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Elevation
Dear Author,
My name is XX. I live in XXX, or rather in one of the crappy suburbs of XXX. I am and have always been the poor kid, everywhere I go. It’s not my fault I have a few siblings and my parents divorced when I was little. We kids stayed with (either mom or dad) and (the other parent) never paid any support. So it’s been tight. Enough for me to skip my college dream for now in favor of making sure my (younger sibling) has the means and the money to go.
When I needed a better job to make ends meet when my (parent) fell ill, my uncle stepped in. He’s one of the maintenance men in this massive building downtown. It has offices in the first ten floors and apartments above. They needed someone to fill in for the maternity leave of one of the “night portiers” as they call the position and I got the job, for now. It’s actually a glorified way of saying “you get to stare at screens all night and sit in the middle of a lobby that’s bigger than your house.”
That’s okay, it’s easy money. Or was, until this one guy showed up. He’s one of the people who get to use the special elevator in the back corner. That leads to the top two floors only. Where the city’s richest people live.
I’ve no clue where he was, maybe abroad or in rehab or whatever, but since he came back, he’s been hitting on me nonstop. It’s been going on for months, now. Every night I’m on shift. He’s getting frustrated, sure, but I didn’t expect THIS! What the hell is he doing? Doesn’t he know WHO ELSE needs to use the elevator and might walk into the building at any momen while he surfs up and down, doing this… THING! (I refuse to call that striptease, the elevator doesn’t even have music…)
He’s hot, but we’re from two very different worlds, and a guy like that is no good for a guy like me.
Photo Description:
A series of animated .gifs where a handsome, bearded man strips off his clothes in an elevator. At the end of the series, he laughs.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" 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.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
My name is XX. I live in XXX, or rather in one of the crappy suburbs of XXX. I am and have always been the poor kid, everywhere I go. It’s not my fault I have a few siblings and my parents divorced when I was little. We kids stayed with (either mom or dad) and (the other parent) never paid any support. So it’s been tight. Enough for me to skip my college dream for now in favor of making sure my (younger sibling) has the means and the money to go.
When I needed a better job to make ends meet when my (parent) fell ill, my uncle stepped in. He’s one of the maintenance men in this massive building downtown. It has offices in the first ten floors and apartments above. They needed someone to fill in for the maternity leave of one of the “night portiers” as they call the position and I got the job, for now. It’s actually a glorified way of saying “you get to stare at screens all night and sit in the middle of a lobby that’s bigger than your house.”
That’s okay, it’s easy money. Or was, until this one guy showed up. He’s one of the people who get to use the special elevator in the back corner. That leads to the top two floors only. Where the city’s richest people live.
I’ve no clue where he was, maybe abroad or in rehab or whatever, but since he came back, he’s been hitting on me nonstop. It’s been going on for months, now. Every night I’m on shift. He’s getting frustrated, sure, but I didn’t expect THIS! What the hell is he doing? Doesn’t he know WHO ELSE needs to use the elevator and might walk into the building at any momen while he surfs up and down, doing this… THING! (I refuse to call that striptease, the elevator doesn’t even have music…)
He’s hot, but we’re from two very different worlds, and a guy like that is no good for a guy like me.
Photo Description:
A series of animated .gifs where a handsome, bearded man strips off his clothes in an elevator. At the end of the series, he laughs.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" 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.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
62 pages, ebook
First published August 3, 2014
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 4, 2014
“Have I been harassing you? I didn’t think of it that way.”
“It’s a fine line between harassment and aggressive flirting.”
I punched my bed. I punched my pillows and my bed. While reading you see. From utter enjoyment of this story.
I quelted.
I squealed.
I got all gooey and mostly pink. (Excuse my gushiness, cause I'm kinda soft and pink at the moment.)
“Sometimes you meet someone and you know not only are you going fuck them, but you’re going to fall asleep next to them and wake up beside them, and you’re going to be there for everything in between.”
“Some people call that falling in love.”
This was on my list of prompts I couldn't wait to read. And I just took a peek this afternoon...and well you see I finished it. You know how that story goes.
To put it succinctly, this is Cinderfella. But good Cinderfella.
Could this happen in real life? I highly doubt it but who gives a shit, it's fiction. :D
Cruz Morales has it rough. Life has shat on him and continues to do so. His mother left when he was fourteen, his father is emotionally comatose and depressed, he has to focus on taking of his family, leaving no time for himself. I get Cruz. I know Cruz. Life gives you a kick in the pants but you have to keep living, keep surviving.
He's a college student but his family situation keeps making him have to put his dreams and college education to the side to deal with reality. Enter the playboy knight who has a funny way of seducing which I enjoyed. Some readers probably won't but I thought it was fitting to the rich Malcolm.
(I loved when the main characters called each other Mr. King and Mr. Morales...I just adored that *gushes*)
A possible one night stand turns in a sort of reunion which turns into elevator camera seduction which turns in yummy words of characters who are circling around the L word but aren't quite there yet.
But they can be.
“We should go out,” he says. “See a movie, go out to eat?”
“Like, a date?” I say slowly, and he grins.
“Like a date.”
“Are we a dating sort of couple?”
“We are if we actually go on dates.”
This isn't instalove. There's time to watch feelings grow. There's a little twist that was unexpected but added more depth. The story got a little Disney-esque towards the end. But the main characters make up for any quibbles I have. (I have a few but the story just hit my buttons, I'll put them to the side. For now.)
There's hot, intense sex...that was hot but not perfect. There's some fade to black sex too but I enjoyed it just as much as the sex scene. And that first kiss scene was adoringly embarrassing.
I really loved these main characters. They made this story for me. So romantic yet with a dose of real life kinda fairy tale.
I'm going to try to breathe out these pink fumes that I've developed.
But this story is a reread for me, most definitely. Thanks to the author and team behind this story. 4.5 stars
Gonna take my happy, pink, gushy self out of here.
P.S. Cruz's job choice...that was unique and cool. Never read about a draftsman. And I loved the grandmother! :D
dnf
August 10, 2014DNF because the writing style is not for me. That's what happens when a reviewer calls a story a "literary romance recommended for anyone who enjoys well-considered, unpretentious prose with complex characters and beautiful settings" and it's just . . . not. It's fine, but too-high expectations kill the experience dead.
And someone really needs to explain the realities of employment in creative industries and talk Luna out of studying to become a dancer.
And someone really needs to explain the realities of employment in creative industries and talk Luna out of studying to become a dancer.
July 3, 2016
The present-tense, first-person POV is hard to pull off and did nothing for this already unfocused, disjointed little story.
The one sex scene was as unsexy as you can get. You don't fuck bare sans lube and talk later.
Also, that had to be one of the worst endings of all time. The author tried really hard to be "literary" and failed.
The one sex scene was as unsexy as you can get. You don't fuck bare sans lube and talk later.
Also, that had to be one of the worst endings of all time. The author tried really hard to be "literary" and failed.
August 10, 2014
Cinderfella finds his Prince Charming.
I loved this story. The characters, the flirting, and the lovely surprise between the two. But, I wish I could erase the last 10% of the story which took a heartfelt and cheeky romance and cast it into the Cinderfella mould. It all moved so beautifully and then, maybe due to time constraints for writing this event, it felt like an end was desired and the last twist really was a downer. It felt contrived and ridiculous and some silly hurdle for no reason and then everything had to be tied up with a bow super quick and all the lovely charm drifted away like the sea taking a sandcastle.
So my rating is going to remember what I loved and phase out what I didn't. 3.5 stars bumped up to 4.
Favorite quote:
I loved this story. The characters, the flirting, and the lovely surprise between the two. But, I wish I could erase the last 10% of the story which took a heartfelt and cheeky romance and cast it into the Cinderfella mould. It all moved so beautifully and then, maybe due to time constraints for writing this event, it felt like an end was desired and the last twist really was a downer. It felt contrived and ridiculous and some silly hurdle for no reason and then everything had to be tied up with a bow super quick and all the lovely charm drifted away like the sea taking a sandcastle.
So my rating is going to remember what I loved and phase out what I didn't. 3.5 stars bumped up to 4.
Favorite quote:
“Sometimes you meet someone and you know not only are you going fuck them, but you’re going to fall asleep next to them and wake up beside them, and you’re going to be there for everything in between.”
June 26, 2015
The most bizzare concept of 'aggressive flirting' ever, not clear on what message it's supposed to give but it doesn't shout HEA!
Didn't help that I was thinking the poor, down-trodden, family supporting main character should just get over himself already!
So he's from a single parent family. So?
For me the whole vibe of this book felt off.
Didn't help that I was thinking the poor, down-trodden, family supporting main character should just get over himself already!
So he's from a single parent family. So?
For me the whole vibe of this book felt off.
August 4, 2014
Race class fantasy bullshit.
Plus, how is a promiscuous person attractive?
Plus, how is a promiscuous person attractive?
December 31, 2015
This has a certain Beat quality to it and it's beautiful.
A wonderful literary romance recommended for anyone who enjoys well-considered, unpretentious prose with complex characters and beautiful settings.
A wonderful literary romance recommended for anyone who enjoys well-considered, unpretentious prose with complex characters and beautiful settings.
August 4, 2014
This is more than just sex,” Malcolm murmurs. “Sometimes you meet someone and you know not only are you going fuck them, but you’re going to fall asleep next to them and wake up beside them, and you’re going to be there for everything in between"
Sadly, I think many are going to be polarized when it comes to this story. The present tense writing style isn't for every one, but I happened to like it in this case.
I found that I loved the ending, and I enjoyed the journey getting there. I found that I loved the grandmother so much I wanted to read more of her. And I found that I loved the everything in between.
I found that I absolutely hated Malcolm's method of getting Cruz's attention. It made me sad and angry, and I don't see how bringing . In fact, if Malcolm weren't so earnest towards Cruz afterwards, I would have hated him until the end of time.
I found myself hating the fact that authors write unprotected sex into a scene with characters that brush it off like it isn't serious. Especially since Malcolm had to have slept with half of the male population of the city. STDs aren't sexy, people!
I find myself having a difficult time rating this story; I'm polarized myself. Writing down my dislikes, I realise that I really didn't like one of the MCs that much, but it's Cruz's narration, the writing style and the ending that make me love it.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to the author for their time and participation in the loves landscapes event.
August 4, 2014
Right. What do I think.
November 1, 2014
Cruz is the breadwinner of his family. They aren’t made of riches, but they are close and supportive. Cruz’s dad has depression and hides away. Cruz puts his family before his own needs. He has to work full-time to support his family and especially, his sister. His sister is his best friend. He wants the best for her, even if it means putting college off. His uncle is able to get him a job at his workplace. The building is owned by one of the, if not the richest, family in the area. The Wolcott’s are well known. They own at least half the area. The grandson, Mal, is a man who just runs around and doesn’t have to worry about money, like Cruz does. They are from two different worlds.
Cruz meets Mal at a nightclub and something about him seems familiar and it doesn’t click until later on in the story. Then he finds out that Mal, is Malcolm, the grandson of the Wolcott’s. Mal lives in the building were Cruz works. Every night, he brings up a new conquest and purposelessly, puts on a show in the elevators for Cruz, trying to get his attention.
There are many reasons, why Cruz shouldn’t let Mal into his life, but sometimes, life isn’t that easy. Mal is very persistent and shows Cruz that he really wants to be with him. Will they be able to make it together?
I wasn’t very happy with Mal. He had brought home all those ‘conquests’ JUST to make Cruz jealous. I don’t think I would have been able to trust Mal in a relationship. Being a player, just to make him jealous is not a good show of character, in my opinion. It irks me. Besides that, I think everything was fine. The story ended well.
Cruz meets Mal at a nightclub and something about him seems familiar and it doesn’t click until later on in the story. Then he finds out that Mal, is Malcolm, the grandson of the Wolcott’s. Mal lives in the building were Cruz works. Every night, he brings up a new conquest and purposelessly, puts on a show in the elevators for Cruz, trying to get his attention.
There are many reasons, why Cruz shouldn’t let Mal into his life, but sometimes, life isn’t that easy. Mal is very persistent and shows Cruz that he really wants to be with him. Will they be able to make it together?
I wasn’t very happy with Mal. He had brought home all those ‘conquests’ JUST to make Cruz jealous. I don’t think I would have been able to trust Mal in a relationship. Being a player, just to make him jealous is not a good show of character, in my opinion. It irks me. Besides that, I think everything was fine. The story ended well.
August 25, 2018
I'm not really sure how to feel about this one. I was pleasantly surprised when the MC was Hispanic, because are we way underrepresented everywhere. So that was nice. I liked that the realities of poverty were examined. I also liked that there was some discussion on the blue-collar vs silver spoon upbringing. I really liked that Cruz and Malcolm actually had a past encounter, which was sweet and gave their budding relationship a foundation of sorts.
But then it just got weird. Cruz wants to be a roller coaster designer, because apparently he wants to be unemployed when he graduates design school. (Though I can't fault him for designing his dream home in the Shire, because who wouldn't?) His sister wants to be a dancer, apparently for similar reasons. Malcolm really needs to work on his courting technique, because it sucks. The first time they get together, they go bareback - but it's okay because they both get tested regularly and they don't do that with anyone else. Yeah, sure. Then they spend six endless days together, during which time I guess they're supposed to have fallen deeply and madly in love with each other, but I wasn't feeling it. Then Malcolm takes off for a year and then he comes back and the story ends. Just ends. If that was supposed to be an HEA/HFN, it fell short of the mark.
But then it just got weird. Cruz wants to be a roller coaster designer, because apparently he wants to be unemployed when he graduates design school. (Though I can't fault him for designing his dream home in the Shire, because who wouldn't?) His sister wants to be a dancer, apparently for similar reasons. Malcolm really needs to work on his courting technique, because it sucks. The first time they get together, they go bareback - but it's okay because they both get tested regularly and they don't do that with anyone else. Yeah, sure. Then they spend six endless days together, during which time I guess they're supposed to have fallen deeply and madly in love with each other, but I wasn't feeling it. Then Malcolm takes off for a year and then he comes back and the story ends. Just ends. If that was supposed to be an HEA/HFN, it fell short of the mark.
October 3, 2014
4,5*
This was a beautiful Cinderfella story (but no damsel in distress needing rescue) with just enough gooey moments to make me sight in contentment. Having lived a long distance relationship for four years prior to moving into the same country and town I love the seperation part in the end. I also appreciated the MCs talking with each other instead of suffering on their own until the big misunderstanding is solved.
There are story parts (like promiscuity) which definitely will raise some readers hackles, so the story is not for everybody.
I have to check out this author's other work.
This was a beautiful Cinderfella story (but no damsel in distress needing rescue) with just enough gooey moments to make me sight in contentment. Having lived a long distance relationship for four years prior to moving into the same country and town I love the seperation part in the end. I also appreciated the MCs talking with each other instead of suffering on their own until the big misunderstanding is solved.
There are story parts (like promiscuity) which definitely will raise some readers hackles, so the story is not for everybody.
I have to check out this author's other work.
August 25, 2014
3.5 to 4 stars.
August 14, 2014
This story is all romance. I loved every word...even if greedy me wanted more. Thank you for this story. X
Want to read
August 5, 2014Nom nom controversy nom nom nom.
October 22, 2014
NSFW... lovely little vids
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
I have to admit, I'm curious about the fluctuation in ratings...
The verdict is in... I liked it. At first I was annoyed when after the first chapter I realized there was a time jump. UHG! But it was a sweet journey to discovery . For some reason, I assumed that first chapter was him asking for forgiveness, so I was waiting for a fight or falling out the whole time. It ended up sweet and of course I'd like more, but I thought that one line was a perfect HFN with the anticipation that goes along with it!
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
I have to admit, I'm curious about the fluctuation in ratings...
The verdict is in... I liked it. At first I was annoyed when after the first chapter I realized there was a time jump. UHG! But it was a sweet journey to discovery . For some reason, I assumed that first chapter was him asking for forgiveness, so I was waiting for a fight or falling out the whole time. It ended up sweet and of course I'd like more, but I thought that one line was a perfect HFN with the anticipation that goes along with it!
November 13, 2015
i just had to give this short story a 5 star!! i love this short story, on of my favorite in Love's Landscape Anthology!!
**spoiler ahead**
a very Cinderfella kind of story, but i REALLY enjoyed it! i cant help my self but squeal in some scenes! i want to hug them both!! i like Cruz's character he's the poor guy in the story, he's a very responsible man, he's really in love with Malcom but really fighting his feeling for him, he thinks that he will just hump and dump him, and will break his heart! Here comes Malcom, i looovve yhis guy, he happens to be the grandson of the wealthiest family in their area and currently staying in this very huge building where Cruz's working as a graveyard security guard! there were times i thought he's a jerk, bringing different guys just to get Cruz's attention! He's really persistent in his feeling for Cruz! Willing to prove his love to him! He even introduced him to his family and they liked him! I wish that the story would be much longer, but it really ended well! i loved it!
Malcom: Sometimes you meet someone and you know not only are you going to fuck them, but you’re going to fall asleep next to them and wake up beside them, and you’re going to be there for everything in between.
Cruz: Some people call that falling in love.
Me: *squeal*
--------------
CRUZ: Give me a year. A year for us to figure out if this is real. Meet me here in a year and we’ll… we’ll figure it out from there.
MALCOM: I think I love you, and if it takes a year apart to prove that, then okay. Okay.
ME: *swoon*
----------after 1 year ---------
CRUZ: I stop and take a deep breath when I hesitate at the door between the swimming pool and the garden. I know the garden will smell of flowers and soil. I know it will be quiet, high above the noise of the city. I do not know what else I will find. I do not know what else I will see. I open the door anyway. There’s the scrape of a chair on the pebbled pavement, and a tall figure stands, silhouetted against the night sky.
MALCOM: There you are...
ME: *faint*
**spoiler ahead**
a very Cinderfella kind of story, but i REALLY enjoyed it! i cant help my self but squeal in some scenes! i want to hug them both!! i like Cruz's character he's the poor guy in the story, he's a very responsible man, he's really in love with Malcom but really fighting his feeling for him, he thinks that he will just hump and dump him, and will break his heart! Here comes Malcom, i looovve yhis guy, he happens to be the grandson of the wealthiest family in their area and currently staying in this very huge building where Cruz's working as a graveyard security guard! there were times i thought he's a jerk, bringing different guys just to get Cruz's attention! He's really persistent in his feeling for Cruz! Willing to prove his love to him! He even introduced him to his family and they liked him! I wish that the story would be much longer, but it really ended well! i loved it!
Malcom: Sometimes you meet someone and you know not only are you going to fuck them, but you’re going to fall asleep next to them and wake up beside them, and you’re going to be there for everything in between.
Cruz: Some people call that falling in love.
Me: *squeal*
--------------
CRUZ: Give me a year. A year for us to figure out if this is real. Meet me here in a year and we’ll… we’ll figure it out from there.
MALCOM: I think I love you, and if it takes a year apart to prove that, then okay. Okay.
ME: *swoon*
----------after 1 year ---------
CRUZ: I stop and take a deep breath when I hesitate at the door between the swimming pool and the garden. I know the garden will smell of flowers and soil. I know it will be quiet, high above the noise of the city. I do not know what else I will find. I do not know what else I will see. I open the door anyway. There’s the scrape of a chair on the pebbled pavement, and a tall figure stands, silhouetted against the night sky.
MALCOM: There you are...
ME: *faint*
August 4, 2014
Just making 3 stars
contemporary story. Cruz is from a poor family, his single father suffers from depression and he is supporting his sister through private school so she can fulfill her dreams to be a dancer, as a result Cruz's education has to be put on hold. His uncle Ricky gets him a job working as an overnight security guard at a large building housing both offices and apartments. Just before he starts work he ventures out into an alley behind a club with someone he's picked up, only for things to go wrong and he's rescued in the nick of time by a stranger called Mal. Sometime later he meets Mal again, only to find he's the grandson of the building's owner. Mal does everything to get Cruz's attention, and it works. Their relationship is rocky, not unexpectedly given the massive social and financial differences between them, but things work out in the end. Whilst I enjoyed this story I did have some pretty big issues with it - but they are my issues nothing to do with the writing or the story - primarily because I really don't like first person, present tense but secondly I kind of wanted to smack Mal on occasion.
contemporary story. Cruz is from a poor family, his single father suffers from depression and he is supporting his sister through private school so she can fulfill her dreams to be a dancer, as a result Cruz's education has to be put on hold. His uncle Ricky gets him a job working as an overnight security guard at a large building housing both offices and apartments. Just before he starts work he ventures out into an alley behind a club with someone he's picked up, only for things to go wrong and he's rescued in the nick of time by a stranger called Mal. Sometime later he meets Mal again, only to find he's the grandson of the building's owner. Mal does everything to get Cruz's attention, and it works. Their relationship is rocky, not unexpectedly given the massive social and financial differences between them, but things work out in the end. Whilst I enjoyed this story I did have some pretty big issues with it - but they are my issues nothing to do with the writing or the story - primarily because I really don't like first person, present tense but secondly I kind of wanted to smack Mal on occasion.
April 28, 2015
1.5 stars. A decent beginning, and then, I hit the ground.
August 4, 2014
this story was beautiful. i loved the way it was presented, the dreamy quality of it. and the ending!
(some suspension of belief was required. not super jarring, but, yeah.)
(some suspension of belief was required. not super jarring, but, yeah.)
December 15, 2016
First read on September 17, 2014.
Re-read on December 1, 2016.
3.5 stars.
Oh, I liked this story. Sexy and sweet, without being saccharine.
Only wish the ending wasn't so rushed.
Re-read on December 1, 2016.
3.5 stars.
Oh, I liked this story. Sexy and sweet, without being saccharine.
Only wish the ending wasn't so rushed.
April 2, 2016
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
January 25, 2015
Cruz is from an poor family getting by working as a security guard at an building where he fall for this guy who he meet before this whole thing. But Malcolm is an playboy who get want he wants and leaves. And now he wants cruz. Is there an end happy eva sort of but i really wanted more to be certain, i guess i liked to think so. Hut still i loved it.
September 1, 2015
this is basically a poor Hispanic boy meets a rich white guy and there's some kind of relationship between them. Too cheesy to catch my interest and the only thing that made me perk up - a connection to a past event - was shut down so fast it made me blink.
Also: present tense is rarely a thing if beauty.
Also: present tense is rarely a thing if beauty.
August 21, 2014
3.25 stars
event-stories-unread
September 22, 2014[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation and gift.]
September 1, 2014
3.5 stars. Sweet story.
October 6, 2014
This was so sweet and full of emotion. I liked it a lot. The writing was interesting. It seemed too simple but it had a great flow that I enjoyed.
March 16, 2015
Outstanding!!! And I want me some more Mal and Cruz ;).
August 3, 2014
Very sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews