Blackout

by Michelle Houston

It's hell being in love with someone who doesn't know you're alive. Or rather, who doesn't see you as anything more than an employee. Just when he worked up the nerve to give his notice, a blackout trapped Alec with his boss, leaving him to explain to Nicholas why he has to leave a job he loves -- because he loves his boss more. He had it all worked out, except for Nicholas' reaction.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Short Stories, Erotica, Amazon, Ebooks

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2010

About the author

Born to ride on the back of dragons, to journey among the stars in a ship traveling faster than light, or to dance the night away in the arms of a mysterious vampire, Michelle Houston willingly shares the worlds in her mind in an effort to bring them to life.

Writing everything from short and sweet stories, to hot and spicy tales of kink, from contemporary tales of erotic romance to erotica romances featuring Greek gods, vampires and were-creatures, she has crossed sexualities and has gone wherever her mental muse has guided her, a journey she has never regretted.

As for the more mundane details: Michelle is a Sagittarius, born in the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse. She currently resides in the Midwest US with her husband and daughter. Michelle has a love of the natural world around us (except for insects, spiders, snakes, scorpions, and she reserves the right to add more at any time). She's one of those people that actually liked Biology in High School, and enjoys learning about all things science.

In other words, she is an ordinary woman with an imagination that is only held in bounds by how fast she can type.

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and sexy story about an office worker falling for his boss. For me, the fun was in the details of this variation of the well-known plot unfolding.

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short, sweet, romantic book. Perfect for when you are between longer books or need a break during a particularly intense book.

Recommended!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alec is ready to give his boss, Nicholas, his resignation letter. He has been in love with Nicholas for 3 years and it's getting harder and harder to work for a man he knows he couldn't have. But when he does tell Nicholas, blackout happens, and well, things get interesting

It's a nice story about falling in love with your boss :). I kinda like the setting of the blackout and the talk of the stars (no, not Hollywood stars, REAL stars, constellation stuffs :p). It's a short story though ...

[Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely characterized but ultimately just an erotic scene on the rooftop despite the sweet HEA.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read on 10-11-13

Maybe it was the length of this short or what, but I was NOT feeling the love between the MC's.

Alec is in love with his boss, Nick. He can't take it anymore, so he goes to tell him he's giving his notice. BAM! Blackout.

Alec sure did talk a lot when they were up on the roof, while Nick sat back and listened. I didn't get anything from him at all. Was he really feeling the same thing? For how long? Was he just going to let it go on? Did he have any idea that Alec was in love with him?

Also, Alec's sister is 19 and yet he still needs to check up on her? She's an adult!

[Elisa Rolle]

Michelle Houston has the gift to write a full story in few pages, something I noticed other time reading one of her short stories. Blackout is a classic office romance, of the Boss/Secretary subgenre; the plot was pretty classic in the serial romance of the ’80, but here the main characters are two men. Alec is young and in love with his boss, but he is also pretty shy and has never had the courage to speak aloud his feelings not until the day he decides to give up on his unrequited love and quit the job. But Nicholas, his boss, has a surprise for him.

There is really nothing more, and the strength of this story lies in his simplicity, and also a bit on the unexpected turn Nicholas has; in the Boss/Secretary theme there is always the contraposition between the brooding and aloof boss and the young and pretty secretary; sometime, truth be told, the secretary is not exactly top of her class on the mind department, but she is always a nice next door good girl. Nicholas here is indeed a bit detached, but he is also kind, and caring, and he has no fear to speak his heart. And when they arrive to “consume” their love, even if older and higher in the career level, it’s not Nicholas who takes the reins.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VYCA78/?...

[TT · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm guessing the author must have been constricted by the legnth of the story, and that explains why it wasnt as well done as it good have been. Good premise, sweet idea, poor execution. I didnt get that the main character was the 'top', so it didnt feel like a good fit. Alec is the one mooning over his boss, and decides to leave rather than confess so we get the feeling he is the 'bottom'. I know in some relationships the characters are both tops or bottoms but that isnt explored in this story, so its the older boss who bottoms-and i didnt care for that. Nicholas wasnt very vocal for one who returns his employees feelings. During the 'loving' portions, he didnt have much to say! Was he even feeling it?

I will add though that this story didnt make the usual mistake and feature all sex and no story, but there just wasnt enough fleshed out to really do anything for me. I've read other short stories that managed to do more with less so I know it can be done.

[Em Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book and Michelle's writing is good. The only part I had any problem with was the ending seemed to jump out of nowhere. I would have liked a little lead in to the surprise. Other than that, this is a book I will definitely read again.

[blub · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something about this story just didn't work for me. I don't know if it was the way Nicholas and Alec finally confronted each other with their feeling or if it was the dialogue. I just couldn't get into the story.

[Symphaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

short...

[Heather C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, although I fell asleep during the sex scene.

[Viv Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastic short read. Short, sweet, intense but not overwhelming.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfectly sweet short story.

[Blue Dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but it just didn't do it for me.