Quote by KimmiBeGood

Twins Gone Wild

Sounds like vintage 90’s porn. 😂

Happy Thursday, folks. Doing another quick fly-by for anything that has caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine. ☕️

Welcome back Bear!

Just swinging by for a mid-day pick-me-up. Coffee, a splash of cream, and a to-go cup.

Have a great afternoon/evening, everyone!

Earlier this week, my latest story dropped.

In the middle of a crowded concert venue, a chance encounter between two strangers draws them into something unplanned. What follows is a fast-moving mix of impulse and opportunity that stretches boundaries before either of them can stop to question it.

This is a story about timing, chance, and how quickly a single night can veer off script. I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/outdoor/the-summer-tour

It’s been 100 days since I dropped chapter 1 of my first story on Lush.

Since then, I’ve published 11 additional stories. But there is something about your “First”.

Open Secrets is a five-part story. It is an intimate, psychologically driven exploration of desire, temptation, and the fragile boundaries that hold long-term relationships together. The story centers on a married man who believes his life is stable and predictable until an unexpected situation forces him to confront the parts of himself he has carefully kept hidden. What begins as a private indulgence spirals into a tense emotional and moral crossroads defined by loyalty, secrecy, and self-discovery.

Chapter 1 may feel familiar, echoing a cliché setup. That is by design. Keep reading, and the story deepens quickly, trading surface-level intrigue for escalating tension, emotional complexity, and characters who begin making choices that are anything but safe. If you are willing to move beyond the opening chapter you will find a narrative that grows sharper, riskier, and far more compelling with every chapter.

If you have not read the series, please check it out! And please share feedback in the comments.

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/cheating/open-secrets-chapter-1

Here is a post that talks about story verification times - https://www.lushstories.com/forum/lush-help-desk/story-verification-times-2

Jen keeps the first post updated with current expected wait times.

Edit: As of late-January…

For premium members, expect to wait 1- 7 days

For non premium members, the wait may be up to 3 weeks at peak times.

Quote by Seeker4

He is a Brit. They have weird weather over there. 😁 We are hitting a warm spell (6C/42F by mid-week) but with the amount of snow we have on the ground, I will be be happy if I see grass. But we are getting some rain, too, so probably will get there by next weekend.

We’ve been lucky this year. Most of the snow has gone north or south of us. I think we’ve gotten maybe 18-20 inches, which is significantly less than most years. And with the warmer weather in December, a lot of that melted. We’ve got bare grass in half of our yard right now.

Just looked at my weather app. What was looking like 3 inches of snow next weekend now looks closer to 8-10 inches. Fingers crossed they are wrong. I was really hoping for an early spring!

Quote by wxt55uk
Yesterday, I cut the lawn for the first time in 2026. Today, we are back to rain!

Cutting your lawn? In February?

We’ve been in the 50’s for the past two days. Looks like two more days in the 50’s, followed by a few days in the mid-40’s with some rain. Whatever snow/ice we have on the ground will likely be gone by mid-week, which is unheard of for mid-February. Granted, there is a chance of several inches snow next weekend. So weird.

Quote by Seeker4

Wow. This has to be the quietest bar on the planet.

Well, maybe the smell of coffee will bring in some life. I have washed up old Bertha and refilled her with some dark roast Nicaraguan coffee.

Is that coffee I smell? Thanks, for opening up, Ape!

I hope everyone had a pleasant Valentine’s Day.

Oddly, I’ve been pretty oblivious to the Olympics this year. I’ve been watching some of the highlights online, but have not actually sat down and watched anything yet.

Hey Rumps! Sorry for the short absence. Life/work has been crazy since I returned from Maui. But I have a long weekend ahead of me to rest and reset.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Hiya, Rumpies

I’m taking a bit of time away. Trying to gather strength with more bad stuff with Dad. And my twin and I are taking a short trip together to celebrate our birthday last week of month. Her wonderful hubby will stay to handle Dad issues.

Hope you and your sister are having an amazing trip, Kimmy!

Quote by techgoddess
I feel like I have a doctor who isn’t just try to cure the problem but figure out what caused it and how to stop it. I’m hopeful.

That is great, Kat! I’ve been working through some chronic health issues over the past five years. And when you find some who isn’t trying to throw duct tape on the symptoms, but wants to help you find the root cause and address the underlying issue - life changing! I am so happy you found one of those doctors!

With that, I am grabbing a cup of coffee with a splash of cream and I am off to the Volvo dealership. Have a great Friday, everyone!

Quote by techgoddess

No judging while I add a little Jack Daniels to my Coke Zero.

What a horrible week. Any single one of those things would be a lot. Combined, over a few short days…. Sending warm thoughts and hugs. And no judging. In fact, I will have drink too. Just make mine with normal old fashioned Coke.

Quote by Seeker4

The saying here about rain is that at least you don't have to shovel it to get out of your driveway. 😁 My drive needs a pass but it's cold enough to freeze the proverbial body parts of a brass monkey. And we don't need to get out until Monday when, sadly, we have a family funeral to attend. My middle brother (I am the eldest) lost his wife a week ago.

Sorry to hear about your sister-in-law’s passing, Ape.

Hey Rumps! Back home. Back to reality.

I am already missing the upper-70s, but I will take 20 degrees over the -40 degrees I missed while on the islands. And it’s supposed to creep into the low-40’s later this week. One step closer to spring! 😊

Spent the morning digging through two weeks of emails and MS teams messages. Throwing a pot of coffee on for anyone who needs a mid-day pickup.

Quote by techgoddess

Sick as a dog most of the day, but I sucked it up and helped Kevin put our new bed together.

Anyway, I'm off to bed. Hoping to wake up feeling better.

Feel better, Kat!

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Aww, whale watching is on my bucket list. If you get a pic, please send it to me.

Here you go, Kimmi.

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

Congratulations, David! I plan on getting to that, but I'm a tad tied up at the moment…

Tied up, huh. If wasn’t on vacation, I’d be throwing “polar bear” and “shibari” into my favorite AI image generator. 😂

Last full day on the island. Always bittersweet. Heading out to do some whale watching. Grabbing some coffee to go.

Have a great day, everyone!

Quote by Mandapanda2025

All Things Must Die - Casey Lee Williams

I Would Die 4 U - Prince

Quote by S7williams

Would never want to get between a Resident Gorilla and it’s Banana!!

You apparently have not heard about Storage Room #4. That is where you would find Ape and his “banana” 🤣

Aloha, Rumps. Four more days in paradise before I head back to reality. Granted, looks like the warmth may follow me back to the midwest! The long term forecast show temps in the mid-to-upper 30’s next week! Fingers crossed for an early spring this year!

Welcome to Rumps, S7! And great choice in whiskey. I have a bottle of the 10 and the 12 have home. I’ve tried the 15. Have yet to get my hands on anything older. Stagg Jr. is my go-to, when I can find it.

Statistically, the stories I’ve written that have deeper backstories are less popular than those that do not. All have fewer likes, favorites, and comments. Granted, it could just be a coincidence.

Personally, when I am reading a story, I like to know the “why”. That being said, if there is too much of a backstory, I sometimes find myself jumping ahead. As a writer, I am still trying to find the right balance.

I have dropped teaser posts on the wall on my profile. Anyone who is a friend/follower will get notifications of new wall posts.

Quote by Mandapanda2025

I Still Believe (Great Design) - The Call

Still Feel Like a Kid - Dawes

Quote by techgoddess

IT’S GARAGE MOVE-IN DAY!

Yes, I am incredibly excited. So much so that all drinks are on me today (on my tab not on me.)

🎉🎉🎉😎🍺🥤🍷🍹🍸🍻☕💋🥰😻

I almost yelled “BODYSHOTS!” Almost. 🤣

Stay safe everyone!

Quote by Seeker4

Good afternoon. I am back. Maybe. Not that anyone probably noticed my absence. Just didn't feel a need to be here. Still not sure I do. We will see. Tea. Earl Grey. Black.

For what it’s worth, yes, I did notice you were MIA. Sorry things have been shitty at work. Hope things turn around or you are able to navigate a graceful exit.

Aloha Rumps! Another day in paradise.

It’s still early, but they are saying upper-70s. Sure beats the weather back in MN. When I checked last night, it “felt like” 43 below zero. For those doing the math, the is 120 degrees colder than Maui. Fuck.

Quote by techgoddess

Bearkeep, newbies to the bar can have their drinks on my tab. 🍻🍺🍷🍹🍸☕🥤😎

I will take a mimosa to celebrate the halfway point in my vacation. Thanks, Kat!

Quote by JamesLlewelly

Are you and Cog getting into ventures together?

I'd be careful about that. He's a nice boy and all, but…

Nice boy and all??? And a “but”??? 😂

Thank you for the detailed responses, techgoddess and GreyMatter. I know this is a challenging and sensitive topic.

I apologize for completely derailing this forum post.

Quote by techgoddess

Looky, looky! Our very own Kis has a story in the Classics section on the first page. It's a fabulous story and got a well-deserved Recommended Read! In case you missed it, here's the link: Kimberly Has A Ball

Congratulations, Kis!

Quote by GreyMatter
My advice to you - and everyone else - is to embrace being an amateur writer. We all started somewhere. Use your time here on Lush to develop your skills over time - you will get better, I promise. And you’ll get lots of help and feedback from the mods and the community along the way.

This is good feedback. But it is also something that I struggle with.

I go through my stories dozens of times, writing, rewriting, tweaking, and trying to make them as polished as possible. I want each one to be “perfect” before submitting it. That is just me and my OCD. Part of it is ego. At the same time, I acknowledge that I am also still figuring things out, so I when mods take the time to share feedback, I appreciate that.

Quote by GreyMatter
We’re not using Grammarly to scan for AI, we have other methods that I won’t discuss publicly - but we can tell who is using AI and to what degree (ie a fully written AI story or one that’s been AI written and heavily edited, ones that were written with AI assistance etc). Anyone who thinks they’re sneaking one past us because we’ve published their story is sadly mistaken.

I am curious… Why?

If you feel certain that some stories are AI written (or heavily AI assisted), why are mods letting them slide through? Why don’t you shut those stories down and/or ban those authors from the site?

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

Cog, are you swiping toys from Store #4 – again?

I thought we had this conversation: What happens in Store Room #4 STAYS in Store Room #4 – WITH ALL THE TOYS!

No, no, no. I didn’t touch anything in Store room #4. Everything on the island is brand new. Think of this as a 'taste of Store Room #4’ for those traveling. This is just a little something for any Rumps regulars who are looking for a little extra ‘aloha’ while spending time on the islands.

On that note, I will take a to-go cup of the Picasso Private Blend. I need to head downstairs and claim a chair by the pool.

I was going to take a break from writing while on vacation. Of course, one day into my trip, an idea hit me.

My Wife’s Birthday Present

I am trying to move away from “just smut” and push myself as an author. I feel like I am getting there.

Now I will take a break. Maybe. 🤣

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Morning, Rumpies

Big snow… and I really mean BIG SNOW… hitting the Bluegrass this weekend. I’m freakin’ a little. If it comes, we’ll all be snowed in for days which causes me some anxiety. Loading up on supplies today…

Stay warm and stay safe. Sending you warmth and hugs from Maui.

It may not stop the snow, but hopefully it will ease your anxiety to know that Storage Room 7 is now fully setup and operational! You should have seen the look on the bellhop’s faces when I pulled up with 42 giant black plastic tubs! I then asked them to “line them up in the hallway" outside a random door. What they didn’t know is that the door leads to the only storage room on property with an ocean view.

If anyone is in West Maui, let me know and I will share the key code for the door. Gotta keep it locked to prevent little ones from wandering in.

This is going to be EPIC!