For the ERWF Blog Circle

New Release from Kay Derwydd: (URL for cover: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/iasomie/melindo_cover_small.jpg )

Melindo: My Lover Adrian is an elf living in a mortal world. He’s almost given up hope of ever finding others like himself, but then he meets an enigmatic singer named Erik. Adrian quickly learns to accept his true identity, as well as a love that will surpass all time.

Genre: Gay Erotic Paranormal Rating: Adult Length: Short Story, 8,300 Words Available at Chippewa Publishing: http://chippewapublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=91

EXCERPT: Adrian nearly dropped his cup, but the man caught it with an unnoticed move of his wrist—unnoticed by all but Adrian. He looked up at the man and smiled for the first time in several months.

“It’s always difficult, this time of year,” Erik said as he set Adrian’s cup on the bar beside them. “I promise it passes; you become accustomed to it after a while.”

“How did you know?” Adrian asked him, still in shock from finding another like himself. The man smiled and slid his fingers through the parti-colored twists and braids to reveal the faintest hint of a pointed ear. Adrian dropped his gaze, part from shame, part from embarrassment.

Erik slipped his other hand under his chin and lifted his head. “Don’t hide who you are,” he whispered.

If it had been anyone else, they wouldn’t have heard him, but Adrian heard him clear as day. In an odd twist of emotion, he suddenly felt ashamed for being ashamed. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to. Erik’s next move served only to unnerve him even more. Without another word, Erik leaned forward and opened his mouth on Adrian’s. Adrian’s breath left him when Erik’s tongue slid between his lips, parting them slowly and gently. The kiss was short but left Adrian lightheaded and breathless nonetheless.

“I have to go to work now,” Erik said quietly. He hadn’t released Adrian’s hair and his grip had tightened with their kiss.

“I finally find someone else and now you’re leaving?” Adrian asked him, feeling hurt and utterly confused. Erik smiled and pulled him close. Adrian gasped as their bodies met and pressed tightly together.

“Not at all,” Erik whispered close to Adrian’s lips. He nodded his head slightly in the direction of the stage. “I’m not going far. Won’t you stay and listen to the band?”

“You-you’re in the band?” Erik smiled. “I’m the singer.” He kissed Adrian softly, then left him and went to the stage.

“Who was that?”

Adrian turned to see Jacob giving him a rather quizzical look. Abby stood beside him, her arm linked in his, a knowing smile on her face. Adrian grabbed his cup and downed half the rum and Coke in one nervous swallow. Well, he thought, here goes. He turned to face the two of them and smiled sheepishly. “I guess I have some explaining to do,” he said as he looked from Jacob to Abby.

“You don’t have to explain,” Abby said, “but we’re more than willing to listen. It’s obvious now why you’ve never shown any interest in women.”

Adrian sat down on the barstool beside Jacob and sighed. “Yeah, I guess that probably is obvious now.” He looked up at them—at Jacob mostly—and said, “I’m sorry. It’s not something I’m extremely open about, but I suppose I should’ve said something a long time ago.”

Jacob shrugged and grinned. “Nah, no big deal, man,” he said. “You like guys; so what? You think it’s gonna change our friendship?”

Adrian let his gaze slip away, not wanting to confirm that very fear. Jacob’s hand on his shoulder told him that all was not as bad as he would imagine.

“Adrian, we’ve been friends for over ten years. Men or women, it doesn’t matter to me; you are who you are.”

“You’re not freaked out?” Adrian asked, raising a dark eyebrow.

“Not in the least. Although I am curious as to who that guy was,” Jacob grinned.

Adrian looked to the stage and remained quiet for several minutes as he watched Erik set up his mic. “I don’t know,” he said, “but I want to.”