The year is 1595 in the reign of Good Queen Bess. Stage-struck, young Ben Hastings leaves his father's farm for London, to join Will Shakepeare's band of players. Hugh Templeton, the handsome leading man, takes the the innocent lad under his wing, but Ben soon discovers that Hugh wants more than just friendship. Meanwhile a savvy tavern maid named Jenny engineers a comedy of errors to save Ben from Hugh's lewd embrace and win him for her own.
Reader Advisory: This story has male male interaction and also multiple partners—MFM.
Publisher's NoteThis story was released as part of the Brits in Time Anthology by Totally Bound Publishing.
General Release Date: 9th November 2009
“No, no! Stroke him! Caress him! You must show the audience that you are completely besotted with the creature.”
Master Will was in high choler, that was certain. Poor Ben! The quaver in his youthful voice lent credence to his womanly role.
“I am most sorry, sir. But in truth, the mask smells something horrible. I can scarcely bear to touch the hairy thing.” Ben rose, dumping the other actor from his lap and wringing his hands prettily. Hugh admired the strong, graceful limbs half-revealed by the gauzy robe of the fairy queen the boy was impersonating. “Please, Master. Could you not change the script to have me admiring him from a distance? The stench makes it hard for me to breathe, let alone speak the lines.”
“Ben, this is the theatre. We must suffer for our art. We must give our all for the audience. Or have you changed your mind about wanting to be one of the Company?”
“No, of course not, sir. You know that is my fondest dream.”
“Then follow my direction, sit down, and give us the lines again.”
With a sigh, Ben re-seated himself on the stage with his back against the column that simulated some ancient tree in the heart of the forest. Trying not to grimace, he cradled Harold Warwick’s masked head between his thighs. Hugh imagined his own head there, in lieu, burrowing down into Ben’s crotch. He smiled to himself at the image. He, for one, didn’t intend to suffer at Will’s beck and call.
“Come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed.
While I thy amiable cheeks do coy,
And stick musk roses in thy sleek smooth head,
And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy.”
Ben’s voice was high and clear, his cheeks still blushingly smooth. He’d scarce turned eighteen, according to Company gossip, when he abandoned his father’s Herefordshire farm to try the boards in London. Some spoke of a girl big with child, left behind, but Hugh didn’t believe it. He was willing to swear that Ben was an innocent, untouched by either sex. He should know, having corrupted and enjoyed a virtual army of virgins in his ten years on the stage.
Speaking of which, his cue was coming. He straightened his laurel wreath and came out from behind the column where he’d been lounging. John Marks, playing Puck, approached from the opposite side.
“Welcome, Robin. See’st thou this sweet sight?
Her dotage now I do begin to pity...”
Hugh ventured closer to the form collapsed in simulated sleep at the foot of the column. He stroked Ben’s brow lovingly. The boy’s skin was deliciously soft. “Now, my Titania, wake you, my sweet queen.”
I became addicted to words at an early age. I began reading when I was four. I wrote my first story at five years old and my first poem at seven. Since then, I've written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and of course, lots of erotica and erotic romance.
In addition to writing, I also edit erotica and erotic romance. My editing credits include the ground breaking anthology Sacred Exchange, which explores the spiritual aspects of BDSM relationships, the massive collection Cream: The Best of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association, the charity anthology Coming Together: In Vein, a collection of vampire tales that benefits Doctors Without Borders, and six volumes of the Coming Together: Presents series of single author charitable erotica books. You'll also find me writing the newsletter and occasional articles for the Erotica Readers and Writers Association (www.erotica-readers.com) and monthly reviews for Erotica Revealed (www.eroticarevealed.com).
My lifelong interests in sex and the written word became serenditipitously entwined more than a decade ago when I read my first Black Lace book by Portia da Costa. Her work inspired me to take my fantasies out of the closet (and the private email files) and expose them to the world. The rest, as they say, is history (although granted, no more than a minor footnote!)
I've always loved traveling; my husband seduced me in a Burmese restaurant by telling me tales of his foreign adventures. Since then I have visited every continent except Australia, although I still have a long travel wish list. Currently I live with him and our two exceptional felines in Southeast Asia, where I pursue an alternative career that is completely unrelated to my creative writing.
Reviewed by Romance Junkies Reviews
SHORTEST NIGHT is a beautiful mix of the sensual and historical...Sit back and enjoy this great story!
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