Countdown to GayRomLit 2016: An Exclusive Excerpt from Bondage Play by Morticia Knight

As the countdown to GRL winds down, we’re so pleased to welcome Featured Author Morticia Knight today with an exclusive excerpt from Book Two in her new Play series, Bondage Play.

Welcome, Morticia!

It’s Almost Here…GRL!

For some reason, the fact that GRL is around the corner doesn’t seem real to me. I see how excited everyone is, some are even packed already—but me? I’m wondering why the tasks on my GRL to-do list are only multiplying rather than lessening. Sigh… Because truthfully, I really AM excited. The giddiness is in there somewhere, it’s just hiding right now because I can’t shut my mind off long enough to embrace it, to be one with the awesomeness that is GRL.

This will be my third time attending GRL, and instead of it feeling old hat, it’s quite the opposite. I know more people than I did the first time and even more than I did the second. In addition to catching up with old friends, there are also many new people who I’m looking forward to meeting as well. Maybe I missed getting to know them in previous years, or this is their first trip to GRL. It’s happened more than once that when I got back, someone posted on their timeline what a great time they had, and I didn’t even realize they’d attended! I was also once tagged by a reader who couldn’t believe we’d been in the same hotel, and she never knew I was there.

Which brings me to the part where I’m reminded how intense things can get. There’s so much going on, so much excitement and squeals of joy, that for those of us who can get overwhelmed in crowds it can be challenging. There will be a lot of us there, and everyone has a different comfort level barometer at public events. It’s super easy to think that someone’s standoffish or rude, when they’re really just shy and not sure how to interact; either because it’s their first con, or that social events are always a challenge and it’s incredibly brave for them to be there at all.

Why do we go to GRL if it’s scary or uncomfortable? Why take the vacation time, spend the money, prepare for it weeks in advance? Whether reader or author (and truly authors are readers from the start and into forever), we gather together because we love gay romantic fiction. We adore it. Many of us literally have no other outlet, no one in our daily lives with whom we can discuss our love for our favorite authors, books or characters. The only time we get to fangirl or boy s when we’re online. GRL is our opportunity to enjoy ourselves and celebrate this genre. Make the most of your short time in Kansas City!

Thank you so much to The Novel Approach for hosting me today! I’m going to share with you an exclusive excerpt from my brand, spankin’ new release, Bondage Play (Play Series 2), which should have just come out by the time this posts. It will also be available in print with Role Play (Play Series 1) at the Indie Pub Author’s table in the booksellers area at GRL.

The Excerpt

The key turned in the lock and a sense of peace filled him. If he hadn’t been so intent on making work calls, Phil would’ve tried to get ahold of Eric. He needed his mentor’s guidance.

Phil rose from the sofa in the sunken living room of the 1930’s Mediterranean home located in West Hollywood. Terry had purchased the home after Phil left, so it was on the small side, but it was fine for the time being, plus it had an attached garage that Terry had converted into a home studio. He sighed. The ‘time being’ might be longer than he’d originally thought.

As soon as Terry entered and he spotted Phil, his face lit up in a smile. The best thing ever. Terry wrestled the key from the door latch and Phil didn’t miss the grimace of pain as he turned his arm. Phil’s gaze landed on the tear in his shirt.

“Come here, baby. Leave your things for now.”

A sheepish expression floated across Terry’s features before he seemed to catch himself. Right as he reached Phil, he dropped to his knees, his gaze lowered.

“Master.”

For the past week, they’d been working on Terry getting into his submissive mindset as soon as he or Phil arrived home. Prior to that, Phil would call ‘scene’ before they began and many times they’d have a discussion first as to what they hoped to gain from their interaction. Until it became second nature for them, and being full-time Master and sub was simply a part of who they were, Phil needed to speak openly with Terry so that his attention was on Phil’s words and nothing else.

Phil placed his hand on Terry’s head before speaking. He didn’t want to worry him. “Red.”

Terry gasped, his eyes lifting, fear clearly etched in them.

That didn’t go how I wanted it to. As self-assured and grounded a man Terry was, Phil had to remind himself that his sweet sub was also very sensitive. Phil reached down to help him up by his biceps. Even if Terry had practiced and could do it on his own, he wanted to make it clear that they weren’t in a scene. As soon as he wrapped his fingers around Terry’s arms, he winced. Phil immediately let go, reaching for his hand instead.

“What’s wrong?”

Frustration pulled at Phil. Terry’s clothing was in the way. He needed to see where and how Terry had been injured. Phil guided him to the couch and then sat down with his boy. As soon as he started unbuttoning Terry’s shirt, Terry grabbed his wrists as if to stop him.

“I’m fine, really. Let me change out of this and put a new Band-Aid on.”

Terry searched his face with his gaze, and Phil wondered if he’d somehow discovered that Phil’s film project had fallen through. But first he needed to check Terry to make sure he really was as okay as he claimed.

“Stop that. This shirt is coming off and you’re going to show me your elbow and whatever else is bothering you.”

Terry glanced down, no longer meeting Phil’s eyes. “I only hurt my elbow when I fell.”

“Uh-huh.” Phil furrowed his brow. “Then why were you wincing in pain when I touched your upper arms?”

“Because I…look, my pants are ruined from the damn blacktop, and anyway, why did you call red? Are you mad at me?”

Phil scrubbed one hand over his face. Terry was quick, whip smart. He was also clearly hiding something.

“You know that’s not acceptable, Terry.”

“What’s not…?” Terry lowered his head before meeting his gaze. “Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry, Sir.”

“You don’t have to call me Sir right now.”

Terry pulled his eyebrows together. “Are you sure you’re not mad at me?”

“Baby.”

Phil’s voice had been soft, his heart full of his love for his beautiful sub and the undeniable urge to keep him safe always, even if it was from any thoughtless actions or words that he, himself, might do or say. He leaned in, careful not to touch Terry until he knew where he was hurt, pressing his lips to Terry’s mouth, licking across the seam until Terry opened up for him. He kept the kiss gentle, but put as much of his love into it as he could. He wouldn’t let Terry doubt, not even for a moment.

About the Author

Author Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men forever after. Even though she’s been crafting her naughty tales of romance for more years than she’d like to share – her adventures as a published author began in 2011. Since then, she’s been fortunate enough to have several books on bestseller lists, along with two titles receiving recognition from the Rainbow Book Awards. Once upon a time, she was the lead singer and songwriter in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. Morticia currently resides on the beautiful northern Oregon coast, and when she’s not fantasizing about hot men, she takes walks along the ocean and occasionally annoys the local karaoke bar patrons.