Young guitarist Phoenix Murphy has just walked out on Mudride, the band he loves. He's unsure of his future, and he's bruised and battered after the break-up of his abusive relationship with Mudride's lead singer, Taylor. Then he's introduced to Caedem, the mysterious guitarist who walked out of the band in similar circumstances two years ago. The minute he meets Caedem, he knows his heart is lost for ever - but before they can be together, Caedem has to exorcise the demons of his own relationship with Taylor. Advisory: This erotic romance novella/story (10,000 words) has graphic sexual content describing oral and anal sex between two insanely hot guys. Unsuitable for under-18s. Extract: Even though he'd compared Caedem to Taylor, the way they went about their yoga routines was completely different. Taylor had been so competitive, so hyped, that even something as relaxing as yoga turned into a struggle, even when the only opponent was himself. In contrast, Caedem seemed deeply at peace with himself as he breathed and stretched. After ten minutes, Phoenix caught himself staring at him, fascinated by his concentration and inner strength - and the beauty of his strong, supple body. Caedem caught his gaze as he finished up, and blushed, a flush spreading down over the skin of his chest. "Not used to someone watching me," he smiled. "Been on my own for so long." "Couldn't help it," said Phoenix. "Your fault for being so damn hot." Caedem groaned. "I thought we were through with all of that," he whispered, with a gesture towards Dylan sleeping, meaning, "Don't wake him up." "Sorry," said Phoenix. "Just thinking aloud." He moved up on the single bed to make space for Caedem, who flopped down next to him, and suddenly the heat rising off Caedem's body just inches away from him was too much, and Phoenix reached out his hands and stroked Caedem's face, running his hands over the short stubble of his skull, and he couldn't resist any longer, bringing his mouth down on Caedem's. Caedem tried to push him away, but Phoenix could feel his willpower crumbling with every moment that passed, and he felt him sigh under him and his lips parted to let in Phoenix's tongue. In the fleeting seconds, a lifetime's desire passed between them, and by the time Caedem finally managed to pull away from Phoenix, turning his head away and clamping his mouth shut, Phoenix knew his heart was lost. "I want you so much," whispered Phoenix fiercely, pressing his body the length of Caedem's. And then Caedem was on top of him, his sweat-slick muscles hard against Phoenix's chest, sucking at his tongue and biting his lips, grinding his hips against him before they pulled away from each other in shock at the intensity of their feelings for each other.

In the second story in the Phoenix Murphy Trilogy, Phoenix is having a hard time waiting at home on his own while his lover Caedem replaces him as Mudride's guitarist on the band's farewell tour. All he can do is hope that Caedem doesn't lapse back into drug addiction - or back into his relationship with Mudride's hot but manipulative singer, Taylor. But then he receives a phone call that turns his world upside down and he has to confront his worst fears before he and Caedem can be together again. This erotic romance novella/story (10,000 words) has graphic sexual content describing oral and anal sex between two insanely hot guys. Unsuitable for under-18s. Phoenix was on his knees now on the filthy bathroom floor, cradling Caedem in his arms, tears rolling down his cheeks. Taylor faced them all down with his cold stare, ignoring the fact that he was standing there with a massive hard-on - or perhaps even getting off on it. "He's evil," thought Phoenix to himself, "Pure evil. He doesn't care who he hurts, as long as he gets what he wants." He muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Taylor to hear "You'll pay for this." Taylor pulled up his pants and barged out of the bathroom, leaving Dylan and Fay powerless to help Phoenix. Finally, it seemed to dawn on Caedem what had happened, and he buried his face in Phoenix's chest in misery. "Oh fuck, what have I done? I'm sorry, baby." There was a lump in Phoenix's throat. "Just give us a minute," he pleaded, and Dylan herded Fay out of the room. Rage burned inside Phoenix's chest and he wanted to hit out at someone, but he knew he couldn't blame Caedem. He was so wasted that he was barely conscious. Phoenix stroked his cheeks, searched his dark eyes for an answer, but all he saw there was a vacant dullness. He pulled him close, slumped on the bathroom floor and rocked him like a child. Caedem may have been seven years his senior, but Phoenix felt like the oldest twenty-one-year-old on Earth. "We'll talk about this when you're feeling better," he said, and Caedem's thin frame suddenly felt far too fragile and insubstantial for him ever to let go.