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...Feels So Good When You Stop
Dear Author,
I work as a bartender at a bar south of the border. Came over on vacation with my lover, to celebrate our first year together, and ended up staying. Alone. See, the day after our arrival at the all-inclusive resort, I had to stay in our hotel room because I got the "curse of Moctezuma". By the time I felt better a couple of days later, he had found someone else with whom to enjoy his time off. Found them making out on the beach, sans bathing suits.
So I make a living, enjoy myself, it's all sex, no feelings. Won't let myself fall into that crap again.
Right now? There's a very cute someone crouching below the bar, having a body shot off of what I'm pouring, drinking it off of a very interested part of my body. He's a new co-worker and I like him, a lot, but I won't let it get beyond that.
Dear author, can you give this gorgeous guy back his belief in love and an HEA?
PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Good looking young guy in a baseball cap drizzling a drink down his chest.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: bartenders; public sex; Mexico; beach; multicultural; first person
Warnings: multiple partners (one-true-love by conclusion)
Word count: 13,842
I work as a bartender at a bar south of the border. Came over on vacation with my lover, to celebrate our first year together, and ended up staying. Alone. See, the day after our arrival at the all-inclusive resort, I had to stay in our hotel room because I got the "curse of Moctezuma". By the time I felt better a couple of days later, he had found someone else with whom to enjoy his time off. Found them making out on the beach, sans bathing suits.
So I make a living, enjoy myself, it's all sex, no feelings. Won't let myself fall into that crap again.
Right now? There's a very cute someone crouching below the bar, having a body shot off of what I'm pouring, drinking it off of a very interested part of my body. He's a new co-worker and I like him, a lot, but I won't let it get beyond that.
Dear author, can you give this gorgeous guy back his belief in love and an HEA?
PHOTO DESCRIPTION: Good looking young guy in a baseball cap drizzling a drink down his chest.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Download the story, read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 3.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: bartenders; public sex; Mexico; beach; multicultural; first person
Warnings: multiple partners (one-true-love by conclusion)
Word count: 13,842
39 pages, ebook
First published June 2, 2012
709 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Eve Ocotillo
9 books234 followersIn the mundane world, Eve Ocotillo plays a scientist. She escapes from the grind by conjuring tough and conflicted men and then throwing them at each other in romantic and not-so-romantic situations. Her stories range from alternate history to contemporary to science fiction and are influenced by her interest in diverse social issues, her fascination with the natural environment, and her fundamentalist upbringing. She doesn’t much like TV, but her Xbox and a new RPG can suck her in for weeks at a time.
That's my book cover blurb. :) I write to feed my id and to learn a little more about myself, my values and belief systems. I believe that my strengths as a writer are in world-building and in strong, complex characterization. Nearly all of my writing explores social issues, and whereas nobody would argue that I'm anything but left, I also have empathy for more conservative value systems and work hard to keep my stories honest and above all, non-preachy.
I consider myself something of a naturalist and think that comes through in my writing; I love examining and describing the natural world. I have a particular affinity for the desert.
Find more of my writing at ocotillo-dawn.livejournal.com. A full description of all available stories is at http://ocotillo-dawn.livejournal.com/.... You will need an account (and for me to 'friend' you) in order to read most of them -- this is about ensuring adulthood, not exclusivity.
-Oco
That's my book cover blurb. :) I write to feed my id and to learn a little more about myself, my values and belief systems. I believe that my strengths as a writer are in world-building and in strong, complex characterization. Nearly all of my writing explores social issues, and whereas nobody would argue that I'm anything but left, I also have empathy for more conservative value systems and work hard to keep my stories honest and above all, non-preachy.
I consider myself something of a naturalist and think that comes through in my writing; I love examining and describing the natural world. I have a particular affinity for the desert.
Find more of my writing at ocotillo-dawn.livejournal.com. A full description of all available stories is at http://ocotillo-dawn.livejournal.com/.... You will need an account (and for me to 'friend' you) in order to read most of them -- this is about ensuring adulthood, not exclusivity.
-Oco
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 6, 2012
When Oco said she'd take my pic and prompt, I rested easy, knowing it would be a wickedly good, salaciously erotic story.
Now that I've read it, I think it's even better than I imagined. And it's not because my imagination fell short, it's the author's talent that went long.
Erik's voice is so unique, I can almost hear him speak. His mindset and behavior are exactly what I had in mind. What better way to prevent disappointment than to not hope at all? Tomas, on the other hand, is the perfect man to show Erik the error of his low self-esteem. He can show me anything, any time he wants (*wink, wink*.) Loved the hints around his origins...
The secondary characters were developed just enough to let me know who they were, how they helped the story, but deeply enough that I remember them by name and even care for some. Like Alex, I'd love to know how it went for him and his German skinhead.
The sex, ahhh, the sex! When it was bad, it was really bad: fast, furious, meaningless. When it was good, it was everything sex should be: raunchy, hot, sweaty and shivery, mind-blowingly delicious, heart-meltingly tender.
Thank you, Oco, for fulfilling and exceeding all my expectations. I'll always treasure your gift. ^_^
For those of you who haven't experienced Oco's writing and would like to read a full length story by her, go get The Violet and the Tom. Enjoy!
Now that I've read it, I think it's even better than I imagined. And it's not because my imagination fell short, it's the author's talent that went long.
Erik's voice is so unique, I can almost hear him speak. His mindset and behavior are exactly what I had in mind. What better way to prevent disappointment than to not hope at all? Tomas, on the other hand, is the perfect man to show Erik the error of his low self-esteem. He can show me anything, any time he wants (*wink, wink*.) Loved the hints around his origins...
The secondary characters were developed just enough to let me know who they were, how they helped the story, but deeply enough that I remember them by name and even care for some. Like Alex, I'd love to know how it went for him and his German skinhead.
The sex, ahhh, the sex! When it was bad, it was really bad: fast, furious, meaningless. When it was good, it was everything sex should be: raunchy, hot, sweaty and shivery, mind-blowingly delicious, heart-meltingly tender.
Thank you, Oco, for fulfilling and exceeding all my expectations. I'll always treasure your gift. ^_^
For those of you who haven't experienced Oco's writing and would like to read a full length story by her, go get The Violet and the Tom. Enjoy!
Read
June 6, 2012This was written for the M/M Romance Group's summer prompt fest (Love is Always Write). Was a lot of fun exploring a new voice for a character. :)
October 16, 2012
Deliciously gorgeous, and then the end was so quick! I guess more would still not have been enough. Wonderful.
June 19, 2012
What a beautiful story! I fell in love with Erik right from the very first paragraph. And not just because he's a 1st person narrator with a quirky, sarcastic, fascinating and original voice, but because he's someone I could see myself being friends with.
Erik tries so hard to convince the reader (and himself) that he's content to be the flirty, college drop-out, beach bum bartender. But little comments he lets slip along the way reveal that he really wants so much more than that, but doesn't believe he deserves it. Seriously, I identified with him more than with any narrator I've come across for a while. Watching him start to fall for Tomas, and start to open his heart to hope little by little was incredible.
I think my favorite thing about this was that Erik had to make the decision that he really is worth loving all on his own. Sure, Tomas was the catalyst, but he was basically out of the picture when Erik finally stopped trying to make excuses and hide. And I loved that!
Beautiful story! 4.5 rounded up for being awesomely offered for free!
Erik tries so hard to convince the reader (and himself) that he's content to be the flirty, college drop-out, beach bum bartender. But little comments he lets slip along the way reveal that he really wants so much more than that, but doesn't believe he deserves it. Seriously, I identified with him more than with any narrator I've come across for a while. Watching him start to fall for Tomas, and start to open his heart to hope little by little was incredible.
I think my favorite thing about this was that Erik had to make the decision that he really is worth loving all on his own. Sure, Tomas was the catalyst, but he was basically out of the picture when Erik finally stopped trying to make excuses and hide. And I loved that!
Beautiful story! 4.5 rounded up for being awesomely offered for free!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2012
I don't know how I felt about this book. I can tell you that parts of it made me angry. I can tell you that I didn't smile once during the story. I can tell you the ending didn't even make me stand up and do a dance. I'm just left feeling kind of, meh. I can't say that the swearing in it was bad, because, let's face it, I, myself, have a Ph.D in Swearology and what I read is certainly not "swear-free". So that's not it. I can't say that the guy's lack of confidence was a turn off, I've read worse books than this one with that subject matter. I am positive the ending didn't make me mad; it was a happy ending, for crying out loud. So I'm not really sure what it was about this book that has me so neutral and noncommittal. I don't know. I can't give this the ole thumbs up but I can't give a reason for it, and I don't like that; but there it is.
June 7, 2012
Had a nice & easy tone that I kind of liked but Erik was way too slutty & the exhibitionist bar scene performance in front of Tomas, among others, just made him seem spiteful & petty. Tomas was so mysterious but came across sometimes as a little creepy. That whole scene where he's smelling Erik had a slight serial killer vibe. It's not bad just hard to get into when you don't love the characters.
June 8, 2012
Well...Poor Erik definitely had some self esteem issues, so I guess that is why he behaved the way he did, but even knowing the why, I just didn't really like him much.
The bar scene with Alex was just..strange!
And Tomas is still a total mystery to me, why Erik, what did he see in him? And who or what is Tomas?
All that said, I liked the writing and Erik's voice was funny.
The bar scene with Alex was just..strange!
And Tomas is still a total mystery to me, why Erik, what did he see in him? And who or what is Tomas?
All that said, I liked the writing and Erik's voice was funny.
October 1, 2013
This book didn't get the ratings I think it deserved. Why? Probably because it's from the POV of a big slut puppy. I liked that the slut puppy was speaking directly to the reader. I liked the sex. (Yeah, I know. I'm a slut for the sex). This was sweet in the end. I enjoyed it. Now I'm off to smoke a cigarette.
March 18, 2017
Interesting story! Erik’s character was a little hard to warm up to. He was definitely trying his hardest to run away from Tomás (or really push him away) and made himself look like a real dick in the process. On the other hand, Tomás was entirely intriguing and I wanted to get to know more about him. I was thoroughly convinced that Tomás was going to end up being some kind of shifter associated with the water (because of his passion about the reefs, midnight swims, etc.) that I was almost disappointed he was just a plain old human – LOL!
Want to read
June 10, 2012
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume Three.
October 3, 2015
I didn't really like the main character a whole lot. He was believable and well written, I just didn't care about him that much. I also wasn't attracted to the love interest. Again, he was fine but just didn't do it for me. But the story was good.
Want to read
November 5, 2014public sex.. i like that.
January 11, 2018
2.75 ⭐️
The POV was all over the place, like a rabbit hopped up on jelly beans. I could understand why he kept trying to Tomas away, not that it did any good.
The POV was all over the place, like a rabbit hopped up on jelly beans. I could understand why he kept trying to Tomas away, not that it did any good.
June 3, 2018
The writing was very strange and it felt the whole time like the love interest was trying to change the MC completly in a way he didn't wanted.
January 4, 2021
I liked Tomas more than Erik. It was something about the way Eric talks and sleeps around.
June 6, 2012
4.5-5 stars. Great story with an excellent first person narrator.
It's easy to assume that Erik is only who he thinks he is - that is, that he's just a loose-living frat boy-esque ex-pat who only cares about his easy-come-easy-go lifestyle as a beach resort bartender. However, his thought patterns and sometimes rambling stream of consciousness also reveal a vulnerability and level of insecurity and self-doubt that are really eye-opening.
I love that Tomás had the patience and confidence to see past Erik's flashy bluster. I also love the hints at Tomás's own hidden identity.
The sexytimes scenes here are muy caliente. They're raw and hot. *fans self*
Note: This is a freebie short story from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's event "Love is Always Write." The story can be found here on the group's discussion board: "...Feels So Good When You Stop" by Eve Ocotillo.
It's easy to assume that Erik is only who he thinks he is - that is, that he's just a loose-living frat boy-esque ex-pat who only cares about his easy-come-easy-go lifestyle as a beach resort bartender. However, his thought patterns and sometimes rambling stream of consciousness also reveal a vulnerability and level of insecurity and self-doubt that are really eye-opening.
I love that Tomás had the patience and confidence to see past Erik's flashy bluster. I also love the hints at Tomás's own hidden identity.
The sexytimes scenes here are muy caliente. They're raw and hot. *fans self*
Note: This is a freebie short story from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's event "Love is Always Write." The story can be found here on the group's discussion board: "...Feels So Good When You Stop" by Eve Ocotillo.
July 4, 2012
Um...hard to review this one. I didn't have a problem with the sleeping around. My problem had more to do with the many inconsequential side thoughts that kept distracting me from the storyline. It made the story drag a little. There was also the very strong voice that felt a little overdone at times. The many "you know?"'s got a little annoying.
The writing was good though and I liked how Erik gradually went from being a playboy to finding love.
The writing was good though and I liked how Erik gradually went from being a playboy to finding love.
September 30, 2014
Wow! Wonderfully written! Loved Eric! I didn't necessarily like everything he did but as a flawed person myself, I could readily identify! I would certainly love to read more about all of these characters!
June 8, 2012
This is 3.5 stars for me.
While I didn't like Erik very much, because he didn't seem to know what he really wanted, or needed, I liked the fact that the story held my attention, and liking or disliking him, so did Erik.
While I didn't like Erik very much, because he didn't seem to know what he really wanted, or needed, I liked the fact that the story held my attention, and liking or disliking him, so did Erik.
Read
June 30, 2012Even while I was undecided if I actually liked him, Erik's voice drew me into the story. His cocky and self-sure attitude attempt to mask loss, hurt, and a desire to be loved. I enjoyed watching his interactions with Tomás bring about a better understanding of who he is and what he wants.
August 6, 2015
I liked Erik's voice,its very different to the normal narration but it worked for me. Shame I didn't like Erik quite as much.
Tomas freaked me out, especially all that sniffing/smelling business. That's got serial killer written all over it.
Tomas freaked me out, especially all that sniffing/smelling business. That's got serial killer written all over it.
July 24, 2012
2.5 stars
Erik has an...interesting voice. Although he was funny at times I really didn't like him, which brought my rating down a star.
Erik has an...interesting voice. Although he was funny at times I really didn't like him, which brought my rating down a star.
June 6, 2012
I love this story.
April 18, 2015
I enjoyed Erik's rambling, more than I did the romance. Thank you Eve Ocotillo, for donating your time and talent.
August 7, 2012
Very interesting.
January 9, 2013
*sigh*
A big old heart squeeze. Perfectly romantic, not one single complaint!
A big old heart squeeze. Perfectly romantic, not one single complaint!
August 23, 2013
I really liked the main character. This was a cute story and unique. Some of the wording was a bit confusing but I liked the first person.
June 23, 2014
A really sweet bad boy story with a nice HEA.
May 26, 2015
*3+ Stars*
Short and steamy with a side of sweet!
Short and steamy with a side of sweet!
November 11, 2013
Cute story of life taking a surprising turn when you are busy not caring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews