On the 5th Day
Yesterday’s winner is Bobbie B. Don’t forget to comment today for your chance to win!
In Oct. the third book in the Second Chances series, Status Update, released. As I’ve mentioned, these stories stem from my attempt to write happy endings for all of my real life friends. It seems like the past few years several of them have found themselves at crossroads in their lives. I’m telling their stories (and the endings I wish for them) through these books.
How about a peek at Status Update?
Excerpt:
The ride back to her townhouse was made in silence as Laura filled every second with one panic attack after another. She hadn’t anticipated the evening going this way. Sure, Bryan had told her he wanted to fuck the hell out of her, but she’d dismissed those words, decided they were said in the heat of the moment.
Bryan had a wicked sense of humor. Laura had thought perhaps they were just indulging in some innocent flirting and dirty sexual innuendos.
Yeah, right. Had she honestly thought they’d have a nice dinner, talk, maybe go dancing, and then she’d offer him a bit more of that red-hot kissing he’d introduced her to without sex entering the equation?
Regardless of their unquestionable, off-the-charts attraction, things were moving too fast. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around what was about to happen.
Bryan pulled into the parking lot adjacent to her building and turned off the car. “Laura—” he started. His tone said it all.
She’d given away her nervousness. He was going to back out and let her off the hook.
Was that what she wanted?
She looked at Bryan’s handsome, concerned face.
Fuck that.
She was sick of the wise, old, never-take-a-chance woman she’d become.
New year. New Laura.
She reached across the console, leaning forward, while reaching for his shirt. She grabbed a handful of the cotton and used it to pull him toward her. Bryan met her halfway, their lips connecting in a kiss that triggered an arousal she hadn’t experienced in years. There was something so completely magical about Bryan’s kisses. Over the years, Laura had forgotten the intensity, the excitement that could be wrapped up in that initial touch of lips.
Bryan cupped her face, holding her as if she were not only the most precious woman on earth, but the hottest one as well. His fingers drifted along her cheek before he ran them through her hair. His grip tightened as if he were afraid she would change her mind and escape.
She wasn’t going anywhere without him.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured against her lips.
Her hands rested on his shoulders, but she wanted more. Wanted to feel him—skin to skin. She ran her fingers over his jaw, loving the roughness that betrayed he hadn’t shaved since this morning.
Though it was winter outside, the temperature in the car had to be pushing a thousand degrees.
They remained there, locked together, neither willing to be the first to break the connection.
Finally, Laura pulled away, resting her forehead against his. “I haven’t had sex in a really long time,” she admitted.
“Neither have I.”
“I’m counting in years, Bryan.”
He grinned. “Oh. Then I revise my previous statement. I haven’t had sex in a while.”
She laughed, then decided she didn’t want to start something that she potentially couldn’t finish. “Should we also revisit that comment you made in the restaurant?”
He tilted his head, confused. “Care to narrow it down for me?”
“The control thing.”
Bryan leaned closer and placed a quick, hard kiss on her lips. “That’s not going to be a problem for us.”
She studied his face, trying to decide if his answer was enough. Hell, she didn’t have a clue what he meant.
Bryan didn’t give her a chance to ask for clarification. “Trust me, Laura.”
Trust was a leap of faith, but it didn’t matter. Laura was one of those people who saw the best in someone until they proved her wrong. Bryan had done nothing to betray her trust, so…he had it.
“You wanna come in?”
“For coffee?” he asked.
She leaned back and slapped him on the upper arm. “No, not for coffee. What the hell have we just been talking about?”
Bryan laughed. “I was kidding, Laura. I’d love to come in.”
“Good.”
They walked to her townhouse, bundled together against the brisk, winter wind. After spending nearly thirty minutes in the sauna-like conditions in his car, the cold air went through her like a knife. She struggled to put her key in the door, her hands suddenly shaking.
She wanted to blame the frosty air, but she feared reality was setting in with a vengeance. She had invited a man into her apartment with the intention of sleeping with him. What the hell was she thinking? Dressed Laura looked a hell of a lot better than naked Laura.
Bryan placed his hand on hers, helping her guide the key into the slot. “Slow and easy, hotshot.”
The nickname gave her a much-needed boost of confidence. She was forty-three years old. If she wanted to fuck a man on the first date, it was her call to make.
They walked inside together. Bryan closed the door, then looked at her.
She pointed to the deadbolt. “Lock it.”
For today’s question, I thought we’d look back and talk a little about regrets. What’s one thing you wish you’d done when you were younger? Or if you had it to do all over again, what would you do? One commenter will win a copy of Status Update. And don’t forget to enter for the grand prize drawing–there’s still time!
