A few minutes later, Toby heard the sound of tile clattering together, so he padded back downstairs to find Ven sweeping up broken tile in the kitchen. He’d taken off his coat and draped it over the counter, giving Toby a clear view of his strong arms and barely-covered chest.
“Ven…” Toby sighed, leaning against the archway leading into the kitchen. “Let me clean up. You’re off the clock, remember?”
Ven tossed his head so that his hair swung out of his way. No wonder he kept it tied up at work. Even so, it was a shame to keep all that sleek, long hair hidden all day long. “I don’t want the boys to cut their paws,” he said, smiling at Toby. “It’s no trouble. Not like I was planning on being asleep right now or anything.”
“It doesn’t look like it, no,” Toby agreed, and then realized what he’d said. Yeah, Ven looked like he’d been out to get laid, but if he wasn’t interested, it was really impolite to press the issue. Still, damn, the man looked good. Blade, lying down where he wouldn’t hurt himself, let out a long-suffering whine. Toby felt the same way.
Ven tossed the last dustpan of tile fragments into a cardboard box and left the pan and broom there. “If things went like I expected, I’d never have any fun surprises.” He dusted off his hands and looked Toby over as he came closer. “You sure you’re okay with staying here alone?” he asked, slipping his hands into his pockets.
Maybe Toby had been wrong about Ven not being interested. That would be a fun surprise. He raised his eyebrows a little, a grin tugging at his lips. “You offering to keep me company?”
“Yes.” The answer was as calm and neutral as if Ven was working. He stopped just a little too close to be outside Toby’s personal space. “If you’d like my company.”
Ven echoed Toby’s smile, and Toby echoed Ven. “Yes.” He reached out to pluck lightly at the sheer, clingy shirt Ven wore. “You’re pretty good at this. No matter what I’m wearing, you manage to make me feel under-dressed. Suits, jeans, you’ve always got something to top it.” Even when they were both wearing jeans, Ven’s jeans were more worn, more lived-in. Some days, it made Toby feel like he was wearing sneakers in the courtroom. Tonight, it just made him feel lucky he got to look.
“Me?” Ven laughed and stepped a little closer. Toby tipped his head back. They were about the same height, but Ven’s boots made him taller. “You’re the one who shows up looking like you walked out of GQ every day.” He leaned in, and Toby tilted his head, ready for the kiss. “If we’re being honest,” Ven murmured, “I’d rather make you feel undressed instead of under- dressed.”
“I think we can probably arrange that,” Toby said, closing the last of the distance between their lips. Toby had wanted to kiss Ven since the day Ven had shown him the hardwood floors. Ven had joked that Toby would want to kiss him for the surprise, and he’d been right, though Toby hadn’t done it. Now, though, it was more invitation than teasing, so Toby angled his head a little more, flicking his tongue out to tease at the seam of Ven’s lips.
Ven slid a hand into Toby’s hair and kissed him as expertly and thoroughly as he did everything else. He hooked a finger through a belt loop of Toby’s jeans and pulled him closer. Toby didn’t resist at all. Ven kissed like he was enjoying it, getting messy and hungry as he explored Toby’s mouth with his tongue. Toby made soft, pleased sounds, curling one hand around the back of Ven’s neck and the other around his hip. It hadn’t been a good day, but Toby’s night was definitely looking up.
“Pretty, isn’t he?”
Ross thought Lindy was talking about Tau, and he was about to answer, when Tau said, “He’s beautiful.”
Ross didn’t know what to say to that, so he leaned up, catching Tau’s mouth with his own and preventing either of them from saying anything more. Lindy made a pleased sound and Tau echoed her when Ross licked at his lips. He teased his way inside, his tongue sliding against Tau’s. When Tau sucked gently at Ross’ tongue, Ross was the one making pleased sounds, moaning quietly.
The sounds seemed to energize Tau. He pushed up over Ross, pressing him down onto his back on the bed, and bit at his lower lip. That just made Ross moan again. He loved the sharp edge of Lindy’s teeth on his skin, and Tau’s teeth felt just as good. Ross threaded his fingers into Tau’s hair and whined, asking for more. He bumped into another set of fingers, Lindy’s, and felt her tug Tau back from him. He whined again, but she didn’t stop, and soon their kiss was broken.
“Up,” she said. “Get up.” When Tau sat up, Ross could see that Lindy was already naked behind him. She reached around Tau’s body to start unbuttoning Ross’ nightshirt. “I’m feeling a little lonely here,” she murmured, when she’d gotten the shirt undone. She grinned, running her hands down her body. Ross’ eyes followed her hands. Tau noticed and turned around to see, too.
“Yeah,” he purred, showing his sharp teeth in a grin of his own. Tau pulled his shirt off over his head and tossed it on the floor, then shifted to get at his pants. Ross shrugged out of his nightshirt, pushed off his shorts, and then he just laid back and watched. Lindy was gorgeous, and Tau looked just as good.
Tau had to stand up to get his pants off, which made the view even better. His body was gold all over, sleek and muscular. There was a thin trail of tawny fur that led from his navel down between his legs. Ross wondered what it would be like to follow the trail with his tongue. Before he could get up and find out for himself, Lindy crawled up over his body, licking at skin and feathers alike.
When she got up to his mouth, Ross rolled them both over, biting at her lips the way Tau had bitten at his. She hissed in pleasure and pushed up to kiss him, hard. The kisses were so good that he almost forgot Tau was there, until the pressure of Tau’s hard cock against the curve of his ass made forgetting Tau’s presence impossible. Ross groaned into the kisses and pushed back against Tau, inviting more.
I’ll be hosting the Torquere Social Happy Hour LiveJournal on Sunday, 31 August. That’s the same day my partner is participating in The Human Race, so expect to hear a lot about athletes!
You can also expect to hear lots about Renovations (my Chaser series with Anah Crow), the shapeshifter menage a trois series I’ve been writing (starting with “Birds of a Feather”, which is out now in the Love Bites anthology), and several stories Anah and I have coming out in September!
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Dianne Fox introduces some unique shapeshifters. Ross is unable to shift, stuck as part bird and part human, and easy prey for a gang of bullies. His only supporter is Lindy, a snake shifter, who takes care of him but cannot protect him. After being rescued from his tormentors by Tau, a lion, his situation goes from bad to worse. Ross comes to realize that he has not one but two people looking out for him, wanting to take a bite out of him. These three very different people show that love and compassion can cross all types of boundaries ~ and species.”
-Emily, Rainbow Reviews (read the review here.)
We have absolutely beautiful bookmarks and bookcovers for Renovations, just for you! All you have to do to get one is answer a few little questions…
1. What is Toby’s last name?
2. What is Ven’s last name?
3. What song does Ven sing in Renovations 1: Flipping Out?
4. What is Toby’s favorite flavor of donut?
5. What is Ven’s favorite flavor of donut?
Send your answers in EMAIL to fox.dianne@gmail.com by 12noon EST by MONDAY, August 4.
We’ll pick out TWO random winners from the entries with correct answers to receive the prize packs, which will include:
* a Renovations bookmark signed by the authors
* a Renovations bookcover flat (with original commissioned artwork) signed by the authors
* and other fun surprises!
The Renovations series came about after a long day of watching “Flip That House” on television. I was talking to Anah Crow, my lovely writing partner, and suggested that we needed to write a romance story about a house flipper and his contractor, and how they grow closer during the stress of the flipping process. Well, my one story idea turned into a whole series!
Renovations 1: Flipping Out is now available!
Toby is a lawyer who spends his free time “flipping” houses, which means buying a fixer-upper and selling it once it’s cleaned up. He met contractor Ven on his last flip, and decided he liked the guy a lot. He likes Ven’s work ethic, his style, and maybe a lot more.
One evening when Toby gets home late from work and finds the place has been vandalized, he calls Ven, who cuts short his night out clubbing and comes to help clean up and brings his two guard dogs to keep the place safe overnight. Can Toby convince Ven to stay and help out with more than just security?
Love Bites is here!
One neck. Two sets of bites. Or bruises. Maybe hickeys. What more could a guy, or girl, ask for? Three lovers, three hot bodies; if you love ménage stories, then Love Bites has it all. From modern day working folks to werewolves and vampires to rock stars, the men and women of Love Bites generate enough heat to make us sweat, to keep us warm on even the coldest night.
In my story “Birds of a Feather”, more than one unusual shapeshifter finds out that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Buy Love Bites in print or ebook here
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My first newsletter (which will be seasonal/quarterly) is now available. The newsletter includes sneak previews of upcoming releases, notes about events and appearances, and a calendar of new and upcoming releases. Check it out!
Dianne Fox Newsletter - July 08
Anah Crow and I will be hosting the Torquere Press Social LiveJournal on June 20 and 21 to celebrate the upcoming release of the first novelette in our Renovations trilogy. Flipping Out will be available from Torquere Press in July, and we’ll be talking all about it (and the other stories in the series) on June 20 and 21 at the Torquere Press Social LiveJournal. Come join us!
This is set after Ghost Notes. It was written to a prompt by Syd McGinley while I was hosting the Torquere Social LiveJournal.
“You can’t be serious.” Becky frowned at Sam, crossing her arms over her chest.
“What? It’s the season finale!”
“No way.” Becky shook her head. “I love you, honey, but I’m not watching ER with you. That show totally jumped the shark when the killed off Dr. Romano. A helicopter? You must be kidding.”
Sam started to protest, but Becky rushed on. “Besides, the guy from Full House is on there! I can’t watch Uncle Jesse dramatically saving people’s lives. I’ll keep waiting for the Olsen twins to show up.”
“Fine,” Sam muttered, “but we’re not watching CSI: Miami’s season finale then, either.”
