So, there’s this awesome project going on. It’s called the Real Story Safe Sex Project, and it’s the brainchild of fabulous author Brent Hartinger. Basically, a bunch of gay romance authors (including yours truly!) have written short stories involving fun, hot, SAFE sex. All of the stories are and will forever remain FREE, on as many platforms as possible.

My own contribution is called “In The Park, In The Dark” and it’s now live on Smashwords. As soon as I work out what the trouble is with the cover image, I’ll get the story into their “premium catalog” and over onto the other platforms (Amazon, B&N, iBooks, etc). I’ll also create documents myself for direct download here, as soon as I get a chance. In the meantime, head on over to Smashwords and download it for free in various formats. Enjoy!

Here’s a little snippet to whet your appetite *g* Read more about the Safe Sex Project here.

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What’s hotter than the beach at noon in June? Evander and Clark, in the park, in the dark.

—

Evander didn’t realize he wasn’t alone until after the fireworks ended.

The sound that gave it away wasn’t much—the soft scuff of sneakers on wood, barely louder than the rustle of the marsh grass. But it was enough to tell him he wasn’t the only one watching the show from this out-of-the-way boardwalk. He turned around, putting his back to the railing and his face to his unexpected company.

A tall boy in red board shorts and a yellow Piggly Wiggly t-shirt flashed a wide, bright smile in the almost-dark. “Hey. Good show, huh? But it always is, so no shock there.”

“It was great, yeah.” Since Evander hadn’t exactly made many friends on the island yet, he pushed away from the rail and edged closer to the other boy. “Do you come here every summer?”

Piggly Wiggly laughed. “Naw. I live here. Not far from the library.” He strolled toward Evander, one hand out in front of him. “I’m Clark Delancy. Pleased to meet you.”

“Evander Mercado.” They shook. Clark had a strong grip and adorable dimples in both smooth, dark cheeks. Evander smiled back. “This is my first time here. I’m working at the Mouse Mob resort for the summer.”

Clark’s eyebrows rose. “Yeah? I’m a waiter at San Miguel. We’re practically work neighbors.”

They both laughed. Evander wondered if they’d ever passed one another in the relentless tourist crowds at Shelter Cove Harbor, where Mouse Mob was located. It was a weird thing to consider, that they might’ve been close enough to touch one another before but neither had noticed the other until now, alone in this deserted park, in the deepening darkness of a summer night.

An awkward silence fell. Clark wandered over to the edge of the overlook and leaned on the railing. Evander did the same. He let his elbow touch Clark’s. The contact sent sparks along his skin.

It was daring, for him. He usually moved a lot slower when it came to reeling in a cute guy. But hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?