Please welcome Grace R. Duncan!

My guest today is Grace R. Duncan!

I’d like to introduce those of you who haven’t yet read Choices to Hamid and Isam, two of Teman’s gypsy clansmen. They are two of the men who guard the gypsy camp and friends of Teman and Jasim. This is the beginning of a story with them below. More will be available on my blog and website soon. In the meantime, do be sure to leave a comment below for a chance to win some swag and a chance to win a signed paperback copy of Choices!

 

Isam checked the sun for the umpteenth time that afternoon. It hadn’t moved so much as an inch, but he couldn’t seem to resist. He wanted the afternoon over.

“It doesn’t move that fast, you know,” Hamid said helpfully then chuckled. “What are you so anxious for, anyway?”

Isam sent him a sideways look. “I am tired of guard duty today,” he grumbled, though that was far from the full truth. He needed away from Hamid, not the duties. His closest friend and the man he was in love with was making him absolutely insane.

Because Hamid didn’t know he was in love. Hamid didn’t realize that when bending over to pick something up or stretching or whatever, it made Isam’s cock twitch and mouth water. He’d had to turn around and adjust himself more than once.

And that day was worse than most. Isam hadn’t had much time by himself the last few days and so his normal method of easing his frustrations over his best friend hadn’t been possible. But he was determined that night to find some quiet alone time and ease his tension.

Hamid snorted at him. “Tired of guard duty? You never tire of guard duty. Unless you have your eye on one of the cam—”

Isam growled. “You are never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Hamid grinned. “No.”

“I never actually did anything with it, you know,” Isam felt the need to say, even though he knew quite well that Hamid was aware of the truth. “The teasing has gotten old.” He turned his back on his friend and paced away.

He listened to the footsteps on the sand, then a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Hamid frowning. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it really annoyed you.”

Isam shrugged a shoulder. “It does not matter—”

“It does. I’m sorry. You’re my best friend, I know I’m allowed to tease you, but I should also respect when there are lines not to cross.”

Isam forced a smile and nodded. “Thank you. I am fine, really.”

Hamid silently considered him for a long moment, then nodded. “Alright.” He glanced up at the sun then smiled. “It’s almost time. Why don’t you go. I’ll cover the last bit of time.”

Isam raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, go on.” Hamid tilted his head and Isam smiled.

“Thank you. I will see you at dinner, then,” he said as he stepped away.

“See you then.”

 

Isam hurried to his tent, annoyed to no end when he got there and found his sister inside. “What are you doing here?” Sahla had her own space and it frustrated him when he found her in his.

Sahla looked up and scowled at him. “What do you mean? I have a right to be here.”

Isam’s eyes narrowed and Sahla’s widened. “You have your own tent. This is mine and I would like some privacy.”

Sahla grinned. “Oh! I know why you want privacy!” She laughed as she stood up and picked up her needlework. “Have you told him yet?”

With a sigh, Isam shook his head. “No, and you are not going to, either.”

“Why don’t you?” She asked, rolling her eyes. Isam noted that she still hadn’t moved toward the exit.

“You know why. Now get out.” He scowled when she slowly put her things back in the basket. “Why do you insist on coming into my tent? What is wrong with yours?”

Sahla made a face. “Ommah is in there. And she insists on talking my ear off, asking me when I’m going to pick one of the handsome clan members and settle down.” She shook her head. “They are all either too old or young boys. Or prefer someone else.” She gave him a pointed look that had him rolling his own eyes.

“Why not find someone, then and shut her up?” He asked, ignoring her look.

She shook her head. “I already told you that no one here interests me. Besides, maybe Jasim will come back and—”

“He is in love, Sahla, I told you. He is not going to leave the empress to come back here.”

Sahla pouted. “How can he be a slave? Doesn’t he care about that?”

Isam sighed. “He is not. Not really. If he wanted to leave, the empress would not care.”

“Well, fine then. Jasim is taken. The only other one I would have wanted apparently doesn’t want me.” She sniffed and picked up her basket. “He is interested in someone else. Or so he tells me.”

Isam raised an eyebrow. “And who would that be?”

Sahla smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Sahla—” Isam scowled.

“Nope. I promised him I wouldn’t tell. You will find out eventually.” And with that, she flounced out of the tent.

Isam sent up a bid for patience with his sister. He loved her dearly, but she could get him to the point of breaking things with very little effort on her part.

The conversation did manage to derail the worst of his frustration from the day, but he knew that wouldn’t last. He tied the flaps closed on his tent and undressed quickly, settling back on his pallet.

With his eyes closed, he brought Hamid’s image to mind, the way his friend looked especially when they were at the oasis swimming. Hamid loved to wear nothing when swimming and they had, on more than one occasion, gone in late at night alone and naked. Isam had a particular memory he loved of Hamid’s long, lean form in the moonlight with water sliding over skin.

That was all it took for Isam’s cock to harden. He bit his lip to stifle sound as he moved his hand over his length, squeezing slightly at the base before he started stroking. He had a favorite fantasy he liked to accompany this and he brought that up as his hand moved over his length with more purpose. His other hand cupped and teased his balls as the Hamid in his fantasy approached him across the sand in the moonlight.

They stood just a foot apart, not touching, not speaking. Hamid’s look was heated, want clear in the hazel eyes. Isam’s gaze met Hamid’s and he dug deep for the courage to reach up and touch his friend’s face. Fingertips danced over damp skin then slid along a cheek to weave through curly wet hair.

A breath of time later, he was in Hamid’s arms, their lips locked in a battle of tongues and teeth and need. Hands mapped muscles and skin and their cocks ground together.

Outside of his fantasy, Isam’s hand sped up, soft grunts slipping out that he was unable to contain. His other hand rolled his balls through his fingers, then slid down to his taint to tease then press on the spot he knew would amplify the pleasure. Another quiet groan escaped and he bit his lip almost brutally to hold it all back.

“Isam…” Hamid whispered as they broke apart, both fighting for breath. Isam met his friend’s eyes and stepped back, taking Hamid’s hand and pulling him toward the blanket where they’d left their things. Hamid followed, eyes never leaving Isam and when Isam felt the fabric under his feet, he sat down and lay back, tugging Hamid with him.

“Hamid,” he murmured when the other man was over him, lips moving over chin and cheek, then making a wet trail over his neck. Hamid ground his cock into Isam’s, pulling a long, loud moan from Isam’s throat.

Isam let another sound out, despite his best attempts and he let go of his cock to slow himself down just a little. He didn’t know how long it would be before he could get time alone again and he was determined to make the most of what he had. His cock twitched in agreement and pre-cum beaded on the tip. He panted hard as he tried to cobble together a bit of control, but the fantasy still played on in his head and he couldn’t seem to stop it.

Hamid dragged his lips over Isam’s chest, teasing the skin and bringing goose bumps to the surface. Isam’s eyes slammed closed as one nipple was pulled between Hamid’s lips and tormented until Isam let out a groan loud enough to be heard across the water. His hands threaded through Hamid’s wet hair as his friend moved further along his body, brushing his lips over Isam’s stomach, causing the muscles to jump. He clenched his jaw, determined to keep quiet, to keep from alerting the camp of their activities but when Hamid paused, hovering over Isam’s cock, eyes full of more heat, Isam released a tiny whimper of need.

Hamid’s lips spread into a smile full of promise, then he opened his mouth and swallowed Isam’s cock in one swift move. “HAMID!” Isam’s eyes slammed closed as the shout let out that he couldn’t have held in for anything.

Isam had no idea he’d said his friend’s name out loud. He took his cock back into his hand and started stroking, this time much faster, unable to hold back. His hips rocked as he did, his other hand teasing his entrance, then moving back along his taint to cup his balls again. Pre-cum flowed from the tip of his cock steadily, easing his hand and every time he got to the tip, the pleasure sharpened further.

Hamid pulled off Isam’s cock and looked up at him, smile spreading at the shout. “Isam?” He called, and Isam forced his eyes open. He met his friend’s eyes and watched as Hamid lowered himself again to Isam’s cock.

Hamid’s tongue came out and he dragged it along the length, teasing another soft groan from Isam’s throat. It made a path over veins, finding every spot Isam had that would make him desperate for more. “Hamid…” he groaned again, hands fisting in the black hair.

“Isam…” Hamid whispered again before going back to what he was doing.

Isam’s hand was nearly flying over his flesh now. He could feel himself getting close, so very close and he knew he’d never get through his whole fantasy. Instead, he focused on the imagined feel of Hamid’s mouth on him and let himself go, let the pleasure start to flood him.

He didn’t register the sound he should have, didn’t notice the shift in light. So he didn’t know that he wasn’t alone when he moaned his dream lover’s name again. It wasn’t until he heard the gasp that he was brought out of his fantasy.

His eyes flew open to stare into Hamid’s. His friend was standing in the entrance to his tent, eyes wide and face a study in pure shock.

Isam lay there, his mortification taking over as he realized what just happened. But he couldn’t seem to move, couldn’t seem to do anything. He just stayed there for a long moment, his cock still hard and still in his hand, his other hand between his legs, fingers at his entrance, and his eyes glued to his friend.

It took him quite a while to realize it, but when he was finally able to tear his eyes away from Hamid’s shocked face, they dropped to see… Hamid was aroused.

His eyes flew back up to meet Hamid’s gaze and they continued to stare at each other in suspended time. Oh no, now what?

 

Thank you again to Kim for hosting me today! I really appreciate the opportunity to share this story with two of my favorite characters.

 

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Born and raised a gypsy in the late eleventh century, Teman values freedom over everything. He and his best friend, Jasim, are thieves for hire—until one night they're caught and their precious freedom is revoked. Given the choice between the dungeons or palace pleasure slavery, they become slaves, but Teman vows to escape someday.

 

Bathasar doesn’t want the throne. He supports his brother instead, which suits their sadistic father, Mukesh. When Teman, the handsome slave Bathasar has secretly been watching, saves his life, Bathasar requests a slave for the first time. Before long, Bathasar and Teman fall in love. But all is not well. One day Mukesh brutalizes Teman before the court, angering the empress of a neighboring nation. To appease her, he then offers her Jasim as a gift, and Teman decides to stay with Bathasar for now—despite the abuse he may suffer.

 

The peace doesn’t last. Mukesh plans to invade Jasim's new country, and Bathasar must find a way to stop the destruction. But if he succeeds, he'll ascend to the throne and have the power to grant Teman his liberty. Then Teman will surely leave him. What other choice could a gypsy make?

 

Buy it at the Dreamspinner Press site or through Amazon!