#if you don’t want to have sex that’s amazing rock on but celibacy for celibacy’s sake? madness

[litres-of-cocaine]

just got a radfem tiktok come up promoting celibacy. jesus lord even their souls are rotting.

[thetravelerwrites]

Dr. Mael Halvorg (Finale) Lemon

Rating: Explicit Relationship: Male Part-Fae/Female Part Fae Additional Tags: Exophilia, Monster Boyfriend, Fae, Reader Insert, Genetics Content Warnings: Children, Pregnancy, Incubation, Birth, Babies, Surgery, Male Infertility, Mention of Cancer Words: 4233

The finale of @ivymemnoch​‘s commission! The reader takes Dr. Halvorg on a weekend trip for his birthday and changes his life forever. Please reblog and leave feedback!

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The plus sign on the stick had taken you by surprise. You don’t know why, though; you knew this was probably going to happen eventually when you decided to stop your birth control. Of course, you didn’t expect it to happen so soon, since he was still recovering and potentially wouldn’t necessarily be any more fertile than he had been before, but considering how prolific your family was, it shouldn’t have been a shock.

Three months after Maël’s surgery, his test results had been not quite normal but favorable, and he was already talking to you about perhaps finding a surrogate and in-vitro fertilization, getting your opinion and making sure you’d be okay with it. You told him to wait, perhaps, and give himself more time to allow his… swimmers… to get stronger. You hadn’t told him you were already prepared to carry his child for him. You wanted it to be a surprise. A gift.

But now, after dating for six months, there it was. Right there on the ultrasound screen: a tiny little baby belly bean, no bigger than your thumb. Whatever doubts you had were always drowned out by one sentence.

He’s going to be so happy.

You went into his office after getting home from the OBGYN, having told him you were simply going in for your normal bi-yearly check-up. He was working, like always, but he looked up when you came in and smiled.

“How’d it go?” He asked you.

“Totally normal and healthy,” You replied. The both of us.

“I’m glad to hear that,” He said, putting down his pen. “No lunch with Amai? It’s Wednesday.”

“I know,” You said. “But I wanted to spend time with you.”

His smile widened and he opened his arms. You went over and sat in his lap, giving him a kiss.

“So, you’re birthday is coming up,” You said nonchalantly.

He snorted. “I haven’t celebrated my birthday in over one hundred years.”

“All the more reason to do it now!” You insisted. “I want to take you on a weekend trip. There’s somewhere special I want you to see.”

“And what would that be?” He asked, smiling at you fondly.

“A surprise,” You said, twitching his nose. “It’s in New York, though.”

His head rocked back. “That’s a ways away. Why are we going so far?”

“You’ll see. Do you want to go? Please?” You looked up through your lashes at him, being playful, hoping you weren’t being too weird and that he didn’t suspect anything.

“Well, alright. I don’t really have much work to do right now.”

You sat up and looked at him in shock, laughing. “I totally didn’t expect you to agree!”

He hugged you close and laughed too. “Well, there’s no reason not to, I suppose. And I’ll do just about anything for you if you ask nicely enough. God, it’s been ages since I actually took an actual vacation.”

“See? Perfect timing.” You bit your lip and looked at the door slyly. “Does the door lock?”

His eyes flicked to the door and back to you, narrowing them. “Yes. But the room isn’t soundproof.”

“I can be quiet. Promise.”

You thought he’d decline and say it was inappropriate to be intimate in his office, that he’d see you after he was done working and then the two of you could play back at his massive suite. Which was now your suite as well, as you’d moved in with him about a month ago.

What you didn’t expect was him to grin sinfully at you and get up, closing the blinds. He went around to lock the door and sat on the couch on the opposite side of his desk and patted his lap. Smirking, you joined him.

Climbing into his lap slowly, straddling him, you went in for a deep, probing kiss, dragging your fingernails down his chest over his shirt. He groaned against your lips and put his hands on your legs, petting under your skirt and slip, raking his fingers against the lip of your stockings. You’d taken to wearing stockings because he rather liked them. It seemed to do a lot to turn him on, especially when they were all you were wearing. He also had a corset fetish, too, but you couldn’t wear a corset all the time, especially around the children, so stockings were a happy medium.

He kneaded your buttocks under your skirt as you reached between the two of you and unbuckled his pants, unzipped the zipper, and reached in, fondling him over his underwear. His groaned deepened and he squirmed underneath you, his head falling back onto the cushions.

You started kissing his neck, pulling up his shirt and running your hands up his back. He had large, curious scales on his back, an artifact of his fae heritage. They were a lot like pangolin scales: wide, brown, and ridged. He often wore special padded shirts, because normal shirts were shredded by the end of the day. You thought they were adorable and loved grooming them for him, which he greatly enjoyed and made him almost purr, though you could cut a finger on them if you weren’t careful.

He reached under you and pulled your panties aside, lining himself up with your entrance. You sank slowly down onto him, drawing it out, and he hissed in a breath, biting his lip to keep quiet. You began to move on him, and he moved under you, thrusting up as you thrust down. He was always a very active, enthusiastic participant during sex, even if you took the lead. One hundred years of celibacy might have had something to do with that.

He flipped your skirt up and tucked it into your waistband so that he could watch himself go into and out of you, watch your thighs flex and contract, and run his thumbs up the straps of your stockings. You pulled the tie from his white-blonde hair and shook it out of it’s neat braid, letting it fall around his shoulders so that you could play with and tug on it. His pace quickened, and you matched his rhythm, the both of you beginning to pant and moan, quickly suppressed.

There was a knock on his door. “Dr. Halvorg? I need your signature on these invoices.”

He pulled you against his shoulder, muffling your sounds of pleasure, but he didn’t stop thrusting. You bit into his shoulder to keep yourself for crying out.

“What are they for?” He called through the door, his voice remarkably even-sounding.

“For the medical equipment from Broadchurch,” The assistant said.

“No, no, we never got the product, we’re not paying that,” He said, for all the world sounding like he was sitting as his desk staring at paperwork and not railing you on his couch.

“I’m going to cum,” You whispered into his ear.

“You promised to stay quiet,” He told you just as silently.

“I can’t!” You responded desperately.

“You promised.”

“So what should I do?” The assistant said, seemingly none the wiser that you were about to explode.

“Call them and ask where our equipment is. Until they locate it, they’re not getting a penny.”

You balled up his shirt in your hands and gritted your teeth as you came, gushing on him and holding your breath to stay quiet. You made a squeak, and his hand closed on your throat.

“Shh, shh,” He hushed.

“I’ll call them back, but I don’t think they’ll be very helpful,” The assistant replied. “They haven’t responded to any of the emails. The only communication is from emails.”

“Send them an email, then. I’m busy, though, so get on with it,” He said impatiently, staring at your face as your orgasm crested and ebbed, keeping a firm grip on your neck.

“Yes, sir,” The assistant said. You heard their footsteps recede.

“Oh, fuck,” You breathed.

“You did well,” He said, allowing his breathing to go fast and shallow. God, he had amazing self restraint. “Good girl. Stay still, I’m almost there.”

His pace became frenetic and bounced you high on his lap. He let go your your throat and gripped your hips, slamming you down upon him. He grunted, getting a little red in the face as he smacked his body into you.

You felt him release inside you, pulsing against your inner walls. When he was done, he flipped you over and lay you down on the couch, watching his seed well up and out of you to drip down onto the vinyl couch. He always did that, and you weren’t sure why.

You went to the en-suite bathroom to clean yourself up and brought him a wet towel so that he could do the same. When you were both done and had straightened your clothes, you spent a few minutes making out against his desk before he sighed.

“I should help my assistant contact the supply company. He’s a bit of a pushover, the poor kid.” Maël smiled down at you. “That was nice. We should do that more often.”

“We almost got caught!” You objected.

“Hey, it was your idea,” He said, grinning. “I’m looking forward to whatever you have planned for our trip. I’m sure it’ll be amazing.”

“It definitely will be. I promise.” You kissed him one more time, lingering for a moment, before unlocking the door and letting yourself out.

Next week, Saturday morning, you took a plane out to Albany, New York, and drove a rental car to a house in Glenmont. When you stopped in the driveway, Maël looked at you with confusion and a little bit of apprehension.

“I don’t understand,” He said. “What are we doing here?”

“You’ll see,” You replied. “Come on.”

You walked him up to the front door and knocked. A young woman in her forties or fifties answered.

“Hello?”

“Hi, are you Mrs. Winston?”

“Oh, yes, you must be the young woman I spoke to over the phone!” She said. “Come in, come in. He’s in the parlor.”

“Thank you so much.” You stepped into the house with Maël following. You could feel the curiosity and confusion radiating off of him.

You were led into a sitting room where a man in a wheelchair was reading a paper at a table. He was quite old, by human standards, in his mid-eighties perhaps. He was hooked up to an IV and had an oxygen cannula in his nostrils.

“Dad?” The woman said softly. “You’ve got visitors.”

The man looked up at the two of you. Despite his advanced age, he seemed completely within his faculties.

“Are you the woman I talk to?” He asked you.

“Yes, sir,” You responded. “Thank you for agreeing to see us.”

“It’s no problem,” He said. He was staring at Maël.

You pulled him forward. “Dr. Maël Halvorg,” You said to Maël. “I’d like you to meet Dr. Maël Halvorg. Robert’s son.”

Maël’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped in shock. He seemed unable to speak. You smiled at him encouragingly and nudged him forward.

He cleared his throat and held out his hand. “It’s a genuine pleasure to meet you, sir,” Maël said in a small voice. “May I sit down.”

“Please,” The man, Dr. Halvorg, said, shaking Maël’s hand and gesturing toward the chairs. You and Maël took a seat.

“Do you know who I am, sir?” Maël asked tentatively.

“I do,” Dr. Halvorg responded. “You raised my father.”

“Yes,” Maël said, smiling in relief. “I loved your father very much.”

“I know you did,” Dr. Halvorg replied. “My father spoke of a lot when I was growing up.”

“Is he… is he alive?”

“No. I’m afraid he died about eleven years ago,” Dr. Halvorg said sadly.

Maël sighed and hung his head a little. “I suspected that might be the case, but I hoped.” He looked back up at the older gentleman. “Did he grow up okay? What kind of man was he? I apologize, but I just have so many questions.”

Dr. Halvorg chuckled. “It’s no trouble. Honestly, I was hoping I might get to meet you one day.”

Maël smiled. “You were?”

“Oh, yes. May father told me so many stories about you when we kids were growing up.”

“How many children did he have?” Maël asked earnestly.

“Four sons,” Dr. Halvorg replied. “He was a great father and a brilliant man, though he said he had a rough start.”

Maël nodded. “Yes, Robert had some learning disabilities that made certain things difficult.”

“He told me that many people said he was lazy and stupid, and that you were the only one who believed he could learn. You dedicated much of your time to helping him.”

“Yes,” Maël said. “Being in school made him quite frustrated and sad, so I took him from school and taught him myself at home. He seemed to respond positively to that.”

“Indeed, he did,” Dr. Halvorg replied. “It was because of you that my dad became a teacher.”

“Robert was a teacher?” Maël asked delightedly.

“Oh, yes,” Dr. Halvorg responded. “He taught children much like himself, the ones who needed special attention and care. He was well respected in his field and much loved by his students. He didn’t want to retire, in fact. It was age and illness that forced him to stop.”

Maël held a hand to his chest. “I’m so proud to hear that. Robert was always a determined boy, so I’m so pleased to learn he kept at it.”

“He struggled, I’m afraid,” Dr. Halvorg admitted. “After his mother, my grandmother, left you for his biological father, things changed quite a bit. His father was not as understanding or as patient as you had been and set him back rather badly.”

Maël frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“As far as my memory goes, he never called that man ‘father.’ As far as he was concerned, you were his dad. But his biological father insisted on wiping you out of their lives. That’s why he had to hide that.” Dr. Halvorg pointed to a picture on the mantle. “Young lady, could you kindly retrieve that?”

“Of course,” You said, standing up and going to the mantle, where there was a black-and-white photograph in a frame. It was Maël, wearing fine early twentieth century clothes, his hair cut short and wearing a flat cap. He was standing with his hands on the shoulders of a young boy, perhaps eight, wearing similar clothes. You took it and handed it to Dr. Halvorg, who gave it to Maël.

Maël stared at the picture, his eyes bright and glittering with tears. “I never thought I’d see his face again.”

“Keep that,” Dr. Halvorg said. “He’d have wanted you to.”

“Oh, I couldn’t!” Maël said. “This is yours!”

“I have digital copies,” Dr. Halvorg said dismissively. “In any case, I won’t be needing it much longer anyway. Stage four lung cancer, you see.”

“I’m so sorry,” Maël said mournfully. “Can anything be done?”

Dr. Halvorg shook his head. “I’ve lived a good life. I have children, and grandchildren, a beautiful wife, a wonderful job. The one thing I wanted was to meet my father’s father. Not that other man who did his best to tear my father down. The man who did his best to lift my father up. You. And I’ve done that. I can go now content.”

Maël’s restraint cracked, and he wept. “I appreciate that very much,” He said in a strangled whisper.

Maël and Dr. Halvorg talked for hours, recounting stories from both Robert’s childhood and adulthood. Dr. Halvorg showed Maël pictures of his siblings and children. Maël told Dr. Halvorg about his life’s work in reviving dying races. You watched the two of them interacting, and it made your heart swell with gladness. You’d never seen Maël so happy and excitable.

Finally, nearing sundown, you realized that Dr. Halvorg was becoming tired. His daughter came in to give him his evening meal and medication, and the two of you said goodbye.

“It has been an absolute joy, Dr. Halvorg,” Maël said, shaking Dr. Halvorg’s hand. “You lovely daughter has my number and my email, so please keep in touch.”

“My pleasure,” Dr. Halvorg said. “You have a nice trip back with your lady, Grandad.”

Maël laughed and teared up again. “I will.”

Outside, before you could get back in the car, Maël pulled you into a tight, warm hug.

“Thank you,” He whispered into your hair softly. “Thank you so much. I love you. I love you. I can never repay you for this.”

“What about a diamond ring and a pretty white dress?” You asked, wiping his tears and smiling up at him.

He laughed. “It’s a deal.”

Back at the hotel, he sat on the bed and stared at the photograph, pointing out little marks on Robert’s face and telling you stories about them. You listened with your head on his shoulder.

Eventually he stopped and placed the frame carefully in his suitcase.

“Are you hungry? I’m starving. Let’s order something.”

“Before we do,” You said. “I have a birthday gift for you.”

He chuckled incredulously. “Honey, I appreciate that, but honestly, there’s no possible way you could have topped what you gave me today.”

“Are you sure about that?” You asked, going to your suitcase and pulling out a small rectangular box. “Here, open it.”

The second he saw the pregnancy test, he fell to his knees, sobbing loudly, his head pressed against the floor. You knelt next to him and rubbed his back, letting him get it all out. Years of despair, pain, and sadness being released. You’re sure he was overwhelmed, so you waited in silence and lay your head against him.

“Is this real?” He choked.

“It’s real,” You assured him. “I have an ultrasound picture.”

His head popped up, tears streaming down his face. “Can I see it?”

“Of course,” You said, pulling it from your purse.

“Oh, my God,” He wept, staring at the small bean in the picture. “Oh, my God. It’s mine?”

“Yes, honey, it’s yours,” You said. “We can do a paternity test if you want, but I promise you it’s your baby.”

He stopped being able to speak and just cried. He cried for a very long time. You picked him up and laid him in the bed and ordered some food. While waiting for it, you climbed into bed and held him.

“Are you okay?” He asked after some time.

“Me? Yeah, I’m completely fine. Are you okay? You were crying pretty hard there. I’m surprised you haven’t fallen asleep. I’d be exhausted.”

“That’s not what I mean,” He said, lifting your chin so you were looking at him. “Are you okay with having a baby? I know I’ve been talking about wanting to have a child for as long as we’ve known each other, but is this what you want?”

“Yes, it is,” You told him. “I stopped my birth control months ago.”

“You didn’t tell me you’d done that,” He said.

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” You said, stroking his cheek.

“You. Are. Amazing,” He breathed. “I am so happy. Happier than I have any business being, and it’s all because of you.”

“You deserve to be happy, Maël,” You said. “Don’t ever thin’ otherwise.”

He pressed his forehead against yours. “I love you.”

“I love you back.”

Yenuno and Amai we’re overjoyed to hear the good news, and the children also seemed to be happy to have a new playmate coming. Maël seemed unable to stop smiling. He took time off from work to take care of you during the worst of your morning sickness and was present for every doctor’s appointment, every ultrasound, every time you even texted him. If you asked, he’d drop anything he was doing to come and help you.

His little girl was born in the spring, and he named her Roberta. He took her everywhere with him, rarely putting her down for any reason, even keeping her on his shoulder when he was working. The joy that radiated from him was infectious, and everyone near him couldn’t help but smile at his brand new attitude.

You planned your wedding for fall that same year, and afterward, you and Maël were able to take Roberta up to New York to meet Dr. Halvorg. He passed away a few weeks later. You and Maël attended his funeral, and as Dr. Halvorg was buried in the same family plot as Robert, Maël got the chance to visit his son’s grave for the very first time.

“Hi, Robert,” He said softly, kneeling down in front of the headstone. You waited with Roberta asleep in your arms a few paces back.

“I’m sorry,” Maël said, his voice breaking. “I’m sorry I didn’t do more when your mother took you. I wish I had fought to keep you, but I didn’t think I had any right. I just wanted to know where you had gone and if you were safe, but she told me nothing about where you were going and disappeared. I bribed the men at the train station and the docks to look through the ledgers, to try and find your name, but I never found it.

“I will always blame myself for not doing more, for not stepping in and making sure we could keep in contact. I should have taken it to the courts and let them decide, but I… I was scared they would determine I trying to hold on to something that wasn’t mine.”

Maël sniffed and wiped his eyes.

“I just wish I had one more chance,” He continued. “I wish I could have had a phone call, at the very least, to talk to you and hear your voice and tell you what I should have said back then. That it didn’t matter whose child you were biologically or legally. I was your father. You were my son. Nothing would ever change that.” His voice cracked further. “You will always be my son.”

After a moment silent tears hitting the grass where Robert lay sleeping, Maël straightened up an took a deep breath.

“I know where you are now, and I’ll come visit again, you and my grandson,” Maël said. He laughed. “I can’t believe you named your son after me. I’m honored more than I can tell you.”

Maël turned to you and opened his arms for the sleeping form of his daughter, his face wet with tears, and you passed her over.

“You have a baby sister, Robert,” He said, smiling. “I named her after you. She’s always smiling and happy. She reminds me so much of you when you were little that it’s kind of scary. I think the two of you would have been best friends. I’ll make sure she knows all about you.”

You put a hand on his back and rubbed gently. He kissed Roberta’s forehead and tiny little ear.

“We have to go now, Robert. You’re baby sister is going to wake up soon and be hungry. But I’ll come back to see you again, I swear. This time, I promise I’ll come back.”

As winter crested into spring again, Roberta was walking and had said her first word: “Daddy.”

You were still teaching at the facility, and had taken up the job permanently. Yenuno and Amai’s little girls were Roberta’s favorite playmates, though they had been warned to be careful, as Roberta developed more slowly than they did.

“Can we have another one? Please?” Maël asked one night as he watched gleefully as Roberta used her fat baby fists to shove raviolies in her mouth.

“Give me another year, but yes,” You replied.

“A year!” Maël whined. “That’s so long!”

“Don’t sass me,” You told him. “A year and no sooner. Besides, you still have more work to do. Did you get in touch with the Celtic Fae Council?”

“Yes, finally,” He replied, picking up his fork. “I didn’t realize how much red tape was involved. Genetic testing is underway. So far, there have been three men with similar blockages as mine. There are also a few women who were born missing one or both ovaries. We’re trying to trace back when this infertility spike started, but it could have been a millennium ago.” He laughed as Roberta threw a ravioli across the room. “I think she’s done, she’s just smashing them into her tray now.” He stood up and swept her up out of her seat, not even caring about the marinara stains on his shirt. “Come on, sweet pea, let’s take a bath. Eh? Eh, princess?”

He bounced her and she squealed.

You got up from your seat and came up behind him, circling him around the waist with your arms.

“You’re a good dad, honey,” You told him. “Roberta’s lucky. We both are. And so is our future children.”

He turned in your grip and kissed you. “If luck exists, you brought it with you. None of this would have happened without you. You are a miracle.”

You kissed him again and pushed him toward the bathroom. “She’s putting ravioli in your hair.”

He belly laughed and headed for the bathroom. You followed and marveled at how much had changed, wondering how it would change again. You looked forward to it.

Since my work is no longer searchable, please do me a favor and reblog this story if you enjoyed it. Help me reach a wider audience! To help me continue creating, please consider becoming a Patron or donating directly to my PayPal!

Thanks for reading!

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[we-cant-fight-gravity]

Arthur Morgan x Virgin!Reader Headcanons

anonymous asked: I love your work and I’m on an Arthur Morgan craze since I started playing rdr2, it’s such an amazing game! Can I request an awkward adorable Arthur Morgan x Reader where he takes the reader’s virginity? Please and thank you. Have a wonderful day! ❤️

I don’t deserve such sweet anons I cry :,) But thank you! I too am forever on an Arthur Morgan craze. I loved writing this, but I think I went a little bit overboard lmao. But I hope you like it! As I mentioned before, I’ve been having a lot of problems with tumblr taking my posts out of the tags, so I am sorry for reposting! 

When Arthur finds out that you’re a virgin, he’s surprised. But when you tell him you want him to be the one to take your virginity, he’s even more surprised. Why would someone so beautiful, who could lay with any man (or woman, we don’t judge here) they pleased choose to have him as their first time?

It probably takes a bit of convincing and a lot of reassuring before he’s down. Not because he doesn’t want to have sex with you, because he really does. In fact, you’re the first person that he’s wanted to be with since Eliza. It’s just that he hasn’t done anything in a long ass time and he doesn’t want to ruin it for you.

You would have to approach him when you’re ready. There’s no way in hell he would ask you first and make you feel pressured into the situation, even if he knows you wouldn’t mind him making the first move.

When the time does come, he tries to get you to let him take you to a hotel. He’s going out of his way to be a gentleman, and while it is charming and slightly amusing, it’s very uncharacteristic. At this point, you have to remind him that you’re hardly a lady of high society and don’t really care about having or not having your virginity, you just care about being with him.

Lots of kissing to start off with, he especially gives your neck lots of attention. He doesn’t go so hard as to leave a mark, just to spare you the teasing of the other gang members… Mainly Sean and Javi.

When it’s time to take clothes off, he makes sure he’s as equally naked as you are to make things ‘fair’ (his words, not mine). He asks you to take his clothes off, rather than just taking them off himself.

God, watch out when your shirt comes off because he’s gonna worship those titties. He’ll grab them, kiss on them, suck on them… Arthur Morgan is an ass man but GODDAMN if he doesn’t love boobs as well.

He’ll work his way down to the top of your pants, leaving a trail of kisses as he goes, asking permission before unzipping them and sliding them off. He opens your thighs slightly and pays lots of attention to them before even thinking about eating you out.

Arthur’s not the best at giving head, but he tries his absolute best. He starts off with a few licks up and down your slit before settling on your clit. He alternates between kitten licking and sucking on it, occasionally bringing his tongue down further to really taste your arousal.

All the while your hands are in his hair, gently guiding him to the spots that feel the best.

As you get closer, he’ll start to bring his fingers into play. First, it’s just one, slowly stretching you out in a circular motion. Then he slides another in you, this time gently pumping in and out of you.

It doesn’t take long for you to come undone. As you finish, he keeps lapping at your clit, helping you ride out your orgasm. He can feel you tighten against his fingers and it honestly turns him on so much.

He’s already super hard from eating you out and so, so ready to be inside of you. He refuses your offer to give him some sort of pleasure before he fucks you. He insists that tonight’s about you, and you’ve already given him so fucking much.

He’ll lay back and let you climb on top of him, but stop you before you go all the way, asking you if you’re absolutely sure that you want to do this. In response, you grab his member and slowly lower yourself onto him.

A guttural moan escapes his throat, as he ignores the urge to buck his hips up and into you. He’s waited so long for this, and damn was it worth it.

He tries his best to stay still so you can get used to his size, but he finds it so incredibly difficult. He grabs your waist and while his grip is tight, you can only focus on the feeling of him inside of you.

When you’ve taken his entire length, you begin to rock your hips back and forth, Arthur thrusting up into you slowly.

This doesn’t last long, however, as he picks you up and flips you onto your back, so his weight is on top of you.

He rests his head on your shoulder as he fucks you as slowly and considerately as he can manage. His body is telling him to pick up the pace, and it takes just about everything he can to resist the urge to pump in and out of you as fast as he can.

Your fingernails dig into his back, and while it hurts, he doesn’t have the heart or energy to tell you to stop.

You cry out for him to go faster, and he happily obliges. Though he soon realizes he isn’t going to last much longer. When he tells you so, you wrap one of your legs around his waist and pull him closer into you.

You tell him how bad you want him to come, how bad you want him to take his pleasure from your body, and that just about does it for him. He lets out another deep moan as his legs tremble and he quickly pulls away from you.

He pulls out and tries to finish in his hand, but does it too late and ends up cumming on the inside of your thigh. He turns bright red and stammers an apology, cursing at himself. You can’t help but laugh as he frantically searches for something to clean you up with.

Once he’s cleaned you up, he’ll lay down next to you and ask you at least three times if it was good for you. He also apologizes for not lasting very long, explaining that it had been quite a long while for him.

In all of his years of celibacy, he’d forgotten how good it felt to be so close to another human being. The feeling of himself inside of you, the feeling of two bodies becoming one… After all these years, he convinced himself that he didn’t even miss it, but he now realized that that was the biggest lie he had ever told himself.

[brightwood-duchess]

Night Swim | Chatzy Log

Katell, Magnus and Coe. Katell has a realization that rocks her world.

Katell: Katell didn't often swim. She found the bathing suits revealing and as a Seelie court Fae on an island of sexual deviants, that could spell trouble. Night time, however, when all the others had gathered in clubs and bars, was when she felt safe to swim and enjoy the cool water on her skin. She laid back, looking up at her beloved stars in the silence.

Magnus: One of the great things about having his own place next to the ocean was that he could head down to the beach whenever he wanted. Heading down to the beach in just his shorts, Magnus chuckled as he saw a familiar figure floating in the water. "Well, well, well. I didn't expect to see anyone on the beach this late."

Katell: Katell gasped as she found her footing on the sandy bottom. Her arms instinctually wrapped around her chest and stomach as if she'd been caught naked rather than in her recently purchased bikini. Her eyes locked on to her new teacher and she felt her heart race the way it always did in class, a class she wasn't doing very well in. "W-what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at your club?" she asked in a breathless voice

Magnus: With a grin on his face, Magnus shrugged as he slipped into the water, feel the warm water on his skin. His eyebrow cocked upwards when he sawt her try to cover herself like she was naked. "I don't spend every night at my club. Besides, it's a nice night to go skinny dipping."t

Katell: "Skinny dipping?" She questioned incredulously. "Will that be on the next test then?" She questioned with a bit of sass. He'd been kind to her before and she respected his authority as a King, but Katell was still a little bitter that she was forced to take yet another class that she was near failing. A class that set her cheeks aflame and her heart to race at the scandal of it all.

Magnus: A quick laugh and Magnus shrugged. "I wasn't planning on it but I suppose I could make it an extra credit assignment." He remembered that she wasn't doing well in his class, but he kind of expected it from her.

Katell: "Very funny," she spoke and had the audacity to roll her eyes... at a King no less. One could watch her expression change as she realized what she'd done. She bowed her head and told herself to stow her attitude, she had manners after all. With her head still bowed, she lifted her eyes to his majesty, hoping to see if he'd noticed or felt disrespected in any way.

Magnus: Magnus snorted a laugh and shook his head, a grin on his face despite her attitude. He had always been amused whenever she caught an attitude with him considering how formal she tried to act around him. "How have you been Katell?"

Katell: "I've been..." she wanted to say fine but Fae could not lie. "... shaken. I'm taking a new dance program, and now your class. I swear, the earth shattering changes just never stop coming in this place." Her eyes looked over him, so at ease in the same place that had her so on edge. "What about you?" Maybe she could figure out his secret.

Magnus: "What's wrong with my class?" Magnus asked, confused for a moment. He tried to keep things fairly equal in his class, never picking someone to the exclusion of everyone else.

Katell: "The topic is...." She bit her lip before explaining. She wanted to say that it wasn't proper talk for a duchess but in reality, she hadn't been with anyone or even felt her own hands since May of last year. She was pent up, by her own protest, but the class wasn't helping. Her things squeezed together at the thought. "I just wish I wasn't forced to discuss and listen to such salacious conversations."

Magnus: His eyebrow rose as he waited for her to explain to him her opinion of his class. "Salacious conversations huh? Tell me Katell, how long have you been at the Institute?"

Katell: "A year and 4 months," she answered, a little unsure where he was going with his questioning.

Magnus: "So in 16 months, you still have not yet come to grips with what this island is about?" Magnus asked, his eyebrow rising incredulously. "The fact that you cannot seem t hold a discussion about these topics without wishing to have it into the dark recesses of your mind is part of why my class is so important."

Katell: "I know what the island is about, but I didn't ask for that. I thought I was getting a diploma and a way into the mortal workforce. Otherwise I would never have come here." She sighed and tried to explain. "I just... I don't indulge in that discussion as acts like that can cause rumour and scandal, things I avoid at all costs. It's why my protest is..." Katell stopped. She'd never admitted to anyone that she was holding her own protest. She blushed and wished she could take back those words. If she was asked about them, she couldn't lie.

Coe: Coe wasn't sure what it was about the beach, but sometimes when he was having a restless night it just calmed him down. He never really slept, being a hellhound, but it let him relax when he needed it. But when he realized that he wasn't the only one here, Coe smirked and waved. "Hello!"

Katell: Katell's gaze lifted to the distraction from her verbal blunder. Thank the realms! Although her arms tightened a bit more where they wrapped around her own body, at least this could distract from her accidental admission.

Magnus: "Look, I get it. You were exiled from the one thing you knew and thrust into a world that didnt make sense to you. Unfortunately, if you're gonna make it in the mortal world, you need to stop acting like you're still a Fae noble." His head cocked to the side at her comment. "Your protest?" Looking up, Magnus nodded to the newcomer. "Hi."

Coe: Coe felt like he interrupted the conversation when he entered and he ran a hand through his hair. "Ah. Um. Do you need me to go?" He pointed a thumb over his shoulder. "I feel like this is a serious conversation. I hope I'm not intruding."

Katell: "But I'm not going to be here forever, I'm going to go back home and whatever I do here could ruin that. I can't live for the now, I have to live for my future." She winced a bit when he questioned her protest. "I... I swore to myself that.... that I wouldn't... find.... release..." before she could admit anymore she latched onto Coe's entrance. "No, it's fine. We weren't discussing anything important."

Coe: Coe smiled when he saw Katell. "It seems like whenever we see each other, we aren't completely dressed. Hi Katell. I hope you've been well." He said as he walked towards them into the water.

Katell: "Right," she remembered the lack of attire when they'd met during the Winter break. She was beginning to deeply regret buying the bikini but she'd little money for herself and it was a costly option. "We were just discussing the new class Magnus is teaching," not a great segue away from her admission of celibacy, but she didn't have a better idea.

Coe: Coe nodded. "And you still look just as good as before. I like it." He gave her his normal goofy smile. "It looks amazing on you." Coe nodded. "Ah yes. That's why he looks familiar. I knew I've seen you somewhere. Hello Professor." He held his hand out. "Nice to officially meet you and not just see you in class." Coe smiled. "I'm Coe."

Magnus: Magnus raised an eyebrow at Katell and shook his head in exasperation. "You are missing the point of the class dear, but then I suppose I can't be too surprised. Most people do." Turning to the newcomer, Magnus nodded his head in greeting. "Hello Coe. Please, call me Magnus. I don't worry about titles in settings like this."

Katell: Katell bowed her head at Magnus' words. She was missing the point of a lot of things it seemed. Everyone she spoke to these days was telling her how wrong her approach was. It was wearing on her a bit. How could they all agree she was wrong?

Coe: Coe nodded. "Nice to meet you, Magnus." He corrected himself. "I've had fun in the class. It's been really helpful. I like it. If that is any consolation." He shrugged.

Magnus: Chuckling, Magnus nodded. "Well, I try to make it both fun and informative. I figure if I can make the topic more fun then I might actually get some real information to sneak in."

Katell: "Real information?" Katell asked, quieter than before. What real information could come from learning the difference between a foot fetish and a hand fetish?

Coe: Coe nodded. "I would say so. I've never done anything before I came here, and I've learned a lot. Definitely been a helpful course. I've had a lot more fun recently."

Magnus: Nodding his head, Magnus smiled. "Yes. The whole point of my Sex and Kink class is to teach proper kink so that hopefully proper techniques will be applied and there will be less injuries amongst the grant students."

Katell: "Abstinence would do the same thing, wouldn't it?" It was working in her favour at least. She'd been 8 months without orgasm herself. Then again, all of her friends would likely have told her the opposite.

Coe: Coe shrugged. "I would assume even if you were abstinent here, it would come in handy at any point in your life. Even if you left the island, it could come in handy if there is anything you ever want to try with a willing partner."

Katell: That was a good point. She wasn't just living for the future, she was living for one goal in her future. "Still, its just... so much to take in..."

Coe: Coe smiled and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Even if you are choosing to be abstinent, as hard as it is while here, I would say it's still something to try to at least soak in the information. Better to at least have the knowledge, than not have it at all."

Magnus: "I'm not teaching abstinence. The idea of trying to rely solely on abstinence as any kind of control factor is outright ridiculous."

Katell: It shocked her how easily he called out her little game, and Magnus putting down her plans brought her near to tears in a way she'd never been on the island before. "So what, I'm just supposed to lose myself in the arms of anyone who wants me? Jeopardize my future to survive in a place I don't even want to be?" She bit her lip to stop herself from crying in frustration. "What if my court finds out I'm sleeping around on a sex slave island?" She honestly didn't know what they'd do but she often had nightmares about them finding out which usually ended in the loss of her title and eternal banishment.

Coe: Coe knew how hard it was to be abstinent, but he wasn't one to talk. He liked sex and it was something he discovered with himself once he got here. And it seemed like a lot of people wanted him in that way. So if it made others happy, he didn't mind sleeping with them. He loved it. But he sympathized. He didn't want anyone to do anything they didn't want to. Though that wasn't what this island was about. So he kept ahold of her hand as she got frustrated and gave her hand a squeeze. "That sounds tough. But it also sounds like you're putting a lot of faith in things you can't control. And it seems like those who you belong to outside of the island control you just as much as this island does. Why choose either?" He asked curiously. "I've chosen my happiness. And it has seemed to help. Myself is more important than anyone trying to control me."

Katell: "I don't belong to-" her tongue stopped her, unable to tell a lie. Of course she belonged to someone. She belonged to the Seelie Court. She lived for them in every aspect of her life. They had as much control over her as the collar around her neck. Her shoulders sank and the arms that were wrapped around her fell away, one hand remaining in Coe's. She felt defeated as she saw just how long she'd lived with chains around her.

Coe: Coe pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight hug, like he was trying to hide her away. Like he was trying to block her from being seen from anyone. It seemed like there was many issues at play here and sex was just one of the factors. He rubbed her back with one of his hands. "It's okay."

Magnus: "Did you not chose to come to this school?" Magnus asked quietly, trying to tamp down his natural aggression. "I'm not trying to say you chose to be a sex slave, but last I knew the Institute was not in the habit of kidnapping people and forcing them to come to the island. You may not have wanted to leave the court, but you were made to leave and you chose to come here instead." Dunking his head in the water, he pushed his hair back out of his face before continuing. "As for what your court does or does not know, I think you have a mistaken idea of what they will or will not be ok with. The Seelie Courts are not the mortal royal courts for as much as the royals try to emulate the Fae." He could see that this was not a topic Katell was interested in talking about and so shook his head. "It seems my presence has upset you so I will bid you both good evening."

Katell: Katell hardly felt the embrace at first, she felt tricked, lied to and betrayed by the last people she held dear in her life. Would everyone she cared for only use her in the end. Eventually she registered his comforting and gave Coe a short hug back. All the while Magnus spoke and made her feel even stupider for her choices.

"No, It's fine. I'm the one who should go. I..." she had some thinking to do over this and perhaps some tears that she didn't want to shed in front of anyone else. She gently removed Coe's arms and gave both of them a head nod before heading out of the water, grabbing her things from the beach and heading off. She needed to assess so much now.

[miasswier]

miasswier’s ultimate glee ranking: no 67

67: Dance With Somebody

Written by: Ross Maxwell Directed by: Paris Barclay

Overall Thoughts: This is a bit of a hard episode to rank, which is why it’s close to the middle. I have to take into account how much I used to love this episode, because I used to love it a lot. It’s also one of the few episodes in which Kurt and Blaine are allowed to actually discuss their issues, where we’re shown open and honest communication between our boys. That being said, watching this episode knowing what’s coming in “The Break Up” is… really frustrating. I also have quite a few issues with Sam and Will in this episode, hence it’s lower rating despite having Kurt/Klaine as an A plot. At least Quinn, Rachel, and Santana pull it up a little bit.

What I Like:

Kurt and Klaine are the A plot! This is a really rare occurrence on this show, and it is really invigorating to have Kurt and Klaine on my screen the most during this episode.

As frustrated as I am by how the whole Chandler thing goes down, it is nice to see someone appreciating Kurt for once (though please don’t read this as my feeling like Blaine doesn’t appreciate Kurt, because I know he does – the show just… doesn’t really let us see it very often)

Santana and Rachel! I really do like their friendship, and I’ve always lowkey (and highkey lbr) shipped Pezberry. It’s a nice little subplot.

Rachel’s face when Quinn and Joe are singing.

Even though I think it’s literally insane that Kurt wanted to go to Glee instead of having sex with Blaine, I do think it’s pretty cute that everybody else has the same idea and decides to show up anyway. I love scenes like that, where you genuinely get to feel the friendship and comradery of the club.

That whole scene in Emma’s office, which goes from absolutely hilarious (“I only use lotion on my hands! It looks weird if a person just has tan hands!” “Well, Kurt, wouldn’t you love Blaine just as much if he didn’t have tan hands”) to heartbreaking in seconds. One of my favourite Klaine scenes, to be honest.

“Why does mine say drink ‘til she’s cute?”

Klaine actually getting to deal with their problem and get to the root of what’s causing it and then addressing the issue and dealing with it. Which leads to…

That awesome scene at the end where Blaine sends Kurt a sext in the middle of the day and Kurt promises that he told Chandler to lose his number. I love that scene so much! Glee so rarely showed us couples actually moving on from their fights and making an effort to deal with what happened.

The scene between Burt and Kurt! Dang I missed that man.

I really do enjoy the scene with Quinn and Joe at the end when Quinn tells Joe she would never ask him to give up his faith for her, because she likes the idea that there’s something that can’t be lost. I also kind of like that they didn’t label themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend since they didn’t do much more with them after this episode; plus it shows that two people can like each other and it doesn’t always mean they have to go out and be in love forever. Sometimes two people just… like each other. The end.

Scully from Brooklyn Nine Nine!

What I Don’t Like:

Will is a little bitch baby in this episode. First of all, he kisses Emma to make her agree with him, instead of listening to her arguments, which is gross and also proven ineffective since they end up having the argument anyway. Secondly, he’s an asshole to that wedding planner who is really trying his best? And who Will hired in the first place? Thirdly, he puts his future wife’s emotional and mental wellbeing aside so that his fucking students can attend his wedding?! What the literal fuck?!?! Like, does nobody else think that’s weird?!?!? He wanted to change the date of his wedding and have it at a fucking campground because he was worried his teenage students wouldn’t attend it otherwise?!?!!?!?!?!!?!? OH MY GOD.

The scene between Joe and Sam makes me angry for several reasons. First and foremost: the girl they are talking about is Quinn. Quinn Fabray. Do I have to say it again? They’re talking about Quinn Fabray. Quinn would never ask a guy to compromise his faith to be with her (and, surprise! When Joe talks to her, she doesn’t ask him to! What a shock!). Also, this is captain of the celibacy club Quinn. Yeah, she had sex with Puck, but that was one time, almost three years ago. There has been no explicit canonical indication that she has had sex since. So… why exactly would she refuse to date someone if they didn’t want to sleep with her? Especially considering every boyfriend she’s ever had has tried to pressure her into sex before she felt comfortable with it? Second, the whole spiel Sam gives about how it’s impossible for men to avoid temptation is such a load of bullshit. Listen, there is nothing biologically innate in men that makes them unable to abstain from sex. They are not more hardwired to want sex than any other gender, they are just told by society that they should be. What about asexual guys? You’re telling me that’s impossible because how could a guy not want sex? What about men whose partners are asexual, or whose partners are physically unable to have sex? Is there just no other option for them but to cheat because they gotta get their rocks off somewhere? Or, hey, what about guys that nobody wants to sleep with? What are they supposed to do? Because I really don’t like the implication of “how are we not supposed to give into temptation” like dude that sounds super sketch. Ugh. I just really, really hate that scene.

Everything that happens between Kurt and Blaine pertaining to Chandler is really frustrating in hindsight because in “The Break Up” Blaine cheats on Kurt for the exact same reason as Kurt is ‘cheating’ (I know some people would consider what Kurt is doing to be cheating, but I know others wouldn’t) on him now. This is less a frustration with Blaine and more of a frustration with Glee. Here we have Blaine getting really upset that Kurt didn’t just talk to him about why he was unhappy and instead turned to someone else, and then in “The Break Up” Blaine does… exactly that? What?! WHAT?!?!?

This is so dumb but I find the line “It’s not right. But, it’s okay” so stupid like it doesn’t work at all and it was just shoved in there to introduce the song he’s about to sing which is SO DUMB ugh I hate that.

Songs:

How Will I Know: I do like this cover, but I feel like I don’t like it as much as the rest of the fandom does. It’s still a beautiful and melancholic song, though.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody: I love this cover! I’m not as big a fan of the actual performance, but that’s because I get so bored of choir room/auditorium performances after a while and season three is full of them. But seriously. This song. One of my favourite Glee covers.

Saving All My Love for You: I’m not that big of a fan of this song, to be honest. Also, side note, but why are so many Whitney songs about cheating, being cheated on, or helping cheat? Like, what’s the deal with that?

So Emotional: Another cover I really like! Again, the performance not as much, I find it kind of boring, but the song is absolutely killer.

It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay: An awesome Blaine power song! I fucking love it. My favourite moment is when he goes “Was it really worth you going out like that – tell me” and the shot switches from the fantasy sequence to the choir room and Blaine is staring at Kurt looking so angry IDK I just love that shot.

I Have Nothing: So gorgeous. Kurt solos are always amazing, but this one just takes my breath away!

My Love is Your Love: I love the combo of Mercedes, Artie, Kurt, and Blaine’s voices. I also love how everyone slowly comes into the auditorium to hang out even though they technically don’t have to. Also, Mercedes and Artie singing by themselves just to have fun is so cute.

Final Thoughts: There are quite a few things that really bother me about this episode, which is why it’s not as high as a lot of other Klaine-centric episodes. While they do deal with conflict in a relationship better than they usually do, everything that happens is really annoying in hindsight, and Will and Sam just annoy the fuck out of me. Still, these things don’t bother me enough to ever skip this episode, and I do still seek it out sometimes to watch as-is, hence it’s middle spot.

[roerowerow]

How do I explain

How do I explain to my extremely sexually active parents that their fears about my long distance relationship with my girlfriend are some of the best parts of my relationship?

They’re scared that my girlfriend and I might not have chemistry but they mean sexual chemistry. That we might kiss and there won’t be any spark but what if that kind of spark isn’t in my kit?

My mom is scared she’ll never have grandchildren, more specifically grandchildren that are mine. My other mother is scared I’ll realize (on my upcoming trip) that my partner and I won’t have a connection. How do I make them understand that I don’t even know if I want kids and that the girl I love knows I’m ace and she loves me anyway. 

I can’t muster up the courage to tell either of them that sex isn’t even in the equation; let alone the handbook I’m running with, my handbook. Broaching the topic with them, despite it being none of their business; ends with me being called inexperienced, afraid or slow shakes of the head coupled with looks of disappointment.

I’ll tell you what, I am afraid. 

I’m terrified that my parents (All of whom fully accept and support my coming out as bi) won’t accept my title as biromantic. That they’ll think I’ve made up some non qualifying term for myself. That they won’t believe me, that they’ll tell me that biromantic isn’t a valid identity.

And hell yes, I am inexperienced. 

Inexperienced in a subject I have absolutely no interest in. A subject I’m completely revolted by in practice; why would I want someone’s dick in my vagina or literally any other sexual experience when 

A) If I practiced enough I could do that shit myself when ever I wanted and 

B) At that point I could do a better job of it so why would I need someone else to spend that time with if it’s so god damn great?

How do I tell them that the more I solidify about my identity the less I want to talk with them about myself. About how I felt broken whenever they talked about this “amazing” experience and how sometimes I still do. How do I tell them that I’m not missing out on something I never want to go through, without hearing “come back and talk to me when you’ve tried it.” 

Like sex is some sort of video game side quest that I wasn’t leveled high enough to even comprehend. IF IT’S PRESENTED LIKE A SLOPPY SIDE QUEST IMMA TREAT THAT SHIT LIKE A SLOPPY SIDE QUEST AND MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE. 

This experience isn’t gonna complete me like some gift of the gods, how do I tell them that I don’t need sex to live a happy life? I’m terrified they’ll think I was abused, mistreated or that they’ll view me as broken. That my siblings who look to me for guidance, look to me as a role model might shun me for what my parents think aloud when I’m not around.

Because a large portion of my life is up in the air right now I’m worried that not being 100% certain about who I am, will just be one more thing on the list that “I’m just too young to really know about.”

HOW- HOW can I be expected to know at ANY given point firmly, completely 100% that this is it? That this, in my morphing ever IMPROVING definition of myself is as good as it’s gonna get; when I’ve been taught so much to the contrary and had to SELF EDUCATE not because I wanted to learn (at first) but because everyone else needed to know! 

The best answer I had was to sputter something passable, laughable in hopes of avoiding the conversation another day. Because the never ending ‘why’ wanted to know and I feel like I owe them an explanation for being different.

Now how do I tell them that their little girl grew into a brilliant woman who doesn’t have the slightest desire to have “her own children”.

Who doesn’t want sex out of ANY relationship but didn’t realize that until she had two ex-boyfriends was labeled “commitment issues”. 

Who never had any “real friends” so she looked to the internet and found five of amazing people that supported her and if they didn’t understand at least made an effort to try.

Who became friends and then fell in love with a shy girl from England with a beautiful smile, killer intellect and untamable hair.

How do I tell them, I’ve had that conversation with my partner to varying degrees and together we explored my identity because I was terrified to do it alone. I was so ready to sit in silence the majority of my life rather than rock the boat. 

While we’re still sorting things out, she’s more supportive than they’ll ever be. I want to tell them more about us, I want them to be interested in her because she’s amazing and I want to gush about her because SHE FUCKING DESERVES TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

I know my family, we overshare. We get into the nitty-gritty but, that’s always where the conversation ends up. Don’t get me wrong I make dick jokes with the best of them. At they end of the day they all fall under the same category: joke. I just want to feel comfortable doing that again but not at the same time I’m being grilled about my sex life.

Now I feel like I can’t even fully do that. My Articly chill self bubbles into volcanic anxiety whenever the topic crops up. With one side of the family it’s a reoccurring theme; to a degree I’m thankful because they’ve taught me the basics of safe sex, diseases and other red flags in an otherwise non Sex Ed friendly world.

The other half of the spectrum is filled with misinformation and our family’s innate ability to make a joke of every topic we don’t fully understand. I don’t know what to say so that my identity doesn’t become a joke to you.

How in the world do I cope if my greatest fears come to life and they don’t understand? 

I would love them of course, that would never change. 

But what if they did?

What if one day they understood; that’s the day I’m waiting for folks. Everyday I make progress with them. Every time I push a little harder at the topic.

A little more stubbornness when we debate the differences of asexuality and celibacy.

A little more reassurance when they say “I could have phrased that differently.”

A hard stance when we all start talking about gender identity and the LGBTQ+ community

This is the hill I die on because one day my siblings might find themselves standing here and I won’t let them stand alone.

Because one day they’ll understand. One day they’ll ask about me and I’ll feel so comfortable again, I’ll tell them. Biromantic. I am Biromantic and proud.

[samingtonwilson]

Rock, Paper, Scissors - Jim Kirk

Summary: Leonard has a date, you have a date, one of you needs to work. The most fair game Jim could think of ensues.

Warnings: language

A/N: a silly little fic about friends.

You were hoping Leonard had changed his mind by now. But, just in case he hadn’t, you took a deep breath— deep enough to allow every corner of your lungs to sting with the most sterile of scents— and smiled in the brightest way you knew how as you stepped into his favorite exam room.

He glanced at you, raising an eyebrow before he looked back down at his PADD. Wordlessly.

You cleared your throat, flashing him that attempt at a brilliant smile once more. Wordlessly.

Finally, he snorted. He set his hands against the edge of the counter he stood at and narrowed tired hazel eyes at you. “There a reason I can see all thirty-two of your teeth, sugar?”

Your cheeks grew more sore with each passing second, but you kept that smile intact like your life depended on it. “How are you doing today, Len? Did those beautiful hazels cure all my patients with just a glance in their direction?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and turned so he could face you entirely, he leant his side against the counter and raised his dark eyebrows. “What do you want?”

“Why is it that whenever I’m nice to you, you think it means I want something?” you asked, crossing your own arms over your chest and raising your own eyebrows. You nodded upwards. “You really that insecure, Len? Are you really that sus—”

“What do you want?” he pressed, his Southern accented voice louder than before while a smile contradictorily played at his lips. “Make it quick.”

“You know how we were both meant to take over gamma shift tonight?”

“Right, sweetheart, I was meanin’ to—”

“I can’t,” you continued having not heard Leonard’s interjection. “Jim’s been so busy lately. Spock’s got him filing mission reports that have been piling up and Chekov’s got him looking over all the potential route plans for next week’s border planet rescue mission,” you almost ran out of air as you spoke. “And he just finished everything this morning— so he’s free tonight and we’re supposed to have dinner together and fuck for the first time in what feels like ages. I mean, I think I have cobwebs down there—”

“That’s much more than I or anyone else needs to know,” he interrupted with one of the widest scowls you’d ever seen. “Unfortunately, I can’t work tonight either. I was depending on you to take over.”

“What? Why? Absolutely not,” you said quickly, shaking your head. “I asked first. I have dibs—”

He snorted again. “Are you tryin’ to present every argument in one go?”

You narrowed your eyes. “This night is important to me. You know how much I miss talking to Jim! We’re literally engaged and I’ve seen him twice this week. Play with your tribble another night— it’ll be just as annoying and unnecessary tomorrow!”

“I’m not usin’ the night to care for my tribble. He takes care of himself— fuckin’ genius of a furball.”

“Then what are you doing? Going on a wild goose hunt for those missing socks you were complaining about yesterday? Because I can assure you, those socks will be missing tomorrow, too.”

He looked at you sarcastically, all raised eyebrows, flared nostrils, and pursed lips. “I’m not lookin’ for missing socks.”

You nodded once and looked away. You thought for a moment— Leonard never took a night he should have been working off unless necessary, unless there was a possibility of drinking or—

Your eyes widened. “You’re getting laid!”

His eyes widened as well, lunging so his hand could clamp down over your grinning mouth. He hushed you loudly. “Someone could hear you bein’ so fuckin’ crass. It’s just a date, no one’s gettin’ laid.”

You pushed his hand away and continued grinning. “You’re going on a date! That’s amazing! I was beginning to think you’d taken up a vow of celibacy.”

“The celibacy wasn’t by choice.”

“Oh, come on!” you nearly sang, slapping him on the shoulder. “You’re hot, everyone knows that! Plenty of people walk around this ship all day fantasizing about you, Leonard McCoy. Hell, I’d probably be into you if Jim didn’t exist.”

Leonard frowned in consideration and turned back to his PADD, tapping against the screen almost immediately.

You crossed the room and hopped onto the biobed, swinging your legs. “So, this person that you’re dating— you like them? A lot?”

“I wouldn’t say a lot. S’only been two dates,” he shrugged.

“Yeah? Well,” you trailed off, smiling to yourself. “I’m in love with Jim. Have been for, like, two years now. Love kind of trumps like, don’t you think?”

He shook his head. “Nice try, but you’re stayin’ here tonight.”

“Len! If you’re not having sex, you should be done with your date by the time gamma shift begins.”

“I ain’t takin’ the risk.”

You opened your mouth to protest once more and he shook his head. “No, you’re stayin’. You owe me as it is, time to pay-up.”

The groan that left your lips was long and whiny, throwing your head back so your hair brushed against the wall behind you. “That game of quarters was, like, six months ago. The statute of limitations has run out.”

“It hasn’t and you’re payin’ up now.” He sighed and took steps towards you, stopping only a few inches away. “You need to stay here— I’d ask M’Benga, but he’s out with the flu. Everyone else has worked gamma enough this month, except us.”

You pouted, sitting back with a curve in your spine and a lowering of your shoulders. You stopped swinging your legs, the residual momentum allowing them to come to a stop completely after a few seconds.

Using the index finger and thumb of your right hand, you fussed with your engagement ring, swirling it around your skin and feeling the rise of the central stone against your fingertip. “What do I tell Jim?”

“What do you tell me about what, angel?” you heard from the door.

An instant snapping of your eyes in his direction had you straightening your posture a little, your lips pulling into a smile as a reaction to his. He still looked a little tired, what with the looming darkness under otherwise bright eyes— you thought for a second maybe it was a good idea to skip a date, just so he could rest. He clearly needed it.

He sighed to himself as he walked through the door and started towards you. “Sometimes I think my timing might be too perfect.”

“Sometimes I think your ego may be too big,” Leonard mumbled, nodding to Jim in greeting. “Your date’s canceled.”

“What?” his smile shrunk a bit and his head tilted, watching you as you leaped from the biobed to your feet. “Why?”

“Len was depending on me to take gamma tonight,” you answered, smiling sadly and shrugging a shoulder. “He’s the CMO, he’s got last word. Plus, he’s got a date.”

“Hey, you’ve got a date,” Jim said in a singsong voice, wagging his eyebrows at Leonard and smiling brightly. “Look at you, finally putting that McCoy charm to good use.”

“The point, Jim,” you prompted, shaking your head.

He glanced at you questioningly before you nearly saw a light bulb flicker on above his head. “Oh, right! You can’t reschedule? Spock’s got me—”

“Yeah, the mission reports, I know,” Leonard gruffly mumbled, rolling his eyes. “You two ain’t sick of each other yet? Y’all’ve been together for so long, it’s amazin’ you still wanna look at one  another.”

Jim scoffed. “Well, when you look like we do—”  

“It’s new for me,” Leonard continued, leaning back against the counter. His eyes seemed to have widened as you watched. “I haven’t dated in a while, I barely know what I’m doin’. S’all new and I don’t wanna screw things up by askin’ to reschedule.”

You found your head tilting and your head nodding before you could snap out of it. “Don’t get all cute on me! I’ll arm wrestle you for the night off.”

Leonard snorted and Jim shook his head with a loud, “No, no, no. Do something you’re skilled at. Play rock, paper, scissors.”

“No one’s skilled at rock, paper, scissors, Jim,” you sighed. “It’s a game of chance.”

“Even better. It’s fair this way,” he replied, smiling reassuringly. “Bones, one round of rock, paper, scissors. Winner gets the night off, loser reschedules their date. Do you agree to these terms?”

Leonard looked between the two of you. “That was maybe two terms, tops.”

“Yes or no?”

He sighed. “Fine.”

Jim then clapped and rubbed his hands together, placing them on either of your upper arms as he looked at you with furrowed eyebrows when you faced him. “Okay, we need a game plan.”

“A what?”

His voice, though low in volume, was nothing short of determined and utterly serious. He took his hands from your arms and crossed his own over his chest, ducking his head as he spoke. “A game plan, we need one. You think he’s going scissors?”

You glanced over your shoulder at Leonard who shook his head and rolled his eyes, mumbling out a, “Are y’all fuckin’ kidding me?”  

You brought your gaze back to Jim’s, blue eyes stoic and focused. “I think he’s going rocks— he’s too much of a hard-ass to go for anything else. I should go paper.”

“Maybe that’s what he wants us to think— it’s a strategy.” He narrowed his eyes as he peered at Leonard. “The man does surgeries— he cuts, scissors cut. Go rock.”

“Sound logic, Jim,” you muttered sarcastically.

“Will y’all cut this shit out? Fuckin’ children.”

“See?” Jim whispered, his eyebrows raised. “Cut this shit out? Go rock, he’s going scissors.”

You nodded and turned around, facing your opponent with a glare and a scowl. You bounced back and forth on nimble feet, holding your hands up before you as if beginning a boxing match. You almost went the full nine yards and spit on the ground.

Almost.

Jim chuckled behind you. “God, I love you.”

When you came to a stop, you interlocked your fingers and stretched your arms above your head, cracking your knuckles once your hands were by your side. You then rotated your neck in a circular motion, more amused than anything when a crack rang through the exam room.

Though Jim continued to laugh, Leonard sighed heavily. “This isn’t a fuckin’ MMA fight, darlin’, let’s get a move on.”

You sighed, shaking your limbs out one by one and holding in a squeal when Jim’s hand smacked against your ass and he said, in an encouraging voice, “Get out there.”

“All right,” you said, wetting your lips and raising your eyebrows as you assumed the position. One hand palm facing up at your chest with the other on top, balled into a fist. “Let’s do this.”

“Rock, paper, scissors!” you chanted as you hit your fist against your palm with each word,  forming a rock the instant you finished speaking.

Leonard’s hand was flat. He formed paper and the most satisfied smile over his lips as you yelled out a “No!” and Jim shouted a “Fuck!”

He adjusted the collar of his blue uniform and nodded once as he retrieved his PADD and started out the door. “Have fun sittin’ around here all night while I’m gettin’ laid, sugar.”

“Jim!” you shouted as you spun around. “I knew I shouldn’t have gone rock.”

“Paper would’ve given you a tie!”

“At least I wouldn’t have lost!”

[inloveandwords]

It’s always a good day when I open my email and get a sale notification from Audible!

This time first books in series are on sale for US members with prices as low as $4.95.

I’ve compiled a list of all my favorites (some that I have read and some that I haven’t – but will likely buy myself!) here for you in case you’re interested!

Get ready to scroll, because there are a TON of amazing books in this sale!

Books I’ve Read & Loved

CLICK HERE TO REVEAL/HIDE LINKS AND SUMMARIES OF EACH BOOK

Succubus Blues Georgina Kincaid, Book 1 By: Richelle Mead Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers Series: Georgina Kincaid, Book 1

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore–free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny. . .

***

Jacob Nightwalkers Series, Book 1 By: Jacquelyn Frank Narrated by: Xe Sands Series: Nightwalkers, Book 1

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers – the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer.

For 700 years, he has resisted temptation. But not tonight… Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He’s heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total… until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn’t in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire. Bring on the night.

***

Priest: A Love Story By: Sierra Simone Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Elena Wolfe Series: Priest, Book 1

There are many rules a priest can’t break. A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God.

I’ve always been good at following rules.

Until she came. Then I learned new rules.

My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I’m 29 years old. Six months ago I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again. I am a priest, and this is my confession.

***

Bright Side By: Kim Holden Narrated by: Roger Wayne, Lidia Dornet Series: Bright Side, Book 1

Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend, Gus, calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.

They both feel it. But each has a reason to fight it. Each has a secret. And when secrets are revealed, some will heal you… and some will end you.

***

Damaged Like Us By: Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, J. F. Harding Series: Like Us, Book 1

Don’t date your bodyguard.

It was the one rule he had to break.

Maximoff Hale is a force of nature. A ship unwilling to be steered. Headstrong, resilient, and wholly responsible – the 22-year-old alpha billionaire can handle his unconventional life. By noon, lunch can turn into a mob of screaming fans. By two, his face is all over the Internet. Born into one of the most famous families in the country, his celebrity status began at birth. He is certified American royalty.

When he’s assigned a new 24/7 bodyguard, he comes face-to-face with the worst case scenario: being attached to the tattooed, MMA-trained Yale graduate who’s known for “going rogue” in the security team – and who fills 1/3 of Maximoff’s sexual fantasies.

Twenty-seven-year-old Farrow Keene has one job: protect Maximoff Hale. Flirting, dating, and hot sex falls far, far out of the boundary of his bodyguard duties and into “termination” territory. But when feelings surface, protecting the sexy-as-sin, stubborn celebrity becomes increasingly complicated. Together, boundaries blur, and being exposed could mean catastrophic consequences for both.

Damaged Like Us can be listened to and enjoyed without listening to any of Krista and Becca’s other novels.

***

Neanderthal Seeks Human A Smart Romance, Knitting in the City, Volume 1 By: Penny Reid Narrated by: Jennifer Grace Series: Knitting in the City, Book 1

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris:

She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and She doesn’t know how to knit. After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can’t help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can’t afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn – the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies – to make her an offer she can’t refuse.

***

Pucked By: Helena Hunting Narrated by: Nathan Everett, Muffy Newtown Series: Pucked, Book 1

The first standalone novel in The Pucked Series

With a famous NHL player for a stepbrother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation of many a hockey star. So of course she isn’t interested in legendary team captain Alex Waters or his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes much more than just a hot body with the face to match. Suffering from a complete lapse in judgment, Violet discovers just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants.

Violet believes her night of orgasmic magic with Alex is just that: one night. But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant – and quirky – gifts. Suddenly he’s too difficult to ignore and nearly impossible not to like. The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

***

Tangled The Tangled Series, Book 1 By: Emma Chase Narrated by: Sebastian York Series: Tangled, Book 1, Tangled Series, Book 1

Drew Evans is handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed? He’ll tell you he has the flu. But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Tangled is not your mother’s romance audiobook. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

***

A Little Night Magic By: Lucy March Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi Series: Nodaway Falls, Book 1

Olivia Kiskey needs a change. She’s been working at the same Nodaway Falls, New York, waffle house since she was a teenager; not a lot of upward mobility there. She’s been in love with Tobias, the cook, for the last four years; he’s never made a move. Every Saturday night, she gathers with her three best friends—Peach, Millie, and Stacy—and drinks the same margaritas while listening to the same old stories. Intent on shaking things up, she puts her house on the market, buys a one-way ticket to Europe, and announces her plans to her friends… but then she meets Davina Granville, a strange and mystical Southern woman who shows Olivia that there is more to her life than she ever dreamed.

As Liv’s latent magical powers come to the surface, she discovers that having an interesting life is maybe not all it’s cracked up to be. The dark side of someone else’s magic is taking over good people in town, and changing them into vessels of malevolence. Unwilling to cede her home to darkness, she battles the demons of her familial past and her magical present, with those she loves at her side – and in the cross fire. Can the most important things in life—friendship, love, magic, and waffles—get her through the worst that the universe can throw at her?

***

Daughter of Smoke and Bone By: Laini Taylor Narrated by: Khristine Hvam Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book 1

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages – not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the strangers – beautiful, haunted Akiva – fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

***

Caraval By: Stephanie Garber Narrated by: Rebecca Soler Series: Caraval, Book 1

Welcome, welcome to Caraval – Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful – and cruel – father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the faraway once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

***

Ecstasy The Shadowdwellers Series #1 By: Jacquelyn Frank Narrated by: Kirsten Potter Series: Shadowdwellers, Book 1

Among the Shadowdwellers, Trace holds power that some are willing to kill for. Without a stranger’s aid, one rival would surely have succeeded, but Trace’s brush with death is less surprising to him than his reaction to the beautiful, fragile human who heals him. By rights, Trace should hardly even register Ashla’s existence within the realm of Shadowscape, but instead he is drawn to everything about her-her innocence, her courage, and her lush, sensual heat. After a terrifying car crash, Ashla Townsend wakes up to find that the bustling New York she knew is now eerie and desolate. Just when she’s convinced she’s alone, Ashla is confronted by a dark warrior who draws her deeper into a world she never knew existed. The bond between Ashla and Trace is a mystery to both, but searching for answers will mean confronting long-hidden secrets, and uncovering a threat that could destroy everything Trace holds precious.

***

Poison Study By: Maria V. Snyder Narrated by: Gabra Zackman Series: Study, Book 1

Choose: A quick death…or slow poison. About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She’ll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly’s Dust and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can’t control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear.

Don’t miss Magic Study, the sequel to Poison Study.

***

Sweet Filthy Boy By: Christina Lauren Narrated by: Shayna Thibodeaux Series: Wild Seasons, Book 1

The New York Times best-selling author of Beautiful Bastard, Beautiful Stranger, and Beautiful Player starts a brand new story of friends, love, and lust with Book One of the Wild Seasons series.

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation – and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out – Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume – her sweet, filthy fling – to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.

***

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before By: Jenny Han Narrated by: Laura Knight Keating Series: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Book 1

Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control in this heartfelt novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved – five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

***

Full Tilt Full Tilt Duet Series, Book 1 By: Emma Scott Narrated by: Nelson Hobbs, Caitlin Kelly Series: Full Tilt, Book 1

Kacey Dawson has always lived life on the edge – impulsively, sometimes recklessly. And now, as lead guitarist for a hot up-and-coming band, she is poised at the brink of fame and fortune. But she is torn between wanting to be a serious musician and the demons that lure her down the glittering but alcohol-soaked path of rock stardom. A wrecked concert in Las Vegas threatens to ruin her career entirely. She wakes up with the hangover from hell and no memory of the night before or how she ended up on her limo driver’s couch….

Jonah Fletcher is running out of time. He knows his situation is hopeless, and he’s vowed to make the most of the handful of months he has left to him. His plans include seeing the opening of his glass installation at a prestigious art gallery…they do not include falling in love with a wild, tempestuous rock musician who wound up passed out on his couch. Jonah sees that Kacey is on a path to self-destruction. He lets her crash with him for a few days to dry out and get her head on straight. But neither of them expects the deep connection they feel or how that connection can grow so fast from friendship into something more.

***

Stray Shifters, Book 1 By: Rachel Vincent Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck Series: Shifters, Book 1

“I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds. “Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

“I’d been warned about Strays (werecats without a Pride) that are constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

“This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I’m no meek kitty. I’ll take on whatever and whoever I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays, ’cause I got claws, and I’m not afraid to use them.”

***

Heartsick By: Chelsea Cain Narrated by: Carolyn McCormick Series: Gretchen Lowell, Book 1, Archie and Gretchen, Book 1

Damaged Portland detective Archie Sheridan spent 10 years tracking Gretchen Lowell, a beautiful serial killer, but in the end, she was the one who caught him. Two years ago, Gretchen kidnapped Archie and tortured him for 10 days, but instead of killing him, she mysteriously decided to let him go. She turned herself in, and now Gretchen has been locked away for the rest of her life, while Archie is in a prison of another kind: addicted to pain pills, unable to return to his old life, powerless to get those 10 horrific days off his mind. He continues to visit Gretchen in prison once a week, saying that only he can get her to confess as to the whereabouts of more of her victims. When another killer begins snatching teenage girls off the streets of Portland, Archie has to pull himself together enough to lead the new task force investigating the murders. A hungry young newspaper reporter, Susan Ward, begins profiling Archie and the investigation, which sparks a deadly game between Archie, Susan, the new killer, and even Gretchen. They need to catch a killer, and maybe then, somehow, Archie can free himself from Gretchen, once and for all.

Either way, Heartsick makes for one of the most extraordinary suspense debuts in recent memory.

***

Captain By: Lauren Rowe Narrated by: Lauren Rowe, John Lane Series: The Morgan Brothers, Book 2

It wasn’t the way this kind of story was supposed to go…insta-love isn’t supposed to turn into insta-hate. But that’s exactly what happened when the hot-as-hell dreamboat I met in a bar turned out to be a lying, cheating scumbag-player-douche looking for nothing but a little side action. Jerk. And he has the nerve to call me a liar and a “sociopath”? Asshole. And now, three months later, through a mind-blowing series of events I couldn’t have predicted in a million years, it turns out my boss is marrying his sister in Hawaii and I’ve got to play nice with him for an entire freaking week. Okay, sure, I’ll put on a happy face this week and act like I’ve never even met the jerk before – did I mention his sister is marrying my boss? – but that doesn’t mean I’ll like it. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’ll stop secretly hating the cocky bastard’s guts. Because I do. I hate him. I really do. I just wish my brain would explain the situation to my body…because every time he flashes that panty-melting smile at me, it takes all my self-restraint not to jump the bastard’s hot-as-f–k bones.

***

Flat-Out Love By: Jessica Park Narrated by: Julia Whelan Series: Flat-Out Love, Book 1

He was tall, at least six feet, with dirty blond hair that hung over his eyes. His T-shirt read Nietzsche Is My Homeboy.

So, that was Matt. Who Julie Seagles likes. A lot. But there is also Finn. Who she flat out loves.

Complicated? Awkward? Completely.

But really, how was this freshly-minted Boston transplant and newbie college freshman supposed to know that she would end up living with the family of an old friend of her mother’s? This was all supposed to be temporary. Julie wasn’t supposed to be important to the Watkins family, or to fall in love with one of the brothers. Especially the one she’s never quite met. But what does that really matter? Finn gets her, like no one ever has before. They have connection. But here’s the thing about love, in all its twisty, bumpy permutations – it always throws you a few curves. And no one ever escapes unscathed

***

Never Never: Part One By: Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher Narrated by: Kevin Free, Elizabeth Evans Series: Never Never, Book 1

Never Never, a novella series. Book one of three.

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of 14. Complete strangers since this morning. He’ll do anything to remember. She’ll do anything to forget. This novella is recommended for readers age 16+ due to mild language and sexual content.

***

Shatter Me By: Tahereh Mafi Narrated by: Kate Simses Series: Shatter Me, Book 1

“You can’t touch me,” I whisper. I’m lying, is what I don’t tell him. He can touch me, is what I’ll never tell him. But things happen when people touch me. Strange things. Bad things.

No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.

But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time – and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever.

***

Shacking Up By: Helena Hunting Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Rose Dioro Series: Shacking Up, Book 1

Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed – and then coughed on – her at a party the night before.

Luckily, her best friend might have found the perfect opportunity: a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel magnate Bancroft Mills while he’s out of town, taking care of his exotic pets. But when the newly evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick. Seeing his role in Ruby’s dilemma, Bane offers her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her feet.

Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today best-selling author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night long.

***

Rule A Marked Men Novel By: Jay Crownover Narrated by: Sophie Eastlake, Michael Rahhal Series: Marked Men, Book 1

Opposites in every way…except the one that matters.

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight-A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want – and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess – and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw – even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love…or each other.

The first Marked Men novel in Jay Crownover’s combustible New Adult series.

***

Royally Screwed By: Emma Chase Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Shane East Series: The Royally Series, Book 1

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant – hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark-haired beauty who doesn’t bow down. Instead she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn’t what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There’s a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they’ve traded in horse-drawn carriages for Rolls Royces and haven’t chopped anyone’s head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a king or the man who gets to love Olivia forever.

***

Six of Crows By: Leigh Bardugo Narrated by: Jay Snyder, Brandon Rubin, Fred Berman, Lauren Fortgang, Roger Clark, Elizabeth Evans, Tristan Morris Series: Six of Crows, Book 1

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price – and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone.

A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction – if they don’t kill each other first.

***

The Vampire Diaries, Book 1 The Awakening By: L. J. Smith Narrated by: Rebecca Mozo Series: Vampire Diaries, Book 1

Elena: beautiful and popular, the girl who can have any boy she wants. Stefan: brooding and mysterious, desperately trying to resist his desire for Elena for her own good. Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Elena finds herself drawn to both brothers….who will she choose?

***

All Lined Up Rusk University, Book 1 By: Cora Carmack Narrated by: Justis Bolding, Dan Bittner Series: Rusk University, Book 1

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football-star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a phenom in Texas’s world of high school coaching, has decided to make the jump to college ball…as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting lineup. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated.

Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is his new coach’s daughter.

And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

***

Howl’s Moving Castle By: Diana Wynne Jones Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin Series: Howl’s Castle, Book 1

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book and ALA Notable and Best of the Year in Young Adult Fiction, Howl’s Moving Castle is by acclaimed fantasy writer Diane Wynne Jones and was transformed into an Academy Award nominated animated motion picture by Hayao Miyazaki. On a rare venture out from her step-mother’s hat shop, Sophie attracts the attention of a witch, who casts a terrible spell transforming the young girl into an old crone.

***

Maybe Someday By: Colleen Hoover Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Angela Goethals Series: Maybe (Hoover), Book 1

At 22 years old, Sydney has a great life: She’s in college; working a steady job; in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter; and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter’s cheating on her – and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to his playing his guitar every day out on his balcony. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.…

***

Me Before You A Novel By: Jojo Moyes Narrated by: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott, Owen Lindsay Series: Me Before You Trilogy, Book 1

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose.

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life – steady boyfriend, close family – who has never been farther afield than her tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life – big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel – and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy – but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A love story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common – a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, what do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

***

Books I Want to Read

CLICK HERE TO REVEAL/HIDE LINKS AND SUMMARIES OF EACH BOOK

Vicious By: V. E. Schwab Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine Series: Villains [Schwab], Book 1

A masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates – brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), and aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find – aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the arch nemeses have set a course for revenge – but who will be left alive at the end? In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn’t automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.

***

The Belles By: Dhonielle Clayton Narrated by: Rosie Jones Series: The Belles, Book 1

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control beauty, and beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orleans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite – the Belle chosen by the queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land.

But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie – that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orleans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide: save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles, or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

***

Hate to Want You Forbidden Hearts By: Alisha Rai Narrated by: Summer Morton, Jeremy York Series: Forbidden Hearts, Book 1

One night. No one will know.

That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts – and the last names that made them enemies.

Until the night she didn’t show up.

Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn’t have time for distractions, and Livvy’s sudden reappearance in town is a major distraction. She’s the one woman he shouldn’t want…so why can’t he forget how right she feels in his bed?

Livvy didn’t come home for Nicholas, but fate seems determined to remind her of his presence – and their past. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families.

Being together might be against all the rules…but being apart is impossible.

***

Angelfall Penryn & the End of Days, Book 1 By: Susan Ee Narrated by: Caitlin Davies Series: Penryn & the End of Days, Book 1

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her 17-year-old sister, Penryn, will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where Penryn will risk everything to rescue her sister, and Raffe will put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

***

Ruthless King The Mount Trilogy, Book 1 By: Meghan March Narrated by: Grace Grant, Joe Arden Series: The Mount Trilogy, Book 1

New Orleans belongs to me. You don’t know my name, but I control everything you see – and all the things you don’t. My reach knows no bounds, and my demands are always met. I didn’t need to loan money to a failing family distillery, but it amuses me to have them in my debt. To have her in my debt. She doesn’t know she caught my attention. She should’ve been more careful. I’m going to own her. Consume her. Maybe even keep her. It’s time to collect what I’m owed. Keira Kilgore, you’re now the property of Lachlan Mount.

***

Three Dark Crowns By: Kendare Blake Narrated by: Amy Landon Series: Three Dark Crowns, Book 1

Fans of acclaimed author Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood will devour her latest novel, a dark and inventive fantasy about three sisters who must fight to the death to become queen.

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn 16, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown.

***

The Sapphire Affair A Jewel Novel, Book 1 By: Lauren Blakely Narrated by: Sebastian York Series: Jewel, Book 1

Seduction hotter than stolen jewels in this new series from the New York Times bestselling author of Big Rock.

Bounty hunter Jake Harlowe knows how to track a criminal. So when a group of swindled shareholders hire him to trail their former CEO, Jake expects a quick trip to the Cayman Islands to close another case. Until a devastatingly beautiful woman gets in the way.

Steph Anderson is visiting the Caymans for a rock climbing and dive trip – or so she tells Jake. She’s really trying to find out whether or not her stepfather embezzled money from his company. The last thing Steph needs is the distraction of a sexy, charming man whose kisses drive her wild.

Soon, the pair discover they’re after the same target – and millions in jewels. While Jake can’t be certain Steph isn’t working for her stepfather, and Steph can’t be certain Jake isn’t after the diamonds for himself, they can agree the heat between them is intense, and neither can deny the passion for long.

But the morning after, Steph discovers that she just might have slept with the enemy, and now she’ll have to outwit him to get everything she needs….

***

Hard As It Gets A Hard Ink Novel, Book 1 By: Laura Kaye Narrated by: Seraphine Valentine Series: Hard Ink, Book 1

Five dishonored soldiers. Former Special Forces. One last mission. These are the men of Hard Ink.

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey’s tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome, pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He’s left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander’s daughter. Loyalty won’t let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn’t expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge . . .

***

Mayhem By: Jamie Shaw Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Adam Verner Series: Mayhem Series, Book 1

When college freshman Rowan Michaels meets gorgeous, up-and-coming rock star Adam Everest, she knows a player like him is the last thing she needs after her ex-boyfriend shattered her heart. But she can’t stop thinking about the kiss they shared on his tour bus.

On the first day of school, Rowan is stunned when Adam saunters into her French class. He’s soon failing miserably, and, on a whim, she offers to tutor him. But Adam doesn’t recognize her as a makeup-free, glasses-clad college student – a far cry from the beautiful, mysterious “Peach” he met at his concert.

During a wild weekend on tour with the band, Rowan can’t help falling for the sweet guy buried beneath Adam’s rocker persona. Yet she knows she could never compete with the girls constantly throwing themselves at his feet. She’d just end up hurt… again.

Peach is all Adam thinks about, though, and when Rowan realizes this, she has a decision to make: stay just friends to protect her fragile heart… or reveal the truth about the night they met and admit she’s fallen completely, hopelessly in love with him.

***

Nevernight The Nevernight Chronicle, Book 1 By: Jay Kristoff Narrated by: Holter Graham Series: The Nevernight Chronicle, Book 1

Nevernight is the first in an epic new fantasy series from New York Times best-selling author Jay Kristoff.

In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.

Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer and a future she never imagined.

Now, 16-year-old Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic – the Red Church. Treachery and trials await her within the Church’s halls, and to fail is to die. But if she survives to initiation, Mia will be inducted among the chosen of the Lady of Blessed Murder and be one step closer to the only thing she desires: revenge.

***

The Bone Witch The Bone Witch, Book 1 By: Rin Chupeco Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Will Damron Series: The Bone Witch, Book 1

In the captivating start to a new, darkly lyrical fantasy series, Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she’s a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha – one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles and make a powerful choice.

***

Cruel Crown The Red Queen Series By: Victoria Aveyard Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Jayne Entwistle, Amanda Dolan Series: Red Queen, Book 0.1-0.2

Two women on either side of the Silver-Red divide tell the stories no one else knows.

Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary – how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lie ahead for her in royal life.

Captain Farley exchanges coded transmissions with the resistance as she travels the land recruiting black-market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital. She was raised to be strong, but planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected – until she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation: Mare Barrow.

Discover the truth of Norta’s bloody past in these two revealing prequels to number-one New York Times best seller Red Queen. Plus a Glass Sword sneak peek! An exclusive excerpt from the hotly anticipated second book in the Red Queen series, Glass Sword, transports listeners to the world of Silver tyranny, a Red dawn rising, and one girl’s resolve to break down the system that will hold her back no longer.

***

A Study in Charlotte Charlotte Holmes, Book 1 By: Brittany Cavallaro Narrated by: Graham Halstead, Julia Whelan Series: Charlotte Holmes, Book 1

The first book in a witty, suspenseful new trilogy about a brilliant new crime-solving duo: the teen descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. This clever detective yarn will appeal to fans of Maureen Johnson and Ally Carter.

Jamie Watson has always been intrigued by Charlotte Holmes; after all, their great-great-great-grandfathers were one of the most infamous pairs in history. But the Holmes family has always been odd, and Charlotte is no exception. She’s inherited Sherlock’s volatility and some of his vices – and when Jamie and Charlotte end up at the same Connecticut boarding school, Charlotte makes it clear she’s not looking for friends.

But when a student they both have a history with dies under suspicious circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Danger is mounting, and nowhere is safe – and the only people they can trust are each other.

***

The Last Namsara By: Kristen Ciccarelli Narrated by: Pearl Mackie Series: Iskari, Book 1

Kristen Ciccarelli’s debut fantasy explores an intricately woven world of deception, inner darkness, and dragons that fantasy fans won’t be able to resist.

In the beginning there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness – and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death bringer.

These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari – a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.

Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm.

When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend – a slave boy from her betrothed’s household – Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

***

Truly Devious A Mystery By: Maureen Johnson Narrated by: Kate Rudd Series: Truly Devious, Book 1

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early 20th century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place”, he said, “where learning is a game.”

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious”. It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.

The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.

***

Etiquette & Espionage Booktrack Edition By: Gail Carriger Narrated by: Moira Quirk Series: Finishing School, Book 1

Etiquette & Espionage: Booktrack Edition adds an immersive musical soundtrack to your audiobook listening experience!*

Booktrack editions are essentially a new genre of digital storytelling entertainment. Music and ambient audio are added to complement and enhance the audiobook experience. It is a synchronized movie-style soundtrack that complements the narration of existing audiobooks; the tempo and rhythm of the score harmonize with action, dialogue, and the characters’ emotional arcs.

Set in the same world as the New York Times best-selling Parasol Protectorate, this best-selling young adult steampunk series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail Carriger’s legions of fans have come to adore.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners – and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine’s, young ladies learn to finish…everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage – in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year’s education.

*Booktrack is an immersive format that pairs traditional audiobook narration to complementary music. The tempo and rhythm of the score are in perfect harmony with the action and characters throughout the audiobook. Gently playing in the background, the music never overpowers or distracts from the narration, so listeners can enjoy every minute. When you purchase this Booktrack edition, you receive the exact narration as the traditional audiobook available, with the addition of music throughout.

***

Everless By: Sara Holland Narrated by: Eileen Stevens Series: Everless, Book 1

In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Fans of Victoria Aveyard, Kendare Blake, and Stephanie Garber will devour this lush novel’s breathtaking action, incredible romance, and dangerous secrets.

***

Inkmistress By: Audrey Coulthurst Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown Series: Of Fire and Stars, Book 0.5

A sweeping, action-packed, and romantic fantasy full of dangerous magic and dark choices, perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce and Kristin Cashore – set in the same world as Of Fire and Stars.

Asra is a demigod with a dangerous gift: the ability to dictate the future by writing with her blood. To keep her power secret, she leads a quiet life as a healer on a remote mountain, content to help the people in her care and spend time with Ina, the mortal girl she loves.

But Asra’s peaceful life is upended when bandits threaten Ina’s village and the king does nothing to help. Desperate to protect her people, Ina begs Asra for assistance in finding her manifest – the animal she’ll be able to change into as her rite of passage to adulthood. Asra uses her blood magic to help Ina, but her spell goes horribly wrong and the bandits destroy the village, killing Ina’s family.

Unaware that Asra is at fault, Ina swears revenge on the king and takes a savage dragon as her manifest. To stop her, Asra must embark on a journey across the kingdom, becoming a player in lethal games of power among assassins, gods, and even the king himself.

Most frightening of all, she discovers the dark secrets of her own mysterious history – and the terrible, powerful legacy she carries in her blood.

***

Bombshell Hollywood A-List, Book 1 By: CD Reiss Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Christian Fox Series: Hollywood A-List, Book 1

Hollywood bad boy Brad Sinclair always gets his way, whether it’s the role he wants or the bikini-clad model he has to have. But when a bombshell gets dropped in his lap in the form of a dimpled five-year-old from a forgotten relationship, he knows his life is about to change forever.

Cara DuMont isn’t exactly thrilled when she gets assigned to be the nanny for the latest box-office king. She has one rule: no celebrity fathers, especially single ones with devilish good looks and rock-hard abs.

But as soon as Cara meets Brad and his adorable little girl, she knows she’s in for a world of trouble. Because there’s something about the way Brad looks at her that makes her believe that some rules are meant to be broken…

***

Passenger, Book 1 By: Alexandra Bracken Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld Series: Passenger (Bracken), Book 1

Violin prodigy Etta Spencer had big plans for her future, but a tragedy has put her once-bright career at risk. Closely tied to her musical skill, however, is a mysterious power she doesn’t even know she has. When her two talents collide during a stressful performance, Etta is drawn back hundreds of years through time.

Etta wakes, confused and terrified, in 1776, in the midst a fierce sea battle. Nicholas Carter, the handsome young prize master of a privateering ship, has been hired to retrieve Etta and deliver her unharmed to the Ironwoods, a powerful family in the Colonies – the very same one that orchestrated her jump back, and one Nicholas himself has ties to. But discovering she can time travel is nothing compared to the shock of discovering the true reason the Ironwoods have ensnared her in their web.

Another traveler has stolen an object of untold value from them, and, if Etta can find it, they will return her to her own time. Out of options, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the mysterious traveler. But as they draw closer to each other and the end of their search, the true nature of the object, and the dangerous game the Ironwoods are playing, comes to light – threatening to separate her not only from Nicholas, but her path home…forever.

***

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Mara Dyer, Book 1 By: Michelle Hodkin Narrated by: Christy Romano Series: Mara Dyer, Book 1

Mara Dyer believes life can’t get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love. She’s wrong.

***

Alex and Eliza The Alex & Eliza Trilogy By: Melissa de la Cruz Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell Series: The Alex & Eliza Trilogy, Book 1

Albany, New York, 1777.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about, preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families and even prouder still of their three daughters – Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival those of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck – as an orphan, and a bastard one at that – to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

***

Truthwitch A Witchlands Novel By: Susan Dennard Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell Series: The Witchlands, Book 1

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble – as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially among the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her – but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

***

Everneath By: Brodi Ashton Narrated by: Amy Rubinate Series: Everneath, Book 1

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned – to her old life, her family, her boyfriend – before she’s banished back to the underworld… this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance – and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

***

Bad Romeo By: Leisa Rayven Narrated by: Andi Arndt Series: Starcrossed (Rayven), Book 1

Cassie Taylor was just another acting student with big dreams at her prestigious performing arts college – then she met Ethan Holt. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy on campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing on stage, Cassie and Ethan’s epic romance seemed destined. Until it ended in tragedy when he shattered her heart. Now they’ve made it to Broadway where they’re reunited as romantic leads once again – and their passionate scenes force them they’re forced to confront the heartbreaking lows and pulsepounding highs of their intense college affair. For Ethan, losing Cassie was his biggest regret – and he’s determined to redeem himself. But for Cassie, even though Ethan was her first and only great love, he hurt her too much to ever be trusted again. The trouble is, working with him again reminds her that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks. And when it comes to love, sometimes it’s the things that aren’t good for us that are the most irresistible. Don’t miss the intoxicating romance beloved by over two million fans online – a story that’ll captivate you and hold you breathless until the final tick.

***

Undead and Unwed Queen Betsy, Book 1 By: MaryJanice Davidson Narrated by: Nancy Wu Series: Undead – Queen Betsy, Book 1

Unwed is a delightful mixture of Sex and the City and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Waking up in a tacky coffin and wearing off-brand shoes, Betsy Taylor can’t believe the horrible turn her life has taken; then she discovers she’s a vampire. Soon, Betsy becomes a participant in a power struggle between the forces of darkness. With only her friend Jessica and the hunky vampire Sinclair to help her, this new “Queen of Vampires” will have a tough time getting her afterlife straight.

***

Wonder Woman: Warbringer By: Leigh Bardugo Narrated by: Mozhan Marno Series: DC Icons, Book 1

“You’ll enjoy this book whether you’re a fan of Wonder Woman comics, the Wonder Woman movie, Leigh Bardugo, or just YA lit in general.” (Hypable)

She will become one of the world’s greatest heroes: Wonder Woman. But first she is Diana, princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning….

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law – risking exile – to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.

Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer – a direct descendant of the infa

***

Defy the Stars By: Claudia Gray Narrated by: Nate Begle Series: Defy the Stars, Book 1

She’s a soldier.

Noemi Vidal is 17 years old and sworn to protect her planet, Genesis. She’s willing to risk anything – including her own life. To their enemies on Earth, she’s a rebel.

He’s a machine.

Abandoned in space for years, utterly alone, Abel has advanced programming that’s begun to evolve. He wants only to protect his creator and to be free. To the people of Genesis, he’s an abomination.

Noemi and Abel are enemies in an interstellar war, forced by chance to work together as they embark on a daring journey through the stars. Their efforts would end the fighting for good, but they’re not without sacrifice. The stakes are even higher than either of them first realized, and the more time they spend together, the more they’re forced to question everything they’d been taught was true.

***

Hardwired By: Meredith Wild Narrated by: Jennifer Stark Series: Hacker, Book 1

Determined to overcome a difficult past, Erica Hathaway learns early on how to make it on her own. Days after her college graduation, she finds herself face to face with a panel of investors who will make or break her fledgling startup. The only thing she didn’t prepare for was going weak in the knees over an arrogant and gorgeous investor who’s seemingly determined to derail her presentation.

Billionaire and rumored hacker Blake Landon has already made his fortune in software, and he’s used to getting what he wants with very little resistance. Captivated by Erica’s drive and unassuming beauty, he’s wanted nothing more since she stepped into his boardroom.

Determined to win her over, he breaks down her defenses and fights for her trust, even if that means sacrificing a level of control to which he’s grown accustomed. But when Blake uncovers a dark secret from Erica’s past, he threatens not just her trust but the life she’s fought so hard to create.

***

The Girl of Fire and Thorns By: Rae Carson Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda Series: Fire and Thorns, Book 1

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her 16th birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king – a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

***

Wolfsong By: TJ Klune Narrated by: Kirt Graves Series: Green Creek, Book 1

Ox was 12 when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left.

Ox was 16 when he met the boy on the road, the boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.

Ox was 17 when he found out the boy’s secret, and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet.

Ox was 23 when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his blood red eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.

It’s been three years since that fateful day and the boy is back. Except now he’s a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

***

Frostblood By: Elly Blake Narrated by: Jennifer English Series: The Frostblood Saga, Book 1

The Frost King will burn.

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.

Despite her unpredictable abilities, Ruby trains with the rebels and the infuriating – yet irresistible – Arcus, who seems to think of her as nothing more than a weapon. But before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to compete in the king’s tournaments that pit Fireblood prisoners against Frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her – and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Vivid and compelling, Frostblood is the first in an exhilarating series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies…but together create a power that could change everything.

***

This Savage Song By: Victoria Schwab Narrated by: Therese Plummer Series: Monsters of Verity, Book 1

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from acclaimed author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains – and friends or enemies – with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books, This Savage Song is a must-have for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city – a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent – but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music.

When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side – including the monsters within.

***

Stalking Jack the Ripper By: Kerri Maniscalco, James Patterson Narrated by: Nicola Barber Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper, Book 1

Presented by James Patterson’s new children’s imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion.

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story’s shocking twists and turns will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

***

Reign of Shadows By: Sophie Jordan Narrated by: Phoebe Strole, James Fouhey Series: Reign of Shadows, Book 1

Destiny and darkness collide in this romantic, sweeping new fantasy series from New York Times best-selling author Sophie Jordan.

Seventeen years ago an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

***

Queen of Hearts By: Colleen Oakes Narrated by: Moira Quirk Series: Queen of Hearts, Book 1

The first novel in Colleen Oakes’ epic, imaginative series tells the origin of one of the most infamous villains – the Queen of Hearts.

This is not the story of the Wonderland we know. Alice has not fallen down a rabbit hole. This is a Wonderland where beneath each smile lies a secret, each tart comes with a demand, and only prisoners tell the truth.

Dinah is the princess who will one day reign over Wonderland. She has not yet seen the dark depths of her kingdom; she longs only for her father’s approval and a future with the boy she loves. But when a betrayal breaks her heart and threatens her throne, she is launched into Wonderland’s dangerous political game. Dinah must stay one step ahead of her cunning enemies, or she’ll lose not just the crown but her head.

    Audible’s First-in-a-Series-Sale Favorites! It's always a good day when I open my email and get a sale notification from Audible!

[zero-due-design]

Tease and Denial Tips - 3 Ways to Drive Your Man Crazy

New Post has been published on http://zerodue.staging.wpengine.com/blog/feed/tease-and-denial-tips-3-ways-to-drive-your-man-crazy/

Tease and Denial Tips - 3 Ways to Drive Your Man Crazy

Tease and denial is, without doubt, an essential ingredient for any serious AND satisfying male chastity lifestyle. But what is…

Tease and Denial

And why is it so important?

To answer this, it’s important for us to understand some essential principles of male chastity — fundamentally, we need to know what it is, and what it is not. What it’s not, for most men at least, is the fantasy of simply being locked up in a male chastity device and ignored.

That’s what some men want, to be sure, but the majority don’t. And this is good news for their wives and girlfriends who at first blush think their man is asking for celibacy rather than chastity.

So, now we understand this we can perhaps begin to see what tease and denial is all about — taking your man to the very edge of orgasm… and then refusing point blank to let him cross that all important line. See, male chastity is about having MORE sexual contact, not less.

Now, many women feel a sudden surge or fear and apprehension when they imagine dong this, because most of us have had the experience at one time or another in our lives of being referred to as a ‘prick tease’. But understand — this is NOT the same thing. This is something your man wants, and he really, really does mean it (believe it or not, many, many men have had this fantasy for most of their adult lives).

The other concern is, “if he’s being denied… how do I get mine?”

Well, that’s easy, too. And here are three ways to treat your man to some serious tease and denial while being thoroughly satisfied yourself:

Make him treat you to long and slow oral sex. Yes, obvious to most of us, but to many men and women it’s new (amazing, I know). The problem is usually technique — in that men don’t have any! They simply lap away like dogs… and it’s BORING. So, instead, write the lyrics to your favourite song out with your tongue while you’re pleasuring her. I guarantee you’ll drive her wild with pleasure.

Lock him in a chastity device and use a strap-on or a proper sheath (not a condom – I mean a penis-like extension that fits over his own real one) and have him make love to you. He won’t feel anything but he’ll be ready to explode as he sees the incredible time he’s giving YOU.

Unlock him and use his penis like a vibrator but without letting him inside you. You’ll have to be careful with this one not to let him enter you or orgasm by accident, but i can tell you from experience, this ROCKS. My husband, John is undergoing a full year of orgasm denial, and I use him like this frequently. I love to hear him moaning and complaining and begging to come (and he really does love it).

So, there you are. Any fears you have about male chastity being boring and dull really are unfounded.

If you’re serious about discovering the secrets to strict tease and denial, without the hype and nonsense you’re tired of reading on the blogs and forums, then it makes sense to get the real truth from a genuine couple living this lifestyle 24/7, doesn’t it?

Source

[greggory--lee]

Tease and Denial Tips – 3 Ways to Drive Your Man Crazy

Tease and denial is, without doubt, an essential ingredient for any serious AND satisfying male chastity lifestyle. But what is…

Tease and Denial

And why is it so important?

To answer this, it’s important for us to understand some essential principles of male chastity — fundamentally, we need to know what it is, and what it is not. What it’s not, for most men at least, is the fantasy of simply being locked up in a male chastity device and ignored.

That’s what some men want, to be sure, but the majority don’t. And this is good news for their wives and girlfriends who at first blush think their man is asking for celibacy rather than chastity.

So, now we understand this we can perhaps begin to see what tease and denial is all about — taking your man to the very edge of orgasm… and then refusing point blank to let him cross that all important line. See, male chastity is about having MORE sexual contact, not less.

Now, many women feel a sudden surge or fear and apprehension when they imagine dong this, because most of us have had the experience at one time or another in our lives of being referred to as a ‘prick tease’. But understand — this is NOT the same thing. This is something your man wants, and he really, really does mean it (believe it or not, many, many men have had this fantasy for most of their adult lives).

The other concern is, “if he’s being denied… how do I get mine?”

Well, that’s easy, too. And here are three ways to treat your man to some serious tease and denial while being thoroughly satisfied yourself:

Make him treat you to long and slow oral sex. Yes, obvious to most of us, but to many men and women it’s new (amazing, I know). The problem is usually technique — in that men don’t have any! They simply lap away like dogs… and it’s BORING. So, instead, write the lyrics to your favourite song out with your tongue while you’re pleasuring her. I guarantee you’ll drive her wild with pleasure.

Lock him in a chastity device and use a strap-on or a proper sheath (not a condom – I mean a penis-like extension that fits over his own real one) and have him make love to you. He won’t feel anything but he’ll be ready to explode as he sees the incredible time he’s giving YOU.

Unlock him and use his penis like a vibrator but without letting him inside you. You’ll have to be careful with this one not to let him enter you or orgasm by accident, but i can tell you from experience, this ROCKS. My husband, John is undergoing a full year of orgasm denial, and I use him like this frequently. I love to hear him moaning and complaining and begging to come (and he really does love it).

So, there you are. Any fears you have about male chastity being boring and dull really are unfounded.

If you’re serious about discovering the secrets to strict tease and denial, without the hype and nonsense you’re tired of reading on the blogs and forums, then it makes sense to get the real truth from a genuine couple living this lifestyle 24/7, doesn’t it?

Source by Sarah Jameson

Source: http://bitcoinswiz.com/tease-and-denial-tips-3-ways-to-drive-your-man-crazy/

[ricardosousalemos]

Violent Femmes: Violent Femmes

Billie Jo Campbell was discovered at age 3 while walking down a street in Los Angeles with her mother. A photographer approached, told the mother that Billie Jo was adorable, and asked if she wouldn’t mind her daughter appearing in a photo shoot at a house in Laurel Canyon. The mother—“a free spirit,” Billie Jo explained—promptly set up an appointment. They later learned that the shoot was for the cover of an album by an obscure acoustic-punk trio from Milwaukee about to release their debut. In the photo, barefoot Billie Jo wears a cute white dress and strains to peer inside a darkened house through a window. She had no idea that this was an apt metaphor for the band’s songs, which capture that precise moment when childhood innocence is corrupted by the obsessions of the adult world—sex, violence, perverted religiosity, and omnipresent death. 

Years later, when Billie Jo was a teenager in the ’90s, she realized that the album was pretty momentous. “This was my bragging point,” she recalled in 2007. “I’d be at parties, and if the girls in the dorm knew you were trying to meet cute boys, they’d tell them I am on the cover.”

What’s amazing about this story isn’t just that Billie Jo Campbell was still recognized, well into her college years, as the kid on the cover of the Violent Femmes’ self-titled 1983 LP. It’s that people knew what the cover even looked like. “I think the majority of people found out about our music because somebody had made a tape and played it at a party. I’ve heard that so many times,” said Violent Femmes’ singer-songwriter Gordon Gano in a 2016 interview, still cherubic even in his early 50s. “A few years ago, I had somebody that was a big fan say, ‘What does your album cover look like? I’ve never seen it because it’s always been on a tape that somebody made.’”

Violent Femmes are perhaps the greatest mixtape band of its era—they were to Maxell what Drake now is to Spotify playlists. Long after the Femmes’ initial wave of underground fame came and went in the mid-’80s, choice cuts from their first album kept popping up on countless tapes dispensed throughout teenage suburbia. For those that encountered the Femmes in this manner, the band’s songs were akin to outsider art—found musical data that offered bracingly unfiltered takes on lust and alienation and the yearning to belong, written on an acoustic guitar by a misfit kid who sang in an untrained pubescent whine. Mixtapes gave Violent Femmes renewed life divorced from the context of their own up-and-down career, infusing songs from their first and most successful record with the adolescent angst of each subsequent generation of middle-schoolers in search of a spokesman.

This is the art of the mixtape, finding songs that will expose your innermost self to whoever is receiving the tape. And Violent Femmes songs were catchy and simple enough to work especially well as plainspoken musical messages. If you wanted a killer kick-off for your “I’m an Edgy Outsider and Want to Be Appreciated As Such” mix—one of the most popular mixtape genres—a common choice was “Blister in the Sun,” in which Gano snakes allusions to heroin and premature ejaculation behind Brian Ritchie’s relentlessly busy bass line, like a shoplifter stuffing cigarettes down the front of his jeans. And the perfect closer for that tape would inevitably be “Add It Up,” a relentless rant that argues against involuntary celibacy on the grounds that it can make you homicidal. (“Gone Daddy Gone” also worked in this slot, particularly if the tape had an “all marimbas” theme.)

The other most popular mixtape genre was “I’m Into You and This Is My Way of Showing It,” and Violent Femmes delivered there as well. Gano wrote the most romantic song on Violent Femmes, “Good Feeling,” when he was just 15. An affectingly pure expression of fairy-tale love, “Good Feeling” is a rare moment of unfettered tenderness on an otherwise brash record, revealing the nice young man behind the bravado who was raised by a Baptist minister and a theater actress. Gano actually wrote a collection of gospel songs around the same time as Violent Femmes, but Ritchie, an atheist, refused to record them. He and excitable stand-up drummer Victor DeLorenzo—who was the oldest member by several years—were more comfortable with the nervy “Please Do Not Go,” in which Gano pledges to “patiently pray, pray, pray, pray, pray” for sex rather than salvation.

Gano and Ritchie later admitted that the members of Violent Femmes had virtually nothing in common except for music. But in the beginning, at least, that was enough to bond them together, because nobody else in their hometown of Milwaukee, Wis. took Violent Femmes seriously. The affectations that later endeared them to fans —the ramshackle instrumentation, the spitefully witty lyrics, Gano’s habit of wearing a bathrobe in public—stigmatized the Femmes in the Milwaukee club scene. They were forced to busk in the street with acoustic instruments because nobody would book them.

According to legend, Violent Femmes were “discovered” in 1981 by James Honeyman-Scott of the Pretenders, who invited them to open for his band during a performance at Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre after seeing them busk outside the venue. Gano had just graduated from high school, and it was rare of the Femmes to perform indoors on an actual stage.

This story became an oft-repeated talking point in press releases after the Femmes became semi-famous in the American indie underground. But as the band members themselves were quick to point out, Violent Femmes were hardly set up for a professional career after that minor acknowledgment. As always, they were left to fend for themselves, eventually borrowing $10,000 from DeLorenzo’s father to fund recording sessions at a studio in Lake Geneva, about 50 miles southwest of Milwaukee. Producer Mark Van Hecke later described the studio as being “in a state of collapse. You’d go into the studio and there would be this equipment, and the next day you go in there’s a piece missing because it got repossessed.” Van Hecke’s intention was to give Violent Femmes a classic Sun Sessions sound, though this naturalistic approach required lots of takes, as the band tended to move around a lot while playing. For Van Hecke, working with the Femmes was an act of faith—he had previously tried to shop a three-song demo to a few dozen record labels in New York and Los Angeles, and all of them said no. “A lot of people thought I was nuts and this was shit. I knew it wasn’t,” he said later.

Nevertheless, Violent Femmes were oddly confident in themselves. “When we made the first album, we thought it was destined to be considered a masterpiece,” Ritchie claimed in 2015. The first prominent person to agree that Violent Femmes were destined for greatness was New York Times music critic Robert Palmer, whose rave review of two performances opening for Richard Hell at the Bottom Line and CBGB in 1982 was instrumental in getting the Femmes a deal with Slash Records.

Palmer, a blues scholar who had just published the definitive history Deep Blues the previous year, compared Gano to his most obvious antecedents, Lou Reed and Jonathan Richman. But Palmer also heard a new strain of Americana in Violent Femmes’ revved-up, snotty confessionals, likening songs to “the discursive, rambling structures of folk-era Dylan.” In a subsequent review of Violent Femmes’ second album, 1984’s overtly spiritual Hallowed Ground, Palmer detected “a subterranean mother lode of apocalyptic religion, murder, and madness that has lurked just under the surface of hillbilly music and blues since the 19th century” in the Femmes’ knowingly primitive music. Perhaps Palmer was also thinking of Violent Femmes’ “Gone Daddy Gone,” which lifts a verse from Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love To You,” or the teenage murder ballad “To The Kill,” in which Gano fantasizes about vengefully hunting down his ex in Chicago, like so many Delta musicians decades earlier.

Flash forward to the ’90s, and Palmer’s conflation of Gano’s songs with the timeless quality of the blues felt truer than ever, even as Violent Femmes also seemed more contemporary than ever. In the ’80s, Violent Femmes were strictly an underground phenomenon; a slow but steady seller, the self-titled debut finally went platinum in February of 1991, though it didn’t actually crack the Billboard 200 chart until later that year. By then, Violent Femmes had achieved a measure of mainstream recognition thanks to the alt-rock explosion. They became a fixture of nostalgic movie soundtracks—Ethan Hawke sang “Add It Up” to needle Winona Ryder in Reality Bites, and Minnie Driver blasted “Blister In The Sun” on the hip underground radio show that John Cusack obsesses over in Grosse Pointe Blank. Violent Femmes even appeared in an episode of “Sabrina The Teenage Witch”—mean girl Libby casts a spell on Gano, making him serenade her with “Please Do Not Go” while Sabrina and her aunts do an awkward skank.  

Violent Femmes' influence was now discernible in the legion of underground rockers who had codified Gano's quirky vocal style into what is now commonly recognized as the "indie guy" voice. In years to come, Gano’s vocals—recently described by author J.K. Rowling as sounding “like a bee in a plastic cup”—would echo in Stephen Malkmus, Jeff Mangum, Colin Meloy, Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and countless less heralded reedy young men.

Violent Femmes remain a band out of time. They are rarely mentioned with the “canon” bands of ’80s American post-punk—lacking the sales and accolades of R.E.M., the Replacements, and the Pixies, the Femmes don’t signify an era so much as a time of life. Violent Femmes is children’s music for teenagers—uber-elementary sing-alongs that have their time and place, and then are set aside as facile once they’re outgrown.

But Violent Femmes deserves better. If the blues survived because of the oral tradition of passing down songs from one singer to another, Violent Femmes endured because the tunes were shared via word of mouth at dorm parties and high school keggers. (Even the girl on the cover learned about Violent Femmes that way.) And don’t discount those precious mixtapes, a primitive form of social media that worked exponentially slower than the internet but were ultimately no less effective at creating a lasting legacy.

For young people growing up in the internet age, Violent Femmes is part of a shared language. In 2013, after a period of estrangement marked by lawsuits and public in-fighting, Violent Femmes were persuaded to reunite for a performance at Coachella. “As soon as we started out the set with ‘Blister in the Sun,’ when that riff hit, it was like a swarm of insects coming towards our stage. They all started running from the other stages,” Ritchie recalled. All these years later, whenever teenagers listen to songs from Violent Femmes, they also hear themselves.

[zero-due-design]

Tease and Denial Tips - 3 Ways to Drive Your Man Crazy

New Post has been published on http://zeroduedesign.co.uk/blog/feed/tease-and-denial-tips-3-ways-to-drive-your-man-crazy/

Tease and Denial Tips - 3 Ways to Drive Your Man Crazy

Tease and denial is, without doubt, an essential ingredient for any serious AND satisfying male chastity lifestyle. But what is…

Tease and Denial

And why is it so important?

To answer this, it’s important for us to understand some essential principles of male chastity — fundamentally, we need to know what it is, and what it is not. What it’s not, for most men at least, is the fantasy of simply being locked up in a male chastity device and ignored.

That’s what some men want, to be sure, but the majority don’t. And this is good news for their wives and girlfriends who at first blush think their man is asking for celibacy rather than chastity.

So, now we understand this we can perhaps begin to see what tease and denial is all about — taking your man to the very edge of orgasm… and then refusing point blank to let him cross that all important line. See, male chastity is about having MORE sexual contact, not less.

Now, many women feel a sudden surge or fear and apprehension when they imagine dong this, because most of us have had the experience at one time or another in our lives of being referred to as a ‘prick tease’. But understand — this is NOT the same thing. This is something your man wants, and he really, really does mean it (believe it or not, many, many men have had this fantasy for most of their adult lives).

The other concern is, “if he’s being denied… how do I get mine?”

Well, that’s easy, too. And here are three ways to treat your man to some serious tease and denial while being thoroughly satisfied yourself:

Make him treat you to long and slow oral sex. Yes, obvious to most of us, but to many men and women it’s new (amazing, I know). The problem is usually technique — in that men don’t have any! They simply lap away like dogs… and it’s BORING. So, instead, write the lyrics to your favourite song out with your tongue while you’re pleasuring her. I guarantee you’ll drive her wild with pleasure.

Lock him in a chastity device and use a strap-on or a proper sheath (not a condom – I mean a penis-like extension that fits over his own real one) and have him make love to you. He won’t feel anything but he’ll be ready to explode as he sees the incredible time he’s giving YOU.

Unlock him and use his penis like a vibrator but without letting him inside you. You’ll have to be careful with this one not to let him enter you or orgasm by accident, but i can tell you from experience, this ROCKS. My husband, John is undergoing a full year of orgasm denial, and I use him like this frequently. I love to hear him moaning and complaining and begging to come (and he really does love it).

So, there you are. Any fears you have about male chastity being boring and dull really are unfounded.

If you’re serious about discovering the secrets to strict tease and denial, without the hype and nonsense you’re tired of reading on the blogs and forums, then it makes sense to get the real truth from a genuine couple living this lifestyle 24/7, doesn’t it?

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