It`s time for Tuesday Tales.
Today we have an excerpt from The Christmas Rescue, Laurel Holidays #4.
Please do bear in mind that these snippets are unedited so please be kind if you find any mistakes.
This story may have gay erotic scenes, strong social issues addressed and mature language. If those things offend now is the time to move onto another Tuesday Tales blog. Thanks for stopping by!
Sleep was kept at bay by the fiery pain in my lower back. Every time I tried to move a jap of white hot pain stabbed through me. Lying on my side didn’t help, nor on my back, or on my belly. After about twenty minutes Acosta sat up with a huff, threw back the covers, and pounded into the kitchen. I levered myself up to my elbows then fully upward.
“Sorry,” I called softly when he appeared beside the bed holding a yellow plastic tub in his hand. “It does this on occasion.” I reached back to rub at the knotted muscles. “Generally when I play too much tennis but forking poop must have flared it up.”
“If you did more manual labor your underused muscles would be used to hard work.”
I scowled as a cow lowed in the barn. A soft, tender sound. Probably they had heard Acosta talking and wanted some food or attention. Cows were such simple creatures. Sometimes I envied them.
“I’m not sure if you sound more like my father or my fitness trainer,” I grumbled then winced. “I could take a painkiller, but they knock me out. Plus they make my head fuzzy.”
“Hmm, and that would be different how?”
“Oh, ha. Ouch. Crap.” He made a face as he twisted the lid off the yellow tub. I gave him a worried look when he tossed the lid on the bedding. “What is that?”
“It’s liniment gel. Now lay down and let me rub this into your back so I can get some damn sleep.” He jerked his scruffy chin at me.
“There’s a horse on the front. Is that horse liniment?”
The exhale through his nose was huge. “Yes, it is for animals. I use it all the time when I tweak something. Now lay down.”
“What does it smell like?”
“Seriously? I’m offering a kindness to you and—”
I pursed my lips. His eyes narrowed. “I do appreciate the offer but if it stinks I won’t be able to sleep. I have very delicate sinuses.” He stared at me with no small amount of aggravation. “Let me sniff.”
“Dear God.” He jammed the jar at my face. I leaned over carefully my lower lumbar twisting tighter. I took a quick smell then another. Hmm, okay, it wasn’t terrible. Medicinal yes but countered with a nice mint aroma. “Mm, okay, that’s fine. I can do it myself though.”
“I highly doubt that. Just lay down so we can get this over with.”
“Thank you.” I pulled off my sweater, eased down into the rather bumpy bed, and maneuvered myself to my belly. “Did you use this on Marcus when he was here?”
“Sometimes, sure.” He sat down beside me, the bed dipping under his weight. I wet my lips, closed my eyes, and focused on the snoring goat over by the woodstove. He moved a bit then smeared a glob of icy cold gel onto my back. A squeak escaped me. “Sorry.”
I loved the banter between them Boy I’d lose with such a fussy guy who was keeping me awake!! Great scene. You established so much about the characters with this easy exchange. Great job!
Infectious humor! Great excerpt, and I especially love the snoring goat.
Loved the scene. made me laugh. I remember horse liniment. My mother used to use it on us all the time as kids.
Great scene. I had to chuckle at the snoring goat too.
I don’t blame him. When something is smelly, I bugs my sinuses too. Great job!