I’d like to welcome Marguerite Labbe to silken Sheets today. Marguerite writes sweet m/m romances… the kind that make your toes curl because they are so delicious… both solo and with a co-author. Her solo release, All Bets Are Off, was released December 9th from Dreamspinner Press.
I will admit it, I’m a woman that loves sports, all kinds of sports. I especially like going to live events because nothing beats that kind of energy. It doesn’t matter if I’m huddled and freezing, holding onto a thermos for that last bit of heat or roasting under the July sun, when I’m into the game I don’t really notice.
I will also fully admit to having a completely dirty mind while watching sports on TV with my husband. Thank goodness he has a sense of humor because I frequently let my off color comments and snickers have free rein. I often catch him shaking his head and I suppose I should start guarding my tongue since my son is getting old enough to start questioning some of my comments.
But as an m/m writer, when I see two half naked men grappling in a wrestling ring, 
or the football sports commentators mention “going deep” or “backfield in motion”, I’ll admit that my mind wonders about just what happens in those testosterone heavy locker rooms. Plus I really enjoy the sight of all those tight pants and broad shoulders and watching tempers fly.
In All Bets Are Off, both Eli and Ash love baseball, and since they root for different teams their friendly rivalry has led to more than one kinky bet. In the excerpt below the sexual tension rises as they wait to see who’s going to come out on top of their first bet.
* * * * *
All Bets Are Off
By Marguerite Labbe
Available from Dreamspinner Press
It only takes one night with Ash Gallagher to make Eli Holister think he’s finally met the right man at the right time. Good thing he doesn’t bet on it, because Ash turns out to be a student in Eli’s class at the local college. Eli can’t deny he’s attracted, but now it’s complicated. He’s already in enough trouble with the department head, a man who would like to see Eli denied his tenure and fired.
Ash is looking forward to taking his life in a new direction. After serving one active-duty stint in the Marine Corps and another in the Reserves, he’s ready to put his military life behind him. The last new experience he’d planned for this semester was to fall in lust with his English professor, but the more Eli resists, the more Ash is determined to have him. Then he discovers Eli’s playing for keeps, and Ash is only interested in a fling… or is he? Between these two, when it comes to life and love, all bets are off.
* * * * *
They continued to banter back and forth, watching the game as it progressed. Ash had always found baseball to be a game of anticipation and now, with the stakes involved, it was even more so. He was intensely aware of the man sitting next to him, of every expression that crossed Eli’s open face, the timbre of his voice and the way there always seemed to be laughter in it. Eli’s knee brushed his under the table, increasing his awareness of the man even more.
Lu came and took their plates away, leaving behind another beer for Ash and a glass of water for Eli. Ash relaxed back in his chair, nursing his drink. He was already mellow enough as it was. “So which is your favorite position?”
“That’s such a loaded question.” Eli glanced at the screen, cursing under his breath as the Yankees pulled ahead.
“It’s meant to be,” Ash murmured.
“Let’s see, then. I’ve always been particularly fond of third base.” He cast Ash a significant glance, an unspoken promise of what would happen when they were alone. It made it hard to have a coherent thought other than yes, please. “They don’t call it the hot corner for nothing. You?”
Ash shifted in his chair, the insistent ache in his cock making it difficult to keep up with Eli’s sinful tongue. “I preferred batting to outfield. I loved blowing the ball out of the park.” He grinned as the sound of Eli’s soft groan sent another thrill through him.
Ash reached under the table and took Eli’s hand, brushing his thumb over the knuckles. No one seemed to be paying them any attention anymore, and Eli didn’t seem as if he wanted to hide at all. He certainly didn’t pull his hand away and Ash liked the feel of it in his own. He was more aware of every heartbeat, every intake of Eli’s breath, than he was of the game. And when the Yankees tied the score in the ninth inning, the heat and tension between them had little to do with the game going on or with the bet.
Ash laid his hand on Eli’s leg as the sexual tension slid up another notch. He’d been right about there being muscle underneath his clothes, and not the bulky kind, either. Ash grinned slow and easy as those expressive eyes met his. “Now here’s the real question. Do you want them to win or lose?” Eli laughed softly and leaned closer himself. “I don’t think it really matters, does it?”
“Nah, not really. I just wanted to hear a Red Sox fan commit blasphemy.”
“If I get struck down by lightning it would really put a damper on the evening.” Eli sucked in a breath as Ash’s hand drifted higher up his thigh.
“Admit that you’d rather be doing something else.”
Sometimes my characters surprise me. I usually have a pretty good idea of who they are and what will happen when I start a book, but occasionally a character will take a sideways leap that throws me for a loop.
hard-core plotter, with this particular story I had to hold on and see where it took me. It was quite a ride.
