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Two Questions and a Sneak Peek…
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016

It’s the day after Labor Day, and I’m having to come to terms with the fact the pool is cooling. Sure, we’re going to have 90-degree weather this week, but the shorter days mean longer nights where temps in the 70’s are going to spell the death of another swimming season. I hate, hate, hate giving up my daily swims.

Is there something you hate about the changing season, summer to fall?

My daughter’s ready not to sweat. She wants sweater weather. She wants to put up the Halloween tree and decorations (our Halloween tree is a counter top metal tree that we hang Strangeling Ornaments from). Fall is her favorite season and her reason is two-fold: relief from the heat and Halloween!

Is there something you love about the changing season?

And while you contemplate those questions, here’s a sneak peek at Before We Kiss

Before We KissA hand settled at the back of her neck. Fingers played with the tendrils of hair that slipped from the clip sheā€™d used to secure her up-do. From the corner of her eye, she watched as Wiley shifted in his chair, moving closer toward her, while maintaining his conversation with Captain Lundt regarding his training and the ships heā€™d commanded before being hired by the Countess line. Polite conversation, but his questions were intelligent. All the while, he touched her lightly, keeping her in that state of awareness that had continued unabated since heā€™d dragged her to the ground outside the bus. Was this attentiveness all part of the act? Ensuring the other passengers and the crew, not in her fatherā€™s pocket, believed a romance had been struck between them? And theyā€™d believe it. Heā€™d lost his hat, his scruffy beard. Tonight, he wore a white button-down shirt and dark slacksā€”looking as handsome as a man straight out of a romance novel. The breathy sighs and interested stares from the women seated at the tables around them said they were buying the story, hook, line and sinker.

Poppy had no doubt where this was leading. Him in bed with her. That was inevitable, but was that result because he wanted to be there, or because he wanted to insert himself into her life aboard ship to keep her safeā€”and amenable to his care?

She wished she knew. She really did. But she admitted to herself the outcome wouldnā€™t change a thing. Once they returned to her suite, clothes would drop. Period. Needs sheā€™d denied for too long would be addressed. Desire tugged at her belly, and she pressed her thighs together. She had no doubt heā€™d be well able to see to her pleasure.

Again, he shifted. ā€œHave you seen enough?ā€

His warm breath brushed across her cheek. She knew what he meant. The meal, served in courses, had been splendid. The menu plentiful and varied. Service itself had been impeccable, and the dining room beautifully appointed. The lighting was perfect, but subdued. Music played in the background, but nothing that would draw passengersā€™ attention from their conversation at their tables. ā€œYes. This has been nice.ā€ She smiled at the three older gentlemen who werenā€™t very good at pretending that they werenā€™t tracking Wileyā€™s every gesture. They each fought knowing smiles. She cleared her throat. ā€œI suppose we could excuse ourselves,ā€ she whispered, angling her face to meet his gaze directly.

His dark eyes studied her expression. His mouth tightened. ā€œThen letā€™s make our farewells.ā€ He moved away, pushed back his chair, then stood to help her from hers.

The other men at the table rose, the captainā€™s eyebrow rising as his gaze went to Wiley.

But since she wasnā€™t looking at the man whose hand rested possessively at the small of her back, she didnā€™t know what his expression might have conveyed. Instead of worrying, she took the time to shake the Marinesā€™ hands and wish them a good night.

Once theyā€™d departed the dining room and made their way down the long corridor toward the elevators, she drew deeper breaths, trying to calm her heart rate. She was really doing this. Sleep with a man sheā€™d just met.

When the doors slid shut with a whisper, he took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. ā€œYou tired?ā€

Her chance for an outā€”if she wanted to take it. She swallowed. ā€œNot particularly.ā€

ā€œGood.ā€

Silence stretched between them. When the doors opened, they both stepped out, and maybe they walked a little more quickly, but she didnā€™t mind. She already had her card key in her hand when they reached the her cabinā€™s door.

He waited as she opened it then followed closely behind her. When he closed the door, he touched her upper arm. ā€œWait here until I have a look around.ā€

ā€œRight,ā€ she said, hating the reminder of why he was really here.

Minutes later, after heā€™d checked both bedrooms, baths and the balcony, he returned to her and turned the deadbolt. ā€œAllā€™s clear,ā€ he said softly.

At his downward glance, she wet her lips, anticipating that now theyā€™d kiss.

But he gently cupped her shoulders. ā€œBefore we kiss…ā€

So he had been thinking about it, too. She raised her gaze to his.

ā€œI just wanted you to know a couple of things.ā€

She nodded, but otherwise she kept silent. He would tell her he wasnā€™t the type to stick around. That she shouldnā€™t read too much into the fact theyā€™d be making love. This encounter wouldnā€™t be love…

ā€œI never cross lines. Usually, I donā€™t fuck the people I protect.ā€

Her mouth dropped a little at the f-word, but only because heā€™d been so bluntā€”and she hoped he wasnā€™t changing his mind about making her the exception. ā€œI get that.ā€

ā€œNo, you donā€™t.ā€ His brows creased. ā€œYouā€™re pretty. And female. Which doesnā€™t happen often in my job, but thatā€™s not even why Iā€™m here.ā€

Her mouth was drying. Maybe she ought to shut it before she blurted something humiliating. Like, we can talk…after.

ā€œI just wanted you to know, that if you werenā€™t the job, Iā€™d have been all over you by now.ā€

The way his voice deepened to a rasping growl told her everything she needed to know. First, that her neglected sexy bits didnā€™t need direct stimulation to grow aroused. Second, he was just as ready as she was. But while he was wrestling with his conscience, she wasnā€™t nearly as conflicted. Frank had abandoned her. Sheā€™d grieved long enough. She wouldnā€™t deny herself the pleasure of the well-muscled man in front of her.

Holding her gaze, he bent toward her.

Watching as he descended, she tilted back her head. But at the last moment, she reached up and pressed a finger against his mouth. ā€œBefore we kiss…ā€

He arched an eyebrow.

ā€œYou should know…ā€ She bit her lip. ā€œI havenā€™t been with a man other than Frank.ā€

He gave a sharp nod, but since she hadnā€™t removed her finger, he still held back.

ā€œI have high expectations,ā€ she whispered, then slowly dragged away her finger.

2 comments to “Two Questions and a Sneak Peek…”

  1. Vickey McGee
    Comment
    1
    · September 6th, 2016 at 1:50 pm · Link

    I hate that it will be getting darker earlier I’m slowly going blind so I really don’t want the darkness to come upon me any sooner.
    I love the rain. It helps to clean the air and it also helps to give birth to so many beautiful trees and plants.



  2. Delilah
    Comment
    2
    · September 7th, 2016 at 6:34 am · Link

    Lovely answers, Vickey.



Comments are closed.