And Then He Said I'm Beautiful

by Nallux

Dear Author,
He finally had Jared right where he wanted him - tied up with no help in sight. They had been together for months now and he was tired of Jared always being the top. Turnabout is fair play after all...

Photo Description: He finally had Jared right where he wanted him - tied up with no help in sight. They had been together for months now and he was tired of Jared always being the top. Turnabout is fair play after all...

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Read the story HERE or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 1.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Contemporary, Short Stories, Romance, Erotic Romance, Anthologies

48 pages, ebook

First published May 18, 2012

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a re-read of a book I originally gave 5 stars. Apparently I thought it was hot and angry and romantic and beautiful. Well, I'm not sure what kind of endorphin Rush I was on when I read it the first time, but me second read was awful! This was just sad and heartbreaking. Two pathetic characters. One with no spine and one with no heart or common curtesy.

I'll give this two stars to average it out. If you read this and liked it, take it from me. Don't read it again.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of speechless. Yes, it has some typos and editing issues but it also has one of the most painful, honest and real fights and discussions between two people I've ever read. Like I'm all ooo this hot & odd & ice cream to holy fuck my eyes are burning why are you making me CRY?!? I've had that EXACT conversation. It was just...gahhhh...sniff. But then it gave me warm fuzzies and snuggles and wet & messy blowjobs and I'm all grinning like a fucking ass. Loved.

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I was really worried about reading this freebie ALL because of the "non-exclusive" tag, but things weren't really as they seemed. I really hated Jared in the beginning...but I also really didn't care for Casey either. Jared was an asshole and Casey was whiny and complaining. But somehow the author was able to get me to love them both in the end. Jared was able to redeem himself and Casey finally stood up for himself.

I thought this story was well written and believable; some guys are just that stubborn! Good thing these guys were smexy...I even had to take a break and go get some ice cream!

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tags on the story had me reluctant to read it, but I'm so glad I did!
Really emotionally intense for a short story.
I was sure Jared was an asshat, and he might still be, but he made me think he was good for Casey by the end of the story.

[Vio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The smouldering passion between Jared and Casey is a sexy feast and they certainly know how to turn up the heat. Oh yes, I was delighted with Casey, who turned the tables on Jared and gave him a bit of his own medicine, too bad he didn't stick with the plan and make it more torturous for Jared who deserved so much more for his oblivious, asshole attitude. It all works out fabulously and I loved the relaxed, comfortable feel they had for each other its a great start to a new and better relationship.

[Simsala · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars

One man with the emotional intelligence of an ameba.
The other starving for affection.
Big hug for both if they can make it work...

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorbs! Hot sex! Ice cream!

I would have liked a bit more groveling. I think I am more vengeful than I care to admit.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. I really did, surprisingly. The writing was real good even though there were some typos but it's free! And when he grabbed the vanilla ice-ream I thought it was some kind of sexual toy but turned out to be just ice-cream! Still I should look up and see if there are flavored frozen sex toys called ice-ream, if there isn't the author should copyright the title ASAP because it's funny.

I was able to forgive Jared's assholism because he was more of just the obvious inconsiderate asshole and not just an intentional asshole.

I do find it weird he can remember his dates with women but not with Casey? And later he is supposed to have liked Casey and stuff but he'd still rather spend dates and dinners with other people and then just go fuck Casey and leave. I don't care how oblivious you are you couldn't like spending time with him that much if you'd rather date and flirt with other people and just not have sex with them to then go fuck Casey and leave as soon as he was done. So yeah hard to believe what he said at the end about liking Casey for more than just sex because obviously if there is another option for socializing he would jump on the chance and just ditch Casey without even telling Casey he wasn't going to show up. So when Casey said he doesn't care yeah he really doesn't so the words at the end were meaningless since his actions are the complete opposite.

Still liked the story though.

[atmatos · Rating 1 out of 5]

My friend said that Jared needed to go play in traffic.

I raise that, and say both of the main characters need to go swimming, in January Atlantic waters, fully clothed, with rocks in their pockets!

[Jyanx · Rating 1 out of 5]

No offense is intended to the author by the following.

Dear Jared,

Please go play in traffic.

Sincerely,
me

[Sandi ♥'s way too many M/M books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super freaking cute sexy fun.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness! This was amazing. Yeah, I say that a lot when it comes to what I read but I am very picky about what I spend my time on and this was more than worth it.

Casey, you poor thing! I was worried for you form the moment Jared said to untie him. What the hell was going to happen and what the hell was going on between the two of you? You were, let's face it, pretty hot with the whole "I'm talking and you are going to listen even if it's because I tied your ass to a chair," business. I just wanted to know what happened...and then I did.

Jared, you...wow. The first bits in your POV and I was floored. I am watching Casey lose his shit while you are busy losing yours! Boys, boys, boys! That scene, the night before, dayum! That was intense, it was raw and beautiful. I was mesmerized.

This story was a kind of beautiful verbal battle between two passionate men trying to keep what they have, what they never realized they wanted and what they need.

This was a fantastic story that took the picture prompt, grabbed it by the shirt front and said "Let's go, baby!" This went way beyond the picture, this took my emotions on a roller coaster where I ended up crying at a few parts. It was so honest and raw. The sex was off the charts but it just added to the story, just like in any good relationship, it's an added benfit but it's not what it's all about. Oh these boys. So Good. Just, so good.

Ugh. I am a mess, again, but it's worth it.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume One.

I gave this 2 stars instead of 1 because it was well written. I gave this only two stars because I don't think I could hate any two people more. Jared was an ass. What he said at the end totally contradicted his previous behavior. "I didn't realize I had to not sleep around, and actually go out with you more than just for sex, and introduce you to my friends for you to know I care about you..." Umm... how the hell else is he supposed to know jackass?!?! You don't have to tell him but you do have to show him, and you did no such thing. And Casey was just flat out pathetic. Fine, it happens. Then he grows a backbone, sort of. Then he realizes what he's doing and they have a talk and he leaves... then he tries to take it all back. Uhg, ridiculous! I was skimming by the end because I just couldn't stand them being all cutesy even after they talked Casey still held back stuff he wanted to say. Just, uhg. But the first two sex scenes were hot if you could ignore the fact that Casey was pathetic.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, this was good. I couldn't stop reading once I started and I didn't even like the MC's all that much. It's one of those though where the characters are so perfect for each other, in all their f'ed up glory, that you have to see how it ends.

[Nic]

Part of Love is Always Write - Volume 1
Good for a quick read freebie however I didn't really warm to the characters, particularly Jared who was selfish and relatively unapologetic for his behavior.

[Trix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story. Gladly giving this 4.5 stars.

The blurb really doesn't do it justice. There are intense emotions being delivered between the characters and a wonderful way to present the background of their story as well as what led to their argument.

I was very touched by Casey's sadness and how deeply he felt heartbroken at not having his feelings returned. It was superbly rendered when he explained how disgusting and pathetic he found himself, not Jared, for prolonging a relationship that felt one-sided. I liked how he used sexual games to portray both his weakness towards Jared as well as Jared's power over him. And while the first few paraghaps had me convinced Jared was just an insensitive jerk, when the story changed to his point of view, I understood how wrong I had been and that Jared too was commited to the relationship, just in a different way.

I loved how easily it was to get under the skin of each character, believe each point of view was correct, at the time I was reading it, only to change my mind when the narration changed.

I enjoyed the story very much, the storyline, the characters and the way in which everything was delivered. Kept me hooked right till the end and would have loved for it to be longer.

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story redeemed itself for me near the end. Jared is one of those characters you really love to hate. He seemed completely full of himself and couldn’t seem to be bothered with paying attention to anyone else, least of all the person he should have treasured most – Casey. The character development was very good and the storyline was interesting, I guess I just like my men to be a bit more devoted to each other equally. Different and probably very true to some real life relationships – nice job!

[Janeylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Joseph Tonlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. A quick, 24hr glimpse into two characters’ complex relationship. It was different...and I appreciate different.

[LauraSt · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 STARS

Have to say this was a really captivating story. For being a shortie I think all elements were put on the table. There were no confusions or information overload and neither did I feel like I have too little information.
The fight scenes was one of the best I've read, Casey's pain and hurt reflected on words, Jared's understanding at the end. I thought it was extremely well executed and heartbreakingly perfect.
Also, the smokin' hot near violent scenes.. *swoons* there's something about bruises and bites that leave me tongue tied by the end of the stories.

Very very good shortie.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Casey and Jared have been seeing each other for months. Jared treats Casey like a casual fuck and Casey wants more. After Jared forgets plans they have made(again) and goes out with someone else (again), Casey finally breaks. He ties Jared up to force him to listen. I loved Casey - my heart broke for him. The author did a good job of fleshing out the characters in a short amount of time. My only complaint (and its actually a compliment) is that I wanted more. I would have liked to see more of Casey and Jared together as a couple.

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story. After so long together with no strings attached, the darn string got knotted and the unattachment wasn't enough anymore. Lack of communication brought us to great scenes of working through issues and seeing each other for who they are, as individuals and as a couple.

[⚓Dan⚓ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinky hot thanks Nallus!

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't/couldn't connect with either character. Jared is a total a$$ and Casey is not much better. Not for me, this one.

[Gwendolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Regencyfan93 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this story yet I couldn't stop reading it. I'm sorry that I started it.

Casey seemed to get a backbone during this book, which I admired. Then he was willing to give up his backbone at the end.

Jared seemed like an abuser to me, taking advantage of Casey, turning everything around to be Casey's fault.

[Pati · Rating 1 out of 5]

One hateful character and one doormat. SMH.... Don't know why I bothered.

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

** 2.5 Stars

[Jenny Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright.... the writing was really good with this one, much better than a lot of shorts that I read.
The characters though? Jared, I couldn't stand... you absolutely can not be that clueless to how big of a jerk you are. How condescending, selfish and just mean you are. You can't not know this.... how in the world it took you getting tied up for you to understand how badly you were hurting your not boyfriend... it was ridiculous.... And the other dude, whose name I already forgot....have some self respect. I understand taking too much crap in a relationship because the good outweighs the bad, and not everyone is perfect, especially when you don't talk about what you expect from a relationship, even a no-strings non exclusive relationship... it's still a relationship and should be talked about so nobody gets the wrong idea's and gets their feelings hurt. So..... that's kinda your bad for staying with such an epic douchebag that you continually let him hurt you without tellin him off sooner!

In saying that.... I still read it all and really liked that Jared seemed to change his tune and see the error of his ways.... Seemed like the other dude would take anything he could get, whatever scraps he was allowed so really Jared didn't have to change, but it was nice that he did....
My heart broke for the other guy, whose name I still can not remember even though I literally just finished it... CASEY! That's it... okay....my heart still broke for him because I hate seeing people being treated less than especially when they have feelings for someone and they just get shit on.
So, overall, this was a weird read but I'm kinda glad I read it......

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is somewhat of a contradictory review as I really enjoyed reading this story. And I liked several aspects of it. But the excuses given by Jared for *forgetting* his dates with Casey were unrealistic and I just couldn't accept them which made me not like him at all, even at the end. If he truly cared for Casey, he wouldn't have blown him off so many times to go on *dates* with other people, who he claimed (for a while) he hadn't slept with. It just doesn't make sense to me at all. If you care for someone, you don't forget and you certainly don't choose to go out and flirt with others, while you shit all over the person you *care* for. Actions speak louder than words and in this case, Jared's actions spoke volumes as to how little he did care for Casey, if at all. To me, Jared came across as a desperate man who was scared of losing his favorite fuck buddy. I would have shown him the door after the lame excuses he gave Casey. So, IMO, for what it's worth, I think the story would have worked better if the reason behind Jared's behavior was due to him being scared about his feelings for Casey so it was just safer and easier for him to fuck him then leave right away (to keep their relationship to just sex) and maybe date others because he was bored and needed a distraction from his feelings for Casey, which is why he didn't sleep with them. THAT I could have believed.