Sunday Snippet: Winning Hand

Super-heavy workload this week. I'm actually thrilled to be scheduling on my planner again, color-codes and everything. It's been a while since I've had to use a hard copy for keeping track of my projects. I like being busy.

Had a bit of limited viewing time this week. More so from having a bout of insomnia and taking naps at weird times during the day.

I watched an episode of Star Trek: Discovery and I love how things are coming together. There's been so much packed into this season and I'm amazed by the storytelling. This is such a good show.

Watched two episodes of Chicago Med. Gotta say Will gets himself into some tricky situations. I'm kind of annoyed with the FBI agent being such a drama queen over everything. Also feel terrible for Rhodes. Between having his dad on the board and the new ED doctor, he's got a lot on his plate.

Caught another episode of Snoopy in Space: The Search for Life. This is such a great show for young science nerds who love anything to do with space.

Enjoyed another episode of Cuffs. I'm kind of intrigued by the various relationships and I quite like how they intercut the scenes. I'm liking this one.

Watched two episodes of Classic Who. We're getting close to the end of the season and I have sneaky suspicion the Master is going to rear his ugly mug at some point. Should be interesting to see if I'm right.

Finished up season sixteen of Silent Witness and, yep, we lost Leo. So sad to see his end. Kind of wish Harry had come back for that but I loved Nikki's eulogy. Started seventeen and, eh, not sure I like the new guy. Jury is out on that one.

Caught two episodes of Aliens in Alaska. I love getting into what people see and how the experience shapes them afterward. This is a good show.

Started Muppets Now and I kind of like it after watching two episodes. They've brought back some older characters and it's a very updated and modernized variety style. Fun stuff.

Watched two more episodes of Harrow and, dammit, they killed off one of my favorites. I'd actually like to see one of the other characters go but won't hold my breath on that one. I really enjoy the dynamic between Harrow and Fairley's niece. The blending of the case of the week and overarching mystery works well with this show.

Got an episode of Peak Practice in and it was a sad one but with other happy moments woven in. Loved the ending with the new doctor grieving with Joanna.

Caught two more MasterClass lessons with Es Devlin. I love how she covers scope when she talks about design. She's done some very interesting work and I'm learning a lot from watching her classes.

Watched two episodes of Young Wallander. It's a little uncanny how closely the plot line mirrors stuff going on right now and this show is set in Sweden. I love the lead in this one. He's understated and quiet but actually kind of funny and deep also.

Enjoyed two episodes of Classic Rugrats. I should be close to the end of season two and getting ready to start on three. I love revisiting this show. I'm pretty sure they leave out a few of the best episodes when they run encores of this.

Caught a bonus short for Queens of Mystery. The recap of season one had some pings that I'll look forward to playing out in season three, especially the ones that weren't solved in season two.

Last but not least, I watched another episode of Blue Heelers. An interesting dive into coming home after being gone for a long time and how some people don't wear or show their feelings for everyone to see.

That's pretty much it for this week's life update. Tonight's post is from Winning Hand, a sexy short that puts my characters on the path to love with a hot wager.

Here's the mini-blurb:

A night of poker takes a sexy turn when Hahn Canedy ups the ante and wagers a night of hot sex as his tithe. Tawni Capps can't resist calling the bet—either way she'll have the winning hand.

And a snippety peek…

Ground rules. Shit, he had no idea what they should be.

Hahn shrugged. "Look, I'm okay if a single night is all you're willing to have, but…" Fuck it, I might as put it all on the table. "I'm also open to more if you're interested." He had been for years.

Tawni gave him a shy smile. "I'm interested." She took a deep breath. "I'm tired of random hookups—I know, shocking, right?" Sitting on the edge of the bed, she met his gaze. "Think I'm ready to try an actual relationship." Her voice went husky and soft.

His eyes widened. "On the turn of a card?" They had different ideas of how to progress forward.

She frowned. "Well, no. Not really. If Dav had made that bet, I would have folded—definitely not interested in sex with him." She grimaced. "Love the guy, but no." She got up and paced a little. "But this, the one night thing, gives you an out. Me too. We might have one incredible night and decide that's all." She shrugged. "If that's the case, we stay really good friends and go our separate ways on Monday. And no one has to pick sides." She snorted. "Because that rarely works out well." She stopped and met his gaze again. "The staying friends thing is a deal breaker. Number one ground rule."

He nodded. "You're thinking about when Robin and Brad landed in Splitsville and we never see him anymore." Not a big loss if anyone asked Hahn.

Brad never really fit the group anyway.

Tawni huffed out a breath. "Yeah, not that I miss him. I mean, instead of manning up and telling Robin he wanted to bail, he let her catch him banging the server from Meathead's bar." She made a disgusted face. "What a dick."

Hahn remembered that trip vividly. The whole situation got really ugly, really fast. Robin almost got arrested for punching Brad, the server got fired, and Dav, Brett, and Hahn loaded up Brad's SUV and escorted him off the property.

Tawni ducked her head for a moment. "It's one of the reasons I've been reluctant to ever attempt anything, especially with you." She lifted her chin and met his gaze. "And, honestly, I'm not afraid to admit I love everyone in our group, but you mean the most to me because we grew up together. And, well, if this goes south, it might cause problems, because we all know just a little too much about each other sometimes."

Hahn didn't disagree or argue her point. They'd been a group for a long time and, yes, they'd go to the mat for each other, but they also knew who had skeletons hiding in closets and monsters under the bed. He could only make an assurance he intended to keep.

He reached out and pulled Tawni close. "I've waited a long time for this, and I can promise you, I don't ever see me shagging anyone but you for the foreseeable future." A bold statement, but one he needed to get out there.

I love writing friends that become more and this is a fun way to get them past a hurdle neither felt comfortable leaping over.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin