Today I am so pleased to welcome M. Tushmore to Joyfully Jay. Tushmore has come to talk to us about her latest release, Phoenix. She has also brought along an exclusive excerpt to share. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
“ Famous people are just more interesting. ”
~ Penny Lane, Almost Famous.
“Alex,” Danny said, a thoughtful look on his face. “You made that comic book for me last year, didn’t you?”
Oh no.
Embarrassed, Alex dropped his eyes, staring at the front of Danny’s t-shirt and his silver pendants. How mortifying. Just like that, Alex had gone from super cool groupie back down to super lame fan-boy.
Any time now, ground. Any time now.
“Am I right?” Danny asked.
Slowly, Alex nodded.
“And that painting, too? The one with the flames. You gave it to me at the Astoria, like, the year before or something, when I met you and your friends.”
He remembers?
Alex dared to look up. Danny didn’t wait for his answer. “Yeah,” he said, nodding his head. “That was you. What happened to that cute mop of hair, huh?” He reached out a hand, running gentle fingers through Alex’s cut and styled hair.
Alex didn’t know what to say. The feel of Danny’s fingers brushing through his hair, then tracing down his cheek, sent all coherent thought scattering.
“Look at you now,” Danny said softly. A small smile played on his lips.
~ Phoenix, Melanie Tushmore.
~ ~ ~
Hey guys,
So this is the part of the story that I originally started with: my spark of inspiration for the novel.
The connection between these guys is that, as soon as Danny recognises Alex as that kid who used to bring him gifts, they’ve already got a history together, which is more than what Danny is used to with fans who throw themselves at him.
While Alex had this whim to be ‘just another groupie’ to try and seduce Danny, it backfires somewhat when Danny remembers him, but also gives Alex a chance at forming something a lot more tangible than a casual hook up. 🙂
~ ~ ~
Links
Buy Phoenix now
Tushmore on Twitter
Tush’s 80s Playlist
Mötley Crüe – Take me to the top
Ratt – Wanted man
Aerosmith – Dude (looks like a lady)
The Cult – Big neon glitter
Poison – Nothin’ but a good time
Excerpt
Even with the AAA pass hanging from his neck, like some sort of illicit medal, Alex still couldn’t believe he was being granted access to the Death Rose dressing room. Giddy with excitement, he followed Danny inside.
The room was plain, but full of open bags and suitcases spilling their contents, promising clothes of sexy black leather, spandex, studded garments and more. When he imagined who’d be wearing them, Alex felt hot. The warm air in the room didn’t help matters.
There was no one else here, though voices filtered in from the hallway. The entire structure was temporary. Sounds eked through: music, shouts, bangs. Alex was about to ask where the others were, just for something to say, when Danny stopped in front of him and turned. Alex almost stepped away, about to apologise for getting under his feet.
Danny’s arm snaked around his waist, drawing Alex to him. Alex barely had the wherewithal to look up as Danny’s mouth pressed against his.
It felt like a dream, too surreal. Alex opened his mouth and kissed back while he was still living the fantasy. Danny’s kiss was fast, full of want, but altogether too brief. Suddenly he pulled back, half turning away. Alex was left reeling, his lips wet and his nose full of Danny’s smell.
Voices preceded the arrival of people into the dressing room. With a shy glance from Danny, Alex realised this was why he’d stopped, and silently cursed whoever it was for interrupting them. He pressed his lips together, preserving the feel of Danny’s lips on his.
The people who’d entered the dressing room were arguing. Nicky D. Muir, Death Rose’s drummer, was being apparently told off by a pudgy, older man with a tan, wearing glasses. “Don’t push me, Nicky,” he said, as Nicky grumbled and collapsed into a battered couch.
Danny glanced at the pair over his shoulder, but otherwise kept his back to them. He didn’t seem overly concerned with the row unfolding. Alex took the opportunity to risk a look at Danny’s body, wondering if Danny was hard, like he was. He so wanted to reach out and feel, onlookers or not. God, what he wouldn’t give to touch Danny … But nerves held him frozen. He would follow Danny’s lead, wait for his cue.
Alex’s eyes wandered. There was a suitcase open, balanced on a chair. Alex hadn’t noticed its existence until Danny rummaged inside it. It had to be his. Clothes of black and some varied colour escaped at either side.
Danny said quietly, “What do you want me to wear, Alex?”
The continued argument in the room was mildly distracting, but Alex’s focus was on Danny. Even so, he was sure he’d misheard him. “Pardon?” he stuttered.
A smile teased Danny’s lips, like he was about to laugh. He picked out a pair of black, spangly leggings. “What do you want me to wear? To be honest, I don’t think I can get away with leggings right now, unless you get my guitar for me so I can hide this stiffy.”
Alex’s groin flooded with warmth, making him even harder. He laughed, feeling dizzy with nerves and want. His next words came out more breathy than he’d intended. “I wouldn’t mind seeing that.”
Danny looked at him, like he had to check if Alex meant it. His eyes seemed larger, searching. Again, Alex had a small stab of realisation that perhaps Danny wasn’t as sure of himself as he’d assumed.
Either that or he was a pretty good actor.
Who cared, Alex thought. This was better than his fantasies of Danny. This was real. The desire must have showed in his eyes, on his face. Alex did nothing to hide it. A dirty grin spread over Danny’s lovely mouth, then his hands went to his belt. “Help me with my shoes, gorgeous.”
His words were barely audible, but they were the only thing Alex heard. Heedless of where he was, Alex dropped to a crouch. It seemed only fitting to kneel before someone like Danny, like he’d been born to please this man.
As much as Alex wanted to lean in and bury his face in Danny’s crotch, he kept himself in check. Perhaps he was still in shock at the situation, it all seemed too good to be true. What if one hasty move prompted Danny into action? Would Alex be expected to suck him off in a backstage dressing room?
Alex’s blood heated, and his dick clenched. I’d do it, I would. But … what would happen after? Would he throw me out, never speak to me again?
He swallowed, and tried to concentrate on the simple task at hand. Get Danny’s shoes off. Danny’s jean-clad legs were stuffed into black cowboy boots, and now Alex was closer he noticed patterns of rhinestones up the sides of the boots as they caught the light. Danny raised one foot, and Alex gripped the boot, wriggling it free. His whole body thrilled at the task. It wasn’t how he’d envisioned undressing Danny, but for now, this would do.
One boot off, and Alex helped rid Danny of the other boot. He noticed Danny’s black socks, saw one was actually inside out. Just that tiny detail made Alex’s heart expand to painful proportions. He longed to be the one to dress Danny, and undress him, every day for the rest of his days. Make sure he wore his socks the right way round.
Alex tried to quash down his impulsive thoughts. A potential hook up was one thing, and seeming more and more likely by the minute, but anything more than that? Hollie was right. He was only setting himself up for a fall. A big one.
He must have paused, as Danny said softly, “Hey? You okay?”
Alex snapped out of it. He resolved to deal with the fall out when it happened. He could just paint his experiences for the rest of his days. Being with Danny now was like having a real life muse. Raising his head, Alex looked up at him, memorising every detail. Danny’s belt was undone, his hands poised at his fly, waiting.
Alex promised himself he would paint this picture one day. Smiling, he bit the bullet and said, “Sure am.”
Blurb
Young painter Alex Tatton has always loved music. When a tragic accident takes away his parents, he turns to a darker style of music and discovers the rock band, Death Rose. Feeling isolated from his own life, Alex develops a crush on guitarist Danny Death who, despite the name, is vivacious, full of life, and has a reputation for being ‘the nicest guy in rock n’ roll’.
After a gig, Alex finds Danny to give him a signed painting. Danny is everything a star should be: charming, sexy, a beacon of light in Alex’s otherwise dark life, and after meeting him Alex is determined to see him again—and this time he wants more than just an autograph.
Pairing: M/M
Content: Contains explicit content.
