other things. Maybe my first free story for the newsletter I'd like to do.