EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT :: A Unique Request by Mickey B. Ashling #ExclusiveExcerpt #Giveaway
✨ EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT ✨
A Unique Request
Mickie B. Ashling © 2024
All Rights Reserved
Mick was on his way home from Whole Foods on Seventh Avenue when he fell. He had a small roller bag filled with groceries, and it toppled over, spilling onto the sidewalk. Apples and oranges rolled around, bright colors against the gray and grime of the concrete. Mick waited for the thumping in his heart to stabilize. He knew this was going to happen more and more often. He’d been warned, but he chose to ignore the doctor’s words, hoping he had more time. It had been six months since the diagnosis, and so far, he felt the same, mostly. Hints of what was to come were incidents like this and the constant cramping and twitching of the muscles under his skin. Fasciculation was the medical term for the bizarre sensation that felt like a million Mexican jumping beans buried in his leg muscles. It creeped him out more often than not. He’d taken to smacking himself in the leg with a rolled-up magazine whenever it would start, hoping to knock some sense into short-circuiting nerve endings. The doctors said it would pass, but by then, he’d be paralyzed, so he didn’t know whether he wanted to rush it or not. When put like that, he preferred to endure the discomfort rather than face the alternative.
He tried to get up on his own, but his legs weren’t cooperating with his brain’s command. It was getting more and more difficult to bounce back from the falls. Pedestrians walked around him without pausing to help. Luckily, a beat cop was in the vicinity and helped him up, the familiar uniform of the NYPD a welcome sight.
“Are you alright, sir?”
“Yes,” Mick answered. “No harm no foul.”
“Would you like me to hail a cab?”
“I would appreciate it,” Mick acknowledged, although he supposed the cabbie would complain about the short distance. He’d give him a large tip, and maybe get him to carry the groceries down the stairs to the apartment.
The driver turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Mick expected someone rude and unfeeling, but he was delighted by the pleasant manner of the old man who turned out to be Armenian and grateful to be living in America. He was sympathetic when Mick told him he had something similar to multiple sclerosis. Mick had discovered months ago that most people couldn’t or didn’t want to deal with sickness, especially if it was terminal. He’d become quite adept at embellishing the truth, being a natural storyteller. He gave them the opportunity to help, without the added guilt of their own good health. Comforting a dying person was much more difficult. The sad faces and slow headshakes were too much to deal with; pretending his illness wasn’t fatal was far easier.
By the time Tono got home, Mick had recovered from his fall, so he never mentioned it. A good thing, since his partner wasn’t in a good mood.
“Hola.” Tono nuzzled him on the neck, embracing him from behind. “Did you buy anything good to barbecue?”
“Steaks.”
“Excellent. How about the avocado?”
“I bought everything on your list including Jamon Serrano, which cost an arm and a leg.”
“It’s just money, cariño. We have plenty to spare.”
“You have.”
“We. No arguing, okay?” Tono frowned. “I’ve already had enough for one day.”
“Who’d you argue with?”
“Pol. He’s a jerk!”
“He’s an acquired taste, to be sure. Once you get to know him, you’ll understand.”
“I don’t need more time,” Tono fumed. “He’s insulting, and I won’t put up with his shit. I’m sure I can find someone else to help me.”
Mick was quiet while he washed the lettuce and prepared it for the salad. He sliced tomatoes and cucumbers efficiently, grateful for the use of his hands, which had not been affected so far. He lived in terror of that moment, knowing he’d never be able to use his keyboard or prepare a meal, but he shook off the thought and continued with his slicing, all the while thinking about Paul and Tono.
He wasn’t sure why he insisted on help with the editing. Was it just an excuse to get Paul back in his life? He could give Tono the guidance he needed to write a novel, so why subject him to more trauma? Even he had a problem getting past some of Paul’s acid remarks, and he’d loved him for years. Why risk the chance of the two men who meant everything to him coming to blows?
Or was it the whole point? Did he need them both to get through this? He wasn’t quite clear on what he was trying to achieve; he just knew he wanted them around, and this was his solution. Having Paul in his arms the other night was like coming home. The relief was immense. His presence gave him the strength he needed to cope with his situation and with Tono’s emotions. He loved Tono with every fiber of his being, but Paul was an intrinsic part of him. Not a day ever went by without some thought of his former lover. Seeing him―and responding to his advances after all these years―was proof positive that time and distance had not broken their bond.
He dropped what he was doing, wiped his hands on the kitchen towel, and moved toward Tono, who embraced him. “Promise me you’ll keep an open mind.”
“If he’s respectful.”
“I’m sure you can both manage to be civilized, at least while you’re working on the novel.”
“Francamente, having your past and present lovers in one room isn’t a good idea,” Tono deadpanned.
Mick chuckled. “I know, but I have faith in both of you.”
“You’re still a dreamer, despite everything.”
“I’ve made a career peddling my dreams.”
“And you do it so well. Are you going to let Pol edit your sequel?”
“I’d rather he devotes his spare time to your manuscript.”
“But I have all the time in the world,” Tono reminded Mick.
“True, but I’d prefer to ignore mine for now.”
“Okay. Bésame.”
A Unique Request
by Mickie B. Ashling
Series: Basque Trilogy, Book 1
Release Date: Sunday, August 11 2024
Cover Artist: Book Cover Zone
Primary Plot Arc: Romance
Main Genre: Romance
Tropes: Second chances
Pairings: MMM
LGBTQ+ Identities: Gay
Length: Novel / 64K Words / 249 Pages
Keywords/Categories: gay, menage, MMM, second chances, cultural differences, bittersweet ending, fatal disease, second chances, gay romance, mm romance, new release, giveaway
🛒 Purchase Links
Mickie has reduced the price of A Unique Request to $1.99 while the book is on tour.
As an Amazon associate, the owner of this site earns from qualifying purchases. Neither the buyer nor the seller is directly charged for this. The referral fee comes from Amazon’s deep pockets, and surely we can all get behind that!
Blurb
Mickie has reduced the price of A Unique Request to $1.99 while the book is on tour.
Seven years have passed since Paul Alcott and Mick Henley separated, but hearing the familiar voice reinforces what Paul has known all along―he still loves Mick and wants him back.
Hope flares upon receiving a dinner invitation, but his dream evaporates when he learns that Mick is in a relationship with Basque jai alai player, Tono Garat.
To make matters worse, Paul’s services as a book editor are solicited to help Tono through the final revision of a love story he’s written.
Paul refuses until Mick reveals he’s been diagnosed with a fatal disease, and the novel is Tono’s only means of coping.
Paul and Tono resent each other, but they can’t deny the strong sexual attraction between them. Will they overcome their differences to provide the loving support necessary to sustain the man they love or will their animosity destroy Mick’s final days?
Warnings: Second chances, bittersweet, fatal disease
Excerpt
A Unique Request
Mickie B. Ashling © 2024
All Rights Reserved
Paul stood outside the door, debating his decision to show up. He had a bottle of red wine in one hand and a bunch of colorful wildflowers in the other. He’d given in to a moment of sentimental weakness, and now he wondered what the hell he was doing. He turned to leave when the door was yanked open by a fractious brunet with a scowl on his face. “¿Sí?”
“Hi. I’m Paul Alcott.”
The stranger scowled and scrutinized him from the top of his shining head down his designer-clad body.
Paul was unfazed. He was just as curious about the man who’d replaced him in Mick’s life. He inspected him like he would any rival, noting the chestnut-colored hair curling around his neckline. His upper body was hidden behind a loose T-shirt, but the corded muscles of his forearms were a clear indication of what was underneath. He was striking, no doubt about it. The heated gaze was bad enough, but it was his luscious mouth that sent Paul’s mind straight to the gutter. He was shocked by his body’s quick response to this stranger, despite the obvious antagonism. He brought his hand down, covering the evidence of his growing interest with the flowers.
The Spaniard blinked and rewarded Paul with a tentative smile. “I’m Tono Garat,” he announced in a heavily accented voice.
“Nice to meet you.” Paul nodded. “Is Mick around?”
“Yes, of course. Come in, please.”
Tono spun around, and Paul zeroed in on the rounded ass covered in tight white shorts. No garter lines meant he was naked underneath, and Paul couldn’t help but notice.
“Paul!” Mick called out, rushing forward and hugging Paul tightly. “God, it’s been too long.”
“I know,” Paul said, falling under Mick’s spell within seconds. It had always been so good between them, and despite the years and the distance, the sentiment remained the same. “You’re still as gorgeous as ever.”
“Oh, stop. You always were good for my ego.”
“The years have been kind to you, my friend,” Paul continued, taking in every part of Mick. He did look great, trim and fit, clean-shaven. His hair was a little longer than Paul remembered, but the dark curls framed Mick’s tanned face, making the violet-tinged eyes pop.
“You don’t look half-bad either.” Mick’s voice shifted, and the words came out like a soft caress. He toyed with a lock of Paul’s silky hair, curling it around his finger. “When did you let your hair grow?”
“After my father died; no more memos about looking professional.” Paul smirked as he recalled Paul Senior’s edicts.
“Shall I take the bottle?” Tono interrupted, looking uncomfortable. Perhaps he was aware of their long history, but seeing the chemistry was a different matter altogether.
“Sure,” Paul replied, handing over the wine.
“I made a pitcher of sangria. Would you like a glass?” Tono asked, never taking his eyes off Paul.
“Sounds good. I’m assuming it’s authentic.”
“I made it from scratch,” Tono huffed.
“Come on,” Mick stepped in, trying to diffuse the situation. He took Paul by the arm and led him out to the tiny patio that had a wrought iron table for four and several wooden planters filled with assorted vegetables. The tomatoes were almost ripe and hanging from branches held up with green sticks. The Weber grill was off to one side―a tribute to summer and warm evenings.
“This is nice, Mick. I had no idea this was out here.”
“Not too many people do. I guess the owners were into gardening, so I benefit. It’s what attracted me to this unit in the first place.”
Paul sat down and stretched out, loving the sight of Mick after so long. “So, what have you been up to?”
“Living La Vida Loca.” Mick smiled. “I’ve been writing, of course, but mostly enjoying my life.”
“Sounds great. Are you still working on your sequel?”
“Yes, as well as something new.”
“Oh?”
“I’m helping Tono with his book.”
Paul gave Tono a frosty look. “You’re a writer?”
“I’m not,” Tono replied, placing a large wineglass with chunks of fruit in front of Paul. “I’m a professional jai alai player, but I’ve written a romance, based on my relationship with Mick.”
“A romance?” Paul turned to Mick for the answer. “Why?”
“Because I’m dying.”
About the Author
MICKIE B. ASHLING is the pseudonym of a multi-published author who resides in a suburb outside Chicago. She is a product of her upbringing in various cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.
Since 2009, Mickie has written several dozen novels in the LGBTQ+ genre—which have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Audiobooks and foreign translations are available at Amazon and Audible. Her award-winning novels have been described as “gut- wrenching, daring, and thought-provoking.”
Author Links
Giveaway
Mickie is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
