Tuesday Tales – Boredom

Hey there! Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This week’s word prompt is “boredom”. We’re back with Reese and Lily in The Heartbreaker. 

Reese went back to Las Vegas to fight after his agent threatened to not only ruin him but those he loves. Lily is still in Braden but pregnant and about to marry a man she doesn’t love. Is there any hope for them? Let’s find out!

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Lily spun towards Reese, her lower lip dropping open in surprise by his sudden appearance.  He slowly approached her, taking her in his arms.  He smiled gently.  “I know about the baby.”

Lily frowned, her heart still twisted like a pretzel. “You said nothing. You just left.”

“I’m so sorry, baby. I tried calling you every day. I left countless messages. After a couple weeks I knew you were done with me. It killed me. I love you with everything I am. I didn’t want to leave but the threats Roxy gave scared me. I don’t care if she destroys me. I can’t let her hurt you and Buddy. It was twelve weeks of training, misery, heartbreak and boredom. I just wanted you at my side.”

“Reese, I’m sorry.  I should have told you about the baby. I didn’t think you wanted to be a father so…”

“Stop.  Just stop.  Do you remember that night when we made burgers at midnight?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember asking me what was wrong?  Do you remember my answer?”

“You wanted something you couldn’t have.”

“Yeah.  I wrapped my arms around you to open the olives.  For a moment I let my mind wander.  We were still in the kitchen cooking but it wasn’t Buddy’s house.  It was our house.  We were cooking late not because we had sex.  It was because we had just gotten our baby to sleep.  What couldn’t I have?  You, baby.  All I ever wanted was you.  And all I wanted was to have a baby with you.  To start our family together.”  He paused.  “Then you didn’t you wait for me.”

“You know how fast rumors travel in Braden.  When the news of my pregnancy spread, I became a pariah.  People avoided me.  Not everyone.  The mayor wouldn’t let me quit my position at the library.  Connor convinced me that he was the only man who would ever want me.  I didn’t think you were coming back.  Your life here had to be far better.  Fighting is what you love.”

“No, baby.  You’re what I love.”

Lily smiled as she gazed into his blue eyes.  “I love you too.”

“I got a bunch of stuff planned for us but I have to get to my weigh in.  Roxy and my coach are probably flipping shit right now.”  He rubbed her arms before taking her hand gently in his.  Blinding pain seared through her arm.  She fought back her whimper but failed.

“Lily, what’s wrong?”

“Connor got a little excited when he got off the plane.  He squeezed my hand a little hard.”

Reese’s face darkened as he let go.  “Make a fist.”

She flexed her fingers to her palm, cringing as she did so.  Most of her digits complied.  A couple didn’t curl up completely.  She looked up as she heard Reese curse under his breath.  “Is it bad?”

“I knew I should have cold cocked that son of a bitch when I had a chance.  We need to get your hand looked at.  I think it’s broken.”

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Tuesday Tales – Twenty

Hey there! It’s time for another Tuesday Tales! This week’s word prompt is “twenty”. We’re back with Reese and Lily in The Heartbreaker.

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Reese rubbed the rag on the bar, scrubbing a little harder at the sticky ring left from the beer mug he had just taken back to the kitchen. He sighed as he stopped and looked around him. The dark green walls, the tables scattered across the grey cement floor, the thick scent of stale beer was only one thing to him now. Home.

It was the first time he was left in charge of the bar. Jenny was off for a few moments to get the pretzel rolls from the Triple B Bakery. Buddy was off meeting his lawyer friend in Waterloo about the future of the bar. A content smile crossed Reese’s lips. In a matter of weeks he would be the proud co-owner of Buddy’s Bar. He couldn’t wait to put pen to paper and make it official.

The glare of the summer sun preceded the sound of the door chime. Reese squinted to see the figure that stepped in. At first all he could make out was the long legs balanced in a pair of stiletto heels. The body they belonged to was clothed in a power suit with a skirt that ran a little too high to be professional. As the woman stepped out of the light Reese felt a growl rumble in his throat.

“Roxy,” he spat.

“What a surprise,” Roxy cooed as she tossed her blonde locks off her shoulder. “I just stopped in here to ask where I could find you and low and behold, here you are.”

“What do you want?” Reese demanded.

“I have exciting news. I have a fight for you.”

“Not interested.”

“How could you not be interested? You are the best fighter I’ve ever laid eyes on. You have been since I found you at the tender age of twenty.”

“Twenty-two. You found me at twenty-two. Do you have any idea how old I am now?”

“Baby, you’re a devastatingly sexy twenty-seven. Old enough to rock a woman’s world in the sack.”

“So you have no concept of time,” Reese snarled. “Again, I’m not interested. Braden is where I belong.”

“What could possibly be here that you don’t have in Las Vegas?”

“The woman I love.”

The news actually stunned Roxy off her feet. Her heels wobbled as she stumbled, clearly shocked by his words. She took a second to straighten herself then met him with a cold, hard glare. “Love? You’re in love?”

“Yes. I have been with her for long before I left Braden. Now I finally have her and I’m not letting her go. I’m going to buy into this bar that my best friend owns. I’m making my life here.”

“Well, baby, I have news for you. Did you forget something when you received your last purse and your last two sponsor checks? What was that? Oh, yes. My cut. Either you come back with me and take this fight or I will sue you for everything you have. I will own this bar, your friend’s bar. And I will plow it to the ground.”

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Tuesday Tales – Catch

Hi Everyone!  I’m back!  This week’s word prompt is “catch”.  This week’s excerpt is from “Between The Shelves”, Book Two of the Hearts of Braden Series coming to Secret Cravings Publishing in October 2015!

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The library was unusually busy for a Monday evening. Lily weaved between the tables, glancing down at the students busy scanning through book after book for answers. She glanced over at a group debating the benefits of Mountain Dew over milk in the school cafeteria. She pressed her fingers over her lips, sushing them sternly. She watched as each head dropped in embarrassment. Fighting back a giggle, Lily slipped behind the circulation desk. It was typical of finals week. It happened every year.

Lily gathered the piles of books heaping on the counter one at a time and set them on the cart to be tucked away where they belonged on the shelves. She softly hummed a tune to herself so the kids couldn’t hear. After a full day of obsessing over Reese Cooper she finally got her head on straight. Granted it took sharing a bottle of wine with Molly and all the dirty magazines in her desk drawer, but she was pretty sure he was gone. After setting the final pile on the bottom rack of the cart, she stood upright and straightened her skirt until it was once again past her knees.

“Catch!”

Lily’s heart slammed in her chest as her eyes darted up. Something soft thudded against her chest and landed on the floor. She looked down to find the paperback on the floor, the name Stephen King staring back up at her. She lifted her gaze back up to find Reese on the other side of the counter grinning at her.

“I told you to catch,” he defended.

Lily knelt down to pick up the book as she started to tremble. So much for getting him out of my system. She heard a soft, deep groan. She looked up to see Reese leaning on the counter, his eyes glued to her chest. Her eyes followed his, right to the gaping collar of her blouse and the gentle curve of the lace of her bra hugging her breasts. She felt her cheeks blaze hot as she stood.

“I thought you said you’d take care of the books you borrowed,” she chided weakly.

“I did up to the point I said ‘catch’. I can’t help it you didn’t catch it,” he answered, his voice still thick and his eyes narrowed and hungry. It made Lily shudder.

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Tuesday Tales – Dance

Happy Tuesday! It’s time for Tuesday Tales! This week’s word prompt is “dance”. We are backing up in my Steampunk romance to where I left after the “stuffed” prompt. Let’s catch up with Gideon and Emma!

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Gideon gently closed the door to the townhouse softly. He laughed as he spun on his heel and descended the stairs. Snowflakes danced around his boots as he strolled along the brick covered street. He had risen early to make breakfast for his exhausted lover only to find the pantry bare. He slipped out to head to the shops for provisions.
His eyes caught two men mulling about the corner. He frowned as their cold, piercing eyes watched him walk by. He shook the paranoia from his mind. No one knew where Emma was. These gents were just passing the time.
The first stop was the butcher. The shopkeeper gasped at the sight of Gideon then greeted him with an endless barrage of words. Gideon chuckled to himself. Had he been out of sight that long. In mid sentence, the stout man paused. “What can I get for you, Miss?”
“I’m with him, sir.”
Gideon flew around, finding Emma behind him dressed in Sophia’s crimson cloak and pale yellow gown. He strode across the shop to her, bending low to keep the butcher from hearing them. “What are you doing here? Do you not remember me telling you that Katarina wants you dead?” he growled.
“You promised not to leave me there,” she pouted.
“You aren’t safe out here.”
Emma wrapped her arms around his. “I’m safe with you, Gideon. Besides, I snuck out the back door the moment you left and traveled through the alleyways. No one saw me.”
Gideon sighed. “All right. But keep the hood up. Understand?”
“Of course.”
Gideon tugged her close then ordered sausage and bacon. They stepped from the shop in the direction of the dairy. He glanced warily around the street. The two men were quickly approaching, each looking furious. Instinctively he pressed Emma against the storefront, blocking her from their sight.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “Trust me, my love.”

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Tuesday Tales – Picture Prompt

Hey everyone!  Welcome to Tuesday Tales!  This week is a picture prompt.  This week we’re stepping away from Emma and Gideon.  Instead we are stopping by to visit Max Thomas in the Hard Drive Series prequel, Hard Drive.  Let’s take a look at Max again before Breaking the Cycle!

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Max ran along the back country road, the thumping rhythm of Eminem in his earbuds keeping time to the pace of his stride. He hated running but he had to cut weight and keep his endurance at its peak. And being out here in the middle of nowhere Minnesota gave him time to think.

He turned at the edge of the lake and journeyed down the asphalt highway past the old farmhouse the MMA team used to have bonfires when he started. The grass was growing tall around the weathered structure. The lake lent the perfect background to the scene. Someday, he would live somewhere like this with his wife and children when he was done with his MMA career.

Max sighed. His career. He already had three agents call him wanting to represent him after his first profession fight. They made offers to him that blew his mind. They also brought nothing but confusion. Was he ready for the big time? He only had four fights. Only one of them was pro. He had plans for his future, plans that included owning his own gym and making a difference in someone’s health. Was he ready to give that all up to be a fighter full time?

Tori was no help. All she talked about was what offer he would take. When he asked her to stop, to change the topic to something else, she continued on like she never heard him. He loved her and he knew she only wanted the best for him. But sometimes he just needed a break to let his mind rest. And he needed her in his arms without the constant chatter of his future in MMA. Maybe he would just have to silence her lips with a lot of hot kissing tonight.

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Tuesday Tales – Flower

Hi everyone! Welcome to Tuesday Tales. We are still with Gideon and Emma in my untitled Steampunk romance. Last week we caught them in an intimate moment. How will they stop Katarina from using the humidor to kill General Hellwig? Let’s find out!

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The winter wind whipped around Gideon’s legs as he trudged down the vacant street. He tugged his coat closer to his face to block out the chill.

Glancing around at his surroundings, he noticed the barren trees, the frost covered ground, the empty flowerpots perched on the steps of the houses.

This particular lane in London had to be majestic in color during the summer. Not that Gideon knew. He kept himself locked away from the world. A small cloud huffed from his lips. This summer he would have to get outside and enjoy the beauty.

He shook the chill from himself as he stepped into the tavern. There was hardly a soul in it. Most folks didn’t frequent this establishment so early in the morning. It made finding the man he was looking for easier. With a grin, Gideon weaved among the tables and dropped onto an empty wooden stool at the bar.

“A little early in the day for an ale, don’t you think?” Edgar grumbled.

“I would think you would be happy I left my house on my own accord,” Gideon chuckled.

“I do admit that surprises me. Look at you. You’re a new man. It’s almost as if you’ve been keeping a woman in your bed.”

Gideon shot Edgar a devious grin. Edgar slapped the wooden plank that served as the counter of the bar. “I can’t believe this! Is it that little beauty Emma?”

“A gentleman never shares who he has spent his night with. However, I can tell you she’ll be furious if she knows I’m here so we need to make this quick. I need a favor of you.”

“Barely stick you head out and you’re already under the thumb of a woman,” Edgar laughed.

“This is no laughing matter,” Gideon snapped, suddenly serious. “There is more than one life at stake. That includes Emma’s. And mine.”

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Tuesday Tales – Ghostly

Hey everyone!  Welcome to Tuesday Tales!  This week’s word prompt is “ghostly”. We are back with Emma and Gideon in my untitled Steampunk romance.  The last time we saw them…well… Let’s find out what happens this week!

**This is my disclaimer…and sort of a spoiler. The following scene is “R” rated. If you are sensitive to sex scenes, then this is where we part ways. Thanks for stopping by! Please stop back soon!
If you are all right with it…read on!**

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The moonlight through the window casted ghostly shadows across the room. The soft whirl and clatter of the metallic creatures roaming the house was almost soothing. Gideon closed his eyes for a moment, immersed in the sensation of Emma’s soft, naked body cradled close to him. Despite her betrayal he couldn’t help but be in love with the woman in his arms.

He gazed down at Emma to find her twinkling blue eyes staring back at him sleepily. Her lips curled into a sweet smile. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “You’re beautiful,” he breathed.

In the pale moonlight he could see her cheeks flush pink. Suddenly her smile disappeared. “Gideon, what are we going to do? Katarina has the humidor. She can accuse you of General Hellwig’s murder.”

“Don’t fret,” he assured. “I will think of something.”

“We have to stop her.”

“I will stop her.”

Emma pushed herself up on her arms until her eyes met his. As she did, her nipples grazed across his chest and her hips ground against his. Gideon fought back a hiss. Her act of bravado did nothing but arouse him. “We will stop her. Together.”

His voice came out as a growl. “We will discuss it in the morning.”

“But Gideon…”

“Katarina isn’t murdering the General tonight. I have a friend who can find out when she plans to. No more talk about it tonight.” He grasped her hips in his hands and tugged her on top of him. A gasp escaped her throat as she felt him pressed hard against her. He moaned as she wrapped her fingers around him.

“No more talk,” she murmured.

He lifted her up then lowered her onto him until he was deep inside her. He groaned as she rode him, her head thrown back, her hair flowing down her bare back as she lost herself in the ecstasy.

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Tuesday Tales – Picture Prompt

Hey everyone!  Welcome to Tuesday Tales!  This week is a picture prompt.  This week we’re stepping away from Emma and Gideon.  Instead we are stopping by to visit Max Thomas in the Hard Drive Series prequel, Hard Drive.  Let’s take a look at Max before Breaking the Cycle!

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The bar was crowded and loud. Tables of people fought to talk over the hard rock band that played on the makeshift stage constructed on the dance floor. Max glanced over the crowd looking for Tyler. The two of them became friends in the first few days Max started at Roadie’s Gym. That was a year ago. Since then every Friday and Saturday they were out on the town. Tyler drank himself into a stupor then Max drove him home. It wasn’t the most ideal of friendships but it worked.

Max turned back to the bar and took a sip of his water. He watched as the bartender picked up the television remote to switch the channel then returned to the strange colored martinis he was concocting. Max scowled at the screen. Two men faced off in an octagon, each waiting eagerly for the ref to call out “fight!”. It was the first time Max had anything to do with MMA since he left Mankato and moved to Minneapolis. He didn’t even watch it anymore. The memories of all that had happened were just too painful.

Max couldn’t pull away from the TV screen. His mind tumbled with thoughts as he watched to two men attack each other. A couple of months ago, Max ran into an old teammate at the mall. Quinn and Torie lasted about four months, their relationship dying when Quinn was arrested for DUI. His legal troubles kept him from training just long enough to stop being useful to Torie. Before Quinn knew it she had moved on to a guy from an opposing team. Max chuckled to himself. Couldn’t happen to a better guy.

He studied the fight as he took another drink. The smaller of the two, a dark haired fighter, was quick as lightning. He seemed to anticipate his opponent’s move before he made it. Max had been that good before his knee gave, before everything blew up.

He heaved a sigh as the black haired fighter locked a triangle on his opponent. Moments later the other fighter tapped in submission. The dark haired guy’s hand was raised in victory. Max muttered the fighter’s name as he read it. “Rico Choate.”

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Tuesday Tales – Pretty

Hey everyone!  Welcome to Tuesday Tales!  This week’s word prompt is “pretty”.  We are back with Emma and Gideon in my untitled Steampunk romance.  The last time we saw them they were sharing a heated kiss.  What will happen next?  Let’s find out!

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Gideon’s lips grazed Emma’s as he gripped her tight to him. The feel of his large, strong hands caressing her hips made her shudder. His voice had a guttural tone as he spoke. “Emma, have you ever been with a man?”

“No, Gideon. I haven’t.”

She could tell it took a force of nature for him to let her go. He dropped his hands to his sides and took a step away, his blue eyes now trained to the wooden floorboards beneath his feet. The small space between them made Emma feel vacant. She needed his touch, his heat.

“Do you have someplace to go?” Gideon muttered.

“No. I lived with Katarina,” she answered weakly.

Gideon spun on his toe towards his workbench. He sidestepped a small, scrambling copper turtle scuttling across the floor. “I will find some money for a room for you.”

“Why can I not stay here?” Emma demanded.

Gideon turned back. She could see the war waging in his features, the deep, strong need battling with the proper decency he was known for. “Because you should give yourself to the man you wed. Having you here with me is a temptation I no longer can resist.”

Emma smiled as she swept across the room. She touched his cheek, feathering her fingers against the stubble. “I want you, Gideon. I want to be in your bed. I want you to love me, not some other man.”

“But…” Gideon objected.

She patted his cheek gently. “Do not fret your pretty head over it.”

Emma gasped as Gideon pulled her against him as his mouth claimed hers in another blazing kiss. He broke it long enough to gather her nightdress in his hands and tug it over her head, leaving her naked before him. The smile on his face as he stared at her made her heart race. It promised a night she would never forget.

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Tuesday Tales – Picture Prompt

Happy Tuesday!  It’s time for Tuesday Tales!  This week is a picture prompt.  I am breaking away from Gideon and Emma.  My excerpt this week is from my latest WIP Breaking the Violence, Book #3 of the Hard Drive Series.  This is Mark’s book, the wise cracking ER doctor.  He and his best friend, Dan, come upon a burning car on the way home from Rico and Avery’s wedding and find two people inside.  Mark falls in love with the woman, Becca Mills, the best selling SciFi author.  But Becca’s abusive ex-husband becomes a problem…

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Mark opened the rear door of his quad cab and reached inside for his old football equipment bag. A warm, proud smile spread across his face as he watched Logan hop out of the passenger door and take his Mama’s hand. His heart raced unexpectedly. I hope he likes what I have in this bag.

Becca turned towards him. “Where are we going, Mark?”

Mark pointed through the open doors of the truck to the sparkling blue lake. “Through the field past the machine shed. There’s a clearing right behind it with some flat rocks. I’ll grab the picnic basket.”

Becca nodded then led Logan to the path through the long grass. Mark watched them for a moment. He couldn’t believe this beautiful, incredible, talented woman was in his life. And he absolutely adored the little boy holding her hand. He didn’t want to give either of them up. Ever.

Mark frowned as he thought. Am I ready to be a father? The answer came to him instantly as Logan turned back to him. “Come on!” his little voice rang through the meadow. Mark chucked. Oh yeah. I am as long as Logan is my son. He grabbed the picnic basket, shut the truck doors and followed. He laughed as Logan chattered to Becca about the machine shed, contemplating the zombies that had to be hiding inside. Becca looked at Mark apologetically. “Sorry. His imagination runs away all the time.”

“Like his Mom’s?” Mark teased.

Becca’s cheeks flamed pink. The image turned Mark inside out. So beautiful. He was distracted by the hand tugging on his shirt.

“Mark, what’s the surprise?” Logan prodded.

Mark smiled at him as he set the bag and basket down then unzipped the bag. Carefully he pulled free a remote control boat. Logan gasped in awe.

“That is so cool!” Logan squealed.

“You can watch while Mark drives it,” Becca instructed.

Mark winked at her. “Nah. Logan’s getting behind the wheel of this vessel.”

“Mark, that’s expensive,” she objected.

“Becca, it’s just a toy. I can buy another. But to watch Logan play with it will be priceless.”

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