About October Knight

by Kirby Crow
25 pages / 10500 words
ISBN: 978-0-60370-215-7, 1-60370-215-6
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc

Russian student Pasha has some problems. He needs to find a way to stay in the US despite his family's inability to pay his tuition. He also needs to find the courage to hook up with Nigerian student Max, who makes him feel things he's never experienced.

Max wants Pasha, too, but he has some reservations about Pasha's inexperience. When Pasha makes some bad choices to get his hands on the money he needs, Max is shocked. Can he and Pasha find a way for Pasha to stay, and to work out their problems?

Sample

Rain pelted down beyond the elegant window, where the busy city murmured a midnight hymn and neon lights bloomed bright as flowers in a garden of mud. The rain streaked the window and filled the room with heavy, chilly moisture, and the lights beyond the glass seemed to sway a little, like candles under the sea.

"Let's get it straight: you go into that room, and you don't come out until he lets you out. He's paid for you, understand? Don't expect anyone to bust the door down to save you if you lose your nerve as soon as his cock comes out. Right?"

Pasha nodded nervously, not speaking, until Tristan poked him in the forehead with a stiff forefinger. "Ow!"

"Answer when I talk to you," Tristan said mildly, withdrawing his hand. "I need to know you understand me. You're the one who volunteered for this work. It's totally con-sexual." Tristan grinned at his joke as he waved a small digital recorder under Pasha's nose. When Pasha didn't answer, Tristan wiggled his finger again, raising an eyebrow.

Pasha raked his unruly brown hair from his forehead. "Jesus, all right, okay? I consented. I took the taxi here myself, I signed the damned paper, I'm letting you record me. What more do you want, blood?"

He frowned, his heart beginning to thump a little harder. How bad was this going to be? "October" had struck a chord with him when he chose it from the assortment of hand-printed tiles Tristan had shown him. "October Knight" was the title of his one published poem. Published in the campus newspaper, yes, but everyone had to start somewhere. It was all about a boy being rescued from a tower by a nobleman, but his teacher had praised gift of imagery, if not the maudlin theme. The tile inscribed "cherry" was more apt and that had scared him. He didn't choose it precisely because he hadn't done this before and he didn't want to be doing it now, but the money, his tuition...

Tristan put the recorder away and grasped Pasha's arm, steering him toward a red-painted door at the end of the dim hallway. "Just remember: you chose this, kitten. Don't say I didn't warn you."