RIPPED

STORY EXCERPT

As he bent on one knee to replace the wilted flowers with the fresh, he felt hot tears sting his eyes. The only other time he had cried in five years was the night after her funeral. Alone in the dark, he had curled her pillow against him, still fresh with her sweet scent. Grief had consumed him. He didn’t know which was worse, the grief, or the guilt for taking a shortcut that night. If he had listened to her, maybe they would still be a family. In the last five years, he had buried the hurt, hidden with her memories in his heart.

“I’ve made a complete mess of everything, angel,” he whispered, “your death and now hurting Kyle. Everything he said over the last couple of days has been true. I’ve known it now for almost two years, even before he told me, but I can’t let you go. I’m so ashamed to admit that loving him has lessened the pain of losing you. Kyle and I married a few days ago. He thought my hands were trembling because I was nervous about making love to a man, partly true, but they were trembling more because I felt like I was betraying you. That’s why I have brought him here with me and wanted you to meet him. I’ve never felt like I had to explain why I chose him. I enjoyed him touching me, holding me. I miss the affection with you, baby. I haven’t told him I love him, at least not in the way I should have. I always return to your face. Touching him feels like the most natural thing in the world, but opening my heart to him feels like a betrayal of what we shared. He’s hurting, and I could see it in his eyes. So now there’s someone else hurting because of me. I wasn’t looking for a relationship with anyone, and then he walked into my life. He says that he’s loved me from the moment we met. Baby, I felt a connection to him, too. Spent three years denying it, until he finally kissed me. Kyle’s thinks I’m having a hard time coming to terms with the fact I’m gay, or those were his exact words. He’s right. It is a new experience for me. However, this isn’t about whether or not I’m gay or straight. This is about feeling whole again. I know how to make love, and I certainly wasn’t shy in our marriage. Six months ago, I wanted to ask him to marry me, but he beat me to it. He revealed how deeply in love he was with me after one of our therapy sessions at the gym, telling me he wanted forever. All I could do was nod. He’s been there for me so many times in the last five years, and I couldn’t look into his eyes and tell him the love was mutual. I still can’t. He told me numerous times while I made love to him, and I saw the need in his eyes to hear me say it. Mom finally accepts him, but not Dad. He’s been cruel. We haven’t spoken in a year, not since I introduced Kyle to them. He didn’t even come downstairs. I tried to explain, but…it’s not important now. What is important is Kyle thinks we shouldn’t visit as much, and that we should take down some of your photos. I know if I don’t resolve this I will end up losing him. I want you both.”

The tears that had collected in his eyes slowly spilled out on his cheeks, as he was oblivious to the figure approaching him.

“Roman?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” he whispered, responding automatically to a voice so familiar that he half expected to see Lisa’s face when he turned around.

Everything about the woman standing in front of him tore at the deep, hidden places in his heart. Obviously she hadn’t heard his whisper, as he dried a few stray tears from his face in embarrassment.

“It’s been a long time. I haven’t been back since the funeral.”

Lisa’s twin, Catherine, was standing before him. Her fiery-red hair and emerald eyes made him recall memories that he quickly suppressed. Perhaps he had stared too long without responding. The ivory skin was almost a perfect match, except for a scattering of freckles across her cheeks.

“I wanted to call you…should have. I shouldn’t have left things like I did,” Roman said, continuing to stare into her eyes, remembering the bed they had shared too many years ago. He stifled a strong desire to revisit her warm lips. The feel of the ring on his left hand reminded him of his commitment to Kyle.

“I stayed away because of you,” she said quietly, hugging her arms around her body.

Wearing a pair of tan slacks and white blouse, her classic style was almost identical to Lisa’s.

“Mama said you were involved with someone…said that you were…” He watched her eyes drifting to a horizon behind his shoulders. “She said you were gay now.”

“His name is Kyle. We were married a few days ago.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Enjoying the feel of Kyle’s lips, he parted his own, allowing his lover to deepen the kiss.

He felt Kyle suddenly pause, brushing a nose against his.

“My heart wants us to be one. While the oral was nice, my hard dick wants to be inside your ass. That has to be satisfied.” Kyle spoke barely above a whisper as Roman felt his lover’s hands caressing his body, while describing an even more explicit scenario in his ear. “I didn’t suggest earlier because you were nervous. It wouldn’t have been pleasurable for either one of us.”

Roman suddenly found himself spooned once again against Kyle’s body, but this time his partner’s hands were more insistent.

“It’s an act of trust, Roman, and a culmination of love. Do you trust me?”

Roman opened his mouth to reply, only to be silenced again by Kyle’s lips.

“Of course you trust me. I don’t feel you trembling like earlier tonight. Thought I wouldn’t notice as you tried to distract me by pouring wine and lighting candles. Submit to me, Roman. We need to bond. I need to make damn sure you understand what it means to be my gay lover.”

Kyle’s arousal was clearly obviously in the insistent tone of his words.

“Open your heart to me,” Kyle said, spooning him even closer. “And relax. It will make the first time easier,” he continued, reaching for a condom and lube in the nightstand.

Roman quickly grabbed Kyle’s hand as their fingers entwined and Kyle’s dialog smoldered his senses.

“Surrender to me, baby,” Kyle spoke, his voice laced hot with desire. “This may hurt…the first time…It did for me. Let’s try my fingers first…sort of get you ready…loosen you up. Feels good, don’t it?” he asked as Roman felt him slip first one finger, then another inside his body. “So tight and warm. I don’t want to hurt you, but my dick is much bigger.”

Roman closed his eyes, drinking in the new sensations taking hold of his body, as Kyle settled into a pattern that included the continual slipping of fingers inside his body.

“Roman, you tell me when you’re ready,” Kyle said. “My pleasure depends on yours, as well. You’ve got nothing to prove to me. We’ll just keep loosening you up until you’re ready.”

“I want your cock inside me,” Roman spoke, knowing Kyle heard his sharp intake of breath as his lover’s dick slowly filled him.

“I don’t recall anyone ever making me feel this fucking good,” Kyle moaned, “so deep a connection…so complete! God, you’re tight! I love you,” he said as Roman felt his warm breath on the back of his neck.

As he gripped Kyle’s hand tighter, an inferno was mounting in his body, threatening to unleash, and he believed Kyle’s words reflected his own unspoken thoughts. He wanted to feel Kyle come inside him while his own cum spilled.

“Talk to me, baby. Tell me how I’m making you feel,” Kyle said, never giving him a chance to reply, covering his lips with his own. “Do you like being a bottom?” he murmured, moving in a gentle rhythm. “This is about two men sharing their love. Don’t you ever let anyone tell you different. It’s about me wanting to connect with you. I need that with you.”

“I want you to make me come,” Roman replied.

“So do I. Tell me if I’m hurting you.”

Roman felt Kyle roll him beneath his body as their chests met.

“Wrap your legs around me. We’re going to pause for a minute, though, give your body time to adjust before we pick it up, and relax, the worst is over. You feel so good wrapped around me, me inside your ass,” Kyle spoke against Roman’s lips.

Eventually, Roman’s body relaxed as his hands pulled his partner closer.

“We’re as close as we can possibly get, Roman.”

“I want you Kyle, all of your hard cock!”

“You’ve got all of me. Every bit of my dick is inside your tight ass,” Kyle replied, picking up the rhythm as promised.

Roman felt his husband’s firm, even strokes as his own dick was hard against Kyle’s body.

“Sometimes this helps,” Kyle said, reaching to caress Roman’s dick in his hand.

“Fuck me, Kyle,” Roman spoke.

“You’re not ready for that, but maybe for this…”

Roman felt Kyle stop immediately, causing him to writhe beneath him.

“Dammit, Kyle. Don’t stop. I’m so close!”

Reaching into the same nightstand, Roman watched Kyle retrieve a pair of red silk ribbons, binding his wrists above his head.

“Open your heart. Trust me,” Kyle spoke quietly as he continued the firm, even thrusts into Roman’s body.

 

ICE CREAM AND KISSES

STORY EXCERPT

“It’s good to see you, Lance.”

“DeMarco,” Lance quickly replied, shaking the man’s hand, trying to ignore the electricity that was coursing through his body. The same intense attraction that he felt six months ago in the restroom did not appear to have diminished.

The mantras of a quick roll in the sack and revenge were quickly fading. When Insolent Prick had stopped being intimate, he had also stopped communicating. Not only could a lack of human touch make a man crazy, but also a lack of intimacy and sharing. Lance had abruptly left the hotel restroom that evening, but not before giving DeMarco his business card.

“Call me…”

Three times a week for the past six months, Lance may not have had a man’s touch, but he had a man who faithfully called him. Since loneliness was not a word that Lance used, their conversations for the first couple of months revolved around business. Lance also told himself more than once that he wasn’t a cheater, despite the emotional affair that he now shared with DeMarco.

Business had gradually turned personal as Lance opened up one afternoon three months into their conversations. He had shared the painful details of his relationship with Insolent Prick, seeking comfort in the voice who quietly listened, offering him random words of comfort. From there the pair had become extremely close, sharing intimate details of their lives.

As he released DeMarco’s hand he noticed that the man standing in front of him had not changed. Hot and delicious. It was as if the six months had not passed at all. Lance casually removed his Ray-Bans. He must be at least six foot three.

“You look like you could use some iced tea. I’ve got some cold in the back. Sure is hot outside. Weatherman says this is one of the hottest summers on record. I like mine in a frosted mug. If you don’t want that, there’s pop on tap behind the bar or some bottled water.”

“The iced tea is fine,” Lance replied. Pretty hot inside, too.

While DeMarco disappeared behind two swinging doors, Lance let out a short sigh. Get yourself under control. You’re here on business. End the small talk. At least that was what his mind was telling him. For a split second he let himself entertain those words not in his vocabulary, loneliness and cheater. It was a last-ditch effort to try and stifle thoughts of himself relinquishing complete control and submitting to anything that DeMarco offered.

By the time DeMarco had set two frosty mugs of tea in a shiny red leather booth, Lance had his laptop and business proposal set up on the table. Business talk would be safe. Lance watched as DeMarco pulled his copy of the proposal from a black notebook. It had been mailed from Little Rock a week ago.

“Why are you really here, Lance?” DeMarco asked abruptly, leaning back against the seat. “According to what I read, Carrington Consultants would not be here until next week or so.”

Knowing full well what he had asked, Lance reached inside his briefcase, fumbling to retrieve more papers as if that would break the sexual tension between them. Even now, six months later, he was slowly melting, and it wasn’t from the summer heat.

ADULT EXCERPT

Lance instantly tangled their legs. Black hands were now in his hair, caressing and cradling his head, while chocolate lips parted his own.
When their tongues met, Lance heard his lover groan, pulling their bodies closer. The sexual tension between them was erupting.

The same black lips left his, exploring his chest and nipples. Now it was Lance who had his hands in DeMarco’s micro braids, as his partner sucked each nipple. Lance knew he had pushed DeMarco’s head lower as his lover took the entire length of his dick into his mouth. Lance gasped as his head went back. His body arched sharply against the white silk sheets.

DeMarco’s lips were continuously swirling and sucking in rhythmic motion. So damn hard….so fucking hard! The more pressure DeMarco’s lips applied to Lance’s cock, the more pre-cum filled his partner’s mouth.

Lance’s body was now writhing as tangling his fingers in his partner’s hair now turned to gentle tugs. DeMarco brought him close so many times.

Always at the last moment, just as Lance’s dick would begin pulsating, DeMarco pulled back.

“Not yet, Lance,” DeMarco said, covering Lance’s body once more with his own.

Lance felt his partner roll slightly off his body. This time he didn’t say anything when he heard the pop of the lube cap.

“Spread your legs, Lance,” DeMarco continued “Let me get you ready so we can love.”

First one lubed finger slipped slowly inside Lance’s ass. Then two. Finally after about five minutes, three of DeMarco’s fingers were sliding effortlessly. During the whole process, DeMarco had insisted they keep their eyes open.

“Look at me, Lance. Getting you ready so I can love you. Fuck…I’m so damn hard, too! I want to be inside you!”

“Fuck me, DeMarco!” Lance breathed, feeling the warm flush of his skin mixing with the driving urge to come.

DeMarco slid his body up against the headboard, pulling Lance with him. Lance found himself now half-sitting, half-lying between his partner’s legs. Chocolate lips were on his neck. The same fingers were up his ass while DeMarco’s other hand was around his cock.

“DeMarco!” Lance breathed in a slow moan.

“Like my rhythm? So many times I’ve wanted to do this to you, be your candy maker. Every time I heard that sexy voice, my cock would get hard. Don’t think you were the only one on Wednesday who came. My dick made its own cum.”

The sweet torture seemed to go on forever. In a perfect rhythm that slowly increased its speed, Lance felt his partner sensually licking and sucking the skin of his neck. Three fingers in his ass combined with the hand around his dick were causing his body to writhe.

“Mother fuck, your muscles are loosening up!” DeMarco said. “This is what I was talkin’ about, feeling and seeing your response to me. If you need to get loud, do it against my chest. It’ll muffle the sound a little.”

Lance quickly turned his head into his partner’s chest as he heard loud muffled groans. His body convulsed sharply as cum left his dick. He was covered in sweat, breathing rapidly, as he watched DeMarco lick his semen from his hand. Lance watched as his lover rolled off him just enough to open his nightstand, retrieving a box of condoms.

Lance stopped his hand. “I trust you. Put those away. I don’t like how they feel. Besides, you’ve trusted me enough.”

“Okay,” DeMarco said, putting them away. “You’ve only had one male partner though. I’ve had five. I test every six months, and my last one was clean.”

“So am I. That’s why we aren’t using the condoms. Just skin to skin.”

“Black on white,” DeMarco whispered.

As if DeMarco had read his mind earlier in the shower, Lance felt his partner opening his legs pushing them back against his chest. Lance automatically tilted his hips, exposing his most private emotions.

“Nice,” DeMarco said as Lance felt him teasing his opening with the same fingers that he had inside him moments earlier. “Are you ready, baby?”

Lance nodded, not taking his eyes from his partner. DeMarco’s gaze was so intimate that it sent a rush of heat through his body.

“We’ll go slow,” DeMarco continued, allowing half of his weight to rest on Lance’s upper body, while his hand stroked Lance’s cheek. “I’ve got my other hand around my dick, too. It’ll help me control how deep I go for now.”

“Oh God!” Lance moaned as he felt the head of DeMarco’s dick slip inside.

“Relax, Lance. I can feel you tightening around me. Open up, baby.”

“Damn, DeMarco! I’d forgotten how good this feels!”

As Lance wrapped his legs around DeMarco’s waist, every inch of his partner’s dick quickly filled him.

“Shit, mother fuck! Your ass is so damn warm and tight!”

Based on the intensity of DeMarco’s words, Lance half expected him to pound him hard. Instead his partner grew tender.

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

STORY EXCERPT

Watching as Levon moved towards the front desk, Reed’s eyes became fixated on a sketch that stood alone in the corner. Unlike all of the other framed drawings, this one rested on a golden easel. Breathtaking. Smiling at his thought, Reed moved closer to the image of what looked like three pairs of hands intimately twined. There weren’t any faces, just arms that seemed to appear from the edges of the paper. Reed felt himself flush, when he realized that the three pairs of hands were masculine. Amazing detail. Such tenderness. Moving his hand towards the glass of the frame, Reed ran his fingers across the image.

“That sketch is one of my favorites. However, it’s not for sale.”

Hearing a smooth mellow voice next to his ear, Reed turned to stare into deep green eyes. Mesmerizing. Feeling himself blush again, he quickly looked back at the drawing, trying to rid his mind of the thought. Hating the fire he felt in his cheeks, Reed knew this time it wasn’t from the entwined hands.

The man standing behind him was at least as tall as Levon, maybe an inch or so taller. He had straight, dark brown hair, cut in a shag, which fell almost to his shoulders. A few bangs hung on his forehead, stopping right at the top of his eyebrows. The haircut perfectly framed the angles of his face. To add to the effect, he was wearing a pair of black slacks with a forest-green dress shirt. The combination only further highlighted those mesmerizing eyes. Feeling a twinge of guilt for the romantic attraction he felt, Reed was thankful when Levon returned from the front desk, draping an arm around his waist.

“Is this man bothering you?” Levon asked, as Reed felt him hook a few fingers through the belt loops of his pants.

Before Reed had a chance to reply, the stranger spoke, looking at Levon, “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself to your partner.”

“Husband,” Levon quickly spoke. “I’m assuming that you’re Avery Gaines?”

Reed watched Levon decline the hand that was offered to him. Instead, Avery crossed his arms across his chest.

“Mr. Gaines, are you aware of who I am?” Levon asked, tightening his grip around Reed’s body.

“Yes, you’re Levon Kruger, drummer for the heavy metal band Hardcore, and this is your husband, Reed Collins. I have fairly eclectic tastes in the arts, and one of those is rock music. Besides, both of your faces have been plastered on a few tabloids in the last week or so with rumors that you have quit Hardcore.”

“Then you know that I’m a transgender man?” Reed cut in.

“I know you’re a very handsome gay male, if that’s what you mean?” Avery responded, as Reed caught his gaze once more. “Levon, you are quite lucky.”

“Quit flirting with my husband!” Levon spoke sharply.

“I know Reed belongs to you, and likewise. I see the love that you both share, and I’m not trying to come between that, nor would I ever. I was not flirting, merely stating a fact. Levon, if you weren’t so worried about establishing your relationship to your husband with me, then you would have noticed my eyes subtly expressing that fact about you as well.”

“Okay, stop it!” Reed cut in. “What’s wrong with you, Levon, and frankly you too, Avery? I’m assuming that I can call you that, Mr. Gaines, after this episode. My partner and I came here to thank you for buying our meal this morning, and to find out the reason.”

“To be quite honest, I am surprised that both of you are here. Whose idea was that?” Avery asked.

Reed stood quietly, watching as the artist looked directly at Levon’s face.

“The idea was mine,” Levon replied, staring at Reed instead.

“I see.”

“I like to be careful when it comes to who I have contact with, particularly now, since I’m responsible for more than just myself.”

“I haven’t been completely truthful. While I didn’t know whether or not I would see the two of you again, I was hoping that I would. That’s why I left my card with the waitress. I bought your meal because it’s not every day that someone sees two men so openly in love, and outwardly expressing those same feelings. I think your husband has already figured out that I am gay, based on his interpretation of my sketch.”

“I didn’t make any type of interpretation.”

“Yes you did,” Avery replied. “I saw the expression in your eyes, and your fingertips tracing the image beneath the glass.”

“I told you to quite flirting with Reed! That’s the last time I will tell you! The next time my fist will make the point!”

“I don’t believe you really want to do that. My day job as a forensic and police sketch artist requires me to be acutely aware of the human body. As part of my training, I studied facial expressions, mannerisms, in additional to the anatomy and physiology of the human body. The body language from you speaks otherwise.”

“Oh really!” Levon said sarcastically, moving within an inch of Avery’s face.

Stepping between the pair, Reed realized that both men were oblivious to his presence, as he watched his partner’s gaze lock with Avery’s eyes.

“The other reason I paid for your breakfast was because I felt an instant attraction to both of you, not just Reed, as you so wrongly perceived. Now, before that statement is misconstrued into something cheap and ugly, I am not in the habit of paying for other men’s breakfasts in the hopes of returning them to my studio for quick seductions! In fact this is the first time I have done anything like this.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“Keep kissing him, Levon,” Avery spoke.

Avery finally released his legs from his forearms, wrapping them instead around his waist.

“I love you, too, Avery,” Reed finally replied.

“Sweetness, I love you…damn, how I love you.” Avery groaned. “I’m all the way inside you, sweetheart.”

Reed released Levon’s mouth. For just a moment, he lost himself in the touch of the man with the mesmerizing green eyes. His hands tangled in Avery’s hair as their lips moved in sweet passion against each other’s mouth. Next Reed’s hands began to explore the artists’ back, moving quickly to his buttocks. He was matching each of Avery’s gentle trusts with rocking movements of his own.

“Don’t make me come inside you, Reed,” Avery said. “I’ve still got to bond with Levon.”

Reed protested when Avery withdrew his dick. The artist now had his partner beneath his body, as Reed saw the passion unfolding between the pair.

“Hi,” Avery whispered sensually against Levon’s lips.

“Hi yourself, Gaines,” Levon replied.

Reed was so close to release. His dick ached and throbbed. Seeing Avery and Levon’s passionate kissing only fueled his fire.

“Suck your husband, Reed,” Avery said.

At Avery’s command, Reed’s mouth went flush with Levon’s body, as he took his partner’s entire length into his mouth.

“Reed, dammit! That’s how to suck a dick!”

“I love you, sexy, so much,” Avery murmured against Levon’s lips.

“Gaines, I love you, too,” Levon replied.

Hearing their whispered words of love flooded Reed’s heart with a passion unlike any he had ever experienced before. Levon’s cock was filling his mouth full of pre-cum, as he used his tongue to slowly lick the shaft from its base upwards to his partner’s cockhead.

“Do you want me inside you, Levon?” Avery asked.

Reed watched as the artist gently brushed strands of damp hair away from Levon’s face. When Levon nodded, Reed saw the artist reaching for the lube. As Avery gelled two of his fingers, he used his other hand to push Levon’s thighs wide open.

“Gaines, my god!” Levon groaned.

“So tight,” Avery murmured.

Reed had a front row seat to the erotic foreplay that Avery was giving his partner. With each stroke of the artist’s fingers into Levon’s anal opening, Reed watched the skin open and then grip the digits inside him. While Reed continued the blow job, he also slipped two of his own fingers next to Averys’ inside Levon’s body. The sensation caused his husband to moan and buck his body upwards. Just as soon, as his fingers had slipped inside Levon’s body, Reed felt Avery removing them.

“Kiss your husband, Reed. Let him know we love him…that we care about his pleasure, too.”

“Aww, shit, Gaines!”

Reed glanced down to see Avery’s lips moving slowly down his partner’s dick. Levon was groaning against his lips. Seeing and hearing his lover’s pleasure had Reed insane with desire.

“His tongue—”

Hearing Levon groan again, instead of finishing his sentence, Reed asked, “His tongue, what?”

“Gaines’s tongue feels good inside my ass.”

“He’s more than ready now, too,” Avery said.

Lying next to Levon on the bed, Reed spoke softly into his partner’s ear, “I love you, metal man. Let Avery make love to you, too.”

Avery was now topping Levon’s body, pushing the drummer’s legs back.

“I do understand, sexy, why you held your heart from me.”

“I had to be sure, Gaines.”

“Are you sure now, baby boy?”

Reed heard Levon’s sensual moan in reply. Avery’s cock was slowly slipping inside his partner.

“Damn…you feel just as good as Reed!” Avery said.

Avery had secured Levon’s right arm above his head, as his other hand was gently cupping the drummer’s left hip.

“That’s it, sexy. Meet my thrusts. Make love to me, Levon.”

Reed was kissing Levon’s neck, listening to the pleasurable sounds escaping his partner’s mouth. The sound burned desire through his body, as it made his release all the more urgent. Reed felt restless, almost desperate in a sense, to bond his heart to the commitment that the three of them were creating.

“Reed, get your strap-on,” Avery spoke tenderly. “We’re ready to make love as a ménage of love.”
Reed rolled away from Levon’s body and retrieved his strap-on from the nightstand. Securing the dildo, with a harness, around his waist, he cuddled close to the drummer’s body once more.

“Good boy,” Avery replied, staring sensually into Reed’s eyes. “I’ve thought a great deal about tonight, and how I would be able to join three bodies at the same time. One of us has to be double penetrated. That man is going to be you, Levon. Reed and I will be inside you. Three bodies kissing and caressing. Three hearts forever bonding.”

“Oh, Avery!” Reed murmured.

“That’s right, sweetness, just the three of us.”

Accepting the tube of slick from Avery’s hands, Reed applied the cool gel to the shaft of his dildo, rubbing the remainder in his palm against Levon’s rim. His eyes had not only seen Avery’s cock inside Levon’s anal cavity, but now his fingers could feel the penetration. So damn erotic. Reed’s thoughts were quickly cycling from romantic, to sensual, and finally lingering in a world of eroticism, only to repeat the process.

Feeling Avery’s hard dick inside Levon caused Reed to linger a bit longer than he should. However, Avery said nothing, as Reed continued to rub his fingers erotically against the connection. Finding the artist’s sac, Reed caressed the swollen nuts.

“Reed, are you turned on by the fact that I’m inside your husband?”

“Yes, I can’t believe how much.”

“Neither can I,” Levon groaned. “Thrust, Avery, dammit!”

Reed watched as Avery slowly ground his hips against Levon’s pelvis. The drummer’s hands were clutching the artist’s buttocks.

“Babe, I want you inside me, too! We need this commitment with him.”

“Reed, you heard our husband…put your dick in his ass.”