Sunday Snippet: Steamed Up

Man… the heat has been horrible this week. I hope everyone has a cool spot and is dealing with the high temperatures safely. Ugh… it's miserable. Watching the Irish Open, I truly wanted to be there. I mean they were wearing sweaters and jackets. I could go for that right now. And, yeah, everyone needs to remind me when I'm griping about how cold it is in May next year to shut up and deal. LOL

Slow week for television viewing. I had a full slate of work and needed to focus so I didn't get as many shows watched.

I did catch another episode of Daredevil. I missed watching one last week. Not a bad episode but too much Fisk for my liking.

Krypton had a great episode. I'm in deep and want to know what happens next. I'm honestly not sure if I care whether Lyta is redeemed or not but I do want to see her reaction to the reprogramming.

Watched another episode of Painkiller Jane and the pieces started to fall into place. Only about three or four more episodes left of this show.

Last but not least, I caught another episode of Durham County. Man, Michelle Forbes can really play the barely hanging on by a thread character better than a lot of actors. She's scary good at those roles.

That's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Steamed Up, a novella that started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Raina Forbes and Huck Holloway are forced to work together after a spectacular break-up. Their close-quarters job situation has sparks flying between the former couple, and shaky new relationships are tested with Huck's going down in flames. And contrary to popular opinion, Huck doesn't always play nice when he truly wants something… or someone.

And a snippety peek…

Huck pulled into the parking lot of the nondescript warehouse and cut the engine. "So… this is it." Four stories with plenty of room.

Which he might need working with Raina.

He gave the building a quick once-over. Not much to look at, a gold-plated sign with Underground Entertainment beside the door the only indication the place had occupants. But it had clean lines and plenty of care. No streaking from soot and other pollution down the sides of the brick exterior. The parking lot had a security gate and lots of space, and the roof had satellite feeds for live shows. All in all, a ton of money-making potential.

Pulling the keys from the ignition, he pocketed them. "Why don't I feel great about this?" Right… Raina.

When Maisie and Earl Merchant decided to sell out and retire, they stipulated Hector had to keep Huck on board. After all, he'd grown the company to its current status and if Hector played his cards right, Huck would make him piles of cash on merchandise too.

Huck almost walked anyhow… but Hector dangled a big bump in salary plus creative control on design. Huck's kryptonite. No, Raina used to be your kryptonite… the creative desire kicked in after you split up.

Huck snorted. "Doesn't matter. For creative freedom, I all but gyrated across a stripper stage to accept the offer." Not like he didn't have practice.

Once upon a time, a long while ago—underage and in high school—way back when.

A quick rapping on his window and the door popping open startled Huck. Tina's face peeked inside his car. Her floral scent, while not unpleasant, tickled his nose and almost made him sneeze.

She stepped back and draped her arm over the window in a sex-kitten pose. "Huck, I've been waiting and watching for you." Her tone took on a breathless quality. "I'm so glad you're here."

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn't appreciate Tina's welcoming gesture, especially since it reeked of being an ambush. Dammit, he didn't want a scene with her.

He'd defined their hookup in clear and certain terms. He had a need—for one night only—and she happened to be available. Dirty, sweaty sex and nothing more. No strings, no romance, and no repeat performance.

Too bad Tina didn't want to accept the terms. He'd spent the time between then and now dodging her calls and texts. Giving her his number might prove to be his biggest mistake.

He slid out of the vehicle, being careful to avoid brushing against Tina. "I'm sure I can manage to find my way inside. You didn't need to come out to greet me." He'd wanted to have some time to observe the inner workings of the facility before he met with Hector.

Tina preened and moved so he could close the door. "Well, I just wanted a moment to let you know I talked you up in the morning meeting and I also set Raina straight." She tried to hook her arm through his, but her fingers only brushed his sleeve…

Because he stopped short. "What did you set Raina straight about?" Reaction burned through his veins but he kept his tone calm.

Tina blinked in confusion. "Us, of course." Her mouth pouted prettily.

Huck pinned her with his gaze and held it for several long moments. "There is no us. Never was, never will be." He wrapped his fingers around the door handle. "I'm sure I made that clear. If there's going to be a problem, tell me now and I'll talk to Hector about finding someone else to handle the merchandising for Underground." When he pulled the door open, he quirked an eyebrow.

Tina's eyes went wide. "You wouldn't. Hector's been raving about having you on board since the deal went through." She kept her voice low so no one would overhear.

Huck lifted a shoulder. "Then let's make sure we're on the same page. I'm not here for workplace hookups. With you or anyone else." Including Raina.

As if that would happen.

Huck pushed for clarification. "Are you certain you understand now?"

Tina gave a terse nod and entered the building ahead of him. She didn't glance back or speak to anyone on her way to the ladies' room. Huck hated to be the bad guy; loathed playing the role of asshole. But, damn, he didn't need another complication.

Hector bustled out of his office and clapped Huck on the back. "Welcome, welcome. I'm thrilled to have you on my team." He flung an arm in the direction of the room he'd only just vacated. "Take a few moments and look around, then come on in when you're ready."

Huck lifted his chin in acknowledgment. "Sure, I won't take long." He made a cursory stroll around the training room, which Hector situated front and center.

The man certainly had a Midas touch when it came to staging brawls. The spectacle and showmanship never failed to top audience expectations. But the man's misogynistic tendencies often rubbed people wrong—especially Huck.

Why am I working for this dickhead again?

Right. Creative freedom to design and sell merchandise. If all worked out, Huck would go out on his own in five years or less. Then he wouldn't have to work with a guy who thought anything with tits should be used to make money.

A fact Huck got acquainted with during his time with Raina. She'd walked from their relationship, choosing to let herself be used that way by Hector to make big bucks. She had the smarts to do anything she wanted. Why let Hector put her physical assets on display?

Huck stopped outside the locker room. Shit. Raina.

He closed his eyes. "I'm gonna have to work with her." And he would… if only to prove a point.

Huck knew promo. He lived and breathed selling merchandise tie-ins to spectacles created by entertainment kingpins like Hector. And Huck kept everything legal; licensing and appearance contracts, quality control, and number crunching with pristine accounting practices. His background with both sides of the law gave him a unique perspective. Cutting corners and cooking the debit and credit columns never paid off.

He'd know within three months if Hector fudged his receipts in any way—from live pay-per-view to ticket sales to what he paid his fighters and trainers. And his marketing and promo people.

Huck made his way back to the office and entered, taking a quick glance around the space. He found Hector seated behind the desk and Raina pouring some coffee into two mugs.

Hector rose and came around front, accepting a mug from Raina. "I'll keep this brief. I want you two to head up bookings and promo. I don't care how you get the job done as long as you do." He paused, taking a sip of the steaming beverage. "Either of you have a problem with this setup?" His eyebrow quirked.

Huck shot a quick look toward Raina. "No, no problem here." He wouldn't admit it if he had one.

Raina's lips curved in a wry twist. "We'll be fine, Hector." She wrapped her hands around the mug and brought it to her lips.

Huck had a momentary flashback to when she'd drink coffee in bed after a night of steaming up the sheets. Not here. Not now. Focus on the work.

Hector lifted a hand. "Good, good. I'll take my leave. Have a couple of new fighters to get signed in and ready to rumble." He ambled out of the office and snagged Tina on her way back from the ladies' room.

Huck went over to the coffee bar and poured a mug. "Give me a moment to get some caffeine then we can get down to business." He glanced back and Raina gave him a nod.

So far, so good.

He wouldn't have to address the whole Tina situation just yet.

I'm so pleased with how this story is going. I love the trope of being a couple too soon and then making their way back together thing. After jumping a few hurdles, of course.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin