If you liked the Office Affairs collection...

Part of what makes an office affair so exciting is the forbidden aspect of it. If you liked this pax collection, Amber Allure has another that just might be up your alley.

Forbidden Liaisons is a collection of five m/m stories, all telling the tale about a romance that should not be. Stories include:

April Sun in Cuba by A.J. Llewellyn

Frequently, Secretly by Carolina Valdez

Nothing of a Sun by L.A. Witt

Sinking in Sand by D.J. Manly

Sub Zero by Angel Martinez

The collection is currently 25% off, which means you get all five stories for only $18.00. Now that's a deal!

Office Affairs winner

The end of the week means the end of our giveaway. Who's the lucky person to win a copy of the entire copy of the Office Affairs pax collection? It is...

Natalija!

We have your email address, so expect a message from us very soon.

Thank you to everyone for taking part in celebrating our new release!

Working It Out by Sean Michael

I really enjoy working with the PAX stories -- five authors take the same theme and run with it and you get five very different stories.

For the Office PAX, Affton and Lukas invaded my brain and ran with the story. It's such a good feeling when the story zooms -- they should all work like that!

It's also great when two characters who've fallen apart and are broken, manage to find each other again and start healing together.

I hope you enjoy reading Affton and Lukas' story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Four years ago, Luke walked out on Affton while he was still sleeping, leaving only a quick “I can’t do this” email behind. Affton has spent those four years focused on his career, a now-successful one at that. So when Affton encounters Luke in the graphics department of the company for which he now works, it rocks his world.

Insisting that Luke owes him a coffee at least, Affton finds his world further rocked when he learns why Luke left him in the first place. Can he convince Luke that he isn’t the man Luke believes him to be and that they deserve a second chance? Or will he be fated to watch Luke run away from him yet again?

*_*_*_*

“God, he’s a prick.”

Luke shrugged. “He’s a businessman.” And an ex. And he wasn’t supposed to have to see the bastard, ever. His oldest friend was head of HR and promised him that the job would be worth the risk.

“Well, someone has to work on this crappy piece of shit account.” Louise handed the file over to him.

“I’m not dealing with him. I’ll design the logo.” It wouldn’t take him three hours. Hell, he’d have it done before he left for the day.

“Just drop the file back in his office when you leave. He’ll be gone by then. You know the execs—they’re never in the office after lunch.” She made a disparaging face.

“Okay. Just let me work. I’ll get on it.” Luke took the file. “I’ll email it.” He couldn’t see Affton again. He couldn’t. Not after… He shook his head. He wasn’t going there.

“Just don’t get us fired, kid.”

“I won’t. I got this.” Static design was a no-brainer. 

She patted his shoulder and headed back to her cubicle.

Luke did the work, sent the file, forcing himself not to think, then he grabbed his stuff. He’d finish the rest of his shit from home. He got on the elevator without looking, only realizing his mistake as a choked noise sounded. He looked up, and up, right into Affton’s eyes as the doors slid closed. He didn’t say a word, he couldn’t. His throat just closed up. He’d never been so happy, as he’d been with this man.

“Luke.” The word came out strangled. He didn’t know if it was an acknowledgement or accusation.

“Affie. I. Did you get your file?” Oh, God.

“I got it.” Affton bit the words out. “I didn’t know you were working for Fillian.”

“For about a year. Don got me the job. I work from home.”

“You’re here today.” Was that an accusation?

“Yeah. Louise asked me to.”

Affton stared at him for a long moment and then—thank God—the elevator doors opened.

He made to hurry out, but Affton grabbed his arm, tugged him to the side. “Let’s get a drink.”

“A drink?” Oh, God. No one had touched him in so long…

“Coffee, a beer. I don’t care where we go, but I think you owe me an explanation.”

“Coffee. I don’t drink.” Ever.

“There’s a shop across the street.”

Eddie’s would be quiet this time of day, too.

God, he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t. He needed his job, though. He had rent. Bills. “Okay. One cup of coffee.”

Affton nodded, hand sliding around his arm, holding on as they left the building and headed across the street.

His shirt tugged off his shoulder, baring his skin and he pulled it up. “I won’t run away.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.”

He didn’t have anything to say to that.

They went up to the counter and Affton ordered for them both. The man still remembered how he took his coffee. Luke wanted to just sit down and sob.

“Was the file okay?” he asked.

“I don’t care about the fucking file.”

“You sure cared about it three hours ago.”

“Yeah, well. I’ve had three hours to think since I saw you for the first time since you walked out on me without so much as a good-bye.”

The coffees came and they sat, and Luke just stared at the steam coming from the latte.

“I was hoping you’d have an explanation for me.” The words weren’t loud or angry, they were quiet. Hurt.

“I…” Like stared at his hands and the images from that awful night played out in his head. Bright lights. A group of men. Liquor. Music. “How could you think I’d stay, Affie?”

“What?” Affton frowned at him. “I loved you, why wouldn’t I think you’d stay?”

“If you loved me… Why did you do it?” Why on earth would Affton take him to a party and…give him to a group of men like he was worthless?

“Do what? What is it I’m supposed to have done?” How could Affton look so earnest?

He drank his coffee, the heat scalding his tongue.

“Damn it, Luke, if you’re going to accuse me of doing something so horrible you’d leave, you’d better actually accuse me.”

“You let them drug me. Let them hurt me, touch me.” He put the coffee down, stomach acidic and hurting. “I just… I need to go home. I don’t want… I need to go home.”

“What? Baby? What the hell are you talking about?” All the color had drained out of Affton’s face. “Who drugged you? Touched you?”

“I can’t do this. I…I loved you. I really did. You’re like the only guy I ever wanted.” He stood, shaking. “I have to go.”

Affie stood, too. “You can’t go. Who hurt you? I would never let anyone hurt you. Luke?”

“They drugged me, your friends. Downstairs. A fucking roofie? I called for you and they said I was a present from you.” He’d always hated those parties, everyone pretending to be friends, but that… Luke shuddered and just headed out. He couldn’t do this.

The wind was howling, a rainstorm threatening, and he just kept walking. He thought he heard his name, but he didn’t turn. He couldn’t. He nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Luke. My God. I would never do anything like that to you! How could you think I would? Are you all right? Did they hurt you? Why didn’t you call the cops?”

“I just want to go home.” He’d always hated those parties.

“I’ll take you home. I’ll do anything you want. Please. I had no idea. I loved you. I would never….” Affie shook his head, shuddered. “I loved you, too.”

Luke’s eyes filled with tears and he took off, running hard. God. God, he couldn’t do this.

Sean Michael

smut fixes everything

www.seanmichaelwrites.com

*_*_*_*

Working It Out by Sean Michael is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

Who Moved My Holepunch? … and other office mysteries by Anne Brooke

Darren Fording works as a Senior Timetabling Officer for his local college. When Max Sheldon arrives to take over as Acting Registrar, Darren finds himself consumed by lust for his new boss and making the kind of decisions he as a stuck-in-his-ways administrator has never made before.

When Darren initiates a full-on kiss during a meeting with Max, the enthusiasm of the Registrar's response takes him by surprise. Max is reluctant to pursue a relationship with an employee, but Darren is equally determined not to take no for an answer. Can he prove his worth to the man he's beginning to love and show him he's a dab hand at educational politics as well?

Office life can be full of surprises. In my time, I’ve worked in offices within insurance, IT consultancy, and with architects, accountants and, yes, at colleges and universities too – where Who Moved My Holepunch? is set. I’ve even been a Timetabling Officer myself, which could be really rather terrifying, especially when something goes horribly wrong. I’m absolutely sure some rooms used to disappear regularly from my list of buildings and never return … Then again, geography has never been my strong point so maybe I just got confused now and again. Or there might indeed have been somebody out there with a large mallet and a destruction fixation – you never know.

Anyway, a great deal of timetabling confusion certainly happens here in my story – though I couldn’t possibly comment on exactly how accurate the scenario with the Inspectors actually is for fear of future reprisals from the innocent (say no more!...). So Darren finds he has a lot on his plate with his job – and also even more on his plate with the sudden arrival of Max, his new boss. It’s true what they say – love can happen anywhere and often when you least expect it.

Thank goodness then for Darren’s trusty holepunch to get him through the day. I’m a great believer in the essential value of coloured paperclips myself, but Darren has an entirely different kind of obsession. And how exactly can a piece of office equipment, however useful, help to teach our hero a valuable lesson in life? You’ll have to read the story in order to find out …

In the meantime, here’s an extract from Darren’s rollercoaster working day to whet your appetite:

*_*_*_*

In the corridor, everything was quiet, most students having gone home at four-thirty. The few evening classes the college offered wouldn’t start for another couple of hours. Funny how quickly the bustle and sense of purpose could vanish. Darren hated the long summer vacation when nothing at all was urgent. He liked to live his working life at a run.

He was pondering on what kind of projects could be useful for the summer, when he turned the corner into the reception area and all but stumbled over Max Sheldon, the acting registrar, who was standing next to the coffee machine just about to take a sip from one of their large polystyrene cups.

The next few seconds was inevitable. To Darren, it all seemed to happen in slow motion, but, sadly, not slow enough to give either of them the chance to change anything. He moved to his left and Max moved to his right. It was like dancing, but without the music, the romance or the rhythm. It brought the two of them into direct collision and the coffee spilt sideways right over the registrar’s jacket.

“Oh heavens, I’m so sorry,” Darren said with a moan, at the same time flapping at the stain, as if he could wipe the last few seconds entirely away simply with the power of thought. “I didn’t realize you were there.”

“No, I didn’t think you did,” said Max. “Usually, it takes a couple of weeks for anyone to hate a registrar so much they’d sabotage his best suit.”

“Really? I thought it was only a couple of days,” Darren replied, then glanced up just as Max grabbed his wrist to stop his pathetic attempts at putting things right.

It was then that it happened. That completely weird thing Darren had only ever seen in films or read about in those soft-porn novels he used to buy and had long since abandoned in favor of real life, such as it was. A frisson of warmth on his skin where Max’s hand touched his arm that was more than just the heat of his fingers, and a sudden lurch in his gut he couldn’t blame on the tuna bagel he’d had for lunch. He swallowed hard as his gaze aligned with Max’s, then blinked as the registrar let him go as if he were on fire and took a step back.

“I’ll get a cloth,” Darren said, surprised he sounded so normal, before he took the few short steps to the visitors’ cloakroom at a brisk trot.

It was a relief not to hear any footsteps following him.

At the basins, he took a deep breath, stared in the mirror with his fiercest expression and told himself softly, but in no uncertain terms, “For goodness’ sake, man up.”

At the same time, the door swung open and, in the mirror, he could see the registrar appear behind him just as the words of advice left his lips.

Damn it, Max had to have heard him.

Max coughed. Darren couldn’t be sure, but he might have been swallowing a laugh. So much for his own professionalism then. Day one of the new acting registrar, and already, Darren had received a gentle warning, spilt coffee all over the man’s suit and now looked like an idiot in the men’s room. There was his chance of promotion gone for a while. Not that there was anywhere else to go after senior timetabling officer, however, apart from the mental health refuge.

Oh well, might as well go and book that place right now, he thought.

*_*_*_*

Who Moved My Holepunch? by Anne Brooke is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

Getting Real by Christiane France

I’ve worked in a ton of different offices, so when I started thinking about my story for the Office Pax the setting was no problem at all. But I wanted something different to the boss/secretary or feuding colleagues’ scenario.

I was in the bank one day when someone arrived with a watering can and a basket containing clippers, fertilizer, etc. to take care of the plants. I knew this person performed the same service for the common areas of the building and for some of the other offices, and that he used the utility room in the basement to refill his watering can and dispose of dead plants, etc. But what if the only person with a key to that room was the building manager?

I already had someone in mind to play the part of TJ—early twenties, rich, spoiled, and desperately in need of being given a kick in the right direction. Then I was out shopping and I saw him in the flesh—he was with his boyfriend. He had the sweetest smile and was as friendly as a puppy dog looking for a home. He was tall, very thin, with his hair done in the shaved at the sides and curls on top style, and he had on skinny jeans, a navy blue pea jacket and a big wraparound scarf. The boyfriend was a little older, suit, tie, etc. typical business-type, permanent frown and he looked as if he had all the troubles of the world to take care of—which made him the perfect model for Cole.

*_*_*_*

“You’re looking kinda thoughtful,” Cole observed. “Something I can help with?”

“No. Just feeling sorry for myself.”

He reached under the table and grasped my hand. “You mean like I was the night you found me in that club?”

“I guess.” I smiled and entwined my fingers with his. There was something about the warmth of his hand, the physical contact and the caring I could see in his dark eyes that felt so good, so special. Enough to give me another good feeling, the one that predicted we did have something more going on than simple physical attraction. “You just needed a push to start thinking about yourself instead of others. I need to figure out how my father made it big on nothing at all. And I do mean nothing. No family, no education, just hard work and determination.”

“Find a need and fill it? Go back to school?”

“I gave school a try. It wasn’t for me for a whole number of reasons. Anyway what need could I fill that hasn’t already being taken care of? I love what I’ve been doing this past week, figuring out what plants to order and where to put them. Thing is once they’re in place, it’ll just be a matter of regular maintenance, checking water levels and picking off dead leaves. Maggie says she has more projects in the works and I won’t be bored, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see. I want a job that will allow me to spread my wings and lead to bigger and better things.”

“Why don’t you try surfing the Net for business opportunities? Even if you don’t have money to invest, it may spark an idea or two you could build on.” Cole put his share of the check on top of mine and pushed back his chair. “Ready to go?”

It was now dark outside. After we left the restaurant and got back in the car, instead of starting the engine, Cole laid a hand on my crotch. One, two tiny strokes was all it took and I was hard as a rock. I closed my eyes and held my breath, wondering what he had planned for an encore.

“Look at me, TJ.”

The moment I turned my head, the look Cole gave me was so damn hot I was ready to melt. “I want to make proper love to you, babe.”

“I feel the same way, but you already know that.”

“So let me get us a room.”

“No.”

“Why not? It’s just money.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Cole. It’s not just money. My pride is on the line here. I need to prove to myself and my father that I can stand on my own two feet. I don’t want to be your toy boy or your pet poodle, and that’s how I’d feel if I start letting you pick up the tab for everything. I’ve always paid my own way and that’s not about to change. The only difference now is I have to earn whatever I spend rather than have it handed to me. If I can’t afford something, then I’ll say no.”

*_*_*_*

Getting Real by Christiane France is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

Getting a little bit more from Charitable Giving by Heidi Champa

When I first started brainstorming for the Office Affairs PAX, I knew I wanted to think a bit outside the cubicle. As someone who's had a lot of crazy jobs, I didn't want to choose just any career to focus on. Luckily for me, inspiration was lurking right around the corner, as I know several people who've worked in fundraising. Once the kernel of the idea was planted, it bloomed quickly. I had so much fun writing this story and I hope you have just as much fun reading Charitable Giving!!

*_*_*_*

"So, I thought maybe you'd want to have lunch after this board meeting. There's something I want to talk to you about."

I hadn't talked to Cal in two weeks, but with the trustees meeting in a few days, I thought it best to check in. That, and I wanted to hear his voice.

"Sounds fine to me, if a bit ominous. Don't tell me you're pulling your donations."

"Nothing like that, trust me. Plus, I'm sure I'll be in desperate need of a laugh after the meeting."

"No doubt. I'll have to make sure Darren doesn't try to tag along. If you're looking for laughs, he's the last guy you'd want around."

"I don't know, Cal. You make him sound pretty funny."

"Funny strange, if anything."

"True enough."

I tapped my fingers against the desk, trying to keep my nervous energy from overwhelming me. It wasn't working.

"Any ideas where you'd like to eat? Diggerson's treat of course."

"How about that new Japanese place near you. Ooka, I think it's called."

"Yeah, I think that'll be alright. For one of our trustees, I can spend a bit more."

"What can I say, Cal? I'm an expensive date. But, I'm worth it. Don't you think?"

"I'm pretty sure Darren would let me spend as much as I wanted on lunch with you."

"Way to dodge the question."

"Yes, Cal. You're worth it. I didn't realize your ego needed stroking. I would have thought you were past all that now."

"Please, I'm a man. I'll never be past it. Plus, it's nice to hear."

"I'm sure it is."

"Is that a hint?"

"Nope. It was an observation."

"I can stroke your ego, if you need me to, Cal."

"I'm good, thanks."

"Damn. Because I was going to tell you how hot you are."

"There's no need to lie to me."

"Ah, and modest too. How about that?"

I pictured his face, his lips curled into a smile and felt my body go hot. My conversation with Kayla was stuck in my mind and I got the words out before I could reconsider.

"Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about as well, Cal."

"Really? Want my name on a building already?"

"That would be great, but I wasn't going to ask that for another couple of months."

Cal laughed and I heard papers rustling in the background.

"So, are you going to give me a hint or do I have to wait for lunch, Mitch?"

"No hints."

"Oh well, I'll have to wait and wonder. But, right now, I have to go. See you soon."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too."

**

I sat across from Cal and watched him crack open his chopsticks. I'd paced my office all morning as I waited for him to finish at the board of trustees meeting. My nerves were fried by the time we arrived at the restaurant. Keeping calm was a tall order but I did my best. I'd decided to tell Cal how I felt about him and ask if he'd like to go on a real date with me. Not one paid for by the college. Even though I'd painted Darren in a negative light, I was sure I could convince Cal he'd be okay in his hands. We'd covered the small talk and much to my disappointment, there were no `accidental' brushes of hands or touching of feet. I kept waiting for my chance to say what I was dying to say, but it never seemed to be the right moment. When Cal shot me a smile during a break in our boring conversation, I saw my opening. Too bad Cal had the same idea.

"So, you're probably wondering what I wanted to talk to you about, Mitch."

"I have been curious, yes."

Cal wiped his hand over the back of his neck and I noticed for the first time that he seemed nervous. A thought jolted through me and I was having trouble breathing. Could it be that Cal was about to ask me the same thing I wanted to ask him? The possibility hadn't even crossed my mind. Now, that we were face to face and he was about to tell me what was so important, my heart was pounding at the prospect of getting what I wanted. I barely heard Cal as he started talking, my brain already formulating my excited response.

"We have a lot of fun together, Mitch and I've enjoyed getting to know you over the last few years. Especially the last few months."

I could only nod as I rubbed my sweaty palms against my cloth napkin. Cal took a sip of water before he continued.

"This is kind of strange, I can't believe I'm about to say this. It's certainly not something I expected."

"Well, this whole thing has been a bit out of the ordinary."

"You can say that again."

He smiled at me and my heartbeat kicked up to a pace I never knew it had. I waited and held my breath, watching Cal's lips as he spoke.

"Anyway, the reason I wanted to talk to you was because something's happened."

"What is it?"

Cal laid his hand on mine before he laughed.

"Sorry, I don't know why I'm being so silly about this."

"Part of that charm you were talking about."

"Right."

"And, I know you like to keep me waiting."

His laugh changed and he cleared his throat. Suddenly things turned serious and I felt the anticipation grow in me. He was about to change everything between us and I was never more sure I was ready for it. His fingers squeezed mine and I saw his lips part.

"Mitch, I've met someone."

*_*_*_*

Charitable Giving by Heidi Champa is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Office Affairs

Visit the links to take advantage of our

Office Affairs An AmberPax™ Collection of Erotic Romance by Various Authors  Genre: Contemporary Gay (M/M) Romance  Cover Copyright ©2012 by Trace Edward Zaber

Included in this collection of erotic romance...
(For more information on each title, or to purchase separately, click on the book covers below!)

Charitable Giving by Heidi Champa Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Getting Real by Christiane France Novella (Gay)

Test Drive by L.A. Witt Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Who Moved My Hole Punch? by Anne Brooke Novella (Gay)

Working It Out by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

  In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Starting tomorrow, leave a comment on any post made during the week (3/25-3/29), and you'll be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Working It Out by Sean Michael

Four years ago, Luke walked out on Affton while he was still sleeping, leaving only a quick “I can’t do this” email behind. Affton has spent those four years focused on his career, a now-successful one at that. So when Affton encounters Luke in the graphics department of the company for which he now works, it rocks his world.

Insisting that Luke owes him a coffee at least, Affton finds his world further rocked when he learns why Luke left him in the first place. Can he convince Luke that he isn’t the man Luke believes him to be and that they deserve a second chance? Or will he be fated to watch Luke run away from him yet again? 

Genres: Gay/Contemporary

Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (15k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...“We’ll have a whole new graphics package ready for you by noon tomorrow, Geoffrey. I’ll bring it to lunch at Laffite.” Affton laid on the charm, smoothing the waters as well as he could.

Richard Chalmers was one of Fillian Commercial’s biggest clients and he was not going to disappoint the man.

“I’ll see you there. I’m looking forward to it.”

He hung up, grabbed the file, and headed to the graphics department. Heads were going to roll and then no one was going home until the graphics had been fixed. They looked nothing like what the client had asked for, or for that matter, like what they’d pitched to Geoffrey in the first place.

The graphics department was a floor down and Affton strode down the stairs, building his head of steam as he went. They were a billion dollar advertising agency and this kind of mistake was not on. The graphics department had its own wing, but was otherwise open concept, so he was able to start yelling as soon as he was in the door.

“I want everyone responsible for so much as a dot on the Chalmers account in front of me in the next thirty seconds.”

The artists and computer geeks looked up, the place like a warren with little meerkats popping up and down.

“Twenty seconds. Why is no one running like their lives depend on it? ’Cause I swear to fucking God, your job does.”

“Seriously? Last time I checked I didn’t jump like a dog when someone barked.” A round, brightly colored, fierce woman looked at him through cat-eyed glasses. “Suits.”

“This suit can fire your ass like that.” He snapped his fingers. “The Chalmers account is one of our biggest and the client is anything but happy. I’m not playing here, people.” He opened the file and began reading off the names from the graphics department who were associated with the file. “Louise Belmar. Donald Scarp. Ilia Warken. Luke Addis…” His voice faded away. Luke Addison? No fucking way. Not his Luke Addison.

Though, Affton supposed that he’d lost any right to call Luke his the day the man had packed up and walked out on him without a single explanation.

He looked up, eyes narrowing.

“I’m Louise. Ilia’s not here today.” She stood up to him, unafraid. “What’s the problem?”

“Did you read the client’s specs on the latest campaign? Because what you turned in doesn’t even come close. It’s not even in the same ballpark. And where the fuck are Donald and Luke?”

“The problem is the idiot who came up with the concept is either blind, stupid, or a rhinoceros.” That was Luke. His Luke, looking tiny in a pair of hip-hop jeans and a gigantic sweatshirt. “Donald spent two weeks trying to make those things work. It’s a shit concept.”

Affton couldn’t fucking believe Luke was standing there, looking fierce as hell. He felt like he’d been hit over the head with a brick, or was having a stroke or something. It was all he could do to focus on the problem at hand. “I don’t care if it’s a shit concept, it’s the concept that the client came to us with. Not to mention, I didn’t get one single fucking memo letting me know anyone was having trouble with this fucking campaign.” He kept telling himself to ignore the fact that this was his Luke Addison. Why hadn’t he known the man worked for Fillian now?...

Who Moved My Holepunch? by Anne Brooke

Darren Fording works as Senior Timetabling Officer for his local college and has happily been arranging the schedules alongside his stalwart team for more than two years. When Max Sheldon arrives to take over as Acting Registrar, Darren finds himself consumed by lust for his new boss and making the kind of decisions he, as a stuck-in-his-ways administrator, has never made before.

At their first official meeting, Darren takes his courage in both hands and initiates a full-on kiss, which Max returns with enthusiasm. The encounter ends there, however, as Max is reluctant to pursue a relationship of any kind with a subordinate. Darren is equally determined not to take “no” for an answer.

When a visit by the educational inspection team goes terribly wrong, Darren must use all his wits to both save the reputation of the college he loves and to prove his worth to the man who’s beginning to mean so much to him. 

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/Romantic Comedy/BDSM (light)/Exhibitionism/Public Places

Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (20k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...In the silence that followed, Darren looked across and his gaze caught Max’s. There was something in the man’s eyes that made it impossible to look away. Strange how everything stopped, maybe even time, and all Darren could do was gaze at Max.

He’s definitely gay, Darren thought. A straight man would have looked away at once or at the very least said something.

Max was saying nothing at all and didn’t seem to be that bothered about searching for any suitable words either. Anyway, Darren couldn’t even begin to think what the heck those words might be because already they’d stared at each other for way too long and he couldn’t think what to do to break the impasse.

Other than this.

He leant toward Max, heart pounding so hard he was sure it could be heard at least three rooms away, grabbed his face with both hands, even though he wasn’t moving away, and, casting at least thirty working guidelines to the four winds, kissed him.

For a few frantic heartbeats, nothing happened and the specter of being sacked for making sexual advances loomed over Darren with all the fury of an unhappy OFSTED inspector (a scenario he hoped he wouldn’t need to get used to). Then Max opened his lips, and Darren eased his tongue inside.

He tasted good. Darren kept on kissing him, feeling the moan in his own throat he couldn’t deny, and hardly believing he’d been bold enough to do this. It had to be the best meeting with the boss he’d ever had, bar none. Mind you, the old registrar had been at least one hundred and eighty years old and on his third wife, so Darren wouldn’t have had a chance.

Right now, as the kiss lengthened with no sign of stopping any time soon, he was glad retirement had claimed the registrar, if it meant Max had got the job. Then Max put his fingers at the back of Darren’s neck and any other considerations, apart from the matter at hand, vanished entirely from his head.

Eventually, the need to breathe became too demanding and the kiss eased. Not at once, but slowly so their lips drifted to smaller, lighter kisses for a while before ceasing. Darren removed his hands from Max’s face and sat back in his chair. Everything remained quiet.

“That was nice,” Max said at last. “Unexpected but nice. You’re a good kisser.”

“Thank you.”

His lips felt swollen and his cock was hard, but Darren didn’t know for sure what he should do next. Should he push for more or was that it? There was nothing he’d like better than removing Max’s tie, unbuttoning his shirt and seeing exactly what the man kept hidden under his suit. But, as far as he knew, nobody had written the etiquette manual on what to do after you’d snogged the boss, and the kiss itself had drained that initial surge of boldness. Darn it.

Max cleared his throat again, bringing Darren back from his musings. He had to make a decision. Now or never. Max had enjoyed the kiss so maybe more was in the offing. In which case…

Even as he made the choice to go for the tie and get a closer look at the acting registrar’s chest, Max folded his hands across his lap—bulge-free, Darren noted—and carried on speaking as if nothing had happened between them at all...

Test Drive by L.A. Witt

Sean Waters is down on his luck thanks to the economy, and winds up working for his domineering father’s car dealership. It’s not the greatest job, but it’s a paycheck. The only problem? He’s got a wicked crush on the general manager, Jackson Shaw.

When Jackson suggests a drive in one of the brand new sports cars, Sean has no idea it’s not the car Jackson really wants to take for a spin.

They both need this job, though, and the boss isn’t keen on employees getting involved with each other. But it’s just a lusty little crush anyway, so they can move on and pretend nothing ever happened.

Can’t they?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary

Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (13k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...At the end of the aisle, three brand-new sports cars were parked at a different angle, so they’d stand out to passersby. The cars had just come in this afternoon. One red, one silver, one yellow, all convertibles. The tops were up now—Dad always had us put the tops up in the evening just in case it rained—but the cars were sexy as hell anyway.

“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”

The general manager’s voice startled me, and I turned around, pretending my heart hadn’t just jumped into my throat.

I wasn’t worried about him catching me slacking off and then getting me fired. He and Dad both knew I worked my tail off in this place. Everyone slacked a little at this time of night. There simply wasn’t much to do except wait out the clock and get out of here.

No, the reason Jackson Shaw screwed up my blood pressure was that I’d had a thing for him since long before I’d started working here. Back before time had grayed the dark hair at his temples and added a little salt to the rest of it. He’d been working for my dad since I was a sophomore in high school, back when he was just a good-looking salesman who didn’t know much about anything, but could sell sunlight to vampires, as my mother had often said. Now he was the general manager, and time had tempered his looks—and mellowed his personality—to the point he was absolutely irresistible.

Now here he was, strolling between glittering cars with his jacket unbuttoned and his hands in the pockets of his slacks, and there was nowhere to run. No taking off under the guise of unfinished work or a customer showing up. I was in his sights and he was coming right for me.

He freed one hand and gestured at the red sports car beside me. “You ever driven something like this?”

I shook my head. “Always wanted to, but…”

“You should take it out for a spin,” he said.

I blinked. “But it’s only got a few miles on it.”

Jackson shrugged. “An extra ten won’t hurt the value. Besides, if you’re going to sell it, you ought to drive it.” The grin he flashed me spun my head around. “Should I get the keys?”

“The…” I swallowed. “You’re serious.”

“Hell yeah. I don’t have anywhere to be for a while, and your dad’s the one who told me we should drive what we’re selling. If you’re game, I’ll go sign it out.”

“Uh, sure. Okay.”

He flashed me a grin that was nothing like the smiles he displayed when customers were near. Then he headed for the showroom, and I just stood there like a fool and watched him go. That beer and TiVo full of sitcoms could wait.

Jackson returned a couple of minutes later. He tossed me the keys and then went around to the passenger side of the gleaming sports car.

I hesitated, less because I was taking out one of Dad’s high-end cars and more because of who I was taking it out with, but finally opened the door and got in...

Getting Real by Christiane France

For TJ Delaney and Cole Labelle, it’s time to turn their lives around and get real.

TJ needs to exchange his playboy lifestyle for a job and prove he’s a responsible adult rather than a spoiled, rich brat.

Cole needs to free himself of his family’s control and their paranoid fears by proving being gay like his father is the only thing he and the man who gave him life have in common. And that by being openly gay he won’t cause them public embarrassment as his father did.

Can TJ and Cole achieve their goal of "getting real" and also find love in the process?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (23k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...Talking with Maggie had renewed my excitement about being entrusted with a job of this importance. So what if it wasn’t rocket science and I didn’t need to wear a three-piece suit or take clients to lunch? I was doing something I loved, and I made a silent promise not to do anything that might make Maggie regret taking me on.

Between deciding what to put where and checking with Kreber’s on availability, the rest of the week passed in a flash. I hadn’t seen Cole since the night I ran into him in the Falls. If he regretted our conversation and was avoiding me, fine. I might not agree with his reasons, but it was his life and his decision.

Friday morning, Maggie called to say she’d be over around ten. About a quarter to the hour, I heard a tap-tap on the door. Figuring she was early, I yelled, “Come on in. It’s open,” only to look up and find Cole standing there, looking smart and delicious in a charcoal suit, pale blue shirt and patterned tie.

“You doing anything for lunch today?” he asked.

“No. Why?” If I sounded suspicious, I was. “I thought—”

“I know. The thing is I’ve been thinking, so hear me out, okay?”

He shuffled his feet, as if he were nervous about something. Then he smiled, a shy, tentative smile that once again made me want to rush right over and give him a hug. Again, I resisted.

“After I left the club the other night, I drove around for a while and thought really hard about what you’d said. You were right. I knew my family was scared I’d do something to embarrass them, and I took the easy way out by going along with it. I figured it was only temporary and that once Carla came home… Then I recalled you saying what if she doesn’t? That was something I hadn’t even considered.”

“So? You come to any conclusions?”

“That Carla has a life to live same as me. You were also right when you said I needed to forget about my family and concentrate on my own life. So that’s what I’m trying to do. If someone has a problem with us having lunch together that’s too bad. ”

“Okay, but one small step at a time, huh?”

Before Cole could reply, the phone rang, and I picked up.

“Hi, TJ. It’s me, Maggie. I’m afraid there’s been a slight change of plan. I can’t get there until sometime between noon and one. Is that okay with you?”

“It’s fine. See you then.”

I replaced the receiver with a sigh and looked at Cole. “How about a rain check for lunch?”

“Problems?”

“That was Maggie. She was supposed to be here at ten to finalize our order for the plants. Now she says she can’t make it until noontime. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, the job comes first.” He reached out and briefly touched my shoulder. “You want to go for a drink later?”

“You mean here in town, after work?”

“Why not?”

“I think you need to slow down. Lunch is one thing, Cole. You hired The Birds to supply the plants for the building, so it could even be explained as a working lunch. What you’re suggesting is something else. It’s like a date. It’s like making a major statement to the entire world. What if someone sees us and your family finds out?” I couldn’t believe I’d just said that, but I wanted Cole to step back and think what could happen.

“I’ve thought about that, too. If I lose my job and my mom wants me to move out, that will be their decision. This one is mine. If I’m to have the kind of life I want, I can’t keep putting it off. I have to start somewhere, and this is it, TJ. With you at my back, I’m ready to take this first step. We can have a drink or two, and hang for a bit. Maybe later go get something to eat. You cool with that?”

I high-fived him, swallowed the sudden surge of emotion that made my chest tight and my eyes blurry and finally gave him a hug. He smelled delicious and his body was hard and sweet as rock candy just waiting to melt and mold against mine. He started hugging me back, so I cut things short before things took off in the direction I knew we both wanted to go. “You betcha, babe! Although, there are a couple of things you should know. Like you, I live at home, and right now I don’t have wheels...”

Charitable Giving by Heidi Champa

In his job as a fundraiser for Diggerson college, Mitch Harmon hears the word “no” a lot. Getting people to part with their hard-earned cash isn’t easy, no matter how good the cause, and the constant rejection is starting to wear on Mitch. The only bright spot of his job is Cal Marlow, a successful software developer and alum of Diggerson College, who has been generous with his donations.

When their relationship goes from strictly business to physical, they agree it should remain no-strings-attached. But, Mitch finds himself falling for Cal, despite his vow to keep things simple. When he finally gets the courage to tell Cal how he feels, Cal has an announcement of his own—he’s met someone, and wants to put an end to their fun and go back to being “professional.”

Has Mitch missed his chance at happiness, or can he find a way to get the love and the life he wants?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary/BDSM
Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (17k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...I pushed my way through the huge revolving door into the marble-filled lobby. Cal’s company took up the whole four-story office building, and no matter how many times I walked through the atrium, it always impressed me. This was, no doubt, the point.

After I signed in at the reception desk, I sat in one of the leather chairs by the huge wall of windows. I was caught up in thought, my eyes focused on the beautiful day outside.

“Hey there, Mr. Harmon, sorry to keep you waiting.”

I looked up and saw him. He looked so amazing; it put his perfect lobby to shame. Standing, I shook his hand and tried to be cool.

“Hey, Cal, nice to see you.”

“You, too. Feels like it’s been forever.”

“Well, that last check you gave us bought you a little time without having to see me.”

“My mistake. Next time, I’ll have to add less zeros. Come on up and we can talk.”

I followed him into the elevator and was disappointed when there were several other people in there. Cal glanced at me as we leaned against the back wall. While the conversations went on around us, he snuck his hand over and brushed it against mine. The last time I’d had my back against this wall; Cal had put me there, his strong thigh pressed between my legs as we kissed. That was a few months before, and the thought of it made my cock harden a bit. I took him in as I walked behind him toward his office. Once the door was closed, I found myself in his arms.

“I’ve missed you, Mitch. You look so good. New suit?”

He kissed me before I could say a kind word to him and his tongue swept into my mouth. I managed to pull away for a second, even though I didn’t want to.

“We really should talk about this whole board of trustee position thing.”

“Didn’t we cover most of that on the phone? I told you I’m in. Can’t wait for the first meeting in a few weeks.”

“Yeah, but that’s why I’m here. Darren wanted us to meet.”

“Here I thought it was you who wanted to see me.”

His mouth claimed mine again and it took all I had to get myself free.

“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say the only reason you donate to the college is for the perks.”

He laughed into my neck, right before he kissed it. “That is true. The tax breaks are fabulous.”

“So, that’s the only reason? Nothing else?”

“Despite how it seems, Mitch, I don’t consider you a perk of donating to Diggerson.”

“Really? Then what would you call it? I mean, besides inappropriate.”

“I’d call it fun. The inappropriate part is what makes it so damn hot.”

“No argument here.”

“Speaking of which, you said something about a position you wanted to discuss with me?”

Cal slid my jacket off my shoulders and tossed it aside. I didn’t even care that it landed on the floor. That’s where my clothes always ended up when I visited Cal. He slowly undid my tie and was ready to drop it when I saw his eyes light up.

“I have an idea.”

“Really? What’s that?”

“Turn around.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

He slapped me on the ass, still covered by my wool pants. I turned around and faced Cal’s big desk and his gorgeous view right beyond the windows. The full length of his body pressed against me, his lips against the back of my neck as he undid my shirt and pulled it from my torso...

February bestsellers

Next week, we start highlighting a new pax, all about office affairs. In the meantime, check out the February bestsellers at Amber Allure!


1. The Whore Of New Slum - T. A. Chase (Gay/Steampunk)
2. Admiring Jesse - Shawn Lane (Gay/Contemporary)
3. It Might Be Magic - Carolyn Gray (Gay/Fantasy)
4. Collusion - Eden Winters (Gay/Contemporary)
5. They Walk Among Us - T. A. Chase (Gay/SciFi)
6. Iron Eyes - Vivien Dean (Gay/Steampunk)
7. Eye Candy And Achy Hearts - Adrianna Dane (Gay/Contemporary)
8. The Tinkered Pinkerton - Helen Louise Caroll (Gay/Steampunk)
9. Harnessing - D. J. Manly (Gay/Steampunk)
10. Balthazar Starblitz - A. J. Llewellyn (Gay/Steampunk)

Congratulations to all our steampunk pax authors for making the top 10!

More pax reviews

Look at what people are saying about some of our recent releases!

LadyM at Reviews by Jessewave believes that The Tinkered Pinkerton by Helen Louise Caroll will be interesting to readers, especially steampunk fans.

At Obsidian Bookshelf, Val Kovalin says L.A. Witt does an impressive job with the murder mystery in her novella, The Mayfield Speakeasy.

Serena Yates at Rainbow Reviews calls Griff and Ash by D.J. Manly "one of the more interesting versions of the Cinderella story I have read."

Over at Brief Encounters, Ruby thought Beau in Rick R. Reed's Beau and the Beast was "certainly an appealing main character," giving the story a B.

New pax reviews

A wide variety of recently released pax stories have been hitting the review airways.

Tina at TwoLips Reviews calls Beau and the Beast by Rick R. Reed a must read version of a timeless fairytale, giving it five lips.

Jay at Joyfully Jay enjoyed the heroes of Lynn Lorenz's Storyville and found them a nice mixture of sweet and sexy.

Over at Rarely Dusty Books, Janna calls Chase the Ace by Clare London a recommended read, for its engrossing plot, hot chemistry, and the well-executed topic of the quest.

At Rainbow Reviews, Serena Yates calls Balthazar Starblitz by A.J. Llewellyn utterly charming and surprising at every turn.