Excerpt Day: Howl & Prowl by Kate Steele

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Hoosier Werewolf: Howl & Prowl by Kate Steele
Release Date: April 16, 2009
Publisher: Changeling Press
ISBN: 978-1-60521-137-4
Publisher Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1137

Blurb: For most people, werewolves are creatures of fantasy, pulled from the pages of fiction novels and seen only in movies. For brothers Ethan, Dustin and Nick Parks, they become beings who are all too real... and the family tree is about to get a little furry. Crewe Jackson’s been waiting patiently to claim his mate. Nine years ago both he and Ethan Parks were too young, but now he intends to give his sweet little nerd some lessons in love. Chad Sutter has his hands full. Not only has his future mate, Dustin Parks, been accused of dealing drugs, he’s been hurt by someone he trusted. It’s up to Chad to straighten out the mess and prove to Dustin that it’ll take more than a little trouble to put out the growing flame between them. Never show weakness. For two men, human Nick Parks and werewolf Lucas Devereau, it’s the creed they live by. Trouble is, just because something is hidden doesn’t mean it’s not there. With a little trust they may just discover in each other a mate who truly understands the heart and soul of an alpha.

Excerpt 1:

“Did you see Crewe Jackson?”

“Oh hell yeah. He’s looking fine tonight but who is that geeky little twink he brought with him?”

“Efram, Eben, something or other. It’s just too awful. Crewe must be handing out pity fucks. It must be those lips. They look like they could suck a golf ball through a garden hose.”

“Oh, I don’t know, looks can be deceiving. He did have a nice ass though. Crewe’s probably just reaming it out for kicks. But as for pity fucks, if he’s handing them out I’m not too proud to take one. That man is hot.”

“Honey, he did fuck me a couple of years ago and pity had nothing to do with it. And let me tell you the man is hung like a horse.”

The two of them prattled on and took care of business at the urinals while Ethan waited in frozen silence for them to leave. He bit his lip hard, blinking furiously to hold back the tears that stung his eyes. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. The men finally left and Ethan cautiously emerged from the stall. Another stall door opened and Chad stepped out. Ethan stared at him for a moment then turned away and went to one of the sinks to wash his hands.

Chad took the sink next to his. “Well this is awkward as hell. Ethan, I’m so sorry you heard that.”

Ethan shook his head. “It’s okay. It just confirms what I knew all along. I don’t belong here. I don’t belong with Crewe.”

“Bullshit! This has nothing to do with you and Crewe belonging together. Any idiot with twenty twenty vision or corrective lenses can see the love between you two. They’re jealous cause one of the hottest guys here belongs to a sweet geeky little nerd with the most luscious lips I’ve ever seen.”

Said lips quivered and Ethan found himself struggling once again to keep his tears at bay. He turned away to grab a paper towel to dry his hands. Chad reached past him for his own towel then laid an arm around Ethan’s shoulders.

He gave Ethan a squeeze. “As for not belonging here, you may be right. You’re too nice a person for this place. Too vulnerable. Places like these can tear you up if you’re not tough enough.” Chad pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to Ethan. “If you ever want to talk or if there’s anything I can do for you, you just give me a call, you here?” Ethan nodded and stuck the card in his pocket. “I like you, Ethan. You’re a sweet kid and you make my friend very happy.”

At that moment the bathroom door opened and Crewe walked in. He took one look at Ethan’s face and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ethan walked into Crewe’s arms and buried his head against Crewe’s shoulder.

“Two guys came in while we were in the stalls,” Chad started to explain and grinned at Crewe’s glare. “Separate stalls,” he elaborated and went on to detail the incident.

Crewe was stony faced by the time he’d finished. “Do you know who they were?”

“Not a clue.”

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, buddy?”

“To keep you out of trouble? Yes. Yes, I would. Lucas wouldn’t care for you starting trouble, Crewe.”
“I don’t give a fuck what Lucas may want.”

“Then give a fuck about what your lover needs. Take Ethan home, Crewe. I think your boy needs to know just how much you care about him.”

Ethan raised his head in time to see the stricken look that came into Crewe’s eyes. He shook his head and put a hand to Crewe’s cheek. “Don’t even think that this is your fault.”

“But it is. I never should have brought you here. I wanted you to have fun. I wanted people who know me to see my lover. I wanted them to see how lucky I am. I never thought…oh fuck. Ethan this is my fault. I forgot what bitches some of these people can be. I’m so sorry baby, can you forgive me?”

“Sure, but only if we can go now.”

“Now it is.”

Ethan looked back at Chad. “It was nice meeting you at least.”

Chad smiled. “Same here, Ethan.”

“Thanks, Chad,” Crewe chimed in.

“Anything for a brother,” Chad answered with a wink.

When Ethan would have pulled away Crewe kept him close with an arm wrapped around his waist. As they walked out of the bathroom Ethan pinched him. “Let go. What are doing?”

“Ow! I’m protecting you.”

“Nobody’s attacking me. At least not physically. You’re making me feel like a schmuck.”

“Well, forgive me. God forbid anyone know I care about you,” Crewe intoned sarcastically.

Ethan rolled his eyes. “You know that’s not what this is about.” He walked in front of Crewe leading the way to the front door.

“I know. You’re pissed at me for bringing you here.”

“That’s not it either,” Ethan answered glancing back at Crewe.

“Then what?”

They walked out and Ethan turned to Crewe. “You’re making me look helpless.”

“You were hurt. I saw the tears in your eyes!”

“That doesn’t mean I’m helpless!”

“I never said you were!”

“You’re just like Nick and Dustin! You treat me like a baby!”

“You know perfectly well I don’t think you’re a baby!”

“That’s what you call me!”

“That’s because I love you!”

Ethan stared at Crewe. Both of them were flushed and breathing hard. “You love me?”

Crewe swallowed and nodded. Ethan could see the movement of his Adam’s apple. “I do.”

Ethan felt as though his heart would burst out of his chest. He shook with the joy winging through his veins. “I love you too.”

Crewe closed his eyes and dropped his head. When he raised it again his lips had curved into a smile. He opened his eyes and gazed at Ethan. Ethan could see the love and relief that filled them. “Can we stop yelling at each other now?”

“I think that would be a good idea,” Ethan admitted returning his smile before launching himself into Crewe’s arms.

Crewe picked him up, swinging him around and around until the two of them were laughing and dizzy. “Let’s go home. I need to make love to my baby.”

Excerpt 2:

Ethan dragged his coat off and hung it up in the hall closet. He stopped to study his reflection in the full length mirror on the inside of the closet door. He was dressed as usual in a long sleeved white shirt, a tie, dark trousers and his dress shoes. He frowned. All that’s missing is a pocket protector. Fuck. Even though such formal dress wasn’t required, Ethan always dressed this way. He was smart enough to realize that it was just another wall he put between himself and others but he was so used to doing things this way it was nearly impossible to change. Formal clothes and manners were not inviting and his fear of getting close to people made him use anything at his disposal to keep them at a distance.

Toeing off his shoes he shoved them into the closet and took the stairs to his room. Once in his room, he peeled off his clothes and laid them on the wing chair near his dresser. Opening a drawer in the dresser revealed sweats and neatly folded tee shirts. He pulled out a pair of soft, worn, dark gray sweats and a favorite old blue tee to go with them. About to don the sweats he was halted again by his reflection. Most of the time he avoided looking at himself but this time he studied himself frankly.

He was slim. Not skinny, thank God but slim just the same. There was very little extra muscle definition but no flab, although Ethan could tell in his present condition if he put on weight he’d probably end up with a pot belly. The thought was not amusing. His body shape reminded him of the swimmers he saw on televised competitions although they certainly had more muscle mass than he did. Still, his arms and legs were long, almost elegant with their length of fine bone and flesh.

Very little body hair marred the pale perfection of his skin. There were sparse dark puffs of it under his arms, a light smattering of a treasure trail and the trim bush that framed his cock. Although flaccid, his cock was still a respectable size. At least there was nothing there to be ashamed of.

He turned to the side. His belly was flat and he was grateful for the fact that his chest wasn’t concave. He frowned a bit at the curve of his ass. It was smooth, firm and full, almost too full. The term bubble butt came to mind and he wrinkled his nose in distaste. A lot of guys supposedly liked that, according to the things he’d read but then they weren’t the guy walking around with that butt.

He studied his face. Though he was now twenty five, face and body combined made him look more like eighteen. I’ll bet if I went to a bar they’d card me. The thought brought a grimace of disgust to his face.

Turning away from his reflection, Ethan wandered into the bathroom, used the facilities, washed up and dressed. Heading downstairs he went first to the kitchen to make himself a cup of hot cocoa then returned to the living room. Setting the cup down beside the book he’d left on the end table near the sofa, he went to the fireplace. The glass doors were opened and the mesh spark screen pulled back. Ethan lit the fire that was already laid out and ready. The fire caught and crackled, its warmth and light comforting some primitive part of his human psyche.

Ethan curled up on the comfy, overstuffed sofa, pulling his long legs up and reached first for his book then the cocoa. He read for a few minutes sipping the warm chocolaty brew but his mind would not stay focused on the printed page. Thoughts of Crewe kept intruding. With a sigh he put away the book and cup and relaxed back against the sofa. What could Crewe have possibly meant? I noticed a lot more than you might think. And why had he seemed so intent on knowing if I was seeing someone?

Ethan puzzled over his conversation with Crewe, the things he’d said, the looks he’d sent Ethan’s way. The one he’d given Ethan in the truck had made Ethan’s heart beat faster. It was the kind of look one lover would bestow upon another. Why would Crewe give him a look filled with such warmth and why would he say he cared? In what way? It’s not like they were ever friends. They never exchanged word one in school. Except for a brief encounter in the library, Ethan couldn’t remember Crewe ever looking in his direction. And yet Crewe knew my name and said he noticed me. Ethan found it difficult, almost painful to acknowledge the thought that maybe Crewe was being more than just friendly. He wants me to come to his dojo. He wants to see me again.

That thought loosed a flutter of wings in Ethan’s belly and made his cock stir. He closed his eyes, lips parting to release a breathy sigh. Reaching out and up, Ethan switched off the lamp leaving the room in darkness but for the flickering of the fire. He stretched out on the sofa and lay back making himself comfortable. Without stopping to think about it, one hand pushed his tee shirt up while the other slid into his sweats.

Sure fingers wrapped around his swelling cock. A few easy pulls accompanied by several soft, panting breaths brought his growing erection to aching fullness. Restless movements of his hips sent the sensitized shaft sliding through his grip and he moaned, loving the sweet friction. Ethan let his thoughts drift, random images coming and going until they coalesced into one of his long forgotten Crewe inspired fantasies.

Instead of one of the numerous girls Crewe was always with, he’d offered Ethan a ride home in his sleek red Mustang. In his fantasy, Ethan never could come up with a reason why Crewe would do such a thing but then it was a fantasy after all. Crewe would wait for Ethan to settle in the car then take off across town, but instead of taking Ethan home, he would drive to the large park across the street from Ethan’s house. The park was huge with picnic and parking areas off the twisting roads that ran through it. There was a large pond and waterways fed by natural springs and even a sizeable playground for kids to play.

Ethan would sit in the car watching the scenery change while his heart beat faster and his body tightened with excitement. Crewe would bypass the more public places and finally pull off onto a rough path that led to a small open area. The parking and picnic area was sheltered and hidden by tall trees and undergrowth in every direction. They would get out of the car and sit on the picnic table with their feet resting on the bench.

Neither one would say a word until Crewe would finally speak. “I want to kiss you.”

In his fantasy, Ethan would look at Crewe and Crewe would lean in, touching their lips together.

In reality the thought brought a moan from Ethan and he was suddenly no longer thinking of teenage Crewe but of the man he met tonight. The thought of Crewe kissing him, touching him made his stomach quake and his skin heat. His hand moved faster on his cock, his grip tightening, his breath speeding. His free hand first pushed his sweats down and then his tee shirt high up his torso, baring his chest. Slim fingers reached for taut flesh, pinching and pulling one pebbled nipple.

His teenage fantasy was replaced by one of two men kissing. Crewe would step down from the picnic table, turn and move between Ethan’s thighs. His mouth would take Ethan’s while his sure hands worked to open Ethan’s pants and free his aching prick. Ethan groaned, dizzy at the thought of Crewe’s touch. He stroked himself harder. In his mind, Ethan could see Crewe bend. Crewe’s mouth would open and Ethan jerked with shock when his imagination gave him the sight of Crewe’s mouth closing around his cock.

The ache and burn in his balls intensified. Licks of fire skated up his spine. Ethan pushed hard with his hips driving his cock through his clenched fist, his thumb brushing over and over the red, swollen tip. When fantasy turned Ethan’s thumb into Crewe’s tongue, he burst.