Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

I begin, if I'm touching him or he's touching me, our bodies joined in the most exquisite surrender as I offer him everything that I am, and I claim everything that he is. We belong to each other, I know that now, I've always known it, and I'm not afraid anymore because I know I'll never lose him, and he'll never lose me. This is it, for both of us. This is the rest of forever.
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    Six months later, we're back in the same bar with our friends. This time, it's Paulie on the dais with the microphone, Paulie who drops to one knee. And this time, I don't run out.
    THE END
    Author bio: Indie author, queer theorist, sometime recluse and occasional binge drinker, Kate Aaron lives in Cheshire, England with two dogs who won't behave, a parrot that won't talk and a tank full of fish that won't even acknowledge her unless it's dinnertime.
    She has the best of friends, the worst of enemies, and a mischievous muse with a passion for storytelling that doesn't know the difference between fact and fiction.
    Kate writes fantasy and contemporary mm romances and loves to hear from her readers: she can be found hanging around Twitter , Facebook , and Goodreads
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THE ROAD TO HELL
    by Sara York

    Two priests, one Caucasian the other black, about to kiss.

    Dear Author
    We are damned to hell. Please forgive me.
    Sincerely,
    Sara

    genre: suspense
    tags: private detective; ex-military; abduction; Mexico; priest
    content warnings: this story features the abduction of minors
    word count: 12,108
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    THE ROAD TO HELL
    by Sara York
    MacKinzy Devero sank to his knees and closed his eyes. He loved this position, but this time was different. This time he was supposed to be praying. He had no freaking clue what to say to God, other than to beg his way out of this mess. How the hell had he ended up here, in the middle of Mexico with priest robes over his clothes and a set of rosary beads around his neck? Mac cracked open his eyes and spied Grayson, his best bud and longtime friend. His heart squeezed as he watched Grayson's lips move. A long time ago he'd vowed to protect Gray. That's how he'd ended up here.
    With their daily prayers said the chores started, then there were more prayers and finally a break at around four. During their down time was when he and Grayson planned on searching the basement for the Carpenter kids. Tyler and Cassidy Carpenter had gone missing five days ago. The couple knew Grayson from high school and before Mac even heard the case, Grayson said yes. Not that he wouldn't have helped the kids, but this case had proved to be a bitch and the parents a bit slimy. Their trail led Grayson and Mac to Mexico, to this monastery.
    An uncomfortable twisting in his gut settled in shortly after arriving yesterday and grew worse as the morning progressed. Mac and Grayson were allowed into the monastery because of the letters of recommendation they'd forged, but a couple of the priests had been suspicious. Their eyes gave them away. That and the way the monks snuck around, hanging outside of Mac and Grayson's bedroom.
    Another thing leaving him uneasy and out of whack was the kiss. He and Grayson had been friends for forever, and would have stayed just friends had they not shared one amazing kiss, which had blown his mind and left him wanting. Fuck, his dick had plumped up while thinking about the simple brush of Grayson's pink lips against his dark cherry ones. In the end, nothing had been simple about it. Everything had changed since then. Grayson wouldn't look him in the eye for more than a second now. He needed to settle this tonight. They couldn't continue on like this. Heck, he sure as hell wasn't ready to stop working with Grayson because he needed the guy. Their best bud status could easily mutate into so much more, if Grayson allowed him to get past first base.
    Mac switched teams a few years back, moving from pussyville to sucking cock. It had taken him long enough to openly acknowledge his own desires, and he wished Grayson would admit his interest. Two days ago, when they were at the bottom of Copper Canyon with two Mara Salvatrucha gang members holding them at gunpoint, everything had been different. One of the MS dudes went to attack but Grayson did some jump snap kick thing and dropped one of the assholes. The other proved easy to take down. After the two dickheads were down, he'd grabbed Grayson, hugging him. Grayson had tilted his head back, the air between them grew thick and the jerk of