Sunday Snippet: Five Minutes

It's very sauna-like outside with muggy weather and lots of humidity. Makes me want a pool in a big way. Went down a big rabbit hole researching what's available that won't break the bank and discovered some genius ideas. It won't happen this summer, but I have a new goal for next summer!

Hit a wall on my great cleanout project. But I'm determined to get back on it this week. Even if I only get a little done each day it's something. I'm thinking I might make a chart and log increments of time spent. If I see the forward progress it helps.

Ended up having a super busy work week. Several projects came back at the same time and a new one started. It's been a plate-spinning couple of months with so many different things stacking up against each other. I love the variety and I think that helps keep me from losing my mind.

I did end up having a great viewing week. I did a full round of shows and got to include the two I tend to keep on the back burner when things are jammed.

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I'm almost through the first season and this is total comfort viewing.

Watched another episode of Art Detectives and I'm really enjoying this show. Shazia is a lot of fun and the mystery with Mick's dad is intriguing. Looking forward to more.

Caught an episode of Death in Paradise. Love to see Selwyn with his daughter. The mystery ended up being excellent and the resolution had a nice twist.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I'm kind of fond of the episodes that don't have murders. This one was kind of madcap and that's always fun.

Watched the season four premiere of Elementary. Watson being ready to kick the shit out of the Holmes patriarch is awesome. I loved her interaction with one of the stooges. And the first glimpse of Holmes the Great? So incredible. Excellent choice of actor to play him. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond. It's one I remembered, and I enjoyed it. Terry and Max are a great team.

Enjoyed another episode of Lower Decks and definitely plan to stick with this one. Even when I'm annoyed by some of the character bits, it's a fun watch.

Got to get the season ten finale of Peak Practice viewed. Interesting to have Kate back, especially since Will is kind of ready to move on. The vehicle accident played out with lots of tension and the two little girls with Tom ended up being better than I thought it would be.

Last but not least, I got to watch another episode of Reacher. This show, man. It's so good. And that ending. Wow. Reacher's big feet keep stepping in steaming piles. Just saying.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Five Minutes, a novella where temptation might be too hard to resist.

Here's the miniblurb:

Remy Deeds never welshes on a bet, until she loses to Eli Rogers, who can't understand why she backs out. But a five-minute kiss, with tongue, isn't something she wants to risk, because giving up her last pack of coffee is so much easier than possibly losing her heart.

And a sneaky peek…

Remy shrugged. "I don't know. Intuition maybe." She put her shirt back on. "If you want total honesty? I'm already halfway gone for you, and I just had a feeling our chemistry would be fiery hot." Aw … why did she say that?

He picked up on her admission, but didn't jump on it.

Instead, he added a question. "So … what now?" His eyebrows arched.

Remy snorted. "I have no idea." How the hell should she answer?

Eli grunted. "Okay then. My truth time." He met her gaze. "I don't react the way I just did with you … ever." He ran a hand through his hair.

Remy had no idea what to say. "Um, sorry?" Lame.

Eli shook his head. "No, don't apologize. It's a great thing. The timing's just weird."

She quirked a brow. "Care to explain?"

He winced and sat down. "No, but I will." He turned toward her. "Remember how I was late for the briefing?"

She nodded.

Eli gave her a sheepish grin. "I overslept and scrambled out of bed, leaving my … well, not exactly girlfriend but a woman behind."

A sharp stab of disappointment hit her. "So, you're with someone." Her shoulders slumped. 

Eli shook his head. "No, that's the thing. She got pissed and we ended it, but I didn't feel regret or remorse. More like relief, because we didn't have—what did you call it? Chemistry?"

Remy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I guess." Sounded lamer than she imagined.

Eli sighed. "I'm tired of going from one woman to the next and just … disconnecting. There's nothing that makes me want to stay. No … structure." He tsked. "No, that's not the word…"

Remy blurted, "No foundation."

Eli snapped his fingers. "Yeah. That's it. There's no solid ground under the sex. It's just sex." His chin bobbed up and down.

Remy tilted her head. "And you want what? More than a warm body on a cold night?" How surprising.

Eli nodded. "Yeah. But doing what we do makes it damned hard."

Her lips curved. "Too true."

Eli leaned forward. "So … how about we skip the coffee and the five minutes and try something else?"

Remy arched her brows. "Like what?" She almost feared his response.

Eli grasped her hand. "You and me. Someplace private like the caves to explore this chemistry thing." He squeezed her fingers. "Can you get Sheila to cover for you? Say from after lunch tomorrow through breakfast the next day?"

Remy tugged her hand away. "Look, Eli, I don't want to let my team down by setting a crappy example." And ruin her future opportunities.

Eli nodded. "I get that. And I respect it, but if we get the nasty weather we're supposed to, you won't have any projects to direct anyway."

He had a point. When poor conditions made being outside miserable or dangerous, they would usually do equipment repairs and inventory supplies. Not exactly anything the team members couldn't handle on their own.

Remy did a gut check. She wanted to see where things might go. And after talking to Eli about his change in perspective … taking a chance didn't seem as risky as it normally would. She would regret not taking a shot if she refused.

Decision made, she gave a slow nod. "Okay. If we get the rain, I'll ask Sheila to cover." Harry would no doubt take Eli's place.

Eli leaned in again. "Great." He caught her lips with his.

She responded, meeting his tongue. His fingers threaded through her hair, drawing her closer. Remy melted into the kiss, losing all thought except for the way his body fit against hers.

Eli broke the embrace on a groan. "Damn, I gotta get out of here or all bets are off." He pressed his forehead against hers. "I want you, Remy. So much." One more quick, hard kiss and he quickly left the room.

Remy sank down on the couch, her body on fire for Eli. Only one thing for her to do.

Pray for rain.

This scene ended up being fun to write. I love a little bit of tension and yearning.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin