Six Sentence Sunday: GET ME IN THE BOAT

Over on LC Chase’s blog, for the Hop Against Homophobia, I offered up a short story to the contest winner (you have until midnight tonight Pacific time to enter!). I thought I’d make a little peek at that story, GET ME IN THE BOAT, my Six Sentence Sunday contribution this week

It’s more than six sentences, obviously, but I think this is my favorite part of GET ME IN THE BOAT. The whole thing is based on an event from our camping vacation last summer when I discovered that I’m not so fond of little boats. Or at least getting into them…

Hale really was afraid, and that he nodded and tried again meant the world to Rusty, so he didn’t patronize or tease. He let Hale inch along and didn’t laugh when he tentatively peeked over the dock’s edge before letting his legs down into the boat. There was sweat on his brow when he finally looked at Rusty while white-knuckling the dock.

“I should hop?” He sounded a little breathless.

Rusty braced his legs apart and reached for Hale’s hands again. He offered them without hesitation, and Rusty kissed the back of each. “I really do love you.”

Hale’s smile was shaky. “I know. Just get me in the damn boat.”

Since, sometimes, the best method to get what he wanted from Hale was to manhandle him, and because Hale closed his eyes right then, Rusty let Hale’s hands go and grabbed his waist. A fast pull and twist, a loud scream, and then Hale was sitting on center bench with the boat only wobbling a little bit.

“You bastard,” Hale said breathlessly.

“You’re in the boat.”

He shook his head, but smiled just a bit while he panted. “Fuck you.”

“Let’s get away from shore first.”

Hale barked a laugh, one hand now gripping the seat and the other pressed over his heart.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Rusty said and sat down on the triangle seat in the bow. He cupped Hale’s face and gave him tiny kisses on the tip of his nose, each flushed cheekbone, and his favorite freckle beside Hale’s left eye.

Hale took a deep breath and let it out. “It’s okay. I didn’t know I’d be so nervous.”

“Did it anyway, though.” Rusty smiled at Hale. “My beautiful, brave boyfriend.”

Hale relaxed his head into Rusty’s hands. “Yep, I’m a total stud.”

Rusty laughed until their lips touched, then he kissed his studly man, tasting the sweat on his upper lip and the sweet tea they’d had with lunch. Gradually, Hale really relaxed and kissed Rusty back with his usual passion. When they pulled back to smile at each other, Hale looked much better.

The winner over on LC Chase’s blog will get a copy of GET ME IN THE BOAT and an exclusive cover just for them as made by me. Then, later this month, I’ll offer the story for free download here and, maybe, other places too with a different cover