Reading is like breathing...

4.5 stars.



I really devoured Head Shy! Loved it!

Head Shy is an excellent short story and at the same time a wonderful combo of seriousness and entertainment value. Compelling writing and witty dialogue and characters you can't help but love will provide a sensitive insight into Dan's difficult past. Dan has a tough time bottoming, and this short story explains why he is so head-shy. It's time to stop hiding and face a couple of his demons.

BTW, the man lovin' was DEE-lish!



I apologize in advance for quoting too much. Yeah, it was that good!

"I wasn't pouting, asshole. I was being quiet."
"You were sulking because I told you to stop talking." He leans forward as if for a kiss, then nips a little at Dan's bottom lip. "And this, right here, this beautiful little curve of flesh…it was a damn sight curvier than usual, and that makes it a pout."
He grins and gives Dan a real kiss. (Dan/Jeff)

"If you don't want to do it because you don't physically enjoy it, like, you've got an underactive prostate or…whatever…that's one thing. It just…" He sighs, and takes a couple steps closer. "It seems like you're…not scared, but…you know, anxious. Or uncomfortable. Mentally not physically."
(…)
"So that's what I'm concerned about. I don't like to think about you worrying or freaked out by…well, by anything, really, but especially not by something like this." (Jeff)

"I mean, it's not enough that I'll do it, I've got to want to do it? Well, sorry, man, I just…don't. I don't…" He can't say he doesn't like it. That's not quite right. "I don't want to. Not…"
(…)
"Not what, Dan? Not yet? Or not with us? Not this way?" Dan doesn't really have any answers for that, either, and Jeff sighs in frustration, then takes a deep breath of his own. "Okay, can we…can I just ask you some questions? I mean, I feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark, here."

Jeff sits down first, one foot on the floor, the other along the back of the couch, and then he gently tugs Dan down to sit in the V of his legs, leaning his back against Jeff's chest. It's become their default position for any serious talks, and Dan likes it; they're close enough that Dan can feel Jeff's warm strength, but he doesn't have to look him in the eyes, doesn't have to open up more than he wants to.

I know I sound like a broken record but Jeff rocks! I love him to pieces. He is very sensitive and thoughtful and addressed the "problem" as delicately as ever. Also, he provided one or two good laughs. ;-)

Jeff looks up and shakes his head. "I'm totally blanking. I can't think of a single goddamn question."
The other two just stare at him. Evan breaks first. "Oh, you're fired, dude!" That's it…no more 'Wise Jedi Master' bullshit from you…you're done."
Jeff shakes his head. "You think so, Padawan? You think you're ready to take over?"

"I let this whole thing get blown out of proportion. Sorry. Let's go, right now. My ass is open for business."
Evan's lips twitch a little. "Wow. Sexy. Very sophisticated approach."
"F@ck you, Kaminski. With an ass this fine, I don't need a smooth sales pitch."
Jeff's shaking his head again. "Dan, come on, sweetheart…"
"No, man, seriously. I just…I don't know, it felt weird. But it's weird not to do it, too, so, what the f@ck, right? Might as well do it. It's not a big deal."
"Or we could try to make it not weird," Jeff says softly. "Try to understand why it felt off, figure out how to make it better."



"You, Buttercup, are irrational and prone to dramatics. I am his colleague. I can be trusted with this sort of information."
"Okay, you're his employee, not his colleague." Dan's really not sure he likes it that Evan and Chris get along so well. "And I'm not irrational--wanting to know how much things cost is totally rational."
"Depends what you do with the information, Peach Blossom. If you file it away as a point of interest," and Chris nods to show that he has followed this path, "it's rational. If you use it as a way to throw a fit about how someone with more money than God chooses to spend his pocket change," and Chris looks regretful as he nods towards Dan, "it's not." He pauses, then adds, "Dandelion."
Dan looks at him in amazement. "Dandelion? You only know the names of three flowers, and one of them is Dandelion?"
Chris looks ashamed. "I really thought I'd have more. You know, when I started. But…hey! Daisy!"
"Too late, dude, you already played the 'dandelion' card. Game's over, you lose."
Dan glances at Jeff, who nods his head sadly. "Sorry, Sweetpea, I think Dan's right."

Dan raises his eyebrows. "I don't know, Chris, this might be an important issue for you. I mean, if you're going into the gay-threesome-contract business, you might need to have an idea of the details, the careful negotiations…"
Evan nods seriously. "It's not all favorite flavor of lube, man."

Jeff's fingers squeeze a little. "We're just trying to get to know more about you."
Dan shakes his head vigorously enough that Jeff's hand falls away. "No, you're getting to know stuff about old Dan, but I'm not him anymore. That's…it's done, it's over."
Jeff nods carefully. "Yeah, okay, but who he was, what he experienced…it's part of you, now, isn't it?"
Dan looks down at his hands braced on his thighs. "Not…not a good part. Not a part you guys need to know about."
There's a pause, and then Jeff's voice is firm and strong. "Dan, look at me. Dan, come on."
(…)
"We love you. All of you, even the parts we don't know about yet."

************************************

As a side note
The short stories are available for free.

http://www.katesherwoodbooks.com/?pag...

I bought them at www.amazon.de because I think the author has written a wonderful series and deserves the money.