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infernalrevenge · 3 years

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Extra Ordinary

Fandom: Choices - Foreign Affairs

Pairing: F!Blaine Hayes x M!MC (Magnus Quezon)

Rating: G

Summary: Blaine and Magnus sneak off to a traveling fair.

Notes: Inspired by a message from @i-cant-think-of-a-name-15 wherein he told me I could write about "a purple panda visiting Vancross" and he'd still read about it, so I was minorly inspired. This is much longer than what I've written and posted here so far, so fair warning on that.

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"A fair?"

Magnus raised an eyebrow at Dionne, who clutched her phone as she showed him her text messages from Blaine.

"Yeah, she said she got tickets the other day, arranged for you two to go, and everything! It's only in town for a week, and tonight's the last night before they pack everything up the next day."

Before he could even object -- the thought of everyone still breathing down his neck about the scandal and cleaning up his image still weighing heavily on his mind -- she interrupted, "You don't have any classes tomorrow, you’re free, and you need the break! Plus it'll be so romantic, just you and Blaine--"

"And our bodyguards."

"--Having the time of your lives at a fair! Come on, it'll be fun, Magnus! Like you're gonna say no to her."

Okay, she's got him there.

It only took a little bit of pleading to get Tatum to agree to his antics this time, rolling his eyes as if he was used to it at that point. Nevertheless, he escorted the First Son to the pier where the fair grounds were, dressed as casually and inconspicuously as possible.

Magnus adjusted his sunglasses and beanie, glancing behind him to see if his bodyguard was right behind, only to find him gone. He did say he was just going to keep a "respectable distance", but it didn't make him any less nervous being out and about like this. It wasn't that he didn't trust his date to show up, it was that he was worried that she would and so would the paparazzi. They haven't exactly relented on their quest to squeeze out every juicy detail of his story.

He tried to scan the crowd for any sign of Blaine, only to be suddenly grabbed by the arm. He stumbled back in surprise, accidentally bumping into a mother with her kids. "Sorry sorry, I'm so sorry miss!" he quickly apologized, but the lady left in a huff, and he found himself face to face with none other than the mastermind of this operation.

"Geez, I forgot how you scared so easily. Sorry about that," Blaine remarked, clearly amused. Magnus could only roll his eyes, but was nonetheless relieved to find her -- or rather, have her find him.

He had to admire her insistence on the whole plan, and the fact that she had a plan in the first place. Of course, they couldn't get away from their bodyguards and had to effectively hide any prominent features of theirs to avoid being recognized, but hey, he would take any excuse to be with her.

"We've got a lot of ground to cover if we wanna make the most of this place," Blaine said. They made their way inside hand in hand.

"I'm starting to feel bad, leaving you with all the work of planning out covert dates. I should return the favor some time," Magnus said with a small laugh, taking in the sights and smells around him. The sun was beating down on every head present, hung up on a bright blue sky. It was quite crowded, which was a security concern, but it also meant it would be harder for untrained eyes to spot them in the sea of faces. Still, it had him a bit on edge.

"Looking forward to whatever you've got cooking up there, Rutherland. I'm sure you can think of something." Blaine looked up at the rides, the screams of its passengers intriguing her to give the experience a shot. It would also help to distract Magnus, as she noticed he was rather tense. "Where do you wanna go first?"

Magnus wasn't always the type to try to impress a date, but he might have been pushing it a little when he suggested an octopus ride. "I've never ridden one before. My mom always said they would break and the cart I'd be in would fly off."

It felt that way as soon as the ride started too. Magnus held onto the safety bar in front of them for dear life, his insides doing massive flips with every rotation. It was very thrilling, but it was also a strangely ticklish sensation that had him laughing and screaming the whole time. Blaine was having the time of her life, on the other hand, raising both arms in the air at multiple points as she whooped and jokingly yelled for it to go faster. Their excited screams blended in with the cacophony of the other riders, and somehow, that made the First Son feel the most normal he had since the day started.

If you were to ask him, Magnus would deny how his hands were shaking as they got off the ride, remnants of that thrill and momentary terror still running through his body. But it helped to have Blaine take both his hands and encouraged him to breathe deeply instead of the usual teasing he expected from her.

"Do you go on octopus rides often?" he asked, sucking in another breath before exhaling slowly.

"I'm actually more of a lazy river kind o' girl, but I love the adrenaline rush anyway," she casually replied, trying her best to ground him and calm his racing heart and stomach.

The two of them decided to eat some snacks as a substitute for lunch, settling for corn dogs, cotton candy, and watermelon slices. Along the way, Magnus spotted a giant panda stuffed toy in one of the game booths, its usual black patches replaced with a bright purple. Blaine followed his distracted gaze and giggled, trying to get his attention. “See something you like?”

The Rutherlandian chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I, uh... it’s a giant panda, kinda hard to miss.” He was trying his best not to seem too obvious about his curiosity and desire to have it. However, after passing by the same booth a few more times as they explored the grounds, with his attention inevitably drifting to the toy, Blaine took him there herself to see if she can win it for him.

“You don’t have to--”

“Just let me do this for you. Besides, not like you can keep your eyes off of it.”

A laugh escaped him, “Are you telling me you’re jealous of a stuffed toy panda now?”

“I’m literally gonna win it for you, Rutherland, I am the farthest from being jealous. I promise by the end of the night, you'll be one panda richer.”

Basketball was the name of the game -- all she had to do was sink three shots in a row through the hoop across. Simple enough, if only she weren’t so far away from behind the starting line. Every time she threw the ball and watched it soar through the air, it was always just a few feet shy of the goal. By the time Blaine was on her sixth total attempt, she was just slamming the cash on the counter in frustration to pay for more chances, which the manager gladly accepted each time.

Magnus tried to get her to stop, insisting that it was fine and she didn’t need to waste so much money on a game “that was clearly rigged anyway.”

“Hey, I promised I’d get you that, and goddammit you are gonna get it!” she stubbornly replied, setting down another two dollars. This time though, she took a pause to rest and re-think her strategy.

Blaine furrowed her eyebrows, her focus alternating between the ball and the hoop, until an idea struck her. A wide mischievous smirk appeared on her face as she pinned the ball under her arm and climbed onto the counter, much to everyone's surprise.

"Hey, you're not allowed up there, miss!" the man behind the stand yelled, holding a hand up. The Ardonian was undeterred.

"Why? I'm still behind the line," she pointed out.

"You could fall and get hurt, you have to--" Magnus started, but Blaine was already focused on her goal, ball in hand as she lifted it up.

The height certainly gave her an advantage, taking one successful shot after another, despite the manager's and Magnus' protests. Her date still hung back right behind her, arms slightly raised to ready himself just in case. If she was so insistent on doing things her way, hopefully it wouldn't end in a hospital visit. She would hear an occasional "be careful!" between shots, but when she finally got the last one she needed, she practically threw caution to the wind after the ball.

“Victory is mine, asshole!” she yelled in triumph, throwing her arms up in the air in celebration.

She didn't anticipate how the momentum would throw her off balance though, misstepping behind her. She yelped and tried to move forward, but it was too late. One second she was falling back toward the ground, then the next... she was in Magnus' arms.

She looked up at him and laughed, "Good catch. You work out?" she commented with a wink, letting him help her stand back up.

"Let's just say you can always trust me to catch you," he replied with a hint of a flirtatious tone, before nudging her with his elbow. "But never do that again," he warned, though he was clearly just worried about her.

The Ardonian flipped her hair over her shoulder, turning her attention to the manager. "One panda, my good sir!"

He begrudgingly handed over the stuffed toy to Blaine, who then proceeded to proudly present it to Magnus. He had to wrap both arms around its fluffy torso just to be able to hold onto it securely.

"Consider this my apology for worrying you," she joked, patting the toy's fluffy arm.

"This feels a bit cliche, doesn't it?" he said, his voice partially muffled by the huge obstruction between them.

"What do you mean? It's a role reversal. It's the guy usually winning prizes for the girl, right?"

"I just mean the situation in general. Do you always win giant pandas for your dates?"

"Only for you, babe. Though I'll happily take it back if you don't want it."

At that, Magnus turned and kept it away from Blaine when she tried to reach for it. "No, you already gave it to me, so keepsies." He stuck his tongue out at her, looking more childish than ever, which earned him a boop on the nose.

"One more ride for the road?"

It was already sunset by the time they got on the ferris wheel. The sky was a gradient of pink, orange, and yellow as the sun started to set, slowly sinking in the horizon where the sky met the sea. It took some convincing for the ride manager to allow the stuffed toy on board, as long as they didn't drop it -- like Magnus was ever going to let that happen.

The newly christened Taro (as Magnus insisted on calling the panda) sat on his side, with Blaine snuggled on the other, her head settled on his shoulder. The ride moved slowly as other passengers boarded, and they were getting close to the top, just enough to enjoy the view.

"I know the rooftops at Vancross had great views of sunsets, but nothing beats being this close to it, huh?" Blaine said, her fingers idly playing with Magnus', intertwining and untwining them.

"Being in great company helps me appreciate it more too," Magnus replied, before turning to the stuffed toy next to him, sitting at eye level given its size. "Isn't that right, Taro?"

"Sorry, am I ruining your moment here?" she joked, gently nudging at his arm. Magnus simply smiled and wrapped an around her shoulders, pulling her even closer to his side.

"But seriously though, today was really fun. I'm glad you convinced Dionne to convince me to come out here. At this point, it's hard to say no to even just seeing you."

"Even if it means infuriating your bodyguard?"

Magnus rolled his eyes, looking off as the sky started to darken. "He wasn't infuriated, I'd say irritated at best, but he gets it. He's always been supportive of my 'be a normal person' agenda."

"Did I help deliver?"

"Oh definitely. You sure know how to make a guy feel normal, in a good way."

Blaine glanced up at him, "What does being normal mean to you?"

The young man blinked, not expecting such an introspective question. The lights on the ferris wheel started to turn on, giving him a view of Blaine under their soft glow. He almost lost himself in the sight and backtracked on the question.

He gave himself a moment to think, choosing his words carefully, "Just... being able to live my life away from scrutinizing eyes, I guess. I don't want the public to see me as someone or something that I'm not just because some tabloid article told them this or that."

She nodded in understanding, pulling his arm closer. "Definitely. It's like the general population seems to forget we're people too. We have our own lives and identities, and it's not something that can be toyed with."

"I wish I didn't have to act a certain way, I don't want them to change me. I wish... things were different." A bout of silence passed between them, the ride moving at its leisurely pace to give its passengers time to appreciate it.

"But if they were, then I never would've met you, so it's not all bad. You're... one of the best things that's ever happened to me, you know?" Magnus looked at Blaine, a small yet genuine smile on his face. The girl looked up at him almost with a flicker of doubt at first, but looking deeper into his eyes, she knew he was telling the truth.

And she wasn't sure how to handle that.

She could feel her stomach doing flips, a thrill running through her -- except it wasn't like she was on a fair ride. This was somehow more intense, yet she felt grounded with him by her side. She couldn't help the smile that bloomed, her cheeks darkening slightly as she took in his words.

"You're too good, Magnus. I hope the world never changes you."

The way she said his name sounded almost adoring, like she was in awe of what a genuine soul he was despite everything that's happened to him. She knew what it was like, having been expected to keep up appearances her whole life, but somehow this boy right next to her never seemed to lose touch of himself along the way. He knew what he had to do, but he also knew who he was at the end of the day.

Just hearing her say it like that was enough to melt Magnus' insides with a loving warmth. A smile spread across his face, leaning forward to press a soft kiss on her lips. He was just so relieved that he never had to pretend around Blaine, never had to prove anything to her. It was more than enough just having her there by his side, and even though he was looking forward to the day he can finally be out with her in public with pride, moments like these made their secret trips still worth going through.

(Due to Taro's size, it couldn’t quite fit in Magnus' bed as intended, so it instead resided on the couch in the suite. It didn't mean he didn't take any chances to nap on it though.

Dionne has sent many pictures to Blaine of the young man's face buried into its fluffy stomach, curled up on the small space as he rested peacefully, and Blaine has had to stifle many squeals of delight at the adorable sight.)

#choices foreign affairs #choices fa #blaine hayes #blaine x mc #f!blaine hayes #male!mc #m!mc

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snowe-zolynn-rogers · 4 years

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Pairings: Romantic Prinxiety (Virgil x Roman)

Word Count: 9841 Words

Summary: Roman goes into the Imagination after the events of POF but he runs too far. Can the others find him before it's too late?

Warnings: Eye Trauma, Injury, Blood, Permanent Injury, let me know if I should tag anything else.

Notes: I might make a part 2 but I don’t know.

Shatter Me

Roman loved going into the Imagination and roaming around, the freedom to do whatever he wants and go wherever he wants. It also let him do things he couldn't do around the other sides like spar with his katana and visit Remus and Janus.

So he set out to his part of the Imagination first, cheering himself up with the beautiful meadows and he helped a small snake across the road and a short lecture to stay safe and not get hurt.

He then continued along his way through the Imagination with a small friend following him. Roman eventually stopped and picked up the small snakeling and it curled happily around his shoulders and he continued walking while talking to the small animal.

"So Virgil's been really nice lately. I think we're finally getting along and I really like him. I hope he likes me too." The snake flicked its tongue against his face like a cat grooming its owner. "I suppose you need a name? How about Romy?" The snake blepped at him and he smiled, pet over its side, feeling over the smooth, beautiful scales. "Romy it is."

They continued travelling, Roman telling Romy of his woes with the other sides right now until Roman stopped, noticing the sky had gone grey. Was it about to rain? Oh well, he wasn't going home just yet. He kept walking into the darkness until he found himself in the middle of a forest and realized what happened.

He had walked right into the dark side of the mind. He walked right into the dark side of the Imagination without so much as his sword for protection and he couldn't summon it here, inside of the Monster's Forest and he could hear the monsters that resides here, some howling, others growling, a few rattles and scrapes and screeches. And he was alone with Romy and no weapon.

He slowly, quietly, tried to find the path he'd come on but there was no indication of which way he'd come from or where he could escape. He stuck his head from the brush to look for a way out and got a slash across his eyes for his efforts. He stumbled back, hands over his eyes and holding them as he felt blood? tears? something warm and liquidy in his hands.

And he swore he was opening his eyes even though it hurt but nothing came through them. Romy hissed softly, cuddling to him, comforting him or at least trying to. Roman pet him, his only indication this was real right now and started crying. It would be too long before anyone found him, he'd die here.

"Wait, wait, wait. My baby brother is what?" Remus asked Janus again.

"I need to go into the Monster's Forest. I've been scouring the Imagination but there's only so many places he could be and the last place I need to search still is the Monster's Forest." Janus explained.

"I'm sure he's probably at his castle right now, moping because his ego was hurt." Remus told his boyfriend.

"Virgil checked there first, he's not there." Janus told him.

"Wha-"

"He has to be in the Forest, Remus, but I need your help to get him. It's been a month, Remus. I'm scared. What if something happened to him?" Remus' somber grimace greeted him when Janus finally managed to look up at him.

"Then we'll get him. Bring extra weapons, those things are vicious." Remus warned him.

Not a half hour later, they were at the entrance to the Monster's forest, Virgil, Logan, and Patton alongside so they had more people to search more area, weapons drawn and ready to fight whatever was in there.

"If we talk inside, it'll lead us to the center on the path where they can't hurt us. Don't step off the path, don't stop talking." Remus warned them.

They went about talking, Janus and Remus of their upcoming quest plans, Logan and Patton of their ideas to help Thomas focus, Virgil talking to himself quietly about his feelings about Roman. They eventually emerged into the circle of the forest, the dead center, which had a small grassy field surrounded by a tangled line of trees and foliage.

They didn't quite expect to see a bone-thin version of their friend mumbling to himself, or, rather, to the snake on his shoulders. Said snake slithered from his companion and to the closest side, Remus, to pull him closer, biting at the fabric of his pants and trying its hardest to drag him over.

"Romy?" Roman whispered. Romy let go to care for Roman, rubbing against him affectionately and seeming to tell him it was safe right now.

"Roman?" Remus asked, kneeling before him and ghosting his hands around his shoulders.

"Remus?" Roman asked back, reaching out for him, hands hitting Remus' chest and grasped on. "Remus, you came." Roman began sobbing.

"We all did, Roman." Remus alerted him.

"Everyone's here?" Roman asked.

"Yes, Ro, can't you see us?" Patton asked.

"I can't. One of the monsters. It...It scratched my eyes when I tried to leave." Remus hugged him close, protectively so, and Romy slithered onto Roman's shoulders, keeping him company again, protecting him.

"How did you survive here for a month?" Logan asked.

"You won't like it." Roman warned.

"Roman, are you okay?" Janus asked softly.

"I think so?" Roman answered unsurely.

"Remus, we need to leave, it's going to start getting dark soon." Virgil warned him, gently taking Roman, letting Romy crawl from Roman's shoulders to his own in the process of getting Roman settled in his arms. Virgil was concerned by how little his friend felt like he weighed.

"Okay. It's harder getting out so everyone tire this rope around you." Reus alerted everyone tying everyone to the rope. "We all guard Virgil no matter what. He can't fight. Virgil called bullshit. Virgil let his cloud-like aura manifest itself like a shield around him and Roman, impenetrable. "Nevermind, that works too. Again, keep talking, it should let us out if we all keep talking. Jan, talk to the new snake friend, keep him communicating." Remus reminded the snake-like side.

"Hey Ro, I'm really glad to have you back, everything's been so boding without you. I've missed you a lot." Virgil prompted Roman to talk.

"I thought I would die out here."

"I wouldn't let that happen. I made everyone search."

"But why do you care? I'm just a good-for-nothing price that can't even do his job."

"You're not. You're amazing and I'm sorry I've never said anything before but Roman, you matter and I'm sorry if I ever make you feel like you don't because you matter so much to me and I can't stand to see you hurt or unhappy."

"I matter to you?"

"Matter? Roman, I'm in love with you. Roman, I love you, of course you matter to me." Virgil sighed as they stepped from the forest and Remus counted all six of them and Romy, all seven, perfect.

"You love me?" Roman asked.

"So much." Virgil whispered, letting down his aura to calm himself and he had to hand Roman quickly off to Logan and took a few deep breaths to regain his strength and composure.

"Vee? Ae you okay?" Patton asked.

"I'm fine, I just... I had to protect Roman." Janus then noticed the blood spot forming on Virgil's right leg, his jeans ripped with three claw marks down the side from his hip to his knee all the way down his thigh.

"Virgil?" Roman asked as Virgil sat on the ground, breathing deeply.

"I'm okay. Nothing deadly. Just a little scratch." Patton would have scolded him if he wasn't downplaying it for Roman's sake.

"Remus, Roman, why don't you two go with Romy and clean up, I'm sure Roman needs a bath after a month in that dirty place." Patton told the twins.

"Sure, Pops." Remus began carrying Roman to the dark side house, Romy wrapped around Remus' neck now.

Virgil gritted his teeth as Janus had to bite anti-venom into him, nearly screamed actually, at the teeth impaled in his already venom-inflicted skin. But this was good, he could still feel it so no nerve damage had been done.

"I'm sorry." Janus told him, spitting out his blood onto the ground, nearly throwing up at the bitter, sour, burned sugar taste in his mouth of the venom that wouldn't affect him.

Actually, now that it was all he could focus on, he did throw up into the grass, Patton rubbing his back just as much as he was holding Vigil's had as Logan came running back with a first aid kit apologizing as he wriggled Virgil from his ripped jeans and began tending to the finally stemmed wounds.

Virgil would have been freaking out if he hadn't lost so much blood, but a few needles and some stitches meant basically nothing to him in his lightheaded, dizzy, dazing state of blood loss. So, even after nearly a hundred stitches, he was virtually unfazed.

Logan helped him into clean, not ripped jeans and helped him back to the dark side home as well where they found Roman and Remus in the living room with Romy, who was getting right along with Remus' pet possum, Pumpkin. Roman was telling Remus what he and Romy did to survive a month stranded in there with no way out.

"Romy brought me food. Well, his kind of food. But it was enough." Patton grimaced at the idea and Janus was already busy trying to quietly find something in the kitchen that would get rid of the taste still in his mouth from the venom.

"Do you want anything to eat?" Remus asked.

"If it's not any trouble." Roman whispered.

"Of cours, it isn't any trouble. I wanna feed my hungry baby brother! I won't even put anything weird in this time!" Remus told him.

"Thank you, Remus." Roman hugged him. Logan set Virgil next to Roman.

"Virge? Is that you?" Roman asked.

"It's me, my prince." Virgil told him, hugging to him.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Roman asked.

"I'll be fine. Janus gave me some anti-venom and Logan stitched me up good so I'll be better in no time. It's you I'm worried about. You haven't even opened your eyes."

"It's ugly. They're scarred now. They shouldn't be open."

"I'm sure they're not ugly. They're a part of you. No part of you can be ugly, you're too gorgeous to be even remotely ugly." Virgil assured him. Slowly, Roman opened his clouded milky white eyes and Virgil held his face gently.

"Beautiful." Virgil alerted him

"They're ugly and they didn't heal right." Roman told him.

"Well, you won't see, I can't fix that. But I can make them look normal again if it bothers you so much." Logan told him.

"Please?" Roman requested. Logan put his hand over Roman's eyes and a healing blue light flashed before Roman's eyes were their old bright green, though with clouded milky pupils but they looked normal, no scar at all.

"Do I look okay?" Roman asked.

"As handsome as ever. Not that you weren't before." Virgil told him.

"I'm really tired." Roman alerted the other sides.

"Drink this and you can rest." Remus told him, handing him a warm bowl of soup, Virgil supporting his wrists and helping him hold the heavy bowl.

Once Roman drank the chicken based broth, he fell asleep against Virgil and Janus, who had settled next to him to check him over for any bites or scratches from the monsters.

Roman felt safe. He was home.

Taglist: @yeet-ceit @sneaky-slytherin @punk-academian-witch

#sanders sides #sympathetic deceit #roman sanders #virgil sanders #deceit sanders #janus sanders #remus sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #snoweywrites #tw eye trauma #tw injury #tw blood mention #tw permanent injury

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fbismostunwanted1158 · 7 years

Note

Are you still taking second person prompts? I just saw you might still be taking second person prompts. If you are...everyone on Voyager remarks upon your resemblance to Captain Janeway and you know it's affecting your romantic prospects on board so you decide to secretly offer yourself to Chakotay as an intimate physical substitute. You dim the lights and tell him to pretend--you don't mind.

Okay, anon. This morphed into something crazy. And AWESOME. Thank you! I hope you’re not disappointed. NSFW. Obviously. It’s me…

Try as you might, there’s nothing you can do. Your eyes,hair, skin, build, everything; they’re also hers. Crew members gawk, jokes aretossed around the mess hall, and Tom Paris gives you a mock salute from time totime. You got into a heated argument with Harry the other day and actual fearregistered in his eyes.

The latest hilarity to ensue must be the greatest so far onthis seemingly endless journey home. You decided last week that you werecutting your hair, that was it, you’d had enough. Then, what happened? Youcaught sight of the Captain in the mess and there it was. Your new hairstyle.Right there. Staring back at you. She nods her head in a friendly gesture andyou return it, quickly ducking the several sneering snickers directed towardyou.

“Nice haircut, Beth.” Theirlaughter sours the tea and toast you gather from the replicator. You toss itviolently straight into the recycler and strained silence falls over the room.Embarrassed beyond belief, you about face and march straight back through the doors.

Rolling your eyes in exasperation as another ensign winks inyour direction, you continue down the hall; your dour mood weighting itself inthe stomp of your boots down the corridor. Instead of smiles, the faces ofthose that meet you avoid your heated glare and find something interesting onthe bulkheads to focus on.

You turn the corner and run directly into a solid chest. Ittakes you by surprise and knocks you straight to the ground. Bracing yourselfagainst Starfleet issue carpet, you bat at the hands that attempt to right you.

“I don’t. Need. Help,”you cough against the recycled air slowly returning to your stricken lungs.Warm firm hands grasp you anyway and pull you effortlessly to your feet.Growling in frustration, you look up to give this man handler a piece of yourmind and—

“Commander! I-I-uhm…,”he smiles brightly, nearly blinding you. Damn it, he’s beautiful. The sparklein his dark eyes takes your breath once more and concern settles into hiseyebrows.

“Are you alright, Neilson?” Holy shit, he knows who you are? Of course, he knows who you are. He’sthe First Officer! Ah! He asked you a question! SPEAK! UGH!

“Y-yes, sir. I am so sor–,” he moves his hands up from yourelbows and brings them to rest on your shoulders.

“Nothing to apologize for. Are you alright? You look a bitpale.”

“Ah,” you chuckle, “Artificial lighting. I’ll be fine. Justoff to Engineering to repair a few relays.”

“Didn’t you just come from a full shift, Lieutenant?”

“W-well, yes. There is still so much to–,” he shakes hishead and smiles.

“No more work for the evening. You look like you could usesome rest,” there’s something in his expression that you’ve never seen beforeand his intense inspection of your face is causing a blush to tint your cheeks.Yet again, you’ve never really spent thatmuch time staring at the Commander’s face. Okay, yes you have.

He suddenly breaks eye contact, removing his hands from youand putting them behind his back. The unease is palpable. He clears his throatand you both speak at the same time.

“Have you—“ “’I’m so—“

He laughs. Actually laughs. It’s wonderful. It comes fromsomewhere deep in his chest and rises to caress your ears with its gentle lilt.There’s no stopping the smile that forces its way on your mouth.

“It’s alright. There’s no need to apologize. I was justabout to ask you if you’ve had dinner.”

He waits patiently for your response, which is seriouslylacking at this point in time. Your brain stumbles to form a complete sentenceand something ridiculous slips out.

“I…uhh…erm…just came—I can’t go in there again.”

“Where?”

“The…mess, sir.”

“Why is that?”

“This…,” a deep sigh leaves you as you gesture to your newhairstyle. His gaze returns and sweeps over you. He grins deviously and appearsto be holding back his comments. After careful deliberation, he speaks.

“There is a remarkable resemblance,” his eyes return toyours briefly before closely examining your face, “Facial structure, skin tone,eye color, build; you could definitely fool some. Yet, your hair is a shade ortwo darker, she has at least three inches on you, “he pauses, taking in abreath, “And you have freckles. So does the Captain, but yours are morepronounced. How do you do that with the absence of sunlight?”

The scrutiny that your melanin deposits are under is quiteunsettling. Your blush reaches a whole new level. Freckles? Really? And he’stelling me I’m short? Am I dreaming? Is this even real?

“I apologize. I’ve made you uncomfortable. Don’t let anyonedictate your actions. People will take a chance to find anything to entertainthemselves,” he moves around you and returns to his intended path, “Let me knowif there’s any more trouble.” Oh, God. He’sleaving? Wait.

“Wait,” theCommander halts and turns at your call.

“Yes?”

“O-our last shore leave.” Jesus, what are you doing?

“Two weeks ago. Yes, what about it?”

“Th-at’s how. I, uh. My freckles. Been this way since I waslittle. I’m out in the sun for a second and they just…,” the courage to finishthis stupid thought evaporates from you. Why?Why couldn’t you have just let him go?

He processes what you’ve said; smile returning to soften hisfeatures. Your insides melt instantly and he steps back to where you’re rootedto the deck.

“Would you be comfortable accompanying me to my quarters fordinner? No one there to bother you. I have a vegetable vindaloo programmed thatI have been looking forward to all day. I’m sure there’s enough for two.”

That sounds amazing. You’ve heard wonderful things about theCommander’s cooking. But, his quarters?! You can’t even call him by his firstname; let alone having any businessin his quarters! Everything in you is screaming against the answer about toleave your mouth, yet you let curiosity get the best of your logic.

“That sounds…perfect. If you wouldn’t mind any company,”relief floods his body and his arm makes a sweeping gesture for you to proceedhim down the hallway. Complying happily, you instantly feel the heat radiatingfrom his body beside you. Close besideyou. Why does he need to walk nearly on top of you? The width of thecorridor is more than accommodating; you wouldn’t have the broad protection ofhis proximity leave you for anything.

The absence of conversation on the way to his quarters issurprisingly comfortable. You haven’t felt this calm around a member of theopposite sex in long time. In fact, this is the first social call you’ve beenon in a while. It feels nice, easy, warm—no.This is the Commander.

He keys in the code to open his door and you are envelopedin the dark heady scent of him. The tingle of the spice and sandalwood travelsstraight to the molten heat of your belly. And to think he’s going to serve youvindaloo.

“Would you like a drink? I have some cider, some wine fromour last shore leave.”

“That wine is amazing!I really loved that little–.”

“The little vineyard by the cove. Yes, it was beautiful. Ithought I caught you there,” he reaches for the bottle and retrieves twoglasses from his table. Two glasses. He only has two. Oh, God. They’re for him and—

“If I recall,” he hands you a healthy glass, “you were therefor quite a while. Alone. No one else wanted to come along?”

You take a large drink of the bold sweet alcohol, girdingyourself to make it through the night with some of your dignity left intact. Heleaves the question to hang in the air; reaching for the replicator panel, theCommander drinks from his own glass, tapping away at the controls.

“You…noticed that I was by myself?”

“Who wouldn’t notice an attractive young woman sitting nearthe beach with nothing but a padd to keep her company?”

Attractive. Jesus. Didit just get warmer in here? What in the hell is going on? Taking another swig,you press on. Give it all you’ve got.

“How do you know I wasn’t waiting for someone?”

“No one ever showed up. I can’t believe that any man in hisright mind would stand you up,” he turns to pierce you with a heated gaze. Theroom begins to shrink around you; breathing is becoming an issue.

“Commander? I—maybe this wasn’t such a great idea,” you setthe glass half empty on the table and start for the door. Just before you reachthe sensor, he blocks your path. A look of disappointment on his face.

“I apologize. I was out of line. Forgive me. Please, call meChakotay when we’re off duty. This ship is too far from Federation space for usto not have a life outside of ship’s business,” his last statement seems to bedirected more to himself than you.

Instinct tells you to lay a gentle hand on his shoulder,reassure him that his small talk is not the cause of your hesitancy. You tampdown that inner voice and find that you’ve both opted to stare openly into thedepths of one another’s eyes.

Warm fingers brush the hair from your face, his rough palmcoming to rest against your face. You let your eyes slip closed; so slowly youbreathe, in fear that any harsh movement will startle the moment. Soft lipsquest against yours, unsure in their pressure; your mouth opens to welcome himand his movements gain purpose.

Tongues snake together, lazily tracing, acquainting theother of preferences. He draws your bottom lip between his teeth and his handspull you closer at the moan you let escape into his hot mouth. The lower halfof your body molds to his and you feel an impressive erection resting againstyour belly.

Liquid heat pools in your panties and your hands travel downto tangle in the short hair at the nape of his neck. He hums and leans back,just enough to press his forehead against yours, watching you lick your wetswollen lips. Breaths mingle, chests heave, time stops.

“Tell me to stop. I need–,” your finger traces around tosettle over his lips, silencing him.

“I-If I tell you to stop…I’d regret it for the rest of mylife.”

He kisses your finger and brings your hand to rest over hisheart; nuzzling his face into your neck, breathing deeply.

“Mmmm…are you still hungry,” his deep mumble against yousends shivers across your body. A large hand slips down your back and massagesboldly at your ass. You groan, leaning into his accommodating embrace.

“Not for curry…”

“Perhaps I could interest you in some dessert,” the handgroping your ass slides between your legs to brush against your center. Thiscauses you to step wider and give him better access.

“Oh, God. Yes…please…”the throaty whine that leaves your throat is so ridiculous, you feel likeyou’re in a damn holonovel. This is wrong. Sowrong. But, shit. That pressurehe’s putting on your clit is exquisite.

“Spirits, you’re beautiful, Elizabeth. Absolutely breathtaking,” he captures your mouth and proceeds toturn you to a quivering mess in his arms. You’re grasping at his biceps to keepfrom dropping to the floor and he hauls you against his chest in one deftmovement.

No one ever calls you ‘Elizabeth’, except for your mother.The way that it rolls from his tongue, swimming on the rich honey of his voice;it melts you, warming your everywhere.

His powerful body rotates and he sets you firmly on thetable, standing between your legs. After taking another thorough inventory ofyour teeth, his fingers work at the fasteners of your jacket and turtleneck.Some sense seeps back into the foreground of your consciousness.

“Mmmm…w-wait,” hisface raises from your jaw and his hands rest over your clothed breasts, “I need to know one thing.”

“Anything,” hekisses your nose; regarding you with tender eyes, his hands rub soothingly upand down your arms, “What is it?”

“Is it—Is it because I look like her,” the question leaves you in a rush, you’re suddenly breathless.His hands cup your face, his expression takes on an air of seriousness.

“No. Initially—yes,” you attempt to hide and his fingers onyour chin bring you back to him, “The more I watched you, the further in love Ifell. Now, I see you. Your humor,talent, dazzling smile, the way you smell your tea before you take each drink,”you both chuckle at your idiosyncrasy.

“I’ve done that for a long time. Who knows why–,” his lipsseal yours, swallowing the rest of your babbling.

“I’ve wanted to taste you for weeks,” he runs his tonguealong your jaw and down the muscles of your neck. It’s provocative and you letthe whimper flow from you, grasping at his head, pulling him closer.

Now you’re down to your bra, bare from the waste up; hefeels you shiver against the cool air of his cabin. As he strokes your back togenerate warmth, he calls to the computer to change the temperature of theroom. As stupid as it sounds, this is the most anyone has done for you in months, maybe even a year. The caringgesture swells inside your chest and morphs into pure passion.

No longer an innocent bystander, you take action, threadingyour fingers through his hair and you change the angle of his head and open hismouth to you. Sucking greedily at his lips, gnashing teeth, he snarls andgrowls against you; the fabric of your bra is ripped away and your nipplesharden at the sudden temperature change.

He cups each breast, weighing it as he breaks away to starehungrily at them. You’ve been told before that you’re a ‘bit larger’ thanaverage. Judging by the dark sparkle in his eyes, he is thinking the samething. Throwing caution to the wind, you firmly guide his face to your chestand he takes the hint, closing his mouth greedily over a waiting nipple.

The fire he’s blazing across you burns straight through toyour already throbbing cunt. You haven’t been this wet in your life; this man is intoxicating,overloading every one of your senses. Watching him is just as erotic as thesensations he’s creating; his other hand fondles your unattended breast,readying it for his mouth.

You sigh, low and long, your head thrown back as you leavehim to his work. Running your fingernails over his scalp, massaging at the hardmuscles of his neck and shoulders. He is wearing entirely too many layers. Youbring your hands around and press against him. His mouth pops off your tit witha wet smack and he looks right at you.

“I need you naked.Now.”

He drops a kiss to each of your breasts and one to your lipsbefore pulling your legs around his hips, working his hands under your ass. Youget the hint and settle against him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders,tucking your face into the warmth of his neck.

The heat in your belly makes it’s way to your heart; you snuggleimpossibly closer into him. His hold on you makes you feel safe, protected,loved. He lays you gently onto his bed; your arms recline over your head as hewatches you concentrate on his body.

He is lean, long, hard; the muscles of his chest and abdomenripple under soft caramel skin as he unfastens his trousers and pushes themslowly down his thighs. You rub your thighs together anxiously at the sight ofhis erection twitching under the thin material of his briefs.

Answering your prayers, he hooks his thumbs under theelastic of his waist band and releases himself with a hiss. Your hands travelover your breasts and tickle your belly as you reach for your own pants. Hethumbs the glistening head of his cock; your hips raise to let your pants andunderwear down your legs.

He pulls them off the rest of the way, depositing your bootsand socks on the floor, kissing his way up the arch of your foot. His tonguetickles your ankle, tracing up your leg, running flat and slow along your innerthigh. He opens your legs to him and breathes hot air over the tight wetness ofyour sex.

“Gods,” he runshis finger through your lips, opening you, “Sowet.”

Your hands grasp at his hair and he grunts, swirling histongue over your swollen clit. His hands massage your thighs and ass as he sucksand nips at your cunt. You feel him press a finger into you, a fresh rush ofwetness lubricates him as he pumps into you slowly.

“So tight. Mmm…that’sit. Ride. Take me.”

You rock against his thrusts, pulling his head up your body;he nuzzles your breasts before claiming your mouth. He’s wet and slippery withyou and you taste it on his tongue. Adding a second finger, his thumb rubsdelicately around your clit.

You shudder and shake; he’s nibbling on your neck, lickingyour collar bone, feasting on your breasts. It feels like he’s everywhere withthe masterful way he works your body. It sings as you writhe under him; yourmuscles ripple tightly with the return of his fingers deep inside you.

Gasping and clawing at his back, your orgasm tears throughyou; the surprising force of it taking your breath away. You open your eyes tosee him watching your pleasure play across your face; his fingers continue tomove carefully inside you, riding out your aftershocks.

“You’re amazing,” yourlips slowly war with his, tongues tangling, his hand roams your torso. You bitehis lip, pulling it into your mouth and he ruts his erection against your slickthrobbing slit.

“Oh, yes. Please.”

“Tell me. Tell me whatyou want,” he pants into your mouth; hand guiding his cock over your clit.You press down into him, hooking your legs around his thighs. He groans deeply,mouth to your ear, his cock nudging at your entrance.

“Is this what youwant,” you feel him push into you slowly, cunt rippling deliciously aroundthe hard and heavy cock. A moan leaves you in a rush, your legs are beingpressed back as he sinks into you down to the hilt.

“Alright,” hemurmurs in question; you adjust to his size, nodding in affirmation.

“How do you like it?” Experimentalthrusts cause your toes to curl, heels urging him at the firm globes of hisass.

“H-ha-rd. Deep. Uhng.Yes. Oh! God! Chakotay,” finally, his name falls from your lips and itcalls his attention to your face. He grins, kissing you passionately whilefucking you into the mattress.

It’s the best sex of your life; every nerve ending isfiring, electricity skittering across your goose flesh, bursting in a searingthrob in your cunt.

Chakotay’s tongue slides along your own in counterpoint tothe steady pounding his hips are giving you. You revel in the feeling of hisbody covering you, protecting you, warming you, loving you. Hanging on to the sweaty softness of his shoulderblades, the thoughts running through your mind send you into a second series ofspasms.

He grunts hotly against your ear as your inner muscles milkhis cock for all it’s worth; drawing him deeper, waiting for him to fill you.The rhythm of his thrusts stutter and he cradles your body as he spurts, thewarmth spreading beyond your womb right to your soul.

You cling to him, something welling up inside you,threatening to break. Tears burn at the back of your eyes and a sob bursts fromyour chest. Immediately, his eyes are on you, examining, he pulls out and youwhine at the loss of contact.

“Are you hurt? What’s wrong,” hands brush the hair from yourface, firm fingers under your chin bring you to brown eyes filled with worry.He rolls to lay beside you, taking stock of your body, running hands over you.

“Shhh,” he hushes, “Breathe. Deep breaths.” Tears begin anewas he gently traces your features, pulling you to rest on his chest. Warm handsmassage at your lower back, soothing you with the thunder of his heartbeatbeneath your ear.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I,” he kisses the top of your head,his tone anxious.

“N-no. I just–,” you gasp in for air, “I…ha-ven’t b-beenthis close to an-nyone in a long ti-me,” he hums and it reverberates throughyour whole body.

“In my lifetime, I’ve had my share of sex,” you huff out alaugh and he chuckles in response, “There are few instances where my spirit hasfelt a connection.”

He pauses and combs through your hair; you can feel hishesitancy.

“I felt it too,” yourwhisper flows over his broad chest. He holds you tighter and your stomach rumblespainfully.

“I felt that. I doremember promising you some dinner,” laughter erupts from the both of you andhe brings you to sit up with him. You lay in the embrace of his arm, staring upinto his shining eyes. He kisses you once more and moves to get up.

“Stay right here. I’ll bring you a bowl,” his shapely assdisappears out the door and you snuggle deeper into his sheets, inhaling hisscent.

“What are you doingtomorrow night,” the deep voice calls from the other room.

“Nothing special,” you reply. He rounds the corner, twobowls of vindaloo, completely nude. He is the picture of perfection.

“Dinner again?”

“Certainly,” the bowl is deposited in your waiting hands,“As long as I can have dessert first.”

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April 2019 Book Releases

Being one of those readers who enjoys a large variety of genres, I sometimes find it easy to become overwhelmed with new releases. What should I read next? The paranormal romance about the werebeast? Or the feminist, not-so-fictional story about rape culture? What about the latest installment in an ongoing fantasy series that I’ve been desperately waiting for?

If you’re anything like me, you might find the sheer volume of options daunting, and worry about missing out on awesome, lesser publicized books that might get buried under the hype surrounding the big name bestsellers.

Not to fear, fellow reader! To help us all out, I’ve created this monthly post highlighting the standout releases in several genres, with a special emphasis on representation, diversity, and own voices.

Click on each book title to learn more!

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He Release Date: April 2nd Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her.

Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago.

Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?

The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston Release Date: April 2nd Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ+

The Prince and the Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling author Ashley Poston.

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year’s ExcelsiCon isn’t her last, she’ll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That’s easier said than done when the girls step into each other’s shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these “princesses” race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.

Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller Release Date: April 9th Genre: YoungAdult, Contemporary, Feminism

A powerful, timely coming-of-age story about a young woman from Texas who goes on a road trip with two friends to get an abortion, from award-winning author Sharon Biggs Waller.

Camille couldn’t be having a better summer. But on the very night she learns she got into a prestigious theater program, she also finds out she’s pregnant. She definitely can’t tell her parents. And her best friend, Bea, doesn’t agree with the decision Camille has made.

Camille is forced to try to solve her problem alone . . . and the system is very much working against her. At her most vulnerable, Camille reaches out to Annabelle Ponsonby, a girl she only barely knows from the theater. Happily, Annabelle agrees to drive her wherever she needs to go. And in a last-minute change of heart, Bea decides to come with.

Girls on the Verge is an incredibly timely novel about a woman’s right to choose. Sharon Biggs Waller brings to life a narrative that has to continue to fight for its right to be told, and honored.

Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly Release Date: April 9th Genre: Historical Fiction

It is 1914 and the world has been on the brink of war so many times, many New Yorker’s treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanov’s. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia. But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia’s Imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortuneteller’s daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya’s letters suddenly stop coming she fears the worst for her best friend.

From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg to the avenues of Paris and the society of fallen Russian emigre’s who live there, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways, taking readers on a breathtaking ride through a momentous time in history.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton Release Date: April 9th Genre: Historical Fiction

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez–her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future–but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything–not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart…

Last Girl Lied To by L.E. Flynn Release Date: April 16th Genre: Young Adult, Thriller

Something made him angry that night. Something made her cry. Something made Trixie disappear. What if it was all the same thing? Fiona claims she doesn’t remember anything about the night her best friend left a party early and walked into the ocean. But the truth is, she wishes she could forget.

Trixie’s disappearance is ruled a suicide, but Fiona starts to believe that Trixie isn’t really dead. Piecing together the trail of a girl who doesn’t want to be found leads her to Jasper, Trixie’s former friend with benefits, and Beau—the boy who turned Fiona down, who loved someone else, who might be happy Trixie is gone.

The closer Fiona gets to finding out what happened, and the closer she gets to Jasper and Beau, the more she realizes that the girl she knew better than anyone may have been a carefully constructed lie—and she might have been waiting to disappear the entire time.

Told in alternating chapters between the past and the present, Last Girl Lied To is a gripping emotional thriller.

Normal People by Sally Rooney Release Date: April 16th Genre: Literary Fiction

A wondrous and wise coming-of-age love story from the celebrated author of Conversations with Friends

At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school football team, while she is lonely, proud and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers—one they are determined to conceal.

A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years at university, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. And as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other. Sally Rooney brings her brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a story that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the complex entanglements of family and friendship.

The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker Release Date: April 22nd Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Freddy Carlton knows she should be focusing on her lines for The Austen Playbook, a live-action TV event where viewers choose the outcome of each scene, but her concentration’s been blown. The palatial estate housing the endeavor is now run by the rude (brilliant) critic who’s consistently slammed her performances of late. James “Griff” Ford-Griffin has a penchant for sarcasm, a majestic nose and all the sensitivity of a sledgehammer.

She can’t take her eyes off him.

Griff can hardly focus with a contagious joy fairy flitting about near him, especially when Freddy looks at him like that. His only concern right now should be on shutting down his younger brother’s well-intentioned (disastrous) schemes—or at the very least on the production (not this one) that might save his family home from the banks.

Instead all he can think of is soft skin and vibrant curls.

As he’s reluctantly dragged into her quest to rediscover her passion for the stage and Freddy is drawn into his research on a legendary theater star, the adage about appearances being deceiving proves abundantly true. It’s the unlikely start of something enormous…but a single revelation about the past could derail it all.

How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom by S.J. Goslee Release Date: April 23rd Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ+

Nolan Grant is sixteen, gay, and (definitely) still a virgin. He’s never had a boyfriend, or even been kissed. It’s not like Penn Valley is brimming with prospects. And when his big sister stages an elaborate “prom-posal” so Nolan can ask out his not-so-secret crush, Nolan freezes. He’s saved from further embarrassment by bad boy Bern, who, for his own reasons, offers to fake-date Nolan.

Nolan thinks it’s the perfect way to get Daphne off his back and spend the rest of the year drawing narwhals, tending to plants, and avoiding whatever died under his bed a few weeks ago. What he doesn’t think about is Bern’s ex-girlfriend, who seriously wants to kill him.

If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka Release Date: April 23rd Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Retellings

High school senior Cameron Bright’s reputation can be summed up in one word: bitch. It’s no surprise she’s queen bee at her private L.A. high school—she’s beautiful, talented, and notorious for her cutting and brutal honesty. So when she puts her foot in her mouth in front of her crush, Andrew, she fears she may have lost him for good.

In an attempt to win him over, Cameron resolves to “tame” herself, much like Katherine in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. First, she’ll have to make amends with those she’s wronged, which leads her to Brendan, the guy she labelled with an unfortunate nickname back in the sixth grade. At first, Brendan isn’t all that receptive to Cameron’s ploy. But slowly, he warms up to her when they connect over the computer game he’s developing. Now if only Andrew would notice…

But the closer Cameron gets to Brendan, the more she sees he appreciates her personality—honesty and all—and wonders if she’s compromising who she is for the guy she doesn’t even want.

Cape May by Chip Cheek Release Date: April 30th Genre: Historical Fiction

Late September 1957. Henry and Effie, very young newlyweds from Georgia, arrive in Cape May, New Jersey, for their honeymoon only to find the town is deserted. Feeling shy of each other and isolated, they decide to cut the trip short. But before they leave, they meet a glamorous set of people who sweep them up into their drama. Clara, a beautiful socialite who feels her youth slipping away; Max, a wealthy playboy and Clara’s lover; and Alma, Max’s aloof and mysterious half-sister, to whom Henry is irresistibly drawn.

The empty beach town becomes their playground, and as they sneak into abandoned summer homes, go sailing, walk naked under the stars, make love, and drink a great deal of gin, Henry and Effie slip from innocence into betrayal, with irrevocable consequences.

Erotic and moving, this is a novel about marriage, love and sexuality, and the lifelong repercussions that meeting a group of debauched cosmopolitans has on a new marriage.

A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole Release Date: April 30th Genre: Contemporary, Romance

The Reluctant Royals series returns with a good girl searching for the life that’s not too big, and not too small, and the bad boy prince who might be just right for her…

Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding, she accidentally finds herself up close and personal—in bed—with the real-life celebrity prince who she loves to hate.

For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi bait is a ruse that protects his brother—the heir to the throne—and his own heart. When a royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him.

Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoid love, but as desires are laid bare behind palace doors, they must decide if their fake romance will lead to a happily-ever-after.

Happy reading!

#articles #tbr #lgbtq #ownvoices #diversereads #contemporary romance #young adult #romance #historical fiction #retelling #literary fiction #thriller #feminism #fantasy

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