Excerpt Day: Play it Again, Sam by Jenna Byrnes
Play it Again, Sam by Jenna Byrnes
Release Date: May 10, 2009
Publisher: Phaze Books
ISBN: 978-1-59426-742-0
Publisher Link: http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Play+it+Again,+Sam/exact_match=exact
Blurb: Sam Merit spends his afternoons watching Casablanca at the local theatre. Recently laid off from his job, he'd rather hide in a dark auditorium than face a daunting job search. With one eye on Bogart and the other on a handsome theater employee, he doesn't mind viewing the same film day after day. Marc Phillips doesn't have great aspirations. Running the projection booth at an old fashioned, run-down theater makes him happy. When he meets Sam he discovers there might be more to life than movie screen fantasies, if he can open his heart to the possibilities.
Excerpt:
They reached the dark room at the top of the stairs. He held the door open for Sam and followed him in. He closed the door, spreading his arm wide. "This is it. The heart of the movie theatre, the projection booth."
"Oh, my God." Sam glanced around the dark, dusty space. "This place is ancient. The equipment's probably fifty years old."
Marc's brow wrinkled, a look of disappointment crossing his face.
Back-pedaling to make up for the offhanded comment, Sam charged, "It's totally cool! I've never seen anything this retro. I'm impressed."
"Really?" Marc's expression lit up. "Because I love it. I honestly do. I know it's not digital like all the newer places, but this stuff is the real deal. Your computerized technology can't top this. Listen closely--you can hear the click-click-click of the projector. I love that sound."
Sam traced a finger along the dull black metal equipment. "It's wonderful, Marc. You're right. No digital images could top this." He looked out at the picture projected onto the screen. The action centered in Rick's café. The movie had some time to go.
Sam stepped forward and peered through the gap at the auditorium seats below. No more than ten people viewed the show. "Where's that huge crowd you mentioned?"
Marc moved close behind him, speaking directly into his ear. "In my mind, I guess. In my imagination, I think every night is opening night."
Sam leaned back. Their bodies touched. "You're a romantic."
"I'm nuts, remember? You said it yourself."
"Don't hold me responsible for anything I said earlier. Meeting you threw me off-kilter. I'm surprised I could form coherent sentences." He pressed his back more solidly into Marc's chest.
"You too?" Marc snaked one arm around Sam, his hand slipping into his jacket. He caressed Sam's chest through the thin shirt. "Our connection amazed me. I wasn't sure if it was real, or more of my imagination. In fact, I wondered if you'd show up tonight. Part of me never thought I'd see you again."
"Cynic," Sam teased. Fingers brushed his nipple and he squirmed. The touch caused it to harden and peak, even through fabric. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed his shirt off, and placed Marc's hand against his bare skin.
Marc groaned and deepened his kneading strokes. His mouth pressed into Sam's neck, sucking and nibbling from one ear around to the other.
"Should we--uh--go somewhere?" Sam's voice sounded breathy to his own ear. He hoped wherever they went was close. His hard-on felt as if it might burst inside his jeans.
"What's wrong with right here?" Marc drew an earlobe between his teeth. "It's private, clean enough, and warm. You don't want to go out into the chilly night so soon, do you?" His hand dropped to cup Sam's denim-clad crotch. "This might not survive the trip. I want to see what's causing such a big bulge."