Jessica E. Subject's Blog, page 95
March 30, 2015
End of the Month ~ LAST CHANCE for #99cent Sale and #Audiobook #Giveaway!
Hello! It’s nearing the end of the month, and some events are about to end. I wanted to remind you of them so you don’t miss out.
Tomorrow (March 31) is the last day to get An Unexpected Return for 99¢.
Tomorrow is also the last day to enter to WIN one of my audio book titles.
Also, The Star Princess has been marked down to 99¢ through April 5th for a couple of Beyond Fairytales events, including last week’s chat.
On April 1st, two more of my stories will be marked down to 99¢ for the month. Watch my blog, or subscribe to my newsletter for more information.
I will also have a new release ==> HER ALIEN HERO.
On April 1st, I will be participating in the 1Night Stand author chat.
My scheduled time is 11 to 11:30 AM EDT
Also, I will participate in the April Fools For Love Event hosted by SFR Station. Visit my blog on Wednesday to enter my giveaway as well as the Grand Prizes.
March 29, 2015
#SFRMonday ~ Can she get the hottie to loosen up? VIN’S RULES by @LynBrittan #scifirom #OSA
Today I’m featuring Lyn Brittan’s newest release in her Outer Settlement Agency series. Enjoy!
VIN’S RULESby Lyn Brittan
When Vin gets trapped in a rough quadrant of space with regulation-happy Allie Ert’zod, he swears to get the hottie to loosen up a bit. She comes from a family of space pirates! How hard can it be?
Well, tough and getting tougher when you add in the little hiccup of having to run for their lives. They’ve stumbled upon the wrong town and ticked off the wrong people. If they have a shot of getting out of there, it’ll take his cockiness and her level head to see them through. And guns. Lots and lots of guns.
Available from:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Vin took out his weapon and checked the charge. “If something goes down, I need my hands free.”
“That sounds like we’re not going back yet.”
He raised his arm, pointing over her shoulder. The road bent ahead, hooking to the left. “We’ve gotta know what’s around that corner. Back us in. Keep facing outward. If anything goes sideways, gun us out of here.”
Allie eased the cyclerover into reverse, her eyes scanning ahead of her the whole time. She checked the rearview mirrors too.
Vin had two weapons now, one in each hand. His jaw was so clenched it could cut wire.
Then he swore a little.
Then a lot.
A whole lot.
A second later, she’d backed up enough to see the reasoning of his flowery language and was compelled to agree. “Fuck.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
Lyn grew up in New Orleans and decided to live like her heroes, James Bond and Indiana Jones. She wasn’t totally successful and never had to shoot her way out of a hotel bedroom. She’s still coming to terms with it. Awards and woot-woots include: Amazon Sci-Fi Romance Best Seller, ARe Best Selling Author, SFR Galaxy Award Winner. Find out more at www.lynbrittan.com.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.lynbrittan.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/DP0Cv
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LynBrittan
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/LynBrittan
March 28, 2015
The HER ALIEN HERO Ideal Cast #1NightStand #eroticromance @DecadentPub
Hello dear readers! Only three more days until HER ALIEN HERO releases! I wanted to share my ideal cast with you…
As many photos are copyrighted, I will not be sharing pictures of stars, but I will link to their iMDB page if you want to see what they look like.
Hero – Cooper Tate would be played by
Heroine – Melinda Rose would be played by
If you want to check out more inspiration for this story, you can visit it’s Pinterest board.
~ About HER ALIEN HERO ~
Librarian by day, erotic romance author by night, Melinda Rose sets out for another exciting conference, this one in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. But all her plans go up in smoke when the 1Night Stand she applies for is set to happen at the same time.
Cooper Tate heads to Ottawa to meet a friend. When he learns of her deception, he is ready to head back home and vows never to trust her again. That is, until he sees a picture of his stunning date.
With the help of Madame Eve, can these two former neighbors become lovers? Or will extraterrestrial secrets rip away the hero Melinda has always dreamed of?
Releases April 1, 2015
Available for pre-order from:
US | UK | Canada | Germany | Australia
March 27, 2015
Their Sexy Bedroom Talk in HER ALIEN HERO #MySexySaturday #1NS #scifirom @DecadentPub
Hi peeps! It’s the 85th week of My Sexy Saturday.
Here are the details: every Saturday, published and unpublished authors will be sharing 7 words, sentences, or paragraphs from a work-in-progress or an already published story.
Today’s theme is…
THEIR SEXY TALK
Here’s seven from HER ALIEN HERO, which releases April 1st. Enjoy!
Set-up: Well, I think this adult excerpt is self-explanatory when you read it.
“Please,” she begged, panting and crying.
Cooper pulled her against him with his next plunge, grinding his pelvis along her clit.
Melinda detonated. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she screamed with pleasure. Shockwaves raced through her, resulting in the twitching and pulsing of her muscles. She broke out in a sweat and struggled to catch her breath.
“Absolutely stunning. Are you ready for another?”
She shook her head, still buzzing from the rush of endorphins. Another orgasm like that would kill her.
With a gleam in his eyes, Cooper let go of her legs and leaned down to kiss her. “You know you want another.”
Wow, another? She hadn’t expected Cooper to be so skilled in the bedroom, not with how introverted and hidden away he had seemed. How she loved to be proved wrong. She ran her fingers across his wide, muscled back, yearning to live the rest of her life in this state of ecstasy.
~ About HER ALIEN HERO ~
Librarian by day, erotic romance author by night, Melinda Rose sets out for another exciting conference, this one in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. But all her plans go up in smoke when the 1Night Stand she applies for is set to happen at the same time.
Cooper Tate heads to Ottawa to meet a friend. When he learns of her deception, he is ready to head back home and vows never to trust her again. That is, until he sees a picture of his stunning date.
With the help of Madame Eve, can these two former neighbors become lovers? Or will extraterrestrial secrets rip away the hero Melinda has always dreamed of?
Releases April 1, 2015
Available for pre-order from:
US | UK | Canada | Germany | Australia
For more My Sexy Saturday postings, check out the participants’ list here.
The HER ALIEN HERO #playlist and another sneak peek #1NS #scifirom @DecadentPub
Hello dear readers! We’re one day closer to the release of HER ALIEN HERO. Today I want to share with you the playlist, but first an excerpt mentioning one of the songs in the playlist…
Cooper pressed a button on the console and love songs filled the room, some current and others from the past. Enrique Iglesias whispered an offer to be someone’s hero.
Melinda reached across the table and grasped his hand, her eyes sparkling. “I know it’s crazy, but every time I hear this song, I think of you.”
“Me?” Did she want a hero? He wasn’t prepared to be one for anyone, not with the secret he kept. A lover, sure, but he didn’t consider himself brave. Chivalrous, maybe, but he had too many fears to be anyone’s rescuer. Perhaps he behaved more like his father than he thought.
“Yes. Don’t you remember the grade-nine dance? It was the only one I ever remember you coming to. This song came on, and a bunch of couples made their way to the middle of the gymnasium. But, no matter where people moved, I always had a clear line of sight to you.” She squeezed his fingers. “I kept hoping you would ask me to dance, but you never did.”
His chest tightened. He remembered the night he’d snuck out of the house and rode his bike through the city to see if she’d decided to attend. How he’d wanted to ask her to dance, spend even a moment in her company, but his mother had warned him if anyone ever found out what he was, he’d end up in a lab before she even knew he’d been taken. And during puberty, he’d had far less control of his form. Even touching a girl would have, without a doubt, taken away all his ability to manipulate his image. Cooper had never wanted to take the chance. He’d dragged his gaze away from her, after staring at her for an entire song, and left, riding home in the pouring rain. But after years of practice and no one finding out, he took more risks, tonight the biggest of all.
And here’s the song…
The rest of the playlist…
Somebody to Love by Queen
Stars Align by Lindsey Stirling
Weak in the Knees by Serena Ryder
Beating Heat by Ellie Goulding
Up We Go by Lights
Never Close Our Eyes by Adam Lambert
Spaceman by Bif Naked
Alien by Bush
Heartbeat (ft. Nicole Scherzinger) by Enrique Iglesias
~ About HER ALIEN HERO ~
Librarian by day, erotic romance author by night, Melinda Rose sets out for another exciting conference, this one in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. But all her plans go up in smoke when the 1Night Stand she applies for is set to happen at the same time.
Cooper Tate heads to Ottawa to meet a friend. When he learns of her deception, he is ready to head back home and vows never to trust her again. That is, until he sees a picture of his stunning date.
With the help of Madame Eve, can these two former neighbors become lovers? Or will extraterrestrial secrets rip away the hero Melinda has always dreamed of?
Releases April 1, 2015
Available for pre-order from:
US | UK | Canada | Germany | Australia
Check back tomorrow for my My Sexy Saturday excerpt from Her Alien Hero…
March 26, 2015
Hyunkyung Han’s Top 5 Favorite #Spanking Implements ~ SEOUL SPANKINGS @AnastasiaVitsky #1NS
Hyunkyung Han’s Top 5 Favorite Spanking ImplementsPost by author Anastasia Vitsky
Love it or hate it, Fifty Shades of Gray has gotten people interested in kink and willing to admit it. Even if you don’t want the full lifestyle, haven’t you considered spicing up your love life?
You’re in luck! Learn about five easy-to-use spanking implements, hand-picked for you by Hyunkyung Han. CEO of the multi-billion-dollar Han, Inc. that sells everything from stationery to clothes, she has a penchant for spanking. When she researches Madame Eve’s exclusive date-matching services, she expects to receive a bride rather than a one-time date. What does she expect from her future bride? To submit to spanking, of course. Good thing Indigo Adams is up for the challenge.
In Seoul Spankings, Hyunkyung uses a few tools for spanking Indi. She’s shared them with you here, so you can begin a kinky fun journey of your own.
Safety note: While many people enjoy whips, flogger, belts, canes, or cat-of-nine-tails, they are dangerous implements that require training to use without causing injury. Never use a brand-new implement without practice, preferably by testing it out on yourself.
Hyunkyung Han’s #5 Favorite Spanking Implement:
#5 HAND
That’s right, the hand attached to your wrist! Unless you have incredible strength or a layer of calluses, using your hand to spank offers a built-in safety limit plus ultimate convenience. You don’t need to buy a hand, find it in your toy bag, or (I hope!) fix a broken one. When a spanking is given with hand to bare bottom, the skin-to-skin contact offers a wonderful, sweet intimacy.
Caution: Excessive hand spanking may result in repetitive stress injuries for the spanker. Focus on sensual pleasure or switch to an implement if you want to increase the intensity.
Ana’s rule: Hand spanking often hurts the spanker more than the spankee. Hand spankings make good rewards or foreplay rather than punishment.
Ease of use: Very High
Ouch factor: Very Low
#4 LEATHER SPANKING GLOVE
If you love the intimacy of a hand spanking but hate the pain it causes for the spanker, try adding protection for your hand. A leather glove, perhaps with the tips cut off, will allow you to spank harder and longer without as much pain (for yourself!). Another option is a “spanking buddy,” or a piece of leather with a strap around your palm. The extra sting is sure to create pleasure for both you and your partner, and beginner spankees often tolerate leather (a soft, thuddy impact) better than wood (a sharp, intense, and immediate pain). Think of the difference between a soft, warming glow of a spicy curry rather than the five-alarm heat of hot peppers.
Caution: The glove should fit properly or may cause chafing.
Ana’s rule: None. I am allergic to leather and can’t use it.
Ease of use: High
Ouch factor: Low
#3 WOODEN COOKING CHOPSTICK
Longer and sturdier than its tableware cousin, cooking chopsticks can range from twelve to twenty inches and are often made of bamboo. They are inexpensive and come with pretty designs. While unwieldy for lengthy spanking sessions, the lightweight thin shape offers pleasure similar to a cane without as much pain or expense.
Caution: The cheapest cooking chopsticks may break on impact. As with any wooden implement, be careful of splinters.
Ana’s rule: As with wooden spoons, you will need two sets of cooking chopsticks in the kitchen—one for business and another for pleasure.
Ease of use: High
Ouch factor: Medium
#2 RIDING CROP
A riding crop is a perfect intermediate tool for a spanker wanting more intensity without needing training. Its rigid handle (rather than the floppiness of a belt or flogger) is similar to other beginner implements, and its use is intuitive. While the small surface area of the rubber tip can inflict serious pain, a lighter touch can mean a more sensuous, gentle experience.
Caution: As with any implement, begin slowly and gently. Spank with the rubber tip rather than the full length of the handle.
Ana’s rule: It’s not a wooden spoon, but it will do.
Ease of use: Medium
Ouch factor: Medium to High
#1 Favorite Spanking Implement ~ THE GLORIOUS WOODEN SPOON!
This wondrous cooking utensil is the perfect tool for spanking! Cheap, ubiquitous, and easy to explain to nosy visitors, the humble wooden spoon offers great spanking fun without need for expensive tools, training, or preparation. The small surface area and wooden material pack a punch, but the spoon’s familiarity as Mom’s tool to stir cake batter reduces its fear factor.
Caution: Cheap, smaller spoons will crack on impact. Invest a few dollars more to get a spoon that will last longer.
Ana’s rule: I always use two spoons while cooking. One for business, and one for pleasure. I’ll let you decide which is which.
Ease of use: High
Ouch factor: High
(Okay. Maybe I cheated. Maybe the wooden spoon is my favorite spanking implement, not Hyunkyung’s. Good thing she’s too busy spanking Indigo to find me…)
What are your favorite spanking implements?
Ana’s note: I will give away an autographed set of cooking chopsticks and wooden spoon to one random commenter on this post.
P.S. Don’t say Hyunkyung’s name wrong. She spanks for that. 
Broken-hearted when her live-in boyfriend impregnates her best frenemy, Indigo Adams accepts a one-way ticket to Seoul, South Korea, and a challenge from her Great-Aunt Matilda: Forget that boy. Go and make something of yourself.
Bruised from an international public relations nightmare as the new heir to the multi-billion-dollar Han Incorporated, Hyunkyung Han seeks positive publicity in the form of a wedding. She consults with Madame Eve to find a nice, well-behaved Korean American with bilingual and bicultural skills.
Instead, Madame Eve sends Indi, a naïve philosophy major graduate working for minimum wage at the local pub. Enraged to find Indi can’t speak one word of Korean, Hyunkyung orders her sent home on the next plane to Spillville, Iowa.
Then Hyunkyung shakes Indi’s hand, and the sparks fly. With all of her professional responsibilities, how can Hyunkyung allow herself to fall for the wrong woman? How can Indi feel attraction for a woman who despises her?
Seoul Spankings offers a light-hearted romp through the perils and joys of navigating an intercultural romance. Certain to delight all fans of a happily ever after with a kinky twist.
Available from:
All Romance | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo
Excerpt:
“Say my name,” she demanded, startling me with her fierceness. Korean For Foreigners had told me saying someone’s name was rude.
“Hee-yon,” I stammered, unable to form the alien syllables. “Huh—huh-yawn.”
She pursed her lips, circling my chair. “Indi Go,” she enunciated, in the odd, separated manner seeming to order me from her presence. “Here I am not Ee Sajahng. I am Hyunkyung Han, and you will call me by name.”
“Ee,” I faltered. Some of her employees had said something familiar. “Ee?” I grasped onto the only sound I could replicate.
“Ee Sajahng,” she repeated. “Founder. Investor. A title, not a name. Call me Hyunkyung.” This time as she walked around me, her knee brushed against mine. A tiny gymnast vaulted somewhere underneath my ribs, and I spoke without thinking.
“Can’t I say HK?” After all, her staff called me Miss Go. Why insult her by butchering the sounds I couldn’t form?
She paused behind me, delaying long enough to highlight the ludicrous nature of my request. Yo, Barack ol’ buddy. I can call you BO, right?
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“Americans are so familiar,” she said, in an undertone.
“Koreans are so formal!” I protested.
“Yes,” she answered, tapping one manicured finger against another. “Let’s show you how formal.”
Cookie queen, wooden spoon lady, and champion of carbs, Anastasia Vitsky specializes in F/F fiction. She hates shoes and is allergic to leather. When not writing about women who live spankily ever after, she coordinates reader and author events such as Spank or Treat, Love Spanks, and Sci Spanks. Her favorite event is Ana’s Advent Calendar, a month-long celebration of books, community, and making a difference.
She is too afraid to watch Doctor. Who, but she adores The Good Wife and anything with Audrey Hepburn. In her next life, she will learn how to make the perfect pie crust. She can be found at governingana.wordpress.com and on twitter @AnastasiaVitsky.
Appearances – Anastasia Vitsky will be attending Rainbow Con and Golden Crown Literary Society in July 2015.
Social Media Links
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Amazon Author Page | Goodreads Page | Authorgraph
Printable Book List
Another sneak peek at HER ALIEN HERO ~ Meet Melinda #1NS #scifirom @DecadentPub
Hello my dear readers! I am very sorry. I promised you another sneak peek at HER ALIEN HERO and didn’t deliver. Yesterday got away from me, and today is heading that way, too. But, I wanted to give you a second excerpt from my upcoming release before I did anything else. This excerpt is from the very beginning of the story, and sets the scene as to where and when the story takes place. Enjoy!
~*~*~
Melinda Rose tossed a quarter into the gleaming-white marble fountain near the porte cochère. I wish to find my soul mate, the man I’m going to marry, in the next year. She’d waited long enough, dated men of all ages and races, but had yet to come across her forever man.
Her friends leaned forward and stared at her, Michelle bobbing her head up and down as if waiting for her to say something.
Tara bumped Melinda’s hip, almost knocking her into Michelle. “So…? What did you wish for?”
“A billion dollars.” No way would she tell them all she wanted was a guy to settle down with. According to her online friends, she reigned as queen of single women, the one who tossed men away like she held her own “guy card” and then wrote books about them the way composers wrote music about their relationships.
She could tell when a man wanted her for nothing but sex. They offered effusive compliments, and sneaked quick peeks at other women in case someone younger or skinnier came along. Often, she didn’t object to a night or two of raw, dirty sex—her stories needed some fresh inspiration—but she grew tired of the game. How long did she have to wait to locate her future husband, her very own hero? At thirty-five, she hadn’t even had a nibble on her line, not a single relationship with any promise. Yet, a couple of her friends already enjoyed life with their second and third husbands. She only asked for one.
“So you can travel the world and sleep with a man from every country?” Amber’s eyes lit up at the thought, the poor thing having lost her husband in a motorcycle accident less than a year before.
Melinda cringed inside. She didn’t want to be the friend her peers lived their fantasies vicariously through. Why couldn’t she unearth a guy to spend the rest of her life with? “Sure. I’ll definitely have to stock up on condoms before I go on that trip.” Though, if her wish came true, she could bring a man, the man, with her. She just had to stumble upon him first.
Sabrina, Tara, Michelle, and Lauren all tossed coins into the fountain. What wishes did they make? As a child, Melinda never would have guessed she’d be sharing her hopes and dreams with readers in stories. If only one of them would come true.
~ About HER ALIEN HERO ~
Librarian by day, erotic romance author by night, Melinda Rose sets out for another exciting conference, this one in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. But all her plans go up in smoke when the 1Night Stand she applies for is set to happen at the same time.
Cooper Tate heads to Ottawa to meet a friend. When he learns of her deception, he is ready to head back home and vows never to trust her again. That is, until he sees a picture of his stunning date.
With the help of Madame Eve, can these two former neighbors become lovers? Or will extraterrestrial secrets rip away the hero Melinda has always dreamed of?
Releases April 1, 2015
Available for pre-order from:
US | UK | Canada | Germany | Australia
Check back tomorrow for another insight into this story…
March 25, 2015
#Contest to WIN $20 GC & more from author @LibbyWaterford! #newrelease #giveaway
To celebrate Love Unlocked in print, Libby Waterford is giving away one signed copy of the paperback, as well as two copies of her new release ebook, Sweet Imperfection (out March 31 from Decadent Publishing), and a $20 Amazon giftcard.
This giveaway is from March 23 to April 3, 2015. Good luck!
March 23, 2015
First sneak peek at HER ALIEN HERO for #TeaserTuesday #1NS @DecadentPub #sfrgtt
Hello everyone! I decided to join the wonderful authors at the Sci-Fi Romance Group for Teaser Tuesday to give you the first glimpse of my upcoming release, HER ALIEN HERO.
The Sci-Fi Romance Group is a Facebook group filled with authors and readers who enjoy science fiction romance. There is a limited amount of promo allowed in the group, but it is a place to discuss the genre in books, movies, television formats, and more. You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.scifi.romance.group/
On to HER ALIEN HERO… This is my eighth 1Night Stand story, and the second that takes place in Ottawa. All the stories in the Romancing the Capital sub-series of this line take place during the upcoming conference of the same name which I will be attending next month. My story will release on April 1, 2015, and I’ll be giving you sneak peeks all week. Here’s the first…
“No.” Melinda shook her head with vigor. “No way. I’ve had enough one-night stands in my life. You know that. I don’t need or want another. Ever.” She flopped back on the bed, trying to forget the sting of rejection at being kicked out of a warm bed at three o’clock in the morning and making the walk of shame to her car, or waking up alone. Worse yet, the guy who woke up beside her and didn’t even remember her name. She was done with it all. Done.
“But this is different.” Her friend tossed the paper at her. “It’s more like a blind date. The owner of the company chooses the guy you’ll go out with. No profiles to look at and no obscene messages from creeps.”
“Sounds too good to be true, if you ask me.” She’d been burned too many times trying new ways to meet men.
“Read the testimonials. From couples still together, many of them married shortly after their date.”
Melinda rolled her eyes. “Okay, so she got a few right, but how many mismatches did this woman make along the way? How many of her clients will tell you they ended up with an asshole? I don’t want to be an Oops, I got it wrong case.”
“C’mon, Mel, take a chance. I swear, if you don’t do this, I’ll do it for you. I’ve already started filling out my own application. I’m going to do yours next.”
With a sigh, Melinda read the testimonials on Lauren’s screen then reached down to grab her laptop case. Too good to be true, maybe, but Madame Eve did have a high success rate and had set up some very high-profile couples. “Fine, I’ll do it.” Besides, if she refused, Lauren would sign her up. She noted the cost of a 1Night Stand and didn’t want to be someone’s charity case, no matter how close they were.
Filling in the never-ending online form, she told almost truths, though she may have left a few pounds off her weight. And her height may have included her high heels. When asked to describe her ideal man, she paused. In every story she wrote, her hero came from outer space, as she didn’t believe any good single men still existed on Earth. Women who already knew what they wanted in life had snatched them up in their twenties without exception. If only she’d been ready to get hitched at that age.
A sexy, hard-working man from another planet.
There! Let Madame Eve find her a man who fit her bizarre description.
~ About HER ALIEN HERO ~
Librarian by day, erotic romance author by night, Melinda Rose sets out for another exciting conference, this one in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. But all her plans go up in smoke when the 1Night Stand she applies for is set to happen at the same time.
Cooper Tate heads to Ottawa to meet a friend. When he learns of her deception, he is ready to head back home and vows never to trust her again. That is, until he sees a picture of his stunning date.
With the help of Madame Eve, can these two former neighbors become lovers? Or will extraterrestrial secrets rip away the hero Melinda has always dreamed of?
Releases April 1, 2015
Be sure to visit the other participating sci-fi romance authors by following the #sfrgtt hashtag for more great excerpts!
March 22, 2015
#SFRMonday ~ FORGED IN FIRE by @ARDeClerck #scifirom
FORGED IN FIREby AR DeClerck
Steel is forged in fire.
Hardened by hatred,
Tempered by blood.
Seasoned by shame,
Sharpened by death.
Gin Draven is a soldier. THE soldier. Sworn to protect the nine planets in the galaxy humans made their home ninety thousand years ago. He lives for winning the war. He loved a woman once, and she cost him his sanity, his eye, and his heart. He’d taken every moment of their time together and buried it deep. Until the day she strolled back into his life.
Maeve was a woman. THE woman. Back to make Gin Draven her husband. She wants the same thing he does. The end to the war that plagues them all. She knows secrets that can help him win the war, and secrets that could destroy them both.
War brought them together, and war tore them apart. The strongest loves are Forged in Fire.
Available from Amazon
The water was perfect. The bubbling water was clear and warm as they slid down. Luna giggled and jumped in, splashing Maeve and Gin with a shout of joy. Gin watched in amusement as she swam like a Tabinese turtle. He felt the burn of the muscles in his side fade away as he settled back against the rocks that circled the pool. It was long and wide enough to do several laps, and deep enough for Luna to do cannonballs. Maeve settled next to him, her arms floating on the water as she laid her head back and looked up at the moon.
“She swims very well.” Gin said, clapping when Luna did a somersault in the water. Maeve’s smile was wide as she watched their daughter play.
“She always liked the water. I took her to lessons when she turned three.” Her eyes were sad when she turned them to Gin. “I feel horrible about keeping her from you all these years.”
Gin shook his head, stretching one arm behind her over the rocks. “It was probably better you did, to be honest. Does it suck? Hell yes. To tell the truth I wasn’t father material back then. Probably not even now.”
Maeve turned to him, splashing a little water on his face with her hand. He sputtered and wiped it away as Luna laughed from her end of the pool. “Don’t ever say that!” Maeve scolded. She put her hands on his cheeks, drawing his eyes to hers. “She is lucky you’re her father.”
“Rather than the alternative?” he asked. He regretted it the minute the words slid off his tongue. Maeve blinked, the hurt sweeping across her face. She dropped her hands and sat back in the water, her shoulders stiff. The water covered her breasts and nearly all of her shoulders, but he could see it ripple with each angry breath she took. Her face blushed red with fury. “I’m sorry.” The words sounded lame, even to him. It wasn’t enough to say sorry. He’d wounded her without even meaning to. She turned to look at him, her eyes bright.
“No. Don’t be. It’s the truth. I am glad it was you and not him. Really damned glad. “She licked her lips, “I would still love her, Gin, even if she was his.”
He curled his arm over her shoulders, pulling her close. “Don’t be ashamed of that, Maeve. She’s a child. She has no control over her parentage, none of us do. I would love her too. Even if she was his.”
Maeve looked up at him and surprised the hell out of him by sealing her mouth over his, kissing his breath away. She didn’t pull back until Luna started laughing and splashing them with water.
“Ewwww!” the little girl shrieked. “Stop kissing my Daddy! That’s gross!”
Gin smiled against Maeve’s lips as she backed away just enough to let him breathe.
“What was that for?” he asked softly. She rubbed a finger over his lips.
“For being you.”
Gin felt uncomfortable with the look in her eyes. It held the weight of her heart, and she’d just placed it squarely in his hands. It was a huge responsibility, to care for it and for Luna’s. It was the most precious gift, besides his daughter, that he’d ever been given. He grinned at Luna and pulled her in between them, so that both he and Maeve could hug her. She squealed with delight as they tickled and kissed her. Gin tossed her into the water as she laughed with a happy abandon he’d do anything to feel again. He was sore and tired, but the water was licking away all the tension in his muscles, finally relaxing him. He let stress go that he was sure he’d been holding for five years. It washed away in the water as he smiled and laughed with his family.
Family. He’d had one, once. A mother and a father who loved him. Bry, his brother in everything but blood. Jaria, his sister. This thing with Luna and Maeve, though, it was somehow more. It gave him a feeling he hadn’t been able to name before. It wrapped him in the emotion and helped him shed years of fear and anger. He watched as Maeve played in the water with Luna, the dark swimsuit hugging her curves lovingly. In the moonlight as she laughed she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. He knew the name of that feeling as he watched her play with their daughter. It was happiness.
AR DeClerck is a wife, mother, dialysis technician and author. She grew up in the mountains of Western NC but she now lives with her family in the Quad Cities, IL. She is an avid reader, reviewer, writer and music enthusiast. She likes to describe herself as an ‘unapologetic nerd’ with a taste for romance. She attributes her love of books to her Mother, who always has a book handy.
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