Don't Try This at Home Author:Anne Regan (Editor) Bonked heads. Rough carpet. Burned dinner. Awkward silence. Bitten lips. Startling length. Spilled wax. Pinched fingers. Shattered wineglass. Closet quickie. Flat souffle. Broken bedframe. Shower sex. Overzealous spanking. Embarrassing ex. Lost wallet. Terrible taste. Sore shoulders. Noxious odor. Absent date. Unbelievable girth. Kitchen canoodl... more »ing. New toy. Stained sheets. Backward compliment. Stifling pillow. Locked handcuffs. Aching ass. Missing keys. Torn seams. Wrenched back. Angry cat. Overeager pass. Uncooperative zipper.
Something always goes wrong in real life. Fortunately, in these stories love blunts the edges so that romance always triumphs over adversity. Stories inside include:
Midnight Caller by Anna Birmingham: Aaron's career as a legal advisor often has him working late hours, but it's nice, safe, and respectable -- three words that can't be applied to his new neighbor, Daniel. Whether he's locking himself out of his apartment, hosting loud parties, or knocking over Aaron's potted plant, Daniel is definitely disturbing -- in ways Aaron is sure he shouldn't be noticing.
Snapshots by Rena Butler: Alex, a tightly-wound IT professional, never expected to find love -- or even lust -- passed out on the floor of a men's room in a Miami nightclub. But Bryce, a freelance photographer who's had a few too many, immediately sparks Alex's interest, though the two part ways without exchanging phone numbers or even names. A few weeks later, Alex gets a second chance when he runs into Bryce at a bar... to less-than-ideal results. Is it a sign they aren't meant to be, or is it worth a few bumps in the road if Bryce can see the best there is in Alex?
Basil's Luck by Henrietta Clarke: If it weren’t for bad luck, Basil Caraway Watkins would have no luck at all -- or so he thinks until he runs into handsome stranger Tom John in his local grocery store. The attraction is instant, but when one accident after another threatens to halt their relationship before it has started, can Basil’s unexpected good luck hold out long enough for him to hold on to Tom?
Boys, Toys, and Carpet Fitters by Taylin Clavelli: Moving into his own apartment gives Michael the chance to enjoy his freedom, his friends, and the collection of sex toys he'd never felt comfortable using around his parents. When hard partying and an enthusiastic dog leave his carpet in dire need of replacement, Michael is stunned to discover the installer is his teen crush, Andrew, now grown into an even more delectable man. But not as stunned as Andrew is about to be...
Outbursts by Bell Ellis: Matt is brilliant at his IT job, but hopeless in social situations. He's precipitated so many office disasters that his co-workers have nicknamed him the Mattastrophe. So when he meets Roe, the gorgeous and suave addition to the company sales department, Matt knows he faces two terrible dooms: to fall madly in love, and to make an ass of himself, repeatedly.
Tyler Wang Has a Ball by Kim Fielding: A vegetarian at a testicle festival? Berkeley graduate student Tyler Wang should have known better than to allow his flaky friend to lure him way out to the country for such a bizarre event. As if the friend’s failure to show up isn’t bad enough, Tyler ends up getting accidentally whacked in the face by a cowboy -- a very handsome cowboy. And that’s not the end of the day’s disasters. But despite the mishaps, maybe things won’t end so badly after all.
Boy Next Door by Ellee Hill: Kyle moves back into his childhood home after his parents retire to Florida. When a good deed for a family friend leaves Kyle in an embarrassing situation, his hot new neighbor, Shane, comes to the rescue. Kyle's been lusting after Shane ever since he moved in next door, but jumping the guy in his mother's kitchen five minutes after they meet leaves him so guilty he kicks Shane out. It will take another near-disaster to convince Kyle that Shane's as obsessed as he is.
Gremlins in the Works by Kiernan Kelly: Kevin and Jamison have just moved into a new house together when they suffer a string of bad luck. One thing after another goes wrong, and superstitious Kevin is convinced gremlins are the cause of it all. In between bouts of hot sex, he tries to find a way to rid the house of its unseen villains.
Good Food Gone Bad by Venona Keyes: Scott and Colum, partners for five years, rarely see each other between their busy work and post-grad schedules. They decide there's no better way to get reacquainted than a four-day weekend exploring some ancient and uncommon aphrodisiacs. Uncomplicated food and body exploration -- what could go wrong? There's no chance the bad luck from past getaways would repeat itself... could it?
Attack of the Hedgehogs by Kate Pavelle: Ricky runs into Sam in the supermarket -- literally, with a shopping cart. Smitten, he coaxes Sam out for a “feel better” dinner, and the evening evolves into days spent together. The two men are so compatible, it almost feels too good to be true -- until Sam tries something that cools Ricky’s ardor.
It's Not What You Think by Teegan Loy: Micah is having a run of bad luck when it comes to meeting guys. Hooking up used to satisfy him, but now he's looking for something more. The problem is that he thinks he may have found it -- in his best friend’s new boyfriend. And if he values his life, he needs to stop crushing on Cole before Jenna figures it out.
Slippery When Wet by K. Lynn: David and his husband Jake love their older house and have set out to make it truly a home. One morning David has an idea to spice up their somewhat vanilla sex life by joining his husband in the shower for a bit of pre-breakfast fun. What's supposed to be a kinky venture into first-time shower sex turns into a trip to the emergency room when they forget the warning "slippery when wet."
Desperate Measures by E.T. Malinowski: Parker Devereaux is calm, cool, and collected. A talented architect at an international firm, he's no stranger to wooing clients. So when his boss tells him he’s hosting a dinner party at his house, he has no choice but to agree, even though he can’t cook to save his life. Luckily his lover Gregorio Montesano can -- except Parker can't reach him to let Greg know what's going on.
Gordon's Cat by Aundrea Singer: Mitch and Gordon have just started a relationship, and it's going wonderfully -- until Mitch meets Gordon's cat, Chelsea, who hates Mitch on sight. When their every attempt at a romantic tryst ends in disaster, Mitch begins to despair. He loves Gordon, and Gordon loves him, but Gordon also loves Chelsea -- and Mitch isn't about to make him choose between them...
Photo Finish by AC Valentine: Skylar is ready for a night of passion with his boyfriend. He has his list of everything he needs and he’s checked it twice. Roses (check), wine (check), lube (check), condoms (check), toys (check), handcuffs (check), handcuff keys... Uh oh. Then his boyfriend dumps him by text while Skylar's stuck handcuffed to the bed. He needs his best friend Ari to get him out of the fix he’s in. The only problem is, Ari finally has Skylar right where he wants him.« less