Sunday Snippet: A Simple Thing

Hi!

Okay, I can't discuss Strike Back just yet, but I will say I love shows where NOBODY is safe. Speaking of no one being safe, Sons of Anarchy returns Tuesday and I'm ready to start marking the death toll. LOL

Now for something a little less morbid. J Tonight's post is from A Simple Thing, where a single kiss shouldn't be a big deal. But it is.

Here's the tagline:

River Cyd loses a bet and has to have a lip lock with Gus Berkeley. No big deal—they've shared them before. But the simple kiss goes from zero to smokin' in less than a second flat and River isn't quite sure when complicated became the norm between her and Gus.

And a snippety peek…

River stood frozen and uncertain. It should have been a simple thing. She lost a bet and had to kiss Gus. Not like she'd never done that before—with and without an audience.

So why did the thought freak her out? She completely discounted the fact she'd seen him in the shower last week and dreamed of him every night since. It had to be because Gus stood apart from everyone, over by the table beside the exit. He heard the bet. He couldn't have not heard it. Yet he didn't try to leave. Nope. He remained standing, fiddling with the coffee carafe, going nowhere.

She couldn't back down. Losing the bet—who knew Kat could actually pull off the tying a cherry stem into a knot with her tongue thing? River had to make good on her promise and have a lip-lock with Gus.

She exhaled slowly and nodded towards her audience. She walked over, figuring she'd give Gus a quick peck on the lips.

Grasping his arm, she gave it a squeeze. "Sorry, I hope you don't mind being a good sport." She tilted her chin and her plan for quick and easy went to hell.

The brief movement of her mouth over his didn't play out that way. She brushed her lips over his and wanted more. Meshing her mouth with his, her tongue slid past his lips, not what she'd planned, but oh… damn… it felt so good.

And he responded, exploring slowly, in no hurry for the embrace to end. It needed to stop, but her hands traveled upward, cupping his face, hauling him closer. The kiss deepened and she leaned into him, molding her body to his. She got completely lost in the moment… moments… minutes.

She didn't know how long they stood there, but one kiss slid into another, and another. Everything faded—the room full of people, the catcalls and whistles, nothing existed but her, and Gus, and a powerful need to see what else might happen.

When her hand slid down to his ass, he eased away, breaking contact.

His forehead rested against hers. "I'd be very willing to continue, but not in front of an audience." He spoke quietly so only she could hear.

River's face flamed hot, but not from embarrassment. The idea of acting out some of her recent dreams about him made her wet with anticipation. She wanted Gus and sort of didn't care, at the moment, about the fact they worked together. Hook-ups between co-workers didn't always end well, but the desire to see what happened outweighed her concern.

She leaned back to meet his gaze. "Wanna get out of here?" Her head jerked toward the still rowdy group. "They're not gonna miss us."

A slow, wide smile spread over Gus's face. "Upstairs? My place?" He turned and wrapped an arm around her waist. "It's close, convenient, and actually clean, for once." He directed her through the open doorway and around the side of the bar to the back steps.

River leaned into his warmth and nodded. "Yeah, upstairs is good." She glanced upward and the raw desire in his eyes made her hot with need. "Stop looking at me like that or we won't make it up the stairs."

Gus chuckled. "It's not my fault—you started it with that kiss."

River grinned and started up the first step. "Who knew, right?" She paused and angled her head around. "You're sure, yeah? I can leave now—no harm done."

Gus brushed past her. "Oh, I'm sure." He grabbed her hand, tugging her up behind him. "You and me? Are definitely finishing what we started."

He quickly unlocked the door and hurried her inside. Grasping her hips, he turned her, lowering his head to meet her mouth. His booted foot kicked the door shut and closed out everything but them and the rapidly building need arcing between them.

Gus broke the kiss and nodded toward the hallway. "Bedroom's that way." He grabbed her hand and led her in the direction.

River held back a shudder. She had a feeling Gus might just rock her world down to the foundation.

She couldn't wait to find out.

Heh, heh. And find out she does. Let's just leave it there, okay?

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin