Sunday Snippet: Blending In

I got slammed witha nasty cold and definitely feel it this week. Completely derailed my dailyrelaxation stress reducer posts. I'll hopefully catch back up next week orstart over again for the new year.

Finished up severalwork-related projects and added a few to my calendar. Hoping to start the new yearoff with a full slate to stay busy.

Not a bad week oftelevision, even with the icky cold making me super tired and exhausted.

Watched anotherepisode of My Life Is Murder and enjoyed it. I'm still trying to getused to the New Zealand locale with the second season. Still a fun show.

Caught the secondhalf of Agatha Raisin. Feel very badly for James, who kind of seems likethe odd man out of the group. Loved how this one played out.

Started a new two-partSilent Witness and not sure on the new pathologist. He's not bad, Iguess. Clearly, it's time to shake things up for Jack, which probably meansthings won't go well when his brother gets out of prison.

Enjoyed another Deathin Paradise, which is one I didn't remember. I'm getting into the Humphreyepisodes I missed on the first watch.

Watched anotherepisode of Elementary and quite liked the dynamic. I'm very interestedin getting into more of what happened with Joan's medical career. Sherlock isdefinitely true to form and I'm getting into this version.

Caught anotherepisode of The Batman. I think I have one or two more episodes of the firstseason then a bit of a shift to the second one.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats. For some reason, I think I might have misseda season or at least some episodes. I'll do a run through after I finish up thesixth season.

Continued with TheSecret Life of Amy Benson. I'm intrigued by how the season is unfolding andI'm kind of interested in where things are going to go.

Finished out theweek with an episode of VIP. Some familiar early aughts faces in thisone. Also a fun episode.

That's pretty muchit on the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Blending In, anovella that puts a couple undercover and brings them together despite their bestintentions of staying apart.

Here's theminiblurb:

Wren and Ethan go undercover in the seedy Bottoms.Ethan's by the book style clashes with Wren's off the cuff attitude, but when apowerful mage makes a threat, they'll have to forge an unbreakable bond or godown in flames.

And a preview snippet…

Ethan considered Wren's justification."Okay, what's next?" He might as well roll with tide.

She suggested an info gatheringopportunity. "No engagement. We go in, get some intel, and come out.That's it." She made a few adjustments to her outfit, knotting the T-shirtunder her breasts and letting her hair down.

Ethan followed Wren into Hunter'sGlen, his heart pumping with both anticipation and trepidation. He didn't doon-the-fly work and he feared it would show. He didn't want to let her down.

Once inside, he waited for his eyesto adjust to the dim interior. "I'll follow your lead. I need a fewminutes to get into the role and follow the vibe." And maybe get his shittogether.

Wren jerked her head, acknowledgingthe request. She led him through the throng of people and directly by the trio who'ddrawn their attention. The mood coming from the bar area consisted ofboisterous bravado mixed with an angry undertone.

Ethan adopted a besotted demeanor,trailing behind Wren like he couldn't wait to get his hands on her. Not a hardsell for him. This might not be as difficult as he'd thought.

She led him to a corner table in ashadowy recess close to the bar. Good cover and strategically located. Headmired her quick and spot-on assessment.

Tugging him close, she spokequietly in his ear. "Look oblivious to everyone but me but pay very closeattention to the conversations." She settled onto a chair and gave him asexy smile.

He scooted his around so he couldplay the part she assigned to him. Leaning one arm over her shoulder, hetwisted her toward him so they looked extra cozy. Her eyes went wide but shedidn't resist. And a note of admiration crept into the dark depths. He'd madethe right move.

She tilted her head toward him,doing a good impression of a private conversation, but her attention focused onthe bar. Ethan tracked the conversations at the line of pool tables. Deviatingfrom the plan might end up paying off if the first hour they spent barelytouching their drinks and eavesdropping indicated anything.

He leaned in, speaking in lowtones. "Sounds like the triple threat is here to meet the wall of muscleon table two." He eased back and gave her a bold stare.

Wren tipped her chin. "Soundsright. They're waiting until the weasel-faced guy leaves. They don't trusthim." She scooted closer, almost sitting on his lap.

But it put her in a prime positionwhen the trio of Orion men made their way to the pool tables. Under the guiseof practically making out, Ethan and Wren spent the next sixty minutescarefully catching the bulk of the planned attack on a group of faeintermediaries. Wren's eyes widened when the crucial piece of informationdropped. The big ringleader told the trio to be ready within the week.

Ethan made a move to stand, pushinghis chair back a little, but Wren slid up onto his lap.

She rested her forehead againsthis. "Not yet. Too obvious. Let the game wind down first." She easedback and held his gaze.

He didn't argue and gave a barelyperceptible nod. Moving his hands up, he palmed her thighs, keeping her fromshifting back to her seat. Her lips quirked but she didn't resist.

The final ball sank into the pocketand a round of drinks was raised to the winners. Ethan checked his urge to maketracks. He'd follow Wren's lead again.

When they drew a stare or two fromthe burly bikers and some raunchy commentary, Wren did a sensuous slide off hislap and tugged him upward.

They left to whistles and catcallsand thankfully before anyone tried something stupid.

Once outside, she clasped his palm."We're primed with some good intel. Keep acting the part until we clearthe next block." She shivered a little from the bite in the wind.

Ethan wrapped an arm around her andtucked her into his side. Neither spoke, pretending to be too into each otherto talk. They made their way across the street and headed for the littleapartment over the thrift shop.

This story isgetting a second book because Ethan and Wren have more to say about theirrelationship.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye