Looking Up

Posted on December 18, 2015July 20, 2016 by Jade A. Waters

Up until about a month ago, things over here were—oh, how to put this?—really fucking cray-cray in the brain department. There was a lot of good going on (and more I’ll get to shortly), and I tried to center my online attention to that—but offline, I was a wreck. This has all passed now, thank god, but things were pretty dark for a bit there.

I talked in a previous post about the sensory migraines that took over my life—but what I stayed pretty quiet on was the adjustment to the medication my doctor prescribed. Once it kicked in, it helped tremendously—but the month-long adjustment period was torture. My brain was definitely not my own for that wild ride, and, honestly, if you and I had a conversation anywhere in that month, I probably have no solid recollection of what we talked about. On top of that, other than one flash piece inspired by my migraines and a couple poems I scribbled in brief moments of clarity, I wrote little (coherently, anyway). It wasn’t until after I signed off of Skype from my interview with the wonderful Rose Caraway about my story in Libidinous Zombie that I realized how wildly out of my head I felt. Yikes!

Fortunately, my doctor turned out to be a genius. After that month of adjustment—and practically overnight—everything turned…well, normal. My migraines damn near disappeared, and all the side effects I was experiencing completely vanished. I keep describing it as the way the sky looks after a storm, when the clouds pull back to reveal a clear blue world—but I kid you not, it’s what my head felt like after that period passed. My spirits soared, and my usual optimist Fuck half full, I have a glass! self was ready to go screaming from the rooftops about how damn amazing I felt.

And that’s where I’ve been cruising for almost a month now—appreciating all the awesome things going on, and enjoying having my brain back to participate in them! Woo hoo!

So, let’s move along to the good department, shall we? First, some book news—I’ve been cruising away on edits for The Assignment, book one in my forthcoming Lessons in Control series. We had to do a few schedule adjustments, but I’m pleased to announce that it will be released in December 2016—and hey, you can already pre-order it on Amazon! 🙂 There’s no cover or blurb up yet, and I believe it might still say it’s coming out in June, but that’s soon to be fixed. I have much more to tell you about this book and the entire series as we get closer to publication, but let’s just say that as I’m working on edits, I’m getting really excited. It doesn’t hurt that I landed Rhonda Helms on this project, who is possibly the most enthusiastic editor on the planet and making me squeal. A lot. (Okay, and I admit—I’m one of those weird authors who loves editing almost as much as I love writing, so I’m having fun in this process either way.)

Meanwhile, I’ve still been keeping up on my poetry, and even wrote a piece loosely inspired by a scene in The Assignment. In the short story world, I got confirmation there will be a San Francisco reading for Best Women’s Erotica, Volume 1 on January 19^th at 6:30pm at the Good Vibrations Polk Street location (mark your calendars!). My BWE story “Ophelia the Second” is one I’m rather fond of, and I can’t wait to tell you more about the it and to hopefully meet you at the reading!

Speaking of reading…back in July, Rose asked me in my first KMQ’s interview what I’d be doing if I wasn’t a writer—and I told her I was looking into voice over as a future day job. Since then, I’ve taken a couple weekend workshops and learned all sorts of intriguing things, and decided this little dream will need to become a reality over the coming years. I even set up a recording space, which I officially used for the first time to record “Longing” in honor of the release of Coming Together: In Verse (a smokin’ erotic poetry anthology)! This voice over adventure is on hold while I work on books 2 and 3 in the Lessons in Control series…but it’s on my radar!

Finally, since it’s nearly Christmas, I couldn’t possibly skip mentioning my always free holiday short story, “Office Santa.” It’s about an office superstar named Kristi who has a major thing for the Santa suit—especially when it’s worn by one of her very favorite colleagues. Kristi was a character I had way too much fun writing, so I hope you’ll please check out her adventures. Also free for the holidays is a new flash piece called “Missing You,” hosted over at Tamsin’s Superotica as part of her hot annual advent calendar—please be sure to check out both my story and the others on this holiday countdown!

So, all in all, I’m thrilled to say things are looking up. WAY up.

Just in time for the start of a brand new (and super exciting) year, don’t you think?

XX,
Jade

Sex and Cupcakes: A Sweet and Provocative Read

Posted on March 4, 2015March 4, 2015 by Jade A. Waters

I don’t do many reviews on this blog for several reasons, the biggest being that I’m inundated with technical reading for my day job. So, while I do occasionally squeeze in a book for pleasure, reading one for review is often a juggling act beyond my capacity. The benefit of this unfortunate fact, however, is that I am able to save this space for reviews of things I truly enjoy, books and stories that speak to me on a level I’d relish sharing with others. This is why today, I’m delighted to tell you about Rachel Kramer Bussel’s Sex and Cupcakes.

Rachel Kramer Bussel is a well-known erotica name, but she’s also a woman in the genre I’ve looked up to for years. She’s rocked my world with stories I’d read long before she accepted my first ever published piece (when she left me squealing, of course), and after that, too—both as a writer with a delicious imagination and an editor with a detailed eye and well-pinned finger on the pulse of our crazy market. It’s this latter piece Ms. Bussel takes a bit further than others, and that I most admire; she is virtually everywhere with articles, commentary, and reflections on sex and its various forms of cultural impact. Her words hit right on the mark for me, as she’s got a strong opinion paired with a knack for examining all sides of the issue—which is precisely why I bought Sex and Cupcakes, and why I enjoyed it so much!

This collection of nine essays showcases some of Ms. Bussel’s best commentary while also examining our sexual culture. Pieces such as “I’m Pro-Choice and I Fuck” and “Monogamishmash”—like many of the essays in the book—are thoughtful explorations of what our labels mean, and perhaps more importantly, what they don’t mean, that simultaneously share personal anecdotes and revelations. It’s clear Ms. Bussel doesn’t intend to throw out opinions and jam them into the minds of those she’s writing for; hers is a style full of sophisticated writing and opinion, but with a welcoming approach to every other person’s desire, style, and kink, too. She speaks in “Sorry, But I’m Not a Sexpert” about her sex writing not equating to acting as a sex educator. While I agree this is true, it’s her openness on the page that focuses readers on the idea that things aren’t always what they seem, and which teaches them—albeit indirectly—that in exploring our own sexuality, there is no need to push our wants, kinks, and desires onto others. This open-mindedness is a repeating theme throughout Sex and Cupcakes, and the primary reason her essays held such intrigue.

I am not, in general, a nonfiction reader, but getting an inside peek on the thoughts of one of my idols made this collection even more enjoyable for me. Whether it be Ms. Bussel’s striking and blunt words throughout “My Boyfriend’s Fat,” or her personal confessions on fantasy versus reality in “Champagne Sex,” each essay struck a different and pleasant chord. My personal favorites were “I Have Trouble with Orgasms” and “Sex and Cupcakes.” The former is a smart, important read for most women, a sort of battle cry for the sentiment of “lacking” some feel or are made to feel when this, in truth, is a pretty normal occurrence for many, while the titular piece is a brief memoir exploring the author’s relationship with both sides of her life as erotica writer and cupcake blogger. It was this piece that resonated for me the most, both in my own sensation of having two lives and the perception that goes with each (erotica writer life and “normal” life), and her comments on society’s tendency towards slut-shaming in the name of feminism while still condemning those who choose to speak their erotic truths. I’d say overall, this piece was about balance; so it would seem that as far apart as they sound—the sweetness of cupcakes and the delicious explorations of all things sex—Rachel Kramer Bussel shows us they are a pairing quite meant to go together.

I highly recommend you pick up your copy of Sex and Cupcakes on Amazon.

XX,
Jade

Malin and I Talk Fifty Shades of Grey – in Stereo!

Posted on February 16, 2015February 16, 2015 by Jade A. Waters

As you may well know, Malin James and I are the best of pals. We have a knack for chatter, laughter, and ridiculously good times. So for Valentine’s Day this year, we opted to take ourselves out to see the hugely hyped and widely discussed Fifty Shades of Grey. I mean, we do write erotica and all, so it made sense—and by golly, we were going to go into it open-minded and with the intent of making the best of it.

Here we are before the show:

Pre-Fifty Shades in Our Super Shades

Since we’d both planned to write blog posts on the movie, we had some things to bounce around afterward. But when we found ourselves chatting over our usual Thai lunch with so very many things to say, we got to thinking…what if we just had this chat over a microphone and shared our thoughts in audio with all of you?

So, that’s exactly what we did. We ended up having a smashing good time (so much so that we should probably apologize in advance for how loud the cackling got), and we hope you enjoy our take on this highly debated erotica blockbuster.

Also, I should mention: outtakes. 🙂

And with that…

Malin and Jade Talk Fifty Shades of Grey:

Thank you so much for joining us!

XX,
Jade

The Sexy Librarian’s Big Book of Erotica

Posted on September 24, 2014September 23, 2014 by Jade A. Waters

Hi everyone! Today I’m thrilled to be the next stop on Rose Caraway’s The Sexy Librarian’s Big Book of Erotica tour! This book is positively fabulous—it mixes genres, sex, and one incredibly sexy librarian to meet all sorts of desires. Some of you may recall that I jumped on the live book tour and did a little reading with Ms. Caraway, so I admit, I’m a tad biased. However, this book has so many delicious things going for it, I had to share!

Here’s the thing—beyond the sexy cover (on which the model is “wearing a book,” according to the very clever Ms. Caraway), this isn’t just a book of erotica. It’s a collection of carefully curated stories containing massive variety, which is what’s made it such a delightful read. It truly is a librarian’s anthology, complete with an “old-fashioned” library catalog entry to classify each story. Take, for example, the card from one of my favorites:

As you can see, this special touch not only makes the book fun, but it allows the reader to pick exactly what she or he is in the mood for. (Seriously, why has this never been done before?) In this case, I saw the name Tamsin Flowers (whom most of you know I adore), the category “Superheros” and then the subject “Spandex”—and hello. I was in!

But there’s more than clever cards making this book so great. The sexy librarian herself, Rose Caraway, has done a wonderful job of collecting beautiful, artistic, and oft-literary pieces that take the erotica genre to a whole new level. Take “Mikhael” by Angela Caperton—this was another of my favorites written in an exquisitely dark voice, a voyeuristic supernatural/ghost story with some smoking f/f scenes to spice the whole thing up. Kristina Wright’s “Vivi and the Magic Man” was another lovely twist, mixing fantasy and horror with such a rich gypsy feel I could picture Port City and everything that happened there (and you’ll have to read it to figure out what, but my hint is straight from the catalog card: “Demon Orgy”). While I have a fondness for speculative fiction stories, there were other works in here that added something for everyone— “The Mating Chamber” by Caraway herself takes us on a journey through mating customs in a matriarchal (and seriously sexy) society; “Notes on a Scandal” by Kelly Maher paints a charming library romance complete with love letters; and Kate Maxwell’s “The Skilled Technician” still has me wishing my car would break down, like, stat.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. To whet your appetite, I have an exclusive excerpt to share with you!

From Kay Jaybee’s “Taped”:

Flinging the back doors of his transit van wide open, Ryan called to his girlfriend as she unlocked the industrial-sized greenhouse where they worked. “Are you still up for helping me do the deliveries today, Beth?”

“Sure am.” Beth began to box up some plants ready for loading.

Ryan’s lips curved up suggestively as he took the first tray of flowerpots from her outstretched hands. “Good. A bit of company could be fun.”

Beth couldn’t help but smile back when she saw the mischievous glint in his mahogany eyes. “No need to look so excited, I’m only going to be carrying boxes of flowers in and out of your van.

The That’s what you think, stare Ryan gave her in reply sent a mild stirring of unease tripping down Beth’s spine.

Holding Beth’s gaze, Ryan picked up three thick blankets. “You can start by helping me lay these blankets on the van floor.”

The memory of the fantasy Ryan had shared with her the night before, as they’d rolled around, limbs entangled, on his king-sized bed, suddenly loomed large in Beth’s mind. “You aren’t serious?”

Not sure she wanted to hear Ryan answer her question, Beth busied herself with wrapping extra strips of bubble-wrap around the bases of the flowerpots, giving herself time to remember how to breathe properly. She knew precisely what that dangerously sexy expression on Ryan’s face could mean.

Two months ago, while walking along a beach, he’d shared a seafront fucking fantasy with her. The next minute Beth had been on her hands and knees, her lover’s beautiful cock easing in and out of her, while her nub was tickled with the tip of a hermit-crab shell. The memory of how scared she’d been of someone spotting them while they rutted in the sand, and how aroused the thought of discovery had made her, sent quivers of confused longing through Beth’s chest. The look he’d given her then, and the one Ryan was giving her now, were almost identical.

“You know I’m serious.”

***
Sexy, hmm? So, what you’ll want to do right now is pick up your very own copy of this book. You can buy it on Amazon, at Barnes and Noble, and at Cleis Press.

But wait! I have more news. Want to hear some of these stories live? Rose Caraway will be reading at Books, Inc. in the San Francisco Castro at 7:30pm tonight, and then again tomorrow, September 25th, at the Good Vibes Lakeshore store in Oakland, CA from 6:30 to 8:30pm. I’m extra tickled to be helping her read on this latter date alongside the talented Sinclair Sexsmith! If you can, please join Rose Caraway at one of these events—watching her read from The Sexy Librarian’s Big Book of Erotica is quite a treat!

In the meantime, don’t forget to pick up your copy.

XX,
Jade

A Double Review—Alison Tyler’s Dark Secret Love and The Delicious Torment

Posted on August 7, 2014September 8, 2014 by Jade A. Waters

I’ve said a gazillion times that I love Alison Tyler’s stories, and two of her most delightful works are the first and second book in her Story of Submission series, Dark Secret Love and The Delicious Torment. In anticipation of the third novel, Wrapped Around Your Finger, coming out in barely over a month, it seemed a fine time to share my full thoughts on the beauty contained within the first two books. And—as an ode to Alison Tyler’s work—I figured two at once was the only way to go. 😉

If you have never read an Alison Tyler story, here are the main things you need to know: they are traditionally rich, vivid, and deep, but most importantly, they’re real. Her characters don’t just intrigue you; they jump out of the pages, take your wrists, and drag you into the backseat of a speeding car destined for a journey full of sights, sounds, ideas, and memories. You won’t read her work—you’ll feel it. Part of this is Ms. Tyler’s almost confessional style, but the bulk of the reason is that there’s not just sexy going on, there’s much, much more—images you want to savor, dialogue that makes your heart skip, and truth that makes you tilt your head and breathe out a big, deep sigh before turning the page for more.

The first book, Dark Secret Love, introduces us to a woman named Samantha who has an itch that needs to be scratched—but it’s deeper than that, an essence of being, a real soul-yearning ache that carries us through her early days in BDSM and onward into her relationship with the incredibly sexy Jack. As Ms. Tyler weaves her magic, you can feel everything as raw and tantalizingly sweet as Sam does, both in her head and on her skin. Jack is a Dom who knows exactly what he craves, but also what Sam needs—and he wants to take her there. Some of these places are gritty and raw, but all of them expose who she is and how much he cares for her. His love is hard. It’s rough. It colors in and outside of the lines, sometimes with hues so intense they make you a little uncomfortable. But no matter what, goddamn, it’s good.

In the next book, The Delicious Torment, we follow the budding relationship between Jack and Samantha, and also get a peek at the true role of Jack’s assistant, Alex. The evolution of all three relationships paired with the overall dynamic is powerful as it unfolds. For starters, Sam has been coming into her own and uncovering her true desires, which leads her to deeper connections with Jack. Meanwhile, he is living up to his Dom nature in new and more adventurous ways, making the heat level between these two scorch the pages. But then there’s Alex—a man who’s not as hard as Jack, but equally exciting and intriguing. There is a scene in the middle of this book between Alex and Samantha that—months after reading—has still stuck out to me. This scene is where everything gets more complicated (that’s all I’ll say other than read it), but let’s say it opens up a door—now there are higher stakes, heavier emotions, and as if this book wasn’t already smoking before…well, things just got real fucking hot.

I have many favorite erotic reads, but one of the things that’s always made me love Alison Tyler’s style a bit more is that it’s conversational and fast-paced. I whip through her work quicker than anyone else’s—her writing is rich yet straightforward, not to mention mouth-wateringly captivating. She breaks rules in all the right ways, and her voice is so strong, you can almost picture her winking at you as she wraps you up in all her pretty words and makes you really, truly feel them.

But of course, you’ll probably be too lost in her tale to notice, because she’s that good.

So, if you haven’t already checked out Dark Secret Love and its sequel, The Delicious Torment, I highly suggest you do. And if you’re lucky, you’ll finish just in time to get sucked into the madness like the rest of us, all eagerly awaiting the release of Wrapped Around Your Finger in September.

Enjoy the ride.

XX,
Jade

Last Call for Entries, and Other Delights…

Posted on July 23, 2014September 8, 2014 by Jade A. Waters

Holy smokes! Time is running out! Have you entered the Sexy Mad Libs game for your chance to win a copy of Violet Blue’s The Ultimate Guide to Sexual Fantasy? If not, please do! The deadline is today at 4 pm PST. You can play right here, so consider this your last call…and since you haven’t missed out yet, I hope you’ll play!

Speaking of not missing out…there have been a lot of fireworks going on over here this month. If you missed anything, here was the streak of sizzling excitement that set this place on fire!

First, the fabulous Rose Caraway narrated my story, “Soundscapes,” for the Kiss Me Quick’s Erotica Podcast. It was such an honor and a treat to hear her read my story! You can check out the back story here and listen to the podcast for free right here.
Next, the second episode of Pillow Talk Secrets revealed our fondness for Alison Tyler’s beautifully written Dom, Sandy, from Those Boys. We also talked a bit about how we write Doms in general. Want to know more? Check out the episode right here.
The next day, endlessly awesome A.M. Hartnett came by to reveal all sorts of dirty details about her three books on tour, Uncover Me and the first two books of The Carried Away series. Catch up on that interview right here to learn about the books as well as some fun facts about A.M. herself!
And finally, the amazing Alison Tyler madness continued on Sunday, when she gave me the honor of an exclusive interview with Sandy, the vibrant and incredibly sexy Dom in her new novelette, Those Boys, from Go Deeper Press! Sandy makes me a little giddy, but somehow, I made it through the interview. Please check it out to hear me swoon learn more about this divine character. You will not regret it!

Okay, I think that’s it! Don’t forget to enter the Sexy Mad Libs contest by 4 pm PST today. I’m crossing my fingers and toes for you if you’ve entered, and will announce the winner first thing tomorrow! XX, Jade

Pillow Talk Secrets 2: Those Boys, Alphas and Doms, Oh My!

Posted on July 15, 2014September 8, 2014 by Jade A. Waters

Let the July fireworks continue…it’s time for the second session of Pillow Talk Secrets! Hurray!

Pillow Talk: Erotica Writers Talking Dirty (aka Tamsin Flowers, Malin James, and I) have been quite excited for this particular episode—we managed to get an early copy of Alison Tyler’s Those Boys from Go Deeper Press. This delicious novella is the sequel to Those Girls, and oh my goodness do we have some great things to tell you about it! Malin leads the conversation today about what makes the novella so fantastic. I’ve posted a portion of the conversation here with a link at the end for you to continue at our site, Pillow Talk, to read the rest. Thanks for joining us!

XX,
Jade

Pillow Talk Secrets 2

Malin: Hello ladies!

Tamsin: Hello Malin, hello Jade!

Jade: And hello to both of you!

M: So, I don’t know about you two, but I’m dying to talk to you both about Those Boys. Should we start there?

T: Absolutely. But before we launch in, we should tell people who might not know this is the second book in Alison Tyler’s series that started with Those Girls – both published by Go Deeper Press.

J: Yes, and that we were fortunate enough to score ourselves an early copy of Those Boys – quite possibly because the Universe is just amazing – and wow are we happy about it!

The gorgeous cover for Those Boys, by Alison Tyler. Courtesy of Go Deeper Press.

M: It was a really lovely treat. There’s a lot of food for thought in both the first book, and now the second. For those readers who haven’t read the first book yet, let’s do a really quick run-down.

T: No spoilers!

M: I would never! Okay. Summary not spoilers: it’s told from the POV of a Dom named Sandy. This man is the real deal – a Dom’s Dom. Basically, the novelette is about how he goes about initiating the lovely, slightly stand-offish Vanessa. How’s that?

J: Good – and I want to add this little piece I once read on Alison Tyler’s blog – I can’t remember her exact verbiage, but she said she originally thought Sandy was going to be a she, and then Sandy become this beautifully bisexual Dom. But the key, or the power of Sandy, was that it didn’t matter who he had control over – only that he had that control. The magic is being in his head, because he’s such the Dom’s Dom, as Malin said.

M: And there is magic in his head. You rarely see such a nuanced, authentic portrayal of a dominant in erotica, especially a male dominant, which is a shame.

T: But, I have to admit to a little disappointment with Those Girls, (shock! horror!).

J: What?!

T: Not because it wasn’t brilliant – it was! But it was too damn short! I wanted more. Straight away!

J: Oh well then, in that case…I totally agree.

T: I think Sandy’s character really came into its own, though, in Those Boys. I really got much more of a feel for him – this is a massive development on the first story and with the addition of a new character, Rem, we really get to understand how Sandy’s mind ticks…

Click here to read more!

Vampires, Sex, and Fun—The Crimson Bond, by Tamsin Flowers

Posted on June 18, 2014September 9, 2014 by Jade A. Waters

I love a good vampire novel.

Now, wait—that statement has some major caveats.

First, I like my vampires sexy—don’t we all?—but, there has to be some emotion to the sexiness. The tale can’t just be blood sucking and sex all the time or the characters fall flat on the page.

Second, I want the story to have something different. Vampires have been around for a while, so the tale has to have a unique element or I’m over it.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, I like my vampire stories to be fun.

Well…allow me to introduce you to The Crimson Bond by Tamsin Flowers. About six months ago, Ms. Flowers tickled me with her super sexy zombie collection, Zombie Erotoclypse—and she’s done it again with The Crimson Bond! The story is about a girl named Willow who happens to be rather smitten with her college professor, Etienne Corbeau. He’s hot. He’s mysterious. And oh, by the way—he’s a married vampire. His wife Elouise also intrigues Willow, and in a smokin’ hot scene in which Etienne gets a little too taken with his student, he almost kills her in his feed…and Elouise must turn Willow to save her life. The result is what makes this tale different: the three of them are immediately joined in a triple—or crimson—bond.

However, this bond is complicated. Willow wants both of the vampires, and both of them want her. At the same time, they don’t want the other around. Jealousy ensues. Lots of hot sex in every pairing imaginable fires up the page. And all of it takes place in a sensational romp of a tale written in Tamsin Flowers’s lighthearted, sweet and sexy prose, with characters you can actually engage with. You can’t help but wonder how Willow will fare between these two lusty, possessive, and deliciously gorgeous vampires, while also rooting all of them on.

In short? The tale is exactly what I look for in a vampire book—it is unique, sexy, and fun.

The second book in this series, The Scarlet Bond, is set for release this summer. I have a feeling it will be just as delightful, so if you haven’t read the first one yet…

You better get on it!

XX,
Jade

A Tattoo to Warm the Heart

Posted on December 18, 2013September 14, 2014 by Jade A. Waters

As promised, I’m here today with a special surprise—my first guest ever! I’m delighted to host the wonderful Tamsin Flowers today, who has not only hosted some of my excerpts over on her website, but who has also warmed my heart with a romantic and sexy story: The Christmas Tattoo.

I posted an official review of The Christmas Tattoo on Amazon, but here’s the skinny on this fabulous guest of mine: Tamsin has a true knack for mixing the sweet and sultry. Each time I read her work, I find myself smiling at her ability to merge warmth and romance with erotic sex in believable, relatable characters—and in the case of The Christmas Tattoo, I was completely charmed. Read on for a blurb, excerpt, buy links, and a little more info about Tamsin Flowers!

Here’s the blurb for The Christmas Tattoo:

When sexy red-head Bradie Clements comes home from Washington to nurse a broken heart and build bridges with her estranged father, she’s certainly not on the lookout for romance. After catching her boyfriend Kris in bed with her best friend and boss, all she wants to do is run and hide. But a chance encounter with local tattoo artist Colton Bassett leads to an unexpected appointment with his needle. Even though it’s cold outside, the temperature rises to boiling point as the two discover an irresistible attraction. But then Kris arrives on the scene to claim her back in time for his family Christmas and Bradie starts to remember what she saw in him. Tormented by jealousy and suspicion over Colton’s pregnant business partner, Bradie starts to wonder if her new romance is over before it’s begun…

Enjoy a sexy excerpt:

Bradie followed him through to a small studio. The walls in here had the same patchwork of designs and there were two work stations, one with a black reclining barber chair and the other, a sort of articulated massage bench which could be arranged into a range of positions. A work station along one wall carried the tattoo artists’ equipment: a huge selection of ink bottles and a number of scary devices that looked for all the world like medieval torture instruments.

Bradie considered them and swallowed hard.

“Take a seat,” said Colt, going over to the bench and picking up a particularly vicious-looking instrument.

Bradie backed up and found the back of her thighs pressing against the arm of the barber chair.

“Sit. I can’t do you standing up.”

Bradie stumbled back into the seat, her breathing suddenly faster and the sound of her heartbeat drumming in her ears.

“But… I haven’t told you…”

Colt advanced on her and pressed a button on the device. A sudden whirring noise whined out of it.

“Wait…”

Colt towered over her now. He turned the gadget off.

“You don’t remember me, do you, Bradie Clements?”

Bradie sat bolt upright.

“From?”

Colt rolled his eyes.

“School. Only four years in the same homeroom, Bradie. We even went on a date once. But the less said about it the better.”

Bradie closed her eyes and delved back in time. The height… the dark eyes… a date to the movies.

“Colton Bassett? But you had black hair at school. And you were skinny.”

“Okay, enough,” said Colt, running a hand through his blonde hair. “It figures, I’ve changed. But you haven’t. Still the long red hair.”

“So why didn’t you say anything on the train?” said Bradie.

Colt put down the tattoo gun and perched on the edge of the massage table.

“I saw you and I remembered the date. I didn’t want to remind you of it.”

Bradie could see why. It had ended in disaster. She had been an innocent co-ed and Colt had tried to feel her up in the back row. She’d panicked and run out of the theatre and then spent the rest of the school year regretting it. The blood rose to her cheeks again. Shit, why did he keep having this effect on her.

“And now?” she said.

“Probably better to get it out in the open if you’re gonna be in town for a bit. Look, I’m sorry for the way I behaved back then.”

“No, I am. I always wished I’d stayed in there.”

WTF? She had some sort of runaway mouth on her this morning. She bit her lip.

“That came out wrong.”

“I’ll change the subject,” said Colt. “So what sort of tatt do you want?”

Bradie thought for a moment and then shrugged.

“A Santa sleigh?”

Colt laughed.

“Or perhaps a candy cane?” he said. “They’re always popular. But seriously?”

“I had a bad year, so something that means a new beginning maybe. Perhaps a few words or a quote.”

“Where would you have it?”

“Not on my arm or leg. Somewhere more private. My hip, maybe?”

The room seemed suddenly smaller, hotter. Colt stood up.

“Show me.”

With shaking fingers Bradie popped the top button of her jeans and tugged the zip halfway undone. Then she pushed the waist band down a way to expose the jut of her hip bone.

“Here,” she said. It came out a whisper.

Colt came closer. He ran his thumb over the place she indicated, brushing the top of her black lace panties. His warm skin hummed against hers but his touch sent a red hot jolt of current up through her. Her breath caught in her throat as she was suddenly overwhelmed with a desire to stroke his skin in return.

“It’ll hurt, across the bone there.”

He moved his thumb a little closer to her navel, pushing the black lace and denim down a fraction further.

“Whereas here would be less painful.”

Bradie’s eyes met his. Colton Bassett. Her teenage crush. And now with his hands back where they’d been once before. Their eyes locked and his face came closer. Bradie took a deep breath as a surge of adrenalin, lust and anticipation flooded through her. Was this about to happen?

The Christmas Tattoo is available at Amazon.com, Amazon UK, Kobo, and Xcite Books.

Tamsin Flowers loves to write light-hearted erotica, often with a twist in the tail/tale and a sense of fun. In the words of one reviewer, “Ms Flowers has a way of describing sexual tension that forces itself upon your own body.” Her stories have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and she is now graduating to novellas, for publishers including Cleis Press, Xcite Books, Secret Cravings and Totally Bound. This year, she entered NaNoWriMo, with the intention of penning her magnum opus in the very near future. In the meantime, like most erotica writers, she finds herself working on at least ten stories at once: while she figures out whose leg belongs in which story, you can find out more about her at Tamsin’s Superotica or Tamsin Flowers.