Another glimpse of Another Secret by Stevie Woods

When I saw the call for stories for a Pax collection entitled, I Know What You Did, I knew I wanted to write something for it. I tossed a few ideas but nothing really grabbed me. I had just about settled on a theme when I was hit with the idea of writing my first shifter story. I ended up combining both themes, hence Another Secret.

Here’s another glimpse into my story:

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Then he hurried to his bedroom, where he rubbed himself down with the towel before getting dressed. He hastened to the kitchen and was soon back in front of the fire warming his hands around his coffee mug. He sat on the rug, leaning back against his sofa and staring into the flames as they danced before him. When had his life become so complicated? He tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling. He knew the answer and hated it. 

He closed his eyes and allowed the images to form…let the memory flow. For a time, he’d fought against the recollection, as if trying to forget could change anything. Then he learned the power of those memories and drawing on them kept him focused. Part of him hated that so much of his energy was centered on the need for revenge, but even his human side accepted James should pay for what he’d done; for what he might do to some other unsuspecting soul who let his defenses down enough to trust him. Though Drew couldn’t deny his own culpability, he’d gone looking for someone strong and sexy he could lose himself in. His mistake had been in choosing James.

Drew remembered walking into Pascoe’s Club in Huntington that Friday night, same as he did about every four to six weeks when his itch needed a particular kind of scratching. He’d argued with Leland that afternoon, nothing dramatic, but it was the last straw after a particularly demanding week and Drew knew what he needed. He wished it was something he could share with Leland, but that day seemed as far off as ever. 

Pascoe’s was busy, full of men drinking and dancing. Men of every description imaginable, some of them half-naked; bears and twinks sprinkled among the heaving crowd. Drew got himself a beer and leaned against the end of the bar scanning the crowd for a likely prospect. A man approached him, and Drew hoped he was interested because Drew certainly was; a tall, well-built guy, but not overtly so. Drew liked his men muscular but well balanced. This one had dark brown hair, longish with a lock falling over his eyes—green Drew thought, though it was hard to tell in the dim light.

“Hi,” the guy said. “Name’s James. Wanna dance?” His gaze swept over Drew and he grinned, adding, “Or perhaps something a bit more exciting?”

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Another Secret by Stevie Woods is now available at Amber Allure.

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