A Dirty Blog!

Work in Progress ♣ Handle With Care (August 2018) Update

8/23/2018

Word Count 89K

*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

This will be the last update of Handle with Care.

But that's not a bad thing! In fact, I'm celebrating as I put in the last words down for the second book of the Notice Me Senpai series. What happens from here is... I take a week's rest. Then I go back and edit. At least in theory. I might just blow off the rest, start up on FIRE MAGE, or put down some new ideas on paper that I have in my head and get them outlined.

Things I'm interested in writing:

Superhero Lover (Dark Heart Heroes) - Super Villain duplicates his arch nemesis to gain insight in how to destroy the cities favorite hero only to realize the reason for his animosity (enemies to lovers).

Truckers & Lovers (Dark Heart Heroes) - Two drivers find out they have more in common with each other as their attraction grows (sexual awakening)

The Blood Doll's Kiss (Taboo Fiction) - A college student who feeds vampires for money finds herself the prize in a war between blood sucking families. (Paranormal Romance)

Triad (Taboo Fiction) - After years of relentless battle, a pact between an unyielding mage and the demon that would posses him created Marcus, a personality with his own mind and body who encases them all. But the demon within is not willing to curb its blood lust. After Marcus attempts to restrain the demon and fails, an army is sent to destroy Marcus. Upon their meeting, the king of Benicar presses Marcus for a truce and convinces him to serve under Benicar’s banner in a war between nations. Dispatched to another town Marcus finds Platt, a beautiful farm girl with a mysterious gift he believes could bring true peace between the mage and the demon inside of him. But soon after he settles in the town of Reginhart his neat and tidy world becomes unraveled. (Demon Romance)

Fire Mage (Dark Heart Heroes) - Sent to assassinate a rival guild member, Homura finds his target an unwilling victim. (Dragon Romance)

SG1 Atlantis Fanfic - Don't we all have that one movie/tv show/book that we love and want to play in?

Senpai on Senpai (Notice Me Senpai) - There's a new teacher in town and it's up to Mr. Goyas to help save the man from his own students.

Fantasies of an Airship Pirate (Taboo Fiction) - Inspired by Abney Park’s “Airship Pirate” song… Captain Hasen invades a lone transport airship expecting riches from the hull of the Empire's Zepplin.

What he finds are refugee's. Finding no money and only lost children and two nuns, Hasen is disgusted and ready to cast everyone overboard despite his sudden and unnerving attraction for Katharina, the head nun of a church Hasen no longer believes in.

Katharina in turn offers Hansen money when they get to the church for safe passage. Though he accepts, Hasen learns he wants more than her money. (Dystopian Pirate Romance)

As you can see, I have plenty to keep me busy. The issue is choosing. But maybe you can help me! Let me know in the comments which one/ones sound interesting.

The next update will be yammering about the next thing I've decided to move to. I'm leaning towards finishing the Notice Me Senpai series. I have one more story idea other than Mr. Goyas' story. Then it will be done!

Sometimes I feel like I'm writing to get better for that one series that is really special. Other times I just can't write fast enough.

For those of you still on this ride, I have one last excerpt, then you'll have to buy the book to find out the end. Woot! Word of warning though... "Handle with Care" has been the working title. In the spirit of the series, the name will actually be "Redeeming Senpai".

Because this is the last update with excerpts (and I feel they are too short) I've included two.

Happy reading!!

XOXO ~ Stephy

Excerpt from:

Handle with Care

No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted without written prior permission from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, events, incidents and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

This is a totally unedited chapter. It may or may not stay the same after final edits and it may or may not remain in the story.

If you find any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors, please let know via the comments!! I may not get to them right away, but I will get to them. Thank you!

If you are totally lost & would like to start at the beginning of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE, click the button below.

Handle with Care CHAPTER ONE

Below is an excerpt of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE
Happy reading!

Chapter 18

“Wake up, Liam.” Kai pulled the covers down to my naked waist.

I lost the fog of depression sheltering me from daily life. Unappreciative of his wake-up call, I pulled the comforter over my head. “Go away.”

“You are running late for school.”

“I’m not going.”

“Not an option.”

“I’m sick.”

“That is not the schools fault.”

“Don’t care.”

Kai rummaged around my drawers and tossed a pair of underwear, jeans, a shirt, and socks on my bed. To finish my wardrobe for the day he laid my steel-toed boots on the floor near my head.

I grabbed his wrist. In a flurry of covers I turned away, pulling him with me on the mattress. But I kept rolling until I rested in a blanket burrito with Kai underneath. My clothes were under the layers along with Kai. He was inconvenienced but not stuck. Too bad. I’d have used him as my personal body pillow.

“Liam—”

“I already know what you’re going to say.”

Silence.

I couldn’t see him and couldn’t gauge his reaction. “I’m out, right?”

Kai’s body sunk into the bed. “I think it best if you reside in a different space.”

“Best?”

“Safe.” He rubbed the covers over my back.

It wasn’t going to be safe away from Kai. So far he hovered over me like a helicopter parent. That was what kept Andy away. If I left here, I might as well go back to that scumbag. No way.

“You don’t know what you’re asking me.” Kai was my safe.

“If you stay here, I’ll destroy you and obliterate any honor I have left.”

“That’s not true.”

“Liam…” his voice turned hard.

But I spoke over him. “We’ve been doing fine. All these months and I haven’t stepped out of line. Okay, I had one bad day, but I’m better now.”

Kai’s stroking paused. “I have a small apartment closer to the school.”

“Will you be there?”

“No.”

“Forget it.”

“Then I will leave and you can stay here.”

“I’ll find you. No matter where you go.”

He sputtered a laugh. “What if I decided to go to Aruba?”

“Then I’ll bring my swimsuit.”

His silence crushed my hope. There was something I could say or do. Something that would make him see how much I needed him. How important it was to be with him. He was turkey dinner family to me. Now that I’d had this life, going back would churn me inside out. Like all the skeptics on the street. There was nothing left for someone like me but drugs and STD’s.

Choosing my words instead of spurting what came to mind, I said, “I’ve done things. Things I don’t want to remember. You help me forget. We can do this.”

He sighed and stroked my back. “These past few months have been difficult. Wonderful but challenging. My resolve is tested every day, every moment with you. It starts off as a warmth from your smile, or a touch. Mild craving turns to yearning. Longing turns to passion. Lust convinces me one more stroke of fingers down your arm will hurt nothing.” He caressed my back and I wanted to sink into him forever. “Passion becomes a thirst and I tell myself no. The heart asks why? My body commands me to feed this hunger. Denying myself disintegrates my soul. Honor is the last defense I have, and you are whittling it away.”

“You’re missing one factor.”

He leaned his head back in serious thought. “What would that be?”

“Don’t forget that I have a will too. I won’t let you destroy yourself.” Because that’s what would happen. If we broke down together before I came of age, he would never recover.

Kai let out a long sigh. All this morose talk damped my mood.

“Did you notice?” I wiggled, making it a point of rubbing against his middle. “We’re laying here together and you’re not even hard.”

“You are in pain. Hurting people does not get me off.”

“See, you don’t need to send me away.”

He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed. “I may not want to hurt you, but I may.”

“You won’t.”

“But I might.”

This conversation could go around and around. “I’ll stay in this bed till I’m eighteen then.”

“That is not acceptable.”

“We’re stronger together.”

“Enough!” He struggled out of the bed. “Pack your personal items. I will take you to the other apartment after work.”

Chapter 20

Kai’s car parked front and center where my last class let out. This was it then. He was going to try and stash me somewhere he wouldn’t see me. Well, that kind of convenience wasn’t in the cards for us. So many years apart didn’t give way for a recess. Another underlying reason to stick to Kai like glue—Andy.

Certain tell-tale signs indicated Kai was more than just a social worker. Where he lived, his car, even his wardrobe didn’t add up to government pay. The story about his dad seemed more about dynasty and less middle-class pride than he let on. If Andy stayed away from me because of my boyfriend’s influence, being separated was a bad idea. Knowing that vulture waited for me spurred panic. But that was my deal, not Kai’s.

I climbed in the Tesla beside an apathetic driver with an aura of frost hanging behind Ray Ban shades.

“Hello,” I gulped down my enthusiasm.

He didn’t respond. Kai drove in the opposite direction of home and The Muffin Cap. I suspected my bag still sat in the trunk. I didn’t have to guess for long before he parked across from a three-story apartment complex to know we’d arrived at the new place.

Kai got out, opened the trunk and pulled out my duffle bag. He approached the security gate without checking to see if I followed. I did, but with reluctance.

“Can we talk about this?”

He answered me with a stony face, eyes masked by his sunglasses and a wave of his hand to enter the courtyard.

The place was out of the 70’s but clean. A pool filter hummed near the deck cleaning a bean shaped water feature. Modest front doors sported peep holes in the center of brass knockers. I passed six-foot palms sprouting in square dirt patches between each residence. This was the kind of place I’d expect a social worker to live. Plain, small and on the cusp needing a remodel.
I followed Kai to the right-side end apartment. Keys jiggled while I stood in the shadow of the three-story building cul-de-sac. The front door scraped open and Kai went in. Curiosity moved me forward.

“Is this your place?” A fully furnished one-bedroom apartment was more than I could wish for not six months ago. I’d dreamed of a place like this before I went to live with Kai.

“This is now your home.” He unwrapped the key from the wire ring.

“Are you staying here?”

He held two keys out to me. “No.”

“Then neither am I.”

Kai dropped his arm. “You cannot stay with me.”

“Why not?”

“You know why.” He turned his face like it hurt to look at me.

“So, you’ve decided all by yourself that we…” I motioned a hand between us. “can’t figure this out?”

“Liam…”

“I made one slip-up, after all this time…”

“Liam…” He raised his hand offering me the keys again. “Take these.”

“Toss me out like trash, but don’t keep me like a shameful mistress.”

Within the span of a blink, Kai pushed me up against the wall, his body pressed against mine, his lips at my ear. His breath tickled the hairs on the back of my neck. “Are you trying to fuck me or fuck me over?”

“Neither.” I jut my knee upward.

He blocked my leg and flipped me around. My arms were locked in his hands. The side of my face kissed the wall—intimately. My lips crinkled like a fish. “I can fight you off if I have to.”

“Is that what your doing?” He ground himself against my backside.

I lifted my leg for another nut strike. No good. He blocked that one too. Kai was not helping me prove my point. All these weeks of training didn’t make me faster than him. Time to appeal to his softer nature.

“You wouldn’t hurt me.” I relaxed while he jacked my arms up my back.

“Yes, I would,” He hissed.

“Help!” I screamed with a crackling voice. Not that I needed help. But I followed Kai’s training. Make space, be loud, don’t be alone, run when you can.

He jumped off me, vibrating with anger. “That will not save you inside my condominium.”

“Kai…”

“No!” He held up his hands as if thwarting off my words. “We will… we will speak on the phone.” He set the pair of keys on the kitchen table and high tailed out of the apartment.

“Kai!” I chased after him but he was already at the gate. Damn he was lighting fast.

As Kai left, Damien stepped out from across the way, stopping me dead in my tracks. “You all right, kid?”

“Yeah.” I sneered, backing up into the new place and shut the door.

Great. That worked, I sneered at myself.

The keys lay on the table tempting me to take Kai up on this living space offer. If I did, the guilt would eat me alive. It was one thing to live with him, help him pay rent, as little as I offered. Fix meals, though he liked to cook for me. Do chores, though he seemed to have a handle on that as well. But I couldn’t afford this place and if I wanted free rent whoring myself out I’d have stayed with Andy. Okay. Harsh. Kai didn’t want sex with me. I got it. What’s the opposite of pimping myself out? But I just couldn’t do it. Nothing in life is free.
I picked up my bag, gave one last look to the keys on the table and locked the door on my way out.

Thank you for reading Handle with Care by S.N.McKibben.
Interested in more?

Click this button below for the Beginning of the NOTICE ME SENPAI SERIES

Notice me senpai

Click this button below for the start of the HANDLE WITH CARE installment

handle with care

Want to catch up with the series?

Start with Seducing Sensei, available now at your favorite retailer!

amazon

all other reatailers

goodreads

Work in Progress ♣ Handle With Care (July 2018) Update

7/26/2018

Completed scene of oh-oh by Cynthia Hlady

Word Count 81K

*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Holy crap. We are at 80,000 words. I knew this would be a 90K story. Partly because Kai's redemption was no easy feat.

This story has made me go into my past and think about things that had happened to me, face them, in a realistic way, and deal with the skeletons of my history. I feel wiser for and stronger for the predicaments I've placed myself in and grateful. Grateful to come out stronger.

Cryptic, I know. If you care to get the story, email me. I'm not brave enough to spew past happenings out in the open. This story is as close as it will get.

Excerpt from:

Handle with Care

Handle with Care (Chapter One)

Below is an excerpt of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE
Happy reading!

Chapter 16

The auditorium turned art gallery brought in a crowd of teenagers after school. Two bolts of cream colored fabric hung from the rafters and cascade all the way down to the floor, making a hallway. A hallway where photography student’s pictures hung seemingly suspended in air. It was like a real art gallery display. But with Mr. Caplin directing the show, it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Rippling sheets shielded the dingy stage. The permanent auditorium chairs hid behind elegant drapes. Even the old tile floors were as clean as they’d ever get—for being walked on since the age of plankton. The age also known as Principal Ellis’ high school years, who admired every piece and looked at each name-place-card under the photos. He seemed impressed with each of his students.

But no one seemed more proud than Mr. Caplin. He pointed out details of the submitted art only a photographer would know to anyone that listened. At the moment, that listener was Principal Ellis.

Of everyone here I was one of two people wearing a suit. Kai insisted. I supposed he bought me this three-piece so I could impress college interviewers, but I felt stupid and overdressed. Especially since the only other person wearing formal wear was the principal. The person I wanted here was on his way.

“Oh, my, god. You dressed for a celebration, didn’t you?” Aubrey swankered up to me.

“Ah, no.” I grimaced and narrowed my eyes at her. “I promised to wear this,” I mumbled.

“It’d be a shame to waste this look.” She waved me up and down. “I mean, wow.”

Aubrey was standing in front of me in a cute floral yellow dress, giving me an in to ask her out, but all I saw was the ghost of her brother behind her cracking his knuckles then taking a baseball bat to my soft ball head.

“Thank you.” My cheeks prickled.

“Come with me after. We’ll celebrate.” Aubrey looped her arm around mine. “We can go to this place I know.”

“Ahhh… would your brother drive us there?”

“No way.” She laughed. “It’s called Uber.”

“You have to be eighteen to ride.” Though I’d used Uber in desperate times. Being one of Andy’s favorites meant having a fake I.D. I still had the card to get me into places.

“Not if you know the right people.” She fluttered her eyelashes.

“And I look like the right people?”

“In that suit you do.”

“Am I being used for my good looks?”

Aubrey smiled. She really was good at getting what she wanted. “You just look like the kind of guy that would know how to work around the system.”

I rolled my eyes. It was hard to say no to Aubrey.

“Come-on, it’ll be fun.” She wiggled on my arm.

“What’s your angle?”

Aubrey gave me a wicked smile. “What if my only motive was to show you a good time.”

That in itself scared me. She was always on the move. Doing something, researching something, getting into trouble. I lifted my eyes to the ceiling. “You need money?”

Aubrey’s light-hearted side faded and she shook her head.

This side of her, the serious side, I trusted. “If you need help Aubrey, I’ll give it.”

She bit her lower lip and looked up at me with huge puppy-dog eyes. “Text me when you’re done.”

“Okay.” I nodded, and she let go of my arm and entered the hall of photos.

My cell phone went off in my pocket.

Here. Kai texted.

My stomach lurched. At the main entryway. In suit and tie, stood Kai scanning the room. I waved and jogged up to him.

“Impressive.” Though his voice flat and unimpressed, I knew he was just being Kai, The Wall.

“Mr. Caplin did all the decorations.” I waved to the long hanging sheets.

“Yes, that too is very professional.”

I turned to Kai and was met by his golden stare. Oh. He meant I was impressive. Kai-ese was a nuance language and I was still a grass-hopper.

Overwhelming gratefulness, gratitude, love… things I couldn’t name swelled inside me. I was a bottle being filled with the most amazing soda. Something better than Red Bull. I was hot, cold, clammy, sticky and bursting with energy.

“Come here, I have something to show you.” I waved him to follow me.

He stiffened, eyeing me with suspicion but followed.

I walked towards the hallway of photos but went a little past the entrance. In a smooth, practiced lunge, I snatched his shirt sleeve and pulled him through the curtains and behind the scenes. We collided into a full body hug before crashing into the permanent chairs.

Three months ago, I’d never been able to maneuver someone with a wrist-hold. But I used my tactical dojo training in practical uses. Like getting Kai behind the scenes.

He remained silent, as I knew he would, completing my ninja move to a private world where no one saw us and I could squeeze this happiness into him. We were, technically, in public, but the curtains shielded us from view. It got me hot thinking people were right there. We could hear them yet they didn’t know we were within two feet.

“Thank you. For coming.” I was about to let go when Kai wrapped his arms around me.

He buried his face in my neck as one hand pushed at the back of my head, crushing my nose to his shoulder. His other arm was a band around my waist and brought me closer.

Shit.

This was irresponsible of me. I should have thought of how this would affect him. Just because he seemed to have a leash on himself, didn’t mean it was easy.

He held me, careful not to bring his hips too close. His tight unrelenting grip, his breath heavy and tickling the hairs on my neck. Kai breathed me in through his nose and stuttered out his mouth. His scent mixed with the smell of suit fabric soothed this ache. The clawing animal inside stopped as if reveling in Kai’s embrace. Home. Safe.

“The things I would do…” Kai’s voice was so low his whisper a scarce breath.

Oh crap. This was dangerous. I’d underestimated Kai’s limit of control. I tried to push him away, but his hold was titanium.

“Mr. Akiyama.”

Kai stiffened and let me go.

Principal Ellis stood two seat rows down. His face just as much a wall as Kai’s.

“Principal Ellis.” Kai bowed his head.

“Mr. Kroll.” The principal drew out my name. His jaw tight. Eyes piercing. Principal Ellis reminded me of a beady-eyed falcon with German Shepard traits. He knew when to be where. It was a little freaky, how he swooped in at the right time. His insight appeared super natural.

Worse, Kai and Principal Ellis shared the same type of silent communication. If two walls spoke to each other, this is what it would look like.

“Mr. Kroll,” Principal Ellis said, this time without elongating my name like I’d been caught hugging my boyfriend. “Mr. Akiyama has business with me. In private.”

“Oh, okay.”

Kai grabbed the back seat of a permanent chair and squeezed the wood so hard it moaned under his hand.

Principal Ellis focused his pin-point stare at Kai.

Woah. There was some under lying issues between the two.

“Liam, please wait for me at the entrance.” Kai spoke to me but didn’t look away from The Principal.

“I’ll be waiting.” I slunk out from the fabric shield and into the hall of photos. Through the sheets I heard Kai speak in a low tone.

“Your rudeness is uncalled for.”

“I saw what he did and considering your past…” Principal Ellis’ reply trailed off.

That’s right. Principal Ellis proudly showed me class trophies. He knew Kai and apparently had some sort of history. I wanted to find out more but neither one spoke.

They probably knew I was listening in.

Guess that’s all I would hear.

Thank you for reading Handle with Care by S.N.McKibben.
Interested in more?

Click the button below for the beginning of the NOTICE ME SENPAI SERIES

NOTICE ME SENPAI

Click the button below for the beginning of the HANDLE WITH CARE installment

HANDLE WITH CARE

Want to catch up with the series?

Start with Seducing Sensei, available now at your favorite retailer!

amazon

all other retailers

goodreads

Work in Progress ♣ Handle with Care (June 2018) Update

6/28/2018

Oh-oh by Cynthia Hlady

Word Count 76K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

I went on vacation for a week and while I was out, Cynthia sent me another sketch!! This is what she said:

Regarding the sketch, I chose a moment from chapter 4 which I though was really funny and representative of their current situation:

"But it would be so much more fun if you wrestled me to the ground." I covered my mouth with a hand. That was not what I was going to say. My checks burned.

Kai picked up his fork and went back to eating as if my sexual innuendo didn’t mean anything. I promptly went back to my food and shut up.

Want to read Chapter 4? Click the button below:

Handle with Care (Chapter Four)

Kai by Cynthia Hlady

More and more I can see the end to this particular project and I'm getting excited as the first draft comes to a close. Of course I have another excerpt for you below.

In this scene I was trying to show Kai's point of view on sex, his rigid principles and how he feels about Liam. His boyfriend isn't legal yet, even though Kai agreed to "go out" with Liam they both want monogamy but the relationship is sexless.

This pushes Kai, a healthy, young male into certain carnal explosive positions in which he tries to avoid.

Liam has only ever had bad, forceful sex and most of it was when he was "leased out" as a male prostitute. He has urges but they aren't as strong because of his past. This eventually comes to light. For right now, during this scene, Liam─the eighteen year old─is the voice of reason and stronger of the two when it comes to putting the brakes on before the two have intercourse.

In other words Kai wants him bad, but Liam's like─meh. That changes when Liam discovers the joy of great sex. Of course that doesn't happen until he's of legal age.

Hope you enjoy!

Excerpt from:

Handle with Care

© S.N.McKibben
No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted without written prior permission from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, events, incidents and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

This is a totally unedited chapter. It may or may not stay the same after final edits and it may or may not remain in the story.

If you find any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors, please let know via the comments!! I may not get to them right away, but I will get to them. Thank you!

If you are totally lost & would like to start at the beginning of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE, click the button below.

Handle with Care Chapter One

Below is an excerpt of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE
Happy reading!

Chapter 15

“Liam thinks every bit as an adult.” My usual session with Ms. Slate turned into relationship counseling. This was the only place, the only person, I could talk to about Liam. “But his body is still underage.”

“How are you dealing with that?” Jennifer sat behind her desk, glasses on, hair framing her down-turned face as she scribbled in her notebook.

I cleared my throat. “I am dealing with it fine.”

She stopped writing and looked up at me. “Specifically, what are you doing to deal with your attraction.”

It was no use telling her there was no attraction between Liam and I. Jennifer could see through me. “I go to the dojo every night. I take extra cases. Keeping busy helps.”

Jennifer folded her hands and cast me an expectant stare.

On any other day I could wait her out, but lately my calm grated against the inner demon. My patience grew shorter and often. I was becoming sarcastic, haughty, and my temper was easily raised. Every ounce of control was put to the test. Especially when I was around Liam. “It takes everything I have to steer my thoughts clear of any sexual fantasies.”

“When was the last time you had intercourse?”

Some might think her questions intrusive, irrelevant, but I found her direct speech refreshing. She did not mince her words. “Eleven months.”

“And you’ve had no thoughts about Liam?”

“No. None. Not at all.” Liar. I would catch a slip of his skin and desire to touch him. He would talk with his hands and I would imagine how those fingers felt on my torso. The show of ankle and then my mind would wander into a scene where he locked his legs around my hips. But I snapped out of all of them before my imagination ran away too far.

“Kai…” Jennifer sighed. “Liam isn’t six years old. He’s three months from being legal.”

“He is three months, fifteen days, and nine hours from being legal.”

She compressed her lips. “It would be normal to fantasize about the person you like.”

“I will not go down that road.”

“You said yourself he’s an adult…”

“He thinks like an adult. He is still a minor.”

“Are you doing this to prevent another Mori situation?”

I flashed her a scowl.

She did not flinch. “It’s a valid question.”

“What do you think?” I hissed. Then amended, “Of course.”

“Do you think denying yourself will change the way you deal with Liam when you two finally have sex.”

I sucked in a breath. “Can we not talk about this?” Sex and Liam in the same thought was dangerous. Illegal even, despite what Jennifer said.

“How’s work?”

“Fine.”

“Not having any issues with your co-workers?”

“Mr. Puzo thinks I have abused my power.”

She nodded. “He came the other day asking for information about you. I gave him the client privileges act and told him there was nothing he could use from me that would involve your work performance.”

“Thank you.”

Jennifer knew about my past, about me helping Mori put a father in jail so we could get said father’s family to safety. Not everyone got out of harm’s way. Mr. Puzo must have found out about my under-the-radar string pulling.

“Liam invited me to an art competition.” No matter how I tried the conversation always went back to my boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

A title that kept me from losing my mind. At the very least, he was mine.

“Sounds like a date.”

I kept my head down but flicked my eyes over to see her reaction. “Is that, okay? We are not having sex.”

“Yes, Kai. Yes. That’s a good thing.”

Relief flooded my body. “We made an agreement.”

She remained silent. Jennifer never pushed.

“We want monogamy… we go on dates, but there is no sex. No kissing. No touching. But I am his boyfriend, I mean we are going out, a couple. But there…”

“Is no sex. I get it, Kai. I think that’s wonderful.”

“Talking to him is a relief and added pressure.” I smoothed the wrinkles in my slacks and kept my eyes down. “He is an amazing person. He is taking the age of consent seriously. He keeps the physical part out of our relationship. That is why I say he thinks like an adult.” Liam was not lost in his dick. He thought about the consequences. Not just for himself but for me.

“Buuuuut…” Jennifer prompted.

“My own urges are getting harder to resist.”

“You know, Kai, touching someone doesn’t automatically mean sex is on their mind. You can hold hands, or heaven forbid, hug without it meaning anything other than affection. Affection does not mean sex.”

Touching Liam. I shivered. Remembering Saturday’s hug sent a spike of energy up and down my spine. My cock started getting in on the action, an indication I should direct my imagination somewhere else. Like how my father would react to Liam being my boyfriend.

“He massaged my shoulders.”

“Well, there, you see.”

I did not have the heart to tell her I stepped out of his hold before I turned around, stripped naked and had him in my hallway. “We will make due. Four months will pass by quickly.” If I kept saying that, maybe I would believe it.

“True, but I’m a little worried about you.”

“How so?”

“Given that you and your boyfriend are monogamous and not having sex, are you masturbating?”

“What? No!” My body moved on its own. I stood and paced the length of her couch. There was no way I could disguise my abject horror. Did she think me one of those creeps that think about children when having sex?

Jennifer remained stoic. “As I was saying, there is a very large difference between a six-year-old body and a seventeen-year-old body. Don’t get me wrong. The age of consent is eighteen, but considering your past…”

“I am in control.” I sat down, loosening the tension in my jaw. I reined in my temper and straightened my tie. “I am in control. This situation is different.”

“How?”

“There is no touching, no teasing. It’s a shorter wait.”

“Have you talked to him about what will happen when he turns eighteen and you can have sex?”

“Are you asking if he is a virgin?”

“That was not my question.”

“We will talk about that when he is eighteen.” But it occurred to me that Jennifer might have already seen Liam as a patient. Her questions were always pointed. Direct. She was trying to lead me to a series of thoughts.

Jennifer compressed her lips again and waited me out. For what, I wasn’t sure.

“Can we get off the subject of Liam?” Bringing up his name was the very act of talking about him.

Jennifer kept her head down, writing. “We can talk about anything you want.”

But, for all I was worth, I could not think of anything to talk about. The time passed in silence. It was a testament to how Liam touched every aspect of my life. Work reminded me of him. Home reminded me of him. When I went to the dojo I conjured what lesson to teach him. I breathed Liam. Ate Liam. My heart beat drummed syllables to his name. Li-am. Li-am. Li-am. Li-am.

Finally I sighed and hung my head in resignation.

“Kai?”

I raised my head to Jennifer’s soft call.

“How are you sleeping?”

“Not much.” The admittance was painful, but I was no coward to truth. “I try but my erection keeps me awake.”

Silence.

Jennifer’s mouth thinned. Her hands folded. My therapist’s eyes cast down to her desk.

“Say what you want to say.”

“You requested not to.”

“Out with it.”

“What you are doing is unhealthy.”

“My thoughts are what is unhealthy.” I know what she wanted me to do. But masturbation was not an option. “If I release myself I will think of him. Thinking of him while he is still a minor… doing that is sick.”

“Again, he’s not six-years-old.”

“That does not give me license to think of him in that way.”

“And because you are in a relationship, you’re not seeking out companionship to relieve the stress, I take it.”

“That suggestion is just as disgusting.” I would not cheat on Liam. Nor would I ask his permission to have sex with another person. It would not only put him in an awkward choice, it was not an action I wanted to entertain. We agreed. Monogamy. I refused to fail him another time. Liam would have the best of me.

“Couples do what they need to. When it’s not about the sex and they are trying to stay together, sometimes unconventional relationships help keep them together.”

“That is not applicable in this situation.” I was not opposed to unconventional. Hell, in the past, if I shared Mori with his other lovers I would have been all right with that. At least for a while.

“So, we have an impasse.”

“Yes, doctor, we do.”

Jennifer sighed in a I give-up kind of way. “If I prescribe you a sleep formula, will you take it?”

“No pills.”

“It’s not medication, it’s natural. Over the counter items.”

I was still leery. “I will research it.”

She scribbled on a pad and handed me a sheet with a website URL.

“Thank you.” With that, I was done with the session. I stood and walked out of the office ten minutes before my time.

Liam by Cynthia Hlady

Thank you for reading Handle with Care by S.N.McKibben.
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Work In Progress ♣ Handle With Care (May 2018)

5/24/2018

Kai Akiyama illustrated by Cynthia Hlady

Word Count 63K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

I have given a partial draft to a long-time CP (crit-partner) that is reading and giving me notes on how to improve the story.

This is always an exciting time for me. To have readers help me improve the story, share ideas, show me possibilities I never thought off. This is when the story actually becomes real for me.

When a character is illustrated it gives me that extra push on breathing life inside them. But getting feedback is the exciting time. I think of my stories alone, outline alone, and write alone.

A critical eye on these stages helps form the story after these things are done. But I get excited with the story is done and I have editing to do. Editing is where the story is truly made. I like collaboration after I've baked the ideas.

This story probably has another 27K more to go. Well see how fast I get those words out! As my CP says... I'm in the home stretch.

Liam Kroll illustrated by Cynthia Hlady

Excerpt from:

Handle With Care

Handle With Care (Chapter One)

Below is an excerpt of (working title) HANDLE WITH CARE
Happy reading!

Chapter 11

I parked in front of The Muffin Cap, spotting Liam in one of the outside tables of the shop. He was sipping on a porcelain café cup and I got out to join him.

“Oh, good, you’re here.” Liam jumped up. “Here sit.” His hand swept over to the opposite chair. Strange how I bent to Liam’s whims. I was used to taking orders but from superiors with more experience, not teenagers not out of high school. Liam was the exception.

Soon as I sat he went back inside. The place was a hole in the wall, but clean. Black and white vinyl floors made the shop look larger than it was. Five round tables surrounded by wrought iron heart-shaped backed chairs gave a Paris feel to the place. People enjoying their baked goods occupied all the tables inside. A glass baker’s display case sat in the back. Liam’s work was a quaint neighborhood bakery and it was busy. Customers stood in line and walked out with to-go cups and brown paper bags. For a small coffee shop it was popular.

Liam returned with a porcelain café cup and a plate. He set both in front of me and smiled with proud confidence that reminded me of a child serving their first Mother’s Day breakfast. The coffee was welcome but the perfect powdered dollop gave me pause.

He sat and pushed a set of cutlery next to the plate as I tried to determine what type of pastry stared back at me.

Liam’s knee jittered. He was wired for sound. “It’s mochi,” he said.

“Ah.” Unusual. A house special perhaps?

Mochi was ice cream covered in sweet rice. This one was of the chocolate variety. Time consuming to make. Seconds to enjoy. Much like Thanksgiving dinner.

I took the knife and cut the ball into fours. The ice cream inside was frozen solid and the knife split the delicacy in clean quarters. A toothpick within the napkin rolled out and I used it to spear a piece of mochi. Liam seemed to be holding his breath. Even his fiddling ceased. The moment the cool chocolate treat touched my tongue the ice cream started melting. The sweet rice wrapping dissolved and the only thing left was the taste of chocolate.

Not one to jump to profanity but… holy heaven. This was a fucking orgasm in my mouth. My eyelashes might have fluttered. Might have. After spending hours being overheated this was a welcome delight.

“You like it?” Liam sat with the tension of a cornered cat.

“Mmmmm…” Speaking with my mouth full was rude. I gave one sharp nod. It was the best I could do. But I was not sure how to convey the gratitude for this refreshment.

“I made it.” Liam’s eyes searched mine. “I’ve tried several recipes. The rice cake was always so thick, I like it but I wanted a wrap to hold the ice cream and not get in the way of the taste.”

Our eyes locked in that special connection we shared. The heat between us melted the ice cream in my mouth to a sugar puddle. When I swallowed, I allowed my defenses to drop so Liam could witness my true reaction. Closing my eyes, I lifted my chin and let the last rays of sun warm my face. The warmth outside tempered the frozen inside. A sip of coffee washed the aftertaste, letting me relish in the last of the dessert.

“If you can make such a thing, why have you not been the one to cook?” I gave him what I hoped was a joking smile.

His blush was precious. Liam was every bit as desirable as a shy, naïve virgin. Irresistible. He lifted my mood. The last of this morning’s fury burned off like fog in sunlight. Liam was safe, wonderful company and sexy. Memories of the twelve-year-old boy were being overwritten by the man Liam became. But every so often, his boyish charm appeared. Like now, as he peeked over his lashes, preening at my praise.

“I can bake,” he said. “But cooking is something entirely different. Besides…” his eyes danced around to everything but me. “I like your cooking.”

“My cooking is average. You like me serving you.”

That got him to gape at me. “That’s—”

“It pleases me to serve you.”

He snapped to attention. Other people would have looked away from my gaze. Not Liam. He pinned me with his intense green eyes. His body froze as if the air would explode if he moved. His Adam’s apple bobbed. A question written on his face.

My gaze dropped to his lips, then lower. I snapped my eyes back up, but the damage had been done. He had the answer to his silent query. But I would not act on my attraction. Not for another five months.

Both the mochi and the coffee went down easy, it was time to go. “Ready?”

“Let me drop off the dishes.” He stood, took the cups and plate with the ingrained training of a Maitre d’ and scurried in the shop. My eyes roamed over his pert ass as he walked away. Mentally slapping myself, I looked away.

The first order of business was not what Liam expected. As we pulled into the Home Depot he glanced at me with curiosity.

I parked, got out and lead Liam straight to the locksmith area. I handed the guy behind the counter a set of keys while Liam looked around. Five minutes later he was back by my side.

“Pick out a key ring.” I pointed to the carousel of choices.

His eyes widened as he realized what I was doing. Soon as the copies and his choice of keyring was paid for, I handed Liam the set. His hand shook as he took the keys from me and twirled them on the metal holder. This meant a lot to him, or represented something significant.

“We will work on your own form of transportation.” Later. Taking him to school was my privilege. One I wasn’t eager to hand off. “For now, we should get you clothes.”

“I have clothes.” He clutched the keys and held them to his chest.

“You have rags.”

He snorted. “Sorry I don’t go around in Armani suits.”

“Azabu Tailor is not quite Armani.”

“Now you’re just throwing names around. I wouldn’t know a Azabu Tailor from the next guy.”

“It is the name of a shop. Not a person.”

“Yeah, see.”

“How about we settle for something more than three pairs of worn-out jeans, t-shirts with faded logos and shoes that actually fit your feet.”

“I can’t spend like crazy. I still owe you rent.”

I did not want his money. “No.”

“No?”

“You do not owe me rent. I told you, stay as long as you like.”

He stopped in his tracks. “No. If I’m staying with you I have to pay rent.”

I stopped and turned. We were out of the way of cars, but still meandering in the parking lot. “It is not a requirement of your emancipation.”

“No, but I want to pay. I need to pay.”

“Then buy food.” I shrugged.

“Not good enough. I hate bartering.”

So difficult. But understandable. Kids like Liam who never had it easy, felt they were taking advantage of people’s good will and did not want charity. I would have to appease his sense of pride. “Ten dollars a week.”

He shook his head. “That’s too little. You think I don’t know what rent costs?”

I shrugged. “Twenty a week.”

“Oh come-on, at least three-hundred a month.”

“What do you make? Minimum wage? That will take a third of your paycheck.”

“A third I’d be proud to contribute.”

Liam would choke if he knew how much my flat cost. “One hundred a month, and food.”

He went to argue again. I held up my hand. “Take it. I will not accept more.”

“Fine.” He sulked, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.

We started walking towards the car once more. “And I will be purchasing your clothes we get tonight.”
He opened his mouth, but I waved a finger and said, “Ah, do not argue.”

“You don’t owe me.”

“No, I do not, but allow me this one concession.”

“You’re lucky I feel generous.”

“Oh thank you so much, Adonis, for allowing me to buy you gifts.” My lips may have curled into a sibilance of a smile. May have. “Are you hungry?”

“God, yes.”

He wanted fast and cheap but I was not tempted to rush my time with Liam. After a Mexican versus Japanese cuisine debate, we settled for a mid-grade Italian restaurant with good food for the price.

Candles lit a dark interior. Plush booth seating and white table cloths set the perfect intimate setting. Fresh bread promised quality ingredients. The tall seating muffled the conversations around us. The ambiance was right for a heart-to-heart talk. I hoped he would confide in me. If he did in fact blame me for his predicament, I would find out and compensate him. Though malice was absent from his banter and teasing, I wanted to be sure he did not harbor ill feelings. Any resentment on his part would wound me, but I had to know.

Ice tinkled in glasses as the waiter set down his soda and my iced tea. We ordered and I set my gaze on him. Liam matched my stare but sat back as if trying to make space between us.

“I want to know the truth.” I entwined my fingers together and leaned forward. “Why did you seek me out?”

His eyes widened, and he let out a small gasp. “I told you, to thank you. That was it.”

“You seemed adamant to stay at my place. Why?”

He looked away. “I’m not ready.”

“Ready for what?”

Liam turned back. “To tell you why.”

On one hand he was a predictable teenager. On the other, Liam was a mystery. “I will accept any revenge you dish out.”

“That’s not why.” He reached out for my hands but stopped himself and laid his palms on the table. “I swear, I only want to be with you. That’s all.”

“It is all right.” I pushed my hands forward so our fingers touched. “You will tell me in time.”

His hands warmed my cool digits. “It’s just… I don’t want to burden you.”

Please burden me. “You are not a burden, Liam.” I sighed, trying to think of what to say. He would not confess until he was comfortable. “I know at the time it would seem I abandoned you. But you have been in my thoughts since that night.” That night didn’t have to be explained. It was the night I’d failed him.

“You were brave,” he blurted.

“It is what anyone would do.”

“Even someone who has hemophobia?”

I pulled back. No one knew that. It was a weakness and father never allowed me to be afraid. “How did you find this out?”

Liam sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. There was a long silence. I was not sure I would get an answer.
“I take shop at school. My class partner is Aubrey Cooper. She introduced me today to her patron. Moriel Reis.”

My stomach dropped.

No.

Overwhelming sadness crushed any hope of having a relationship with Liam.

“He told you,” my voice a growl. What were the odds of him meeting Mori? “Liam, I am right here. Ask me. Ask me. Do not ever go behind my back. If I want you to know something, I will tell you. If you ask, I will tell you.”

He looked like he would piss his pants. But his fear turned into anger. “Oh, that’s rich. Ask you? I would have, if you’d been there.”

“I was not in the right frame of mind. I could not take you in.” How could my world come crashing down because a kid knew my shame? Not just a kid. Liam.

“You didn’t have to adopt me or anything. I just wanted—” He covered his face with his hands. “I needed you. There was no one. I had no one. I fought and lived… for you.”

“I am not worth—”

“Shut up!” His fists pounded the table. Silverware clicked together. “You don’t get to say what you’re worth to me.”

I leaned back into the plush booth. “Even now that you know what I did? I still have value?”

“Yes.”

“I may have saved you, but it does not excuse what I did to Mori.”

“No. It doesn’t. But I think he sees it a different way than you.”

I huffed. “No matter. You would not have wanted me with you knowing what I did.”

“What’s your version of the story?”

“What does it matter?” I washed a hand over my face.

Plates settled on the table. Our waiter asked if we needed anything else and retreated once he was given a negative. I couldn’t eat anymore. Liam dug in like no tomorrow.

He eyed me as he slurped down his spaghetti. “Eat.”

“I have no appetite.”

Liam gulped his food down. “You’re thinner than I am. Eat.”

“Genetics.”

“What?”

“I am thinner because of genetics.”

He pushed his plate away and folded his arms.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I don’t like eating alone.”

He wanted answers. If it would make him understand why I did not visit him in the hospital, why I was a poor substitute for a father figure, why he was better off without me, then I would give him the gory details.

“How much did Mori tell you?”

“That you hurt each other. That you can’t be friends. That he still cares for you but it’s too painful for him. He didn’t give me details, but he said enough for even a moron like me to figure it out.”

“Do not degrade yourself.”

He waited me out.

Best to get this over with. “I was not interested in a relationship. Mori was different. He taught me English, I taught him Math. He was talented. I was disciplined. He thought to test my control. I do not blame him, but we tested each other’s will. An endurance game. It was stupid.”

“Meaning he teased you, stopping before you got off. How long did you have to wait?”

Thankfully Liam was a smart kid. A little too smart. “For release?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah. How long did you play your endurance game?”

“Fourteen months.”

Liam blinked. “Holy… over a year?”

“I was young. My parents did not know. I was unsure how they would react. I am not exclusively attracted to one sex or the other and did now want to cause them undue concern.” Or receive the beating from my father for not being discriminate of liking women only. I liked both guys and girls. It was a stigma even in the homosexual community to be a swinger. “He relented, giving me the chance to relieve myself. It did not go well.”

“You didn’t have any relief during that time?”

“Masturbation was a source of shame when I was young.” Then I let slip something I would never have admitted. “My father wanted all of my energy towards the ring. I was often too exhausted or too… worried to be caught off-guard.”
Liam leaned in. His eyes ablaze with intelligence. He was listening—to everything I said and did not say. The urge for him to understand made me continue.

“I hurt Mori, badly. There was so much blood.” I shuddered.

“But when it came to me, you won over your hemophia.”

“I… hesitated.”

“If you hadn’t gotten over it I’d be dead.”

“If I had not been there, you would have not been subjected to that.”

Liam threw up his hands. “Would you blame yourself for me being beat and diddled with too?”

“Diddled with?” I narrowed my eyes.

He back-peddled. “It’s just an expression.”

“Liam…” Anger welled in my gut. Had he been touched?

He winced. “You know my dad died in prison, right.”

“Yes.” So he did know.

“You also know child molesters don’t last in general population.”

“He was not charged for it.” My voice a growl, I leaned forward.

“Didn’t need to be. People can sniff them out.”

“Convicts knew, but none of us at the agency knew?” This new aspect of my failings made my despair plummet to absolute hopelessness. I was drowning in my incompetence.

“Stop blaming yourself.” Liam sat up. “It’s done. I’m over it. That was one good thing the system did for me. I saw a shrink. She helped. A lot. Now eat.” He started in again on his meatballs.

“I hold on to memories to not forget.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten.” He smiled and sucked noodles through his very delectable mouth. “Can’t say I’ve forgiven either.” He paused. “That doesn’t mean you. I’m not one to blame the gun… or the knife in this case. You saved me.”

“Still feels like a failure,” I murmured.

“Eat.” He pushed my plate of chicken alfreado towards me.

I picked up my knife and fork and forced down what I could. For Liam. It seemed best to forget about any romantic relationship for when he turned eighteen. How could he want me after the disaster with Mori?

Liam Kroll illustrated by Cynthia Hlady

Click below for

The Beginning of the Notice Me Senpai Series

The Next Handle with Care Update

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Work in Progress ♣ Handle with Care (April 2018)

4/26/2018

Word Count 57k

So Cynthia had this to say about Liam:

I'm in love with this guy and it was kind of hard for me to find his image (which is not a bad thing at all, it makes him interesting!). He's had a hard life and he is tough, but has a 'soft' side and he is submissive too.

I took some elements from the photo you sent - especially mouth, brows, maybe the face shape - but also added my 'touch'.

The haircut had to say 'tough but soft' or 'rebel but submissive' and I'm not sure I got it but I came up with this conventional/unconventional style :P

His height and weight are similar to mine, so I figured that, for a guy, he would be rather slim.

I imagined him running from trouble, being scolded by one of the gang members, biting his nails because he is nervous and also happy because after all he is a nice guy with a big heart, and that's what I draw.

I thought the way Cynthia portrays Liam is brilliant! She captured him in ways that I didn't think was possible. He does have that complexity going on. She did amazing on both Liam and Kai. I personally think she's improving her style.

If you look at the last update, the shading between Kai and the young boy is amazing. The poses Cynthia did for Liam show so much of his personality and as I'm writing the story I have had these images in my mind. So very cool!

Word count is slow going. I felt stuck at the middle. (It happens) I knew I was missing something. Or felt like I was missing something. Then, I found John Trudy. His workshops have broken loose the scenes. They were all in my head and I was trying to hold them in memory instead of writing them down and letting my mind relax.

Now the summary of scenes are written down and in order. I'm ready to go!

Here's another favorite scene of mine:

Excerpt from:

Handle with Care

© S.N.McKibben
No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted without written prior permission from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, events, incidents and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

If you find any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors, please let know via the comments!! I may not get to them right away, but I will get to them. Thank you!

If you are totally lost and would like to see more Story Updates for the Notice Me Senpai series push the button ↓

Handle with Care (Chapter One)

Chapter 5

Jumpy little thing. Liam hopped around the room like a bundle of nerves standing on a live wire. I spoke soft and kept my words to a minimum. When I had come back from searing the steaks, I thought he had changed his mind and ran off. He was brave. Coming in here, asking to reside in my house. He had no idea who I was. If he had, he would not have stayed.

It was dangerous for him to be with me. Our connection was not a fluke. I could not look at him. Those eyes burned my soul. I was unworthy of his admiration. His hero worship made me want to be the person he thought I was, but if he knew the truth, it would crush him.

Bite after bite of steak, I wondered how Liam would taste. I stopped myself from imagining anything further. He was under-age. I resigned to think of him as the child on Labrador Street. But what we had, this thing, linking us together sent pulses of electricity through me. My spine felt it, my stomach felt it, my cock felt it too. A natural reaction to someone so attractive, for Liam had become a desirable specimen. That is what I told myself and ignored the ache between my legs.

Liam picked up his plate and returned his dish to the sink. I would have to meditate tonight.

“May I take your plate?” He was next to me looking down with that penetrating hazel gaze. Magnetism. If I described him in a word, that was his adjective. Mine were “dirty” and “cheap”.

“Yes. I am finished.”

He took my left-overs as a thousand questions flittered through my mind. How long would he stay? Why did he come find me? What did he expect from me? Was I a father figure? A friend? I would go no further than that. The bedroom needed to stay out of our relationship. But glimpses of imaginations tore through my resolve. Improper images… an arm reaching for me, his legs around my waist.

I stood, the chair scraping against the floor as I rose.

Silverware clanked against plates. His eyes were large and round as a doe’s.

“I am retiring for the night. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.” I could scarcely look at him. “You are my guest. Take what you need. This place is yours.”

“All right.” His voice soft. Reluctant.

“And thank you for cleaning up.”

“It’s what I do.” He smiled.

I wanted more. To find out his reason for coming here. Why he came to find me. But I gave him a shallow bow and rushed to my bedroom.

The ache between my legs only proved my procrastination to take care of myself. Since Moriel and I last spoke, I had not felt any need to sate myself sexually. I told my old friend I would not bother him anymore and I planned to keep that promise. Hard to admit, but Moriel was well taken care of. With his lascivious ways, having two lovers was perfect for him. And I had to learn to move on. His rejection was not surprising. Denied of making things right ripped my heart out. It seemed there would be no need for sexual release again in my lifetime. Then walked in Liam. He opened the locked door of my heart as easily as he had slipped into my home. Not just my heart. My thoughts. My soul.

Now Liam preoccupied my body parts.

It was unacceptable. He was a minor. Off limits.

I removed my suit and put on the black and gray kimono. The light and easy assembly helped clear my mind and center myself. I would have tea, as usual, and that meant going downstairs. For a moment, I hesitated. Liam might still be down there. Irritated at my reluctance I pushed out of my dawdling and went down stairs to prepare my tea.

“Ay, caramba!” Liam face palmed. He sat at the kitchen table, books open, papers sprawled, binders spilling out of his school bag.

I waited at the bottom of the stairs, not wanting to bother him.

“English, why do you have to be so stupid.” His words laced with a Spanish accent I had not heard out of him before.

I padded over. “Can I be of assistance?”

Liam jumped in his chair. He took a breath and ogled me up and down.

“Hooaaaiiii.” His adorable shocked face made me want to smile. I did not allow my lips to curl, but I wanted to.

“Hai.” I nodded. “Can I be of assistance?”

He scanned me up and down, his mouth working but nothing came out until…

“Haaa… I… bah… haaa… uuuuhhh…” Liam blinked his eyes. “English! Yes. English.” He patted the books and papers. “I was working on English. Paper. Report. Yes.” He looked up at me. “Huh?”

The lift in my lips could not be helped. “English is my second language. It was difficult to learn so I can relate to its difficult inconsistencies. I blame English for my reserve in words. However, I have mastered the language. I can help you, if you desire.” Communication was not lacking within me now. Liam could get me to admit things without even asking. So very dangerous.

He stared at me as if I had not said a word. “What are you wearing?”

“A kimono.”

“Are you a samurai?” He smiled.

“This is traditional dress in Japan. While formal, it is comfortable.” I had one pair of jeans. Three t-shirts and the rest of my wardrobe were suits. “Before bed, I meditate and take tea. Care to join me?”

“Do I have to wear a dress?”

“No.”

“Do you wear this every night?”

“Yes.”

“Is this what you sleep in?” His mischievous smile charmed me. He was acting like a kid jabbing at an old man.

“I don’t sleep in clothes.”

His pupils consumed his hazel iris’s. If I were a lesser man, I would have told him to close his mouth before drool spilled out. But I was humble and subtle. I filled the tea pot with water and put it on the burner. I gathered my set on a tray and turned around.

Liam’s eyes snapped up. His cheeks blazed red. His admiration put me in a dark mood. Off limits. I told myself he was comparing himself. Not admiring me.

“Would you like to join me?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’ve got a report to finish.” He patted the papers before him.

I was a distraction. “Is that a no? You would like to join me, but you have other obligations needing your attention?”

“Yes.”

He had been giving me half answers and changing subjects all night. He needed to understand that I expected honesty. Full disclosure. Yes, he had a private life and things he wanted to keep to himself, but with me—unacceptable. He could not hide from me.

“Liam, when I ask a question, I would like for you to answer me truthfully. Do not use avoidance tactics.”

He shifted back in his chair. “Yes sir.”

“I want to know your likes and dislikes. This is how I get to know someone. Please, my name is Kai. I work for a living. I am no noble. I am no sir.”

“Yes…Kai.”

“Good.” I nodded took the kettle off the burner and put it on my tray. “Goodnight.”

I carried my ritual set back to the tea room where I tried mercilessly to not recall his blown-out eyes filled with desire and strove to reach a state of mindless calm. I was unsuccessful.

Beginning of the Notice Me Senpai Series

Next Update for Handle with Care

That's it for today!
Happy reading!
~ Stephy

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Start with Seducing Sensei, available now at your favorite retailer!

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Work in Progress ♣ Handle With Care (August 2018) Update

Word Count 89K

Handle with Care

Chapter 18

Chapter 20

Want to catch up with the series?

Work in Progress ♣ Handle With Care (July 2018) Update

Word Count 81K

Handle with Care

Chapter 16

Want to catch up with the series?

Work in Progress ♣ Handle with Care (June 2018) Update

Word Count 76K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Handle with Care

Chapter 15

Want to catch up with the series?

Work In Progress ♣ Handle With Care (May 2018)

Word Count 63K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Handle With Care

Chapter 11

Want to catch up with the series?

Work in Progress ♣ Handle with Care (April 2018)

Word Count 57k

Handle with Care

Chapter 5

Want to catch up with the series?

Categories

Archives

Work in Progress ♣ Handle With Care (August 2018) Update

Word Count 89K

Handle with Care

Chapter 18

Chapter 20

Want to catch up with the series?

Work in Progress ♣ Handle With Care (July 2018) Update

Word Count 81K

Handle with Care

Chapter 16

Want to catch up with the series?

Work in Progress ♣ Handle with Care (June 2018) Update

Word Count 76K*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Handle with Care

Chapter 15

​Want to catch up with the series?

Work In Progress ♣ Handle With Care (May 2018)

Word Count 63K*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Handle With Care

Chapter 11

Want to catch up with the series?

Work in Progress ♣ Handle with Care (April 2018)

Word Count 57k

Handle with Care

Chapter 5

​Want to catch up with the series?

Categories

Archives

Word Count 76K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Want to catch up with the series?

Word Count 63K
*This is what the word count is for the book so far. This will be close to a 90K word story.

Want to catch up with the series?