And Then, He Kissed Me

This young adult romance novella introduces Russell, a teenager returning to his father's farm in Kansas after a difficult period with his mother. He quickly develops a powerful crush on Pierce, an older college student working as a farmhand. The story explores themes of first love, self-discovery, and navigating complex feelings, including an age gap in the romantic interest and Russell's past family issues. It offers representation for LGBTQ+ youth and is a quick, emotionally driven read for older teens.

Intro:Returning from six months of living with his mom and her new husband in Atlanta, Georgia, Russell can't wait to see the two new puppies on his dad's farm in Kansas. Russell finds much more than two new puppies on the farm, however. Pierce is a veterinary science student at Kansas State University and his dad's best farm hand, and Russell immediately falls in love with the much more mature man. Russell thinks he will just die if he can't have Pierce for himself, but has a hard time overcoming his youthful ways. Pierce likes Russell, but thinks of him as nothing more than a kid and, of course, the cherished son of his boss. Pierce needs his job, and has a hard time obeying the invisible "Hands Off the Boss' Son" sign that he has carefully painted in his own mind.Excerpt:The sound of voices outside his window woke him the next morning. SMan, I "m tired. I must have slept like a rock. Russell looked out the window and saw Pierce talking with his dad. His window was open, so he could hear everything they were saying. They were talking about the livestock and about the summer activities on the farm. Russell knew he was being paranoid, but after hearing his mom and stepdad talk about him behind his back, he had good reason to be. He hated that man, but was mostly hurt by his mom "s action, or inaction, rather. Russell watched as Pierce and his dad talked. The sunlight shone on Pierce "s face like a spotlight. He looked better in the daylight than he had last night. The flannel shirt worn thin and the faded jeans outlined Pierce "s body perfectly and through them, Russell could see the muscles that good old fashioned work on the farm had developed. Pierce didn "t have the muscles of a body builder. Pierce had just the right amount of muscle. When Pierce turned away from Russell "s view of his face, his faded jeans formed to his butt so well that Russell had to look away for a second. The thin material formed itself over Pierce "s well toned butt, kissed the crease between his butt and thighs, and then outlined his perfectly proportioned thighs. Russell tried to stop staring, but could not force his feet to move away from the window. Pierce had seemed kind last night, not at all conceited, which he could have easily been with his good looks. He watched as Pierce put his hands on his hips and then slid them into his back pocket. Russell wished his hands were in those back pockets.