Sunday Snippet: A Nice Gesture

Greetings!

Whew. I'm coming off a really long week but I did have time to watch Defiance and Dominion. And if all goes well, I'll be watching The Last Ship tonight.

Tonight's post is from A Nice Gesture, a short story where something nice makes all the difference in the world.

Here's the tagline:

Marah Timm and Teague McCallister work at Humpberry Farms for their summer break. Marah is prickly and standoffish, but Teague recognizes the lonely soul in need of a nice gesture.

And a snippety peek…

Marah entered the small cabin and stopped short. A complete dinner sat atop the table, steam still wafting from the dishes. She glanced around, making certain she'd entered the correct house. Her jacket hung on the peg shelf by the door and her knitting basket rested beside the rocking chair.

Her mouth gaped open. "Who the hell would cook me dinner?"

A throat cleared behind her and Teague hovered outside the door.

Marah's eyes widened. "You? You did this?" She looked around the small space. "Why?"

Teague smiled, a sad one. "Because everyone deserves something special on their birthday… even if they don't want it."

Oddly touched, Marah glanced over her shoulder again. "Um, thanks."

Teague nodded and stepped away from the door.

Marah hurried over, reached out, and grabbed his hand. "Stay. Please. I'd like the company and couldn't eat everything by myself anyway." She tugged him forward, into the cabin.

Teague cocked his head to the side. "You're sure?"

Marah chuckled. She didn't blame him for being confused. She had been a raving madwoman all week.

She pulled out a chair. "Yeah. I swear I won't try to poison the food while we eat."

Teague laughed and made his way around the table, settling in across from her. "In that case, I'll be happy to join you."

Yes… there's a story behind the poisoning the food comment she makes. J

That's it for this week. Happy reading.

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Lucky Seven

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers and father figures out there!

So… Orphan Black is almost over for this season and *eep* I still have way more questions than answers. That said, I don't care. I love everything about this season. Although, I guess I should ask if it's really wrong I pretty much cheered on Helena throughout last night's entire episode? No? Good. And Donnie and Alison. Twisted and creepy, but holy shit, I laughed, even though I shouldn't have. :D

Tonight's post is from Lucky Seven, a short story about what happens when two co-workers overindulge at a corporate retreat's casino night.

Here's the tagline:

Daisy and Shae work for the same company and they end up overindulging at a corporate casino night, waking up next to each other the next morning. What starts as an awkward one night stand turns into something neither expects, or is really looking for.

And a snippety peek…

Daisy blinked. "Yeah, so." She scrambled backwards off the bed, dragging the sheet with her.

Bad idea. The heavy coverlet only covered Shae's feet.

He dragged the bedspread up and over his groin. "Right." He sat up, propping his shoulders against the cushioned headboard.

He glanced toward the empty side of the bed. "You know—"

Daisy wrapped the sheet tighter around her. "Uh, nope. Not gonna happen." Tempted, she backed up several feet.

Shae quirked a brow. "Just did last night." His lips curved in a sly grin.

Daisy's face flamed. "Yeah, I know. But…" Get out, you damned man before I give in to temptation.

Shae nodded. "Gotcha. One time deal." He lingered in the bed, not in a hurry to leave.

Daisy agreed. "Exactly." She waited a beat, then prodded. "Yeah, so…"

Shae sighed. "Right. Getting up now." He threw the coverlet aside, giving her a splendid view of his hard body.

She whirled around, committing the picture he presented to memory.

Shae rustled around behind her, hopefully getting dressed.

He cleared his throat and she risked a backward glance. He stood, dressed in last night's clothes, his jacket flung over his shoulder. She finally relaxed.

He made his way to the door. "So, um, thanks. You know for…" His hand twisted the knob.

Daisy groaned. "Don't mention it. Ever." She softened her tone. "Please."

Shae nodded. "Yeah, okay. See you at work on Monday." He pulled the door open and exited her room.

Daisy crossed the space and sank down onto the side chair. Best sex of her life and she couldn't have a repeat performance.

Life sucked balls sometimes.

Honestly? This one is fun to write. Started with a prompt from one of my writing communities and the story has taken off from there. J

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: How to Tell Off the Boss

Greetings,

Whew. Wild week in TV. Arrow, of course, amped up the tension and drama with a total shocker at the end of the episode. Okay, maybe not a total surprise, but wow, I'm dying to see what happens next. S.H.I.E.L.D went to great places and planted some new seeds for a future season (I hope!) and Orphan Black delivered another taut hour of viewing pleasure. I have several things I want to see happen with Rachel, but I'll save those for a fandom blog post. LOL I'm honestly not sure about the whole Helena/religious cult dealio, but I'll keep watching to see what happens.

Writing wise, the week ended up being way more productive than expected, in a truly odd way. I've been updating my Works in Progress page and the exercise is shaking off some cobwebs and getting the creative juices flowing again. I love it when that happens. J

Tonight's post is from How to Tell Off the Boss, a novella where my main male character has to grow a set… with a little help from a new co-worker.

Here's the tagline:

Orin Murdoch's boss, the newly installed VP of Sales, is driving him insane with new promotions that just don't work. Edda Case, an upstart marketing whiz, takes Orin in hand and teaches him how to tell off the boss with style.

And a snippety peek…

Edda crossed her arms over her chest. "Orin, what would you tell Linna if you had the chance?"

Orin shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe, bug off." He tossed the pen across the desk.

Edda snorted. "Bug off? Are you five?" She crossed his office and placed her palms on the smooth oak surface covered with files. "The response is, 'Shut the fuck up, bitch, and leave me alone."

Orin quirked a brow, but leaned back in his seat, pondering the idea.

Edda waved a hand. "Go on. Try it out." She dragged one of the client chairs forward and settled down on it.

Orin straightened. "Shut the fuck up and leave me alone." He spoke clearly and used just the right amount of inflection to get his point across.

Edda nodded. "Good tone. Authoritative without sounding menacing." She chuckled. "You couldn't quite get the bitch part in, could you?"

Orin lifted one shoulder. "Hey, it's the VP of sales, Edda. A little decorum has to be used."

Edda rolled her eyes. Whatever, Orin. I'm sure she'll remember your tact and diplomacy when she orders you to do something stupid again." She added. "And she won't lay the blame at your doorstep when we start tracking the spectacular lack of sales when her new brand of promotions generates nothing but headaches for Accounting and Production." Edda pushed a little harder. "Look, I know you're not me, but covering your ass is always smart. Don't give Linna the opportunity to fry it when her lack of research comes back to smack her in the face."

Orin studied Edda for a moment. "Okay, you've got a valid point, except telling Linna to shut the fuck up will only go so far." He frowned. "She's ignoring the sales projections for a reason, but I can't figure out why."

Edda snorted. "Figure that one out and three departments will throw you a party."

Orin leaned forward. "What are your plans for the evening?" A sly smile crossed his face.

Edda tilted her head to the side. "Why?" She hoped like hell he had something sneaky planned.

Orin met her gaze. "I'm going to dig around and find out why. I could use some help."

Edda's lips curved. "I'm game… if you throw in dinner."

Orin stuck out his hand. "Deal. Korean or Thai?"

He'd remembered her comfort food?

Edda tamped down a zing of excitement. "Surprise me." She stood and made her way to the door. "Meet in the parking garage after work?"

Orin nodded. "That's a plan. I'll see you then."

Edda exited his office and grinned. Subterfuge with a hot guy. Her night just took a turn for the unexpected.

She couldn't wait for five o'clock.

And five o'clock doesn't disappoint. J

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin