About X-Factor

by Sean Michael
166 pages / 51000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-935-4
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, epub, Sony Reader pdf and paperback

Game designer Henry Delloit loves his life, his mountain community, his isolated dream home and the snow. He also loves that the X-treme Games blow into the area for a month every year, bringing with them hundreds of athletes.

Ecco Rasmussen loves boarding; he needs it in fact. He knows he'll never make it to the big times but as long as he can get on his board and go he doesn't care. The only fly in the ointment is his manager Blake Dobbs. The man is possessive and mean and believes he owns Ecco. Given the way he's isolated Ecco and holds all the money, not to mention the way he treats the boarder, Ecco figures maybe he does.

When Henry and Ecco meet at the Branchberry Games, it's lust at first sight. An injury on Ecco's qualifying run gives them the opportunity to spend some quality time alone together at Henry's home, away from the crowds and out from under Blake's thumb.

Will lust have the opportunity to turn into love? More importantly, what will Blake do when he finds out?

Review

Kiernan Kelly, author of Turquoise: Something's Gotta Give, writes: Henry is a snow-sports enthusiast, and when the X-treme Games come to his neck of the woods, he’s happy to go watch the games, and ogle the athletes.

There’s something special about Ecco, one of the snowboarders -- something that pulls Henry right in. After a little mutual flirting, he and Ecco hook up for dinner. They hit it off, and soon Ecco is spending time at Henry’s remote, if beautiful, home.

Ecco comes complete with baggage, though, including a manager who seems bent on owning Ecco, body, soul, and bank account.

In Sean Michael’s newest offering, X-Factor, we’re taken inside the exciting sport of snowboarding. Our senses are assaulted at every turn, from the breathtaking views of snowy mountains and quiet valleys, to the thrilling shush of the boards and the exhilaration of catching air, to the passion of newly-awakened love. We feel for Ecco, trapped in a horrible non-relationship with his manager, and thrilled for him when he finds love with Henry. Sean Michael’s tugs at our heartstrings, then gives our hearts wings, taking us on a trip through the gamut of human emotions with plentiful, steamy stops in the bedroom. Don’t miss it!
 

Sample

Henry sipped from his mug, the heat of the rum going through him. He was lucky enough to be within driving range of several of the local X-Games, and the next month or so would be one big party as the athletes moved from venue to venue.

A joyful noise drew his attention to down below the balcony where a group of boarders were greeting each other, the laughter and stunts making him grin.

"Yo! Man! How'd your run go this morning?"

A stocky little blond boy grinned, then did a sudden handstand. "I rocked it!"

Henry grinned. Christ, that was sexy -- all that energy and exuberance.

The loose shirt dropped down, exposing a ripped belly covered in black ink.

Henry swallowed his gasp, unable to tear his eyes from the sight. The guy was just his type, not to mention fit, gorgeous and clearly having a good time.

The kid did a couple of push ups. Look at that. Henry was glad he was wearing snow pants now and he hid his drooling behind his hot toddy. Something about this kid called to him more than the others and he felt his belly clench.

The group hooted, cheered, then the kid popped up, red-faced and smiling. Henry couldn't help himself, he put down the hot toddy and clapped as well. He got a grin, a deep curtsey, a wave. He waved back and raised his mug to the kid. If he hadn't had to shout, he might have offered to buy one for the boarder.

"Show off prick." He barely heard the words, but they came from somewhere. Somewhere close.

Frowning, Henry looked around for the speaker. There'd been more than a hint of menace in the voice. Nothing looked out of place, though, and there were so many people... anyone could have spoken. People milled out in square and on the balcony, mostly groups of athletes, some hotel staff, identifiable by their blue tuques with white snowflakes on them. Henry shook it off, turning his attention back to the young man and his friends.

The kid was now perched on the little retaining wall, arms wrapped around himself, hands rubbing. Henry stood and wandered over casually. He'd offer the kid a drink, shoot the breeze, talk about the games.

He got a grin as he headed over. "Hey man."

"Hey." He recognized the kid as he got closer. The guy went by Ecco and was an amazing boarder. He'd been putting in some great times lately in the boardercross events.

Fine and blond, with the biggest, prettiest blue eyes he'd ever seen -- Ecco looked delicious.

"Can I buy you a drink?" Henry asked, lifting his mug.

He got a long, curious look, then a quick smile. "Sure. I'd like that. It's bitter." That was an understatement, but a warm drink and good company could go a long way to making you forget about the weather.

"What's your poison?"

"Hot Peppermint Patty?"

"Coming right up." He went over to the bar window, giving the girl whose name he still couldn't remember a smile and ordering Ecco's drink along with a top up of his toddy. He also picked up a couple of hot sweet rolls. In his experience, anyone who spent the day outside boarding was always hungry.

Ecco sat at a table, sprawled out, showing off muscled, strong, short legs. Henry schooled himself -- no drooling, no staring.

He set everything down and sat in the chair next to Ecco's. He held out is hand. "Henry."

"Ecco. Pleased." He knew from the stats that Ecco was in his late-twenties, knew the man was on the old end of competition, but there was youth in the man's face, except for right around the eyes.

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