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Dancing for Diamond
"Warmth and life surged beneath the ragged flesh, but there was nothing ugly or unattractive about the scars."
Through hard work and determination, Nando has risen above his rent boy past in Madrid to become part owner of a gay-oriented Latin club. He's also the club's star dancer.
Nando wants to forget his past, he doesn't trust easily, and dating...forget about it. He may be lonely, but throwing himself into his dance helps to heal some of the scars he still carries. The man who appears at all his performances confuses and intrigues him with his business suit and quiet demeanour.
Max has scars of his own but he's determined to get past them and build a new life. Watching Nando dance brings him joy and makes him feel alive. He never wanted anything but a drink with his favourite dancer.
But somehow fate steps in to bring two damaged men together and revealing their scars isn't quite so scary.
Dear Author,
I’m still dancing to the beat of the cumbia while returning to the dressing room. It has been a great night, the rest of the dancers are out taking advantage of the momentum that I always leave in the stage— and making extra bucks out of it. My business partner follows me with that smile I know could lead to trouble, as I kick my high heels, he tells me all about the offers we have for private lap dances. We, is too many people, I remark, because I’m the one they’re requesting. Night after night it’s the same thing; some patrons are willing to pay for getting close to me. Being older than me, my friend manages part of the club and we let most people think, he owns it too. But I call the shots and run the business. While my performances are the main attraction, I don’t do striptease or lap dancing. Tonight’s offer is extraordinary, my associate reminds me of the pending bills. Yes, the offered amount is that high. I don’t remove the makeup just in case I decide to accept. Who is paying that much? Somehow, I know before I got the answer. My enigmatic devotee is behind the tempting offer. I’ve been waiting for months for this person to show more of himself, but he simply seats on his table at a side of the stage, alone in the semidarkness, and he seldom smiles or applauds. But when he does, he inspires me to perform wilder nearly driving me nut. And when I dance near him, he undresses me with a single look. Now, I’m excited, intrigued and scared. Who is this mystery man?
Photo Description:
A Spanish or Latino man with wavy hair to his shoulders. He’s wearing eyeliner, has well-shaped eyebrows and is bare-chested with his arms crossed, His head is cocked to the side and he has a serious but sensual look on his face.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" 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.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
Through hard work and determination, Nando has risen above his rent boy past in Madrid to become part owner of a gay-oriented Latin club. He's also the club's star dancer.
Nando wants to forget his past, he doesn't trust easily, and dating...forget about it. He may be lonely, but throwing himself into his dance helps to heal some of the scars he still carries. The man who appears at all his performances confuses and intrigues him with his business suit and quiet demeanour.
Max has scars of his own but he's determined to get past them and build a new life. Watching Nando dance brings him joy and makes him feel alive. He never wanted anything but a drink with his favourite dancer.
But somehow fate steps in to bring two damaged men together and revealing their scars isn't quite so scary.
Dear Author,
I’m still dancing to the beat of the cumbia while returning to the dressing room. It has been a great night, the rest of the dancers are out taking advantage of the momentum that I always leave in the stage— and making extra bucks out of it. My business partner follows me with that smile I know could lead to trouble, as I kick my high heels, he tells me all about the offers we have for private lap dances. We, is too many people, I remark, because I’m the one they’re requesting. Night after night it’s the same thing; some patrons are willing to pay for getting close to me. Being older than me, my friend manages part of the club and we let most people think, he owns it too. But I call the shots and run the business. While my performances are the main attraction, I don’t do striptease or lap dancing. Tonight’s offer is extraordinary, my associate reminds me of the pending bills. Yes, the offered amount is that high. I don’t remove the makeup just in case I decide to accept. Who is paying that much? Somehow, I know before I got the answer. My enigmatic devotee is behind the tempting offer. I’ve been waiting for months for this person to show more of himself, but he simply seats on his table at a side of the stage, alone in the semidarkness, and he seldom smiles or applauds. But when he does, he inspires me to perform wilder nearly driving me nut. And when I dance near him, he undresses me with a single look. Now, I’m excited, intrigued and scared. Who is this mystery man?
Photo Description:
A Spanish or Latino man with wavy hair to his shoulders. He’s wearing eyeliner, has well-shaped eyebrows and is bare-chested with his arms crossed, His head is cocked to the side and he has a serious but sensual look on his face.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" 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.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
53 pages, ebook
First published August 7, 2014
1 person is currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
K-lee Klein
57 books307 followersK-lee Klein grew up in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia and now lives only two hours away in Calgary, Alberta. Her life is blessed by three now-grown (but still spoiled) kids and an adorable grandson who calls her Gwaa Gwaa. She has a patient husband of over thirty years and spends her days being bossed around by a kitten named Poe, a senior feline called, Miss Chili, and a canine who thinks she's a princess, Chewie.
K-lee’s writing muse is terribly temperamental so to keep him close by and in-check, she had him inked on her left calf. Yet she still writes on his schedule and inspiration, and quite honestly, he can be a bit of a drama queen. K-lee writes mostly contemporary but has forayed into paranormal and urban fantasy, and her favorite tropes to write and read are hurt-comfort, friends to lovers, opposites attract, and relationships with children. Her biggest accomplishment as an author was overcoming all the hurdles to transition from publisher releases to her first self-published book.
Although K-lee considers herself to be an extroverted introvert and revels in her solitude, she very much enjoys traveling to conferences to meet up with friends old and new. She’s grateful for all the people in her life who accept her as she is and support her through the ups and downs as a mom, wife, friend, and joyfully obsessed writer.
K-lee’s writing muse is terribly temperamental so to keep him close by and in-check, she had him inked on her left calf. Yet she still writes on his schedule and inspiration, and quite honestly, he can be a bit of a drama queen. K-lee writes mostly contemporary but has forayed into paranormal and urban fantasy, and her favorite tropes to write and read are hurt-comfort, friends to lovers, opposites attract, and relationships with children. Her biggest accomplishment as an author was overcoming all the hurdles to transition from publisher releases to her first self-published book.
Although K-lee considers herself to be an extroverted introvert and revels in her solitude, she very much enjoys traveling to conferences to meet up with friends old and new. She’s grateful for all the people in her life who accept her as she is and support her through the ups and downs as a mom, wife, friend, and joyfully obsessed writer.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 9, 2014
Woo me.
Charming, sweet romance that finds two men who are a little burnt around the edges and takes them someplace much happier. This is a quiet, lovely kind of sighing book. A gentle dance of two souls coming together.
Charming, sweet romance that finds two men who are a little burnt around the edges and takes them someplace much happier. This is a quiet, lovely kind of sighing book. A gentle dance of two souls coming together.
August 16, 2014
This was a quiet, flowing little read. Nothing over the top, just a warm feeling and a slow smile at the end.
August 19, 2014
Gentle, sweet, slightly awkward romance about taking chances; no steam, but the dancing was lovely.
February 5, 2016
*sigh*
It's stories like this one that make me appreciate and adore the m/m romance group's hard work and dedication to their annual event so much more.
This was lovely! It was sweet and tender and I loved the dancing.
It's always a nice bonus finding new authors too!!
Thanks for a charming story.
It's stories like this one that make me appreciate and adore the m/m romance group's hard work and dedication to their annual event so much more.
This was lovely! It was sweet and tender and I loved the dancing.
It's always a nice bonus finding new authors too!!
Thanks for a charming story.
October 19, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
This was a sweet little story. It got a little slow for me towards the end, and I thought all the tears were a bit much, but overall I liked it. I wish they would have mentioned what style dance he did at the end too, because I couldn't picture it.
December 31, 2014
Boring.
April 24, 2018
Absolutely beautiful. I cried like a baby. Just a gorgeous story
August 7, 2014
4.5 stars
No sex! None! And you know what? It was all the more perfect because of it. This is, as our MC put it
Through hard work and determination, Nando has risen above his rent boy past in Madrid to become part owner of a gay-oriented Latin club and it's star dancer. He's scarred on the inside, doesn't trust easily and has never dated. He's lonely but things are about to change for him. Max, a man in a business suit watches Nando (Diamond) dance three night a week at this club and when he watches Nando dancing, he feels like he himself is on stage. He's scarred on the outside and hasn't dated in two years. He's lonely, but he finds a perfect match with Fernando. These two men are so patient with each other, and watching them slowly bloom together is really touching and beautiful. They share a lot in common, and I smiled every time I read a Gone with the Wind reference.
K-lee Klein really delivers with this prompt, even though it was taken in a slightly different direction. It was very well written, with excellent characters and setting. Written in Nando's POV, I really enjoyed watching all of his normal firsts; first date, public kiss, date during the day - it was all so sweet and endearing. I loved these two characters and their hopeful ending.
An excellent addition to this event. My thanks to the author for their time and participation. Highly recommended.
No sex! None! And you know what? It was all the more perfect because of it. This is, as our MC put it
"...like he'd been dropped into some old-fashioned love story where chastity and gentlemanly qualities still existed."
Through hard work and determination, Nando has risen above his rent boy past in Madrid to become part owner of a gay-oriented Latin club and it's star dancer. He's scarred on the inside, doesn't trust easily and has never dated. He's lonely but things are about to change for him. Max, a man in a business suit watches Nando (Diamond) dance three night a week at this club and when he watches Nando dancing, he feels like he himself is on stage. He's scarred on the outside and hasn't dated in two years. He's lonely, but he finds a perfect match with Fernando. These two men are so patient with each other, and watching them slowly bloom together is really touching and beautiful. They share a lot in common, and I smiled every time I read a Gone with the Wind reference.
K-lee Klein really delivers with this prompt, even though it was taken in a slightly different direction. It was very well written, with excellent characters and setting. Written in Nando's POV, I really enjoyed watching all of his normal firsts; first date, public kiss, date during the day - it was all so sweet and endearing. I loved these two characters and their hopeful ending.
An excellent addition to this event. My thanks to the author for their time and participation. Highly recommended.
August 7, 2014
Somewhere very close to 4.5 stars
Contemporary short story
Fernando... or Nando as he's known... owns a club with his cousin Dom in which he dances as "Diamond" the star attraction. Outside the club Nando doesn't really have a social life, though he has his share of admirers who see him dance. Max has been watching Nando dance for weeks, and has invited him to join him a couple of times, but he's never pushy so one night Nando takes him up on his offer. The pair get to know each other over a series of dates, discovering a mutual liking for old films, dance and Japanese fighting fish. This is a lovely slow burn proper romance story with some well drawn characters - neither of which originate in the US, though the story is set there - and a very hopeful HFN ending.
Contemporary short story
Fernando... or Nando as he's known... owns a club with his cousin Dom in which he dances as "Diamond" the star attraction. Outside the club Nando doesn't really have a social life, though he has his share of admirers who see him dance. Max has been watching Nando dance for weeks, and has invited him to join him a couple of times, but he's never pushy so one night Nando takes him up on his offer. The pair get to know each other over a series of dates, discovering a mutual liking for old films, dance and Japanese fighting fish. This is a lovely slow burn proper romance story with some well drawn characters - neither of which originate in the US, though the story is set there - and a very hopeful HFN ending.
April 27, 2016
Beautiful story!
August 15, 2014
I was laying in bed while reading this... The moment I finished, I had to stand up, clap, and give it a standing ovation.... WELL DONE!!! :D
September 24, 2014
Sweet, quiet story with the stress on the romance. No insta love, no sex but a lovely story.
I'd loved to learn more about Max though.
I'd loved to learn more about Max though.
January 29, 2018
Truly a diamond in the rough.
July 14, 2017
synopsis:
nando dances at the club that he owns with his cousin dom. nando had a tough childhood and had to earn money as a rentboy when he was younger, so he doesn't feel good enough for a lot of men, and he doesn't trust them. there is a man who comes regularly to watch him dance, and although he asks to meet nando all the time, he doesn't force the issue. one night, because he doesn't feel pressured, max sits down without all his makeup and clothing and gets to know max. they find out they have a lot in common, including old movies.
what i liked: i liked that max was so steady, even though he had had bad experiences. i liked that nando could just be himself without worrying about what max thought about him.
what i didn't like: it felt as though there was a story with nando's past and with dom and his husband that, to my knowledge, hasn't been explored.
nando dances at the club that he owns with his cousin dom. nando had a tough childhood and had to earn money as a rentboy when he was younger, so he doesn't feel good enough for a lot of men, and he doesn't trust them. there is a man who comes regularly to watch him dance, and although he asks to meet nando all the time, he doesn't force the issue. one night, because he doesn't feel pressured, max sits down without all his makeup and clothing and gets to know max. they find out they have a lot in common, including old movies.
what i liked: i liked that max was so steady, even though he had had bad experiences. i liked that nando could just be himself without worrying about what max thought about him.
what i didn't like: it felt as though there was a story with nando's past and with dom and his husband that, to my knowledge, hasn't been explored.
October 24, 2015
What a sweet, gentle, and utterly romantic story! Both Nando (whose stage name is Diamond) and Max have pasts they'd rather not talk about, but as soon as Max's insistent presence at Nando's performances opens up a whole new world for Nando, they both discover amazing things.
If you like-slow romances, if men who challenge themselves to try new things intrigue you, and if you're looking for a read that is as sweet as it is heartwarming, then you will probably like this free short story.
If you like-slow romances, if men who challenge themselves to try new things intrigue you, and if you're looking for a read that is as sweet as it is heartwarming, then you will probably like this free short story.
April 2, 2016
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
May 13, 2015
I liked the intensity of the dancing and the characters' fleshed-out histories and connections, but where was the scene described from the prompt? Why wasn't it in there? Unless I missed a huge chunk, the stuff about the lap dance requests and financial issues wasn't in there.
April 3, 2016
Beautiful. Everything, it was all so beautiful. Every time Nando took the stage I felt like I was dancing with him, I felt like I was him.
I’ve learned that fear is only an excuse for failure, and fear of failing isn’t as important as doing what you want to do.
event-stories-unread
September 22, 2014[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation and gift.]
August 16, 2014
3.5 stars
August 17, 2014
Damn that cover! So hot!
May 28, 2015
Lovely.
August 31, 2014
3.75 stars
September 13, 2014
Review to come
July 29, 2019
Max challenges Nando, Nando accepts the challenge, friends and family are moved by the experience. Another good story by K-lee Klein.
September 20, 2014
A really lovely free story from K-Lee. Pad it out with another few thousand words and charge for it and I'd happily pay!
October 12, 2014
I'm definitely a fan.
March 13, 2016
Lovely little story!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews