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Cross to Bare
Cross to Bare
Cross to Bare
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Cross to Bare

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TWO OF A KIND

It’s amazing what a little mascara and lipstick, a blonde wig, false boobs, and top-notch female fashion can hide. Not that Lenny James is hiding his masculinity. He uses his normal voice when he’s Laverne, and he’s not particularly camp as a man. His reasons for creating his alter ego are locked deep in his past. He is who he is: tough in business, and a romantic at heart. What he’s hiding is vulnerability. He wants a man to accept both sides of him.

Gorgeous, commanding, and dark as sin, Brook Hunter meets Lenny and knows nothing about Laverne until fate pushes her into his path. Cross-dressing is as far from Brook’s reality as fashion is from his world of diplomacy and high finance. Understanding and truth take time, and trust doesn’t come easy. But Brook is about to show Lenny that there are no sides to true love, just the place where they meet in the middle.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 10, 2015
ISBN9781942886990
Cross to Bare
Author

Susan Mac Nicol

'The Official Stuff' Susan writes steamy, sexy, and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark, and she hopes, always entertaining. She’s also Editor-in-Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US. Susan is also an award-winning screenplay writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than five awards to date, and her TV pilot, Reel Life, based on her debut novel, Cassandra by Starlight, was also a winner at the Oaxaca Film Fest.. 'The Unofficial Stuff' Susan loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man-crush Adam Lambert), walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching re-runs of Silent Witness. Her chequered past includes stories like being mistaken for a prostitute in the city of Johannesburg, being chased by a rhino on a dusty Kenyan road, getting kicked out of a youth club for being a bad influence (she encouraged free thinking), and having an aunt who was engaged to Cliff Richard. Connect with Susan: website: authorsusanmacnicol.com facebook: Author-Susan-Mac-Nicol twitter: SusanMacNicol7 instagram: susiemax77 linkedin: susanmacnicol

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    Book preview

    Cross to Bare - Susan Mac Nicol

    TWO OF A KIND

    It’s amazing what a little mascara and lipstick, a blonde wig, false boobs, and top-notch female fashion can hide. Not that Lenny James is hiding his masculinity. He uses his normal voice when he’s Laverne, and he’s not particularly camp as a man. His reasons for creating his alter ego are locked deep in his past. He is who he is: tough in business, and a romantic at heart. What he’s hiding is vulnerability. He wants a man to accept both sides of him.

    Gorgeous, commanding, and dark as sin, Brook Hunter meets Lenny and knows nothing about Laverne until fate pushes her into his path. Cross-dressing is as far from Brook’s reality as fashion is from his world of diplomacy and high finance. Understanding and truth take time, and trust doesn’t come easy. But Brook is about to show Lenny that there are no sides to true love, just the place where they meet in the middle.

    CROSS TO BARE

    A Men of London Romance

    Susan Mac Nicol

    www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

    PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

    CROSS TO BARE

    Copyright © 2015 Susan Elaine Mac Nicol

    Smashwords Edition

    All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

    ISBN 978-1-942886-99-0

    Ebook formatting by Maureen Cutajar

    www.gopublished.com

    This story is dedicated to everyone out there who’s a Lenny. All those men who find themselves picking up a beautiful piece of women’s clothing and thinking, ‘Hmm, wonder how it would look on me.’ You are special. You are different. You have the courage and panache to shine and aren’t afraid to show it. Beauty dwells inside, and true beauty has no gender. I applaud you all, because without you all the world would be a less interesting place.

    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    Once again, I have to thank the wonderful Johnny O’Connell for this story. He tirelessly answered my questions about what it felt like to be a man who dresses like a woman, and he gave me valuable insight into the whys and wherefores. My editor told me I had a unique insight and empathy into the men in this story. That’s only possible because of Johnny. He took time to beta read this story as well, to make sure I’d get it right.

    You all know him as the gorgeous body in a corset on the cover of Suit Yourself. I know him as a friend, a man who’s not afraid to be who he wants, and from what I saw when we went dancing he’s quite a slick mover on the dance floor. Thanks, Johnny. I owe you. Again.

    Of course there are always the usual culprits to thank— my editor, my beta readers, my Street Team, the people who support me. My readers, bloggers, fellow authors who give me advice, and, of course, my longsuffering family.

    AUTHOR’S NOTE

    This an M/M book about two men falling in love. I want that to be clear. Lenny loves his masculinity, is a gay man, and to me he sees himself as who he is even when he’s Laverne. He’s not transgender; he’s not sexually confused, he doesn’t want to be a woman, ever—he likes his sex life as a gay man. He dresses for a different reason: to show a softer side, the one his father tried to beat out of him. It’s a way of asserting that he can be who he wants and wear gorgeous clothing at the same time. And to see how it feels when he’s designing it. This has become just another facet of who he is.

    I took a poll on Facebook asking people what pronouns and POV choices were correct to use when talking about Lenny/Laverne, depending on who he was in the scene. This can be a contentious area, so if it’s something you as a reader are nitpicky about…please read on.

    The overwhelming consensus—from straight, transgender, lesbian and gay people alike—was that this is my story and I need to be comfortable. That there is no right or wrong way, just the way I choose to portray things. Also, in a follow-up, the responses I got were very positive when I proposed this scenario:

    In Cross to Bare, when the scene is from Lenny’s POV, whether as himself or dressed as Laverne, the name ‘Lenny’ and male pronouns are used. When the scene is in a third-party POV (e.g., Brook or Leslie), and Laverne is present, she is referred to as female and the name ‘Laverne’ is used.

    If you don’t like this approach and believe it will spoil your reading of the book, then please, just don’t read the story. I don’t want you spitting up your coffee….

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Acknowledgments

    Author’s Note

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 8

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 10

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 16

    Chapter 17

    Chapter 18

    About the Author

    Other Books by Susan Mac Nicol

    CROSS TO BARE

    Chapter 1

    Fashion faux pas were something designer Laverne Debussy-Smith could handle. Clothing that was an assault on the eyes was regularly relegated to the rubbish bin. Laverne had been known to strip the garments off some unwitting soul at her company and replace it with something a little more appropriate. She also had a knack for consoling pouting, excitable, needy models of both genders.

    But a wild-eyed, naked man standing in the reception of the company premises fell well outside of her comfort zone.

    Lenny James, gay, transvestite, and aka leading London designer Laverne Debussy-Smith, stared at the sweating, unkempt man currently presenting his bare backside to the receptionist, whose eyes were as wide as a cheap polyester tie.

    Mr Morgan says he needs a new suit, and he needs you to make him one, the receptionist, Lauren, stammered as she averted her eyes from the spectacle in front of her. He took off all his clothes and threw them at me then asked to see you. She gestured to the sad pile of garments on the floor behind her.

    Lenny nodded as he stepped forward and eyed the nude man out with a practiced eye. I see. Am I to assume this is my ten o’clock appointment then—Mr Nathaniel Morgan?

    Mr Morgan swallowed and nodded. Yes, that would be me. His modulated tone was at odds with his salt–and-peppered hairy chest, his slight paunch, and from what Lenny could see, a rather well-endowed set of genitals huddled in a messy bush of grey hair. I couldn’t wear that dreadful suit any longer, and I insist you fit me for a new one.

    The man clearly had a screw loose but a fine sense of fashion, Lenny thought as he circled the naked Mr Morgan. I’m flattered you feel the need to be so enthusiastic, but perhaps you could come into the fitting room so I can see what I can do for you? May I offer you a towel or something to wrap around your—

    No. I’m not wearing anything other than one of your suits. The man’s voice was firm, and Lenny sighed. He really wasn’t in the mood to force a grown man to get dressed here in an open-plan office.

    Very well. He cast an eye around at his open-mouthed, astonished staff and beckoned to one of them. Lance, could you make sure fitting room one is clear please, so I can ask Mr Morgan to step in? He knew there’d been some other customer due for a fitting in there and didn’t want to shock them with an unsolicited porn moment. It was also the nearest fitting room, and Lenny really didn’t want to escort Nathaniel Morgan down the corridor to the other one at the end of the building. If it’s occupied, move them into number two.

    Lance nodded, a faint grin on his face, and hurried away to do his boss’s bidding. Lenny smoothed down his navy blue wool business dress with its geometric collar and tried to look as if having a naked man in his reception area was indeed an everyday occurrence.

    Have you come far today for this appointment, Mr Morgan? Lenny enquired. Perhaps if he could find out from where the man had come, he could be returned there.

    Only from home. I slipped out when Mallory wasn’t looking.

    And Mallory would be? Lenny raised an eyebrow at his would-be customer.

    Mr Morgan sniffed. My partner and carer. He never lets me go anywhere unless he comes along. But I wanted a new suit and he didn’t listen to me. I knew he wouldn’t let me come here alone so I started a fire in the microwave and then slipped away. He smiled proudly. I’m not totally useless, you know. I can do some things for myself. I walked here on my own.

    Lenny’s heart broke at that brave statement. The man obviously had dementia or something similar and this was his way of making sure he asserted himself.

    That is brave, my lovely, Lenny murmured gently. But I’m sure Mallory will be worried about you. I think we need to get in touch with him and let him know you’re safe.

    Mr Morgan’s eyes narrowed. I don’t remember the number, he muttered slyly.

    Lauren motioned at Lenny from behind the desk. She gestured for him to come over. Lenny sidled over, smiling at Mr Morgan as he did so. No point in spooking the man.

    I saw some cards with his name on them in his jacket pocket, Lauren whispered. When he flung his suit at me, they fell out. I thought they were business cards, but on second thought, they looked more like identification cards, the sort you give people when they forget who they are. I’ll have a look at them too see if we have a number for this Mallory guy. Or a home number.

    Lenny nodded as Lance came back into the room. You do that. Otherwise, chicken, Google is a marvellous place. Check those cards, and see if we can find out more about Mr Morgan. I’ll keep him occupied in the meantime.

    Fitting room one is now free, Laverne, Lance said with a wicked smile. The boy was enjoying this far too much, Lenny thought in irritation. Thank God his employee Leslie Scott was on holiday or who knew how this would play out. Lenny knew Leslie would be heartbroken he’d missed all the fun.

    Well, let’s get you into that fitting room and have you measured up for that suit, Mr Morgan. Would you like to follow me?

    Lenny gestured to the nude man to follow, and like a shepherd with an errant sheep, Lenny led the way into the fitting room, hearing the squeals of laughter and pent-up amusement giving way behind him. He grinned. He could safely say that at this office there was never a dull moment.

    An hour later, having taken measurements and listened to Nathaniel Morgan’s random comments about grooming cats, how to avoid bad theatre makeup, the vagaries of the National Health Service, and numerous curses about how mobile phones were the devil’s work, there was a knock on the door. Lauren came in with a burly, worried middle-aged man who sagged in relief at seeing Nathaniel Morgan currently clad in grey suit fabric wrapped around his hips.

    Nate. For God’s sake, what on earth were you thinking? I was so worried about you. And it took me ages to sort out that microwave emergency you created.

    Laverne, this is Mallory Crane. He’s Mr Morgan’s life partner and carer. Lauren smiled softly and left the room.

    Lenny stood, grimacing as his knees creaked and his back protested from kneeling down taking inner seam measurements. If Mallory was taken aback at the sight of a man in a dress and a blonde wig, he didn’t show it.

    Mr Crane. I’m glad we managed to get hold of you. I’m almost done here and then perhaps you can get your partner home.

    Nathaniel’s face creased in a frown. I had to get out, Mall. I was going crazy and you just didn’t understand I really needed this suit. I have a premiere to attend later this month and a Debussy will really make everyone sit up and take notice.

    Lenny didn’t miss the look of sadness that crossed Mallory’s face. I know, darling. You’re going to look absolutely fabulous. But you know you should have brought me with you. I didn’t say no to the suit, just that we needed to wait so I could go with you. I had no idea you’d made an appointment already. That was very enterprising of you. His voice was teasing but Lenny heard the despair in it, and his heart ached.

    Mallory held up a black carrier bag. I brought you your old Debussy suit to wear back home. I’m sure when your new one is ready, Ms Debussy-Smith will make sure you get it for the event. Isn’t that right, ma’am? His eyes flicked hopefully at Lenny.

    Lenny nodded. Of course. I’ll make sure it’s personally delivered. Now if you’d like to change over there behind the screens, I’ll finish up the measurements.

    Mallory smiled at Lenny gratefully and, taking Nathaniel’s elbow, he escorted his partner over to the dressing area. You get dressed then I’ll take you home. I think we both need some refreshment; maybe a good whisky will go down well.

    Mallory left Nathaniel to get dressed and walked back to Lenny. Thank you so much, Mallory said with a sad huff. Nate is in the mid stages of dementia and it’s a full-time job making sure he’s comfortable and that he sees some quality of life.

    Lenny heaved a deep sigh. I’m so sorry. It must be a dreadful thing seeing someone you love go through that.

    Mallory nodded. We’ve been together over thirty years. Nate used to be on the stage and he’s been in a few big films. He still lives in the entertainment world, and to be honest, I let him. Why not. It makes him happy. He cast a loving glance at his partner who was shrugging his arms into his suit jacket. I love him as much as I did then and it’s hard to see him this way. Tears glistened in Mallory’s eyes. But you made him happy, and for that I thank you. It can be hard for others to deal with these sorts of situations.

    Lenny had a lump in his throat. I can’t even imagine.

    He doesn’t really have a premiere next month. But at least he’ll have his new suit. As you might have gathered, he’s a big fan of your work.

    I’ll make sure he gets his suit, Lenny promised. It’s the least I can do for a fan.

    Just let me know what I owe you for the garment and I’ll settle it up.

    Lenny shook his head. There’ll be no charge, sweetheart, he said. If it makes your man happy, that’s enough for me. He deserves some pleasure out of his life given what it’s thrown at him, and you.

    Mallory’s eyes welled with tears and he couldn’t help a sniffle. Oh God, that is so sweet of you, dear lady. You cannot even know how much I appreciate that. Money’s always tight of course, and a new suit was a bit of an extravagance. But it makes him happy, so how could I have refused?

    Later, watching Mallory escort his partner out of the building with a winsome smile and a cheery wave goodbye, Lenny felt a sense of bitter sweetness sweep through him. One day he hoped to have what they had: an overwhelming love and devotion to another man that transcended anything the world may throw at them.

    The story of Nathaniel and Mallory was tragic. But it also showed there was always hope in finding that special someone who’s accepted life’s challenges, and that acceptance was something to aspire to even if it had eluded Lenny all his life.

    Chapter 2

    Sweat, musky-scented skin and five o’clock shadow stubble. Skin slapped against skin, amidst grunts and sighs of passion, as Lenny lay on his back in bed, knees pulled up, and watched the man inside him lose it. Lenny gripped his hands tighter around his lover’s hips, forcing him deeper. The burn in his arse intensified as the thrusts grew frenzied.

    I’m feeling it, Ryan Bishop panted. Sweat beaded his forehead. You know how to use that arse of yours. No matter how many times we do this, it feels like the first time.

    Lenny reached up and brushed a hand across the sweaty auburn curls of Ryan’s head, eyes drinking in the flushed face of a man who had been his occasional lover for more than three years.

    Yeah, he gasped as he surrendered to the sensation of his cock slapping against the other man’s stomach. I’m feeling it too, almost there, honey. Keep going.

    Hungry lips claimed Lenny’s in a frantic kiss that made him harder. He pumped himself to climax then groaned as his balls contracted, and his dick ached as he shot. Ryan shuddered then collapsed in a boneless heap on top of him.

    After a minute of heavy breathing into his ear, Lenny chuckled. Hey, I’m not a continental cushion. Get off me. You’re damn heavy even though you’re a little fella.

    Ryan wasn’t one of those tightly toned muscle jockeys Lenny was used to, but slim, curvy and wiry with a winning smile. His bed partner laughed and rolled off. He slid off the condom, tied it and threw it on the bedside table. "Are you saying I’m fat and short, Len? He pouted. I’ll have you know I’m going to the damn gym three times a week. He patted his flat tummy. I have to work hard to keep it like this. He gave Lenny an envious look. I’m not like you with those natural fucking sculpted abs and tight arse. You put me to shame you do, you gorgeous bastard."

    He reached over to the bedside table and lit up a cigarette, inhaling then blowing perfect circles, which floated across the room. Lenny settled back in the bed and pulled the duvet up across his waist. He was sated, tired and didn’t give a fuck about the sticky mess on his belly and sheets.

    It’s been too long since I got laid, Lenny said.

    Ryan lay on his side. His blue eyes were soft, his hair curling around ears that were pointy and elf like. Lenny loved them—loved biting them and tugging on them until Ryan could take it no more, cursing him as he came.

    Ryan pouted. Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I’ve been travelling so much with the theatre company lately with the new production that I’m nowhere near around as much as I used to be. These booty calls with you have become quite infrequent. Ryan was also Delilah Delish, a renowned drag queen and one of the stars of the current hit musical ‘Come to Bed Baby’, which had swept the West End and other counties alike.

    Ryan’s body stretched out, catlike, as he settled back on the bed, arms

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