Sunday Snippet: Past All Limits

Brrrr. The past week ended up being a wild ride of crappy weather and really cold temperatures. Of course, we're warming up for a few days then back to the icy tundra again. I predict lots of colds and other nasty viral illnesses in the near future. Bleh.

It was a good week to stay in and watch television. I finished a 77 Sunset Strip marathon binge watch. I love the classic show, even the last season that only had Bailey as the detective. Completely different tone but good episodes.

Caught another episode of Pensacola Wings of Gold. Kind of fun to have them in a different location. Also watched an episode of Lexx. This is one I didn't remember seeing the first time around. Nice to have something unexpected.

Started the fifth season of Endeavor. I love this show. I'm kind of looking forward to maybe doing an entire start-to-finish watch of Inspector Frost once the Endeavor series concludes. I can follow it up with Lewis. Started episode two of season fourteen of Midsomer Murders. I'm quite enjoying the new Barnaby and somewhat different tone of the show.

Finally got to watch the fifth season premiere of Gotham. The app on my streaming device was being contrary and kept stopping before the opening credits even rolled. Played the stupid ads though. Loved the opening episode. Between this show and Riverdale, the batshit crazy can't be topped. Just saying.

I caught some more Classic Who, finishing up the space museum episodes and starting on the next Dalek arc. Also binge watched a day of Mod Squad.

That's it for television. A little lighter than I originally thought. Tonight's post is from Past All Limits, a novella that started as an exercise in how to bring a couple back together after a bad breakup.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Scarlett Jayne and Dare Humphries have issues. Scarlett can't commit and Dare won't wait around. After a nasty breakup, the former couple is thrown together for a groundbreaking at a new training facility. Six months isn't quite enough time for them to be sharing space.

And a snippety peek…

Scarlett exited the locker room, hoisting her bag over her shoulder. "Why the hell didn't you tell me you worked for Dare Humphries?" God, could she have picked a worse get-back-on-the-horse hookup?

Lance pinned her with a confused look. "You know him? I had no idea." He paced back and forth, no doubt worrying about his employment.

Scarlett set her bag on the floor. "He's my ex. So… yeah, I know him."

Geez, how did she miss Dare's involvement in the gym? Speaking of kissing jobs good-bye. Hers might as well be toast. No way would Dare let her train with her group of battered women. Not here.

Lance put a hand to his forehead. "This is fucked up." He stopped mid-stride. "Tell me you didn't do this on purpose." The accusation in his tone rang off the walls.

Scarlett sighed. "I didn't, Lance. Hell, I didn't know he was one of the backers. You've only mentioned Bart." Connolly. A guy Scarlett had a long history with… just not the couple kind.

She blew out a long breath. "Bart and I go way back and he won't have a problem with you giving me some time and space here." Not like she wanted it for free; her grant gave her enough to pay her way. "But Dare… ugh… he's gonna be a problem." So much for getting her group into a safe facility where they could learn self-defense.

Lance turned to face her. "Look, you signed a contract and paid in advance. Bart will support your project, which means Dare won't have much to say about whether you use this space or not." He paused a moment then huffed out a sigh. "But you and me? Yeah, that's one and done." He held her gaze with decisiveness.

Scarlett nodded. "Understandable." Not like she wanted a long-term relationship with him. "Think we knew that going in, didn't we?" When he lifted a shoulder, she added an apology. "I'm sorry I put you in such a shitty position." Not that she meant to, but still…

Her crazy need to finally get back out in the world hit at the worst possible time.

But Dare wouldn't go back on his word. As long as Lance kept his distance from her and didn't bang anyone else after hours, his job would be safe. She'd take full blame for talking him into having sex at the gym.

Lance smirked. "Yeah, well, not the first time my dick ruled my brain." His lips quirked. "First time I ever got caught with my pants down though." He shook his head.

She snorted. "Wish I could make that claim." Dare happened to be her partner in action when they got busted in a compromising position.

Lance's eyes went wide. "Damn… you're kinda wild, aren't you?"

She shrugged. "Sometimes my idea of fun is a little out there." With the things she witnessed and heard all day, would anyone blame her for creating her own brand of normal?

Lance went serious. "Look, I'll have to ask you—"

She cut him off. "You really don't have to. From this moment on, I'll behave around here. The startup of my project means too much to me to screw it up." She waited a beat. "And I'm hoping this…" Hesitating to label their tryst a mistake, she switched gears a little. "I'd like to be friends, if nothing else." Considering how often she'd be using No Limits, being at odds with Lance would suck.

Especially if Scarlett had to deal with Dare on any kind of regular basis.

Lance flashed a quick smile. "I'd like that a lot. But we'd better get you out of here if we want to make that happen." He grabbed her bag and started toward the main lobby.

Scarlett followed, oddly unnerved by the whole situation. Seriously, what were the odds she'd pick a facility co-owned by Dare Humphries and what did it mean in the big picture?

Better yet… what the hell would she do about it?

I like writing Scarlett's slow fall to the inevitable truth of who she belongs with. Dare, of course. Getting her there is so much fun to write.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Past All Limits

Whew. The Last Ship had one of the best finales I've seen in a while. I'm so thrilled season four and five are already on tap and we'll get more of this terrific show. I'm honestly excited to see where things go with Tom, who's so broken right now, the Greens and their new family, and the rest of the crew of the Nathan James. Gonna be a very loooonnng wait for 2017.

Still need to catch up on Dark Matter so I haven't seen the finale yet. Hopefully next week I'll have some final thoughts on this season.

I think Gotham starts this week and I'm interested in where things will end up. With so many disturbed and unbalanced people on the loose, Gordon and company will have their hands full.

Fall television will be in full swing soon so there might be more shows added to the roundup.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Past All Limits, a novella that got a start with a scene prompt. After a groundbreaking or ribbon cutting, your characters have to confront each other about their breakup and continued feelings for each other. The result is sex.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Scarlett Jayne and Dare Humphries have issues. Scarlett can't commit and Dare won't wait around. After a nasty breakup, the former couple is thrown together for a groundbreaking at a new training facility. Six months isn't quite enough time for them to be sharing space.

And a snippety peek…

Dare grabbed Miranda's hand. "Would you like to see the progress we've made?" They were less than two blocks from the venue. "Opening night is in two weeks."

Miranda's head tilted and her lips curved in a smile. "I'd like that. I rarely get to see what happens after the papers are signed." She snuggled into his side.

Dare wrapped an arm around her and walked the short distance to the club. His newest rejuvenation project. Part gym, part fight venue, his goal to give the rough and rowdy crowd in Point Pleasant a place to work out their aggression and face some demons lay close to his heart. Growing up, he'd needed a place like No Limits. Too bad he got stuck with brawls and busted knuckles with nothing to show for it except a juvenile record and a strong suggestion he join the military.

Miranda let out a low whistle. "Wow. You don't mess around. This doesn't even look like same building." She moved forward, trying to catch a glimpse of the interior through the blacked out windows.

Dare fished the keys out of his pocket. "Wanna see the inside?" He unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Miranda flashed a smile and gave a nod. "Absolutely." She entered first and stopped short. "Did you hear that?" Glancing over her shoulder, she held a finger to her lips.

Dare frowned. The sound came from the locker room. Short, gasping breaths. A light thumping against a wall. A growl, a grunt, followed by a low moan. He closed his eyes. Dammit. Someone decided to have sex in his building? Fierce anger filled him and he motioned for Miranda to stay by the door.

He prowled through the building, heading toward the locker room. He didn't bother with the lights or with trying to find a weapon, confident he could handle whatever he found, especially if he caught someone in the act of intercourse.

Moving around the corner, Dare walked into the changing area to see his new manager, Logan Jones, with his pants down around his ankles, thrusting into a woman with her legs wrapped around his waist.

Dare heaved an angry sigh. "Jesus Christ, Jones. Don't you have a home you can fuck—" The words died in his throat when the woman lifted her head and Scarlett's gaze clashed with his.

The urge to do bodily harm to his newest employee simmered low in his gut. He didn't have the right to maim the guy. He and Scarlett were through. She could do whomever she wanted. But not here. Not in his house so to speak.

Dare held her bold stare. "Jones, if you want to keep your job, I suggest you put your dick back in your pants and take the lady home." He turned on his heel and walked out.

He refused to show any emotion. Not rage. Not jealousy. Or disappointment. Scarlett deserved none of those sentiments. And he should be over feeling anything for her at all.

He met Miranda by the door and hustled her outside. "I'm sorry about that. Apparently my new manager thought a little late night action would be a good idea." He turned a locked the building up again. "We'll be discussing why it's not first thing tomorrow." He started down the sidewalk but Miranda's hand on his arm stopped his progress.

She tilted her head to the side. "There's more to this, isn't there?"

Hell, yes. So much more. But nothing he wanted to examine too closely.

He shrugged. "Not if I don't want there to be." And he didn't. Really.

Miranda's lips curved in a smirk. "You're a terrible liar, Dare. And I'm not so invested in our little tryst that I can't walk away now." She leaned in and pressed her lips to his. "Which I'm going to do… before I'm in too deep." Stepping back, she gave his arm a squeeze. "I'll see you sometime soon." Turning, she walked back toward the restaurant and her car.

Dare watched her, following at a discreet distance to make sure she got to her vehicle safely. The least he could do because a nudge of guilt licked along his spine because he didn't even blink when she decided to cut him loose. He didn't care.

Not like he had when Scarlett walked away.

And didn't that make him the biggest asshole on the planet?

This one isn't a standard romance. It's a little more conflicted. I had a friend ask if there's anything out there that reflects a more true to life experience and the prompt seemed to fit her request. And I'm having a lot of fun writing the characters.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Past All Limits

August 10, 2014

EEK! I just realized we've only got around ten days before out school year starts. I'm both thrilled and freaked out. Thrilled because the structure is great for the kids. They know where they have to be and at what time. Freaked out because we still have supplies to buy and I'm booked solid and jammed up until after the first day. Poor planning on my part. LOL

As usual, some great TV this past week. The finale for Dominion left so many new questions and I hope we get a second season. I'd love to see more of this show. Really loving the twists and turns in Defiance, too. And The Last Ship is steadily becoming one of my favorite shows.

Filming has started on Sons of Anarchy, Bitten, Arrow and Flash. Fall can't quite get here soon enough.

Tonight's post is from, Past All Limits, a novella where my main characters have some issues to resolve.

Here's the tagline:

Scarlett Jayne and Dare Humphries have issues. Scarlett can't commit and Dare won't wait around. After a nasty breakup, the former couple is thrown together for a groundbreaking at a new training facility. Six months isn't quite enough time for them to sharing space.

And a snippety peek…

Dare whirled around, facing her. "God, you are such a bitch. Why, Scarlett? Why do you start shit?" He threw a hand up in frustration.

She shrugged. "Because you're there, Dare. You're always there." She snorted. "And you just keep coming back for more. You didn't have to be part of this project."

His eyes narrowed. "I'm backing half this venture. And you know I'm hands on where my finances are concerned."

She rolled her eyes, but didn't comment. He had a point.

Dare continued. "You're the one who didn't have to be involved." He stopped, smacking his forehead with his hand. "Oh, wait. Yes, you did. You can't ride your new hot guy if you're not around all the time, can you?"

Damn him. He would have to bring up Jones. But Lance didn't make her feel the stuff Dare did—like burning hot rage and sexual tension at the same time.

Scarlett snarled. "You don't get to judge me. Not when you're banging the loan officer." She smirked. "I'll bet you got a kick ass interest rate."

Dare took a step forward. "That's not how I work and you know it."

Yeah, she did. "Then what's the appeal? She's starched, pressed, and ramrod straight.

Dare usually went for something a little more wild—why else would he have hooked up with Scarlett?

He lifted a brow. "Exactly. The polar opposite of you."

Ouch. His answer sliced deep. Scarlett sucked in a harsh breath and didn't think. She drew back her arm and landed an uppercut to his jaw. Automatic reflex had Dare retaliating, but he pulled his, landing a glancing blow instead of a wallop.

Still hurt like a bitch.

Scarlett huffed out a grunt. "Shit." She straightened and cocked her to the side. "Well, this seems familiar." Dare's very first words to her.

He rubbed his face. "You pick that to steal?" He turned away, shaking his head.

She shrugged. "Yeah. Steal from the best, right? Moves, words…" She moved forward, running her finger down his chest. "Positions." She hooked a finger in his waistband.

He scoffed. "The best? I don't think you wanna go there, Scarlett, not when you'll have your legs wrapped around Jones later tonight." He brushed her hand away and stepped back.

She frowned. "Why not? Truth is truth." She moved in close again. "It doesn't change the underlying meaning to the words. Or the subtext." She wanted him.

Dare grasped her biceps, an angry edge to his voice. "So, if I'm the best, why settle for less?" His eyes went dark and stormy.

She recalled her conversation with Herm. Fight or flight, Scarlett. You gotta decide which way to move. She'd chosen to run, but not very far.

Scarlett gave it to Dare straight. "Fight or flight, Dare. It came down to survival instinct." Except she didn't feel like she truly lived anymore.

Dare shook his head. "That makes no sense. It's not one or the other."

Her lips twisted. "It is for me." And she should maintain the status quo, right?

Dare's voice went quiet. "Why, Scarlett?"

She glanced away. "Because you're you and I'm me and it's never, ever easy."

He let go of her. "It's not supposed to be. Nothing worth having is." He spun around, pacing back and forth.

Scarlett lifted a shoulder. "Maybe. But getting lost in you doesn't work for me. And I would, Dare." She moved away, heading toward the back wall. "I already did." Feelign safe with some distance between them, she met his gaze again. "And it gives you power over me, whether I want it to or not." She looked away again.

Dare responded. "It's a two way street, Scarlett. You had the same power over me." He pinned her with his gaze. "The difference is… you burned me with it." Pain filled his eyes.

She wanted to shrink into a ball and disappear, because she hadn't just burned him. She'd lit a fuse and blew everything between them sky high. And by showing up at the ribbon cutting ceremony, she basically kicked through the ashes, stirring up the embers instead of letting them settle down.

And she had no idea why.

She tilted her head, studying Dare. "So why do we keep doing it? Hurting each other."

Dare sighed. "I have no idea, but think about it, Scarlett. The damage we do to each other… couldn't it go the other way?" He resumed pacing. "Hell, it does go the other way." He stopped. "You make me stronger and strive to do better. That's positive."

Scarlett pondered but didn't respond. He had another valid point. He pushed her to surpass her limits, challenged her to reach higher goals—and caught her when she stumbled and missed by a mile.

Why did she always forget the good when they went after each other?

Her silence had Dare sighing again. "Fine. We're done. Consider the air cleared." He turned and yanked the door open. "I'm going back up top." He stepped into the corridor.

And got closer to moving out of her life for good.

Scarlett bolted toward the exit. "Dare, wait."

I have no idea if he's going to wait or walk away, but the sages will let me know soon.

That's it for this week. Happy reading.

Skylin