Fred and Ginger


Isobel Starling - 2015
    His boss had closed the bakery on the 23rd of December, and Chris was looking forward to some well needed time off, and Christmas ALONE. But then his boss calls him with a last minute order—the order of his dreams—to bake for his movie idol, actor Jason Beck.Just as he is about to deliver the order, Chris’s dreams are turned upside down by an explosive, fateful meeting with Fred, an errant Chocolate Labrador. The dog’s owner turns out to be Robin Summers, a one night stand from months before...the man that Chris could not forget..Wordcount:12k

The Gentleman and the Lamplighter


Summer Devon - 2015
    Destroyed by the death of his former schoolmate yet unable to show it publicly, Giles Fullerton has taken to walking the streets of London in the middle of the night, the only time he can safely mourn the only person he’s ever loved—until one chance meeting with a lamplighter changes everything…. But You Can Walk Toward It... Widower John Banks knows a thing or two about grief, and immediately recognizes a kindred spirit when he finally meets the handsome, haunted gentleman he’s admired from afar. And in fact, the two men discover shared passions and the possibility of a forever love—if they can overcome social taboos, and their own fears….

A Great Miracle Happened There


Kim Fielding - 2012
    Even meeting handsome chef Mac Appel fails to cheer him up because Jude knows the most he could hope for is a one-night stand. But one night turns into two and then more. Maybe Mac can bring some warmth into Jude's holiday season.

Runescribe


Megan Derr - 2018
    A runescribe meets with disaster on his way to a job interview.-Near-blind without his glasses, regarded as a burden to his family, Tyri left his clan to attempt a career as a runescribe in the city. But finding a job proves more difficult than anticipated, and his last hope to avoid being thrown out on the streets depends on the interview he has that morning. A morning immediately ruined by way of a storm and a stranger who accidentally breaks his glasses.

The Bitter Rednesses of Love


Dominique Frost - 2013
    Anthony needs Stephen's money, and Stephen has been pledged to Anthony since birth.Yet, they are absolute opposites. Will their marriage prove intolerable to them both, or will they find a happy equilibrium, instead? As Anthony teaches Stephen the pleasures of the body, will Stephen be able to teach Anthony the pleasures of the heart?

Between the Devil and the Pacific Blue


Charlie Cochet - 2015
    his rounds lead him to the radio room where the handsome and mysterious Franklin Fairchild sits listening to waltzes as old as the hotel itself. James is drawn to Franklin, but Franklin is a man at the end of his rope, and James has no intention of getting caught up in whatever trouble Franklin is in. A heated encounter late one night sends James down a disturbing path and has him questioning everything around him, including his very sanity.

To Feel the Sun


Marie Sexton - 2013
    Very sweet.This story also available in print in the anthology Ever After: The Collected Short Works of Marie Sexton.

Escorting the Escort


Lyssa Dering - 2017
    But that changes when he meets Greer, his scrappy, tatted-up new driver whose harsh exterior hides a tender heart. Greer's naked honesty and instant, obvious crush on Eden spur Eden to have a little fun playing with him, but quicker than either of them expected, that play turns into something real.One-sided sexual encounters are no big deal to Eden. But Greer demands more: he wants to bring Eden true pleasure. For Eden, who has only been attracted to one man he never got to touch, this feels impossible. He's trained himself to get hard during appointments, but what if he can't with Greer?Greer, who isn't out as bisexual to his friends, is used to one-night stands via hookup apps. But Eden is something special. Greer is willing to do whatever it takes for the chance to get Eden off—and make him happy.Word count: 21,000

A Pint of Beer, a Bag of Chips, and Thou


J.L. Merrow - 2015
    He’d much rather have the gorgeous older man he sees every day while busking at King’s Cross station. Liam’s been doing his best to seduce the guy with his saxophone playing -- the trouble is, with the holidays coming up, he’s beginning to despair of his message getting through.But with a little Christmas magic in the air, maybe those garish garments will be just the thing for attracting the attention of a silver fox ...Previously published in the Winter Warmers anthology.

Goblins, Book One


Melanie Tushmore - 2013
    It is said that if a human catches the eye of one of the fey, they are either doomed or blessed.Wulfren & the WarlockWhen Wulfren wakes from a strange dream of a human captor with long silver hair, and grey eyes, his brothers tell him they rescued him from a warlock, and take Wulfren back home to the goblin king's palace. But Wulfren isn’t so sure the matter is that simple. Why was he missing so long? What are the strange dreams of the beautiful man with the silver hair? Dalliances with humans are severely frowned upon, especially by Wulfren’s father, but Wulfren is willing to risk the scorn of his family to find the human who haunts his dreams.Quiller & the Runaway PrinceAfter a hard winter, Quiller is sent deep into the forest on a family errand, and is surprised when a human stumbles into his path. Quiller swoops in to pester him, perhaps even eat him, but there is something special about the human: his scent is royal, though he protests that he is not, and soon Quiller finds himself agreeing to help the human with his troubles—in exchange for a kiss.

Dangerous Territory


Cari Z. - 2016
    His only chance at holding onto his inheritance is to get his cattle to market before his brother-in-law. That means braving Mason Canyon, which on top of being snake-infested and easily flooded, is also shifter territory. Most clans would just as soon shoot humans as look at them.His only hope of making it is to trust the shifter who's agreed to help him, and pray that Rani won’t double-cross him. If Carter doesn't go he loses everything, and if he doesn't make it there his family is as good as dead.

Christmas Wish


Cole Bates - 2016
    His design business has been quiet all year, but in December, it always picks up – and this year, he really needs the money. Trouble is, they cut off his internet in November, so now he needs to spend all day in a coffee shop if he wants to get any work done. Shame about having to buy coffee to keep himself in business. He can barely afford it. Cue Stef Tucker. Stef is a barista with an optimistic mind and an eye for troubled souls. Seeing Misha struggle, he’s kind enough to cover a few cups of coffee for him per day. At first, Misha feels inclined to point out that he’s not gay – that if this is flirting, then it’s not going to get anywhere. But the more time they spend together, the more Misha realizes that Stef just has a good heart… and that he might have spoken too soon when he said it’d never happen. Can Misha get himself together before Stef gives in and goes back to Jake, the pragmatic ex-boyfriend who canned him last Christmas? Can Stef’s generosity hold out until Misha’s standing back on his own two feet? Only one thing’s for sure – baby, it’s cold outside, and they’re going to need to give it everything they’ve got to stay warm this Christmas. This story is approximately 30,000 words.

Eidolon


Jordan L. Hawk - 2014
    Percival Endicott Whyborne. Dinner at a fancy restaurant, an evening at the theater, and a romantic interlude at home should do the trick. But a new client with an urgent case puts Griffin’s plans in jeopardy. A magic talisman has been stolen, and if it isn’t returned by sundown, it may unleash disaster not only on the thief but the innocents around him.Can Whyborne and Griffin track down the thief and return the amulet by nightfall, or will dinner reservations become the least of their worries?

The Santa Mug


Patric Michael - 2009
    Darren agrees and is immediately overwhelmed by Max's large, boisterous family. He tries to retreat behind familiar barriers, but Max has other ideas for the reclusive young man. It's not until Max delivers Marlon's last Christmas gift, four years late, that Darren truly understands that love is the greatest gift of all.

Time To Wake Up


E.M. Lindsey - 2017
    Unfortunately, Ilan’s boss has other ideas. Sent to the hot, Arizona desert, Ilan must dedicate himself to writing a Week In the Life Of Rafael Flores–a former Olympic runner whose career was cut short when a tragic accident took his leg. Unsure what to make of the assignment, or the happy-go-lucky cowboy, Ilan finds himself in foreign territory. But he’s soon swept away by the beauty of the South West, and the sunny smile of a man who doesn’t seem to want to let him walk away. Ilan has spent half his life asleep, he thinks, but when Rafael looks at him, he wonders if maybe it’s not time to wake up.