Eliza Gayle's Blog

Happy Dean Day 2012 Snippet Saturday – H/h first look

Saturday Snippet – Romantic

This week our focus is on romance and I've chosen an excerpt from Burned. I tend to find romance in the smallest gestures. The automatic things that a man or woman does without even thinking about it. My all-time favorite example of that is from the In Death series where Roarke picked up a button from Eve's jacket early in the series and has carried it in his pocket ever since. I know people probably get tired of me using that example but it's a powerful gesture for me and has stuck with me since I began reading that series.

Enjoy this snippet from Burned:

Zane opened the door with a scowl on his face. "You're la—."

"I'm sorry. I lost track of time in the investigation, and when I noticed that the sun was going down I lost my balance and I fell and now I'm a crazy mess and I wanted to go home and clean up, but I didn't want to leave you hanging any longer. Really, I'm so sorry. I thought about dinner all day long and have been looking forward to talking to you." She heaved a sigh.

A wide smile spread across his face. "Are you done?"

Before she could answer, he put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"No. I'm fil—"

"Stop talking, Ruby."

In an instant, his command caused some of the stress she'd been suffering to drift away. She sagged against him.

"I have the perfect solution. Come with me."

For once in her life she didn't argue. She let Zane lead her into his bedroom where her attention was drawn to the bed they'd occupied together less than twelve hours before. She choked back a whimper as they walked past it and into the master bathroom.

"I think you're going to like this."

He sat her on the edge of the giant tub dominating the room, turned on the water and then went to a panel in the wall. He pressed a button and fire erupted in the middle of the wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom.

"Whoa. I didn't even realize that was a fireplace."

"Uh huh. Somehow I knew you would appreciate that," Zane said as he quickly removed her disgusting clothes.

"C'mon, climb on in." Zane stripped and stepped in behind her. He maneuvered her around until her back rested to his front.

"Why are you being so nice to me? I showed up late and probably tracked dirt all through your condo. Is this all part of the submission game you want me to play?"

An arm tightened around her waist. "No, Ruby it's not a game. Is it so surprising that it pleases me to care for you?" He pressed his lips to her nape. "This is just life."

"What does that mean? I thought we were just having dinner but this feels like more than that. But how can so much change in just twenty-four hours? That's crazy, right?"

"I've been waiting a while for you so it's been agonizingly slow for me. You were right when you said I wanted a submissive."

"I knew this was too good to be true. I'm going to go now." She tugged, but his embrace didn't give. Tears sprang to her eyes. Sitting naked in the tub with the man she craved left her too bare—vulnerable.

"You didn't let me finish. I want a submissive who will submit to me sexually like you did last night."

Last night had been incredible for her. "Not all the time?"

"I'll probably be a tad overprotective at times. It's the nature of the beast."

Ruby smirked. "In case you haven't noticed. I can hold my own when I need to."

"Bring it on, babe. I relish the challenge."

No I don't want this. She could see herself falling in love with him and then where would she be? Way too risky.

"You're incorrigible. And just looking for a reason to do something crazy like spank me."

For a moment his lips brushed over her ear. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

End of excerpt tease.